A Low Country Reef Tank....one more final upgrade
- Thread starter SPotter
- Start date
SPotter
Active member
Pretty sure I figured out what I did. Before I started filling it I had to connect the strainer that the tank builder made for the inlets and I was having a hard time getting it to connect. I finally got it in place and pretty sure I shifted the bulkhead a little and then didn't retighten the nut. I will definitely use tap water for the next leak test....I was being very optimistic that there wouldn't be any leaks. Fortunately the rodi i bought is supposed to be extremely efficient with a 1:1 ratio. Im going to change the strainer to something that will be easier for me to install/maintenance as needed. Those won't be here until thursday so next leak test won't come until friday.
SPotter
Active member
its the aquafx octopus system.
SPotter
Active member
a few updates.....
a few updates.....
New strainers for the CL arrived on thursday and I will do leak test #2 today.
http://premiumaquatics.com/products/lifegard-aquatics-2-fit-slip-profile-strainer.html
I decided to build a couple of drip pans that would go under each CL pump. I used some extra 1x4's and bough a 7x10 pond liner on amazon for $30
Made some progress with the plumbing in the fish room...
And then yesterday I picked about 350 lbs of live rock from a guy in NC that was getting out of the hobby.....
Today I hope to finish the plumbing in the fish room and do my leak test on the DT.
a few updates.....
New strainers for the CL arrived on thursday and I will do leak test #2 today.
http://premiumaquatics.com/products/lifegard-aquatics-2-fit-slip-profile-strainer.html
I decided to build a couple of drip pans that would go under each CL pump. I used some extra 1x4's and bough a 7x10 pond liner on amazon for $30
Made some progress with the plumbing in the fish room...
And then yesterday I picked about 350 lbs of live rock from a guy in NC that was getting out of the hobby.....
Today I hope to finish the plumbing in the fish room and do my leak test on the DT.
SPotter
Active member
Drip..drip...drip....drip....
Drip..drip...drip....drip....
So leak test #2 failed. I developed a drip from the same bulkhead at about the same fill level on the tank. I drained the tank, removed the bulkhead, inspected for any debris or anything sticking out from the bulkhead. Nothing was noted but then I started looking at the bulkhead and it looks like it is leaning or tilted. So my guess is that the flange of the bulkhead isnt sitting 100% flat on the acrylic. I went ahead ordered a new bulkhead and hopefully this will be the problem.
Drip..drip...drip....drip....
So leak test #2 failed. I developed a drip from the same bulkhead at about the same fill level on the tank. I drained the tank, removed the bulkhead, inspected for any debris or anything sticking out from the bulkhead. Nothing was noted but then I started looking at the bulkhead and it looks like it is leaning or tilted. So my guess is that the flange of the bulkhead isnt sitting 100% flat on the acrylic. I went ahead ordered a new bulkhead and hopefully this will be the problem.
Floyd R Turbo
Either busy or sleeping
Steve, try looking into commercial grade bulkheads. In particular, Banjo. These are left-hand-threaded, double-gasketed, and the threading is much larger compared to BRS or other "standard" aquarium bulkheads. the only problem might be that the necessary hole diameters are slightly different for the same size pipe.
SPotter
Active member
Hey Bud, thats a Hayward sch 80 bulkhead from James. This one is left-hand-thread too...man that throws me off when I am in a panic. The first time I filled and it was dripping I went to tighten it and unfortunately I forgot that it was left hand...the drip turned into a stream at that point :angryfire: I have another Hayward coming tomorrow and if that one doesnt work then I will look for Banjo and see if that will work.
SPotter
Active member
I have been going back and forth on what type of lighting to supplement the MH's with and I finally decided to go with T5's. I was looking at a used LET 8x54 retro kit that is for sale on here but then I saw them on BRS for $311 brand new so I pulled the trigger on these......now need to think about what bulbs.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/4-ft-let-lighting-miro-4-t5-high-output-retrofit-kit.html
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/4-ft-let-lighting-miro-4-t5-high-output-retrofit-kit.html
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
Blue +(2), coral plus, and purple plus depending on kelvin rating on MHs. Or use the BML 14,000 K strip.
SPotter
Active member
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
A Low Country Reef Tank....one more final upgrade
Lose the blue plus. Are you placing the 4 bulb retrofit kits on each side of the MHs?
Lose the blue plus. Are you placing the 4 bulb retrofit kits on each side of the MHs?
SPotter
Active member
Well...third time is a charm! New bulkhead arrived today and swapped out the old one. Filled the tank and no leaks from any of the bulkheads....however having some drips from the closed loop fittings at the diverter so that will need some attention. My next life I want to come back as a plumber!
iced98lx
New member
Well, one issue down, the rest to go!!
SPotter
Active member
Thats exactly what I said to my wife Chris! She was amazed that I wasn't more upset about it. Im just really happy I built those drip pans!
iced98lx
New member
Progress is progress, especially good when you bear out a design choice like your drip pans!
NewMariner
Reef Tank Aficionado
I smell flow wolfs soon.
SPotter
Active member
A Low Country Reef Tank....one more final upgrade
Well since you asked Tony!!!! This is just the left side running on the random setting for the flowwolf. I'm pretty impressed with the functions on it and how quiet the dolphin pump is.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/O1N5KsSed0I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Well since you asked Tony!!!! This is just the left side running on the random setting for the flowwolf. I'm pretty impressed with the functions on it and how quiet the dolphin pump is.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/O1N5KsSed0I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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NewMariner
Reef Tank Aficionado
Thats pretty impressive for one. Im anxious to see what both will do. I can only imagine what that wave would look like with both running.
The only thing that has me worried is that Ive got the Dolphin 6250's for my closed loop. I think you said in a previous post that the FlowWolfs couldn't handle that much flow...Opinion?
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