Should I use silicone grease on bulkhead gaskets?

OceanGirl · 02-17-2008, 01:39 PM

Hi there everyone,
I was wondering whether or not I should put some silicone grease on the bulkhead gaskets when I'm ready to install them. I read somewhere that it might prolong the life of the gaskets. What do you guys think?

Frankie · 02-17-2008, 01:44 PM

It won't hurt. I just used freshwater when i installed all of mine. No leaks yet

JT101 · 02-17-2008, 02:22 PM

I have used the really PURE stuff they make for pipes. You can get it from Home Depot. I've used it to lubricate O-rings, overly tight tube fittings, and during the installation of my RO/DI. Not a single issue with water quality. Silicon (which is what pure silicone grease is made from) is essentially inert.

JWarren · 02-17-2008, 03:00 PM

I can tell you it will absolutely prolong the life of the rubber gaskets!

I am a diver and use it on the o-rings of my dive gear and get mine from the dive shop where I fill my tanks. It adds a protective layer to help keep the saltwater from dehydrating the rubber.

Xtreme1024 · 02-17-2008, 03:06 PM

I use Vasoline, a fellow who used to own a fish store told me to use it years ago. I have been using it ever since, it prevents leaks and the gaskets last forever.

DaveK · 02-17-2008, 03:28 PM

Using silicone grease on bulkhead gaskets and similar O rings is a good idea. Make sure it's the pure stuff used for plumbing, and that it doesn't contain other chemicals.

I do not recommend the use of Vasoline. This is a petroleum based product, and it's not something you generally want in a reef. Also, because it's a petroleum based product it will attack actual rubber parts and some plastics. Note, most O rings you'll see in plumbing or aquarium products are not rubber.

OceanGirl · 02-17-2008, 04:52 PM

Thanks, everybody! All you guys are the GREATEST!!

02-17-2008, 01:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
OceanGirl Tubeworm Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Old Bridge, NJ Posts: 32 View Gallery Karma Komment	Should I use silicone grease on bulkhead gaskets? Hi there everyone, I was wondering whether or not I should put some silicone grease on the bulkhead gaskets when I'm ready to install them. I read somewhere that it might prolong the life of the gaskets. What do you guys think? __________________ Going thru life making a mess and falling down the stairs while trying to win the lottery..

02-17-2008, 01:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
Frankie Angel Girl's Daddy Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The End Of The World Posts: 8,088 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Should I use silicone grease on bulkhead gaskets? It won't hurt. I just used freshwater when i installed all of mine. No leaks yet __________________ Click here to visit my thread: New Horizons Text Is a Poor Form Of Communication! If we ignore the environment maybe it will just go away....

02-17-2008, 02:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
JT101 Neon dottyback Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hicksville NY Posts: 622 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Should I use silicone grease on bulkhead gaskets? I have used the really PURE stuff they make for pipes. You can get it from Home Depot. I've used it to lubricate O-rings, overly tight tube fittings, and during the installation of my RO/DI. Not a single issue with water quality. Silicon (which is what pure silicone grease is made from) is essentially inert.

02-17-2008, 03:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
JWarren Reef Lobster Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Port Saint Lucie, Florida Posts: 1,425 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Should I use silicone grease on bulkhead gaskets? I can tell you it will absolutely prolong the life of the rubber gaskets! I am a diver and use it on the o-rings of my dive gear and get mine from the dive shop where I fill my tanks. It adds a protective layer to help keep the saltwater from dehydrating the rubber. __________________ John Typhoon RO/DI filter unit. My Saltwater web site. Help build ReefPedia!

02-17-2008, 03:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
Xtreme1024 Limpet Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Williamstown, NJ Posts: 144 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Should I use silicone grease on bulkhead gaskets? I use Vasoline, a fellow who used to own a fish store told me to use it years ago. I have been using it ever since, it prevents leaks and the gaskets last forever.

02-17-2008, 03:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
DaveK Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Philadelpahia, PA Posts: 651 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Should I use silicone grease on bulkhead gaskets? Using silicone grease on bulkhead gaskets and similar O rings is a good idea. Make sure it's the pure stuff used for plumbing, and that it doesn't contain other chemicals. I do not recommend the use of Vasoline. This is a petroleum based product, and it's not something you generally want in a reef. Also, because it's a petroleum based product it will attack actual rubber parts and some plastics. Note, most O rings you'll see in plumbing or aquarium products are not rubber.

02-17-2008, 04:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
OceanGirl Tubeworm Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Old Bridge, NJ Posts: 32 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Should I use silicone grease on bulkhead gaskets? Thanks, everybody! All you guys are the GREATEST!! __________________ Going thru life making a mess and falling down the stairs while trying to win the lottery..

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