Installed new sump corals shriveled dying!?

[Zallman125]

I plumbed and installed a new sump the other day i used purple primer and clear cement for all my pvc connection gave it 2 days to dry then I painted the overflow part that goes in the water with blue krylon fusion paint let that dry for 2 days then I put everything together and now all my corals have been browning and all shriveled up nothing is open looks like there all slowly dying idk why!? I checked all my parameters everything is in order only thing my salt levels where a lil low when I added water to fill sump up. I also did a new aquascape had my hands in the water messing with stuff I'm not sure if they are in shock or if the paint cement left toxins?? When i prime my overflow I can smell/taste the cement or paint please help or advice will my corals come back ? There all hardy corals I did 10 gal water change new carbon bag salt levels are back still the same help!

 

[nature786]

Did you build the sump yourself? What kind of silicone did you use?

 

[heathd.hd]

I doubt it's the paint or the glue. That's been done alot if times. And you gave it 2 days. I've done plumbing and ran water in 2 hrs before. So I would be looking into your other ideas.

 

[Zallman125]

Did you build the sump yourself? What kind of silicone did you use?

I just used a clear silicone got it from lowes water ready in 30 mins no cracks molds I forget the brand but I let my sump baffles dry for like 5 days. Was I suppose to use a specific kind of silicone ?? All my inverts and fish are doing fine it's my corals that are browning and shriveling up dead looking pretty much

 

[cginter]

This is what I've used. Look for it to say aquarium safe on the back.

 

[tidus10]

That's probably the issue... I think that stuff leaches.

 

[tidus10]

You need 100% silicone... Something like this

 

[nature786]

I would say the silicone.
I have skipped the loctite stuff every time.
I always get it from the LFS.

 

[zach_discus]

Its the mold inhibitor in your silicone. Sorry to say will need to replace it or ride it out and restock.

 

[TruRacr314x]

Could be the silicone...but you said your salinity dropped when you added water to the sump? Did you just add RODI and not SW? What did the salinity drop to? A large drop in salinity could have shocked your corals....

 

[racin2438]

Silicone is not all the same....aquarium silicone is much safer and specifically designed for it. As said above, get it out or ride it out but it may be leaching for a good bit of time till it all is gone. And livestock likely won't make it.

Also in your sump, what type of sand did you use, regular new sand or live sand...RODI or regular water..
How long tank setup for? ?

 

[ReeferEric]

If you get the Home Depot stuff, make sure it's the silicone 1, not two as pictured above.

 

[rlman41299]

I would not even use this one also. It should only be the silicone I

You need 100% silicone... Something like this

 

[ReeferEric]

Another thing, I don't ever use the primer. One, it ugly on white PVC and even schedule 80 piping. All you should have to really do is wipe the pipe really good and apply the cement. Usually spending the pipe while going into the fitting will distribute that cement and make a nice bead at the end of the fitting. That will be good enough to hold it for a lifetime if done properly.

Also, I know it is hard sometimes but giving the final PVC a fresh water flush is good to remove any residuals from the cement.

 

[nazzman]

The primer is necessary using clear primer is a better choice the chemical reaction from the primer gives the pvc a etching (the pvc is no longer smooth) that gives something for the glue to stick to not using primer you might not have a leak but you would be taking a big chance and headaches if you dont I agree on flushing water through piping first pvc is safe to use after about 5 minutes of drying just a plumbers opinion

 

[Diddle]

Silicone is not all the same....aquarium silicone is much safer and specifically designed for it. As said above, get it out or ride it out but it may be leaching for a good bit of time till it all is gone. And livestock likely won't make it.

Also in your sump, what type of sand did you use, regular new sand or live sand...RODI or regular water..
How long tank setup for? ?

So I came across this post because I did just this. I built my original sump and thought the silicone I had in the basement was the same but it is not. So I had the sump running for 2 days well almost 3. Didn't lose any coral... yet. But things have not been fully open etc. So anyway I got the sump out tonight and now I'm wondering how to deal with the problem. So I'll be doing a 50%+ water change tomorrow and then another one the next day or two. Got some pretty nice corals and I'm worried what should I do get them out in someone else's tank? Or maybe just put them into some clean water?and wait for my water change? Or ride it out?

 

[reef lover]

Water change ,new carbon,and some polyfilter....