Dying for Discus
09-15-2008, 12:01 AM
Hello everyone!
SOOO...I went out one day and found a 135 gallon pre-drilled (2- 1.5 inch overflow on side) with a built-in overflow box. The sump is a 55 gallon. It also came with a 2000 GPH pump (submersible). It's used and was an old saltwater tank.
I re-sealed the overflow box with silicone, and also replaced the rubber gaskets at the bulkheads. I had some problems with a leak from one of the bulk heads, but some silicone, epoxy and a quick tighten took care of that.
I used PVC coming out of the bulkheads and about 1/3 way down, I used a vinyl fitting (a barb?) to connect 1.5 inch vinyl tubing to deliver water to the sump. I also used two clamps on each vinyl-barb connection (total 4 clamps).
For the return, I have 1 90-degree elbow that leads into vinyl tubing, into a custom spray bar with 5 outlets.
As a first time sump owner, I'm super-paranoid of leaks. I used TONS of teflon tape and lots of silicone for the bulkheads. I also used the two clamps instead of one.
Are soft-plumbed tanks more prone to failure?? Does anyone have any tips to make sure the vinyl doesn't just pop off or spring a leak? Also...is there anything else I can do to make sure the bulkheads don't leak?
One thing I've noticed that in one of my PVC joints, there's a *tiny tiny* bit of water that collects in the seam. It's so little that it doesn't drip and it evaporates. Will this tiny leak get bigger over time?? I can't find the culprit and it seems neglible right now...could I maybe silicone the seam to make sure??
Any tips or tricks are welcome!! :D The last thing I want to do is come home and find a big pond in my house...
SOOO...I went out one day and found a 135 gallon pre-drilled (2- 1.5 inch overflow on side) with a built-in overflow box. The sump is a 55 gallon. It also came with a 2000 GPH pump (submersible). It's used and was an old saltwater tank.
I re-sealed the overflow box with silicone, and also replaced the rubber gaskets at the bulkheads. I had some problems with a leak from one of the bulk heads, but some silicone, epoxy and a quick tighten took care of that.
I used PVC coming out of the bulkheads and about 1/3 way down, I used a vinyl fitting (a barb?) to connect 1.5 inch vinyl tubing to deliver water to the sump. I also used two clamps on each vinyl-barb connection (total 4 clamps).
For the return, I have 1 90-degree elbow that leads into vinyl tubing, into a custom spray bar with 5 outlets.
As a first time sump owner, I'm super-paranoid of leaks. I used TONS of teflon tape and lots of silicone for the bulkheads. I also used the two clamps instead of one.
Are soft-plumbed tanks more prone to failure?? Does anyone have any tips to make sure the vinyl doesn't just pop off or spring a leak? Also...is there anything else I can do to make sure the bulkheads don't leak?
One thing I've noticed that in one of my PVC joints, there's a *tiny tiny* bit of water that collects in the seam. It's so little that it doesn't drip and it evaporates. Will this tiny leak get bigger over time?? I can't find the culprit and it seems neglible right now...could I maybe silicone the seam to make sure??
Any tips or tricks are welcome!! :D The last thing I want to do is come home and find a big pond in my house...