Testing overflows without plumbing?

[southerntnreefer]

Hey all. Preparing a 220 to upgrade my 125. I overbuilt the stand so i could upgrade, and use same sump and plumbing etc. I have the main tank soaking to get some old coraline off the overflow durso setup, and the glass, but how do you all fill the back overflows with water to test them and clean back there without fully plumbing? Where this is a hot swap i cant pre plumb to run tap through the tank for a few weeks.

 

[flsalty]

You can get rubber plugs at any big box stores.

 

[southerntnreefer]

like petco or petsmart?

 

[Captain Quint]

You could put bulkheads in and cap them temporarily.

With all tanks, I use denatured alcohol to clean the glass at the bottom of the OF before installing the bulkheads.

 

[southerntnreefer]

ive got it directly on the concrete right now, so sadly i dont have that space to get bulkheads in, but still want to water test that portion.

 

[Captain Quint]

ive got it directly on the concrete right now, so sadly i dont have that space to get bulkheads in, but still want to water test that portion.

Anyway, you can raise the tank a few inches to test the area with capped bulkheads? It would prove watertight integrity there if possible.

The weight in the OF's of water would not need to be much and you don't need much water inside to see if it is a good seal.

Just a thought. I've done it with every drilled tank I've owned. Even set a 93 cube on the edge of a kitchen table to test the area for watertight integrity.

Hopefully, you can figure out what will best work for you...please keep us advised. :)

 

[southerntnreefer]

Anyway, you can raise the tank a few inches to test the area with capped bulkheads? It would prove watertight integrity there if possible.

The weight in the OF's of water would not need to be much and you don't need much water inside to see if it is a good seal.

Just a thought. I've done it with every drilled tank I've owned. Even set a 93 cube on the edge of a kitchen table to test the area for watertight integrity.

Hopefully, you can figure out what will best work for you...please keep us advised. :)

Will do, and currently the main tank is full so I can't do anything until that's done, and being a 220 I can't move it well myself.

 

[flsalty]

like petco or petsmart?

Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.

 

[southerntnreefer]

Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.

o0o0o thats even easier. I want to water test, them, and theres some dead coraline in there, im not sure if that would upset water quality once i get the tank full and ready to go.

 

[Captain Quint]

o0o0o thats even easier. I want to water test, them, and theres some dead coraline in there, im not sure if that would upset water quality once i get the tank full and ready to go.

No, it will not. At the dead point (when exposed to air and turns white) it is inert.

 

[southerntnreefer]

No, it will not. At the dead point (when exposed to air and turns white) it is inert.

alright well that makes me feel better then if i cant get that off. ill clean the bottom glass well so the new bulkheads hit clean glass, but i could care less honestly what the inside of the overflows look like, as i wont see that.

 

[Captain Quint]

alright well that makes me feel better then if i cant get that off. ill clean the bottom glass well so the new bulkheads hit clean glass, but i could care less honestly what the inside of the overflows look like, as i wont see that.

Absolutely, scrape away from the areas around your holes and to the point, no bulkhead nor gasket will be and you will be set...clean with alcohol after scraping.

 

[ludnix]

Perfect job for a undrilled rubber bung or "stopper".

 

[southerntnreefer]

Absolutely, scape away from the areas around your holes and to the point, no bulkhead nor gasket will be and you will be set...clean with alcohol after scraping.

thats what i was thinking. ill have to pick up some. If all goes well this baby will be up and running next sunday. Just gotta get 2 GFCI circuits installed, test the overflows for a day or so, Drain, and paint the back. Then the real fun. Tearing down a 90 and a 125, to condense into the 220.

 

[southerntnreefer]

Perfect job for a undrilled rubber bung or "stopper".

Picked some up while I was at Lowe's getting the electrical supplies. Worked perfect. We're in good shape now. Just gotta get outlets installed, and then get some buddies over for the day.