BIG potential problem...Overflow leaking.

Son Of Skyline · #1 11-19-2002, 06:31 AM

I just turned off my main return pump to fish out a blenny in my overflow and a minute later I was greeted by the sound of water spilling. By the time I got down from the stool and opened up the stand doors, the sump was overflowing and the water level in my tank was dropping fast! I've had nothing but problems with this overflow from the beginning :x

It leaked from the beginning when I initially tested the tank, but I loaded the edges with silicone, tested again, patched it up some more, and it seemed to do the trick for awhile. Now it's not holding anything and the tank is just getting established.

Any suggestions on a solution besides tearing the entire tank down to fix it? Any info would be greatly appreciated, as right now if the power goes out, which has been known to happen in my house, my tank and everything around it is doomed. Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post.

Dale D · #2 11-19-2002, 06:54 AM

Is it an internal overflow box in the coner of the tank? What is it made of? Did you run a bead of caulking down the inside seams of the overflow as well?

Aquattro · #3 11-19-2002, 06:58 AM

Mason, if it is like Dale mentions, do you have a stand pipe in the overflow? Something doesn't sound right if it's overflowing your sump in a minute!! Can you see a large leak? Is it possible your return line is siphoning back instead?

Dale D · #4 11-19-2002, 07:09 AM

Silicone does not stick too good to some types of plastic. If the overflow is made of one of these plastics the water pressure on the outside of the overflow can cause the silcone to seperate from it over time causing a leak. You can make the joint stronger by running a bead of caulking down the inside of the overflow. That way the outside water pressure is pushing against the bead on the inside as well.

If you put a stand pipe on the inside as Brad said you will equalize the water pressure on both sides of the overflow.

Make sure your return line has a siphon break in it to stop back siphoning as well

Son Of Skyline · #5 11-19-2002, 07:11 AM

Thanks for the quick replies everyone. I just figured it out and you're right, it was the return backsiphoning. I'm a dumbass. Normally the return tube has holes at the top to draw air in which breaks the siphon when the pump is turned off, but I forgot that I played around with the tube awhile ago and forgot to reposition the tube correctly. Hard to explain but thanks! You guys are always helpful

I think my brain needs recharging...

Son Of Skyline · #6 11-19-2002, 07:13 AM

Oh btw...my overflow is actually leaking...just not that bad. So I guess the original question still stands, is there a way to "patch it up" without tearing the tank down? Anything that cures under water? Thanks again everyone

Dale D · #7 11-19-2002, 07:20 AM

I don't think there is much you can do to reseal it with out draining it. At least down to the level that the leak is at.

If you put a stand pipe in the overflow the water will still leak into the overflow and fill it up, but, the water level in the tank will not drop below the top of the stand pipe.

StirCrazy · #8 11-19-2002, 01:08 PM

there is a calk you can get that works under water. take a look in the DIY section for it.. I saw it on Jon Eaks one day..

Steve

Son Of Skyline · #9 11-19-2002, 03:24 PM

Thanks again everyone. I'll check the DIY section.

Doug · #10 11-20-2002, 12:48 AM

The overflow on my last 180 leaked. I could not seal it with water in the tank, no matter how hard I tried.

I made stacks, with no slots or duraso, etc. They were almost to the tanks water level. This kept any excess water from returning to the sump. In order to keep animals from the stacks, I glued eggcrate inside the pipe at the top.