dangerwills 150 gallon reef build

[Dangerwill]

I did the plumbing for my closed loop return (at 4am) gotta take advantage of insomnia…

As I mentioned I dont want to have any powerheads in the tank. I am going to have 8 pieces of 3/4 inch locline blasting water from the top of the tank.

I am debating on what kind of pump to use.

***PLEASE CHIME IN ON THIS ONE.***

I want to be able to move a lot of water with this. I am trying to decide between:

Iwaki md70rlt pushing 1500 gph
or
reeflo dart pushing about 3200 gph

pretty big difference but I dont know which one is going to give me the best flow

Obviously the dart will give me the most flow but will it be too much?

I like the iwaki because it consumes less power, the dart has the Baldor motor and is just a mean machine.

I am feeding 1.5 inch pipe from the pump into the middle T where it is reduced to 1 inch pipe the rest of the way. All the outs are 3/4 inch and will be locline.

If I go with the dart I am considering running my sump return line into the same loop return

 

[Dangerwill]

Another concern I have is will my lights damage my pipes? Should I paint them?

 

[Newsalth2o]

I like the idea of no power heads and I actually went down that path in the beginning. I put my piping in the sand and fed it through the overflow with a bulkhead. I am running a mag 9.5 and the bean animal is in the safety at 900gph during startup. I would be in a panic with anything larger. Once the air is out of the loops I believe it will handle 1500gph+ flow. But what happens when no one is home and there is a power bump? Unless you put an aqualifter on the two loops I would be scared. Let us know what you come up with. Remember this is just my opinion, from my experience. Good luck

 

[danfeig]

Another concern I have is will my lights damage my pipes? Should I paint them?

I plumbed my old 150 gallon, a 40 gallon sump and my chiller all with a Reeflo Dart.

I ran 150 watt MH's and never had any issues with my pvc pipes changing colors, melting, etc.

I'd go with the dart!

 

[Dangerwill]

What do you mean about putting aqualifters on the loops? This is my first experience with a closed loop so I am kind of just shooting from the hip on most of this. Would the lifters be for a power outage life support scenario or to prevent a flood?

 

[Newsalth2o]

What do you mean about putting aqualifters on the loops? This is my first experience with a closed loop so I am kind of just shooting from the hip on most of this. Would the lifters be for a power outage life support scenario or to prevent a flood?

It would prevent a flood. The beananimal does not achieve full flow until all the air is out of the siphon loop. When your pump stops the siphon empties the overflow box and breaks siphon. It takes mine about 45 seconds to establish full siphon again, that is push the air out of the loop, during this time all pipes are flowing including the safety. Once the air is out it drops to normal again. The aqualifter would quickly pull the air out of the loop on the siphon to achieve full flow faster. Watch my video on youtube maybe that will help you see how long it takes mine to achieve full flow. Google aqualifter and see what they do. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSy-yu54PvU

 

[Newsalth2o]

It would prevent a flood. The beananimal does not achieve full flow until all the air is out of the siphon loop. When your pump stops the siphon empties the overflow box and breaks siphon. It takes mine about 45 seconds to establish full siphon again, that is push the air out of the loop, during this time all pipes are flowing including the safety. Once the air is out it drops to normal again. The aqualifter would quickly pull the air out of the loop on the siphon to achieve full flow faster. Watch my video on youtube maybe that will help you see how long it takes mine to achieve full flow. Google aqualifter and see what they do. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSy-yu54PvU

Shot linked the wrong video! sorry this is it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V50Qyj4GJ8g

 

[Dangerwill]

Newsalth2o-That was a cool video, and it did help to illustrate what you were saying. btw I like your overflow box.

 

[Dangerwill]

Progress is going slow. Its not just me though. I was really hoping to be filling it up for a leak test and a loop test this week while Im on vacation but am still missing some important components.

1. overflow box.
I have been trying to get one built but not having a great deal of success. It amazes me that I have asked 3 different shops to give me a quote for what I need and nobody will even call me back. I have been trying to get a box made since November 22nd. I just want to give somebody some money and get the ball rolling.

2. pump for loop
I went with the reeflo dart rocking the baldor motor. I hope it is animal enough to do what I want it to do but I am concerned that my 8 hole octopus will deplete too much of the flow to make it worth while. for that reason I am going to add a shut off valve onto 4 of the outs. The rational behind it being that even without accounting for friction the 3200 gph divided by 8 = 400 and thats not much by 4 its 800 gph each and thats not to shabby

3.Lighting/lidding
I couldnt get over the whole massive canopy/crappy access needing a ladder to feed my fish thing and I didnt want to hack it up with my sub-amish tools. So I decided to mount my lights to a closet mate max load shelving unit and mount the shelf to the cabinet. I am going to use some of the wood from the cabinet to enclose it but hinge it in a way that it will swing open allowing full access.

Sorry no pics on this update but I will have several on the next one.

 

[CT Grim]

Try the sign shop on the west side of Tucson Blvd just south of Broadway for the overflow box. They are good at fabbing anything plastic. You are looking at about $100 for them to make one. Take exact dimensions, including thickness, how large you want the slots, and how deep. A good detailed drawing will expedite things.

 

[Newsalth2o]

How big a box are you talking about? I built mine and my sump baffles. I may have enough stuff to build you one.

 

[Dangerwill]

I'm going to do a 48 inch semi coast to coast with no teeth. I like yours by the way, is it a 1 piece that has been bent?

 

[Newsalth2o]

yes. I bent it and cut the teeth. I also piped the return through the overflow in the back to try and hide it.

 

[Dangerwill]

Well done very clean

 

[Dangerwill]

Build progress

Build progress

Everybody knows that the proper height to hang an oveflow is exatly 1 bucket of salt high plus 3 bricks....

 

[danfeig]

Looks great Will! I hope the overflow work went smoothly for you.

It was nice meeting you this morning!

 

[danfeig]

Looks great Will! I hope the overflow work went smoothly for you.

It was nice meeting you this morning!

 

[Dangerwill]

Thanks for the invite, i appreciate the good deal on the octopus and the opportunity to get a look at your tank and fish room, the build thread doesnt do it justice. I wont be surprised to see it as tank of the month soon

 

[Newsalth2o]

Won't be long and there will be life in there. Looking good. Amazing what it you can make work when you need too....

 

[Newsalth2o]

Won't be long and there will be life in there. Looking good. Amazing what it you can make work when you need too....