Chuck's 150 Gallon Reef Project - Page 47

ChuckG · #**461** (**permalink**) 04-06-2007, 03:44 AM

Tank is filled with tap water and has been running for an hour. I think I can safely say this time that there are no leaks and the 4-way is awesome. I watched a little piece of debris for awhile and it would travel in a circular pattern down the backside of the tank, out across and then up towards the overflow. It's going to be a beautiful thing.

ChuckG · #**462** (**permalink**) 04-06-2007, 04:23 AM

The Durso standpipe I made this evening.

ChuckG · #**463** (**permalink**) 04-06-2007, 11:44 AM

Woke up this morning to no water movement. The Dart was no longer running even though it was plugged in. It was hot as could be as well, I couldn't touch it.

What's next?

RonnieM · #**464** (**permalink**) 04-06-2007, 02:58 PM

hope you get it sorted out Chuck, have you figured out what happened?

**phlounder** · #**465** (**permalink**) 04-06-2007, 03:46 PM

Well that blows.

Must have been a defect in the pump. I have not really heard of any other Darts failing like this. Doesn't sound good though.

ChuckG · #**466** (**permalink**) 04-06-2007, 11:58 PM

Just got home. Sent an email to Paul and Cass of OM and left a message on their phone. I got the two Darts from them.

In the meantime, I guess I'll swap out the Dart for the other one and let the other one run tonight.

ChuckG · #**467** (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 02:04 AM

Second Dart is running. Seems to run a bit louder than the first pump did but I have circulation once again.

Cass emailed me back right away and said that Paul will call me when he gets in. She said it's weird. They've never had any problems with the Dart.

The pump that went out didn't really seize I guess because now that I have it off I can spin the prop with my finger but it still only hums when I plug it in.

papajin · #**468** (**permalink**) 04-07-2007, 09:14 AM

Hi Chuck!

I was reading through your thread (I actually came here from the link you posted on OM's forums) and saw this pic, and thought to myself.... "gee that looks familiar". I was actually reading backward from the end somewhat so I had to backtrack further to confirm they were in fact the cheap valves like I had originally purchased for my setup.

The problem with these valves is they're not truly union valves in the sense we as reefer-types expect -- if you look inside one you'll notice that the "ball" that opens and closes the valve isn't actually held between anything when the union is removed! The union part itself is the other side of what holds the ball mechanism in place. That's why it leaks so badly when you remove the union. I also found that out the hard way. In my case I ended up leaving the valves in place and just adding normal unions near them -- they seem to work just fine when just used as valves. I honestly can't imagine them becoming impossible to turn, as if you have a problem you just need to pull the union off and the ball will be free to wiggle around inside the housing.

If you still have one, pull the union off and look inside and then wiggle the handle around a bit to see how bad they are.

So much for me thinking I got a great deal on true union ball valves!

Here's how my plumbing looks now:

ChuckG · #**469** (**permalink**) 04-08-2007, 03:18 AM

Those still aren't the true unions you are using. Looks like you are going to have problems if you ever have to remove the pump or the 4-way.

Best of luck. I switched early.

**phlounder** · #**470** (**permalink**) 04-08-2007, 03:24 AM

Yeah, you got the right thing now Chuck. They are not cheap, but when you need to disconned some plumbing and not have to worry about empying your tank, they are invaluable. Plumbing is not a place to try to save money by omitting valves or fittings - or looking for the cheapest deal you can find.

Have you heard anything back from Paul on the Dart? He might be out of the country. Never know with him. One thing I am pretty sure of, they will make it right.