Leaking sump! Tough situation! Advice needed

[gemini aquarius(t)]

So I set up my new 180 in the new apartment and got the sump under the stand and then dealt with a bulkhead not sitting and leaking and then stripped the bulkhead trying to get it off. Fixed that after help from everyone I know and thought I was finally done.

But now my sump is leaking. And it's a bottom seam. And it is in the stand and I can't get it out without completely draining the tank and moving it and taking it off the stand to unscrew the middle brace and taking it out through the back. Soooo I'm looking for help on what to do. The seams were sealed with silicone from a previous leak, and when I water tested it in the old place it held perfectly so I didn't think to test again after moving it. I guess the workers we hired carried it the wrong way or something cause its completely unsealed.
How would be the best way to go about waterproofing it?

I can fit in the stand if I sit very awkwardly so it would be possible to do minor repairs in the stand if it is a one person job, or one person inside and others outsid the stand reaching in.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[bad santa]

If its in the seam, can u scrape off the silicone and use Weldon 16? It's a thicker glue so if the crack isn't that big it should seal it.

 

[pciscott]

Is the seem cracked or just came unglued? Silicone does not bond like weldon that will melt the two pieces together if we are talking about acrylic? You could add glue to the seem if it is a split seem to fix the problem, but get rid of all the silicone first and you will need to find the proper glue. More information about the split seem, or crack, and what materials your sump is made of???

 

[Catchoftheday]

i dont know what to do but if you need an extra hand call me . how about JB weld not sure if that would work

 

[Catchoftheday]

Is the seem cracked or just came unglued? Silicone does not bond like weldon that will melt the two pieces together if we are talking about acrylic? You could add glue to the seem if it is a split seem to fix the problem, but get rid of all the silicone first and you will need to find the proper glue. More information about the split seem, or crack, and what materials your sump is made of???

His sump is acrylic

 

[Enjoy]

Silicone does not hold seams of acrylic together. It might temporarily, but it will eventually fail. You could drain the sump, and add another sheet of acrylic on the exterior of the sump covering the seam. Use Weld-on, and it will chemically bond the 2 surfaces together.

If all else fails, break/cut/rip the sump apart inside the stand and replace it with something that is serviceable through the front access (taking it in and out). I have been in a similar situation and actually had two separate sumps that were plumbed together with unions.

Good Luck.

 

[Catchoftheday]

Is the seem cracked or just came unglued? Silicone does not bond like weldon that will melt the two pieces together if we are talking about acrylic? You could add glue to the seem if it is a split seem to fix the problem, but get rid of all the silicone first and you will need to find the proper glue. More information about the split seem, or crack, and what materials your sump is made of???

His sump is acrylic

 

[MadDiscus]

i would replace it storage container or something similar which can hold water for temporary. if not shut down the sump and keep power head to circulate water in the tank. meanwhile get weld on and piece of acrylic glue where it leaks. feel the pain, best of luck.

 

[gemini aquarius(t)]

The seam came unglued. I will try to get some pics later. As jeremey said the sump is acrylic. I bought some thin acrylic in case that's what I had to do. The hard part is going to be getting the sump dry enough to use chemicals on it

 

[Aquatron]

We all have those kind of things to deal with, you will be way ahead draining and fixing the problem right. If you don't you will never be able to enjoy your hobby.....rigging things is really not an option in the long run.

Good Luck!

 

[Catchoftheday]

How hard would it be to drain Half the tank into jugs and such and pull the tank out would you be able to pull the sump out that way ?

 

[pciscott]

As recommended use a Rubbermaid bin outside your stand for a temp sump. Drain your sump with a shop vac, then paper towels, then hair dryer. Once it is dry weldon will work it is the consistency of water and you get as much as you can between the seem and press it together tight, add a strip for extra safety and in case there is dirt in the joint. If you cant find the glue I have some in Signal Hill and can show you how it works on a couple scrap pieces.

It is a easy fix if you can get it clean and dry.

 

[gemini aquarius(t)]

Okay thanks Scott! I think i will have to do that. Now to find a shop vac.

 

[Catchoftheday]

Okay thanks Scott! I think i will have to do that. Now to find a shop vac.

i have one buddy

 

[gemini aquarius(t)]

If I were to do this, I would have to drain the entire thing, because the 2x4 is on the back side (the front side has 4 braces).

Im thinking thats what I am going to have to do, because I really wont be able to sleep at night knowing it was a fixed situation and not done the right way. It just sucks because now I have to find a new sump, when this one was almost the perfect dimensions for the space. and Im broke hahah

 

[gemini aquarius(t)]

If I were to do this, I would have to drain the entire thing, because the 2x4 is on the back side (the front side has 4 braces).

Im thinking thats what I am going to have to do, because I really wont be able to sleep at night knowing it was a fixed situation and not done the right way. It just sucks because now I have to find a new sump, when this one was almost the perfect dimensions for the space. and Im broke hahah

 

[discotu]

I had a similar thing happen to me with my old 225g....there was no way I could Move/drain the main tank so I cut an access panel from the side of the stand. But before I cut I braced the inside corners of the stand with 2x4s (screwed and glued). I used a jig saw to cut the access panel then slid out the old sump and put in the new. You can then add trim to hide the cut and or add hinges. Good luck!