Knew this would happen

michika · #1 02-03-2009, 01:52 PM

If you put wet silicone, or silicone that has not cured for at least 24 hours in your tank, I can promise you some nasty results. I can tell you first hand that silicone that doesn't properly or fully cure kills, and quickly.

digital-audiophile · #2 02-03-2009, 02:14 PM

I've never really had a concern with pumping my reactor. I use my one hand to hold/support the reactor and then pump with the other so it does not move around much.

Have you posted this on the zeo forums to see if this has happened to anyone else? Just seems like a freak thing to me.

BC Mosaic · #3 02-03-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digital-audiophile

I've never really had a concern with pumping my reactor. I use my one hand to hold/support the reactor and then pump with the other so it does not move around much.

Have you posted this on the zeo forums to see if this has happened to anyone else? Just seems like a freak thing to me.

Hello Greg,
I use two hands as well; couldn't do it any other way.
I started using Zeovit about 1 1/2 months ago and I guess the twice daily churning has created fatigue along the silicone somewhere. I should have listened to my inner voice. It's only logical that if pressure is exerted on glass it'll eventually give. I will not "pump" the reactor ever again but twirl/spin the rocks.

michika,
I've got no choice.

Thanks e46er

digital-audiophile · #4 02-03-2009, 07:17 PM

Hmm it just seems like there might have been a pre existing flaw in the sump tank itself, I've been pumping zeo for a year and have not had any problems.

If you are looking to change reactors there is that one available that has a screw type device and you turn the handle to agitate the zeolites as opposed to pumping.

michika · #5 02-04-2009, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC Mosaic

michika,
I've got no choice.

Drain your sump, or find another way. I am very serious when I tell you that wet silicone in your tank will destroy your system. I had to start over from SCRATCH, everything, rocks included.

Jason McK · #6 02-04-2009, 01:42 AM

YA BCMosaic, You can't run your sump with wet silicone. Your tank can go a few days without the sump. I went 2 weeks once while I fixed some sump issue.

Don't take the chance

J

BC Mosaic · #7 02-04-2009, 03:04 AM

OK. OK. OK.

I think I've got this figured out. There'll be circulation in the main tank with Tunze wave maker and Koralias.
The refugium will have a small power head to circulate the water.
The other refugium will also have a small power head.
My concern is that water trapped between the baffles has to be removed but there are so many sponges growing there. They will die and there is no real way to clean it out so when it starts up again......just as nasty.
So, trade off is I do this now and 24 hrs. later I start up again.
What's the consensus?

StirCrazy · #8 02-04-2009, 03:17 AM

there is a marine epoxy for fixing tanks while they are full of water and won't kill your tank... give me a bit and I will try find the name of it.

can you physicaly see the crack? or is it in the silicone?

Steve

randallino · #9 02-03-2009, 07:22 PM

Sorry to hear about sump BC Mosaic
I've been worried about the same thing happening, or a pebble (zeolites) getting sucked into the main pump. My reactor has a crack on the top of it. I've lined the bottom of my sump with a piece of acrylic to protect it

Jason McK · #10 02-03-2009, 07:48 PM

I've been using Zeo for almost 3 years now and the thought never dawned on me. Mind you I think a 90 Sump may be more forgiving.

Sorry to hear of your leak

You may want to support the glass with a sheet of foam insulation. At the same thickness as the distance between the floor and the glass

J