Aaron's 1,000+ gallon reef build

[dantimdad]

OK, that's the one leak. Now on to better things!

 

[mch1984]

sorry to hear about the leak, but stuff like that happens. sounds like you were prepared for it to anyways.

 

[AquaLifeStudio]

Leaks will happen, good to catch them early. That's why I tore out all my hardwood and replaced it with tile.

How much water did you lose?

 

[Deftones2015]

Not many people post about their fails. Well I told my wife that I built this sump half *** so if there’s gonna be a leak in my build it’ll be the sump. Well the sump leaked and I decided I should just got with plan A. Plan A from the beginning was to buy a tank that’s designed to hold water lol. So back to plan A. I ripped my sump out and now searching for plan A.
QUOTE]

Better to find out now than when the tanks running and stocked. Know what size you're going with? When I do a larger tank I plan on using the Rubbermaid stock tanks.

 

[MimicOcto8]

Leaks will happen, good to catch them early. That's why I tore out all my hardwood and replaced it with tile.

How much water did you lose?

125 gallons.

Glad it happened now. Very happy about this problem. Much rather it be now then later. I should have done it like the display. Right the first time.

 

[geekengineer]

oops.. Not enough sealant on the bottom corners of your sump?

 

[Rostato]

Do you know where it leaked? Like what failed?

 

[MimicOcto8]

oops.. Not enough sealant on the bottom corners of your sump?

I went to do a “fail safe test”. I basically simulated a power failure. Then I watched the sump fill up while the last of the display tank water overflow to it. Everything worked out fine except the extra pressure at the bottom of the sump. It caused the silicone to give away. It was poorly constructed. 100% my fault while building it.

 

[MimicOcto8]

Do you know where it leaked? Like what failed?

Bottom middle of the sump. silicone came apart from too much outward force.

 

[geekengineer]

Hmm. Interesting cause I thought the plywood would really be sealed by the pond armor not silicone. Maybe ultimately didn't have thick enough plywood to keep the joint together under the load. Anyways.. I was just curious what happened.

 

[MimicOcto8]

Hmm. Interesting cause I thought the plywood would really be sealed by the pond armor not silicone. Maybe ultimately didn't have thick enough plywood to keep the joint together under the load. Anyways.. I was just curious what happened.

Yes the pond armor would have held if I used fiberglass with it like I did on the display tank. All I did was coat the wood then used silicone for all the seams

 

[Alexreefer]

Well, you caught it early. Any ideas on what your gonna use for the sump now?

 

[MimicOcto8]

Well, you caught it early. Any ideas on what your gonna use for the sump now?

Searching for a raceway type of sump now. Got several feelers out today. Hopefully find something tomorrow

 

[edc_aquarium]

Could you possibly get rubbermaid tubs and connect them together with bulkheads

 

[BranchingHammer]

Following...

 

[MimicOcto8]

Could you possibly get rubbermaid tubs and connect them together with bulkheads

Thought about that. But I may have found what I need. Should be checking it out later today

 

[MimicOcto8]

Worked out a deal with an old abalone farmer for this tank. It’s 103” long by 31” wide and 18” tall. Roughly 250gallons. I cut off the bottom 2” drain pipe and patched it. Then I used some left over garage epoxy and coated the outside to match my work bench and floor. Still have to install braces and baffles but that’ll happen next week sometime.

Testing the fit and look. Fiberglass sucks. It got everywhere. Couldn’t wait to coat the outside.

Coated the outside with epoxy. This will also ensure no leaks even though I already leak checked it.

 

[geekengineer]

So that's a fiberglass tank right?

 

[mch1984]

That ought to work great and you know it will hold water for you. Nice grab.

 

[MimicOcto8]

So that's a fiberglass tank right?

Yes