Uniseals vs All-Glass 10 Gallon

acroporas · #1 10/29/2007, 05:18 PM

Has anyone sucessfully used Uniseals on a glass 10 gallon aquarium?

I've used the Uniseals on PVC and other plastic containers with no hitch.

So I am trying to plumb some 10 gallon aquariums. I purchased some 3/4" Uniseals and a the recomended 1 1/4" glass hole saw.

Drilling turned out to be easier than expected, however, installing the Uniseals has been a whole other story.

I can not get the pipe through the Uniseal without cracking the tank. Ok well to be more accurate, I've cracked the tank in several places, and still not yet managed to get the pipe through.

I drilled a 2" hole in a piece of wood and set the tank over the pice of wood try to spread the weight out, and then tried to push the pipe through. No luck, the tank cracked. I tried windex as a lubricant first, then when that did not work, I tried canola oil: just sent more crack out from the hole.

Anyone have better luck with Uniseals and small glass aquariums? Any tips for how to get the pipe through without cracking the tank?

shyland83 · #2 10/29/2007, 06:00 PM

I would use a bulkhead rather than a uniseal. but, drilling a tank that small is a problem no matter what you do. the glass is just too thin and cracks too easily. will work with a bulkhead just be very careful.

MeuserReef · #3 10/29/2007, 06:43 PM

I concur. How many of these are you trying to setup? I have some 3/4" bulkheads.... and need some 3/4" uni-seals.... Want to trade?

PM me if you are interested in a swap.

ps. I'm using a 10 gallon as my sump and I have a bulkhead installed on the side to feed my external return pump. No issues with it for almost 2 years now.

scottras · #4 10/29/2007, 06:54 PM

I used soap and a lot of effort to get them through no worries. I was using a 3/4 Uniseal on a 2.5g aquarium.

richofoz · #5 10/29/2007, 07:03 PM

Do you have a dremel?
Maybe you could try opening the hole up another mm or two?

Also try sticking the pipe you want to insert into the freezer for an hour or so first won't make much difference but it will be a little bit smaller...

acroporas · #6 10/29/2007, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MeuserReef
I concur. How many of these are you trying to setup? I have some 3/4" bulkheads.... and need some 3/4" uni-seals.... Want to trade?

PM me if you are interested in a swap.

ps. I'm using a 10 gallon as my sump and I have a bulkhead installed on the side to feed my external return pump. No issues with it for almost 2 years now.

If you were local, I'd be game for a trade, but I fear shipping would cost more than it was worth...

adnup · #7 10/29/2007, 07:10 PM

I agree! The glass is sooooooo thin on 10gal's that even if you get the uni's installed one bump on any plumbing and you'll have a mess. I've broken a couple myself I know.

acroporas · #8 10/29/2007, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by scottras
I used soap and a lot of effort to get them through no worries. I was using a 3/4 Uniseal on a 2.5g aquarium.

Soap: will try, if that does not work, I'm think I'm just going to give up and go with a bulkhead.....

It's funny as I thought a uniseal would have some give and be less likely to crack the tank than a traditional bulkhead. So much for that idea.....

shyland83 · #9 10/29/2007, 07:40 PM

also you might want to use spa flex instead of rigid pvc so if you bump intot he plumbing youll have less chance of cracking the tank.

scottras · #10 10/29/2007, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by acroporas
Soap: will try, if that does not work, I'm think I'm just going to give up and go with a bulkhead.....

It's funny as I thought a uniseal would have some give and be less likely to crack the tank than a traditional bulkhead. So much for that idea.....

The Uniseal's do have some give, but it depends largely on the hole size. 0.5mm can make a big difference when squeezing the tube through. When you push it in, give it a twist. Also make sure you are putting the tube in the right direction.

For reference, I plumbed 2 x 3/4" uniseals into the back glass of the 2.5g tank.

widmer · #11 10/29/2007, 11:26 PM

RRRRR matey here I come to highjack your thread with my plumbing goofiness RRRR....

daven · #12 10/30/2007, 07:16 AM

I have used uniseals for a couple applications but not glass. I can't imagine pushing pvc through a uniseal on a 10g and not having it break the glass. It takes a bit of pressure (even with soap) to push through the uniseal IME.

DKreefkeepers · #13 10/30/2007, 08:33 AM

I only use the uniseals when I have to. They produce a good seal but are way too hard to deal with if you need to take it apart and put it back together even semi regularly.