Spill containment stand (SCS)

[CWO4GUNNER]

With my last 210 tank project which included my first DIY overflow and sump, it occurred to me how easily an overflow could occur from from either the sump tank or aquarium. While the overflow siphon can be stopped by a siphon brake hose during a power outage, there is nothing to stop the pump from overflowing the aquarium or for whatever reason the aquarium overflows with all the sump tank water, until now.

My new 160 tank stand will now incorporate a 4 inch perimeter water tight containment to catch tank overflow water and directed to two 1/2" containment drains back into the sump.

Below 3 permanent sides of the stand border trim containment are made water tight with silicone, the fourth side which is held by screws will be installed once the tank is in place.

Below, 1/2 inch holes are drilled above where the sump tank will sit for drains to be installed. Holes are lined with silicone sealant for protection.

Below are the 1/2" garden piping secured by silicone sealant. Note the 4th side of the boarder containment missing to allow tank install but will be sealed watertight once the tank is in place.

Below 4th side of boarder containment installed with 8 screws and silicone sealant water proofing. Not the drains inside the containment and behind the tank are ready to receive tank over-spill and direct it around the containment to the rear drains.

Below the final picture shows drains from under the stand leading inside the sump tank back to the pump. There are many variations that could be used such as a dry tank beneath the stand with a moisture alarm or marine bilge pump that would carry water back to tank controlling either an overflow or leaking/cracked tank preventing a flood and property damage.

 

[ExPeNsIvE HoBbY]

Awesome idea

 

[Haydn24]

great idea man. never thought about that happening. but how could the tank possibly over fill? if the siphon is broken then the power is out or the pump isn't working properly. if the pump is running fine then the siphon should be working also..

Posted on mobile.aquariacentral.com

 

[mott]

Woudlnt Float valve be easier?

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

great idea man. never thought about that happening. but how could the tank possibly over fill? if the siphon is broken then the power is out or the pump isn't working properly. if the pump is running fine then the siphon should be working also..

Posted on mobile.aquariacentral.com

"If there is a possibility of several things going wrong, the one that will cause the most damage will be the one to occur" Murphy's law

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

Woudlnt Float valve be easier?

From my prospective this was easier since I needed build a stand anyway, a few measurement changes, drilled holes and $0.50 worth of sprinkler pipe and silicone was simple, and drains have allot fewer moving parts that can fail.

 

[rockhoe14er]

NICE. What type of sealer are you putting on the wood to make it water tight? or are you using some type of liner instead?

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

NICE. What type of sealer are you putting on the wood to make it water tight? or are you using some type of liner instead?

The same water resistant finish I use on the inside of my wood canopies that collect condensation or overspray and runs back into the tank. Marine grade oil based stain and polyurethane "Cabot". Once cured its safe and wont erode like latex based stains and Poly exposed to moisture only after 2 years. This stuff last decades. But that's just the water repellent finishe, the seams are sealed with GE silicone 1. Since its only going to operate and get wet once or twice to save $1000+ damage to floors, it will work fine.

 

[rockhoe14er]

Wow. You are the definition of a handy man. That's a sweet idea.

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

Wow. You are the definition of a handy man. That's a sweet idea.

Thanks but its nothing more then basic DIY hand book tool usage and skills. The idea came to me when I build the stand for my 210 gallon 8 foot tank which was setup as a room divider and visible from 3 sides. The stand needed trim all the way around and one side of the trim removable to slide the tank in and out. The new 4 sided stand trim reminded me of the 4 foot oil spill containments placed around huge oil storage tanks on land to stop the oil from spilling over into the storm drains. But it was too late for my 210 since the dimensions were too tight for any room to allow water to collect around the sides and be directed to a drain. So I planned for it her on my 160 tank with 1 inch of spacing all 3 sides and 2 inches of spacing in the back for water pooling and drainage. I only installed two 1/2" drains but having four drains would be just as easy. I used multiple 1/2" drains rather then a huge 1" drain to make it more aesthetic, take up less room, use of cheaper materials, distribute the drainage to avoid water pileup, and be less structurally invasive. If all stands had drain containments, going either to a sump or even outside, there would be fewer flooded floors.