First Timer and Jumping In - 55 hexagon build

[RWS6605]

Signed, SEALED, not delivered...yet.

Tested my overflow box and bulkheads and they are SEALED BABY!

Only “leak” I have is coming through the bulkhead (where water should flow) from a gap between two pieces of the drain setup. See, look right where I am pointing. So not a leak but a bypass.

Something a little silicone can’t manage!

Now tonight is work on plumbing the lines under the tank!

 

[Mrs. Herbert]

Awesome and welcome to the wonderful hobby of saltwater. Here at Reef 2 Reef, you will find wonderful help and the community is amazing, super helpful.

 

[dantimdad]

Good deal!

 

[RWS6605]

Should have gone to plumbers school.

Okay so this vinyl tubing isn’t as easy to work with as I thought. Will tweak it once the fittings are set with a hair dryer to straighten/ bend out the lines the way they will need to be once the tank is righted.

I am adding a ball valve on the drain line and a couple of 45 degree joints to the end to make sure I can direct the drain into the sump a little better to hopefully minimize splash and noise.

I definitely will be running a test in the garage once the plumbing is done to ensure I have the lines right and stand is holding BEFORE it is moved inside.

Goal is this time next week to be mixing salt!!!

 

[dantimdad]

Honestly, get rid of that stuff. It's aweful.

I have broken a tank with it.

 

[RWS6605]

Honestly, get rid of that stuff. It's aweful.

I have broken a tank with it.

What would I use instead? I have a very short distance to cover at a pretty decent angle from the bulk head down to the sump. It’s not a straight shot. Sump is in the middle of the stand.

Rigid pipe would require a lot of pieces and angles and I worry about the reduction in flow.

 

[dantimdad]

Honestly, I would rather go rigid and deal with the angles. It won't reduce the flow as much as you think.

If you must go flexible, use plain black vinyl hose.

 

[RWS6605]

I appreciate all the input all! This has been a fun and interesting adventure.

I decided to stick with the flexible tubing I already started with. If testing and use proves me wrong I change it.

So here is the drain setup. Just siliconed in the lower half of the drain (with 45 elbow) to the ball valve. Also siliconed the gap on my drain coupling to stop that bypass.

Full water level and functionality test will be late Saturday or Sunday once all the silicone is cured. Weather will be nice so if it fails at least I’ll be outside!

 

[RWS6605]

Crap crap CRAP.

Everything was looking good.

Filling the tank and pump running. Then my sump was bypassing baffles. Going over the second one instead of just under.

Thinking the drain needed to be slowed. I started messing with drain height and drain valve which only made the emergency drain kick I. Then it happens.....drips

My return bulkhead is leaking.

WHAT THE HECK !!!

 

[RWS6605]

Thinking my drain/sump issue is because I put too much water in tank.

Also I am wondering if I should plug those holes on the drain. Not sure why they are there....causing too much flow?

How best to fix a dripping bulkhead?

 

[RWS6605]

Drained the tank and checked the tightness of the bulkhead nuts. The cheap-o wrench that came with the kit wasn’t holding a tight enough grip. Broke out the large mouth wrench and got another turn on the nuts.

Could it have been that simple??

May put a bead of silicone just as precaution.

Going to let it sit with water in the overflow box for the rest of the day.

 

[RWS6605]

So there we have it. A loose nut was my problem. Story of my life. oh wait that is supposed to be a screw loose....anyway same story.

Got it refilled today and is up and running with no leaks!

Going to let it run until tomorrow evening and then this bad boy is coming inside!!!

Oh and here is a shot with my black box on full power! Kind of pretty.

 

[dantimdad]

YES!

No more leaks!

Get that thing cycling!

 

[LoCoReefer]

Are you not concerned with the the metal hose clamp on the return pump down in the sump? That is going to rust eventually and go into the water.

 

[RWS6605]

Are you not concerned with the the metal hose clamp on the return pump down in the sump? That is going to rust eventually and go into the water.

Well.....ummm.....maybe[emoji57].

Can’t say that I really thought about it, was focused on other things but now that you mention it. Looks like one more trip to store for a plastic clamp!!!

Thanks LoCo!

 

[RWS6605]

So a new snag comes along.

Turned the pump off to take off the metal clamp and replace with a zip tie. Thought why not let the tank fully drain and let the max water level settle out to mark it. After a very long time I realize it is still draining!

I took some water out of the overflow box and force it to stop draining. Then come back to find it full again and draining. Sump is almost to the rim!!

So great, the seal on the overflow is leaking somewhere.....but where and WHY now??

So now what?

I am not sure I’d be able to undo the silicone I did. It is tough stuff made for acrylic and the inside is a TIGHT fit. Not sure I’d get it cleaned off enough. Maybe it is a small enough area I could “over seal” it?

Guess first thing is to drain the overflow box and see just how big an area is leaking. It was a slow leak thankfully. Maybe salvageable??

 

[RWS6605]

Well the leak is on the bottom front of the box where it meets the tank. Not a very big place. Guess it will be time to drain it and see if I can fix it....

 

[RWS6605]

Well all I can say is glad I figured it out now and not a tomorrow when I was going to start cycling. This concludes the failed test of the GE Silicone for Plastics!!!

I stuck fairly well to the sides but pulled right off the bottom....cleaning that off is going to be a big pain.

Back to nearly square one [emoji29]

 

[RWS6605]

A little nervous now. Some Weldon 16 and it is now permanent!! Hoping it is sealed this time. Looks like it anyway. The pieces look wet between the box and tank so it should be. Wait 24 hour and I’ll do a new water test.

 

[RWS6605]

Well it is deer season, a little cold and a little snowy. So what to do when it’s too cold to be outside and too dark to hunt? You water test. Acrylic cement has been curing since last post. Surely it’s done.

Filled the tank and overflow stayed dry!

So now filling it all the way to determine water levels again.

Maybe will have it aquascaped and cycling by Thanksgiving!!