floods?

[Melina]

We're renting a house and yesterday our landlord found out I'm planning to get this 65g tank (+25g sump), and he said it was going to be a problem. He said he was concerned about the weight (I was planning to keep it on the upper floor) as well as water damage.
So I told him I'd put it in the basement instead but he still didn't like the idea and was very concerned about water damage. So we're going to sign this contract that if there is a flood, that WE'LL be responsible for the damage. So I'm just wondering. How big is the risk of having a flood/water damage with this tank? Is it something that happens a lot when you're in this hobby? Have any of you had floods, and if so, what could you have done to avoid them?

Thanks

[Aquattro]

well, having a sump increases the risk a bit. Do you have the tank drilled or external overflow? In sump skimmer of hang off back? All return pumps with hoses have hose clamps? Does everything stay in the tank when the power is cut?
Assuming you have an internal overflow, all equipment is contained in the sump and all hoses well secured, you should be ok. These are the typical causes of floods.
Make sure you have your overflow intake protected from blockage by snails, debris, etc. Water not going out and sump coming back in can cause obvious problems.
Powerheads can slip and point out to the couch, so make sure they're well mounted.
I'm sure others have come across other causes, but mosrtly you should be ok. And if you have a flood, they're generally easy to clean up. You might need to rent a steam cleaner if the tank sits on carpet, but serious water damage isn't too common.

[skylord]

You might want to look into renters insurance. Its a good idea tank or not. The worst that your insurance company would do is add $10 or $20 to a years premium. That should make the owner happy and let you sleep a little easier.

Scott

Plus take the precautions mentioned by reef raf

[Melina]

Originally Posted by reef_raf

well, having a sump increases the risk a bit. Do you have the tank drilled or external overflow? In sump skimmer of hang off back? All return pumps with hoses have hose clamps? Does everything stay in the tank when the power is cut?
Assuming you have an internal overflow, all equipment is contained in the sump and all hoses well secured, you should be ok. These are the typical causes of floods.
Make sure you have your overflow intake protected from blockage by snails, debris, etc. Water not going out and sump coming back in can cause obvious problems.
Powerheads can slip and point out to the couch, so make sure they're well mounted.
I'm sure others have come across other causes, but mosrtly you should be ok. And if you have a flood, they're generally easy to clean up. You might need to rent a steam cleaner if the tank sits on carpet, but serious water damage isn't too common.

Thanks for the reply. My tank will be drilled with built in overflow and my skimmer will be in sump. So I do feel more secure now after reading your message! We'll make sure to get some hose clamps. Not sure what will happen if the power is cut. I don't have my tank yet, so I just don't know.

[Melina]

Originally Posted by skylord

You might want to look into renters insurance. Its a good idea tank or not. The worst that your insurance company would do is add $10 or $20 to a years premium. That should make the owner happy and let you sleep a little easier.

Scott

Yes, we were planning to do that!

[Redrover]

I live in a appartment 3rd floor...120gal...weight is not a problem, it's on a interior wall sitting on at least two floor joist's...water bed has more weight
The only water problem is made by myself
I suggest getting insurance...I was required by the management companty
I've had a number of tanks in this appartment the past 5 years
Once more there is no problem weight wise
Good Luck : RJ

[skylord]

You will want to test a power out situation. When it is all set up, cut the power and wait to see were your water levels go. Water will siphon from the display tank and go into your sump. If it looks like water is going to overflow your sump you will need to raise the return in your tank a little higher till you feel good about what your water will do in a power outage. Just make sure you test before you lose power...

Scott

[fkshiu]

Renter's insurance is a very good idea.

You can virtually eliminate the possibility of a flood if you take the time to properly design your sump/return layout.

Ensure that you have enough empty capacity in your sump to handle the amount of water that drains down from the main tank in the event of your return pump stopping. You can minimize this amount by having your drains and returns higher up on the main tank and by drilling one or more siphon-breaks in the return line(s).

Conversely, if somehow the water stopped draining out of the main tank, but your return pump continues to pump water up (e.g. blockage), ensure that you have enough empty volume in the main tank to handle the maximum amount of water the return can pump up. You can minimize this amount by ensuring that the return pump section of your sump is a well sealed compartment. You may end up with a burned out return pump, but you'll have a dry floor.

If you are really concerned, you can always buy a water sensor that screams bloody murder if any moisture is detected on the floor.

[bv_reefer]

-are hose clamps a must or just a really good idea?

[Melina]

Originally Posted by skylord

You will want to test a power out situation. When it is all set up, cut the power and wait to see were your water levels go. Water will siphon from the display tank and go into your sump. If it looks like water is going to overflow your sump you will need to raise the return in your tank a little higher till you feel good about what your water will do in a power outage. Just make sure you test before you lose power...

Scott

Good advice, thanks!