Mp60 dry side in the overflow

[funkyrxman]

Hey everyone. I'm trying to solve an issue. I have 4 mp60's but my acrylic is 1.25 ". I've posted other questions about trying to thin the acrylic in spots, but I'm scared to mess with the tank walls. I have room in the 2 big overflows, but would need to waterproof the dry side of the mp60. I've looked for appropriately sized clear boxes, but I'm striking out. The tank is 48" deep, so I would need to place the mp60 down a few feet. Has anyone done this? I wish I could just disc sand a few spots on the acrylic to thin it out, but I don't think it would work as I need 1/4 to 1/2" less. Any thoughts would be awesome.

 

[wkscott]

You have a real problem there. Even the wet side of the Vortech MP series, designed to be in water, are known to have corrosion issues. Trying to waterproof the dry electical side, and putting it into a wet environment is asking for trouble.
This is a time when you may want to consider the cheaper Jebao devices. The electrical is already on the wet side. You would simply need to waterproof the dry side magnet. You could probably just dip it in a liquid resin or acrylic to seal it in. Don't know if this would work, just a possible option.

Whatever you do, don't sand down the acrylic tank. It will weaken the structure. Acrylic can and does warp and the water pressure will find these weakened points and could eventually push through.

 

[funkyrxman]

Thanks for your response. The acrylic is 1.25 inch. Looking to lose .25 inch. You think structurally that's a no go? 450 gallons. Tank is L shaped 4.5 ft x 3.5 ft x 4 ft high. If it is structurally ok, can 1/4 inch even be sanded off? Talked to people about routers and fluted router bits, but that all sounds terrifying.

 

[wkscott]

Thanks for your response. The acrylic is 1.25 inch. Looking to lose .25 inch. You think structurally that's a no go? 450 gallons. Tank is L shaped 4.5 ft x 3.5 ft x 4 ft high. If it is structurally ok, can 1/4 inch even be sanded off? Talked to people about routers and fluted router bits, but that all sounds terrifying.

A quarter inch less probably won't hurt anything. I personally would be too chicken to do it.

 

[SteveSTL]

Have you contacted Vortech to see if there is a "booster magnet" or something else available? This can't be the first time this is happened so they may have an easy fix for you. There's nothing listed on the webpage but that doesn't mean they don't have some sort of solution.

Are the overlows straight or curved? You could look into having a thin acrylic box made that is open on the bottom. Put the dry side in the box and run the cord out the bottom. No water will get into it so it should (in theory) work as long as the water doesn't back up and reach the wetside. Though, thinking of how diving bells work, I don't know that the water would even go into the box.

 

[wkscott]

Have you contacted Vortech to see if there is a "booster magnet" or something else available? This can't be the first time this is happened so they may have an easy fix for you. There's nothing listed on the webpage but that doesn't mean they don't have some sort of solution.

Are the overlows straight or curved? You could look into having a thin acrylic box made that is open on the bottom. Put the dry side in the box and run the cord out the bottom. No water will get into it so it should (in theory) work as long as the water doesn't back up and reach the wetside. Though, thinking of how diving bells work, I don't know that the water would even go into the box.

Even if liquid water never went in, the air inside the little box would be constantly warm, salty, and very moist, guaranteeing corrosion.

 

[SteveSTL]

Then flip it upside down so it's open at the top and mount it 1/2" above the overflow.

 

[wkscott]

Then flip it upside down so it's open at the top and mount it 1/2" above the overflow.

Do you really think 1/2 inch above the waterline is going yo keep the electrical components dry? This is in an overflow with lots of turbulence and splashing. It will short out almost immediately and could cause a fire.

 

[SteveSTL]

Yes. Overflows are fairly consistent and don't really surge and splash but go over in a consistent sheet. However the number is irrelevant, it could be 1" or whatever. The idea is to get the wet side attached to the dry side while keeping the dry side dry. The real question is how much space is there in the overflow. I think an MP60 needs 3" or so plus 1/2" or so for the thickness of the acrylic box.

 

[funkyrxman]

The cord has to be oriented up, which makes a box tough. Also want to be down the overflow up to 24". So far I've modded the thin spacer, and 2 mp60's on the back wall are working. Fingers crossed. If they stay in place, I'll try to put the other 2 on the other side of the L shape. I'll just have to convince my wife to let me drill 5 inch holes in the bookcase and wall that abut the other side.

 

[chef choy]

The box in the overflow thing is a terrible idea, I know when I shut my pumps off the water level in the overflow changes and changes again when they come back on. Just go with a different pump........You are in a sense trying to put a left handed glove on your right hand.