Reefing saved my flood instead of causing one.

[TangingOut]

Okay, so I've had a few floods caused by this hobby through the years. Namely forgetting to shut off the RODI, but I've also put a few gallons on the carpet around the tank, kitchen, and bathroom. Thankfully I'm on a concrete slab. Well, this morning I noticed water seeping out from the front coat closet. Right behind it is the central AC air handler. The condenser drain line had become blocked and water was dripping inside the house instead of being routed outside.

I jumped into action and grabbed my drain snake. Outside the drain pipe wasn't even seeping. 100% blockage. I snake and snake all the way to a 90* bend. Everytime I pull it out, a little bacterial slime, some dirty water, and debris come out. Back inside I pour a bleach solution down the pipe but it's still backing up.

Now I'm frustrated and thinking about throwing in the towel and calling a professional. But being a DIY type, I decided to watch a few videos about properly setting up a drain line. I was going re-plumb the whole thing. That's when I saw a video about using a shop vac to suck out the blockage. I just happened to have the bucket top version and a 5 gallon bucket. 2 things I bought specifically for the hobby and probably wouldn't have otherwise. I thought why not? Let's give it a try.

Back outside and it's starting to get HOT. It's over 100* by 10am here. Trying the shop vac to no avail. Using the snake gets the same results as before. Rinse, repeat. On the 3rd try with the shop vac, I feel water coming through. Success!!! Finishing up the job, I pour about a gallon of hot bleach solution down the pipe and it drains beautifully.

Floods caused by reefing vs floods fixed by it:

?? vs 1

 

[Brew12]

Okay, so I've had a few floods caused by this hobby through the years. Namely forgetting to shut off the RODI, but I've also put a few gallons on the carpet around the tank, kitchen, and bathroom. Thankfully I'm on a concrete slab. Well, this morning I noticed water seeping out from the front coat closet. Right behind it is the central AC air handler. The condenser drain line had become blocked and water was dripping inside the house instead of being routed outside.

I jumped into action and grabbed my drain snake. Outside the drain pipe wasn't even seeping. 100% blockage. I snake and snake all the way to a 90* bend. Everytime I pull it out, a little bacterial slime, some dirty water, and debris come out. Back inside I pour a bleach solution down the pipe but it's still backing up.

Now I'm frustrated and thinking about throwing in the towel and calling a professional. But being a DIY type, I decided to watch a few videos about properly setting up a drain line. I was going re-plumb the whole thing. That's when I saw a video about using a shop vac to suck out the blockage. I just happened to have the bucket top version and a 5 gallon bucket. 2 things I bought specifically for the hobby and probably wouldn't have otherwise. I thought why not? Let's give it a try.

Back outside and it's starting to get HOT. It's over 100* by 10am here. Trying the shop vac to no avail. Using the snake gets the same results as before. Rinse, repeat. On the 3rd try with the shop vac, I feel water coming through. Success!!! Finishing up the job, I pour about a gallon of hot bleach solution down the pipe and it drains beautifully.

Floods caused by reefing vs floods fixed by it:

?? vs 1

I love it!

It wasn't saving my house from a flood, but I have found creative uses for my aquarium stuff.

I changed out my pool liner this spring. I drained the 16,000 gallons using my spare return pump and found plenty of uses for the bucket top shop vac I picked up for my reef tank.

These things come in handy!

 

[mcarroll]

Okay, so I've had a few floods caused by this hobby through the years. Namely forgetting to shut off the RODI, but I've also put a few gallons on the carpet around the tank, kitchen, and bathroom. Thankfully I'm on a concrete slab. Well, this morning I noticed water seeping out from the front coat closet. Right behind it is the central AC air handler. The condenser drain line had become blocked and water was dripping inside the house instead of being routed outside.

I jumped into action and grabbed my drain snake. Outside the drain pipe wasn't even seeping. 100% blockage. I snake and snake all the way to a 90* bend. Everytime I pull it out, a little bacterial slime, some dirty water, and debris come out. Back inside I pour a bleach solution down the pipe but it's still backing up.

Now I'm frustrated and thinking about throwing in the towel and calling a professional. But being a DIY type, I decided to watch a few videos about properly setting up a drain line. I was going re-plumb the whole thing. That's when I saw a video about using a shop vac to suck out the blockage. I just happened to have the bucket top version and a 5 gallon bucket. 2 things I bought specifically for the hobby and probably wouldn't have otherwise. I thought why not? Let's give it a try.

Back outside and it's starting to get HOT. It's over 100* by 10am here. Trying the shop vac to no avail. Using the snake gets the same results as before. Rinse, repeat. On the 3rd try with the shop vac, I feel water coming through. Success!!! Finishing up the job, I pour about a gallon of hot bleach solution down the pipe and it drains beautifully.

Floods caused by reefing vs floods fixed by it:

?? vs 1

There should be a P-trap (or something) for you to take apart and clean periodically – shouldn't be a need to go all Roto-Rooter on it.

More than you ever wanted to know, but check this out:
http://www.ashireporter.org/homeinspection/articles/let-s-concentrate-on-condensate/1648

 

[TangingOut]

There should be a P-trap (or something) for you to take apart and clean periodically – shouldn't be a need to go all Roto-Rooter on it.

More than you ever wanted to know, but check this out:
http://www.ashireporter.org/homeinspection/articles/let-s-concentrate-on-condensate/1648

Thanks for the link. A lot of good info. I like learning about how things work.

I wish the blockage was in the trap. The AC guy was wise enough to install it with unions. I was grossed out to put my mouth to it and blow to make sure.

 

[cmcoker]

Ha, my mom called me for the same reason, wet floor and backed up ac drain. Grabbed my shop vac and cleared it for her. I also only have the shop vac for sump cleaning, so add 1 to the save column!