Clogged Drain??

[msujohn]

I have a bit of an issue that I need help with. I woke up this morning and noticed my ATO tank was empty and my chamber with my return pipe was empty as well. So, I quickly filled up the ATO and chamber. As my return pump entered water into the display - it started to overflow. (drain pipe not flowing correctly), so i'm assuming my drain pipe is clogged? So how do i fix this drain (PVC) pipe without taking it apart? There isn't alot of room to work where the return and drain pipe are located.

Or could it be something else? I currently have the return pump turned off, trying to figure out how to fix this.

This is a 90 gallon reef ready tank with the standard, 1 drain and 1 return pipe.

 

[portsie]

Is the pipe straight down to the sump? Is there a valve on it? Poke something down there and try to free up the clog. If there is a valve, open it up all the way to flush out the blockage. Then, once you get it flowing again, turn your return hole into another drain hole, and run your return up over the back of the tank. You're lucky you didn't find a puddle of water on the floor.

 

[msujohn]

Is the pipe straight down to the sump? Is there a valve on it? Poke something down there and try to free up the clog. If there is a valve, open it up all the way to flush out the blockage. Then, once you get it flowing again, turn your return hole into another drain hole, and run your return up over the back of the tank. You're lucky you didn't find a puddle of water on the floor.

Yes the pipe is straight down. There is a valve on it - but it is wide open. I don't know for sure it's clogged, can't look into the pipe because of how it's set up. It just seems strange that I didn't have water in my ATO, but now I have this issue with the drain pipe.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/151984131382?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82
pipe cleaner

 

[msujohn]

Another stupid question. I'm assuming it's clogged. But, when I shut the return pump off - all the water drains into the sump. So, why when I put the return pump back on - it doesn't drain?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

its slow. ?
think clogged artery. its maybe constricted.

 

[msujohn]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/151984131382?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82
pipe cleaner

I wonder if I can buy this at the LFS, so I can fix it today. Thanks for the link.

 

[Bunnee911]

You may get something similar to clean dryer vents. Think Bed Bath And Beyond type stores.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I wonder if I can buy this at the LFS, so I can fix it today. Thanks for the link.

yea you should be able to. The big LFS near me has them. And Bunnee911 is correct, its a common tool. home depot probably has them as well.

And be prepared to catch the gross that comes out.

 

[msujohn]

You may get something similar to clean dryer vents. Think Bed Bath And Beyond type stores.

Thanks - I actually have something like this at home. Just fixed the drain - it was a snail. Thanks for the advice. Next project will be looking into have 2 drains and loop the return around the back of tank. I'm assuming I will need to use a different piece of PVC vs. the current return one, correct?