120 Gallon Setup Has Begun

[carpetride]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8097979#post8097979 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by marino420td
The bucket idea has helped with micro bubbles but I'm getting a surface scum build up in my sump. I 'm going to need to point a powerhead at the surface for agitation until I can figure something else out.

I've got some extra powerheads if you need one for a while. If the bucket sits down in the sump couldn't you drill holes in the bottom. You would have to sit the bucket on something, maybe short pieces of PVC.

 

[marino420td]

Thanks for the offer Trent. I might have to take you up on that. I could set the bucket up on some pvc scraps and drill holes in the bottom for water to pass through. I still haven't set my final sump volume yet. I'm waiting to get my closed loop installed along with my refuge. I got my refuge drilled today and the closed loop is almost complete. I hope to have them all installed before the end of the weekend.

 

[STEELERFAN747]

Hey Marino, Tank looks great, im glad to see you received your crew. Just a quick question.
How much gph of water flow do you currently have? I ask cause low flow could be a contributing factor.
On another note; I just ordered the maple for the stand and canopy. I should be receiving it on Tues. or so.

P.S. Yes I did enjoy the game.

 

[marino420td]

Well I just finished my closed loop. I'll be updating the thread with pictures later. It is powered by a Little Giant external pump rated at 1325 gph. My return pump is a Gen X Mak 4 rated at 1190 gph but there is some head loss with it. I would guess it is pumping around 700-800 gph. So total water movement should be about 2000 gph or a little more now. The algae problem has improved with the addition of the larger clean up crew. Plus the water change may have helped. Hopefully, things will begin to level off now and stabilize.

Do you have a thread going on your build?

That is not even right for a South Floridian to enjoy last night's game. I'm stuck here in Southeast Missouri, paying loads for Directv and the Sunday Ticket so I can watch the Dolphins. You are right in their backyard and rooting against them. So sad.

Pittsburgh did look strong. But I think Miami will win their share of games this year. I'm not all that disappointed losing the first game of the year on the road to the SuperBowl champs.

 

[Eashton123]

Whats the deal with damsels do you just not like them? Or is it something else?

 

[STEELERFAN747]

Pittsburgh did look strong. But I think Miami will win their share of games this year. I'm not all that disappointed losing the first game of the year on the road to the SuperBowl champs.

You are right, they did not look as strong as I would have liked but then again Big Ben was out of the line-up and eventhough Batch did a pretty good job, hes not Roethlisberger. They did show good D which id always great to see.

I do not have a thread going yet as all I have in my possesion are the moldings. I do plan on sterting the frame hopefully by this weekend so I hope I'll be able to start one soon.

Right now I've been busting my head trying to figure out which pumps to buy and figuering out on whether to buy a ready reef tank with side overflows or to build my own overflow in the center. I am kind of leaning towards building my own, I was thinking of making one about 36" long. That way I have a large surface skimming area and a place where I can place all the return tubbing as well as closed loop line.

I will however let you know what I end up deciding.

 

[STEELERFAN747]

Another thing, How do you like your gen x? How is the noise level? I ask because all my equipment has to go in the stand. (no extra room behind the display)

 

[marino420td]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8104040#post8104040 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Eashton123
Whats the deal with damsels do you just not like them? Or is it something else?

All of the damsels I have in my other tank are extremely aggressive towards all other tank inhabitants. This limits my fish selection as I don't want to spend a fortune on a nice fish, only to see him get his tail kicked by a $4 damsel.

Steelerfan, I'm very happy with my GenX pump. Of course, it is in another room but even when working around the sump, I hardly notice it running. I got a great deal on this one so I couldn't pass it up. If I were going to order branch new, I would probably get a little higher end pump.

 

[marino420td]

I worked on the tank all day today and made some good progress. I finished my closed loop system. Here are pics

I cut corner braces from acrylic to hold up the front of the loop. They rest in the lip of the tank trim.

Here are shots inside the tank

I'm not pleased with the look of the large white pvc elbows in the tank. So I will probably order more loc line to replace these with. I still have some tweaking to do in order to maximize flow and patterns. But this is much better than before.

 

[marino420td]

I also got my refugium put in place and partially plumbed. It is a 40 gal breeder that I bought from Petco for $40. Paid $15 to have it drilled so not too bad.

Note the handy paper towel holder. I always need easy access to paper towels around my tanks!

I'm trying to decide what to do about an overflow. Should I build a typical overflow from acrylic and install in this tank? Or will this work?

The pipe is not cut to the proper length but you get the idea. I drew teeth cutouts on the pipe that would act as an overflow. Would this work?

 

[STEELERFAN747]

I'm not pleased with the look of the large white pvc elbows in the tank.


You could use a few more tee's angled downward at a 45 degree angle possibly a little over the water line and attach the lock line to that.

 

[PatrickJ]

Steelerfan, its hard not to get those vortexs without putting the PVC deep into the tank. I can see where he is coming from.

I am using Loc-Tite balls to go into my tank, and I still get vortexs.

 

[PatrickJ]

double post

 

[Cuby2k]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8105694#post8105694 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by marino420td
I also got my refugium put in place and partially plumbed. It is a 40 gal breeder that I bought from Petco for $40. Paid $15 to have it drilled so not too bad.

The pipe is not cut to the proper length but you get the idea. I drew teeth cutouts on the pipe that would act as an overflow. Would this work?

Hey Marion, looking good. I like the sharpie black-outs on your overflow for demonstration, gets the point across very well. One question I have, are you going to run all of the water from your open loop through the 'fuge? I ask this because the drain line (from the 'fuge) looks small. Just food for thought.

Also, . . .dang, I had another question but I am still on my first cup of coffee and I have totally lost it. Well maybe later.

It sucks getting old man.

 

[Cuby2k]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8105656#post8105656 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by marino420td
I worked on the tank all day today and made some good progress. I finished my closed loop system. Here are pics

I remembered but I had to quote you so I could retain it for the two seconds it takes to switch to the reply mode. Sheesh.

Anyway, I noticed you have used different fittings on the discharge side of your closed loop. The one on the lower left looks threaded, different sizes, etc. Is that just what you had available or is there some science to it?

I think you are on the right track with more locline to hide the PVC though, please keep us posted on how it goes.

 

[marino420td]

I am not running all of the flow from my return pump thru the fuge. I have a T on my return line. I will run a little flow thru the fuge and the rest back into the main tank.

As far as the fitting on the closed loop outlets, I just wanted to be flexible. I wasn't sure if all 3/4" loc line would be the best. So I put some 1" fittings. I can either attach 1" elbows or use an adapter to cut these down for the loc line.

I'm not sure which is better, the 1" elbows or 3/4" loc line. The bigger lines spread the flow out better but they do not feel as strong.

 

[STEELERFAN747]

I would go with the 3/4 loc line. You should get stronger flow and you can angle it in any direction.

 

[marino420td]

Almost Done!

Almost Done!

I'm getting extremely close to having all pieces in place on this setup so I can begin to enjoy it. Today I finished installing the refugium. It is made from a 40 gallon breeder in which I added an acrylic divider for an overflow.

Here are pictures of the construction of the overflow. I bought this piece of acrylic from a glass shop for $15 (2' X 2' piece)

round the bottom corners to fit the silicone in the bottom of the tank

plywood jig for my router for cutting the teeth

I cut scraps of wood to hold the acrylic at the desired position while I siliconed in place

 

[marino420td]

Here is the refugium after adding aragonite and water

I didn't anticipate this much deflection from the water pressure. Hopefully it will hold up

Stockman standpipe. These are extremely easy to make and they do not take up much room

Still cloudy from the dust in the sand

Full shot of the equipment room

Now that all of the equipment (for now) is in place, I will begin to organize the cords and make them look a little neater. Plus I can put away most of the tools and supplies I have been using.

Almost there!

 

[STEELERFAN747]

Hey Marino, It's looking great cant wait to see how everything turns out.

P.S. It looks like you need a new roll of paper towels. (lol)