Disassembly, Transport, and Storage
22
© 2012 Little River Research & Design; updated July 2018
When breaking down the model, remember that
the reservoir cannot be moved while full of water.
•
It is easiest to use the pump and tubing to drain the reservoir.
•
Remove the flow outlet from the tubing and place the tubing so that water drains into a
container that can be carried when full of water (media buckets work well for this purpose) or
directly into a proper drainage area. See Figure 23.
•
Turn on the pump to move water out of the reservoir.
Disassembly, Transport and Storage
As much as 10 gal (38 L) of “groundwater” will remain in the
media and box after the pump has been turned off and flow
from the standpipe has slowed to a deceptive trickle. Before
storage of the model, most of this remaining water must be
drained from the sediment. This water can take several hours
to drain.
Pile the media at the upstream end of the box to aid drainage.
You can also remove the standpipe to speed along the
process. You may also elevate the upper end of the model
with a 2-inch shim between the box’s support rib and the
support.
The sediment is biologically inert and can be removed from
the model and stored damp, though it is best to provide a
means for drainage. A 40- or 50-gal container with a few holes
in the bottom works well. A scrap of plastic filter cloth over the
holes will keep sediment from being lost. Remember that the
sediment may weigh well over 200 lb (91 kg) when wet.
Note
: To prevent growth of mold and bacteria, add about 10 ml
of household bleach to the buckets if you plan to store them wet.
Figure 23. Place the tubing so that it
drains into a smaller, separate
container if there is no drainage
area nearby. Turn on the pump to
move water out of the reservoir.
