Sump/overflow question

[Editour2]

Okay, finally finished the plumbing in my tank and began filling with water. I have a Tenecor simplicity plus system that I customized. The simplicity plus system utilized the rear 4 inches of the tank to store a wet dry filtration system, (in the tank). I eliminated the system and drilled the tank. In effect the rear 4" is a giant overflow which holds about 14 gallons of water. I installed a durso pipe and the return pvc back there as well. Here is the question: I filled the main tank with RODI water and began filling the overflow before running out of water. The overflow section was approximately half full and as such never reached the drain section of the durso pipe. The next morning when I checked the sump there was approximately 4 inches of water in there. I am confused. There are air holes in the return pipe elbows to break any back flow. Where is the water coming from? Two days ago I added another 5 gallons of RODI to the tank, (I am not currently running the return pump, only powerheads in the main display). Again I left the tank alone until the next night. The water level increased in the sump. The drain is very slow, about 2 to 3 inches a day. The sump can only hold 18 gallons. I can only surmise that the water in the overflow is somehow draining from the drain bulkhead where the durso is affixed. There are no leaks in the plumbing. Is this normal or should I pull the durso and reglue? CONFUSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Frank

 

[jnfallon]

well, there's got to be a leak. I assume you are using bulkhead(s). how did you install the bulkhead? Remember, Rubber washer always on the wet side, tightening nut on the dry. Is it a slip fitting or threaded? Use tape?

 

[Editour2]

There is no leak in the plumbing, (or in the stand), only into the sump. I used slip bulkheads with teflon tape and the rubber is on the wet side. No other comments or suggestions?

 

[Monkeyfish]

Why use tape with slip fittings? I'd think the primer/glue combo would have been better.

 

[Editour2]

The tape was only used on the threads where the nut tightens the bulkhead to the tank. All pvc were glued to the bulkhead slip fittings. I would appreciate further help.

 

[jnfallon]

you dont need tape with the bulkhead nut.

To clarify, the nut is on the outside (bottom) correct?

If that the case, you've got a slow leaking INTO the bulkhead, either at the durso, or most likely where the pipe slips into the wet side of the bulkhead. Way to check that is to fill overflow and and let is sit for a day or two, water level will settle to height of leak.

Also, wrap a few twists of tape around the vertical standpipe before inserting into slip bulkhead. Don't glue since you need to be able to remove. (oops re-reading and I see you glued. no biggie as long as nut/thread is on outside, but now you'll need to remove bulkhead to adjust durso. next time, just use tape. )

 

[Editour2]

You are correct, the nut is on the outside/bottom, in the stand. Thinking back I am not sure if I glued the durso to the bulkhead. It's been about 4 days now and the tank overflow is almost empty, (drained into the sump). I am going to attempt to pull the durso today and see what's up. If I have to, I will remove the bulkhead.

 

[Editour2]

Jnfallon: thanks for your help. The durso was not glued. The bulkhead was threaded on the inside part and slip on the outside. Originally I had connected the durso to a 1" threaded pvc pipe and then connected the whole piece to the bulkhead. At your suggestion I pulled the durso and used tape on the threads and on the slip fitting and now NO LEAKS!!! Thanks for your help.

On another note: I have the return pump returning water to the main display via two flexible ball socket tubing. Both come off a threaded 3/4" elbow which each has a small hole to break suction in case of a power failure, (as described initially in this thread). The problem is that water is also shooting out of these small holes. The water is entering the tank however is a bit noisy. Can I eliminate 1 of the two, (without creating a problem, since they are all connected? or As an option could I use a checkvalve?