Cracked sump leaking!

[USMC2897]

So I'm just about to go to bed and I take a peak at whats going on down below in the sump. I see a puddle and at first I thought it was small and possibly from topping off earlier. I soon realize the puddle is much larger than I originally thought and I can see water seeping from the top of the lower frame. I started looking around for where the water was coming from and that is when I saw the glass cracked on one of the sides. The crack extends vertically the entire height of the tank.

I have no idea how it cracked and I cant imagine what happened. I moved a heater around yesterday near that glass pane and I guess it could have been that but I thought I was gentle. The sump is a 20 long with acrylic baffles. This thing fits so tight in the stand that I might have to cut part of the stand in the morning just to get it out. For now I have drained it and I already have a spare 20 long in the basement. Just not looking forward to spending all day making a new sump and wanted to share my frustration.

Air stone, heater and powerheads are flowing in the DT for the next 24-48 hrs.

 

[wdebenedettojr]

Really sucks. Sorry to hear that. I often think about that happening to my sump. The only way to get my sump out is to take to display tank down and pull the sump out for the top of the stand. Talk about a nightmare if that happens!!!

 

[JoelA]

Man bummer.

 

[ro_nicu]

Man that SUCKS!


make sure the support for that sump is even and flat - that is the main reason people break tanks. if the glass is pre-stressed too much even the smallest knock might crack it.

 

[JohnK]

Is the crack near a baffle? Acrylic swells a bit and can crack tanks.

 

[jarrodsanborn]

Is the crack near a baffle? Acrylic swells a bit and can crack tanks.

+1
Acrylic can expand a lot more than people think. I made a small ato container, and it was a perfect fit for the spot it was going in. 3 months later, I couldn't remove it, because it was pressed against the walls tight enough that I couldn't pull it out!

 

[USMC2897]

Surface is level and the crack is right on a baffle. Should I shave a little off the acrylic baffle so its not such a tight fit or should I just go buy some glass baffles today? I do need to get this done soon so time is short here.

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[higorc]

Is the crack near a baffle? Acrylic swells a bit and can crack tanks.

+1
Acrylic can expand a lot more than people think. I made a small ato container, and it was a perfect fit for the spot it was going in. 3 months later, I couldn't remove it, because it was pressed against the walls tight enough that I couldn't pull it out!

Surface is level and the crack is right on a baffle. Should I shave a little off the acrylic baffle so its not such a tight fit or should I just go buy some glass baffles today? I do need to get this done soon so time is short here.

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And this is one of the reasons I don't mix Acrylic with Glass... You will be much better off getting 1/4" glass from a glass shop to use as baffles. Have it cut to size and silicone it in using something like Grainger Momentive RTV108 and be done with it.

I feel for you man, good luck with the repairs/replacement.


Higor

 

[G.T]

That happened to me many years ago in a glass top up tank. I dropped a heater it made a tap. Heater did not break but it put a crack in the base of the tank. I feel your pain man, good luck in what you decide to do.

 

[USMC2897]

Put together the new sump today and I think its a better design with glass baffles. The only part I reused is the acrylic filter sock holder and that has plenty of room to move. Now for the real challenge... getting the old sump out and the new one in! Looks like ill be using a 2ton jack to take the weight in the center of the tank while I cut the center support and swap out sumps. Hopefully this works!

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[troopah07]

Just a reminder, you might already know this, but make sure u let the silicon cure before u fill it up. Good luck with the swap out.

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[USMC2897]

It still empty and curing right now. Ill wait till tomorrow morning to fill it up.

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[higorc]

Put together the new sump today and I think its a better design with glass baffles. The only part I reused is the acrylic filter sock holder and that has plenty of room to move. Now for the real challenge... getting the old sump out and the new one in! Looks like ill be using a 2ton jack to take the weight in the center of the tank while I cut the center support and swap out sumps. Hopefully this works!

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What size tank do u have? I took the center support our of my 72G a while back with no issues.

Some people online don't think that center support holds much weight, but I used a 2x4 to help remove it just in case. And for peace of mind...

Sent from my Galaxy S4

 

[USMC2897]

Its a 75g and it probably would do fine without the center support but I didnt want to risk it.

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[JohnK]

Here's a similar install (temp brace, remove centerbrace, install sump, replace Centerbrace)
http://www.melevsreef.com/55g/55sump.html

What kind of silicone did you use? It's usually a good idea to give it longer than the tube says to cure, we tend to lay down pretty thick beads that take longer to cure...

 

[higorc]

Its a 75g and it probably would do fine without the center support but I didnt want to risk it.

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Done it on my 75G too before the 72G . That's how I felt comfortable doing it again... But I used the 2x4 both times just to be safe. Redundancies never hurt in this hobby :thumbup:.


I did something similar to what John linked. This shows what I did...
http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?132377-sump-swapping-tips&highlight=higorc



Higor

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[jamesdong009]

That really sucks, Depending on your overflow and skimmer, you can always run baffle-less. I don't have baffles in any of my sumps and don't have any problems with micro bubbles entering the display.

 

[USMC2897]

Well the new sump is up and running and I like the design much better. I made some slight changes to the sump and my stand which gives me way more room for storage and to work around. The silicone cured 30+ hours and is holding just fine and is also layer on very thick. I do still have a 2x4 for center support however it is cut to a tight fit and not nailed just in case I have a similar event.

Thank you to everyone who commented and sent messages. This site and its members are a huge asset to the reef keeping community and I wouldn't have gotten this far with out everyone's support.

 

[higorc]

Our pleasure my friend .

I Couldn't have gotten where I am without BRS's crowd and help either!

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