The day my tank cracked (#@!$ sumps!)

Envy07 · 01/20/2008, 05:50 PM

Well today I lived through the negative of "the benefits of sumps outweigh the negatives". My DT cracked from the bulkhead at top all the way to the bottom rim. I was just doing a routine water change until after a couple of hours when I heard a sound. I watched as the hardwood floor flooded. Staying calm I grabbed five buckets and began draining the tank. As of now my live rock/livestock are in a 10g tank along with the equipment.

I'm convinced, the moment I thought 'sump' I was worried about 'leaks'. Now I'm never going to setup my own sump. I'd either buy those megaflow kits or just do it sumpless. There's a reason why murphy's law is a law.

I'm not saying that sumps are bad. If done right it'd be a dream for reef aquarists, but there's always that chance of gallons of water on the floor, so I wouldn't say you'll be happy once you have a sump. You might be much happier without one. The paranoia gets to you man! Anyways all i could say is #@!$ sumps

Swanwillow · 01/20/2008, 05:53 PM

WHY did it crack? did you physically do something to create the crack? how tight was the bulkhead?

not blaming you, just trying to find out why it cracked.

Envy07 · 01/20/2008, 05:55 PM

I dont it just cracked. I hardly touched it. It was perfect for like two months and then began leaking so I silicone it then the unbelieveable happened.

wrott · 01/20/2008, 06:01 PM

Sorry for your disaster.
Are you saying because you drilled the tank for a sump--it caused the crack, and therefore, sumps are too much to worry about installing?

Envy07 · 01/20/2008, 06:05 PM

Well yeah and no. If done right it's nothing to worry, however there's still the 'what if'. With sumpless tanks, the water is contained within the tank and that's it. With sumps we have water going out and back in again adding to the possibility of leaks.

I just feel that there's too much to worry with sump setups. The phrase, sumps benefit outweigh the negatives' clearly tells us that there are negatives we have to worry about.

I guess i must have over tightened it but i'm not going to let that bother me. It happened, life goes on. I'm kind of happy it happened now though. I'd been worrying about my tank for quite a while now

Envy07 · 01/20/2008, 06:10 PM

OH yeah now I can make plans for a better tank

:P

Maybe rimless, chyeah!

Al · 01/20/2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Envy07
Well today I lived through the negative of "the benefits of sumps outweigh the negatives". My DT cracked from the bulkhead at top all the way to the bottom rim.

You have my sympathy. Having said that, I disagree that this shows the negative side of having a sump, more like the negative side of having holes drilled in glass. FWIW, I've used Lifereef HOB overflows for ten years, never had a problem with them.

Envy07 · 01/20/2008, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Al
You have my sympathy. Having said that, I disagree that this shows the negative side of having a sump, more like the negative side of having holes drilled in glass. FWIW, I've used Lifereef HOB overflows for ten years, never had a problem with them.

yeah i guess your right al. I can't say sump itself is the back thing, but drilling glass. Come on people this is glass we're talking about. I never once seen a glass drilled and was almost certain it'd crack one day. Just can't imagine a piece of glass with a hole in it, yet it's possible in the world of aquariums.

Thanks al i think my next tank will be an acrylic one if I were to decide to go back with a sump setup.

Al · 01/20/2008, 06:25 PM

I agree, there is something scary about drilling a hole in glass.
You sure you want acrylic? The overflows made by lifereef are made of the same stuff, they get scratched without any effort on my part. Maybe a reef ready tank might be a good idea. I think that internal overflows take up too much room inside the tank, but Oceanic's tanks look very strong. I don't think they would leak.

Envy07 · 01/20/2008, 06:29 PM

Acrylic seems safe and wont crack if I drill a hole into it. I know its scratching issues and that's why I'm i n doubt. But those acrylic tanks melev makes is inspiring. I'd like rimless tank and those megaflow reef ready tanks are quite expensive if you ask me.

Al · 01/20/2008, 06:37 PM

What's a little water on the floor if you get to start planning a new reef? That reminds me, I should check the hose clamps on my overflow. Good luck, whatever you decide.

Envy07 · 01/20/2008, 06:47 PM

well i dont know what to decide. There's a diy stand and canopy asking for another 29g but I'd rather take this opportunity to plan for something different. I like those tank that are open, yet have no height which i presume has no factor with marine fish.

allenpantino · 01/21/2008, 02:19 PM

bummer

01/20/2008, 05:50 PM	#1
Envy07 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 276	The day my tank cracked (#@!$ sumps!) Well today I lived through the negative of "the benefits of sumps outweigh the negatives". My DT cracked from the bulkhead at top all the way to the bottom rim. I was just doing a routine water change until after a couple of hours when I heard a sound. I watched as the hardwood floor flooded. Staying calm I grabbed five buckets and began draining the tank. As of now my live rock/livestock are in a 10g tank along with the equipment. I'm convinced, the moment I thought 'sump' I was worried about 'leaks'. Now I'm never going to setup my own sump. I'd either buy those megaflow kits or just do it sumpless. There's a reason why murphy's law is a law. I'm not saying that sumps are bad. If done right it'd be a dream for reef aquarists, but there's always that chance of gallons of water on the floor, so I wouldn't say you'll be happy once you have a sump. You might be much happier without one. The paranoia gets to you man! Anyways all i could say is #@!$ sumps

01/20/2008, 05:53 PM	#2
Swanwillow goby girl Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bemidji MN Posts: 2,025	WHY did it crack? did you physically do something to create the crack? how tight was the bulkhead? not blaming you, just trying to find out why it cracked. __________________ my advice:walk away. do nothing. til tomorrow. if its still alive, it will hopefully be fine. If you do not see it, do not try to find it. it may be hiding. just LEAVE it alone Current Tank Info: starting over! 125 gallon. Soon to be home to Blackfoot clowns, A. nigripes

01/20/2008, 06:01 PM	#4
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	Sorry for your disaster. Are you saying because you drilled the tank for a sump--it caused the crack, and therefore, sumps are too much to worry about installing? __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

01/20/2008, 05:55 PM	#3
Envy07 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 276	I dont it just cracked. I hardly touched it. It was perfect for like two months and then began leaking so I silicone it then the unbelieveable happened.

01/20/2008, 06:05 PM	#5
Envy07 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 276	Well yeah and no. If done right it's nothing to worry, however there's still the 'what if'. With sumpless tanks, the water is contained within the tank and that's it. With sumps we have water going out and back in again adding to the possibility of leaks. I just feel that there's too much to worry with sump setups. The phrase, sumps benefit outweigh the negatives' clearly tells us that there are negatives we have to worry about. I guess i must have over tightened it but i'm not going to let that bother me. It happened, life goes on. I'm kind of happy it happened now though. I'd been worrying about my tank for quite a while now

01/20/2008, 06:10 PM	#6
Envy07 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 276	OH yeah now I can make plans for a better tank :P Maybe rimless, chyeah!

01/20/2008, 06:25 PM	#9
Al Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 503	I agree, there is something scary about drilling a hole in glass. You sure you want acrylic? The overflows made by lifereef are made of the same stuff, they get scratched without any effort on my part. Maybe a reef ready tank might be a good idea. I think that internal overflows take up too much room inside the tank, but Oceanic's tanks look very strong. I don't think they would leak.

01/20/2008, 06:29 PM	#10
Envy07 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 276	Acrylic seems safe and wont crack if I drill a hole into it. I know its scratching issues and that's why I'm i n doubt. But those acrylic tanks melev makes is inspiring. I'd like rimless tank and those megaflow reef ready tanks are quite expensive if you ask me.

01/20/2008, 06:37 PM	#11
Al Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 503	What's a little water on the floor if you get to start planning a new reef? That reminds me, I should check the hose clamps on my overflow. Good luck, whatever you decide.

01/20/2008, 06:47 PM	#12
Envy07 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 276	well i dont know what to decide. There's a diy stand and canopy asking for another 29g but I'd rather take this opportunity to plan for something different. I like those tank that are open, yet have no height which i presume has no factor with marine fish.

01/21/2008, 02:19 PM	#13
allenpantino Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 103	bummer