Do I need to worry about my overflow

[Schplitter]

Option one: fix the leak by sealing it from the inside. You have to drain the tank and make sure to let everything dry before you do this.

The catch: none. You did it the right way and you won't have a flood.

Option 2: glue the standpipes inside your overflow to the bulkheads. This will prevent the water from draining any further than the top of the standpipes.

The catch: if your bulkhead fails your tank will drain onto your floor. You have to pray to your god and hope this does not happen but it will happen anyway because that's how this hobby works.

Option 3: don't fix the issue. Don't worry this is not a bad thing. It will save you a lot of money down the road because you will leave the hobby quick.

The catch: you will have water all over the floor.

Sorry if this is harsh but I'm a sarcastic SOB and it's my birthday so I can. Happy reefing!

 

[BryanCaruso]

Option one: fix the leak by sealing it from the inside. You have to drain the tank and make sure to let everything dry before you do this.

The catch: none. You did it the right way and you won't have a flood.

Option 2: glue the standpipes inside your overflow to the bulkheads. This will prevent the water from draining any further than the top of the standpipes.

The catch: if your bulkhead fails your tank will drain onto your floor. You have to pray to your god and hope this does not happen but it will happen anyway because that's how this hobby works.

Option 3: don't fix the issue. Don't worry this is not a bad thing. It will save you a lot of money down the road because you will leave the hobby quick.

The catch: you will have water all over the floor.

Sorry if this is harsh but I'm a sarcastic SOB and it's my birthday so I can. Happy reefing!

Somebody had to say it! It seems like a no brainer for piece of mind at least

 

[pdt7361]

So I guess I don't understand at this point...the overflow has a slight leak (and I mean slow drips) between it and the tank. The overflow is a standard black plastic one. So even if the overflow was 100% water tight, it would still have water in it up to the top of the standpipe once the tank was full.
So what is wrong with leaving the slight leak? If power went out, there wouldn't be any change. If a bulkhead had to be replaced, I'd still have to drain the overflow like normal and would just have to dry up the small drips that made it into the overflow as I changed out the bulkhead to make sure i had a good seal.
What am I missing?

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[Schplitter]

So I guess I don't understand at this point...the overflow has a slight leak (and I mean slow drips) between it and the tank. The overflow is a standard black plastic one. So even if the overflow was 100% water tight, it would still have water in it up to the top of the standpipe once the tank was full.
So what is wrong with leaving the slight leak? If power went out, there wouldn't be any change. If a bulkhead had to be replaced, I'd still have to drain the overflow like normal and would just have to dry up the small drips that made it into the overflow as I changed out the bulkhead to make sure i had a good seal.
What am I missing?

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The difference is that that leak will drain your tank onto the floor if you don't fix it. That small leak will become a large leak over time as the silicone let's go. If you fix it you won't have a flood. It's possible to fix it now. It won't be possible when the tank is full.

I don't get what you don't get. If you don't fix this your tank will fail and you will have a flood. It's that simple.

You have 10 extremely experienced people tell you to fix it. You do as you please. Fill her up and have a blast.



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[cobra9]

Is the leak from the bulk head itself or just leaking into the overflow section from the main section, or leaking around the standpipe into the drain? If it isnt a actual leak from the gasket on the bulk head I wouldnt worry about it.

 

[cobra9]

The difference is that that leak will drain your tank onto the floor if you don't fix it. That small leak will become a large leak over time as the silicone let's go. If you fix it you won't have a flood. It's possible to fix it now. It won't be possible when the tank is full.

I don't get what you don't get. If you don't fix this your tank will fail and you will have a flood. It's that simple.

You have 10 extremely experienced people tell you to fix it. You do as you please. Fill her up and have a blast.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If the leak is just between the main tank and overflow I fail to see how this can fail at all...... Every tank I have ever had had water leaks into the overflow area. Some are even designed this way to allow water to enter at the top and near the bottom. As long as you have stand pipes in the over flow you can't drain lower then them.

 

[Schplitter]

If the leak is just between the main tank and overflow I fail to see how this can fail at all...... Every tank I have ever had had water leaks into the overflow area. Some are even designed this way to allow water to enter at the top and near the bottom. As long as you have stand pipes in the over flow you can't drain lower then them.

The overflow boxes with the holes at the bottom rely on the velocity of the water going over the overflow to suck water up from the holes below. There are no holes going through the overflow box at the bottom to the back where the standpipes are. It works kind of like a ventury on a skimmer where a vacuum is created by the water velocity and air is drawn into the skimmer. Same effect just with water.

The only way this would be kind of safe is if the stand pipes are glued into the bulkheads. I still would not trust it as the bulkhead gaskets will fail eventually. Glueing the pipes in kills your chance of cleaning them also which be a problem with time. It could be a real mess if a snail, fish or the other numerous creatures ever make it down the pipe. It's a real pain to get them out.

Bottom line is that yes it may be okay for now BUT it will fail eventuall. When it does he/she will :headwally: