Main Overflow Pipe - Worst Part of a GREAT tank

LittleMaui · Mar 31, 2018

I love my Red Sea Reefer 450 - EXCEPT the main overflow pipe. I've owned my 450 for 2 years and have replaced the main overflow pipe 3 or 4 times! Each time I find a small hairline crack in the lower threads. The first time I blamed myself for over-tightening the lower pipe. The second time I figured maybe just too tight again. Not sure about the 3rd time. I even order an extra pipe each time. Today, after 5 successfful months - ANOTHER LEAK. I installed my spare pipe. This time I only slightly tightened the lower pipe. Guess it's time to order another spare. Am I the only one this happens to?

Shawn

Scurvy · Apr 1, 2018

shaywood said:
I love my Red Sea Reefer 450 - EXCEPT the main overflow pipe. I've owned my 450 for 2 years and have replaced the main overflow pipe 3 or 4 times! Each time I find a small hairline crack in the lower threads. The first time I blamed myself for over-tightening the lower pipe. The second time I figured maybe just too tight again. Not sure about the 3rd time. I even order an extra pipe each time. Today, after 5 successfful months - ANOTHER LEAK. I installed my spare pipe. This time I only slightly tightened the lower pipe. Guess it's time to order another spare. Am I the only one this happens to?

Shawn

I ran into this too. Wound up wrapping the threads in teflon tape to seal the leak.
When i eventually ditched the Red Sea Valve for a standard gate valve i re-introduced the leak. Pulled the pipe, added a little more teflon and stopped the leak again. Never needed to order new pipes though.

Midrats · Apr 13, 2018

Mine worked fine for over a year then one day I noticed a bunch of salt crust. I took it all apart and put it back together and so far so good, but I ordered another one to have on hand just in case. I agree, the plumbing could be better.

promptcritical · Nov 5, 2018

How do you drain the water out of the overflow to remove the overflow pipe?

Scurvy · Nov 5, 2018

promptcritical said:
How do you drain the water out of the overflow to remove the overflow pipe?

Just a length of hose into the overflow and start a siphon to get it mostly drained. pop a bucket or towel underneath when unscrewing the pipe to catch the last bit.