Petroleum Jelly Hurt Anything?

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elrodvoss

Well-Known Member
Setting up my next system and im going with a Recirculating Deep Water Culture. For my buckets I am using some bulkhead fittings, like the Ebb/Flow fittings, but these fit my needs better.

My question is that while the fittings do have rubber gaskets to press against the locking nut and inner wall of the bucket, I still think I am getting some leaks with my tests. Would using petroleum jelly on the rubber gaskets to help with the water seal hurt the roots or grossly effect the PH or Nutrient levels?

If they effect the PH at the beginning and I can correct that is fine, but I wanted to make sure that nothing "leaches" from the petroleum jelly into the water and effect the plants.


Thanks in advance.

-Elrodvoss
 
Pinworm

Pinworm

Well-Known Member
elrodvoss said:
Setting up my next system and im going with a Recirculating Deep Water Culture. For my buckets I am using some bulkhead fittings, like the Ebb/Flow fittings, but these fit my needs better.

My question is that while the fittings do have rubber gaskets to press against the locking nut and inner wall of the bucket, I still think I am getting some leaks with my tests. Would using petroleum jelly on the rubber gaskets to help with the water seal hurt the roots or grossly effect the PH or Nutrient levels?

If they effect the PH at the beginning and I can correct that is fine, but I wanted to make sure that nothing "leaches" from the petroleum jelly into the water and effect the plants.


Thanks in advance.

-Elrodvoss
Click to expand...
You can use it to wedge those fuckers in, but just empty out your rez, and spray/wipe it down with some isopropyl before you fill it back up with food. If they still don't fit snugly, I would probably go with some silicon sealant. Keep your tub clean, and light leak free, and you won't have any ph issues.
 
nomofatum

nomofatum

Well-Known Member
elrodvoss said:
Setting up my next system and im going with a Recirculating Deep Water Culture. For my buckets I am using some bulkhead fittings, like the Ebb/Flow fittings, but these fit my needs better.

My question is that while the fittings do have rubber gaskets to press against the locking nut and inner wall of the bucket, I still think I am getting some leaks with my tests. Would using petroleum jelly on the rubber gaskets to help with the water seal hurt the roots or grossly effect the PH or Nutrient levels?

If they effect the PH at the beginning and I can correct that is fine, but I wanted to make sure that nothing "leaches" from the petroleum jelly into the water and effect the plants.


Thanks in advance.

-Elrodvoss
Click to expand...
Not sure on if it's safe or not, but I'm guessing it wouldn't last anyway. If you have to use a sealant I would use 100% silicone (white or clear) and let it fully dry before adding water.
 
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elrodvoss

Well-Known Member
Ya I have aquarium silicone, so it's 100% safe. Just wanted a solution that wasn't perma. Just incase I needed to take apart and reconfigure.

Thanks.
 
NorthernHize

NorthernHize

Well-Known Member
Do not use silicone on those rubber gaskets it make them expand and then deteriorate, the petroleum jelly will eventually just start to break them down. Use a PTFE based sealant Aladin is a good one that I use. If you were gunna use a silicone caulk use GE silicone number I in the blue tube it does not have the anti mold and mildew properties to it that can impart nasty stuff to your water, it also remains permanently flexible should you need to remove it.
 
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elrodvoss

Well-Known Member
NorthernHize said:
Do not use silicone on those rubber gaskets it make them expand and then deteriorate, the petroleum jelly will eventually just start to break them down. Use a PTFE based sealant Aladin is a good one that I use. If you were gunna use a silicone caulk use GE silicone number I in the blue tube it does not have the anti mold and mildew properties to it that can impart nasty stuff to your water, it also remains permanently flexible should you need to remove it.
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20150220_200454.jpg

This what u were refering too? Says GE Silicone I, but may have changed packaging.
 
NorthernHize

NorthernHize

Well-Known Member
Yes you can use the stuff for aquariums as well, I only interjected when you suggested that you might use caulk. There are also other methods of stopping your leak, just wanted to make sure if you used caulk you didn't buy the wrong thing. There are plumbers grease/putty, oversized o-rings. I wasn't telling you to use caulk exclusively. I might have conveyed that wrong.
 
nomofatum

nomofatum

Well-Known Member
elrodvoss said:
Ok, I have this stuff already:
http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/cntct_silicone/overview/Loctite-Clear-Silicone-Waterproof-Sealant.htm

Ive used it to seal leaks on outside, but since this would be inside the bucket and be exposed to the nutrients, I wanted to ensure there was no leaching or anything that could harm the plants or roots.

Thanks for the advice.
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That will be fine. See the aquarium safe on it, aquarium safe = rez safe. Fish and corral are much more sensitive than humans and cannabis, you are GTG. Fish and corral are also very expensive so they wouldn't put that on there and get sued left and right for all the dead Koi.

Do not rush it to dry though. Wait at least the full time stated on the bottle before adding water.
 
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