Sump leaking

[JDnKY]

I just walked down to the basement sump room and my sump had a puddle of water beside it. It’s a name brand high end acrylic sump and I haven’t contacted them yet so I would rather not name them publicly yet. I’ve had it since April 2018. It will be a lot of work but I can disconnect it in the morning and seal it but I’m not sure what is best to use. The sump also has one small puddle behind it. Any suggestions on a sealer? It seems to be a slow leak but I don’t think I have time to wait on a replacement to be sent even if they agree to send one right out. Looking for any advise.

 

[Scotty Buttons]

Do you know where it's leaking from?

 

[argoreef]

Weld-on 16 is an acrylic glue my lfs has it you can get online if not at ur lfs not sure if ur hardware stores near you carry it mine don't had trouble finding it worst case u could use a rubber made tote until u can get it replaced

 

[Lowell Lemon]

Acrylic solvent with an internal brace should work great. You well have to remove the sump and dry it completely before attempting the repair.

 

[JDnKY]

I think it’s leakinf from the bottom seam but not positive. I plan on shutting down and draining the sump in the morning. As I take it apart I’ll try to find where the water is coming from. Hopefully it will be fairly obvious. It doesn’t look like it but will check with aa straight edge to make sure my stand hasn’t sagged or anything. I’ll check back here before I leave in the m0rning to see if there are any other ideas. I’ll look for Acrilic solvent or weld-on 16.

Thanks for the responses.

 

[JDnKY]

I think it’s leakinf from the bottom seam but not positive. I plan on shutting down and draining the sump in the morning. As I take it apart I’ll try to find where the water is coming from. Hopefully it will be fairly obvious. It doesn’t look like it but will check with aa straight edge to make sure my stand hasn’t sagged or anything. I’ll check back here before I leave in the m0rning to see if there are any other ideas. I’ll look for Acrilic solvent or weld-on 16.

Thanks for the responses.

By the way, how long do these Acrilic solvents have to cure before I can fill it up and use it? Don’t want my tank running on circulation pumps only for too long.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

most people recommend several days....but you should be able to fill the seam and install the backer piece and wait a couple hours. Rinse and water test the seal before setting up the sump again.

 

[KrisReef]

Acrylic solvents bond rapidly, I think they say dry In an hour and cured in 24, similar to pvc glue.

 

[argoreef]

+1

 

[Saveafish]

Problem here.....
Salt water leaking carries partials.. through the crack... to the solvent it's dirt and crud. The solvent uses capillaries to bond with. Even you done see it. You can lead up with a weak soon to split bond. If your gonna repair yourself. Best bet, to get a drimel and use the V bit cutting down in the seam. Like growing it out some about 1/8" the thickness. Than use weld on 16 to fill the V gap. Tilt the sump at a 45deg angle and fill it like your wielding metal. Fill it up good. When it dries/cures. It'll shrink lots and lots. 24/48 hrs to cure.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

Problem here.....
Salt water leaking carries partials.. through the crack... to the solvent it's dirt and crud. The solvent uses capillaries to bond with. Even you done see it. You can lead up with a weak soon to split bond. If your gonna repair yourself. Best bet, to get a drimel and use the V bit cutting down in the seam. Like growing it out some about 1/8" the thickness. Than use weld on 16 to fill the V gap. Tilt the sump at a 45deg angle and fill it like your wielding metal. Fill it up good. When it dries/cures. It'll shrink lots and lots. 24/48 hrs to cure.

Way too much shrinkage with Sci Grip #16 better to use #42 with the mixing tips and mini gun. Solvent #4 works fine for repairs as long as you clean and dry the seam first. I built tanks and filters for a living for over 30 years still doing it on the side.

 

[vetteguy53081]

1-2 hrs cure time with Weldon. Try to locate the area of leak as repair will be precise BUT......... before doing any repair, make manufacturer aware as it may void any warranty or coverages

 

[Mastiffsrule]

before doing any repair, make manufacturer aware as it may void any warranty or coverages

I agree 100% about contacting the builder. I saw you were going to contact them but was not clear if you were trying to do a temp repair until you get the new one or just fix the one you have.

I had a similar situation. But mine new sump arrived w/ a broken cross brace. The break was in a spot that I did not think added much to the structure so I just used it. Looking back I should have sent it in. I am constantly waiting for it to fail. It has a nice bow right where it was broken.

But, it also has been in use 10 years. (It’s true what they say, duct tape fixing everything ,,,,,JK)

 

[Dom]

Is it under warranty?

 

[JDnKY]

I have the sump shut off and mostly drained. I have bought some Weld on 16 but haven’t done anything to the sump yet. I bought the sump from Reef2Land and have placed a call to them and sent them an email and haven’t heard back from them yet. Will be calling the Manufacturer in an hour or so if I don’t hear from Reef2Land soon. I found the receipt from where I bought it on March 7 2018. It wasn’t installed until late April so I’m hoping it’s still under warranty. I can go get a Rubbermaid tub to use for a little while if they will work with me to fix it, if not, I’ll just weld on 16 it up and hope for the best.

 

[lapin]

I agree to first contact the manufacture.
If nothing then consider buying a new one or making the repair yourself.
Use a product like SciGrip 40 or 42. # 16 is like model airplane glue and it makes a mess. It is also not as strong as #40 or 42. I like #40 and thin it about 7% . I use a syringe with a metal screw on tip.
https://www.amazon.com/12-Pack-Stai...=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B07BPW65TX
#40 is not cheap but it flows nice and has a 15 min working time.
I would wait a week after repair before filling with water. The longer you let it cure the less water it will absorb. Yes acrylic will absorb water.
Like said above place the seam at a 45 degree angle so your glue will flow and make a nice fillet.

 

[JDnKY]

I just looked at the tube I bought and it is SciGrip but it’s #16. It’s the only thing I can find after driving all over town yesterday. I can run to a Horse Supply store close by and get some metal screw-on tip syringes. Apparently Reef2Land and Trigger Systems have better things to do than answer their phones.

 

[Scotty Buttons]

That's the same stuff. I don't know why it's not called weld-on anymore.

 

[JDnKY]

My Apex probes are now hanging in the air. Anyone know the best way to store used probes until I can resolve this? I luckily just received Neptune calibration fluids from BRS so I can recalibrate them once this is resolved.

 

[Ditto]

My Apex probes are now hanging in the air. Anyone know the best way to store used probes until I can resolve this? I luckily just received Neptune calibration fluids from BRS so I can recalibrate them once this is resolved.

If you do not have the orginal probe caps, which I did not at the time, I used a cup of rodi water(while I was upgrading my tank), or if you have fresh saltwater mixed that will work also.

 

[MnFish1]

You might not want to hear this - but - I would consider just buying a new sump. There are numerous stories on here about attempted repairs - and the anxiety waiting for the 'next problem'. If you are going to go through the hassle of taking everything apart - finding a leak - which might tank a day or 2, and then try to fix it - and then test it for a day or 2 - maybe you're better off just bying a new sump. I personally wouldn't not buy another acrylic sump (based on my experience). BTW short term - you could just get a small glass aquarium to act as a sump while you try to fix the other one. Good luck