120 gallon rimless with basement sump
- Thread starter ReefingHavoc
- Start date
ReefingHavoc
Member
I ran 2 part in my old tank for about 3 years with the same bulkheads and rigid tubing and didn't seem to have problems, but there could have been and I didn't notice it.
That being said, you've peaked my interest so I'm going to set up a small test to see if air bubbles are getting in the lines.
I'm going to calibrate three BRS 1.1 pumps pulling from my dosing container and set up a schedule through my Apex to pull water in cycles over a 24 hour period. I'll check the lines for bubbles and see if the expected amount is pulled out from each. Not scientific, but may answer the question.
I do notice a couple small bubbles in the tube that pulls from the sump, but those could be trapped from the startup.
ReefingHavoc
Member
120 gallon rimless with basement sump
The lights are an Aquatic Life T5-Hybrid built into a custom hood. I want to say I got the lights through Marine Depot, but they're sold elsewhere
The lights are an Aquatic Life T5-Hybrid built into a custom hood. I want to say I got the lights through Marine Depot, but they're sold elsewhere
shred5
Premium Member
I was asking about the rack.. The part that holds up the hood?
gatohoser
New member
I ran 2 part in my old tank for about 3 years with the same bulkheads and rigid tubing and didn't seem to have problems, but there could have been and I didn't notice it.
That being said, you've peaked my interest so I'm going to set up a small test to see if air bubbles are getting in the lines.
I'm going to calibrate three BRS 1.1 pumps pulling from my dosing container and set up a schedule through my Apex to pull water in cycles over a 24 hour period. I'll check the lines for bubbles and see if the expected amount is pulled out from each. Not scientific, but may answer the question.
I do notice a couple small bubbles in the tube that pulls from the sump, but those could be trapped from the startup.
Very cool. I'm excited to see how that works as I'm just setting up my DOS right now and trying o figure out how I'm going to run the lines, rigid and bulkheads or just soft right through the caps.
ReefingHavoc
Member
ReefingHavoc
Member
ReefingHavoc
Member
Update on the dosing line experiment...mixed results. After calibrating, I filled each of the containers to 500 ml and set up the dosers to take 100 ml over the course of 24 hours. Three things I was looking for:
1. Did the three pumps take out equal amounts?
2. Did they take out the right amount?
3. Bubbles in the lines
I checked the progress after 19 hours with an expectation that just about 80 ml would have been pulled. Good news is that 1 of them did pull 80 ml. Bad news is that the other two did not (but pretty close) and all three had small bubbles.
What is my unscientific takeaway? Bubbles can potentially impact dosing amounts. So can poor calibration, which could also be a byproduct of air leaking through the bulkhead. When I think back to how I originally had the dosers set up, I was running RO lines from them, not the flexible tubing included. After doing some researching online, it sounds like some are having more success with RO line as it may seat better in the bulkhead. The only problem is I can't see if there are air bubbles in the line.
I'll likely set up the experiment again, but with RO lines. My only gauge will be if they all pull equal amounts
1. Did the three pumps take out equal amounts?
2. Did they take out the right amount?
3. Bubbles in the lines
I checked the progress after 19 hours with an expectation that just about 80 ml would have been pulled. Good news is that 1 of them did pull 80 ml. Bad news is that the other two did not (but pretty close) and all three had small bubbles.
What is my unscientific takeaway? Bubbles can potentially impact dosing amounts. So can poor calibration, which could also be a byproduct of air leaking through the bulkhead. When I think back to how I originally had the dosers set up, I was running RO lines from them, not the flexible tubing included. After doing some researching online, it sounds like some are having more success with RO line as it may seat better in the bulkhead. The only problem is I can't see if there are air bubbles in the line.
I'll likely set up the experiment again, but with RO lines. My only gauge will be if they all pull equal amounts
gatohoser
New member
Update on the dosing line experiment...mixed results. After calibrating, I filled each of the containers to 500 ml and set up the dosers to take 100 ml over the course of 24 hours. Three things I was looking for:
1. Did the three pumps take out equal amounts?
2. Did they take out the right amount?
3. Bubbles in the lines
I checked the progress after 19 hours with an expectation that just about 80 ml would have been pulled. Good news is that 1 of them did pull 80 ml. Bad news is that the other two did not (but pretty close) and all three had small bubbles.
What is my unscientific takeaway? Bubbles can potentially impact dosing amounts. So can poor calibration, which could also be a byproduct of air leaking through the bulkhead. When I think back to how I originally had the dosers set up, I was running RO lines from them, not the flexible tubing included. After doing some researching online, it sounds like some are having more success with RO line as it may seat better in the bulkhead. The only problem is I can't see if there are air bubbles in the line.
I'll likely set up the experiment again, but with RO lines. My only gauge will be if they all pull equal amounts
Awesome. Thanks for doing that.
JamesHolt
Active member
That was supposed to be a cover hood, but life and an upgrade canceled that...
ReefingHavoc
Member
ReefingHavoc
Member
Starting test number 2 on the dosing lines - RODI line from container to pumps
Great build and skills. Really like how your doing pretty much everything DIY. As i have started to build a 90g system very similar to yours. With the basement sump, lighting fixtures mainly. You have given me some great ideas I have not thought of yet. And especially solved the problem of getting the fixture out of the way for tank mx. I will be using/stealing that idea. I see your in Mansfield. I visit that area (mainly Loudonville) on a regular basis. So couple of questions for you, if you don't mind.
1. Where did you get your 8020 supplies from? I haven't been able to find the pivot/hinge you used.
2. Any good LFS in Mansfield you use? or do you run over to the major cites CLV, Columbus Akron areas.
Thanks
1. Where did you get your 8020 supplies from? I haven't been able to find the pivot/hinge you used.
2. Any good LFS in Mansfield you use? or do you run over to the major cites CLV, Columbus Akron areas.
Thanks
ReefingHavoc
Member
ReefingHavoc
Member
I'm actually near Mayfield, OH, not Mansfield. Depending on the size of your light rack you may be able to go with 10 series instead of 15, which will save some money. I have 10 on my 29 gallon.
Good luck!
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