210G Upgrade / Build (Lots of Pics)

[D5HP]

I like options one and two.

I'd use the pumps I had on hand and just tee them together right there at the overflow box. Now, I'd use a Y fitting instead of a tee since you'll experience far less loss. Now, you'd obviously have two pumps fighting for the same cause. What is the plumbing size for that hole? If you're increasing at that point, I say go for it. Backflow won't be any different I don't think. Once the back siphon breaks that single down-tube will fill with air and essentially equal amounts of air will go down both...breaking the siphon at the same time in each tube.


If you go with the dart pump...I would just plumb each 1" line into a tee such that each 1" path was the exact same length. Basically just make sure that tee is in the middle of each hole and then the pump would effectively experience no differences.

HTH

Looking forward to the display shots!

 

[michael_in_nc]

I like options one and two.

I'd use the pumps I had on hand and just tee them together right there at the overflow box. Now, I'd use a Y fitting instead of a tee since you'll experience far less loss. Now, you'd obviously have two pumps fighting for the same cause. What is the plumbing size for that hole? If you're increasing at that point, I say go for it. Backflow won't be any different I don't think. Once the back siphon breaks that single down-tube will fill with air and essentially equal amounts of air will go down both...breaking the siphon at the same time in each tube.


If you go with the dart pump...I would just plumb each 1" line into a tee such that each 1" path was the exact same length. Basically just make sure that tee is in the middle of each hole and then the pump would effectively experience no differences.

HTH

Looking forward to the display shots!

Yeah, I'm leaning towards doing something different than my original plan (1 or 2). On option 1, I probably didn't word it the best. I was worried about the two pumps 'fighting' each other to some degree (rather than a siphon issue with them off). I agree the siphon should be the same with 1 or 2 pumps. I had thought about the 'Y' versus the 'T', too. I could do it right at the entrance to the DT bulkhead (I think it's 1.5", but it could be 2", I'd need to check). What if one pump died? Wouldn't it get back fed by the remaining pump? Maybe that's not a big deal...

I think if I knew the bulkheads would be fine, I'd just go up to the Reeflo Dart/Snapper hybrid and start out with the Snapper setup. That would put the flow at about 1200+ GPH which would be just under 5x turnover per hour. Seems like a reasonable target. I could keep one of my LG pumps to be a backup, and sell the other one to offset my upgrade cost.

Decisions, decisions....

Thanks for the input!

 

[D5HP]

Ahhh now I see your main concern.

Yes, there would be some backflow. In fact if you used a TEE I bet your overall turnover would drop drastically. With the Y fitting, you probably wouldn't see a drastic turnover there as the path back down through the other pump would be a lot more 'resistant' than the once up into the display if you put tied them together right at the overflow box.

Looks like you've already been considering all of these things though

 

[125mph]

What kind of stain is on that walnut stand? I'm building my own right now, brought some cherry plywood.. Need to figure out if i want to stain it or not.

 

[michael_in_nc]

I'd need to ask the builder to get the exact stain. I did learn that lighting, wood grain, etc. make a huge difference in determining what stain to use. It was very hard to pick something out because the end result can vary so much.

I will ask what we ended up with.

 

[frank the tank]

very nice build seem like u deff went the extra mile and did everthing very well any photos of it up and running ?

 

[michael_in_nc]

Still pulling everything together. The canopy lift system and final adjustments are taking some time. I am working on the plumbing and almost have a first cut on that. I'll post some more pics soon of the plumbing & electrical work.

I had a lightning strike at the house and lost some electronics, so that has slowed me down some. I thought it took out the Apex, but fortunately I was wrong and it is fine.

 

[michael_in_nc]

Some plumbing progress:

First water test. I went ahead and changed out from (2) Little Giant's to (1) Reeflo Snapper / Dart Hybrid. This is both the Dart & one Little Giant running. I'm still going to use one Little Giant pump to run the old tank off the same system (75G). The flow will be lower once it's all setup as the pumps don't have any head pressure for this test.

The business end:

manifold for running the reactors, water change, etc.

Skimmer (SRO-3000INT) & two return line for the main display (2"):

Full shot:

 

[insane04]

wow that is some amazing work going into this system!!!!

 

[kdrof]

Michael, i like the idea with the skimmer. I may do that since it sits right at the top of my water level. What exactly did you use and the sizes if you may remember by chance? Thanks.. Also looking great man

 

[michael_in_nc]

wow that is some amazing work going into this system!!!!

Thanks, and Welcome to RC!

 

[michael_in_nc]

Michael, i like the idea with the skimmer. I may do that since it sits right at the top of my water level. What exactly did you use and the sizes if you may remember by chance? Thanks.. Also looking great man

I've been running it that way on the dry rock and it seems to work pretty well. I used a 3" pipe with 2" Y. I was planning on making a few more adjustments. The SRO-3000INT has metric PVC, so you have to get a conversion piece or do something else. I got an o-ring and I'm going to get a groove cut in the 1.5" PVC to hold the o-ring. That will make a nice snug fit, where it's loose now. I might also run a small piece of 3" vertical with a cap and drill some holes for the air to escape. I'm really trying to keep the salt spray and moisture levels down.

 

[michael_in_nc]

Doing a dry run on the electrical, too:

Electrical compartment:

Got the reactors mounted and one of the dosers.

 

[reeftanknewbie]

great work as always.....still think you need a fan in the electrical area though like maybe near where the wires are coming into the panel.

 

[michael_in_nc]

great work as always.....still think you need a fan in the electrical area though like maybe near where the wires are coming into the panel.

Yes, agreed. I am running the electrical and plumbing to see where the best place is to put it. it's getting tighter in that area than I thought, so it will require some thinking...

 

[kdrof]

Looks awesome man. You going to run carbon and GFO in the reactors?

 

[michael_in_nc]

Looks awesome man. You going to run carbon and GFO in the reactors?

That was my plan. I have used carbon, but not GFO on my current setup. The carbon I just had in a bag, but that is a pain and in the end doesn't get changed like it should. I'm hoping this is a cleaner setup and easier to deal with....

 

[michael_in_nc]

'Twas the night before Christmas....

Tomorrow is setup day.... almost anyway. Canopy lift is not quite complete as the powder coating oven broke. I am getting it moved into place and ready to go but no water tomorrow until I get the lift installed and the tank pushed back against the wall....

 

[aquaph8]

Almost there man, excited to see it with water.

 

[michael_in_nc]

Tank is in the house now!

Had lots of help, so the move was smooth.