Reefobsession
New member
Sorry if this is a lame question, but why do people run pumps externally? Is it to reduce heat? Just wondering, because I am going to set up a 120 tech in a year and am going to be using the same enheim.
d2mini's 130g Rimless Cube
- Thread starter d2mini
- Start date
d2mini
Premium Member
Well, if you look at that last pic i just posted of my old 46g, i ended up swapping that pump out for an internal mag pump. First it was just too much pump for that tank, and second you can see how much valuable room it took up in the stand.
BUT... having the pump in the sump, and in a tight space, it has been a PITA when I've had to deal with the pump. Having it outside the sump makes servicing the pump so much easier, you just need to have unions and valves. And it frees up room inside the sump for other stuff that has to go in there like heaters, pumps for reactors, probes, etc.
So now that i have a big stand with plenty of space I chose to go external again.
There are arguments about heat transfer, but I think most internal pumps don't really add any extra heat to speak of.
BUT... having the pump in the sump, and in a tight space, it has been a PITA when I've had to deal with the pump. Having it outside the sump makes servicing the pump so much easier, you just need to have unions and valves. And it frees up room inside the sump for other stuff that has to go in there like heaters, pumps for reactors, probes, etc.
So now that i have a big stand with plenty of space I chose to go external again.
There are arguments about heat transfer, but I think most internal pumps don't really add any extra heat to speak of.
cet98
"feed ur reef...feed it!"
d2mini...just an amazing build.
my appreciation for "form following function" has me hooked on your every move! I truly admire your build and look forward to your progress
I do have two questions please:
first - its hard to see, but did you apply any foam pading between the tank and the top of the stand? if so, was it recommended or required by the tank manufacturer? I ask because my tank stand design has NO raised rim (or trim) to cover the edges of any exposed padding.
second - I noticed you applied cork padding to the floor of your stand's interior. why did you choose to do this? what, if any, are the advantages in doing so?
again, thank you so much for sharing and I look forward to each any every new post
my appreciation for "form following function" has me hooked on your every move! I truly admire your build and look forward to your progress
I do have two questions please:
first - its hard to see, but did you apply any foam pading between the tank and the top of the stand? if so, was it recommended or required by the tank manufacturer? I ask because my tank stand design has NO raised rim (or trim) to cover the edges of any exposed padding.
second - I noticed you applied cork padding to the floor of your stand's interior. why did you choose to do this? what, if any, are the advantages in doing so?
again, thank you so much for sharing and I look forward to each any every new post
turbois300
On again Off again Reefer
WoW!!! Nice kitchen!!!!!!! I'll be checking in for updates. That is a really clean build too!!!
I want a cube!!!!
I want a cube!!!!
d2mini
Premium Member
Thank you, cet98 and turbo!
Yes, i did. The pink stuff from home depot. The green tint of the non-starphire glass bottom neutralized the pink color so it looks white with the tank on it. But in an earlier pic where the light fixture is resting right on the stand you can see the pink foam. It is usually recommended to have foam underneath a frameless tank to make up for any imperfections in the stand's top surface.
I just like to have some padding on my stand's floor to soak up vibrations and keep things a tad quieter. Last time i used that heavy duty solid shelf liner (not the waffle weave stuff), but this time I saw the cork and thought I'd give it a go.
cet98
"feed ur reef...feed it!"
thanks for the quick reply...
you mentioned that your sump was made by Sapphire Aquatics (I presume that's Kyle, right? if so,nice guy...I bought my nano skimmer from him )
question: did you or he design the sump?....
as you know from my post in the equip. theads, I am in need of a well designed sump for my new build...
you mentioned that your sump was made by Sapphire Aquatics (I presume that's Kyle, right? if so,nice guy...I bought my nano skimmer from him
) question: did you or he design the sump?....
as you know from my post in the equip. theads, I am in need of a well designed sump for my new build...
d2mini
Premium Member
Wow! Thanks! :eek1:
Now lets just see if my tank still inspires to that level 6 months from now when it's full of algae and looks like crap. :lolspin:
thanks for the quick reply...
you mentioned that your sump was made by Sapphire Aquatics (I presume that's Kyle, right? if so,nice guy...I bought my nano skimmer from him
question: did you or he design the sump?....
No problem, thanks for the comments.
Kyle designed the sump, and yes he is definitely a very nice guy. Talented too. He also designed a very unique overflow for me. I should have pics of that later today... he just installed it for me last night. :thumbsup:
usefulidiot213
Bryan H.
Lighting looks pretty sweet..
EmersonCreated
New member
Yo Man Beautiful Start. The DJ on/off switches are a great idea. Also i just ordred the same dimentions 36x36x24 starfire on all sides leemar and cannot wait to start my build. This is one hell of a drug!!
d2mini
Premium Member
Water is going in!!!
Got my overflow installed thursday night, starting putting in water yesterday.
This is all the water i have so far, still making/mixing 30 gallons at a time. Got about 90 gallons in so far. Over the top of the first vortech.
Started my skimmer going, just to test it out. Nothing to skim being that it's pure brand new water.
Here's the overflow innards.
You can see the wiring for the lighting and vortechs going down the dry pipe.
Also the dry-dock for the vortech motors.
I have a strainer for the 1" main drain (short one in the middle) but haven't put it on yet.
The one on the left is the 1" emergency drain. 3/4" return split to two loc-lines.
And the front of the overflow. Two areas on each side for taking in water plus the slot at the top of each side for surface skimming.
Got my overflow installed thursday night, starting putting in water yesterday.
This is all the water i have so far, still making/mixing 30 gallons at a time. Got about 90 gallons in so far. Over the top of the first vortech.
Started my skimmer going, just to test it out. Nothing to skim being that it's pure brand new water.
Here's the overflow innards.
You can see the wiring for the lighting and vortechs going down the dry pipe.
Also the dry-dock for the vortech motors.
I have a strainer for the 1" main drain (short one in the middle) but haven't put it on yet.
The one on the left is the 1" emergency drain. 3/4" return split to two loc-lines.
And the front of the overflow. Two areas on each side for taking in water plus the slot at the top of each side for surface skimming.
Reefobsession
New member
You really hit the nail on the head. Just plan stunning.
my goodness
I am speechless and beyond impressed with the attention to detail....
+1. Outstanding. Amazing.:bounce3:
roundspore
New member
Simply amazing I like the attention to the small details. You must have spend a lot of time planing this build.
Michael
Michael
NaClCrocodile
New member
Absolutely amazing. Yours is the most inspiring tank I've ever seen. The most planned out, and best excecuted tank. Have you got an idea for stocking it? Did you plan this all out yourself? How long have you been reefing?
d2mini
Premium Member
Thank you very much, everyone! It's great to hear such nice comments.
The only thing I'm a little worried about is working around those Vortechs and not blocking too much flow to the outer corners of the tank with rock and stuff.
I didn't have the skills to build everything but I had strong ideas of what I wanted and I was able to find the right people to work with.
I've only had my current tank for a year. Several years before this, i tore down a 150g that was running for a few years and spent the next few years out of the hobby. But I've definitely learned the most over this past year, thanks to you guys here and other forums and was able to get tons of inspiration for this build. :beer:
What i fear is that once i start stocking it, it's going to be all down hill from here.
But as far as plans go, not sure. I'm definitely looking forward to having certain species of fish that I couldn't have with a 46g tank. And I'll be taking inspiration again from the minimalist tanks thread as far as rock is concerned. Maybe not that minimal, but less than i have now. Again, gonna have to work around those Vortechs. Rock will be coming from Tampa Bay Saltwater. I'll have some pests to deal with, but hoping to avoid hair algae and other pest algae problems that i have now in the 46.
Thanks! This was not my idea actually. I was going back and forth, really leaning towards doing a closed loop system but my tank builder (kyle at sapphire aquatics here in houston) came up with this idea. So I can't take credit. He was really good at listening to what i wanted to accomplish, the style of plumbing I wanted to do, etc and then designed the overflow with everything considered. What I needed to do though was figure out how to get the wires down the 1" dry pipe. NONE of the plugs would fit! So I was able to open up the vortech wave driver boxes and luckily the main power wire loom had a "connector" at the circuit board and i was able to just unplug them, run the wire down and replug into the other half of the connector soldered to the circuit board. The lights was a little more complicated but same idea. Luckily all the wiring came into the end of the fixture behind the same plate that gets removed to install the bulbs. But in this case each wire had to be disconnected individually. Once disconnected the loom could be pulled out and sent up the dry pipe from below and then everything reconnected. Overall, it was all a lot easier than it could have been, that's for sure.
The only thing I'm a little worried about is working around those Vortechs and not blocking too much flow to the outer corners of the tank with rock and stuff.
Thank you. I decided to upgrade tanks beginning of August so that's how long I've had to figure things out, find the tank builder, go over the plans, gather equipment, etc. It was definitely a collaboration. The stand for instance was designed by me but again, the stand builder was able to add his expertise to the project.
I didn't have the skills to build everything but I had strong ideas of what I wanted and I was able to find the right people to work with.
I've only had my current tank for a year. Several years before this, i tore down a 150g that was running for a few years and spent the next few years out of the hobby. But I've definitely learned the most over this past year, thanks to you guys here and other forums and was able to get tons of inspiration for this build. :beer:
What i fear is that once i start stocking it, it's going to be all down hill from here.
But as far as plans go, not sure. I'm definitely looking forward to having certain species of fish that I couldn't have with a 46g tank. And I'll be taking inspiration again from the minimalist tanks thread as far as rock is concerned. Maybe not that minimal, but less than i have now. Again, gonna have to work around those Vortechs. Rock will be coming from Tampa Bay Saltwater. I'll have some pests to deal with, but hoping to avoid hair algae and other pest algae problems that i have now in the 46.
