Siphon broken!

[esmithiii]

Wife called and said that the tank was overflowing (55g w/ 18g sump) and after some investigating over the phone (I am on a business trip) sure enough, the siphon was indeed broken. Other than the fact that it was a nightmare explaining to her how to restart the siphon, her being grossed out at getting some salt water in her mouth and some wet carpet, all is now well. Questions:


1. How do you think it got broken in the first place? It has gone 18 months without breaking the siphon!
2. Any ideas on how to prevent this so I can stay married?
3. Any issues w/ SW on the carpet (Its Berber)

E

 

[Anonymous]

A: I don't Know. Maybe a power out or just a dip in the power. Maybe a snail or hermit covered( Got sucked onto) the outlet.

B: get your tank drilled, or another wife( one with a stronger stomach.

)

C: Shop vac as much water as possible, then Rug doctor it. The sooner the better.

HTH
B

 

[SPC]

E, soon you won't have to worry about this with your 180.

1. As Bingo metioned, and could have been knocked loose in some way

2. I don't know.
3. I dont think saltwater would hurt the carpet anymore than fresh would, (could be wrong here).
Steve

 

[davelin315]

1. I am assuming that you are using a u-tube set up on your overflow to have a concern about a siphon. In mine, I used to use dual tubes, and they would periodically collect bubbles in the top, which would slow down my waterflow, which would eventually break the siphon. I switched to a larger u-tube and pulled out the other 2, and now only use 1, which has less capacity than the 2 together, and so the water goes through much quicker, pulling out any bubbles with it. You may want to clean/oil your pumps, because that could be what is allowing the air to get trapped in your siphon tubes, breaking the siphon.

2. See above, and also, bring home a big present (not reef related) for your wife (also, not a vacuum cleaner or some other sort of housework helper).

3. Shop vac and rug shampooer is a good idea. Pull the salt out of the padding and it won't be sticky down the line. I would use plain water several times before using any detergent, though.

 

[Mouse]

Hey Bingo, words from the wise there.

I too am a proud member of the wet carpet crew, actually more like the two wet carpets a damp celing and a broken light crew. oooops

Dave i just read recomendation 2, love it.

[ September 14, 2001: Message edited by: Mouse ]

[ September 14, 2001: Message edited by: Mouse ]

 

[esmithiii]

My siphon pulls enough that small and medium size bubbles flow through the tube.

Thanks for the advice. I am curious about the problem of the saltwater in the carpet. At this point it would be nearly impossible to clean it as you described.

Soon the 180 will take over, and I won't have these worries...

Thanks, and any info of carpet issues would be helpful.

E

 

[davelin315]

As far as not cleaning the carpet, the end result will be you will notice your carpet is kind of "sticky" and also "crunchy". I usually just soak it up with towels and then, eventually, when it get's too annoying, I'll use a rug shampooer to clean it.