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Plumbing Panic; I hate it when this happens
Topic Started: Dec 4 2009, 01:42:54 PM (189 Views)
Post #1 Dec 4 2009, 01:42:54 PM Amie
I just had a snail shell get stuck in my overflow plumbing, so I'm tearing it apart and replumbing right now. (Well, actually, I'm taking a break because I'm frustrated.) But anyway, I hate it when this happens. At least I was here and not water damage...yet. I'm sure there will be plenty when I'm done today.

I'm thinking of having the water line come out in 2 places in my refugium this time, one going to a removable large 2" pipe where I can put carbon or phosphate remover. It will just be a slow flow to that line, and the other line will handle the stronger flow. I'll be able to shut it off when I want to as well. I haven't quite figured it out yet, that's why I'm taking a break as well.
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Post #2 Dec 4 2009, 04:58:25 PM Clint
That's a too bad, how did a snail get into your overflow? A couple of days ago I had a mystery loss of siphon on a drop box and put a few gallons on the carpet. I just hate that.
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Post #3 Dec 4 2009, 09:04:11 PM Jerry
I had that problem until I put the drain covers on my 125. with the 300 there was no way a snail could fit between the top of the overflow box and the top of the tank. 1/8 inch. now with the cube, they are 2 inch lines and can easily swallow a snail with no ill effects. (Actually I just ran up and checked and there are at least 10 snails in the sump that started with 0....)
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Post #4 Dec 5 2009, 03:57:32 AM Amie
Well, the panic is finally over...that wasn't bad, only 14 hours to fix. It was just one of those days.

It really wasn't a snail, I just didn't have time to explain my stupidity before. It was a snail shell, a couple of them, come to find out. I was trying to put more rubble in my overflow area so my mysid population would grow because I already have quite a few in there. But I was being stupid, and didn't turn the pumps off when I put the rubble and shells in the overflow area. I forgot that dried shells float for a while until they get water in them and finally sink. Anyway, next thing I know, the overflow is overflowing and I can hear strange noises in the pipes.

I knew the shell couldn't be that big, and it was just stuck at a 90 degree elbow, so the first thing I tried was Dave's plumbing snake to force the shell down through the pipe. I got the snake caught in the pipes, broke 2 T5's, and almost broke the side of the overflow.

Next, I decided to cut the pipe off, get the shell out and put a coupler back on the pipe. As soon as I started to cut the pipe, the bulkhead popped off. It took me about 30 seconds to realize that the bulkhead broke and that the overflow was still full of water and any second it was going to come pouing out of the hole. I got most of the water syphoned out before the inside bulkhead fell off and started to spray out, but it was a mess. I'm always surprised how big of a mess a small amount of water can make.

At that point, I decided to redesign my plumbing..what the heck, it was all on my kitchen floor anyway.

I had to go to MSM and Home Depot for parts - twice. But now, it drains really fast because I eliminate some of the elbows that I had before. Plus, I added an extra 1.5" drain that dumps into the refugium. I can put carbon or phosphate remover into a compartment in this new section of the drain while the water runs over it. I'm excited about it. (I'll post pictures tomorrow.) I've always had a hard time finding a place to put carbon and phospate remove, so this will be nice.

Jerry
 
(Actually I just ran up and checked and there are at least 10 snails in the sump that started with 0....)


That's funny Jerry.
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Post #5 Dec 5 2009, 07:08:43 AM Suzy
Oh, no! Why is it little projects have a way of growing into something major! So, did you get a good mysis spot?!

2 seperate drains? or did you y one drain into 2?
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Post #6 Dec 5 2009, 02:49:21 PM Jerry

yeah you should have seen me trying to get the skimmer box and skimmer into the sump last night. Let's just say that after a few choice words, and taking EVERTHING out of the sump, it finally fit just right.
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Post #7 Dec 5 2009, 03:02:55 PM Suzy
"Choice words" always seem to help!
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Post #8 Apr 21 2010, 02:29:51 PM Amie
I forgot to post pictures of my new plumbing setup. It's really been nice, I now have an easy way to add carbon or phosphate remover when I want to.


First of all, here is my overflow pipe. It's not a great picture, but maybe you can make it out. I added a plumbing contraption that makes it possible to adjust the height of the pipe by about 4 inches up and down if needed. If you haven't seen it before, it's really a nice device, it simple slides into itself so if you mess up while gluing something, you can adjust the height a little bit. It also can unscreen so you can take it apart.

Posted Image


The next picture is kind of confusing, but it shows the new plumbing that I put it. You have to keep in mind that all of this is coming into a 10-gallon tank, so it's a little tight. Plus, I have these obnoxious mangroves that grow out of control, so it's hard to get a good picture.

Posted Image

There are 3 arrows in the picture. The arrow on the left that is white points to the return pipe that comes from the pump in the refugium and goes backup up to the tank. The arrow in the middle that is blue, points to a pipe that is coming from the bottom of the tank and is used as a draining system when we do water changes. We hook this up to a hose, turn the line open, and drain the water either into a bucket or down the stairs into the drain in the furnace room.
The arrow on the right, that is red, points to the overflow pipe that is coming down from the tank. This pipe is what I changed. It now comes down and splits 2 ways. One direction, to the right, goes straight into the tank and the water goes through 2 baffles to reduce the bubbles in the water. The other direction, to the left, goes straight into the refugium, but at a very slow flow that is monitored by the ball value.

Here's another angle before I completed the final outlet on the left side.
Posted Image

Then finally, here's why I like this system. I added a 2-inch pvc attachment to the end of that left side and turned the water flow way down. Now, I can add a filter sock to the pipe or I can put a bag of carbon or phosphate removed in the 2" tube with a piece of mesh material over the end with a rubberband to keep it in place and I will know for sure that the water will be going directly through the filter media. I can have the water flow fast or slow through this pipe depending on what I have added to the end of it.

Posted Image


Attached to this post:
Attachments: old_pipe.jpg (19.47 KB)
Attachments: Carbon_phosphate__2_.jpg (19.47 KB)
Attachments: new_pipes.jpg (27.06 KB)
Attachments: new_plumbing.jpg (28.12 KB)
Attachments: new_plumbing2.jpg (30.9 KB)
Attachments: overflow.jpg (57.11 KB)
Attachments: new_plumbing_arrows.jpg (33.63 KB)
Edited by Amie, Apr 21 2010, 03:11:49 PM.
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Post #9 Apr 21 2010, 07:07:19 PM Suzy
Wow! Very impressive bit o' plumbing!
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Post #10 Apr 23 2010, 11:39:10 PM Amie
lol...nothing like yours. Mine only works on one tank. Yours spans several rooms. Someday I'll be like you.....someday.
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