270 Gallon Shallow

[Dadekster]

Just a quick update. I will post pictures tomorrow probably when I am off. Our area is getting a lot of rain and that makes it busy for me at work the last four days. Some things that I have managed to get done.

1. Made two Hoffman gurgle buster standpipes
2. Completed the drains.
3. Added piping for easy draining for measured water changes.

I also received my salt and two bags of the reef substrate sand. I have to admit the reef substrate sand looks really nice with whole shells in it and large rubble mixed with finer grain sand. It's pricey but I am thinking of ordering two more bags. I still need to order another light system and I also need to order rock.

A question for some of you reefers. I tore down my display about six months ago and even though it broke my heart I put about 100 lbs of prime rock in my backyard due to no space. It is bleached bone white now and has been getting soaked by rain (should be good Pacific ocean rain I hope) on and off the last four months. What do you guys think about adding this rock? I plan on buying some marco rock and also adding a few small select super scrutinized pieces from the LFS for bio diversity. I hate to see the rock I have wasted though. Any thoughts? I don't mind a cycle as I will be just adding five small fish in the next six months after water hits the tank. I'm in no rush, but also don't have the time or inclination to cure rock in my garage for a month or two.

 

[jpa0741]

I say clean the rock good and use. It is the same as the Marco rock you are ordering.

 

[Dadekster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14457745#post14457745 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jpa0741
I say clean the rock good and use. It is the same as the Marco rock you are ordering.

I think I will be taking your suggestion and going exactly that. I have looked at it and it's bone dry. I will put it in the sump area for a while while I'm letting the system run for a week and do some water tests and see what happens.

Onto other news, I hit a snag...again...as I began my leak test. I had planned to start filling the tank up with RODI water instead of tap since I didn't want to waste water draining it once the leak test was done just to fill it up with RODI water. I figured it could fill up to the top and then I could watch the plumbing as it filled up piping and the sump tanks. I have enough valves and so forth that I can isolate any section of plumbing I need to fix leaks if I find them.

So I mentioned a problem right? Well I started to fill the tank up and I knew it was gonna take a while so I went to bed. My system is a 60 gallon/24 hour deal just fyi. So I come down in the morning and it smells like a fish market downstairs. I walked around wondering what the heck it was thinking the cats got in the trash or something. Nope, it was coming from my water. Seems my filters are shot. TDS of 86 coming out :mad2: I haven't used it in about 2 weeks and forgot I had it outside although I had it covered. I think that was a mistake. I have since ordered new filters from specturepure. My lights are also on order, and one day Aquacave will let me know when they are being shipped I guess

Once I get my camera charged I will take some pics of the plumbing and post it so you guys can critique/laugh at my efforts

 

[Dadekster]

Ok, so pictures. All the plumbing is done except of course the right side where the surge tank will go. I'll be fully wet before that side gets done since I need to put my existing live stock somewhere. Other than that, all that is left is to prime and glue the pipe in place. But I'd figure I'd put what I have up here first since I'm in no rush needing filters before I can fill er' up. So here are some shots of the plumbing and most of the electrical. Please voice any concerns or questions regarding what I have done or am doing. I might even be able to explain the reasoning behind the madness

Left side of the tank. One drain goes into this 40 gallon breeder. It has a ph probe, and temp probe from the AquaJr. as well as the skimmer. From here I have the 40 gallon breeder hooked up to a 40 gallon rubbermaid style true sump. They are union hooked so I can separate them as needed for maintenance and flow can be controlled via a valve between them.

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The right side has the true sump. I will have live rock/ macro in here, my carbon, output for the chiller and the CA reactor feed in here. In addition I left room on the right side for additional hookups if I need to later. I plumbed off the return line so I can do measured water changes relatively easy.

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I have setup this to be as simple as possible with the exception of using certain plumbing parts I had on hand instead of making a special trip to Home Depot (hence some of the odd plumbing connections for those of you paying attention ). My primary focus when setting this all up was to be able to perform all maintenance tasks to be as simple and painless as possible. I have a huge area to work with under the tank. The skimmer is easy to get to, carbon easy to change, CA reactor in easy spot to reach, return pump easy to check, etc. Even the lights are easy to reach and work on if needed (another reason I picked T5's/less bulb changes). I learned quickly on my first tank, if's a pita to work on, it doesn't get done when it needs to.

So there you have it. I am going to leave it as is for a day or two and continue to stare at it and see if anything pops into my mind as wrong or easier to do. Like I said, please share your thoughts if you see anything as well.