richpoolboy
New member
this is not "spa flex" just sch 40 pvc. trade secret....lol
A Reef Tank in the Desert - +/- 1,400 gallon system
- Thread starter danfeig
- Start date
this is not "spa flex" just sch 40 pvc. trade secret....lol
richpoolboy
New member
very nice look with the tile, i couldn't picture it while i was there but seeing it is great!
jjk_reef00
New member
Wow that skimmer looks crazy! Can't wait to see it up and running!
Can you describe the datails of the bracket system.
Can you describe the datails of the bracket system.
TheFishTeen
New member
Excellent choice on the skimmer. The key to success with the Deltec skimmers is stability. Find the best balance between water/air input and output for the skimmer, and keep it like that as much as possible. When dialed in correctly they perform wonders, but if they're messed with they get finicky. A gate valve for the water feed (input) would help with the precision over a ball valve.
danfeig
.Registered Member
Thanks Rich!
I ordered four more tanks from Michael for the fish room. I am hoping to have them by the weekend if not right after the holiday.
As soon as they arrive I will call you to set up an appointment for some more plumbing.
danfeig
.Registered Member
We are going to begin filling with water tomorrow so I hope to have the skimmer operational this weekend.
Michael from Simply Elegant Aquatics will be here tomorrow and I will prod him more about the bracket system he will be employing with the filter socks.
danfeig
.Registered Member
Thank you! I am real excited. My current tank and my previous one both had Reef Octopus units. I have heard nothing but good reports about the skimmer. I appreciate your suggestion pertaining to the gate valve. Michael will be here tomorrow and I will share your suggestion with him and our plumbing specialist before it is hooked up.
BigOldReef
New member
Dan,
I have an older Deltec dual pump skimmer and two friends with them and they have been great skimmers.
A little trick I did with mine and my friends, is we run the RO waste water through the skimmer collection cup, and then run the skimmer cup drain into the sewer line. It keeps the cup clean, and no bad smells.
I also saw, haven't tried yet, that Avast marine has really reasonably priced self cleaning heads for the Deltec skimmer. You might want to take a gander at that. With a self cleaning head and the RO waste running through the cup skimmer maintenance is reduced to removing snail shells from the pumps about every 4-6 months.
Dave
I have an older Deltec dual pump skimmer and two friends with them and they have been great skimmers.
A little trick I did with mine and my friends, is we run the RO waste water through the skimmer collection cup, and then run the skimmer cup drain into the sewer line. It keeps the cup clean, and no bad smells.
I also saw, haven't tried yet, that Avast marine has really reasonably priced self cleaning heads for the Deltec skimmer. You might want to take a gander at that. With a self cleaning head and the RO waste running through the cup skimmer maintenance is reduced to removing snail shells from the pumps about every 4-6 months.
Dave
danfeig
.Registered Member
Thanks Dave!
I think running the RO waste water though the collection cup might be a problem for me. A few different reasons.... First off, I am on a septic system and I am a little concerned about putting the sludge/waste into the septic. Wastewater isn't a big deal. #2 Pumping the sludge and water from the skimmer will also be a challenge. I am going to have to drain the skimmer cup into a large container which will be emptied in the desert.
I will check out the Avast marine self cleaning heads. I did look at the ones from Deltec but couldn't pull the trigger.
BigOldReef
New member
Dan,
If you run the waste water through the cup, there is no sludge build up. Everything is diluted into just dirty water. Of course, I evaporate a minimum of 25g a day, and with summer coming that will double, so I run a lot of water through my skimmer cup.
The Deltec heads are way overpriced for what they are. I'm guessing you'll own the Avast one by the weekend
.
Depending on your source for the Deltec, I would recommend ordering a spare impeller or two to have on standby. I have gone through one in the past 7 years. And I run a 500mg Ozone through the skimmer 24/7.
But one friend with a Deltec goes through at least an impeller a year. My other friend with the Deltec has had his for 4+ years and gone through two impellers.
It's not that's its a weak link, but getting parts from Deltec when you desperately need them can be a problem.
And since I mentioned it, I don't know if an ozonizer is on your parts list. But talk to your aquarium guy. I definitely recommend one, and a big one. You won't regret it, and its not an expensive item. If you need details or particulars don't hesitate to ask.
Dave
If you run the waste water through the cup, there is no sludge build up. Everything is diluted into just dirty water. Of course, I evaporate a minimum of 25g a day, and with summer coming that will double, so I run a lot of water through my skimmer cup.
The Deltec heads are way overpriced for what they are. I'm guessing you'll own the Avast one by the weekend
.Depending on your source for the Deltec, I would recommend ordering a spare impeller or two to have on standby. I have gone through one in the past 7 years. And I run a 500mg Ozone through the skimmer 24/7.
But one friend with a Deltec goes through at least an impeller a year. My other friend with the Deltec has had his for 4+ years and gone through two impellers.
It's not that's its a weak link, but getting parts from Deltec when you desperately need them can be a problem.
And since I mentioned it, I don't know if an ozonizer is on your parts list. But talk to your aquarium guy. I definitely recommend one, and a big one. You won't regret it, and its not an expensive item. If you need details or particulars don't hesitate to ask.
Dave
danfeig
.Registered Member
Thanks Shaggy! I am excited to get it up and running!
danfeig
.Registered Member
Dan,
If you run the waste water through the cup, there is no sludge build up. Everything is diluted into just dirty water. Of course, I evaporate a minimum of 25g a day, and with summer coming that will double, so I run a lot of water through my skimmer cup.
The Deltec heads are way overpriced for what they are. I'm guessing you'll own the Avast one by the weekend
Depending on your source for the Deltec, I would recommend ordering a spare impeller or two to have on standby. I have gone through one in the past 7 years. And I run a 500mg Ozone through the skimmer 24/7.
But one friend with a Deltec goes through at least an impeller a year. My other friend with the Deltec has had his for 4+ years and gone through two impellers.
It's not that's its a weak link, but getting parts from Deltec when you desperately need them can be a problem.
And since I mentioned it, I don't know if an ozonizer is on your parts list. But talk to your aquarium guy. I definitely recommend one, and a big one. You won't regret it, and its not an expensive item. If you need details or particulars don't hesitate to ask.
Dave
Thanks Dave! You definitely have me thinking and I stayed away thinking about new sources for a drain both both my skimmer cup and RO waste water. I may look into having them both dump into another large container and then pumped out of the house.
I have been considering an ozonizer. My first priority was buying a new UV Sterilizer that could handle my water volume.
I will make sure I have spare Deltec impeller's and will be sure to visit the Avast site today!
Dan
BigOldReef
New member
For the UV, if space is an issue, I think Aqua UV makes a 250 HQI UV Unit which is made out of 2" pipe and is only about a foot long. It's a little pricey. But to get something big enough for enough contact time with your size tank your probably looking at a 30-36" multi-tubed unit. I have one manufactured by All Seas Marine, that uses 2 30" bulbs. I have been quite happy with it and it's reasonably priced. But it's basically 2 4" pipes in a parrallel configuration. So it takes up quite a bit of real estate.
danfeig
.Registered Member
Dialyseas Model 1
Dialyseas Model 1
So Michael was able to get a good deal on a Dialyseas. The prior owner primarily used it for automatic water changes but it does so much more! The unit appears to be in very good shape.
According to the companies website, these are the key benefits of the system:
1) REMOVES WASTE WHILE MINIMIZING ORIGINAL WATER AND SALT LOSS
2) DIALYSEAS MAKES AND ADDS NEW DEIONIZED WATER AUTOMATICALLY WITH "0" PHOSPHATES
3) REMOVES ALL CONTAMINANTS NOT JUST NITRATE
4) DOES NOT USE OR RELY ON ANY FORM OF BACTERIA TO BREAK DOWN WASTE
5) DOES NOT ERADICATE PLANKTON IN REEF AQUARIUMS
6) ELIMINATES EUTROPHICATION
7) ULTRA RELIABLE, ULTRA SAFE, IMMEDIATELY EFFECTIVE
8) NEVER CHANGE WATER AGAIN DIALYSEAS DOES IT AUTOMATICALLY
9) CONSISTENT HIGH AQUARIUM WATER QUALITY AND TOP OF WATER QUALITY
10) INCREASE AQUARIUM BIOLOAD UP TO FOUR TIMES
11) STABILIZES ALKALINITY THEREFORE STABILIZES PH
12) CONTINUOUS SUPPLY OF CALCIUM AND OTHER TRACE ELEMENTS
13) REDUCES AQUARIUM MAINTENANCE DRASTICALLY
14) REDUCES STRESS ON ALL LIFE FORMS EXCEPT PARASITES IT KILLS THEM
15) AUTOMATICALLY TOPS OFF AQUARIUM WITH R.O.D.I WATER AND THEN ADDS THE PROPER AMOUNT OF DISSOLVED SALT
16) LOCAL AND REMOTE MONITORING AND CONTROL OF ALL MACHINE PARAMETERS
17) EASILY MAINTAINED
18) USE ANY POWDERED SALT YOU LIKE
Has anyone used on of the Dialyseas units before? I currently have a Reefkeeper monitoring unit which I will be installing on the tank so I am certain there will be some redundancy. I figure redundancy on a tank of this size will give me more of a checks and balance system.
[/IMG]
Dialyseas Model 1
So Michael was able to get a good deal on a Dialyseas. The prior owner primarily used it for automatic water changes but it does so much more! The unit appears to be in very good shape.
According to the companies website, these are the key benefits of the system:
1) REMOVES WASTE WHILE MINIMIZING ORIGINAL WATER AND SALT LOSS
2) DIALYSEAS MAKES AND ADDS NEW DEIONIZED WATER AUTOMATICALLY WITH "0" PHOSPHATES
3) REMOVES ALL CONTAMINANTS NOT JUST NITRATE
4) DOES NOT USE OR RELY ON ANY FORM OF BACTERIA TO BREAK DOWN WASTE
5) DOES NOT ERADICATE PLANKTON IN REEF AQUARIUMS
6) ELIMINATES EUTROPHICATION
7) ULTRA RELIABLE, ULTRA SAFE, IMMEDIATELY EFFECTIVE
8) NEVER CHANGE WATER AGAIN DIALYSEAS DOES IT AUTOMATICALLY
9) CONSISTENT HIGH AQUARIUM WATER QUALITY AND TOP OF WATER QUALITY
10) INCREASE AQUARIUM BIOLOAD UP TO FOUR TIMES
11) STABILIZES ALKALINITY THEREFORE STABILIZES PH
12) CONTINUOUS SUPPLY OF CALCIUM AND OTHER TRACE ELEMENTS
13) REDUCES AQUARIUM MAINTENANCE DRASTICALLY
14) REDUCES STRESS ON ALL LIFE FORMS EXCEPT PARASITES IT KILLS THEM
15) AUTOMATICALLY TOPS OFF AQUARIUM WITH R.O.D.I WATER AND THEN ADDS THE PROPER AMOUNT OF DISSOLVED SALT
16) LOCAL AND REMOTE MONITORING AND CONTROL OF ALL MACHINE PARAMETERS
17) EASILY MAINTAINED
18) USE ANY POWDERED SALT YOU LIKE
Has anyone used on of the Dialyseas units before? I currently have a Reefkeeper monitoring unit which I will be installing on the tank so I am certain there will be some redundancy. I figure redundancy on a tank of this size will give me more of a checks and balance system.
fazilosman
New member
Holy crap man - I blinked for 3 days and your build is flying! I love your build and the aesthetics is AWESOME. I have never heard Dialyseas before but the description seems almost 2 good 2 be true. If it really does what it claims then it would be worth the investment.
There is a product review: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-04/pr/index.php
There is a product review: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-04/pr/index.php
danfeig
.Registered Member
Dan,
If you run the waste water through the cup, there is no sludge build up. Everything is diluted into just dirty water. Of course, I evaporate a minimum of 25g a day, and with summer coming that will double, so I run a lot of water through my skimmer cup.
The Deltec heads are way overpriced for what they are. I'm guessing you'll own the Avast one by the weekend
Depending on your source for the Deltec, I would recommend ordering a spare impeller or two to have on standby. I have gone through one in the past 7 years. And I run a 500mg Ozone through the skimmer 24/7.
But one friend with a Deltec goes through at least an impeller a year. My other friend with the Deltec has had his for 4+ years and gone through two impellers.
It's not that's its a weak link, but getting parts from Deltec when you desperately need them can be a problem.
And since I mentioned it, I don't know if an ozonizer is on your parts list. But talk to your aquarium guy. I definitely recommend one, and a big one. You won't regret it, and its not an expensive item. If you need details or particulars don't hesitate to ask.
Dave
Guess what I ordered this afternoon?
danfeig
.Registered Member
Thanks fizilosman!
I found that review a few days ago. I am hoping that there are some actual Reef Central users out there! I'd like to know if there are any tricks of the trade or how to make it as "user friendly" as possible.
I placed a post in the plumbing/filtration section of the forums so we'll see if that leads anywhere.
danfeig
.Registered Member
Fish in a Bottle, Mermaid...
Fish in a Bottle, Mermaid...
I guess it is time for the customary "Mermaid" shots before the tank is filled. We started adding the RO water tonight. I think it will take a good twelve hours to fill, however, I am sure I will sleep very restlessly concerned that the tank might overflow.
Here is a shot of my son, daughter and her girlfriend:
[/IMG]
My lovely wife, son and oldest daughter:
[/IMG]
Fish in a Bottle, Mermaid...
I guess it is time for the customary "Mermaid" shots before the tank is filled. We started adding the RO water tonight. I think it will take a good twelve hours to fill, however, I am sure I will sleep very restlessly concerned that the tank might overflow.
Here is a shot of my son, daughter and her girlfriend:
My lovely wife, son and oldest daughter:
TheFishTeen
New member
Take a look at the ADC 1 Auto Drain Controller from Pacific Coast Hydroponics. Its not made specifically for aquariums but it will do exactly what you want, and automatically.
Heres the link: http://www.pchydro.com/clearance-c-189/adc-1-auto-drain-controller-p-4611
Its a float valve controlled reservoir that will turn on a pump when the float is lifted, and its all industrial equipment.
Just a suggestion. Of course you could DIY something like this, but this is a good option.
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