Leaking sump repair

[mp2022]

Hi all - I recently purchased a sump through a well known manufacturer that had a leaking seam. The company said that it was likely a shipping related issue with cold weather, handling, etc and recommend I try and repair the sump before sending it back. This seems like the most convenient route but the manufacturer recommended I use E6000 Clear to repair the seam, as opposed to something like Loctite Silicone, but everything I have read says that E6000 is not aquarium safe. The only thing I can think of is that it would be such a small amount given the seam leak is tiny that it should be fine but I also don’t want to kill my whole tank. Would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

 

[theMeat]

Silicone not the best choice for acrylic. Personally would use this stuff. Hav used it on many tanks. Including building my sump, 15 years ago, still holding strong.

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[fishguy242]

Ask for replacement,fixing may void any warranty.
is it glass ?

 

[Fish Fan]

I don't know, convenient or not, if you got a brand new sump from a "well known manufacturer", you deserve a leak-free and repair-free sump. I would be looking for a replacement here for sure.

I fully agree that silicon of any kind does not adhere well to acrylic, it's the wrong material to use, and I can't believe a "well known manufacturer" would suggest this. I don't believe it's a great long-term solution, and I would be constantly worried about the day it finally fails.

Just my opinion here, but if this is an acrylic sump, there's no way that the shippers or cold weather caused this. Acrylic seams, when done correctly, are chemically bonded to each other, the two pieces literally become one piece. The only way there's a small leak on part of a seam is if the manufacturer didn't apply acrylic cement to that area.

I would tell the manufacturer that after further consideration you don't feel comfortable trying to repair the sump, and would like to arrange for a replacement. If they give you a hard time, remember that your credit card company, bank, or PayPal (however you made payment) can also help you here.

I'd like to know how this turns out for you, please update when you can.

Good luck!

 

[mp2022]

Ask for replacement,fixing may void any warranty.
is it glass ?

It’s an acrylic sump. The manufacturer said I could send it back for a replacement if the repair

I don't know, convenient or not, if you got a brand new sump from a "well known manufacturer", you deserve a leak-free and repair-free sump. I would be looking for a replacement here for sure.

I fully agree that silicon of any kind does not adhere well to acrylic, it's the wrong material to use, and I can't believe a "well known manufacturer" would suggest this. I don't believe it's a great long-term solution, and I would be constantly worried about the day it finally fails.

Just my opinion here, but if this is an acrylic sump, there's no way that the shippers or cold weather caused this. Acrylic seams, when done correctly, are chemically bonded to each other, the two pieces literally become one piece. The only way there's a small leak on part of a seam is if the manufacturer didn't apply acrylic cement to that area.

I would tell the manufacturer that after further consideration you don't feel comfortable trying to repair the sump, and would like to arrange for a replacement. If they give you a hard time, remember that your credit card company, bank, or PayPal (however you made payment) can also help you here.

I'd like to know how this turns out for you, please update when you can.

Good luck!

Thank you all. I am leaning toward pushing for a return/replacement. He didn’t recommend the silicone, he recommended the E6000 Clear and said it is what they have been using on all their products for the past decade or so. I just have read that E6000 isn’t aquarium safe but I don’t know enough about any of those products to know for sure. He also said if the repair fails I can still return it.

 

[Fish Fan]

It’s an acrylic sump. The manufacturer said I could send it back for a replacement if the repair


Thank you all. I am leaning toward pushing for a return/replacement. He didn’t recommend the silicone, he recommended the E6000 Clear and said it is what they have been using on all their products for the past decade or so. I just have read that E6000 isn’t aquarium safe but I don’t know enough about any of those products to know for sure. He also said if the repair fails I can still return it.

I mean, I get it's a pain to return, and that adhesive may hold forever. This is a personal thing, but for me I feel like if I paid for a new sump, I would want a new sump. Or perhaps a partial refund is in order??

 

[Stevorino]

I had a similar issue with my acrylic sump upon delivery....

In my case they offered to let me try to fix it with an acrylic sealant they shipped to me and instructed how to fix it.... and also offered that if it didn't work perfectly we could coordinate a repair/replacement.

I can't speak to the E6000 product other than I haven't used it myself.

I was hesitant to do the replacement option because with shipping it was realistically going to add a month to the overall timeframe and I was ready to rock and roll.

I used the sealant. It worked perfectly.... and it's been problem free for ~3 years.

I'll add that if the sump were glass, I would say no, I want a full replacement.

Good luck!

 

[Marco_99]

I believe this is what a lot of people use. Silicone is not going to adhere to acrylic. You need to try to “re-weld it” together

On a side note, I had this exact thing happen. I ordered a sump and it was slightly damaged on the bottom corner when I received it, It had been hit and the bottom did flex a little bit from the outside wall ancrylic panel. They sent me a new sump.

 

[Stevorino]

I believe this is what a lot of people use. Silicone is not going to adhere to acrylic. You need to try to “re-weld it” together

On a side note, I had this exact thing happen. I ordered a sump and it was slightly damaged on the bottom corner when I received it, It had been hit and the bottom did flex a little bit from the outside wall ancrylic panel. They sent me a new sump.

This is what I used on my repair and it worked perfectly

 

[Marco_99]

This is what I used on my repair and it worked perfectly

Correct me if I’m wrong is one glue just thinner (more watery) than the other? I think the weld4 is watery and the weld16 is more like a thick superglue. I’ve never used either. I’ve just read a lot of acrylic people that use this stuff on tanks. If I was gonna try to re-weld a sump seam I would probably use the watery type so it soaks underneath the acrylic piece a bit more. How did you do it?

 

[Stevorino]

Correct me if I’m wrong is one glue just thinner (more watery) than the other? I think the weld4 is watery and the weld16 is more like a thick superglue. I’ve never used either. I’ve just read a lot of acrylic people that use this stuff on tanks. If I was gonna try to re-weld a sump seam I would probably use the watery type so it soaks underneath the acrylic piece a bit more. How did you do it?

I don't remember exactly which one I used, and I unfortunately don't know the difference....

But yes, the version I used was very liquidy, almost like rubbing alcohol. Very little was needed.

I also have built an acclimation box using this stuff and acrylic and it doesn't take much to create an incredibly strong bond.

 

[FUNGI]

Hi all - I recently purchased a sump through a well known manufacturer that had a leaking seam. The company said that it was likely a shipping related issue with cold weather, handling, etc and recommend I try and repair the sump before sending it back. This seems like the most convenient route but the manufacturer recommended I use E6000 Clear to repair the seam, as opposed to something like Loctite Silicone, but everything I have read says that E6000 is not aquarium safe. The only thing I can think of is that it would be such a small amount given the seam leak is tiny that it should be fine but I also don’t want to kill my whole tank. Would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

Ask them to send you the E6000 to fix....

 

[TX_REEF]

I'd tell them to send you a new sump. Just use flex seal tape til the new one arrives.

 

[Gill the 3rd]

I agree with the others, you should get a new sump or at least a partial refund. The seam shouldn't separate that easily with acrylic.

Regarding the weldon 16 vs 4 - these are 2 very different products.

Weldon 4 is an acrylic solvent and will bond the acrylic together like a welded joint. It is very watery in consistency and is a very strong joint, but the surfaces being bonded must be clean and very tight together. Its intended to work as a capillary action and get sucked into the joint. Its not going to work as a filler.

Weldon 16 is pretty much a glue and is a thicker (more like honey) consistency. Its much weaker than weldon 4, but can fill gaps and is easier to use. It also leaves an ugly looking joint imo, but that may not matter in this case.

You should try to match the bonding method they originally used. Weldon 4 will not work if it was previously glued with weldon 40 or 16. Do you have a picture of the seam and can you find out what they used to bond the acrylic together?

 

[mp2022]

Thanks everyone. Very informative discussion. I ended up just packaging it up and shipping it back as I figured I paid the money for a pre-assembled sump that I wouldn't have to fix off the bat myself due to some manufacturing or shipping related damage. Sounds like I will get a full refund regardless when they receive it. Now have to figure out what to replace it with (or to abandon the sump method altogether and stick with my hang on back setup, although I already purchased a nice lifereef overflow box...).

 

[Fish Fan]

I’m just going to say, I’m partial to these guys (no affiliation). I tried a 20L kit last summer, and I’m now going to order either their 40B or 60B Pro kit for my next build. They have a lot of options, so take a look or even email them:

Security Measure | eBay

www.ebay.com

 

[Fish Fan]

Other thank the looks, I don’t know what this sump does that a Marine Bio systems kit can’t do, for half the price:

Sapphire Sump 34

Why does BRS recommend this? Trigger Systems has been making sumps for quite some time now and they have won us over with their attention to detail, practical designs and overall aesthetic appeal. With the ability to modify the sump to your needs with adjustable water levels, interchangeable...

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Compared to:

REFUGIUM KIT - 40 Gallon Breeder Dual Zone ezBuild Pro Adjustable Sump Kit | eBay

Our exclusive ezBuild sump kits are the fastest and easiest way to convert a glass aquarium to a fully functional sump. The key difference in our kits is the fully assembled sock baffle. Since we don't use keyed parts, we don't create the leak points common with through hole tab slots.

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Just my suggestion :)

EDIT: I guess you do have to consider your time assembling the kit. If you don’t want to DIY, then I’d still suggest you run a sump and just get another premade sump. You’ll have more flexibility with a sump.

 

[TX_REEF]

Thanks everyone. Very informative discussion. I ended up just packaging it up and shipping it back as I figured I paid the money for a pre-assembled sump that I wouldn't have to fix off the bat myself due to some manufacturing or shipping related damage. Sounds like I will get a full refund regardless when they receive it. Now have to figure out what to replace it with (or to abandon the sump method altogether and stick with my hang on back setup, although I already purchased a nice lifereef overflow box...).

check my build thread if you wanna try a super simple DIY sump. It'll save you a small fortune.

 

[mp2022]

check my build thread if you wanna try a super simple DIY sump. It'll save you a small fortune.

Thanks will check it out. Yeah I may go the DIY route. Is there any reason why in the short term I can’t just use another tank as a makeshift sump in the interim - put my hang on back filter/protein skimmer on that tank, stick a isolation box in the tank with macroalgae, and have a return pump to the display?

 

[FUNGI]

Thanks will check it out. Yeah I may go the DIY route. Is there any reason why in the short term I can’t just use another tank as a makeshift sump in the interim - put my hang on back filter/protein skimmer on that tank, stick a isolation box in the tank with macroalgae, and have a return pump to the display?

No reason whatso ever...only problem will be water level for HOB's, especially the skimmer