Water overflow!

[2639]

Apparantly, the airline to my powerhead that powers the skimmer stopped working and started back-siphoning. I now have to take the ENTIRE setup apart to dry the floor out.

Any suggestions on how to prevent this next time?

[tim_coville_]

that stinks, you should just put air way stopper on it, its basically just a peice you buy at your lfs that you cut a peice of tubing off, stick it on, put another peice on

basically a check valve, it wont allow water (in this case) going the other way, it should be just a small clear peice with 2 ends to connect to tubing on it. very cheap and important peice...

[2639]

And, what all will i screw up? I know it's best to leave stuff alone once they are settled in the tank but this is one of those things :(

[tim_coville_]

you dont have to mess up anything, just the peice of airtubing going to your powerhead, just cut about 1 inch from the end (not connected to the powerhead) off, stick the little plastic stopper, then the peice of cut tubbing to the other end

wont mess up anything...

[2639]

Not really worried about that. I'm more concerned about the bio-system and the happiness of the critters. They haven't really had time to get 'their spot', but I'm sure I'll piss off someone. Most likely the wife in my house for getting water all over the floor :(

As of now, I have all the LR in a container I JUST HAPPENED to have ready full of change-water. I drained the tank into my clean garbage can. I have the area dry now.

One other concern is the temperature of the live sand. I am gonna wait until the morning to finish because I'm gonna construct feet for my stand that will raise the stand off the floor about 1/2" to allow for airflow so if this ever happens again, all's I have to do is mop it up and throw a fan in front of it.

[2639]

I will certainly buy that piece Tim..I appreciate that :D

[2639]

I think I'll take advantage of this. Since the tank is apart, I might as well go ahead and drill the tank like I wanted. I have nothing to lose at this point exept the tank LOL

[2639]

One other thing. I've decided to put four bricks under the stand to raise it. It's higher than I wanted but it's quick and simple..All I have to do is paint them black to match my stand :D

[2639]

How long will my 40 pounds of lr stay alive in an 18 gallon container? I have a heater, and two good powerheads in it. Plus the snails and hermits are in there too keeping it clean.

I'm looking at another week before I can tend to this problem further.

[Sugar Magnolia]

It'll be fine as long it has circulation and heat. Light isn't an issue.

Sorry about the mess, but at least now you can make your changes that you wanted to do.

[2639]

;) That is the ONLY silver lining. I've actually spent more cash though now! :( Does it ever end? LOL