Some good advice just paid off

[jgvergo]

Just passing this along to anyone in the middle of a build.

I built a bean animal overflow, largely based on the advice I got here on R2R. One specific recommendation was to leave my three PVC pipes (full siphon, overflow and emergency overflow) in the overflow box unglued (i.e. the pipes that insert into the bulk heads).

At 4AM on Saturday one of my Mexican turbo snails made its way into my full siphon and got stuck. I was able to get him out in under 30 minutes. It would have been a big job if it had been glued.

Easy peasy

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Good deal glad you got it out. After years of reefing and learning I did my first bean animal drain. I also never glue the pvc in the overflow box, you need to remove them sometimes as you found out.

 

[mystersyster]

I recently had a bangaii cardinal jump into my overflow. If the pipes were glued I'd have no way of getting him out.

 

[jgvergo]

For those with unglued pipes, do you have the issue that water slowly leaks into you sump? Are there any tricks to making an unglued seal as good as possible?

 

[mystersyster]

For those with unglued pipes, do you have the issue that water slowly leaks into you sump? Are there any tricks to making an unglued seal as good as possible?

I'm so confused by this question. Maybe it's early. We're talking about pipes in the overflow box... there would be no issues with water even if its slowly leaking; it's al going to the same place.

 

[jgvergo]

I'm so confused by this question. Maybe it's early. We're talking about pipes in the overflow box... there would be no issues with water even if its slowly leaking; it's al going to the same place.

Sorry! I meant that water slowly leaks into my sump when the pumps are off (for example, when I'm feeding or doing maintenance). In my case, I have a drilled tank and a "coast to coast" overflow box so there is a fair amount of water in the overflow box that eventually leaks down to my sump. If I'm not careful, it eventually overflows my sump. The leak is very slow, but it's there.

P.S. I know I slightly miscalculated my sump size and design, but it's rare that I leave the pumps off long enough to have it overflow. ;Blackeye

 

[mfinn]

Sorry! I meant that water slowly leaks into my sump when the pumps are off (for example, when I'm feeding or doing maintenance). In my case, I have a drilled tank and a "coast to coast" overflow box so there is a fair amount of water in the overflow box that eventually leaks down to my sump. If I'm not careful, it eventually overflows my sump. The leak is very slow, but it's there.

P.S. I know I slightly miscalculated my sump size and design, but it's rare that I leave the pumps off long enough to have it overflow. ;Blackeye

If it were me, the first thing I would do is try wrapping a couple wraps of teflon tape around the pvc pipe as it goings into the bulkhead fitting in the overflow box to help seal the slow leak. One go around may work or two. You just have to experiment. Care you don't use too much and crack the bulkhead fitting.
Second thing I would do is start looking for a bigger sump.

 

[Even Further]

For those with unglued pipes, do you have the issue that water slowly leaks into you sump? Are there any tricks to making an unglued seal as good as possible?

One method would be to use NPT threaded bulkheads. On the outlet to the sump, use a NPT x Slip adapter, glue from there.

 

[Zephrant]

Light coating of silicon tank sealer (when dry) will seal it tight, but can be removed with a twist.

Also, consider snail guards on your pipes, if you have room.

 

[jgvergo]

Light coating of silicon tank sealer (when dry) will seal it tight, but can be removed with a twist.

Also, consider snail guards on your pipes, if you have room.

@Zephrant , I do have room. My PVC is 1 inch. Will snail guard clog and/or slow down the flow significantly?

 

[BigJohnny]

Just passing this along to anyone in the middle of a build.

I built a bean animal overflow, largely based on the advice I got here on R2R. One specific recommendation was to leave my three PVC pipes (full siphon, overflow and emergency overflow) in the overflow box unglued (i.e. the pipes that insert into the bulk heads).

At 4AM on Saturday one of my Mexican turbo snails made its way into my full siphon and got stuck. I was able to get him out in under 30 minutes. It would have been a big job if it had been glued.

Easy peasy

Here's another piece of advice, cover your overflow box so snails can't get in there in the first place. Also, I always run a strainer on my full siphon, but leave the emergency open. I run herbie but same idea.

 

[Zephrant]

BigJohnny is right, that’s a good solution that doesn’t impact water flow.

A strainer may impair the flow, depends on the flow rate and the chosen strainer.

I built my strainers then adjusted the flow for them, no issues.

 

[laverda]

I agree strainers will prevent the problem to begin with. You can make them out af a variety of plastic mesh materials, or by cutting slots, or drilling holes in PVC.