600 gallon NEW BUILD

[Ricardo18]

How much water is in your overflow boxes? With return pump off, they should empty in seconds...

You are right..They are extra large, probably2 gallons each and they do empty in seconds because the full siphon is still operating even though the return pump is off.
Now that I think of it; I have a check valve at my return pump which stops the return lines from siphoning...so I don't see the necessity of Mark's check valve thing.

 

[Ricardo18]

https://youtu.be/RVlxqeLzA3U

 

[McPuff]

Wow, that is incredibly cool. I really like how clean everything is, literally and figuratively. You have done a great job.

 

[crackedcorn]

Great Video, what a sweet setup, love your equipment room & aquascape.
Have u decided on a schedule for the radions? I"m still trying to find one to import for my 3ooG. Mixed reef.

 

[Ricardo18]

Great Video, what a sweet setup, love your equipment room & aquascape.
Have u decided on a schedule for the radions? I"m still trying to find one to import for my 3ooG. Mixed reef.

I am still working on a schedule.I ran some par tests and I am only getting 300 up on top. This is at 50%. HOWEVER..I am a good 15" above water level, which is high. I will try and keep this height because it allows excellent access to the tank...and I will kick up the strength to compensate.I am shooting for at least 450 up on top for SPS.

 

[Ricardo18]

Wow, that is incredibly cool. I really like how clean everything is, literally and figuratively. You have done a great job.

Thanks McPuff (daddy?)

 

[fixmgood]

You are right..They are extra large, probably2 gallons each and they do empty in seconds because the full siphon is still operating even though the return pump is off.
Now that I think of it; I have a check valve at my return pump which stops the return lines from siphoning...so I don't see the necessity of Mark's check valve thing.

The problem with the check valve at the pump is, if something gets stuck in it and does not close properly it will drain the tank until it sucks air to stop it.I am not finding fault with your system just trying to help you avoid a flood.

 

[Sphack]

Very cool setup and video!

 

[Ricardo18]

The problem with the check valve at the pump is, if something gets stuck in it and does not close properly it will drain the tank until it sucks air to stop it.I am not finding fault with your system just trying to help you avoid a flood.

I know... I feel the love!

So I get it.....

If that happens, then the DT water will continue to drain until it hits the return
outlets, which in my tank would mean about 50 gallons (too much!)...so now the safety valve makes sense.
Right?

 

[rickztahone]

Hey Ricardo, I thought you were going to paint the back of the tank? How does the tank look when the light is off in the back room? Is it even noticeable?

 

[Ricardo18]

Hey Ricardo, I thought you were going to paint the back of the tank? How does the tank look when the light is off in the back room? Is it even noticeable?

The plan is still in place.I am just in no rush because I am still working on the placement of some rock and I am stocking fish and coral and I still need a view of the rear to see how everyone is behaving.For example, I have a too-big female blueline clown that I will have to trap and remove.

After making two medium size bubble-tips commit suicide with her badgering she has taken to digging a large hole in the rear sand bed. So

that is where the trap will go.This all would have been very difficult to see/do with only front access.

 

[albano]

...This all would have been very difficult to see/do with only front access.

Instead of painting the back, why not get the reversible blue/black background film from Petco/LFS...easy to remove to see in back and also change color

 

[Ricardo18]

Instead of painting the back, why not get the reversible blue/black background film from Petco/LFS...easy to remove to see in back and also change color

Yes..the vinyl sheets are definitely the way to go.(not permanent)

 

[Gravis]

Norway is tagging along!

 

[biecacka]

I use a very thin piece of black acrylic back of my tank. I use Velcro to hold it in place as well as the magnets for my vortechs

Corey

 

[Ridgeway Swiss]

Yes..the vinyl sheets are definitely the way to go.(not permanent)

On mine I've used the one way auto film for tinting car windows. You can choose the colour and the darkness. It works well as I can still see through the back but from the front you cannot, also I chose a blue mirror finish that extends the view to make the tank look deeper.

 

[Ricardo18]

On mine I've used the one way auto film for tinting car windows. You can choose the colour and the darkness. It works well as I can still see through the back but from the front you cannot, also I chose a blue mirror finish that extends the view to make the tank look deeper.

Hey..one way...now that makes good sense!I will check into that, thanks

 

[Ricardo18]

I use a very thin piece of black acrylic back of my tank. I use Velcro to hold it in place as well as the magnets for my vortechs

Corey

Do you mean you put velcro BETWEEN the Vortech heads?..or on the outside of the dry side and use double stick velcro?

 

[Ricardo18]

Hey..one way...now that makes good sense!I will check into that, thanks

..Wait...if I put the film on the rear
of the aquarium (dry side of course), the opposite effect will take place;I will NOT be able to look at the tank from the rear, but I will see through it standing in front of the tank.

 

[Ridgeway Swiss]

..Wait...if I put the film on the rear
of the aquarium (dry side of course), the opposite effect will take place;I will NOT be able to look at the tank from the rear, but I will see through it standing in front of the tank.

Quite the opposite. These films work in situations where theres more light on one side than the other. In my application I can't see from the front through to the back unless it's at night (no tank lights) and the room behind is lit. Once it's daytime and certainly when the tank lights are on then you can't see through. Then if you're behind the aquarium you're simply looking through into the brighter lit side as if you were in a limo and looking out. It works fine although there is certainly a skill in applying the stuff, you can probably get an auto guy to do it for not too much money.

I can post up some pics if you want.