A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build

I read a good comment in the last couple of days somewhere along the line where they would use a bit of silicone and slip the connections together, so you get a glue like hold but the ability to twist and break the silicone seal to get the pieces back apart down the road. This is what I plan to do unless it's a connection that will be carrying a lot of weight due to piping, etc. My overflow box I will probably just friction fit without any silicone, unless I think I'm sucking in air on my bean animal design from a fitting then I'll try adding a bit of silicone.

BTW, I thought you were going with Dart Golds?
 
Dustin1300 said:
I don't have anything whitty like fedex Friday like Steve but got a good amount of pumps/plumbing supplies today.

Three pumps for closed loop systems as well as all the plumbing to do the closed loop. Still have to work on design of return/overflow so I can order next round of plumbing.

IMG_2269_zps27001681.jpg


Just to poll the audience, how many dry fit the return and overflow piping in the overflow box? I guess I've always glued mine in but does not seem to be the normal convention. Thoughts/opinions?!
Click to expand...

LOL.....nice pickup!!!! Wish I had known sooner you were going to be there today...they just shipped a small order for me you could have checked it for me.
 
BigCity said:
I read a good comment in the last couple of days somewhere along the line where they would use a bit of silicone and slip the connections together, so you get a glue like hold but the ability to twist and break the silicone seal to get the pieces back apart down the road. This is what I plan to do unless it's a connection that will be carrying a lot of weight due to piping, etc. My overflow box I will probably just friction fit without any silicone, unless I think I'm sucking in air on my bean animal design from a fitting then I'll try adding a bit of silicone.

BTW, I thought you were going with Dart Golds?
Click to expand...

What about return sections. I've got three pipes that will come up and push out the returns to a total of 8 loc-lines. I'd think the back pressure would pop the pipe right out of the dry fitting? maybe I'm wrong but that's why I'm asking.

I am using Dart Golds, the one pump is the Hammerhead Gold as I decided to up the GPHs so I'd have more coming out of the 8 returns. Maybe confused by the fact they are hybrids? The Dart is also a Snapper if you swap out the impeller and the Hammerhead is also a Barracuda if you swap out the impeller. I'll likely sell the impellers as I just need the larger ones as I want MORE FLOW!

IMG_2270_zps8438c277.jpg
 
I was at an acrylic shop yesterday. They had your same tank built and buffing the edges out. I was seriously jealous at that moment.

As for piping, I usually dry fit to make all the pieces fit and then depending on the piece I glue.
 
Dustin1300 said:
I don't have anything whitty like fedex Friday like Steve but got a good amount of pumps/plumbing supplies today.

Three pumps for closed loop systems as well as all the plumbing to do the closed loop. Still have to work on design of return/overflow so I can order next round of plumbing.

IMG_2269_zps27001681.jpg


Just to poll the audience, how many dry fit the return and overflow piping in the overflow box? I guess I've always glued mine in but does not seem to be the normal convention. Thoughts/opinions?!
Click to expand...

We'll just call it FEDEX Wednesday. With a little bit of coodination we could cover Monday-Friday and have eye candy for every day of the week. :)

Joe
 
SPotter said:
Its a good reason to work from home!!!! My wife asked me one time if I work from home on Fridays so I can take my kids to school or so I can be home for the FedEx guy.
Click to expand...

Now that Steve is a tough decision. Pick up kids, wait for Fedex guy/girl. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: Hope the kids don't live far away. :lol::lol::lol:
 
Newbie Aquarist said:
I was at an acrylic shop yesterday. They had your same tank built and buffing the edges out. I was seriously jealous at that moment.

As for piping, I usually dry fit to make all the pieces fit and then depending on the piece I glue.
Click to expand...

Yours is going to be sexy too. The 360 view is more of a challenge but a great tank to work with!
 
Dustin1300 said:
Yours is going to be sexy too. The 360 view is more of a challenge but a great tank to work with!
Click to expand...

Yes it has been a challenge but I think I finally figured it out.

Dustin1300 said:
I like having eye candy every day, I just don't know if my wallet can keep up with $2000 purchases every week on the tank!
Click to expand...

Any thing is possible. You just have to believe.:headwally::headwally::headwally: In a sense you do make a very good point.
 
Calling it quits for tonight, the housing on Hammerhead cracked so I'm a bit frustrated. Hopefully Premium helps take care of it since I have 6 Reeflos on the system!

20130207_222133_zps993e7dc9.jpg
 
Don't use Teflon tape on PVC connections. You're not supposed to. You are supposed to use PTFE paste. Dry fit the connection, then count the turns taking it out, apply the paste, count turns in to match plus about 1/4 to 1/2 extra turn IIRC.

Bummer though. Reeflo is really good about these types of things though.
 
Floyd R Turbo said:
Don't use Teflon tape on PVC connections. You're not supposed to. You are supposed to use PTFE paste. Dry fit the connection, then count the turns taking it out, apply the paste, count turns in to match plus about 1/4 to 1/2 extra turn IIRC.

Bummer though. Reeflo is really good about these types of things though.
Click to expand...

:facepalm:

Lesson learned. PA sent over request to ReeFlo, awaiting a response.

This work?

http://www.lowes.com/pd_242582-33468-76001L_0__?productId=3473901&Ntt=ptfe+paste&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dptfe%2Bpaste&facetInfo=
 
http://www.wmharvey.com/prod/cat2/ptc/tfe.php

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Wm-Harvey-Co-023030-14-Pint-TFE-Paste-With-Teflon/21171161?ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=21171161&sourceid=1500000000000003260430&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0={matchtype}&wl1={network}&wl2={ifmobile:m}&wl3=21486607510&wl4={aceid}&wl5=pla&veh=sem

I like the Harvey's stuff. Get it at Ace Hardware or any HWS really. Not sure if you actually want the PTFE stuff now that i think about it, I don't know that there is any difference, but I know that the regular TFE stuff, Harveys' or Ace brand, is what I have used. Good stuff. You may get a slow drip leak but it self-seals in no time. I had one coupling that dripped maybe once every 10 seconds and in 2 days it was sealed.

I don't think I actually counted the turns out and in like you're supposed to either. So mine are probably a little over tight, but minimally. With the teflon tape or paste, you're really prone to over-tightening.
 
This would be a better choice
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1
The other stuff is for metal pipe only. The only real difference is the amount of lubrication it provides and there in lies the caveat. Too much lubrication leads to overtorquing and cracked fittings. You can use the tape and it will be just fine. You just need to have a feel for how tight to make it. It really shouldn't leak at just past hand tight. Maybe 1/4-1/2 turn.
 
The teflon tape doesn't cause cracked fittings, it leads to overtightening by reducing friction on the threads causing one to continue turning because it doesn't feel tight.
 
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