Omg !!! Sump cracked water everywhere

[addictedtofrags]

So as a title says my sump cracked and there was water everywhere so I only had one option drain it take it out and try to fix it using aquarium silicon. I used this for the dividers I made in my sump but I'm not sure if it will work for the crack.

Any tips.

I'll post pictures of the sump of my attempt to fix it.

At 6 pm it will have been 24 hours. Hopefully it holds. No cash for a new sump now.




Forgot to take a picture of the crack before sealing it

 

[mrx66699]

Is that glass if so just have a new piece cut and re silicone it in place ...I would replace the whole panel ...

 

[blackthunda77]

If its acrylic then silicone is not the best route. Youd need to fix it with weldon.

 

[addictedtofrags]

Is that glass if so just have a new piece cut and re silicone it in place ...I would replace the whole panel ...

Sorry about that I didn't specify it's an acrylic sump.
The crack is on the edge where the 2 pieces where placed together.
I wanted to take a piece of acrylic and place it on top to sealed it but since it's on the edge it wouldn't work

Hopefully my patch Job works.

 

[addictedtofrags]

If its acrylic then silicone is not the best route. Youd need to fix it with weldon.

I read about Weldon today kinda panicked and I filled the crack with silicone and the. The outside and also the inside of the sump

The crack was allowing a steady drip to come out.

Not sure of what my options are now would Weldon work even thou I filled it with silicone

 

[dbenyo]

theres two main types... i believe #20? is a thick type of gel that is good for pieces that dont come together and touch perfectly and then theres the liquid #4 that fuses the two pieces together but they must be touching perfectly (normally but theres a work around)

I would cut out the silicone with a razor and then apply either a bunch of #20 or if it is a small crack it can be filled with the liquid #4. You can even shave some acrylic off a new sheet with a razor, place the pieces on the crack, add #4 and it will melt right into the crack and seal it up!

I have used all of these methods between my old sump and several friend's sumps... never had an issue with any of them years later.

 

[rovster]

I believe #16 is the thick stuff....

 

[dbenyo]

Ahhh yes 16

 

[addictedtofrags]

theres two main types... i believe #20? is a thick type of gel that is good for pieces that dont come together and touch perfectly and then theres the liquid #4 that fuses the two pieces together but they must be touching perfectly (normally but theres a work around)

I would cut out the silicone with a razor and then apply either a bunch of #20 or if it is a small crack it can be filled with the liquid #4. You can even shave some acrylic off a new sheet with a razor, place the pieces on the crack, add #4 and it will melt right into the crack and seal it up!

I have used all of these methods between my old sump and several friend's sumps... never had an issue with any of them years later.

Ok first where can i find the weld on 4 and 16

i can fit maybe my nail into the crack so not sure if that helps as a refrence

not i already stuffed it with silicone. would it work trying to remove the silicone and then trying with the weld on, or should i just test it out and see if it holds.

if it holds at full capacity i dont see why it would give in the future. But then agian i may be wrong.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[nivram]

Ok first where can i find the weld on 4 and 16

i can fit maybe my nail into the crack so not sure if that helps as a refrence

not i already stuffed it with silicone. would it work trying to remove the silicone and then trying with the weld on, or should i just test it out and see if it holds.

if it holds at full capacity i dont see why it would give in the future. But then agian i may be wrong.

Thanks for all the help.

I believe VIP reef keeps it on hand. Otherwise any place that sells acrylic.

 

[Jerzey]

Use Weldon #16 I been using it for year on acrylic its by far the best and sets up fast also rated to hold 2400psi at the seams then if you want the next day run a bead of clear silicon over the Weldon beads! You'll be 100% good!

 

[dbenyo]

If you can fit a nail use 16 and I would remove as much silicone as possible

 

[dbenyo]

barrier reef / prospect plastics / all fish (maybe) / some LFS will have it

 

[Jerzey]

You can find Weldon all over the internet even e-bay

 

[ezdive]

Yeah, Silicone will fail when used with Acryillic. I have had this happen to me too, unfortunately.

 

[mrx66699]

Sorry about that I didn't specify it's an acrylic sump.
The crack is on the edge where the 2 pieces where placed together.
I wanted to take a piece of acrylic and place it on top to sealed it but since it's on the edge it wouldn't work

Hopefully my patch Job works.

1st off do not just fill it with 4 or 16 it needs to be done correctly .....especially if its near a seam and do not fill it with savings lol thats the silliest thing I have ever seen someone giving advice on ......this is a sure way to expect issues.....you have two options and only two should be considered .....1 replace the panel (what size is your sump I most likely have it and can do it for you) 2nd cover it with another rectangle shape cut out.....at least 3 inches on all sides if its in the middle of the panel ...if its a seam it needs to be redone and let dry for the proper amount of time....with the square use 4 or 3 first to seal it in place then use the 16 around the entire piece on the edges turn it on each side and allow the 16 to gravity seal against the edges when you do it ....if its a seam it MUST be redone I have 3,4, 16, and 42 ....just bring it by anytime today after 3 but you need to place some power heads in your setup as it needs to dry at least 24 hrs afterwards .....

 

[Jerzey]

dont just replace and fix the failure area.... Unfortunately your gonna have to build it again but this time use Weldon doesn't matter 4 or 16.... No point putting a band aid on you're sump just for it to fail again in the future and cause more damage! Sorry but you were destined to fail the sec you use silicone...good luck!

 

[addictedtofrags]

well thank you all for the advice and tips on how to fix this.

I picked up some weld-on 16 here in Miami today. Thought about taking out the silicone and filling it in with weld-on 16 as from doing a Google search its perfect for filling in areas that are not touching together. Alot of you are saying not to do this.

1st off do not just fill it with 4 or 16 it needs to be done correctly .....especially if its near a seam and do not fill it with savings lol thats the silliest thing I have ever seen someone giving advice on ......this is a sure way to expect issues.....you have two options and only two should be considered .....1 replace the panel (what size is your sump I most likely have it and can do it for you) 2nd cover it with another rectangle shape cut out.....at least 3 inches on all sides if its in the middle of the panel ...if its a seam it needs to be redone and let dry for the proper amount of time....with the square use 4 or 3 first to seal it in place then use the 16 around the entire piece on the edges turn it on each side and allow the 16 to gravity seal against the edges when you do it ....if its a seam it MUST be redone I have 3,4, 16, and 42 ....just bring it by anytime today after 3 but you need to place some power heads in your setup as it needs to dry at least 24 hrs afterwards .....

Thanks in advance for offering to lend a hand it is much needed as when it comes to acrylic i am beyond lost.

my sump is the pro clear 300 the dimensions are 36" x 12" x 18
the front is at an angle.

i couldn't even begin to think on taking the panel off. I get off work at 6pm and can head home grab the sump and drive up to your place. please let me know if thats ok or if its too late. my number is 954-729-zero seven seven two

Thanks again to everybody who has taken the time to respond to this post as for me it was life or death lol. Thank you all very much.

 

[stevejrnc]

I'd take Mrx up on his offer

Weld on is the correct material
But it's not as easy as it sounds the area
Needs to be supper clean the area needs
To match up perfectly flush you also need
Clamps to keep it tight
Not something you just glue together
Sorry
I you had enough room to get it out I'm sure
There's some one on board with something you can
Borrow untill you get it fixed or repaired

 

[addictedtofrags]

I'd take Mrx up on his offer

Weld on is the correct material
But it's not as easy as it sounds the area
Needs to be supper clean the area needs
To match up perfectly flush you also need
Clamps to keep it tight
Not something you just glue together
Sorry
I you had enough room to get it out I'm sure
There's some one on board with something you can
Borrow untill you get it fixed or repaired

Yes I plan on taking that offer. The area where the crack is worries me if it was and a Panel the. I think it would have been much easier however it is at the seem and it's a half moon type of crack. Has to be seen to fully understand. Let's see if it can be repaired if not I'm out for the count