Oh Shoot!!!

[meschaefer]

OH SHOOT!!! ( I figure MR should be family freindly)

After a day of work related fiascos and adventures, my wife calls me at 7:00 pm (I was still at work), and tells me that my sump is empty and its is all over the floor, as well as some water from my display. She is yelling something about the carpeting and a flood. I quickly tie up some loose ends and head home.


It wasn't as bad as she made it seem or thought (it usally isn't), but for some reason my sump had emptied out. Most of it was in the cabinet (the floor is water tight, and held a couple of gallons), the rest was on the floor. I spent a couple of hours with a shop vac, sucking up as much as I could. And I guess I am in the market for a carpet cleaner of some sorts (I could use one anyway).

The funny thing is I can't figure our how the water got onto the floor. After investigation, the only thing I can think of is that the sump sprung a leak. (it is a 20 gallon tank)

Well I have been wanting to redo my sump, I guess now is the time. I will have to jury rig it some how, untill I can figure out what I want to do.

 

[House of Laughter]

Matthew,

Sometimes it take a return pump a little time tyo outpace the drain into the sump, I would also check that your drain to the sump is faster than your return. That can sometimes do it.

Hope you recovered well.

House

 

[ming]

Well, since its empty, take it outside and fill it up and see what happens. It could be anything from your overflow bulkhead, plumbing, or sump

 

[reefman]

if can easily check if ur 20 gal is leaking. else the overflow could've clog n ur pump just kept pumping water up to ur tank n overflowed.

 

[meschaefer]

It has to be the sump. It's not a pump, its not my overflow. There was no water anywhere but the floor inside the cabinet and on the carpet. there was not water (or residue) on the glass of the display tank, nor was there any water (or residue) on the walls or anyplace else for that matter. If a bulkhead went, it would just drain right into the sump.

I am going to pull the tank for the sump, and fill it with water to see what the problem is. It's a glass tank, so I am sure the seam could be repaired, just don't know If i would trust a repaired seam. I want to look and see what sizes I can get for a rubbermaid. I don't have much room beneath the tank (65g), and I would like to maximize my space better.

I currently have tank jury rigged to keep it going without the sump for a few days. If only I could get this carpet dry!!!!

 

[masterswimmer]

Set a fan blowing directly on the carpet. Ideally you should fold the carpet back and dry it from underneath.

Good luck with investigation. I hope it turns up the source of your dilemma. BTW, fwiw, I would not repair a 20 gallon tank. I'd just replace it. They're so cheap (inexpensive) to begin with. If anything, buy a new one and reinforce the seams with fresh silicone in addition to what's on it, if it'll make you feel reassured.

swimmer

 

[meschaefer]

I should have know that it would fail. I was planning on replacing it in a few months, after I bought a new skimmer. I have been using that tank as a sump for almost six years.

It might have been the oldest peice of equipment I was using.:skull:

 

[bad coffee]

I'd go buy a $5 rubbermaid and throw it in there for now. Easy fix.

You could cut the old tank down for baffles for the new sump. . .

B

 

[meschaefer]

You could cut the old tank down for baffles for the new sump. . .

Funny, I was saving on old quarantine tankt that was damaged when i moved for just such purpose. I need to go measure some rubbermaids.

 

[pecan2phat]

I wouldn't use a rubbermaid for long term or permanant use though.

 

[meschaefer]

I wouldn't use a rubbermaid for long term or permanant use though.

Not that I was planning on using it for long term use, but why not?

As I mentioned earlier, I was planning a new sump in the fall along with a new skimmer. I wan't to get the skimmer first then build a sump to fit. (I am going to Hawaii at the end of August, so all major purchases are on hold) So I really just need the rubbermaid as a temporary solution.

 

[cali_reef]

Why spent time on making a rubbermaid to a sump when you plan on a new sump anyway? That is wasting your money and time.

Rubbermaid tubs are great for making water changes, holding rocks, putting all your reef dry junk in it, etc.. Using it as a sump is not....

They bow out when filled more than halfway, they crack after some stress is placed on the side walls. Some people claim they leach Po4.

I would not be confortable having a rubbermaid tub holding water as a sump while on vacation in HI.

You know how those temp solutions always work out to be a longer term fix then it really should be. Just get a new AGA tank and drill it...

 

[meschaefer]

I would not be confortable having a rubbermaid tub holding water as a sump while on vacation in HI.

especially since I don't have the AC III to let me know that things have gone horriably wrong. Maybe that a good thing?:bigeyes2:

 

[masterswimmer]

I have to agree with Warren and Pierce on this. Believe it or not, water (as wet as it is) can also be considered a drying agent. Especially when you add salt to it. Over time saltwater will degrade the plastic and cause dry rot. Not sure how long it would take, but eventually there could be a failure. We all know these failures happen only at certain times, while we're on vacation, Sunday nights, holidays, 1am, and any other inconvenient time known to man. :biggrin:

swimmer