Potential ‘Sump/Plumbing’ leak - Nuvo RFS Sump

[Alexander1312]

I am looking for advice on how to go about a potential sump leak.

I have this 57 gallon innovative marine sump which is about 10 months old. This morning, I woke up to a leak detector alarm in my sump showing a very shallow level of water on parts of the bottom, approx 1/4 of the area had water.

Tested the water and it had 36 PSU, which ruled out my 20 gallon ATO container being the cause (again).

 

[Turkeysammich]

I’m not saying it can’t happen. Sumps usually don’t leak. Check the pipes and fittings.

 

[Alexander1312]

Now the good news is I believe I found the cause - see picture. Looks like the main drain is leaking. Not know how to fix it, other than trying to tightening this.

Any advice would be great.

 

[Alexander1312]

I’m not saying it can’t happen. Sumps usually don’t leak. Check the pipes and fittings.

Good call. I did check all of them before writing the initial post, but missed this area - my post crossed over with yours.

 

[Turkeysammich]

I cant see the leak. But my eyes aren’t great these days. Can you circle it.

 

[Alexander1312]

I cant see the leak. But my eyes aren’t great these days. Can you circle it.

Black is not a great color I realized to see this well. Short video, the end of the right pipe. We wiped it and water is coming back.

 

[Turkeysammich]

I’m going to assume that it’s seeping between fitting and the sump ? Does it have a gasket there ? If yes. Options are.

Change the gasket,

remove gasket clean all surfaces, add a drop of lubricant ( anything will do) very little tho. Reinstall. Make sure to 1/8-1/4 turn once contact is made.

Silicone the gasket. Thin layers on both sides.

I’m lazy. I would just try to tighten it more first and see if it still leaks. Then try something else

If no gasket. You should have one. Add one.

 

[Alexander1312]

Correct, it seems to be between the fitting and the sump. I was able to confirm that only the secondary drain (right drain) has this issue, not the primary.

Admittedly, I have never spent a lot of time understanding the sump, and I know I should have. This came pre-plumbed by IM, and we/my son just plumbed it as per their instructions, which was fine for ten months until now.

I will research what a gasket is and then go back to the installation instructions to see if this was used.

What I did now to stop the bleeding is lower the overflow water level so that water is drained only through the primary drain. I am not sure if this causes any issues—or if this is how the water level should have been in the first place.

 

[Turkeysammich]

Gasket is a rubber O ring. It should be between the fitting and sump. When squeezed together with the fitting and nut on the other side. It forms a water tight seal.

 

[Alexander1312]

Gasket is a rubber O ring. It should be between the fitting and sump. When squeezed together with the fitting and nut on the other side. It forms a water tight seal.

Yes, so I believe this is what could be worn out. I will tighten it more first as you suggested. I do not know how to take this apart, frankly.

 

[Turkeysammich]

Yes that’s it. They take an extremely long time to go bad. If it’s easy to remove. I would take it out. Clean all surfaces. Add a little. I mean little lubricant. I’ve used vasoline, cooking oil, etc. put it back together. When you tighten it. The gasket should bulge just a little. Like the side of a hamburger. ) like this. Then your good.

 

[Alexander1312]

Thank you. Or Molykote 111 would work as well?

Just on the drain questions I had earlier. I assume the idea with the Bean Animal drain is that both primary and secondary drain will have water coming through, with the majority coming through the primary drain system?

 

[Turkeysammich]

Yes secondary drain is for noise control.
I’m not familiar with that grease. Natural is better but that’s just a guess. Plus you only use an extremely small amount like thin thin. Just to form a seal. But honestly you probably could skip that part. Cuz your seal is still new.