Leak test fail - help!

[ihavecrabs]

Like so? With the box sitting against the gasket? And there will no gasket inside the box between the box and the nut?

You didn't leave it like the one on the right, correct?

The gasket always goes on the flange side, never on the nut side. The reason being is the gasket seals between the flange and glass making a water tight seal. If it is on the nut side, water leaks out between the threads since there is nothing creating the seal there.

Hope this helps!

 

[Mattie-KCCO]

He's running an overflow box. He has it correct. And I believe he actually has the Synergy Reef setup detailed below in the image.

If it has an outside box as well it uses a second seal so
Flange - Overflox Box - Seal - Glass/Acrylic - Seal - Outside Box - Nut

Example Synergy Reefs

 

[ihavecrabs]

He's running an overflow box. He has it correct.

So it's
Flange - Overflox Box - Seal - Glass/Acrylic - Nut

Clarification note: I thought this was an internal overflow. OP is talking about an external overflow.

Sounds like you are missing a seal between the flange and overflow box but agree one would be needed between the overflow box and glass.

Where you see the arrows are where water has an opportunity to seep into and get to the threads, whether from the overflow box or from the tank between the overflow and the tank glass. Once water hits the treads, there is no stopping it.

Edit: unless you are siliconing the overflow to the tank but even then, silicone and acrylic bonds don't hold up very long.

 

[Mattie-KCCO]

Sounds like you are missing a seal between the flange and overflow box but agree one would be needed between the overflow box and glass.

Where you see the arrows are where water has an opportunity to seep into and get to the threads, whether from the overflow box or from the tank between the overflow and the tank glass. Once water hits the treads, there is no stopping it.

Edit: unless you are siliconing the overflow to the tank but even then, silicone and acrylic bonds don't hold up very long.

I edited my post. I wasn't done typing and hit wrong button. DOH! Check it now.

 

[ihavecrabs]

Ohhh! External overflow. Completely agree! Although for me, I would still add one between the flange and overflow box because I still won't trust a plastic on plastic seal lol.

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Mattie-KCCO]

Yea. I know some run three seals but I feel it wouldn't be necessary on the internal and external cause your threads exit into the external box.

 

[ihavecrabs]

Yea. I know some run three seals but I feel it wouldn't be necessary on the internal and external cause your threads exit into the external box.

Very true. I'm also one that typically builds my stands so that it can hold a small vehicle haha. Although I'm starting to get better.. My 120 stand is only a plywood box in 3/4" [emoji16]

 

[Mattie-KCCO]

Haha! Yea completely understand that.

 

[BlueDevil]

I have it exactly as Mattie detailed in the posted above. Yeah it is a Synergy Reef overflow box and i was having issues with the external box. I have it as laid out above and everything is working perfect. 12 hours what the heck tank temp water and not a single drop [emoji4]

 

[Mattie-KCCO]

Good to hear. Awesome build BTW. Been following along.

 

[reefjunkieken]

One thing I found that helps a lot is adding a small amount of Vaseline to the rubber gasket on the side that contacts the glass of the tank. This helps create a watertight seal and is perfectly safe in the reef tank

 

[BlueDevil]

Good to hear. Awesome build BTW. Been following along.

Thank you so much! It has been more work than I ever imagined! But it's all coming together now. Soon I'll be able to sit in front of the tank and just relax. Before then I get to stare at an empty tank while it cycles. Yay! Oh well - better than drilling, painting and sniffing those awful PVC cement fumes all day!