Need advice on tackling a blocked

[Fishko]

May be a no brainer, but should i first try opening the gate valve to see if the blockage clears up. The tank for the last year has been very close to the wall and i cant risk having it leak because the gate valve is at an akward angle.

When i first set it up after moving to a new stand it the bulkhead wouldnt stop leaking, and i once i got it fixed ive been paranoid it. I am going to be adding one of those “grates” people put in there overflow. Its really akward to turn the gate valve so thats why im asking

 

[vetteguy53081]

Best is to try it. Worse case is that you shut the pump down and cut the pipe and install new one and an assurance that it should not leak

 

[Fishko]

Best is to try it. Worse case is that you shut the pump down and cut the pipe and install new one and an assurance that it should not leak

Thing is i have unions so shouldnt be big set back. Im going to try in morning in the event something goes bad ill have adequate time to fix it.

Right now its probably doing 70 percent emergency drain and 30 percent main drain. But its probably been like this for a few weeks without me even knowing, most likely due to algae since ive been removing a lot. Sps are growing finally thou. Thanks