Did You Have Anxiety with Your First Plumbed System?

[nickkohrn]

I recently started to fill my system with RO/DI water to check for leaks in my plumbing. So far, I haven’t had any issues, but I have a lingering feeling of anxiety that I can’t seem to shake.

I live in an apartment, and my system is a Waterbox 100.3. This is the first system that I’ve had that isn’t an AIO; it has a sump and plumbing that I converted from metric to U.S. standard. I have the display filled, and I’m at the point where water is beginning to flow into the overflow and down into the sump. I don’t see any issues, but I still feel apprehensive.

Maybe I’m worrying about the plumbing holding, the weight of the system on the floor (on first-floor slab), the temporary noise from the water flowing into the sump before tuning the flow rate and valves, or something else. I want to get past this feeling, but I’m struggling to figure out how.

Did you experience the same feelings when you set up your first system that involved plumbing or a system that is larger than AIOs? If so, how did you shake it?

 

[hdsoftail1065]

I recently started to fill my system with RO/DI water to check for leaks in my plumbing. So far, I haven’t had any issues, but I have a lingering feeling of anxiety that I can’t seem to shake.

I live in an apartment, and my system is a Waterbox 100.3. This is the first system that I’ve had that isn’t an AIO; it has a sump and plumbing that I converted from metric to U.S. standard. I have the display filled, and I’m at the point where water is beginning to flow into the overflow and down into the sump. I don’t see any issues, but I still feel apprehensive.

Maybe I’m worrying about the plumbing holding, the weight of the system on the floor (on first-floor slab), the temporary noise from the water flowing into the sump before tuning the flow rate and valves, or something else. I want to get past this feeling, but I’m struggling to figure out how.

Did you experience the same feelings when you set up your first system that involved plumbing or a system that is larger than AIOs? If so, how did you shake it?

I have experienced the same feelings setting up our larger tank. I got over it once the leak check was finished and the tank was running. The only time I experianced wet floors since setting up is when I forget to turn the water off when filling my RO water jugs.

 

[funkyrxman]

Dude I feel your pain. Having had a few minor spillage issues, I feel like I always worry. Everyone who has ever gotten the panicky call about water on the floor feels it. Just take comfort in knowing that you are the guy who put it all together and can jump in in the event of an issue. It’s way worse when the thought process is : oh no water on the floor! Call the fish guy! Maybe get some leak monitoring, and research redundancies you can build in. It will make you feel better. It doesn’t help that 1 gallon on the floor feels like a disaster. Good luck. Hang in there. It gets better with more time without an issue.

 

[lolgranny]

Have you tested for any spillage in a power outage?

 

[dealseer]

No.

 

[ENVY]

Surprisingly no, I am currently plumbing my first big aquarium from scratch. I enjoy planning the logistics and how to make it the most effective plus safe. Maybe I was a plumber in a different life.

The only anxiety I have is when I add all the parts to my online cart. All those gate, ball, and unions add up quick.

 

[Psychonaut]

I did. My 120 is cycling rn. I’m still kinda anxious about it. It was a used tank, and the seems were not 100% brand new, and even had some visible wear. Late at night when the kids go to bed and I’ve gotten super stoned and trying to fall asleep; the worst-case scenario flashes thru my head. Front panel gives out and spills 120 gal of water out onto my dining room table and floor in a shower of saltwater, glass panels and desperate livestock perhaps while my family with young children are eating.

But I will say that every day that goes by I think about it less. The feeling subsides. Also, for some reason it doesn’t trouble me as much in the daytime

 

[nickkohrn]

Have you tested for any spillage in a power outage?

Yep! I have my return nozzles just under the waterline, so there isn’t much that siphons back into the sump. Also, the water in the overflow box is just above the main drain, so there isn’t much that continues to drain after the power is cut.

 

[nickkohrn]

I’m glad that most of you have, or have had, the same feelings. Weirdly, makes me feel less anxious; maybe because I don’t feel alone.

 

[Katrina71]

Feeling it now. First tank with a sump... I guess we'll know if I did it wrong

 

[Katrina71]

Feeling it now. First tank with a sump... I guess we'll know if I did it wrong

 

[WVNed]

I put in a few kitchen sinks, toilets, washing machines and dishwashers before I ever had a reef tank. So nope nothing to it.

 

[WVNed]

I put in a few kitchen sins, toilets, washing machines and dishwashers before I ever had a reef tank. So nope nothing to it.

 

[lolgranny]

Yep! I have my return nozzles just under the waterline, so there isn’t much that siphons back into the sump. Also, the water in the overflow box is just above the main drain, so there isn’t much that continues to drain after the power is cut.

Good man! That’s usually the one thing people forget and this is what messes you up.

 

[nickkohrn]

Good man! That’s usually the one thing people forget and this is what messes you up.

It’s funny that you asked me the question about a power outage. We have had high-wind warnings today, and the power around Columbus, OH has been out since noon for many people, but ours has stayed on. However, it went off for ~6 minutes earlier, and I was glad that I made sure to account for those scenarios.

 

[SallyWho]

Same here! I've got my first tank running, and I did a pretty amateurish job on the plumbing. With every mysterious watery burp, splat, splash, or ripple, I get nervous that I'm about to have a catastrophic failure. I wonder if I'll ever be able to sit in the living room without keeping an obsessive ear on the water noises.

 

[JAMSOURY]

I used to but when you check for leaks, it’s satisfying when it’s all good

 

[samnaz]

Yes, I feel anxious and my tank isn’t even wet yet... ;Nailbiting

 

[KingJason]

The anxiety will quickly go away and the feeling of triumph and success will set in. Nothing better than watching it all fire up for the first time and work. Setup some type of leak detection alarms, water level alarms, etc to help you relax.

 

[Aktric1]

Had the exact feeling. Create a Check list and go over it 3 times and you’re going to be fine.

 

[Aktric1]

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