Lube

[molotov]

What does everyone use to lube their...........gaskets/O-rings with? I was thinking Slick 50 or some other kind of teflon spray. Of course I'd spray my fingers and wipe the grease on the gasket.

[Mrfish55]

I use food grade silicone lube, some pet stores sell lifeguard brand but you can get it at any plumbing store, I for sure would not use slick 50 or any petroleum based product.

[globaldesigns]

I have never used anythimg, and have never had issues. I dont like the thought of adding such substances to the tank.

[molotov]

What about vegetable oil?

[MMAX]

I have never used anythimg, and have never had issues. I dont like the thought of adding such substances to the tank.

Yep, you shouldn't have to lube them at all.

[molotov]

I guess I will just go dry and roll the dice that I don't have problems.

[lastlight]

I think most people that have issues attempted to use either a lubricant or a wrench. I rub gaskets clean under warm water with my fingers and hand-tighten.

[Stones]

I've used the silicon based o-ring lubricant from Lifeguard and it works great. I actually cannot assemble my red dragon pump on my skimmer without adding o-ring lubricant as the needle wheel housing fits extremely tight against the o-ring. Without the lubricant, you can only get the housing 9/10ths of the way back onto the body of the pump. The lubricant should also help prolong the life of the typical hard to find o-rings that most aquarium pumps, unions, and reactors use. This lubricant is reef safe and completely inert in salt water.

[wingedfish]

I use whatever oil is in the pantry. Get in trouble with the extra vergin olive oil though. I put on the skimmer cup o ring so I don't fight it and end up with a mess and anything else I want to move smoothly like the sticky tlf reactor threads.

[gregzz4]

I use the Lifegard wherever an o-ring won't squeeze out. It makes taking things apart later so much easier. I even used it on the ceramic washer on a noisy mp10wES wetside and it worked great

[DiverDude]

I use stopcock grease (spare me the comments, I've heard 'em all !). That is just a pure silicone grease made by Dow Corning for use in labs. It's inert and won't hurt anything.

While you can often get away without anything, it is better to use silicone grease for a better seal without binding, pinching and with a LOT less pressure.

[globaldesigns]

I use stopcock grease (spare me the comments, I've heard 'em all !).

HEHEHEHE

[molotov]

Anyone know where I might be able to obtain this Lifeguard silicon Lubricant?

[Mrfish55]

I get mine from J&L but you can get silicone lube at any plumbing supplies store or dive shop ( probably not many of those in Calgary tho)

[apexifd]

vaseline??

[hillegom]

I would not use vaseline
It is a petroleum product

[TimT]

I have used vaseline on o-rings. Bulkhead gaskets go on dry.

[molotov]

Vasaline is great for dry skin but I'm not sure if I'd use it in my aquarium.