O-ring lubricant?

drillsar · 03/16/2018, 12:52 AM

I was told I should use silicon grease for the plumbing kit on my redsea.

is this safe?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DANCO-0-...8693/203193536

ramseynb · 03/16/2018, 02:43 AM

Yep, it’ll work. I use something similar on my o-rings and bulkhead gaskets.

ca1ore · 03/16/2018, 08:53 AM

I use food grade molykote.

drillsar · 03/16/2018, 10:25 AM

Thanks. I decided to go with this to be safe:

https://www.amazon.com/Corning-111-S.../dp/B00CAWWSQU

ca1ore · 03/16/2018, 01:53 PM

Yes, that's the same stuff as molykote

drillsar · 03/16/2018, 02:01 PM

I got a email from Redsea this is what they said:

Neither should really be needed but you can use Teflon tape if you would like. We would not suggest using silicone on the plumbing.

Thoughts?

billdogg · 03/16/2018, 04:38 PM

It depends on what you plan on using it for. Silicone plumbers grease or the item you linked to are one in the same - food grade silicone lube. It is the perfect solution to O-rings that stick or even bulkhead gaskets, but must be used sparingly. Just enough to make the O-ring shiny - no globs at all.

What it is NOT meant for is either threaded or slip fit pvc joints. For threaded, PTFE (teflon) paste is the correct thing to use - NOT teflon tape regardless of what RedSea may have told you. For slip fittings PVC cement (solvent actually) is what you should be using. I prefer Oateys medium clear, and don't waste my time with primer - it just makes a mess, and at least for our purposes, the pressure is so low that is just not needed.

hth

drillsar · 03/16/2018, 05:01 PM

if you use pvc cement you wont be able to remove pipe correct?

billdogg · 03/17/2018, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drillsar

if you use pvc cement you wont be able to remove pipe correct?

Yes. If you need to redo something, just cut it out and replace with new. Because PVC is so inexpensive I wouldn't even consider any other way of joining slip fittings. Any other option will leak eventually, probably the day after you leave for a week long vacation.

That is also one of the reasons I prefer threaded fittings and/or the use of true unions for anything I might need to take apart for regular cleaning.

drillsar · 03/17/2018, 05:19 PM

The redsea plumbing kit has two ends one with 0-ring the other threaded..

03/16/2018, 12:52 AM	#1
drillsar Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West Orange, NJ Posts: 2,838	O-ring lubricant? I was told I should use silicon grease for the plumbing kit on my redsea. is this safe? https://www.homedepot.com/p/DANCO-0-...8693/203193536

03/16/2018, 02:43 AM	#2
ramseynb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New Braunfels, TX Posts: 630	Yep, it’ll work. I use something similar on my o-rings and bulkhead gaskets. __________________ How do you make an octopus laugh? Ten tickles!

03/16/2018, 08:53 AM	#3
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I use food grade molykote. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

03/16/2018, 01:53 PM	#5
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Yes, that's the same stuff as molykote __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

03/16/2018, 04:38 PM	#7
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	It depends on what you plan on using it for. Silicone plumbers grease or the item you linked to are one in the same - food grade silicone lube. It is the perfect solution to O-rings that stick or even bulkhead gaskets, but must be used sparingly. Just enough to make the O-ring shiny - no globs at all. What it is NOT meant for is either threaded or slip fit pvc joints. For threaded, PTFE (teflon) paste is the correct thing to use - NOT teflon tape regardless of what RedSea may have told you. For slip fittings PVC cement (solvent actually) is what you should be using. I prefer Oateys medium clear, and don't waste my time with primer - it just makes a mess, and at least for our purposes, the pressure is so low that is just not needed. hth __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

03/16/2018, 10:25 AM	#4
drillsar Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West Orange, NJ Posts: 2,838	Thanks. I decided to go with this to be safe: https://www.amazon.com/Corning-111-S.../dp/B00CAWWSQU

03/16/2018, 02:01 PM	#6
drillsar Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West Orange, NJ Posts: 2,838	I got a email from Redsea this is what they said: Neither should really be needed but you can use Teflon tape if you would like. We would not suggest using silicone on the plumbing. Thoughts?

03/16/2018, 05:01 PM	#8
drillsar Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West Orange, NJ Posts: 2,838	if you use pvc cement you wont be able to remove pipe correct?

03/17/2018, 05:19 PM	#10
drillsar Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West Orange, NJ Posts: 2,838	The redsea plumbing kit has two ends one with 0-ring the other threaded..