Kevin's Tank!!!
- Thread starter kevin34
- Start date
7
75bownut
Guest
my guess would be the company that makes the light or other sites that sell halide lighting retro kits etc... I can think of a couple but keeping with the rules I cannot post those site names here.
7
75bownut
Guest
check your pm's
kevin34
Active Member
Ok I have some updates. Thanks to 75bownut I think I got my lighting situation taken care of and I have currently having a canopy custom built and will be done by the end of the week. I ordered my last few items including plastic hose clamps for the plumbing. I was wondering if anyone could tell me how step by step on the proper way to check for leaks in the tank. Is there anyway to do this without having to fill the tank all the way up with 125 gallons of tap water just to drain it all?
michael76lll
Member
cool tank kev! where in mass you from?
wangotango
Active Member
Originally Posted by Kevin34
Bump. Anyone know about the leak test for the tank?
It would be a pain to fill the entire tank only to drain it again, but I think it'd be worth it.
Lay some newspaper down on a flat surface like a garage floor, put the tank on that and fill it up. If the paper is wet, you've got a leak.
-Justin
Bump. Anyone know about the leak test for the tank?
It would be a pain to fill the entire tank only to drain it again, but I think it'd be worth it.
Lay some newspaper down on a flat surface like a garage floor, put the tank on that and fill it up. If the paper is wet, you've got a leak.
-Justin
kevin34
Active Member
Originally Posted by WangoTango
It would be a pain to fill the entire tank only to drain it again, but I think it'd be worth it.
Lay some newspaper down on a flat surface like a garage floor, put the tank on that and fill it up. If the paper is wet, you've got a leak.
-Justin
I always thought that you had to fill the tank and turn on the return pump and everything to check for leaks in the plumbing.
It would be a pain to fill the entire tank only to drain it again, but I think it'd be worth it.
Lay some newspaper down on a flat surface like a garage floor, put the tank on that and fill it up. If the paper is wet, you've got a leak.
-Justin
I always thought that you had to fill the tank and turn on the return pump and everything to check for leaks in the plumbing.
wangotango
Active Member
Oh my mistake, I thought you were talking about testing the tank itself for leaks.
You can fill the system with freshwater and let it run to test for leaks, and once you're satisfied just add the salt.
-Justin
You can fill the system with freshwater and let it run to test for leaks, and once you're satisfied just add the salt.
-Justin
azfishgal
Active Member
Originally Posted by Kevin34
I always thought that you had to fill the tank and turn on the return pump and everything to check for leaks in the plumbing.
IMO this is the only way to go. You want to make sure everything runs smoothly with no leaks. And yes, it might seem like a pain to fill up your 125 gallon tank only to dump it all out again, BUT it's worth it. Peace of mind is everything, especially with a tank that size. Again, I do NOT think it's wise to mix the salt in your tank. Most salt mixes leave a little film on the mixing container so if you do it in your tank, you'll have it all over your tank and pump. Plus if you get a bad batch of salt it's a pain to clean it out of your tank. This happened with my QT tank, I mixed the saltwater in my tank, figured "why not" and I ended up with a bad batch of salt and a white film on everything. Luckily it was only a 10 gallon tank, can't imagine that happening to my 125. So as time consuming as it may be, filling your tank with tap water and let it run for at least 24 hours is the best way to go. Then siphone the water out (I used my garden hose) and start mixing your saltwater in a trash can.
We did this very thing with our tank, and my husband did have to reinforce some of the plumbing for leaks. So please run your entire system for at least 24 hours, you'll be glad you did.
Oh, and I'm glad you got the lighting figured out. If I recall my husband got the additional wire at Lowes or Home Depot, so not sure why they told you they didn't have any.
I always thought that you had to fill the tank and turn on the return pump and everything to check for leaks in the plumbing.
IMO this is the only way to go. You want to make sure everything runs smoothly with no leaks. And yes, it might seem like a pain to fill up your 125 gallon tank only to dump it all out again, BUT it's worth it. Peace of mind is everything, especially with a tank that size. Again, I do NOT think it's wise to mix the salt in your tank. Most salt mixes leave a little film on the mixing container so if you do it in your tank, you'll have it all over your tank and pump. Plus if you get a bad batch of salt it's a pain to clean it out of your tank. This happened with my QT tank, I mixed the saltwater in my tank, figured "why not" and I ended up with a bad batch of salt and a white film on everything. Luckily it was only a 10 gallon tank, can't imagine that happening to my 125. So as time consuming as it may be, filling your tank with tap water and let it run for at least 24 hours is the best way to go. Then siphone the water out (I used my garden hose) and start mixing your saltwater in a trash can.
We did this very thing with our tank, and my husband did have to reinforce some of the plumbing for leaks. So please run your entire system for at least 24 hours, you'll be glad you did.
Oh, and I'm glad you got the lighting figured out. If I recall my husband got the additional wire at Lowes or Home Depot, so not sure why they told you they didn't have any.
kevin34
Active Member
Originally Posted by azfishgal
IMO this is the only way to go. You want to make sure everything runs smoothly with no leaks. And yes, it might seem like a pain to fill up your 125 gallon tank only to dump it all out again, BUT it's worth it. Peace of mind is everything, especially with a tank that size. Again, I do NOT think it's wise to mix the salt in your tank. Most salt mixes leave a little film on the mixing container so if you do it in your tank, you'll have it all over your tank and pump. Plus if you get a bad batch of salt it's a pain to clean it out of your tank. This happened with my QT tank, I mixed the saltwater in my tank, figured "why not" and I ended up with a bad batch of salt and a white film on everything. Luckily it was only a 10 gallon tank, can't imagine that happening to my 125. So as time consuming as it may be, filling your tank with tap water and let it run for at least 24 hours is the best way to go. Then siphone the water out (I used my garden hose) and start mixing your saltwater in a trash can.
We did this very thing with our tank, and my husband did have to reinforce some of the plumbing for leaks. So please run your entire system for at least 24 hours, you'll be glad you did.
Oh, and I'm glad you got the lighting figured out. If I recall my husband got the additional wire at Lowes or Home Depot, so not sure why they told you they didn't have any.
Thanks for the info. I was not planning to mix my saltwater in my tank. I picked up 3 30g containers the other day for the saltwater. Do I have to have heaters in the containers while the salt is mixing? I only have 2 heaters for my tank and could the heaters melt the plastic containers? And just to clarify on you to fill the tank, you fill it up until water starts to go down into your sump and once the sump level is at the right height you turn on the return pump? Also is it dangerous to use ice cold water or steaming hot water for the leak test? I think thats all I can get. lol
IMO this is the only way to go. You want to make sure everything runs smoothly with no leaks. And yes, it might seem like a pain to fill up your 125 gallon tank only to dump it all out again, BUT it's worth it. Peace of mind is everything, especially with a tank that size. Again, I do NOT think it's wise to mix the salt in your tank. Most salt mixes leave a little film on the mixing container so if you do it in your tank, you'll have it all over your tank and pump. Plus if you get a bad batch of salt it's a pain to clean it out of your tank. This happened with my QT tank, I mixed the saltwater in my tank, figured "why not" and I ended up with a bad batch of salt and a white film on everything. Luckily it was only a 10 gallon tank, can't imagine that happening to my 125. So as time consuming as it may be, filling your tank with tap water and let it run for at least 24 hours is the best way to go. Then siphone the water out (I used my garden hose) and start mixing your saltwater in a trash can.
We did this very thing with our tank, and my husband did have to reinforce some of the plumbing for leaks. So please run your entire system for at least 24 hours, you'll be glad you did.
Oh, and I'm glad you got the lighting figured out. If I recall my husband got the additional wire at Lowes or Home Depot, so not sure why they told you they didn't have any.
Thanks for the info. I was not planning to mix my saltwater in my tank. I picked up 3 30g containers the other day for the saltwater. Do I have to have heaters in the containers while the salt is mixing? I only have 2 heaters for my tank and could the heaters melt the plastic containers? And just to clarify on you to fill the tank, you fill it up until water starts to go down into your sump and once the sump level is at the right height you turn on the return pump? Also is it dangerous to use ice cold water or steaming hot water for the leak test? I think thats all I can get. lol
shinobi9119
Active Member
Originally Posted by Kevin34
Thanks for the info. I was not planning to mix my saltwater in my tank. I picked up 3 30g containers the other day for the saltwater. Do I have to have heaters in the containers while the salt is mixing? I only have 2 heaters for my tank and could the heaters melt the plastic containers? And just to clarify on you to fill the tank, you fill it up until water starts to go down into your sump and once the sump level is at the right height you turn on the return pump? Also is it dangerous to use ice cold water or steaming hot water for the leak test? I think thats all I can get. lol
what kind of heaters do u have?
Thanks for the info. I was not planning to mix my saltwater in my tank. I picked up 3 30g containers the other day for the saltwater. Do I have to have heaters in the containers while the salt is mixing? I only have 2 heaters for my tank and could the heaters melt the plastic containers? And just to clarify on you to fill the tank, you fill it up until water starts to go down into your sump and once the sump level is at the right height you turn on the return pump? Also is it dangerous to use ice cold water or steaming hot water for the leak test? I think thats all I can get. lol
what kind of heaters do u have?
azfishgal
Active Member
Originally Posted by Kevin34
I have the visitherm stealth heaters and someone once told me to keep the heaters in the tank and not the sump because they could melt the plastic sump. I figured they might melt the plastic saltwater mixing containers.
I have those same heaters and it lays on the bottom of my sump, no problems at all. However, I did wake up Thursday morning with my tank at 75 degrees, the heater broke for some reason. But I had another one in my mixing container and the tank is back up to 79-80. When I have my heater set at 79 I can physically touch it and it's not hot, feels luke warm to me so it's not going to melt anything at that temp. Like I said I use the same one for my mixing container and it lies on the bottom. Again, I have had no problems in the 10 months that I've been doing this. If you are still worried about it then just use the suction cups that came with the heater. And to answer your question, yes you need a heater. Before adding the salt make sure the water is at least 78 degrees, the salt will mix better in warmer water. I don't think the temp matters for testing your tank. My test water came right out of my garden hose and it was cold. We had a few small leaks in the plumbing, but those were fixed and then waited another 24 hours to be sure. We have not had any problems up to this point (knock on wood).
Edit: On a side note, it may help with the fact that water is being dumped right on top of my heater that is in the sump. So the water flow is very high. I probably would not put the heater in a slow flow area. And the powerhead in my mixing container is blowing right toward the heater on the bottom, so again plenty of water flow.
I have the visitherm stealth heaters and someone once told me to keep the heaters in the tank and not the sump because they could melt the plastic sump. I figured they might melt the plastic saltwater mixing containers.
I have those same heaters and it lays on the bottom of my sump, no problems at all. However, I did wake up Thursday morning with my tank at 75 degrees, the heater broke for some reason. But I had another one in my mixing container and the tank is back up to 79-80. When I have my heater set at 79 I can physically touch it and it's not hot, feels luke warm to me so it's not going to melt anything at that temp. Like I said I use the same one for my mixing container and it lies on the bottom. Again, I have had no problems in the 10 months that I've been doing this. If you are still worried about it then just use the suction cups that came with the heater. And to answer your question, yes you need a heater. Before adding the salt make sure the water is at least 78 degrees, the salt will mix better in warmer water. I don't think the temp matters for testing your tank. My test water came right out of my garden hose and it was cold. We had a few small leaks in the plumbing, but those were fixed and then waited another 24 hours to be sure. We have not had any problems up to this point (knock on wood).
Edit: On a side note, it may help with the fact that water is being dumped right on top of my heater that is in the sump. So the water flow is very high. I probably would not put the heater in a slow flow area. And the powerhead in my mixing container is blowing right toward the heater on the bottom, so again plenty of water flow.