170 Gallon Moonview Library set up

[jglackin]

Thanks for the feedback.

I am using a Reeflo Snapper with a 2" inlet to the pump and 1" flexible PVC back to the tank.

 

[jglackin]

This may be easier to view:

 

[kimoy]

one other thig i noticed is, how much flow are you putting in your fuge? you want a slow flow as much as possible.

 

[jglackin]

Thanks. That's kind of what I have thought as well.

I have Doug Lehman building this for me. I think he has built a couple million of these. He suggested that I have the scrubber drain into the sump return rather than the fuge, that must be why.

I am likely going to throw some chaeto and/or other plants in the fuge for more refuge, slow the flow, and to help pull out more phosphates and whatever.

 

[jglackin]

OK, the sump is done! Doug did an incredible job with the sump. I am highly pleased with the result. Not only did I get a good sump, I got an unbelievable amount of advice and consultation.

Unfortunately, it all has gone down hill from there. I have literally spent the entire holiday weekend screwing around with getting this set up. To say that I suck at plumbing would be an understatement. I have made no less than 10 trips to Home Depot. I have made three trips to Old Town Aquarium for bulkheads. I have been on the phone at least twice with Doug and I am STILL NOT DONE. Some of it is Murphy's Law. Some of it is poor planning. And some of it is outright stupidity.

To give you an example: I have filled the overflows with water to check for leaks and the bulkheads leak. I didn't know that I am supposed to take the foam padding off the bottom of the tank. Ok, chalk that up to experience. I remove the padding and fill them up again. One of the bulkheads leaks even worse!! Then I notice that I forgot the gasket!! Inexcusable. I should be shot.

I am done for the weekend. I will try to figure this all out later.

 

[BlakDuc]

Jim, get back to work.

 

[jglackin]

I need to, but I am going to give it a rest for today and then start back tomorrow.

 

[jglackin]

OK, finally, here is a rough sketch of ultimately how the sump/refugium was built. I am going to build some type of plastic box that the pump will sit in because I have already found that, when disconnecting the pump, a large amount of water will run out on the stand and floor. I will need to have something to capture that spillage. Other than that, this works like a charm. It fits perfectly in the stand and it looks very professional.

 

[driftin]

I'm wondering if that's the best place for your top-off float valve. Because the fuge will overflow into the sump, I don't think the water level will fluctuate, even when the system has evaporated water off. I think the only area that will see a difference in water height as water evaporates off your system will be the section of the sump that has the 2" outlet to the return pump.

 

[kimoy]

i agree with the float valve. and one other thing is, how are you going to eliminate the microbubbles in the return area if you have water droping down from your scrubber? might want to check on that. and also you might want to add a couple more baffles in the skimmer and and return are to eliminate more bubbles. i have this problem on my system. JFYI

 

[jglackin]

Thanks. You caught me. The float valve does go in the return area and not in the refugium.

For the return, to eliminate microbubbles, I have a section of egg crate with some sponge material that sits on top of it. A detail that I neglected to add to the sketch.

 

[Douglas LEHMAN]

Hello Jim
When you have a chance send me some dimension, LxWxH and I can a build a dribble pan for the pump. (14"x7"x2" high perimeter lip ?)...

 

[jglackin]

I can't believe it, but I am FINALLY done plumbing this thing. I finished up the plumbing today after I got the parts I needed to finish yesterday.

I have been traveling a lot lately for both business and pleasure, so this project has been put on the back burner. Additionally, what I have been dealing with is that the parts I have needed are not generally available, such as Home Depot, Ace Hardware, etc, so I have had to go to a plumbing store. The problem is that plumbing supply stores are not open on the weekends! And since I have been traveling during the week, the weekends are all I have.

OK, enough whining. I finished the plumbing and now I have taken everything out of the stand because I am going to line the inside of the cabinet with plexiglass and install a 3" lip of plexiglass around the back and front edges. As I have been doing the plumbing, running water through the pipes, disconnecting, reconnecting, and screwing around with this, I have noticed that there is a lot of drippage. A little here a little there, but it adds up. Add in the fact that it is salt water and it makes it even messier and more damaging.

Has anyone else done something like this? Any suggestions?

I will post pictures later.

 

[BrandesFam]

you using teflon tape and/or silicone on all your connections that aren't solvented together? That usually gets me (especially where there is high pressure, like from the sump to the display etc). Post pics!

 

[jglackin]

Yes, I have that all taken care of. No leaks, thankfully. I ran the sump, refugium, drains and returns with freshwater for several hours on Sunday and there were no drips. However, when you disconnect the pump to service it, disconnect lines for whatever reason, add new pieces of equipment, etc, there is always a little bit of spillage. Over time, it all adds up to damage and salt creep.

 

[jglackin]

It's almost a dream, it is so unbelievable to me, but I have finally filled the tank with sand and saltwater and the pumps are humming along. I have not put any live rock in yet, but that is next weekend's project. I will post a video this week some time. I am traveling and have almost no time to focus on taking videos, let alone spend it on the tank.

A big thanks to Rod for some parts and great advice, Doug Lehman for a killer sump and refugium and a massive amount of advice, and mcliffy2 for great advice and letting me borrow his RO unit twice. Also a big thank you to Downtown Pets for advice, parts, and supplies and also to Ocean's Design for having a great price on live sand and other supplies.

Videos are coming, I swear.

 

[WhiskeyReefer]

Awesome set up- I'm Jealous!!!!

 

[WhiskeyReefer]

Awesome set up- I'm Jealous

 

[mcliffy2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10256962#post10256962 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WhiskeyReefer
Awesome set up- I'm Jealous!!!!

I've seen it...it is better in person than the pics, will be awesome to watch it grow out.

 

[jglackin]

Thanks, Mcliffy2, I must say that I am very pleased with how it looks. However, I am traveling now and I am nervous about leaving the pumps running with me not there until I can establish there are no issues.

I am taking a big leap of faith!