Emergency HELP!!!!!

[hawks]

Everyone -
I tried to drill a small hole in my sump so that my airline tube from my skimmer would easily drain into a nearby gallon jug. I've recently moved my skimmer to the bottom of the 38 gallon tank/sump. Since I moved it to the bottom the way it was set up the skimmate wouldn't drain properly. The only way to fix the problem would be getting the airline tubing lower so it would drain by gravity.

My problem is that when I was drilling the hole my sump CRACKED!!!! I have no idea what to do. So far I've drain the water from the sump so it won't leak. I need to figure out how to get/make a new sump. Did I mention that the sump just barely fit into the stand? In-other-words I had to drop my sump over the top of the stand to get it in

I need to understand what would be a good recommendation for a new sump as far as size. I'm also wondering where I can get some baffles made. I'm assuming that I can buy acrylic from HD/Lowes, but will the cut it to the size I need? Right now I have absolutely 0 space for working in it. I would like to go smaller so I have room to maybe put a calc reactor some day.

I'm not sure what I can do for my corals in the tank. I have a few sps and softies. Right not I just have my actinics on without the MH. If I run the MH then my tank temp will be hot since I can't run my chiller. I have the water filled as high as it would go in the tank as I can get it before it would run into the overflow. I've turned on my 2 seio 820's and a mj 600 running for circulation. How long can my corals go without lights?

Sometimes I wonder if I should be doing this hobby. My wife would probably agree..... Any suggestions would be great. I'm in a world of hurt.

Thanks,
Brian



Tank is a 65, 36*18*24

[Fly Guy]

Your sump can be saved.

You need to get another piece of acrylic that will cover the entire crack + a few inches. Get some good ole weld on #16 and bond the new piece over the crack. I would tend to glue the new piece covering the crack on the inside of the sump.

[hawks]

I'm not sure I understand. I think my sump is glass. I didn't think acrylic would bond to glass. Plus I'm just not use how I feel about doing that. I think I would always feel like I could always have a leak.

[Fly Guy]

my mistake............

I would still run your MH...but just cut down your photoperiod in order to not let it get too hot.

As far as replacemnt sump size.......the biggest that will fit is what i would try to fit in there.......but it sounds as though you have other things to consider spacewise, so it sounds as though you need to figure out how much space you want to leave for the addition of other stuff and size your sump accordingly.

If you go with another glass sump........i would put glass baffles in it. Any local glass shop can cut them for you to size, or if you have a simple cheap tile saw...that can cut it pretty easily as well.

Sorry to hear of your troubles....good luck

[abigtroutt]

Well If you plan on removing the sump and putting in another smaller one. I'd say break it out and replace with something smaller like you want to do. See if you can pick up a used smaller tank from the LFS to save money.. That way wife is happy also....and dont give up the hobby. This is half of the fun trying new things to improve your tank.

[afbengochea]

if u get a new tank thats the same width then u can reuse the baffle. just cut off some of the silicone and the baffle should come out

[hawks]

How can I tell what the smallest sump size I can use before the water would overflow if the pumps were shut off? What should the size of the baffles be etc.

[abigtroutt]

Oh and if you decide to break it out please be careful!!! I know you will but I figured I'd say it anyways!

[hng]

Stick a rubbermaid container down there for the sump for now (as big as will fit). Don't worry about baffles, a few microbubbles won't hurt anything. That will allow you to keep the skimmer going and circulate water while you get a replacement sump made or purchased.

[abigtroutt]

There is a formula to figure overflow out maybe someone has it. My LFS figured mine out for me.

[hawks]

Great suggestions so far! I think I will just pull it out and use the baffles in there already. If someone could just tell me how to figure the smallest sump size I would be very happy. I could probably get started.

[abigtroutt]

Do you have a RR tank or over flow box?

I think it is 36*18*2

L 38 X W 18 X H 2 = volume

on top of the water in the sump for your skimmer

[Fly Guy]

Originally Posted by hawks

Great suggestions so far! I think I will just pull it out and use the baffles in there already. If someone could just tell me how to figure the smallest sump size I would be very happy. I could probably get started.

you need to measure the usable space inside your stand, and take into consideration the other equipment such as your calcium reactor and whtever else you want to put down there. Then you need to just add these three things to figure out your minimum sump size

1. skimmer footprint
2. at leat 3 baffles with 2" in between them
3. return pump

This will give you the minimum space required. Youw ant to give yourself some extra to get the pump and skimmer in and out of there though



http://www.drhelm.com/aquarium/areajava.html

This will give you and idea of water capacity, you can figure on using about 60% of that actually having water in it..depending on how you set the sump up. Everything else this calculator figures out is kinda silly for us as there are so many variables....but it is easier than grabbing a calculator to figure out volume

[hng]

how low does the water level drop in the display tank when you turn the return pump off? knowing this, you can calculate the volume of water that siphons down into the sump. For a 38 gallon display, it's probably nor more than 4-5 gallons. Just make sure the sump can handle that extra volume. Other than that, try to make the sump as big as you can.

[beach bum]

I would say bite the bullet, take your rock and corals out.

- leave the sandbed in
- drain the tank
- move it
- remove old sump
- put in new sump
- replumb
- refill
- replace rock and coral



I would not recommend breaking apart that tank, it is much harder than it sounds. You will get tiny shards of glass everywhere, I've done it, it sucks. If you do do it, cut out the baffles first, then have a hacksaw handy for cutting the trim near where the glass breaks after you strike it. wear gloves!

good luck.