Help please?

[IWishIWasAFish]

I could really use some help with my new aquarium set-up. I think maybe it just needs one of the bulkheads replaced (again.) I think maybe I'd damaged the new one through over-tightening, but I thought they needed to be tight(?) When I tried to stick the PVC pipe up into it to glue it in, the nut popped off. I thought I could fix it with sealant, since it's just a drain, but either that didn't work (highly likely) or the tank is cracked(not so likely.) Unfortunately, I can't leave it like this long because the tank leaks just a bit under the corner overflow, which doesn't normally matter but is enough to slowly make a giant puddle.
It's got a pile of live rock and a little bit of sand and water in it. 50 gallons, acrylic. I've already put it together and apart twice this weekend, and gone to Home Despot 4 times. I finally gave up and bought a whole mountain of various PVC connectors, so I'm pretty sure I have what's needed to redo that part once the new bulkhead is on.

I spent 12 hours on the thing this weekend, learning how to plumb a sump, because the "plug-and-play" sump I got with the tank didn't "plug." It's been something new every time I think I've got it. At this point I wish I'd started from scratch on my own. Now I also know for certain the project is cursed because I already wrote and posted this request for help, before finally leaving Burien/W. Seattle an hour ago, and it somehow failed to register onto the forum.

I'll be stopping at Blue Sierra tomorrow after work, hoping they have a bulkhead of the right size(I'll buy an extra) and then it's back to the new school to try again, because the aquarium is leaking, and I can't leave it like that. I'll probably make it over there("there" being West Seattle Montessori School) about 5:00.

(It'd be great to borrow a few extra buckets/tubs to get the live rock out of the way, and not have to pour more of the $alt water down the drain. I'm also utterly mystified as to how to get the residue of aquarium sealant from the old bulkhead off completely. It's in the narrow confines of the overflow, so exacto blade isn't working out so well.)

If anyone is available and inclined to help, it would mean the world to me.

 

[blk822822]

should there be o rings around the bulk head connectors?

 

[returnofsid]

Not an O Ring, but a neoprene washer, usually. Bulkheads do need to be tight, but not overly tight. Tightening them too much can crack the glass. Let's hope that's not what you find!! As for removing the sealant material, from inside the overflow, hmmm, that's going to be a tough one. You may have to see if you can reach down and peel off as much as you can. You may also be able to reach through the hole, from the bottom, and get at some of it. The Neoprene Washer should still create a seal, if you're unable to remove all of the sealant. Also, the tube, inside the overflow should never be glued into the bulkhead. Don't glue that tube. The tube coming out of the bottom of the overflow can be glued.

You should be able to drain the overflow, without draining the tank. The overflow, depending on it's size, probably only holds 3-5 gallons of water.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

As said above, it is either cracked glass or you are missing the o-ring.
Most likely.

 

[IWishIWasAFish]

Thank you - this bulkhead was missing its washer, but I had gotten a perfectly fitting replacement for it. The other bulkhead I replaced had its original washer, and appears to be working fine. It's an acrylic aquarium, not glass, don't know if that makes it harder to crack but I didn't feel I tightened anywhere near acrylic-cracking potential.

You may have to see if you can reach down and peel off as much as you can. You may also be able to reach through the hole, from the bottom, and get at some of it. The Neoprene Washer should still create a seal, if you're unable to remove all of the sealant.

You should be able to drain the overflow, without draining the tank. The overflow, depending on it's size, probably only holds 3-5 gallons of water.

Thank you - reaching was what I was doing, good to know that it's a okay to leave a bit of sealant.

Overflow is already drained - but water from the tank seeps slowly into it from underneath its wall.

 

[jrgilles]

When I installed my bulkheads, I coated both sides of the washer with silicone before I installed it. I also coated the nut with silicone. The washer should also be on the outside of the tank. So, my bulkhead 'sandwich' looks like:

Nut
Silicone
Aquarium Glass
Washer (Coated in silicone on both sides)
Bulkhead Flange

Then I tightened it all down. Seems like a great seal.

I have buckets if you need to borrow them. Maybe 5 or 6 5 gallon buckets, and a few pumps if you need to keep circulation in your tank. I'd be needing them back by next weekend though. If you're interested pm me. I live in seattle, but it is on the first exit off of I-90 when you come in from the east side.

 

[jrgilles]

Oh, I also have a spare 1.5" bulkhead if that is the size you need. Bought it for my plumbing, but ended up going with 1" instead.

 

[krisfal]

Overflow is already drained - but water from the tank seeps slowly into it from underneath its wall.

Not good, as you will not necessarily be flood proof, in event of a power outage, if your tank is going to continue seeping into the overflow. However by using a standpipe that is tall enough to only allow a limited amount of water to backflow into the sump then you can compensate for this issue.

 

[IWishIWasAFish]

An excellent point. Since I have to take the thing apart again anyway, I was planning on putting sealant over that crack at the same time. The stand pipe would be a pipe up from the drain right? Wouldn't that cause dirt to accumulate in bottom of overflow area?

Not good, as you will not necessarily be flood proof, in event of a power outage, if your tank is going to continue seeping into the overflow. However by using a standpipe that is tall enough to only allow a limited amount of water to backflow into the sump then you can compensate for this issue.

 

[IWishIWasAFish]

Yay! I got some help. In fact, I got the husband who worked all weekend to come with me after his class gets out. He knows no more than I, but it sounds like I wasn't really doing anything wrong, so company and an extra pair of hands should make it ok. Thank you all for the advice and offered buckets and such.

 

[NWDiver]

A stand pipe will let some detritus collect in the overflow, but it is not bad on my tank.
I just suck it out when I am in the cleaning mode.
While you have it all apart you might look into a durso or other silencer for the standpipe, you are already working on it so now would be the time. It made a huge difference for me.

 

[IWishIWasAFish]

Now I need a new pump! because this one is WAY WAY WAY too much. It fills the water vastly faster than a 1'' drain can handle - about at the rate of the previously engineered two 1'' drains I bet. At any rate, the plumbing is beautiful and does not leak. I successfully sealed the bulkhead base and it no longer leaks. Therefore, no stand pipe. Caught the silencer suggestion a little to late for this time, but when the rate of flow is low, the drain is not loud - it doesn't drop far before turning.

So. If possible I need to swap my current pump with someone for something much less powerful. Internal or external, I hear pros and cons to both, so whichever I can get my fingers on first. Water needs to go up 3' and over 1' to get to the outlet into the tank, and needs to not overwhelm a 1'' drain. I was too tired to look at the name and type of my current pump last night, but will get that up later. Apparently it's something old, but it sure does pump a lot of water very enthusiastically