Now I know why so many people get out of this hobby

[Jstadler]

Got home last night, talked to the wife, grabbed the baby and went down to check out the tank, feed the fish, etc. As soon as I get to the end of the steps I notice something isn't right, halides are still kicking at 9pm, they are supposed to shut down at 7. Strange, but not a huge deal I think to my self, get closer to the tank, and realize the floor is wet. You gotta be kidding me right? A couple months ago my 50 breeder sump/fuge cracked across the back pane. New 50br, siliconed all the baffles in the new one, drilled my hole for my external return pump, replumbed the whole system, everything was great. IT **** HAPPENED AGAIN. So I was up till about midnight getting everything swapped into a rumbermaid sump, and a little creative plumbing it's back up and running. So in one day life has just crushed my spirit, to top it all off I'm going on vacation Monday morning. Who know what kinda tragedy will happen then. I don't know what I'm gonna do. Maybe put it all up for sale. Just when everything starts coming together, this kinda crap continues to happen to me. Just wanted to rant, hopefully I can get parts from aquaticlife in time to at least get my light fixture fixed before I leave.

[jimsflies]

Sorry to hear this...so the sump cracked?

[Jstadler]

Yep again.

[jolson10450]

sorry to hear! if it is the sump that cracked on you twice then try to get a sump of the same size but thicker glass. I had my sump crack on me literally 5 minutes before i was supposed to go up north fora week, i emptied my skimmer cup before i left and boom the thing ****tered so i struggled to shut everything down and lucky i like to prepare and i actually had an old sump that i saved and was able to swap them out and have everything back running in about 2 hours time. still a pain in the *** but it really saved me for my trip. Maybe since this has happened more than once now if you do decide to stay in the hobby make a back up sump just in case this happens again so you can do a quick swap out or something.

Hope things get better!

[CalmSeasQuest]

I'm sorry to hear of your struggles. Did both sumps crack in the same way/area? What did you use to make the baffles? I seem to recall reading instances where acrylic baffles swelled and cracked glass tanks.

It's a long shot, but just in case. Good luck getting things back together!

[Synergy]

Hmm, that's strange that both would break. Did you re-use the baffles from the old sump, and re-silicone them into the new one?

If they are too wide, it could be stressing the sides of the sump causing it to fail after awhile.

Sorry to hear about this, don't give up though!

[Jstadler]

Hmm, that's strange that both would break. Did you re-use the baffles from the old sump, and re-silicone them into the new one?

If they are too wide, it could be stressing the sides of the sump causing it to fail after awhile.

Sorry to hear about this, don't give up though!

Yes I reused the old baffles and resiliconed them in. They had a small gap on each side, I would say about 1/8" on each side. Upon further investigation, this morning it appears the guy that had this setup before me had some sort of leak and the bottom tray of the stand is warped, there were some shims and a piece of tongu and groove OSB on top of it. I'm 100% positive the sump was in there level, I checked it several times with a 3 foot level during the install. I guess it's possible that the OSB is bowing and causing the tank to crack when full.

Both sumps cracked in a similar way. All the way across the back from the lower left to top right.

I know a rubbermaid will work good, but doesn't look too nice. Its gotta be the timer on the halides, its a combo fixture. The T5's and LED's still turn on and off, but the halides come on and stay on as soon as you plug it in. Another hour and I can call James at Aquaticlife and see what we can do.

Thanks for the support guys.

[Bluering]

Hang in there man, your not the only person in the hobby that has had bad luck. I recently bought a brand new skimmer, got it about 1.5 weeks ago. I was adjusting a few things on it and it fell off this crate not even 2 feet from the ground and cracked all along the bottom through a bulkhead, now its completely useless untill i can see if i can get it fixed. Then not even 10 minutes of me having a fit of rage from the skimmer breaking, i pulled my backup skimmer off another tank and that sent the lights into the water. Now this week i have lost 3 prized fish to marine velvet. So I know how you feel, hang in there man it will get better.

[jay13]

the glass sump checking out to be level does not mean that it is supported evenly all the way across. sounds like this might have been part of the issue. rebuild that bottom to support the tank evenly and i bet it is a problem solved.

[Jstadler]

the glass sump checking out to be level does not mean that it is supported evenly all the way across. sounds like this might have been part of the issue. rebuild that bottom to support the tank evenly and i bet it is a problem solved.

I was thinking possibly the same thing. Do you think I can remove and replace the lower tray without tanking the whole tank and stand down?

[michaellong]

Got home last night, talked to the wife, grabbed the baby and went down to check out the tank, feed the fish, etc. As soon as I get to the end of the steps I notice something isn't right, halides are still kicking at 9pm, they are supposed to shut down at 7. Strange, but not a huge deal I think to my self, get closer to the tank, and realize the floor is wet. You gotta be kidding me right? A couple months ago my 50 breeder sump/fuge cracked across the back pane. New 50br, siliconed all the baffles in the new one, drilled my hole for my external return pump, replumbed the whole system, everything was great. IT **** HAPPENED AGAIN. So I was up till about midnight getting everything swapped into a rumbermaid sump, and a little creative plumbing it's back up and running. So in one day life has just crushed my spirit, to top it all off I'm going on vacation Monday morning. Who know what kinda tragedy will happen then. I don't know what I'm gonna do. Maybe put it all up for sale. Just when everything starts coming together, this kinda crap continues to happen to me. Just wanted to rant, hopefully I can get parts from aquaticlife in time to at least get my light fixture fixed before I leave.
I went to the doctore because I was sick going on 2 years , not able to eat, lost 60 lbs. Said stop drinking. ??? What??? I don't drink. Anyway - now years later my pancreas is healed and it was all a misdiagnosis. I had a bad gallbladder. The reef tank was my escape. Out of something I could not fix - at least I could fix that. I am not you, but I do know we all (including you) take pride in our accomplishments. Every failure you encounter leads to an open door, a story to tell. Your knowledge from your journey will inspire many children and others that see what you've done. So I learned don't giveup for the wrong reasons. Everything I work on fails without constantly revamping and finding the better way. Usually I end up on the couch because of $$$. However the couch is in front of my reef:smash: Never give up fellow reefer

[michaellong]

I did with mine but it took all day and cabinet modifications. I built my stand and didn't think I would need to get the sump out. Little did I know .

[Jstadler]

Thanks guys, things are looking up James at Aquaticlife feels its the relay in my fixture that is bad. They are shipping me out one today, it might possibly be here before I leave. If not I'll put the fixture on a timer, that way it will be at least turn on and off by itself. Aquaticlife has the best customer service I have ever experienced, If any of you are considering an all in one fixture, look into them, they will take care of you. Worst case my makeshift sump works, just isn't "pretty" like I like.

[Sir Patrick]

Glad to see your hanging in there.

I agree with jay- sounds like the sump was not supported evenly all around.

[Sir Patrick]

Glad to see your hanging in there.

I agree with jay- sounds like the sump was not supported evenly all around.