iwishtofish
Active member
The last tank. Became an algae farm due to all the beginner mistakes (overfeeding, too much rock, poor flow, lousy skimming, trapped detritus). Then we moved, so I'll never know if I could have straightened it out!
75 Gallons of Persistence
- Thread starter iwishtofish
- Start date
iwishtofish
Active member
And then, before I started to dose alk and things went really bad:
iwishtofish
Active member
I didn't for a long time, and then suddenly one day it took a fancy to my pink zoos. It ended up being their demise. As for the poor flame, I may have done it in by adding alk too quickly and causing a pH spike. One of just many mistakes I hope not to repeat.
iwishtofish
Active member
Still throwing around the idea of using both the T5 fixture and the 150w MH pendant on the display tank. Since the T5 fixture is only 36" (originally intended for 40b), I figure it might be interesting to have it at one end of the tank and the MH at the other.
I wonder if the 21" high tank is too deep for the 150w MH to be effective? I think it might look interesting to have the MH shimmer fade as the light reaches the middle of the tank. Then again, it might just look plain awful. Clever rockscaping might be the key.
I wonder if the 21" high tank is too deep for the 150w MH to be effective? I think it might look interesting to have the MH shimmer fade as the light reaches the middle of the tank. Then again, it might just look plain awful. Clever rockscaping might be the key.
iwishtofish
Active member
So I went to Lowe's today with high hopes and came back basically empty-handed and a little discouraged. I was hoping to find a way to use a 2" pvc drain pipe with my 1-1/2" elbow out of my overflow bulkhead. Unfortunately, that elbow is a pvc fitting, and (even with help from staff) I wasn't able to find a way to connect the 2" pipe to the elbow. I wanted to use a union of sorts so I could easily disconnect the drain pipe should I need to service the bulkhead, but there wasn't even really a practical way to make a connection that was permanently fixed.
So I then looked at the spa-flex, and there wasn't any big enough to fit over the overflow elbow. The external diameter of the elbow is only 2-1/4", so this surprised me.
What's the big deal, you might ask - why not just use the intended 1-1/2" drain pipe? Well, the hole in that pipe is considerably smaller than the hole in the elbow, and the bigger the drain the less likely it is to get clogged (even in a worst-case scenario). And I may be wrong, but I figure a larger pipe might be less noisy and prone to hiccups, etc. Also, this is my only drain. No back up.
A bigger problem to solve than I expected!
So I then looked at the spa-flex, and there wasn't any big enough to fit over the overflow elbow. The external diameter of the elbow is only 2-1/4", so this surprised me.
What's the big deal, you might ask - why not just use the intended 1-1/2" drain pipe? Well, the hole in that pipe is considerably smaller than the hole in the elbow, and the bigger the drain the less likely it is to get clogged (even in a worst-case scenario). And I may be wrong, but I figure a larger pipe might be less noisy and prone to hiccups, etc. Also, this is my only drain. No back up.
A bigger problem to solve than I expected!
iwishtofish
Active member
I don't think I'm going to be able to use a 2" drain pipe with my overflow, unless I take advice and try to find a different elbow. I think that's more trouble than I want to take on. However, if I hear back from Fernco and the word is that their soft rubber couplings are fungicide-free (and otherwise untreated), then that might change the game.
I'm on the verge of buying plumbing, and think I'll go with 3/4" pvc for the return pump (Mag 7). I'll have to use a 1/2" to 3/4" adapter at the pump. I'm just hoping I won't be pushing too much water up the pipe.
So, plumbing is almost resolved.
I'm on the verge of buying plumbing, and think I'll go with 3/4" pvc for the return pump (Mag 7). I'll have to use a 1/2" to 3/4" adapter at the pump. I'm just hoping I won't be pushing too much water up the pipe.
So, plumbing is almost resolved.
iwishtofish
Active member
It's getting confusing now that these bio-pellets are on the scene. I think some research will be in order to find an acceptable combination. I know I'll run GFO, carbon, and then either vodka (eventually) or bio-pellets. Bio-pellets sound like they'd be more expensive and require more maintenance.
iwishtofish
Active member
Finally went out and bought some plumbing supplies today. I decided to just go ahead and use the 1-1/2" drain pipe for the overflow. I also bought pipe to rig a 3/4" return line, with a T to 1/2" line to supply the refugium and any reactors I decide to run.
I'm hoping the Mag 7 is enough pump to accomplish everything by itself.
I'm hoping the Mag 7 is enough pump to accomplish everything by itself.
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iwishtofish
Active member
Well, I think it's all together in my head, for the most part. Critique/questions would be welcome:
i run the dual overflow box by them guys and its dead silent with the silencer plate they send with it. I dont get hiccups or and gurgle noises. the only noise i have from my tank is my returns which i use for surface agitation so i can use my powerheads elsewhere. anyways let me know how it sounds when you get it set up. with the proper return pump that drain will be dead silent.
iwishtofish
Active member
They sent a silencer plate with this overflow, as well - I hope I have the same results. Just a few more steps to accomplish with this thing before I fill it, and I'll post about any noise.
jb61264
New member
Nice looking setup!...I have a 75 display / 55 sump with a TEK 6 lamp fixture...looking at your sump setup, I like the middle return with the "T" from the return feeding your refugium...however, I'm not so sure skimming from your refugium is the best idea...most people will skim in the chamber where water is coming from the display tank...might want to do some research into this but you might want to skim from your overflow chamber on the right side. I would also look to see if you could use a larger return pump, not sure what your overflow can handle...I use a Mag 18 and like the extra flow that it creates for the tank on my returns which I split to each corner of the tank...however, I also use the beananimal silent/failsafe overflow which can handle the higher flow rate. Your 700 gph is going to go down quite a bit considering reduction due to head loss (is it about 4' from the sump to the top of your display tank?). My Mag 18 goes from 1800 gph to 1400 gph with 4' of head...then I also T my return to a refugium (which means more loss of flow)...if you are also feeding two reactors, that is even more loss...before you know it your return flow may be quite low...just something to think about I guess.
The other recommendation I would make on the PVC is to take your return from the pump as high up as your can and T from that so you give yourself less clutter to work around in your sump.
The other recommendation I would make on the PVC is to take your return from the pump as high up as your can and T from that so you give yourself less clutter to work around in your sump.
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iwishtofish
Active member
Thank you, jb61264. Regarding the skimmer, I'm hoping to replace it before long with an in-sump skimmer that will sit in the far-right chamber. I'd put the HOB skimmer in that chamber now, but I'm afraid its performance might suffer considerably with the lower water level. I might give it a try anyway...
I like your advice, as well, about moving the plumbing up out of the way as far as possible. I drew it like that because I'm thinking I'd like to avoid 90-degree fittings as much as possible - perhaps I can still get things farther out of the way and not compromise flow.
I would probably be better off with a larger pump; downside would of course be more heat, more energy, and less room in the sump. I guess I'll see how it goes, but I think you are probably right.
fishysteve
New member
I use a Mag 18 as a return pump for my 75 gal with a 20 gal sump too. I think the Mag 7 would be ok if if wasn't running the reactors and T'd into the fuge. Either way, nice setup. And I don't think it is " world's most boring thread".
iwishtofish
Active member
jb61264
New member
I would recommend that you still use two 45 degree elbows versus a single 90 degree...especially if you are using a smaller pump like you were planning...but even if you get a larger pump, try to design the 2 45's for each bend...Mag or Eheim, I don't have any experience with Eheims but have read good things about them...heard they are quieter and use less power...I would really recommend the larger pump though, whichever one you decide onI drew it like that because I'm thinking I'd like to avoid 90-degree fittings as much as possible - perhaps I can still get things farther out of the way and not compromise flow. I would probably be better off with a larger pump; downside would of course be more heat, more energy, and less room in the sump. I guess I'll see how it goes, but I think you are probably right.
iwishtofish
Active member
That's what everyone says! I have an Eheim 1250 that I used on my 29g tank, and it was very quiet. Too bad it's not bigger!
iwishtofish
Active member
jb61264, I'll definitely use the dual 45 method if I need a sharp turn! Thanks
