Another overflow, another day in the life....of me

flower

flower

Well-Known Member
I'm so disgusted I could scream. The pump failed on the SH tank and it overflowed about 5 to 8 gallons of water. One thing comes to mind....in the 20+ years that I used a canister filter I never once had a tank overflow, not once. One canister over the years sprung a leak and I lost about 1/2 gallon of water before I noticed.
I like my sump, I really do....it's so much easier, and makes a clean tank up top by being able to hide things under...but dam!...I hate it when things go wrong. I could always count on that canister filter to run....When it died it went quietly and always during a cleaning so I knew it wouldn't restart, every canister I ever had gave it's all.
The SH tank was due for a water change...but I so much prefer using a bucket instead of the floor for the old water. I had planned my Sabbath so well...I made sure all the food was already cooked, I attended Temple service...I was supposed to really rest today...but noooo...I have a fish tank.
I just had to vent...The pump is cleaned and the system is back on line. It was clogged with sediment...which is also what is wrong with the skimmer on the 90g... the stuff settling on the bottom of the sump has become a problem.
Which brings a question maybe you guys can help with....how do I clean up that sediment without breaking down the entire system? I know I can rig up a filter sock to my drain line hose to prevent this, (I so wish I had done this before now) but I need to get that stuff off the bottom of the sump tanks so that I have a nice clear bottom again. I thought of maybe using a fish tank vacuum with a filter sock to trap the yuck and let the "clean" water run back into the sump...what do you guys think, and if it would work...is there a certain brand of vacuum better than others?
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
I ordered a Berlin holder and two 4 inch Berlin filter socks to match it (I have a bubble trap on the 90g I can use to place the sock in there, the holder is for the SH tanks sump....and a self priming vacuum thing by Aqueon...I hope it works.
 
deejeff442

deejeff442

Active Member
i dont know why a pump not working would overflow the sump? would the sump overflow if the power went out?
can you just raise the return pump off the sump bottom?
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Oh and sort for your troubles flower.
You need to maintain your sump too though! Like meowzer, I use a turkey baster. Sorry it's hard on your knees.
Do you have a filter sock and an extra maxijet powerhead? Attach the filter sock to the output and attach a small vinyl hose to the input. Make sure it's in the sump before you turn it on. Then just let it suck up all the debris and filtr it out through the sock? Nylon hose would work too.
 
xcali1985

xcali1985

Active Member
I'm curious, my sump has never overflow. Do you have min and max lines? If set up properly they should never overflow as you should have enough back siphon room in the sump.
Now, if you have a HOB overflow, I had one of those lose suction and all the water went into the display tank, and that was a disaster. Since I went with built in overflows, my only worry is about my sumps overflowing, but with the min and max lines I have virtually no issue. After every cleaning, I adjust the flow nozzles and back siphon test that seems to be it.
I do not count on the check valve saving me at all.
As far as cleaning the bottom, the way I do it is remove the equipment, and I stir the entire sump up, and place a tiny rio pump in it and pump all the water out. Best to do it during a water change. But I physically go in there and keep stirring until all the water is out. Then refill with fresh saltwater.
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
I just drilled a small diameter hole in each of my overflows just below the water line of my loc lines, hobbyist want to make sure they drill the holes at 180 degrees so at start up you don’t splash water on your lights
 
deton8it

deton8it

Member
I drilled a hole in my return line right at water level of the display tank. That way if the power goes out I break siphon instantly and the only water that goes back in the sump is the little bit in the lines and what still needs to drain through the over flows. I too use a max/min line on my sump so that I don't overfill my sump during top off's.
John
 
geoj

geoj

Active Member

 I would be on my knees too long and I can't do that. I should have realized I needed some way to protect the pumps from that stuff. The overflow...LOL..I can blame on Snake, he started the trend...he jinxed us all...LOL
 
Do you have the max running fill line marked on the sump so that you don't fill the sump more then that line. Power then shuts off and all water drains to the sump that can. If you mark the fill line correctly then you will never have an overflow as long as the overflow pipe does not get blocked.

In this pic you can see how I marked the running water level and the level the water will raise when the power is off.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xcali1985 http:///t/389848/another-overflow-another-day-in-the-life-of-me#post_3448288
I'm curious, my sump has never overflow. Do you have min and max lines? If set up properly they should never overflow as you should have enough back siphon room in the sump.
Now, if you have a HOB overflow, I had one of those lose suction and all the water went into the display tank, and that was a disaster. Since I went with built in overflows, my only worry is about my sumps overflowing, but with the min and max lines I have virtually no issue. After every cleaning, I adjust the flow nozzles and back siphon test that seems to be it.
I do not count on the check valve saving me at all.
As far as cleaning the bottom, the way I do it is remove the equipment, and I stir the entire sump up, and place a tiny rio pump in it and pump all the water out. Best to do it during a water change. But I physically go in there and keep stirring until all the water is out. Then refill with fresh saltwater.
To clarify...I was bewailing the whole sump system...top to the bottom, the sump did not overflow. The little air hose came lose from the overflow and it lost suction..the top tank overflowed. Then when I fixed that problem it still didn't work...but I was standing right there and it didn't overflow 2Xs. I took the lifter pump to the bathroom and attached some pieces of extra airline and let it run some good hot water through the pump and all kinds of brown sediment came out.....which drew my attention to the sediment in the bottom of the sump, and the danger of it clogging my sump pumps...hense my last line of questions of how to go about cleaning it up.
2Quills, Acrylic59 and Al&Burke made sure my sump system was all set and dummy proof. I do have enough room in the sump for back siphon, I do have holes drilled in the return lines to stop back siphoning. I designed my SH tank sump to match the one on the 90g they made for me....for which I am eternally greatful.
There is too much sediment in the bottom of both sumps on both tanks. The 90g sediment clogged up the skimmer pump. I ordered some filter socks and a holder for one sump. The sump Acrylic made for me has a rim so a holder won't work on that one...but I can put a filter sock in the bubble catcher chamber where the hose is.
I also ordered a vacuum...I wish I had seen Snakes idea first before I ordered it, because I think his idea would work. So the filter sock being attched is a preventive measure, and I also need to clean up the mess in there first. I can't get on my knees (medical reasons) so a turkey baster won't work.
 
xcali1985

xcali1985

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/389848/another-overflow-another-day-in-the-life-of-me#post_3448387
The little air hose came lose from the overflow and it lost suction..the top tank overflowed.
Same thing happened to me!! 2 Days later I was at the local fish store buying a tank with a built in overflow. I was in the same room when mine did it. I would hate to think of what would have happened had I been at work!!!
As far as cleaning, Every 6 months I use to (just upgraded), swap out my pumps, I have to Mag 12s they rotate in service. I put the used one in a bucket with vinegar and water and let it run for 24 hours. When its done I can litterally wipe away everything with a toothbrush and rag, no scrubbing or scraping involved.
With a sump, it's just something you have to monitor, Since I do my WCs through my sumps, It's much easier for me then probably you, I also have filter socks on my 4 overflows, that are swapped out weekly. Got a picture may we can make some suggestions.
 
xandrew245x

xandrew245x

Member
exact reason when I upgrade to a sump, I am upgrading to a reef ready aquarium, if my tank overflowed I would ruin my whole carpet :|
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by xandrew245x http:///t/389848/another-overflow-another-day-in-the-life-of-me#post_3448507
exact reason when I upgrade to a sump, I am upgrading to a reef ready aquarium, if my tank overflowed I would ruin my whole carpet :|
LOL...now be realistic...it won't ruin the whole carpet..... and I can honestly tell you after many floods from a certain faulty HOB skimmer, that a carpet can take allot of saltwater before it shows wear if you get it cleaned up right. I was always afraid of predrilled reef ready tanks...the seal around the bulkheads can spring a leak too you know....nothing is for certain that you will never have a flood. . Given a choice right now..I also would opt for predrilled...at least I wouldn't need a lifter pump.
 
xandrew245x

xandrew245x

Member
Well, I have my tank in my finished basement, the whole thing is wall to wall carpet, so if one spot were to get moldy, the whole carpet would have to come up, since there is no way to replace one section of carpet ;/ I ordered a HOB protein skimmer, I hope it doesn't overflow, I already spilled a couple gallons on my carpet when filling my tank, it cleaned up nice however and was dry by the next morning.
 
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