I'm a total noob and need some advice

[Lonny]

Hi my name is Lonny. I'm from Oregon GO DUCKS! I built a 130gl acrylic tank with a 30gl sump and all has gone well till the internal overflow. It leaks down the back of the tank. Any he'll with this would much appreciated. Thanks

 

[kschweer]

Welcome to R2R!! Some pictures may help if you can get them. @Floyd R Turbo or @TaylorPilot maybe able to help out.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Can you post a picture?

 

[Lonny]

 

[Lonny]

Still trying to figure navigation out but do these help and thanks for your help

 

[rayn]

Welcome to R2R!

Is it leaking around the overflow itself or around the bulkheads? As you said you built it, I assume you siliconed/ sealed and or glued all the joints. Is there anyway to clean them out and redo?

 

[Lonny]

Oh and it's leaking thru the bulk heads that pass thru the tank wall but sometimes it's from the tank and sometimes it's from the overflow box. So frustrating!

 

[Bugger]

Take a screw driver and hammer and knock the buckhead tightly together

 

[Lonny]

[Qdidn'tUOTE="rayn, post: 2676222, member: 39055"]Welcome to R2R!

Is it leaking around the overflow itself or around the bulkheads? As you said you built it, I assume you siliconed/ sealed and or glued all the joints. Is there anyway to clean them out and redo?[/QUOTE]
I didn't build the overflow box just the tank and I can't get the gaskets to seal for some reason

 

[kschweer]

Hard to tell from the pictures but do you have a gasket inside the box on the flange of the bulkhead? If not I would give that a try.

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

You need a gasket on both sides of the tank wall. Do you? It should go:

Flange of bulkhead
Inside box
Gasket
Tank
Gasket
Outside box
Bulkhead nut

Take a screw driver and hammer and knock the buckhead tightly together

I would not do this. You shouldn't have to over tighten to get a seal

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

Actually that's not totally true, you don't really need the inside gasket, but if you don't and you have an outage there is a path to drain the tank into the external box and bypass the weir so you should really have it

 

[Lonny]

So put the screw driver on the nut and and tap it tight? I have channel lock pliers that will fit on the nut or do you need the impact to seat it

Take a screw driver and hammer and knock the buckhead tightly together

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

So put the screw driver on the nut and and tap it tight? I have channel lock pliers that will fit on the nut or do you need the impact to seat it

I went to Walmart and bought a cheap pair of longnose vise grips to tighten mine. They worked just fine, I didn't have to hammer on the tank, and they are useful elsewhere throughout the house

 

[rayn]

Finger tight, then if you feel the need maybe a quarter turn or so with the channel locks. No more or you risk cracking the overflow.

Don't beat it with screw driver or you risk cracking more.

 

[Lonny]

[UOTE="Floyd R Turbo, post: 2676257, member: 16859"]Actually that's not totally true, you don't really need the inside gasket, but if you don't and you have an outage there is a path to drain the tank into the external box and bypass the weir so you should really have it[/QUOTE]
I do have those gaskets actually I have the flat ones on the bulk heads and four o rings. It came with two and I bought two more. I've tried inside outside the tank, outside tank wall inside overflow box as well.I've gotten it to not leak when static but when I turn the return pump on it will leak again

 

[Lonny]

I'm afraid of that happening as well. Do these boxes normally come with o rings? The only flat seals are on the bulkheads

Finger tight, then if you feel the need maybe a quarter turn or so with the channel locks. No more or you risk cracking the overflow.

Don't beat it with screw driver or you risk cracking more.

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

IMO Orings are not the right thing. You need quality flat gaskets. Glass-holes sells good ones. You only need them on either side of the tank wall, no where else

 

[rayn]

IMO Orings are not the right thing. You need quality flat gaskets. Glass-holes sells good ones. You only need them on either side of the tank wall, no where else

Am I missing something? Wouldn't you just want the gasket on the wet side? Why 2 gaskets?

 

[TaylorPilot]

I probably wouldn't hit it with a screw driver to tighten it. I agree that the external gasket is the one that actually holds the water in system. Another positive for the gasket inside the tank is that it sets the weir off of the tank a little bit to relieve any pressure points. Does the outside of the tank have any chips in it from drilling the hole? Is the hole so big, that the gasket is far enough off center that it isn't working? How large are the bulkheads holding the box together? If they are 2" bulkheads, I have some custom made gaskets that are much larger, and could probably help keep it from leaking. Inspect the bulkheads to make sure it isn't cracked. They can get hair line cracks that are obvious unless giving a good inspection. Maybe a better description of how exactly it is leaking.