75g In Office Build
- Thread starter Bax
- Start date
ste6168
New member
your tank is looking very good... that would be so awesome to have in the office (my case the dorm room) but as of right now i think i will stick to my 75g at my parents house. Maybe next year i will get a tank for the dorm. Anyway the tank is looking really good although i do have one question. How are the CL plumbed? Anyway you could take some shots of just the plumbing, you could PM them to me if you would like. Thanks and hope everything goes well with the tank.
Mike
Mike
Bax
Premium Member
ste6168
Well, it starts with the pumps. I set the CL pumps in a wallpaper tray so I could catch any spills during maintenance. Note ball valves and unions, always worth the extra cost up front.
The pumps sit behind the stand on the floor. There's no room under the stand because my sump pretty much takes up every inch under there. No need to worry about the elevation difference as a CL does not see static head only frictional loss in piping so limit elbows and such. The feeds are 1 1/2" pipe (reduced to 1" at the ball valves). the returns are 1".
Because my tank is not drilled for the CLs, I had to do siphon drains over the top of the the tank. As this operates off of a siphon there is really no negative impact to flow. But you need to lay it out so it's a direct drop to the pump and you need to be able to bleed air out of the top of the siphon (those bushings you see were later fitted with 1/4" bleed valves). The two to the right are siphons the one to the left is a return. That double elbow over and down to the manifold does effect flow, but is was necessary to clear other equipment.
Here's the manifold. I have 8 possible outlets one on each end center to the side and six across the front. According to Anthony Calfo you want 300-350 gph per outlet. Right now I have six open and it seems to flow OK, I will probably cut it to 5. This manifold is run by a Pan World XP50X (just over 1150 gph) so I am below the recommended 300 gph of flow, but I think you have to test your set up and make a choice that suits your needs.
Once over the op the return pipe reduces to 3/4" to run the loop around the top of the tank to the outlets.
The second CL runs through a SCWD, 1' from the pump to the SCWD and 1" to the corners of the tank then it uses two 1 1/2" outlets to diffuse the flow a little bit. My thought was to break up the laminar flow from the manifold with the pulsing flow of the SCWD. I think it works. I may make some changes to this CL. It runs on a Mag 9 that adds a lot of heat so I want to change it to another Pan World when time & $ allow. I may change to an OM Squirt at that time, we'll see.
Finally from the front, you can see the Sea Swirl mounted right of center. My Mag 7 return runs through this and it is the reason for many elbows in my manifold run. My though was again to break up laminar flow of the manifold. Again, I think it works but I may change it at some point.
If I had to do it over, I would have drilled the tank for the CLs and drilled the sump for the return to run on an external pump. That ship has sailed for now so here we are.
When gluing the plumbing, take your time and use lots of glue, then wipe inside to remove excess. Leaks even ones that don't leak water suck air and make micro bubbles!!! Ahhhgggg MICRO BUBBLES!!!!!
I hope that helps.
Check out Anthony Calfo's forum there are several very good threads on closed loop manifolds and of course Melve's web site for closed loop set ups in general, good reading there.
Well, it starts with the pumps. I set the CL pumps in a wallpaper tray so I could catch any spills during maintenance. Note ball valves and unions, always worth the extra cost up front.
The pumps sit behind the stand on the floor. There's no room under the stand because my sump pretty much takes up every inch under there. No need to worry about the elevation difference as a CL does not see static head only frictional loss in piping so limit elbows and such. The feeds are 1 1/2" pipe (reduced to 1" at the ball valves). the returns are 1".
Because my tank is not drilled for the CLs, I had to do siphon drains over the top of the the tank. As this operates off of a siphon there is really no negative impact to flow. But you need to lay it out so it's a direct drop to the pump and you need to be able to bleed air out of the top of the siphon (those bushings you see were later fitted with 1/4" bleed valves). The two to the right are siphons the one to the left is a return. That double elbow over and down to the manifold does effect flow, but is was necessary to clear other equipment.
Here's the manifold. I have 8 possible outlets one on each end center to the side and six across the front. According to Anthony Calfo you want 300-350 gph per outlet. Right now I have six open and it seems to flow OK, I will probably cut it to 5. This manifold is run by a Pan World XP50X (just over 1150 gph) so I am below the recommended 300 gph of flow, but I think you have to test your set up and make a choice that suits your needs.
Once over the op the return pipe reduces to 3/4" to run the loop around the top of the tank to the outlets.
The second CL runs through a SCWD, 1' from the pump to the SCWD and 1" to the corners of the tank then it uses two 1 1/2" outlets to diffuse the flow a little bit. My thought was to break up the laminar flow from the manifold with the pulsing flow of the SCWD. I think it works. I may make some changes to this CL. It runs on a Mag 9 that adds a lot of heat so I want to change it to another Pan World when time & $ allow. I may change to an OM Squirt at that time, we'll see.
Finally from the front, you can see the Sea Swirl mounted right of center. My Mag 7 return runs through this and it is the reason for many elbows in my manifold run. My though was again to break up laminar flow of the manifold. Again, I think it works but I may change it at some point.
If I had to do it over, I would have drilled the tank for the CLs and drilled the sump for the return to run on an external pump. That ship has sailed for now so here we are.
When gluing the plumbing, take your time and use lots of glue, then wipe inside to remove excess. Leaks even ones that don't leak water suck air and make micro bubbles!!! Ahhhgggg MICRO BUBBLES!!!!!
I hope that helps.
Check out Anthony Calfo's forum there are several very good threads on closed loop manifolds and of course Melve's web site for closed loop set ups in general, good reading there.
Randall_James
Premium Member
Nice job on the plumbing! The wallpaper tray is a nice touch.
I might elevate the external pump just a bit as to protect it next time you are cutting pipe. Now if you need some practice, I do have a tank that needs some pipe work
I might elevate the external pump just a bit as to protect it next time you are cutting pipe. Now if you need some practice, I do have a tank that needs some pipe work
Bax
Premium Member
LOL ... Any time
The pumps are set up on pressure treated 1 x 4 slabs and there is a drain hole drilled in either end of the tray so in a failure the water would drain before the pump submerged. The tray is really just for nuisance spills during maintenance not catastrophic failure.
The pumps are set up on pressure treated 1 x 4 slabs and there is a drain hole drilled in either end of the tray so in a failure the water would drain before the pump submerged. The tray is really just for nuisance spills during maintenance not catastrophic failure.
Bax
Premium Member
I need to spend some time with the camera as there have been some changes in the system.
First off I finally got the Phosban Rector up. I have another I will run carbon in for now that is just hung in the sump in a media bag. I also got my GEO calcium reactor set up.
My coraline algea was fading but has rebounded since setting up the KR. Another BIG boost has been the addition of new bulbs. My 175 Hamilton MHs were a used buy from the Seller's Forum. They came with "low hour" Hamilton 10K bulbs. I changed to new 10 K Ushios and WOW!!! What a difference!!
I have seen a real responce in growth and color of the SPS and coraline. And astetically, it just looks great a real clean white color that blends well with the T5 actinics.
I still haven't done a thing to assemble a canopy but we are closed for the holidays next week so maybe I'll get some time to put somthing together then.
Happy Holidays and Happy Reefing!!!
First off I finally got the Phosban Rector up. I have another I will run carbon in for now that is just hung in the sump in a media bag. I also got my GEO calcium reactor set up.
My coraline algea was fading but has rebounded since setting up the KR. Another BIG boost has been the addition of new bulbs. My 175 Hamilton MHs were a used buy from the Seller's Forum. They came with "low hour" Hamilton 10K bulbs. I changed to new 10 K Ushios and WOW!!! What a difference!!
I have seen a real responce in growth and color of the SPS and coraline. And astetically, it just looks great a real clean white color that blends well with the T5 actinics.
I still haven't done a thing to assemble a canopy but we are closed for the holidays next week so maybe I'll get some time to put somthing together then.
Happy Holidays and Happy Reefing!!!
Bax
Premium Member
tijat
Thanks a lot.
It all depends upon what you want out of your tank.
Eventually I'll cut back on the flow and such for this tank when I push it more towards a fish only set up (maybe some LPS and softies). Right now I am growing out frags of SPS corals and some fish for my new system back at the house which will be .... a little bigger
If you don't plan on SPS corals with high flow requirments, you may not need all the bells & wistles (that I just love). I am learning a lot from this set up at a much lower cost than if I went to school on a big system so it is well worth the effort and cost. Suprisingly, I am still well within the budget I set for this tank. Let's hope I can do the same for the 240g!
Thanks a lot.
It all depends upon what you want out of your tank.
Eventually I'll cut back on the flow and such for this tank when I push it more towards a fish only set up (maybe some LPS and softies). Right now I am growing out frags of SPS corals and some fish for my new system back at the house which will be .... a little bigger
If you don't plan on SPS corals with high flow requirments, you may not need all the bells & wistles (that I just love). I am learning a lot from this set up at a much lower cost than if I went to school on a big system so it is well worth the effort and cost. Suprisingly, I am still well within the budget I set for this tank. Let's hope I can do the same for the 240g!
Bax
Premium Member
OK some pics as promissed ...
Although, my gallery is full, so I had to delete some other pics. I hope no important ones were in this thread. I'll have to figure out how to use Photo Bucket as I need to have lots of PICS!!!!
So ... here's the PhosBan Reactor
I had a pic of the GEO Klak reactor but I dunnno where it when so just close your eyes and imagine as I am sure you've seen lots of pics of that reactor... Ready ... hmmmmmmmm ... see it yet ? ... if not you keep on imagining and the rest of us will move on ... you catch up when you can.
Now the fun stuff ...
If you scroll up, you may see the difference inthe 10 K Ushios, this is primo MH SE lighting
Here is the Heniochus stopping by for a cleaning from the Blood Fire Shrimp
Here are a couple of the staples of my clean up crew a electric blue hermit and a scarlet hermit, I also added 10 more Turbo snails and they have really cracked the whip on GHA yippie!
I have a lot more pics but need to figure out how to post them and keep these older ones alive.
If I don't post, or I stop breathing, I hope every one has a wonderful holiday and a happy new year!!!!
Although, my gallery is full, so I had to delete some other pics. I hope no important ones were in this thread. I'll have to figure out how to use Photo Bucket as I need to have lots of PICS!!!!
So ... here's the PhosBan Reactor
I had a pic of the GEO Klak reactor but I dunnno where it when so just close your eyes and imagine as I am sure you've seen lots of pics of that reactor... Ready ... hmmmmmmmm ... see it yet ? ... if not you keep on imagining and the rest of us will move on ... you catch up when you can.
Now the fun stuff ...
If you scroll up, you may see the difference inthe 10 K Ushios, this is primo MH SE lighting
Here is the Heniochus stopping by for a cleaning from the Blood Fire Shrimp
Here are a couple of the staples of my clean up crew a electric blue hermit and a scarlet hermit, I also added 10 more Turbo snails and they have really cracked the whip on GHA yippie!
I have a lot more pics but need to figure out how to post them and keep these older ones alive.
If I don't post, or I stop breathing, I hope every one has a wonderful holiday and a happy new year!!!!
ste6168
New member
hey, its real easy to post pics. i use the free site called "http://imageshack.us/" and after uploading to their server use the last link they give me. think its something like direct link to image or link to view image. anyhow then i come back to RC and use the little IMG button and paster that hyperlink from imageshack. I like imageshack because it also resizes upon upload on your request. HTH mike
BTW the tank is looking awesome, but i hate it because it only make me wish i had more money and time!!!
BTW the tank is looking awesome, but i hate it because it only make me wish i had more money and time!!!
Bax
Premium Member
ste6168
Thanks for the tip I'll look into imageshack & photobucket & which ever seems more friendly toward the e-challenged (namely me) I'll start using. I need more pics!!!!
And thanks. If I could just spare a little more time the tank would look even better. I find it really hard to do the maintinance I want to here at the office. At home I used to just do it at night when every one else had gone to bed, but no one ever sleeps here!
I really hope to get the canopy cut out and at least mostly stained next week ... we'll see how that goes.
When I do get to installing the canopy, I'll be taking the opportunity to glue some fittings on my CL that returns through the SCWD, it dumps a ton of micro bubbles. I used teflon tape on the last few joints to allow for directional adjustment. That works if they are completly submerged, but the joints out of the water still suck air into the flow. I did manage to work out all the kinks on the Calfo Manifold and have nearly zero micro bubbles discharging from that CL.
Thanks for the tip I'll look into imageshack & photobucket & which ever seems more friendly toward the e-challenged (namely me) I'll start using. I need more pics!!!!
And thanks. If I could just spare a little more time the tank would look even better. I find it really hard to do the maintinance I want to here at the office. At home I used to just do it at night when every one else had gone to bed, but no one ever sleeps here!
I really hope to get the canopy cut out and at least mostly stained next week ... we'll see how that goes.
When I do get to installing the canopy, I'll be taking the opportunity to glue some fittings on my CL that returns through the SCWD, it dumps a ton of micro bubbles. I used teflon tape on the last few joints to allow for directional adjustment. That works if they are completly submerged, but the joints out of the water still suck air into the flow. I did manage to work out all the kinks on the Calfo Manifold and have nearly zero micro bubbles discharging from that CL.
Bax
Premium Member
Hey every one, no new pics yet as I haven't explored Photobucket but it is my new year's resolution to get more pics posted on this thread!
I have a little cyano brewing, I think it's pretty normal for a system this age to go through. Especially given my feeding habits and the fact I am about 2-3 weeks overdue for a water change. I did a water change last night, I'll cut back on messy foods and change my PhosBan & carbon media and I think it'll resolve quickly (not like my 26 g whew! that was a long fight!).
Anyway ...
Happy New Year !!!
Peace & prosperity to one and all
I have a little cyano brewing, I think it's pretty normal for a system this age to go through. Especially given my feeding habits and the fact I am about 2-3 weeks overdue for a water change. I did a water change last night, I'll cut back on messy foods and change my PhosBan & carbon media and I think it'll resolve quickly (not like my 26 g whew! that was a long fight!).
Anyway ...
Happy New Year !!!
Peace & prosperity to one and all
Bax
Premium Member
Well, still strugling with time to do good solid maintanance (and post pics on photobucket).
The cyano is still brewing. I have been doing large monthly water changes, I will start doing smaller weekly changes at least until this passes.
I have cut back on feeding a bit.
I also discovered that my RO/DI was putting out 60 + PPM so I order new menbrane and changed the mixed bed DI media (this could have jump started the cyano right there).
I am going to change out a smaller amounts of carbon weekly (instead of monthly).
Wish me luck, cyano sucks .. big time!
The cyano is still brewing. I have been doing large monthly water changes, I will start doing smaller weekly changes at least until this passes.
I have cut back on feeding a bit.
I also discovered that my RO/DI was putting out 60 + PPM so I order new menbrane and changed the mixed bed DI media (this could have jump started the cyano right there).
I am going to change out a smaller amounts of carbon weekly (instead of monthly).
Wish me luck, cyano sucks .. big time!
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