Reef nutrition

210 gallon Dream tank

MichaelB said:
There are some slight chips on the holes. I Can take pics later
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Slight chips are not bad. Chips that will need silicon are ones where the gasket does not have enough completely flat surface area to create a seal. I've made some nasty chips that I wouldn't think would seal, that actually do.

If you make me guess, I'd say if the chip is big enough that at any part of the ring has more than 50% of the width not laying on flat surface, you'll likely have need silicon. I hope that makes sense.
 
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Heed all the advice given. Especially the folded gasket and over tightening.

Remove all the gaskets and the bulkheads and check for cracks in the plastic.
 
Next update after losing the crappy folded gasket sheet.

This time I got a thicker gasket sheet no folding. I also cut the holes slightly smaller.

It seems fits much tighter against the tank. It unfortunately still leaks, but not nearly as much as other methods I tried including the actual bulkhead gaskets (left puddle on floor), no gaskets (had to put towels down and quickly empty water into the sump ouch), and the crappy folded gasket sheet attempt (leaked less but more than I would want dripping on the floor).

This gasket sheet used this time felt like premium quality material for a gasket and had same feel and thickness as the much smaller diameter bulkhead gaskets.

At this point I'm at a loss for what to do. Other than call out for some expert assistance @Srt4eric. My absolute last choice would be to silicone the hell out of everything. I personally would like this to be removable without crazy effort should I desire to move the tank or find a new place in the future. Zero way this can fit through my door if I couldn't remove the overflow box.

If it came down to itnI would use the silicone method, I just hope there maybe less semi permanent options available that this rookie may not be aware of.
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MichaelB said:
silicone the hell out of everything. I personally would like this to be removable without crazy effort should I desire to move the tank or find a new place in the future.
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Is this a really good overflow? I would silicone it and leave the taking it apart for future you with huge pliers.
 
can you cut the black plastic trim on the tank so the overflow box is flush to the tank? The holes on my tank has some chip too, but it doesn't leak anymore.

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popper said:
can you cut the black plastic trim on the tank so the overflow box is flush to the tank? The holes on my tank has some chip too, but it doesn't leak anymore.

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The box is made specifically made with that offset on the top of the box to accommodate tanks with trim.

MichaelB said:
Next update after losing the crappy folded gasket sheet.

This time I got a thicker gasket sheet no folding. I also cut the holes slightly smaller.

It seems fits much tighter against the tank. It unfortunately still leaks, but not nearly as much as other methods I tried including the actual bulkhead gaskets (left puddle on floor), no gaskets (had to put towels down and quickly empty water into the sump ouch), and the crappy folded gasket sheet attempt (leaked less but more than I would want dripping on the floor).

This gasket sheet used this time felt like premium quality material for a gasket and had same feel and thickness as the much smaller diameter bulkhead gaskets.

At this point I'm at a loss for what to do. Other than call out for some expert assistance @Srt4eric. My absolute last choice would be to silicone the hell out of everything. I personally would like this to be removable without crazy effort should I desire to move the tank or find a new place in the future. Zero way this can fit through my door if I couldn't remove the overflow box.

If it came down to itnI would use the silicone method, I just hope there maybe less semi permanent options available that this rookie may not be aware of.
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Did you try different bulkheads? Assuming that the box itself is not leaking, using two gaskets on each bulkhead is plenty for it not to leak as long as there are no large chips on the drilled hole.
 
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RandyC said:
The box is made specifically like with the flight offset on the top of the box to accommodate stands with trim.



Did you try different bulkheads? Assuming that the box itself is not leaking, using two gaskets on each bulkhead is plenty for it not to leak as long as there are no large chips on the drilled hole.
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Yes tried different bulkheads.
 
RandyC said:
This is not correct. No gasket is needed in the external overflow box. Gasket in tank between flange and glass and gasket between exterior of tank and exterior of overflow box.
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Thats how i have my modular marine setup. Because you want to prevent water from the overflow box leak. There is no water between tank and overflow box cause water goes through the bulkhead.
 
popper said:
Thats how i have my modular marine setup. Because you want to prevent water from the overflow box leak. There is no water between tank and overflow box cause water goes through the bulkhead.
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Having a gasket on the nut side can easily lead to the gasket twisting when tightening the nut. Having the gasket on the outside will stop the overflow box from leaking.
 
Telling you. Fill the crap out of it with silicone. Let it cure for a week. It will be good. I’ve been down this rabbit hole. It’s gonna make you nuts. If it already hasn’t yet. It will.
 
Turkeysammich said:
Telling you. Fill the crap out of it with silicone. Let it cure for a week. It will be good. I’ve been down this rabbit hole. It’s gonna make you nuts. If it already hasn’t yet. It will.
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That's one of of doing it, but there's obviously a reason for the leak. If you have the time and you're not in a rush, find where it is and it'll make you feel more confident of your setup. Plus, it won't look fugly with a crap ton of silicon.
 
RandyC said:
That's one of of doing it, but there's obviously a reason for the leak. If you have the time and you're not in a rush, find where it is and it'll make you feel more confident of your setup. Plus, it won't look fugly with a crap ton of silicon.
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What I believe his problem is. As with a lot of these modular boxes is the hole in the aquarium isn’t perfect to the hole size of the bulkhead. Also chips in the glass from the holes saw. So it’s really difficult to hit the sweet spot on gasket placement. To over come those imperfections. Just pack it with silicone. You can barely see it when it’s done.
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Here was my issues. Your may be different. But they are all similar. You see my bulkhead has a flat spot. It’s a leak point. You see the locking nut. It’s not flat. Leak point. You see between the aquarium and the exterior over flow box. Leak point. All those spots be generous with the silicone. You’ll barley see it when it’s all together.
 
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RandyC said:
You have a picture of those chips in the drill hole? How big are they?
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I meant to do it yesterday but it slipped my mind. Dang tired now, but will put it on the agenda for tomorrow. I've taken this apart 20+ times now. Not eager to climb up the ladder and few times to removed everything to show the holes again right now.

They are only on the inside of the tank. One side has a chip 1/4th the way around one of the holes, the other hole has a smaller one?

To me they seem like shallow chips, but they are visible so they could possibly cause leaks.

Will try to get pictures tomorrow.
 
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