300 DT w/ 150 gallon Sump +

[Aquatron]

Comming from a background of designing/building aquarium systems i am alway's looking for new ways to create different flows. Here is one way i have made to use in a couple of my large reactors......i call it "Gatlin flow" lol
I enjoy the detail of DIY builds and go to great lengths to install detail most hobbiest wouldn't maybe calling me OCDDdddd
Hope you enjoy the pics!

Thanks,

 

[Kroamium]

Wouldn't the small streams of water in your gatlin flo's build up enough pressure to destroy, as in break it down, your media faster then expected. Don't you want a smooth continous flow through your reactors to keep the media from breaking down.

 

[Aquatron]

Hey Kroamium,
Great question and you are right about not wanting any kind of media breakdown within reactors. My thinking on these were lots of outlets to create smooth flow at different gph's with a way to release any back pressure.
The yellow reactor will be a fluidized sand filter first filled with marbel size rock about 2" depth then about 8lbs Aragasnow. The rock will allow higher flow without destroying the bio material.....thats my plan/hope anyway
The red reactor will be filled with K1 as it will be a moving bed filter with controlled air injection.
I will control the gph to each reactor from its color coded gate valve from the sump using pumps around the 1500gph range knowing i will have head and friction giving some lost flow.
As you know these reactors are not needed to run a reef tank but i have some thoughts and playing with these will help me see if my thoughts have any value to them to share with others
Thanks for the questions and input!

 

[FoxDaddy]

I noticed the reactors were painted on the inside. Did you do that or are they already like that?

 

[Aquatron]

Hi FD,
I painted them......

Thanks for stoppN by

 

[muttley000]

Looking good aquatron! Where did you get the light fixture that you clamped on your rubbermaid?

 

[Aquatron]

I bought 10 of them from BobbyV but i believe they are or like automotive flex clamp on? I like them pretty well made they were in boxes...blue and white color Magnetic Tools.

 

[Bigred]

Looking good!!! Keep the pics coming.

 

[Aquatron]

Thanks Bigred
Ordering the different things to build my foam wall and aquascaping now......been looking forward to this part for awhile now!

 

[Aquatron]

Well i kinda hit a snag with my close loop pumps so i sent them back yesterday. Now that i have my close loop system plumbed for four pumps i will need to get another game plan
Been helping a friend build his frag farm system for the last three weekends and hope to finish this Saturday. Then it back to finish mine once i get the pump thing worked out
Maybe i should just get a Hydro Wizard...........

 

[glennf]

you put a lot of work into designing something different. looks cool als those colorful hosing

 

[Aquatron]

Thank You glennf for the kind words Thinking/Designing part has been fun and will be great to see it all come together.......i hope..lol

 

[Aquatron]

Here is my new "MO FLOW" SPINNER design return outlet using 1000gph with adjustable wave action and vortex flow

Questions alway's welcome.....

 

[drej424]

This is so interesting, Aquatron! We are planning a tank upgrade and I asked my husband to read this thread. (I can't really ask any questions because I can barely follow what you're doing!). I love this hobby but plumbing gives me a headache! Thanks for all the detail. I'm sure our build will be better because of your sharing.

Denise

 

[Aquatron]

Thank you drej424 very nice of you to say When you guys are ready i would be happy to help with your plumbing layout. Most of what i am doing is not needed to run a healthy reef system, it's for me to tinker with to learn new things so i can share with great hobbiest such as you and your husband.
QUESTIONS always welcome!

 

[saltymix]

This tank is going to look sweet.

 

[worm5406]

I can not wait to see this thing wet and a video of how it all works together.

And heck.. I thought if I got a rubbermaid container it would be just water in and water out. LOL (kidding btw)

 

[Aquatron]

Thanks guy's getting close

 

[muttley000]

I assume the flow makes this spin.m how does it work?

 

[Aquatron]

I assume the flow makes this spin.m how does it work?

Yes the sump return flow makes it spin......Inside the bulkhead that is above the tee has a custom machined part that allows it to spin with no friction, noise, or wear to the part. You can adjust the speed of spin and also the flow by turning the nipples on each side of tee up or down. Up make it spin faster while down slows the spin. It sits just under surface water and ripples surface as it spins while sending a vortex flow downward......in a nut shell...lol

I will get a video asap