125 Gallon Upgrade

[Dashylock]

Jonny, funny you mention my plan for reusing the wp25 and mag18...this morning I just placed my order for 1 RW-15 wavemaker and a DC12000 return pump! I think this will be more than adequate for my tank.

OK I understand the setup for the drains, but have some questions about the return line.
The whole point of the Herbie is that it's safer and quieter than durso, so I'm thinking all rigid PVC for return is probably a bad idea. I thought I would incorporate some 1" vinyl tubing (3/4" ID) in between the rigid PVC so that I can Y the two return lines for an over the top setup - is that not a good solution? I went to a bunch of hardware stores looking for Spa tubing but the only thing I could find was 1 1/2" and I can't figure out how to connect that to my rigid PVC lines. I'm assuming I would need a barb/thread connection but nobody had that size.

Are ball valves sufficient for the drains or does it have to be gate valves?

Why would I need bulkheads to connect additional lines?

Does anyone have pics of their dual Herbie over the top return that is running larger than 1" lines?

Thanks for the help.guys!

 

[rovster]

You only need the additional bulkhead if you wanted to run the return through the back glass. Otherwise, run it over the back. You really need a gate valve to tune. Some may be able to get away with a ball valve, but fine tuning (which you have to do) us easier with a ball valve.

 

[Dashylock]

I won't be drilling the glass, don't have the nerves to do that! I guess that problem is that there are way too many options for the return. NOw I am thinking about using 1.5" pvc hose for the return...I have so many different types of fittings and pipes laying around my house :headwalls:

I reread Jonny's original post on this thread and he said I should use (2) 1" drainpipes and (2) 3/4" drainpipes...I was going to use (2) 1.5" and (2) 1" - which option is better?

Ok here is how I am imagining my Herbie setup, sorry for the crappy attempt. Let me know if this looks right.

 

[jonnyu]

1.5 " emergency drain way to much. As you they are only used on emergency if one of your main drains get stuck. .75 enough because If some thing happens to one all you have to compensate for is for a 1" main drain.

Now for your dc12000 it's a 1.5" outlet so don't bottle neck it with 1" line. Here is a pic of what it should look like.

Now for the 1.5 " spa line it actually glues right into any 1.5" fitting. You can then glue one end into your dc12000 hose barb

 

[Dashylock]

Your drawing is a huge help! I will downsize the 1.5" emergency to 3/4" and keep the main 1" drains.

Here is my latest attempt of the Herbie, drains only. The true union ball valves will be replaced with gate valves. True union lines = main drains.

 

[jonnyu]

It's looking good any more updates

 

[Dashylock]

I was hoping to get it wet this weekend but my dc12000 won't be here until Monday...I might have to use the mag 18 for a few days. I also need to hang my LEDs and set up my Apex.

Could I leave the emergency pipe with a 1" diameter instead of 3/4"? I'm also kind of unsure if my sump will be able to handle the higher flow rate of the dc12000? Sump is a 35 gallon, 36x12x16.

 

[jonnyu]

Yes you can leave it as 1".
Well not sure sump will handle that type of flow but pump has variable speed so you should be able to tweak it. If tank drain lines are submerged it will help with micro bubble issue and allow you to speed up pump.

 

[Dashylock]

Cool...I also have ball valves for each side of the return after it splits from 1.5" to 1". I should be receiving my gate valves today so I can start gluing the drain lines.

Does anyone know how I use this threaded bolt to hang my LEDs from the ceiling?

 

[Dashylock]

Got my gate valves today...bought them off eBay, best price I could find and really fast delivery.

 

[Dashylock]

Just threw my crappy T5 fixture onto the tank to see what it looks like with some actinics...

 

[Dashylock]

The End

Will post more pics of the build tomorrow but this is the progress I've made through today. Thanks to Jonnyu for all the help along the way, great reefer!

 

[Dashylock]

And a night shot

 

[jonnyu]

No problem. Tank looking good. Looking forward to the transfer

 

[Dashylock]

No problem. Tank looking good. Looking forward to the transfer

Thanks bud! I actually started moving over some corals...I'm impatient!

 

[Dashylock]

 

[Dashylock]

Its been about 3 weeks since my last post and wanted to share an update.

The transfer has been successful thus far, havent lost any fish or coral! I have been seeing the common new tank symptoms - diatom bloom and nitrates. I have been letting the diatoms do their thing due to laziness but with time I will start to manually remove it during water changes. I completed my first water change today, removing 10% and also cleaning diatoms off front glass.

I also added 3 squampinas anthias to the display, 2 female and 1 male.

My corals are doing well, Sps have great PE and seem to be enjoying the high flow from the 2 rw-15!

 

[Dashylock]

Here are some update shots if anyone's interested:

 

[jonnyu]

Looks awesome. Love the islands

 

[Dashylock]

Thanks bud! It's getting there, finally starting to see some stability and my parameters are locked in. Hopefully I'll start seeing some Sps growth!