slight EMERGENCY need help

[gfk]

So today was yearly take out the sump and clean everything day.

well the bulkhead came loose when i disconnected the pvc union connecting the drain to the bulkhead.


so the overflow is empty, my sump is out, buy my 30 gallon reef is full of water with a ton of stuff in it.


how can i get that bulkhead tight while its in the tank???? i haven't messed with the bulkhead since i build the tank over a year ago.


help help im freakin out

 

[Sk8r]

Oy. Without photos I can't envision what actual part of the bulkhead assembly has come loose or where the bulkhead is situated.

First, don't panic: if all else fails, insert a shielded powerhead in a place where it won't kill anything, and keep your aeration going with that.

Is it side-mounted? Can you lower the water level where you can work with it, or is it bottom-mounted?

You may need a new gasket if you cannot get this one settled. If you can fix it and get a micro leak, stop it with a washcloth tied about the area and see if it will seal on its own: sometimes they will.

Here's hoping somebody chimes in with a better idea.
Can you id the type of tank or give us an idea what we're working with?

Also, before stores close, you might run to Lowe's and get 4 of their 5g white polystyrene buckets from the paint department: they have a thousand uses, they're reefsafe, and they could hold your specimens while you lower the water to work with the problem.
You might also buy a box of clean rags if you don't have access to a dryer: you're going to need some towels, plus a small pan to handle drip.

 

[gfk]

well i said slight becuase its not too bad.

the overflow is a corner overflow, on a custom 29 gallon tank. unfortunately the bulkhead is at the bottom of the tank. the oveflow is completely empty so nothing can leak.

my tank level is like 1/2 inch under the overflow so it can't get over. both my seios are going. so essentially my tank is running fine with light, and movement. i'd have to put my heater in the actual tank but that's not a problem.

the bulkhead is just loose. i can't really tighten the nut because id ont have a wrench or pliers that are big enough.

i didnt cut that large of a hole for the bulkhead either which is now turning out to be stupid.

im not really trying to upgrade tanks right now, ugh.

 

[Capt_Cully]

30 gal is not huge, but it's a HUGE pain in the neck if you have to take everything out of it, including the water.

But, if you can't get to the BH, what choice do you have really???

It stinks, but i think ya gotta get some temporary holding tank like sK8 said and deal with the plumbing problem.