Zoolander Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 I just got this all setup and running only to find out that one of 2 things happens: The sump starts to fill up The tank starts to fill up I killed the siphon for now but what can I do to correct this? My thought was to buy another overflow box from a member on this board to increase water flow. What details do you need to help me with this? Edit: It seems to be good now but I am still skeptical. I think getting a second box might be a good idea. Also, is there anything I can do to quiet the box down? The water draining is loud! I am wondering if maybe the piping is too big? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 Maybe your overflow cannot handle the flow from the pump??? The tank should only fill up enough to go over the box on the inside of the tank overflow. Then there should be an equilibrium. In theory, only as much water that enters the tank should be drawn out of the tank. If the pump out-performs your drain then I can see a problem. I would have to see it to troubleshoot. IDK dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoolander Posted April 5, 2008 Author Share Posted April 5, 2008 Well I think I got it and the issue is an interesting one. I used an old siphon tube to start the box and left it in there after it started to go look at the sump. Once I pulled the tube out everything seemed to even out and run fine. Even the box draining is a lot quieter! I dunno, either. I will watch it for a while and post back up if I still have an issue. I have been doing fresh tank for about 15 years and this is my first large scale salt tank. I guess there is still time to be a noob for everybody, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 I am glad that you were able to figure it out. dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 Shoot me a pm if you need any help! Miles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoolander Posted April 5, 2008 Author Share Posted April 5, 2008 Thanks, I appreciate it. The sump is done for the night, though. I just had to screw with it once more to make it that much more perfect and ended up creating a break in the silicone at the bottom of the box. That quickly grew and epic failure ensued. I'm wet and the whole [language filter] thing is being re-siliconed now. I just had to mess with it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 DOH! Ugh, that sucks. I have some scrap acrylic and weldon 16 if you need something over the weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoolander Posted April 5, 2008 Author Share Posted April 5, 2008 I am using standard household silicone to do the work. I am not sure if I completely trust it but I have no reason not to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 Are you using silicon to seal acrylic? If so, you should re-think that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoolander Posted April 5, 2008 Author Share Posted April 5, 2008 It's to seal up the piping. The only portion of acrylic with silicone on it is where the piping meets the box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
defigart Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 There is special "glue" that is supposed to be used to seal PVC piping. Its not really glue, but if you asked for it that way the hardware store would know what you meant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoolander Posted April 5, 2008 Author Share Posted April 5, 2008 I will do that then. The silicone once again started to leak when I fired up the sump this morning so I am open to alternatives. The leaking occurs at the coupler at the box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 yeah, silicon won't adhere to acrylic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 Get some multipurpose PVC cement. At Jerry's is the stuff with the white and grey label. Its has a hotter chemical reaction and is for ABS, CPVC, PVC, plus electrical PVC as well. That should do the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
undrtkr_00 Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 How long do you let that stuff cure before you run water through it? Do you rinse it? The reason I ask is that I have used that on water pipes before, and it always seemed like I could taste it in the water for some time. If it is there enough to taste, I would imagine it would have to have some (negative) impact on your fish and corals. Any such experience? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyles Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 Yup, run primer first, let sit 30-60 seconds them PVC glue. I let it sit overnight if I can, if not an hour will do. The primer softens the pipe just a tad and makes for a much tighter seal, never had a leak that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanz Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 It's to seal up the piping. The only portion of acrylic with silicone on it is where the piping meets the box. Did you use silicone on the bulkhead? If you did, you might wanna redo that. Some people here don't even use any type of glue for the drain. They just friction fit it in there and call it a day. Can you take some pictures of your setup? That would give us an idea of what you are trying to accomplish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 How long do you let that stuff cure before you run water through it? Do you rinse it? The reason I ask is that I have used that on water pipes before' date=' and it always seemed like I could taste it in the water for some time. If it is there enough to taste, I would imagine it would have to have some (negative) impact on your fish and corals. Any such experience?[/quote'] Well its drinking water safe, and made to be used specifically for these types of pipes. I would guess you somehow made a puddle of glue in the piping and it took longer to dry. The directions say to wait 24 hours usually. They even make a glue that is meant to be applied in wet conditions, like if you have a leak and can't shut it off but still need to glue something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoolander Posted April 9, 2008 Author Share Posted April 9, 2008 It works now. I used the PVC cement suggested and it works great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishiefish Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 also if there are future issues I switched part of my plumbing to flex tube...its great you just cut where you want to change something...you can see clogs and it always seals into the connector pieces like a dream. and its flexible!!! just my 0.02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Algae Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 I really like flex tube for external overflows. I have twin overflows directed at my skimmer inlet. When I blow off my rock, or change water I move the hoses to another chamber and put a filter sock over the hoses for about an hour. I then move it back to the previous position in front of the skimmer. Works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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