External sump pump set-ups. Cracked glass!!!

[mrsixstrings12]

So awhile ago, I posted about my basement sump and I've been going at her for the past week trying to get it up and running. I fired up the pump for the first time the other day and had a few leaks to take care of. I noticed my bulkhead out the side of my sump (a 40g breeder) was leaking and I chalked it up as the bulkhead not being tight enough. I tightened her up and voila, no more leakage.

I fired the pump up tonight to send more water up to the DT that I had mixing and noticed a little salt creep where the previous leak was. I wiped it away and was DEVASTATED to see a crack from the bulkhead to the bottom panel, underneath the black trim. It wasn't leaking water at all but obviously I need to fix it. I'm gonna call up the glass place tomorrow and get a quote from them.

My question is, How does everyone have their external pumps plumbed?? Should I run a short piece of vinyl to help with the stress at the glass?

Anyone ever de-construct an aqueous tank before?

The thing that complicates things are my existing fish are in the main section of the sump right now, so I'd have to figure something out to be able to drain the entire thing. I currently have the last section of my sump drained out, so if the crack were to fail, a bunch of water doesn't go anywhere (i hope).

 

[mcgyvr]

Don't waste your time/money repairing a 40b... Just buy a new one.. They are usually $40 at the Petco $1 gallon sale..

And yes use vinyl tube for a bit as 40b glass is pretty darn thin and any stress can cause it to crack.. That will help but not guarantee it doesn't happen again..

 

[ca1ore]

Are you sure you didn't crack the glass when grinding the hole?

Regardless, pump should always be supported to reduce any torque on the glass; and don't over tighten the bulkhead.

 

[thegrun]

You may have drilled the hole too close to the edge or corner. As far as the bulkhead tightening goes make it hand tight and then use a wrench to tighten it another 1/4 or 1/2 turn, no more than that. It is also important to have flex between the pump and pipe. Ideally you want to secure the pipe directly off the bulkhead with a strap or bracket so you don't accidentally push on the plumbing and stress the bulkhead joint.