280G+ Starphire In-Wall Build by ReefArtist

Couple questions about plumbing..... What are you using for the pump5 and pump8? Could you just use a bigger pump8? If you have to use two pumps I would consider putting both of them in the location of pump8. It seems like your going to be drawing a whole lot of air into the suction side of pump5 the way you have it drawn, with the skimmer return and the main tank drains, auxiliary tank drains etc. all in that one drop of the sump.
 
Thanks Dan, I was originally going to do that but then I added two other tanks to the plumbing mess and thought it might be to much for one. I'm thinking about going with either a Barracuda (4500max) or the Hammerhead (5800max). I thought if I stayed with one pump feeding the main display tank it would give me good flow and then I could slit the two returns and add some Penductor to maximize the flow. From what I understand you need some great flow for the Penductor to work correctly. But once I get the locations of everything and get the calculations from all the connectors - I might be able to use one pump. That would be really nice - and nicer down the road with my power bill.
 
Dan - I love your build, it looks fantastic. I really like you electrical setup - I'll be starting my in a few weeks.

Hey Mike - here they are the dimensions to the skimmer:
15" x 15" x 5.5" - Base Box
12" x 15.5" - Reaction Chamber
11" Reducing down to 6" - Riser Tube
32" - Overall Height
And of course the Dart on the side.
The capacity is estimated for a 600gal heavily stocked, and up to 1000gal lightly stocked.
 
I would calculate the flow you need through everything first, the equipment and all of the aux tanks with individual head loss calculated and totaled then decide on your pump. The downside to one pump setup is you absolutely need a backup pump so the cost savings is really nill. What I would focus on right now if cost savings via power is a goal is how you can gravity feed some of your stuff. Is it possible for instance to have one valve off the return pump feed the seahorse tank, which drains to the infinity and the infinity drains to the frag? Maybe not exactly like that but I think you get the idea. kind of like your tank drain to fuge.....free power.....good.....:)

If you do go two pumps though, do consider the location change of pump5 since I think this is a real concern.
 
I do see what you mean Dan and I like it. The flow through the Sea Horse tank will need to be slow and the same with the Infinity. So there might be a chance of that working. I'll need to draw it out and see if moving a few things will make this work. If I do end up going with the two pumps I would like for them to be the same. Thanks for suggestions - I'll take a look.
 
Here's the work that has been done on the fish room - framing is almost complete. I need to put the rafters up and complete the framing of the AC unit window. Once I get this finished the drywall will be added. I need to do this fast because of my power bill - hard to seal everything around the tank. Here's a photo of the framing and the tool that made it look easy! Also my door will need to be cut down but that should be a fairly easy job (right?!)

132223Fish_Room_Walls.gif

First my design layout

132223InsideFishRoom.jpg

Looking from the inside of the fish room out

132223FramingGun.jpg

The tool that made this easy!
 
I can tell from the detail of the drawings that while you say you're an artist, you still have a lot of enginneer left in you.

Nice Job so far. Can't wait to see how this turns out.
 
I only have a few questions.

Did you consider moving the sump towards the door and the skimmer closer to the two stacked tanks? With a good filter, that A/C unit could help cool not only the room but the sump too. I would worry about it blowing directly on the skimmer. I would also worry about "bumpages" as one enters the room.

How does the plumbing work with the door? Are the Frag and QT tanks tied at all to the sump? Will you move water manually?

A rather random thought but I don't see a work surface.... If one is not currently in the mix, a workable solution, if desired, is to add a droppable surface to the back of the seahorse tank. It could be lifted when needed and dropped when working on the seahorse tank.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10564456#post10564456 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefArtist
Also my door will need to be cut down but that should be a fairly easy job (right?!)
Click to expand...
Depends on the door... ;)

Looking great! :thumbsup:
 
Thanks everyone for the comments and I'm looking into all possibilities now. A friend of mine and I added the inside hardiebacker board this weekend. This stuff is very hard to work with but we got it done. Sometime this week or next weekend I'll get a chance to sand everything down. Next will be the rough electrical and then start plumbing away.

132223FishRoomRough.jpg
 
It does look like it but no I used hardiebacker because I'm also in the middle of remodeling my bathroom. I had a few sheets left and decided to do the inside of the fish room with it. Wet, mildew resistant should hold up to any flood I can throw it - hopefully! The white stuff is actually thin-set mortar. This is how I did my bathroom - the thin set works great and you just sand it flat to the wall.
 
Yeah - I'm figuring Storm shelter! We should get a break on our insurance with a room like that - Right!!!! Dan, that's what I was thinking - sand it down, primer and a coat of water proof paint. Nothing will be getting through those walls!
 
Wow, looks like a lot of work. I am really interested in the plumbing!! I am subscribed. . . . Looks great so far.
 
Welcome aboard everyone - any thoughts just speak up.

Mike - I just checked and the 1/2 board weighs in at 39lbs and is 3'x5'. It wasn't to bad, but of course I was the one screwing in the screws not holding it up :D.

Here are some new additions to my livestock list - Picked them up today from a local reefer - they are beautiful!

132223Rambo4Web.jpg

Hippocampus zosterae - Rambo

132223Goldie3Web.jpg

Hippocampus erectus - Godzilla
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

U
New build
Replies
3
Views
304
griss
griss
M
Iam about to build my forever tank. Any advice? I want to migrate my current two ranks
Replies
5
Views
244
Paul B
Paul B
griss
15 Gallon Fuge Build
2 3
Replies
56
Views
1K
Reefing102
Reefing102
M
Iam about to build my forever tank. Any advice? I want to migrate my current two tanks
Replies
8
Views
318
markjmbond
M
AZBigJohn
New Build... I'm back
Replies
15
Views
447
Dustin07
D
Back
Top