Custom In-Wall 150 Project
- Thread starter conda
- Start date
conda
New member
You not going to believe this!
:mad2:
If anyone lives on the east coast, you know it has been raining for two days straight now. Well, we must have gotten seven inches of rain in the past two days and guess what!?!?
My gutter was clogged and leaked into my basement back room (the fish room). Arrrrrg! Talk about flashbacks! The back room was half flooded again!
This time is not nearly as bad as before because it was a slow leak from the foundation. I cleaned it all up with about 20 towels and have fans drying the floor -- AGAIN!
Anyway, just wanted to share my bad luck.
By the way, my theory of the sealing the back room with silicon along the wall that divides the finished basement from the back room so water cannot get out works. The water flowed from the opposit corner of the house, around the tank stand, and into the sump pit. The only problem is I do not have a sump pump yet!
Damn my luck.
:mad2:
If anyone lives on the east coast, you know it has been raining for two days straight now. Well, we must have gotten seven inches of rain in the past two days and guess what!?!?
My gutter was clogged and leaked into my basement back room (the fish room). Arrrrrg! Talk about flashbacks! The back room was half flooded again!
This time is not nearly as bad as before because it was a slow leak from the foundation. I cleaned it all up with about 20 towels and have fans drying the floor -- AGAIN!
Anyway, just wanted to share my bad luck.
By the way, my theory of the sealing the back room with silicon along the wall that divides the finished basement from the back room so water cannot get out works. The water flowed from the opposit corner of the house, around the tank stand, and into the sump pit. The only problem is I do not have a sump pump yet!
Damn my luck.
conda
New member
Choosing the Sump
As much as I grappled with the tank I wanted, I think I spent just as long deciding on a sump. What I wanted was a sump large enough to hold all my equipment, water from any power outage, and a fuge--but not so big it would take up all my space under the stand.
I was first dead set on the MRC Reef Sump, and I came really close to purchasing it. But, I could not get my questions answered from the person I emailed so I looked around some more.
I then came across a Precision Marine Sump and Refugium at That Pet Place in Lancaster. But I did not think these were large enough and I also did not want two separate pieces.
So, later I noticed this guy lurking around RC all the time. He seem to know his stuff. I poped on to his web site, Melev's Reef and started looking around.
Once I hit this page, I finally found the exact sump I have been looking for. I sent Marc several PMs asking all sorts of dumb questions. He was extremely helpfull and finally solidified my descision on his Model F sump.
Melev's Sump Arrives
When the sump arrived, my wife was like "WHAT THE . . . !"
My kid just loved the "peanuts" -- ooops, don't mention that word or I'll get in trouble by Melev!
Here is a picture of the sump unpacked:
And here is the sump in the stand, perfect fit, not too big, not too small:
I have to tell you, I love this sump and am glad I spent the extra cash to have it custom made. Marc does awesome work and it was worth every penny.
As much as I grappled with the tank I wanted, I think I spent just as long deciding on a sump. What I wanted was a sump large enough to hold all my equipment, water from any power outage, and a fuge--but not so big it would take up all my space under the stand.
I was first dead set on the MRC Reef Sump, and I came really close to purchasing it. But, I could not get my questions answered from the person I emailed so I looked around some more.
I then came across a Precision Marine Sump and Refugium at That Pet Place in Lancaster. But I did not think these were large enough and I also did not want two separate pieces.
So, later I noticed this guy lurking around RC all the time. He seem to know his stuff. I poped on to his web site, Melev's Reef and started looking around.
Once I hit this page, I finally found the exact sump I have been looking for. I sent Marc several PMs asking all sorts of dumb questions. He was extremely helpfull and finally solidified my descision on his Model F sump.
Melev's Sump Arrives
When the sump arrived, my wife was like "WHAT THE . . . !"
My kid just loved the "peanuts" -- ooops, don't mention that word or I'll get in trouble by Melev!
Here is a picture of the sump unpacked:
And here is the sump in the stand, perfect fit, not too big, not too small:
I have to tell you, I love this sump and am glad I spent the extra cash to have it custom made. Marc does awesome work and it was worth every penny.
conda
New member
The Skimmer
Here are some pictures of the AquaC EV-240 Protein Skimmer I just got for the my tank. It came with a Mag18, so it will be a tight fit in the sump, but I think I can make it work. This darn thing is huge.
The only problem I see is that the AquaC web site stated that the skimmer could sit in 10" of water, but the bottom of the gate valve is only 8". Since the skimmer compartment is 9", I might need to raise it.
Here are some pictures of it in the sump:
Since the gate valve is so big, it bumps the probe holder when I raise the skimmer the inch or so that I need. But if a put the back of the skimmer right up against the baffels, it seems to fit perfectly.
Would this restrict the water flow by placing the skimmer right againse the baffels?
Anyway, this skimmer is just huge, but I like it. I'll make it all work out.
Here are some pictures of the AquaC EV-240 Protein Skimmer I just got for the my tank. It came with a Mag18, so it will be a tight fit in the sump, but I think I can make it work. This darn thing is huge.
The only problem I see is that the AquaC web site stated that the skimmer could sit in 10" of water, but the bottom of the gate valve is only 8". Since the skimmer compartment is 9", I might need to raise it.
Here are some pictures of it in the sump:
Since the gate valve is so big, it bumps the probe holder when I raise the skimmer the inch or so that I need. But if a put the back of the skimmer right up against the baffels, it seems to fit perfectly.
Would this restrict the water flow by placing the skimmer right againse the baffels?
Anyway, this skimmer is just huge, but I like it. I'll make it all work out.
melev
Well-known member
Geeze. The box is so big the writing looks like a ballpoint pen. :lol:
Try running the skimmer as is, without raising it up. I have a feeling you'll be just fine. I had mine with a 1" gap between the outlet of the skimmer and the left wall of my sump for almost two years with no problems. Check my 55g's sump page if you need to see it.
Or if you have a dremel or router, you could notch the top flange to match the shape of the skimmer's riser tube to allow you to pull it forward another 1/2". I doubt it will do any damage to the integrity of the sump in that location.
Try running the skimmer as is, without raising it up. I have a feeling you'll be just fine. I had mine with a 1" gap between the outlet of the skimmer and the left wall of my sump for almost two years with no problems. Check my 55g's sump page if you need to see it.
Or if you have a dremel or router, you could notch the top flange to match the shape of the skimmer's riser tube to allow you to pull it forward another 1/2". I doubt it will do any damage to the integrity of the sump in that location.
conda
New member
melev said:
If I do not have to raise it, it fits perfectly and actually has plenty of room. The problem is if I have to raise it, the probe holder and flange get in the way of the gate valve.
Does the gate valve have to be above the water? In your pic, the gate valve is under water.
conda
New member
Some Tank Pics
Some Tank Pics
Tank Pics - Finally!
I finally have some pics of the tank being built. It still has not arrived due to the numerous Starphire rejects, but it is done now and ready to be delivered.
Here is the tank design:
The following picture is where Chris was in the building process as the bad glass was coming in. He snapped this for me to show how far along he was.
Again, the size is 60 x 24 x 24:
And here is a picture of one of the Starphire rejects. It took three shipments before a good one arrived
:
Finally, I just got these last night. The tank is just about done and ready to be delivered:
Tank Specs:
The tank is pretty cool.
I can't wait to get it on the stand and start hooking it up.
Some Tank Pics
Tank Pics - Finally!
I finally have some pics of the tank being built. It still has not arrived due to the numerous Starphire rejects, but it is done now and ready to be delivered.
Here is the tank design:
The following picture is where Chris was in the building process as the bad glass was coming in. He snapped this for me to show how far along he was.
Again, the size is 60 x 24 x 24:
And here is a picture of one of the Starphire rejects. It took three shipments before a good one arrived
:
Finally, I just got these last night. The tank is just about done and ready to be delivered:
Tank Specs:
- 60 x 24 x 24
- Side Overflow with two 1.5" drains
- Starphire front glass
- Tempered bottom
- 4 Way Closed Loop
- Metal Frame - Stainless with black powder coat
- Acrylic Overflow Cover - black
- Acrylic Side cover - black - removable
- Painted back glass - black
The tank is pretty cool.
I can't wait to get it on the stand and start hooking it up.
conda
New member
The tank has finally arrived! I have some pics of it before any plumbing has been added.
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These pictures were taken of the back of the tank in the room where it is located.
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Here is the front:
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This is the top of the tank, I really like the metal frame and am glad I paid the extra cash for it. Each cross brace was position so that the MH lights of the HQI I will be using will show in between:
More to come in the next post. . .
---------------------------------------------------------------------
These pictures were taken of the back of the tank in the room where it is located.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is the front:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the top of the tank, I really like the metal frame and am glad I paid the extra cash for it. Each cross brace was position so that the MH lights of the HQI I will be using will show in between:
More to come in the next post. . .
conda
New member
Here are some more of the tank.
These are of the external overflow located on the side of the tank. The overflow had to be offset by six inches due to the wall. There are two 1.5" bulkheads for the drains which I will tee into Melev's sump. I will also place another tee and extend some of the overflow water into the fuge on the other side of the sump.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
And what tank documentation would be complete without a picture of their child in the tank:
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Now, I'm no plumber and have no clue how to plumb this beast. I'm going to wing it, so if anyone has any suggestions, please, feel free to offer me some.
The overflow has two 1.5" drains that I need to drain into the buble tower of the sump. I also need to feed the fuge from these drains.
The closed loop has one 1.5" intake and four 1" outputs. I'm going to use a Sequence Barracuda with an OM 4-way sitting on top.
I have a Mag 18 for the return, which I need to send back to Marine Depot because it was damanged when it arrived. The return pipes are 1" that will meet a 1" Sea Swirl.
Any advice would be welcomed.
Thanks.
These are of the external overflow located on the side of the tank. The overflow had to be offset by six inches due to the wall. There are two 1.5" bulkheads for the drains which I will tee into Melev's sump. I will also place another tee and extend some of the overflow water into the fuge on the other side of the sump.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
And what tank documentation would be complete without a picture of their child in the tank:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, I'm no plumber and have no clue how to plumb this beast. I'm going to wing it, so if anyone has any suggestions, please, feel free to offer me some.
The overflow has two 1.5" drains that I need to drain into the buble tower of the sump. I also need to feed the fuge from these drains.
The closed loop has one 1.5" intake and four 1" outputs. I'm going to use a Sequence Barracuda with an OM 4-way sitting on top.
I have a Mag 18 for the return, which I need to send back to Marine Depot because it was damanged when it arrived. The return pipes are 1" that will meet a 1" Sea Swirl.
Any advice would be welcomed.
Thanks.
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