Flood!
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Help
Forum Name: EMERGENCY FORUM
Forum Description: If you have an Emergency post here and you should receive a quick reply.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=56943
Printed Date: April 28 2024 at 5:45pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Flood!
Posted By: Shayne
Subject: Flood!
Date Posted: June 05 2012 at 11:10am
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I woke up this morning to find that my tank had overflowed and dumped about 5 gallons of water on my carpet. I'm still not exactly sure what happened but I think a snail got into my durso. I thought that all of my snails were too small to block it but I suppose one of my larger astrea could have done it. (I knew I should have gotten a snail guard! I just forgot.) Anyway, I'm having a really fun morning trying to clean this mess up. I got a carpet cleaner vacuum to suck up the water I can get to. I also have some fans blowing across the carpet. I even have a space heater propped up on some boxes and blowing up at the ceiling in my basement to help dry out the floor from the underside. Here is my concern, do I need to worry about the wet carpet that's under my stand? I'm really worried that it will mold or rot. Do any of you have any tricks for getting carpet dried out when it's under a stand with a large sump in it? Should I drain my tank and move it? This carpet is in my living room where I spend most of my time. I really can't have it stinking up or anything. Thanks in advance for any advice. I'm kind of freaking out. ------------- 21G Reefer Nano |
Replies:
Posted By: Tanuki
Date Posted: June 05 2012 at 11:13am
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I have had a few floods myself. I think if the tank is big enough, it puts enough weight on the carpet to keep it from getting really bad. About the most you can do is what you are doing and just keep fans on it. If you can move the tank, that is always the best idea, but honestly I think you will probably be ok.
------------- Defending Reefscape Champion (I Think) |
Posted By: Shayne
Date Posted: June 05 2012 at 11:29am
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Moving it would be a nightmare but I guess I'd do it if I had to. If it came down to moving it now to save the carpet vs moving it later and also having to replace the carpet, I'd do it now. Edit: Turns out it was one of my astrea. I just found the little bugger in my sump. ------------- 21G Reefer Nano |
Posted By: Shayne
Date Posted: June 05 2012 at 11:35am
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Does anyone know where to buy a snail guard for a durso or have a link to some instructions for how to DIY one?
------------- 21G Reefer Nano |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: June 05 2012 at 12:00pm
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I'd just take a small piece of window screening and a rubber band and cover your durso intake that way for now... ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Hogie
Date Posted: June 05 2012 at 12:03pm
| Make sure you dry under the carpet. The mold is prevalent in the pad and the carpet mat. Even though the surface feels dry, there's still moisture trapped underneath the surface. It's best if you can put up the carpet where it's wet to blow the air under it to dry it out. Obviously you can't pull it up where the tank is, but if you can pull it up around the stand and circulate air around it, it'll go along in drying out where the stand is. |
Posted By: Shayne
Date Posted: June 05 2012 at 12:51pm
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I can't pull the carpet up. I'd have to move a bunch of furniture and I'd have to pull up about 10 ft of carpet to get to where the spill is. I am running a space heater in the basement. I have it on top of a bunch of boxes and blowing at the basement ceiling (floor where the spill is). ------------- 21G Reefer Nano |
Posted By: Tanuki
Date Posted: June 05 2012 at 1:04pm
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If you keep air on it and vent the room you should be fine. I wouldn't pull up the carpet. I would rather just replace the carpet in that room one day when you are ready to move the tank. Carpet isn't really that expensive.
------------- Defending Reefscape Champion (I Think) |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: June 05 2012 at 1:08pm
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I wouldn't freak out too bad, 5 gallons is not all that much water (it just seems like it)
I would put your wet vac suction as close to the stand base as possible and let it sit there for 5 minutes and see if it pulls anymore water out of the carpet. Then move it around the base of the stand.
Like Tanuki said, the weight of the tank will limit how much water can get into the pad underneath it.
If you have access to a carpet steam cleaner then I would use that with plain water only to "rinse" your carpet and remove any salt residues out.
------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Shayne
Date Posted: June 05 2012 at 1:50pm
I've been doing that all day. Seems to be working. It's not pulling a ton of water but when I leave it there it constantly pulls out little drops of water.
I'm using a carpet cleaner vac. I've already run it once with the cleaner soap and hot water. I'll probably hit it again with just hot water in a couple hours. Thanks again for everyone's help! ------------- 21G Reefer Nano |
BobC63 wrote:Posted By: Shayne
Date Posted: June 05 2012 at 2:04pm
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I'm still trying to find some sort of snail guard attachment that I can attach to my durso but I'm not having any luck. I might do the window screen thing for a short term fix but I'd really like to find an attachment or something. (Note: My durso is home made with PVC. The elbow is 1 1/2".) ------------- 21G Reefer Nano |
Posted By: wickedsnowman
Date Posted: June 05 2012 at 3:22pm
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I think I have seen them at home depot in the plumbing section but if u cant find them there most online aquarium retailers sell them under the plumbing section. Like this http://www.marinedepot.com/Overflow_Strainer_1_1_2_inch_MPT_MPT_Fitting_Strainers-Plumbing_Parts-FT8533-FIFTSTMP-FT8577-vi.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.marinedepot.com/Overflow_Strainer_1_1_2_inch_MPT_MPT_Fitting_Strainers-Plumbing_Parts-FT8533-FIFTSTMP-FT8577-vi.html They just slip over the PVC |
Posted By: Shayne
Date Posted: June 05 2012 at 7:04pm
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Just ordered one of these: http://www.marineandreef.com/Inland_Seas_Suction_Screen_p/ris02315.htm" rel="nofollow - http://www.marineandreef.com/Inland_Seas_Suction_Screen_p/ris02315.htm Hopefully that puts an end to that problem. I'm probably going to pick up an overflow prevention switch as well in the next few weeks. ------------- 21G Reefer Nano |
Posted By: laynframe
Date Posted: June 05 2012 at 7:13pm
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Ditch the durso and go with a herbie overflow, if possible. Ive had a flood before with the durso and a blockage. Converted to herbie and never had a problem again and its dead silent! ------------- The time we enjoy wasting isn't wasted time!!!! |
Posted By: Shayne
Date Posted: June 05 2012 at 11:54pm
Sigh... I asked about doing a herbie when I was putting my system together almost 2 years ago. Everyone who replied said to just go with a durso. ------------- 21G Reefer Nano |
Posted By: laynframe
Date Posted: June 06 2012 at 4:45pm
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lol because a lot of people like pre made stuff. Herbie is super easy if you can do it with your overflow. ------------- The time we enjoy wasting isn't wasted time!!!! |
Posted By: Shayne
Date Posted: June 06 2012 at 5:18pm
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I might have to switch over. It would take me about 20 minutes to throw one together. Plus it would be nice to have something a bit quieter. The durso isn't terrible but it isn't really quiet either.
On a side note, my boss (who used to install carpet) thinks I'm an idiot if I don't tear down my tank and get the water out of the carpet. I tried explaining the amount of work and money (salt, new sand, inevitable loss of life, etc) that would be involved and he just shook his head. I now feel like an idiot. I can't win.  ------------- 21G Reefer Nano |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: June 06 2012 at 5:44pm
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We all have different opinions that meet our own individual needs. Personally, I have just kept the fan blowing on the carpet around the tank for 3-7 days. This sucks the water and some salt back out from underneath and helps everything dry so fast that mold never has a chance. Of course, here in Hawai'i that would never work. Carpet grows mold even when it's just out in the open and never had water spilled on it.  Some people choose to tile a larger area where the tank is to go. I like the Herbie/siphon style of overflow. Absolutely quiet. Durso is a good way to start, then as more experience comes, move to the slightly complicated Siphon overflow, which requires close control of the sump water level to avoid the too frequent need for the emergency drain. Enjoy  ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: Dion Richins
Date Posted: June 06 2012 at 6:54pm
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Salt water doesn't grow the mold that fresh water does. Ive had many floods over the years. And moved the tanks months or years later to a new spot, bigger tank etc and never found and mold underneath. As long as you get as much as possible out the remainder will dry out. The only concern I would have is if the water is caught under the stand in a dead spot or something. But even then as long as there is air flow it will dry out. AS far as herbie drains are concerned. Ill take a Durso any day. I have guards on all of mine. I don't have time to constantly be adjusting the valves to keep it operating efficiently. ------------- http://www.customaquariumfurniture.com" rel="nofollow - Bad "censored" Cabinets Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC) |
Posted By: Shayne
Date Posted: June 06 2012 at 7:15pm
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Thanks for the advice everyone. I've been running ideas through my head but I think I'll just stick with what I'm doing (fans and the space heater) and hope for the best. I sure am glad I have this community to turn to for advice.  ------------- 21G Reefer Nano |
Posted By: badfinger
Date Posted: June 06 2012 at 7:26pm
| I had a friend that worked for UDK and he said to only use fans and not heat....heat helps grow mold. If it were me (and I have had 5 gallons on the floor before) I would just use fans and no heat. When I had to do it I pulled up as much carpet as I could to let under it breathe, and then just rekick the carpet back in place once I felt comfortable |
Posted By: laynframe
Date Posted: June 06 2012 at 10:08pm
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Oh come on Dion... if you use a gate valve on a herbie its almost fool proof, lol! ------------- The time we enjoy wasting isn't wasted time!!!! |
Posted By: Dion Richins
Date Posted: June 06 2012 at 10:21pm
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Did you just call me a fool????? ;) ------------- http://www.customaquariumfurniture.com" rel="nofollow - Bad "censored" Cabinets Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC) |
Posted By: Teknik777
Date Posted: June 06 2012 at 11:54pm
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Yes he did! ------------- 220 G SPS Display. |
Posted By: Tanuki
Date Posted: June 07 2012 at 8:34am
Pulling up carpet and putting it back down correctly isnt really like lifting the rug and hanging it out to dry. ------------- Defending Reefscape Champion (I Think) |
Posted By: Shayne
Date Posted: June 07 2012 at 9:14am
------------- 21G Reefer Nano |
Posted By: builderofdreams
Date Posted: June 07 2012 at 9:22am
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I ahve a UV Heat Light that i use to Dry Automotive paint that would work alot better than a space Heater. If you would like to borrow it. Its kinda bulky but works fantastic for dry drying carpet. Been there done that. ------------- It's Not a Hobby It's an Obsession 150&210 Gallons of Madness and. Sanity! 801-850-4915 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65135&title=builderofdreams-feedback-post |
Posted By: badfinger
Date Posted: June 07 2012 at 10:05am
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I've had some experience installing carpet and my dad and friends have most the tools that's why I felt fine doing it.....carpets not hard, just takes a tole on your knees. If you have ever seen or installed carpet you would know what I mean. You just have to use a carpet kicker to get it back in place correctly as long as it doesn't need to be restretched, that's where it gets tricky. Not hard just more tools. If you were closer to me I would come help, but I would take builder up on his offer and you shouldn't have any issues |
Posted By: Deluxe247
Date Posted: June 07 2012 at 1:02pm
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I think you'll be fine the way you're going. I have also had a few floods, and although they're a HUGE pain, fortunately like Dion says, saltwater doesn't grow mold, at least not nearly as much as fresh. A good carpet cleaner machine will remove any visible sale residue and you're good. Best of luck! ------------- 90G Mixed Reef |
Posted By: laynframe
Date Posted: June 07 2012 at 5:12pm
lmao Dion just read that agian and it could be taken the wrong way...you know your my buddy lol ------------- The time we enjoy wasting isn't wasted time!!!! |
Posted By: Dion Richins
Date Posted: June 07 2012 at 8:21pm
 I know...Had to give you a hard time though!!!!------------- http://www.customaquariumfurniture.com" rel="nofollow - Bad "censored" Cabinets Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC) |
Posted By: ptronsp
Date Posted: June 07 2012 at 8:31pm
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I hate to give my bad experience, but I did the same thing that people are recommending and we had about 5 gallons or so of water flow out as well. We didn't realize until when we moved out of our house and selling the tank that we did have MOLD! We had a 110 . Pa ------------- The only clowns I like are in my tank! |