can't find leak

tiberiusjones · 02/25/2007, 08:18 PM

I finally got my sump and filters and pump going.. Filled up my tank. I discovered a small leak that is slowly filling up the bottom chamber of my acrylic stand. It is a closed system with a access hatch in the front and small opening in the back for cords, etc. The lip from the bottom to the opening is about 5 inches high. I checked the bulkeads, tightened.. checked all the junctions and clamps, tightened those too. No water or wetness when I feel them with my fingers. I cant find where the leak is. Any suggestions? I have two 1 inch builkheads and 2 3/4 bulkhead returns each going to corner overflows. No matter how many times I try, I cant seem to pinpoint where the leak is coming from.
This is an all acrylic tenecor tank.

imsqueak · 02/25/2007, 10:15 PM

tissue paper and rubber bands...

tiberiusjones · 02/25/2007, 10:16 PM

brilliant i will try that thank you!

imsqueak · 02/25/2007, 10:27 PM

I dont know if your kidding or not but here's to the thought of simplicity works best

tiberiusjones · 02/25/2007, 10:30 PM

i tried just holding the tissue up to the joints and fittings , nope bone dry, i wonder if its the trickle filter, its a hang on remora aqua c
or the wet dry filter sump box itself, brand new though. just put it in yesterdya and its well made

tiberiusjones · 02/25/2007, 10:30 PM

hey you live in powell, im just down the road from you, im in heiskell

HelloMyNameIs__ · 02/25/2007, 10:40 PM

I had a cpr skimmer start leaking and didnt know it for a while. One of the gaskets didnt fit right. It was 2 months old.

tiberiusjones · 02/26/2007, 04:12 PM

Hey Imsqueak how many beers would it take for you to come on out and help a feller reefer with this problemo?

ct_vol · 02/26/2007, 05:12 PM

Beer???

tiberiusjones · 02/26/2007, 05:59 PM

12 pack 6 pack
?

tiberiusjones · 02/26/2007, 05:59 PM

im desperate, i dont wanna have to take this thing down... fully loaded up with lsaltwater...

imsqueak · 02/26/2007, 06:29 PM

I'm in month end mode (working every night) plus I'm setting up my new tank myself. Lets see if we can walk you through it and if not I'll come by after work Thursday. BTW, the nature of leaks being slow means me looking at it for a couple minutes probably wouldnt help.

First, remove the remora and see if you still have the leak. Give it time, it wont hurt to not skim for a day or two.

Second, dry the stand out and lay paper around the inside of the stand.

Third, wrap your fittings with tissue paper and leave it there until leak is resolved.

Where paper or tissue gets wet will obviously point to the problem.

You got PM.

ct_vol · 02/26/2007, 06:49 PM

Yeah, where you at on that Red Sea Max anyhow??? That thing is awesome... I'm wicked jealous...

tiberiusjones · 02/27/2007, 11:52 AM

Hey Don
I called the Aquarium and they said to try reseating and tightening the adapter going from the sump to my pump. They said sometimes it leaves the store loose and if theres a hairline leak via capillary action you wont feel the water, so Im going to give it a try. Hope all is well with you and your new tank. What did you get?

tiberiusjones · 02/27/2007, 10:57 PM

nah it didnt make any difference thing is stil leaking but it has to be from the sump, filter box

stevensmd · 03/01/2007, 11:42 AM

for that it's worth..most (all) of my small leaks were fixed with adding plumbers tape... Try adding the tape to every male threads you have. good luck.
dave

tiberiusjones · 03/01/2007, 04:06 PM

No leaKS at any fittings, its somewhere between the sump and the pump has to be

stevensmd · 03/01/2007, 07:42 PM

my little giant (return pump from sump) has adapter fittings also, it leaked when I first started..also fixed it by redoing the tape. just a thought.
dave

tiberiusjones · 03/01/2007, 09:24 PM

i got mine wet it wont start, it trips the gfci breaker got any ideas?

awcurl · 03/02/2007, 07:22 AM

I've been reading your thread and can sympathize with your problem. Don has given you some excellent advice on using the paper trick, but I'm curious if you have tried it?

IMO if you had, you have found the leak by now. If you have tried it, them let us know so we can come up with some other suggestions.

tiberiusjones · 03/02/2007, 10:19 AM

Yes Don's suggestion was gold, I have found the source of the leak and it is the SUMP/Filter. I am taking it back to Aquarium where they have arranged for a leak test and swap. Thanks for all your help and input, this is the best forum out there!!!

Now if I can just get my pump started again, I hope I didnt burn out the motor getting it wet.

tiberiusjones · 03/09/2007, 02:29 PM

I finally got the thing out of my lower aquarium stand, took all the lines and pump off it, plugged up the return bulkhead with a plug fitting, filled it up with water, and let it sit in a bathtub... yup water level went down, its leaking!

02/25/2007, 08:18 PM	#1
tiberiusjones Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Heiskell TN Posts: 185	can't find leak I finally got my sump and filters and pump going.. Filled up my tank. I discovered a small leak that is slowly filling up the bottom chamber of my acrylic stand. It is a closed system with a access hatch in the front and small opening in the back for cords, etc. The lip from the bottom to the opening is about 5 inches high. I checked the bulkeads, tightened.. checked all the junctions and clamps, tightened those too. No water or wetness when I feel them with my fingers. I cant find where the leak is. Any suggestions? I have two 1 inch builkheads and 2 3/4 bulkhead returns each going to corner overflows. No matter how many times I try, I cant seem to pinpoint where the leak is coming from. This is an all acrylic tenecor tank.

02/25/2007, 10:15 PM	#2
imsqueak Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Powell/Knoxville TN Posts: 2,250	tissue paper and rubber bands... __________________ ~.~.~.Squeak.~.~.~ Current Tank Info: 30g Red Sea Reef Max

02/25/2007, 10:16 PM	#3
tiberiusjones Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Heiskell TN Posts: 185	brilliant brilliant i will try that thank you!

02/25/2007, 10:27 PM	#4
imsqueak Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Powell/Knoxville TN Posts: 2,250	I dont know if your kidding or not but here's to the thought of simplicity works best __________________ ~.~.~.Squeak.~.~.~ Current Tank Info: 30g Red Sea Reef Max

02/25/2007, 10:30 PM	#5
tiberiusjones Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Heiskell TN Posts: 185	well i tried just holding the tissue up to the joints and fittings , nope bone dry, i wonder if its the trickle filter, its a hang on remora aqua c or the wet dry filter sump box itself, brand new though. just put it in yesterdya and its well made

02/25/2007, 10:30 PM	#6
tiberiusjones Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Heiskell TN Posts: 185	id hate to drain it... hey you live in powell, im just down the road from you, im in heiskell

02/25/2007, 10:40 PM	#7
HelloMyNameIs__ Moved On Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cookeville, TN Posts: 40	I had a cpr skimmer start leaking and didnt know it for a while. One of the gaskets didnt fit right. It was 2 months old.

02/26/2007, 04:12 PM	#8
tiberiusjones Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Heiskell TN Posts: 185	Hey Imsqueak how many beers would it take for you to come on out and help a feller reefer with this problemo? __________________ If it ain't broken don't fix it.

02/26/2007, 05:12 PM	#9
ct_vol Reefing On My Mind Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kempton, IL Posts: 8,083	Beer??? __________________ Randy Volunteers, Blackhawks, Titans, Cubs!!!! Current Tank Info: 185g waiting to be built, 120g SPS/Anemone Reef, 120g SCA in the works, 58g mixed reef w/ 6x39w T5, 125g grow out w/ Reef Breeders

02/26/2007, 05:59 PM	#10
tiberiusjones Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Heiskell TN Posts: 185	name your brand! 12 pack 6 pack ?

02/26/2007, 06:29 PM	#12
imsqueak Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Powell/Knoxville TN Posts: 2,250	I'm in month end mode (working every night) plus I'm setting up my new tank myself. Lets see if we can walk you through it and if not I'll come by after work Thursday. BTW, the nature of leaks being slow means me looking at it for a couple minutes probably wouldnt help. First, remove the remora and see if you still have the leak. Give it time, it wont hurt to not skim for a day or two. Second, dry the stand out and lay paper around the inside of the stand. Third, wrap your fittings with tissue paper and leave it there until leak is resolved. Where paper or tissue gets wet will obviously point to the problem. You got PM. __________________ ~.~.~.Squeak.~.~.~ Current Tank Info: 30g Red Sea Reef Max

02/26/2007, 06:49 PM	#13
ct_vol Reefing On My Mind Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kempton, IL Posts: 8,083	Yeah, where you at on that Red Sea Max anyhow??? That thing is awesome... I'm wicked jealous... __________________ Randy Volunteers, Blackhawks, Titans, Cubs!!!! Current Tank Info: 185g waiting to be built, 120g SPS/Anemone Reef, 120g SCA in the works, 58g mixed reef w/ 6x39w T5, 125g grow out w/ Reef Breeders

02/27/2007, 11:52 AM	#14
tiberiusjones Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Heiskell TN Posts: 185	may have found problem Hey Don I called the Aquarium and they said to try reseating and tightening the adapter going from the sump to my pump. They said sometimes it leaves the store loose and if theres a hairline leak via capillary action you wont feel the water, so Im going to give it a try. Hope all is well with you and your new tank. What did you get?

02/27/2007, 10:57 PM	#15
tiberiusjones Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Heiskell TN Posts: 185	nah it didnt make any difference thing is stil leaking but it has to be from the sump, filter box __________________ If it ain't broken don't fix it.

03/01/2007, 11:42 AM	#16
stevensmd Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kingston, TN Posts: 459	for that it's worth..most (all) of my small leaks were fixed with adding plumbers tape... Try adding the tape to every male threads you have. good luck. dave

03/01/2007, 04:06 PM	#17
tiberiusjones Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Heiskell TN Posts: 185	thats not it No leaKS at any fittings, its somewhere between the sump and the pump has to be

03/01/2007, 07:42 PM	#18
stevensmd Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kingston, TN Posts: 459	my little giant (return pump from sump) has adapter fittings also, it leaked when I first started..also fixed it by redoing the tape. just a thought. dave

03/01/2007, 09:24 PM	#19
tiberiusjones Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Heiskell TN Posts: 185	i got mine wet it wont start, it trips the gfci breaker got any ideas? __________________ If it ain't broken don't fix it.

03/02/2007, 07:22 AM	#20
awcurl Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 1,181	I've been reading your thread and can sympathize with your problem. Don has given you some excellent advice on using the paper trick, but I'm curious if you have tried it? IMO if you had, you have found the leak by now. If you have tried it, them let us know so we can come up with some other suggestions. __________________ Art ETRC Member of the ETRC since Nov. 2003 The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap! Current Tank Info: 240 with 100 gallon sump bare bottom, 250 watt MHs, My other hobby is remote control car racing.

03/02/2007, 10:19 AM	#21
tiberiusjones Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Heiskell TN Posts: 185	Yes Don's suggestion was gold, I have found the source of the leak and it is the SUMP/Filter. I am taking it back to Aquarium where they have arranged for a leak test and swap. Thanks for all your help and input, this is the best forum out there!!! Now if I can just get my pump started again, I hope I didnt burn out the motor getting it wet. __________________ If it ain't broken don't fix it.

03/09/2007, 02:29 PM	#22
tiberiusjones Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Heiskell TN Posts: 185	I finally got the thing out of my lower aquarium stand, took all the lines and pump off it, plugged up the return bulkhead with a plug fitting, filled it up with water, and let it sit in a bathtub... yup water level went down, its leaking! __________________ If it ain't broken don't fix it.