hawaiifavo
New member
I was getting impatient so I took matters a step further:
Deep Blue 35G Frag Tank
- Thread starter hawaiifavo
- Start date
hawaiifavo
New member
I'm going to trim down the return hose a bit to stop it from forcing the sicce sideways. But the plumbing is now essentially done pending any major issues during the water/flow testing stage.
The check valve has union fittings on it for easy release and the sicce syncra 3.0 return pump has built in flow adjustment so there is no need for a ball or gate valve.
Next step is getting it wet : )
Last edited:
Lilmatty5dimes
New member
I'm going to trim down the return hose a bit to stop it from forcing the sicce sideways. But the plumbing is now essentially done pending any major issues during the water/flow testing stage.
The check valve has union fittings on it for easy release and the sicce syncra 3.0 return pump has built in flow adjustment so there is no need for a ball or gate valve.
Next step is getting it wet : )
Lilmatty5dimes
New member
:celeb1: :dance::celeb3::beer: now that's what we've all been waiting for. Lol
Plumbing looks great.
Sorry about post above for some reason I couldn't see the pics of anything. Strange wonder what is going on with PB.
chgoblknazn
New member
That stand looks great!
hawaiifavo
New member
Yeah, I think I need to explore other options than PB, a couple pictures have been "moved" so they wont don't show-up on previous posts.
Anyway, tank is full and sump is filling : )
Pics coming later today.
hawaiifavo
New member
Thanks, Almost looking forward to doing another one now to make it even better/tidier than than this one.
hawaiifavo
New member
Start filling the tank up last night - got this far in 3 hours.
Continued this morning...
This afternoon....
Water finally got into the over flow - had to tighten the bulkheads : ) no major disasters thankfully but enough to grab the towels quickly.
Filled up the sump...
Filled it up enough to turn on the return pump only for there to be no flow and a very load grinding noise. I immediately d/c the return pump and opened it up, pulled out the impeller, impeller looked fine - checked the inside and found that the plastic on the inside at the very bottom had melted stopping the cushion that holds the impeller in place at the bottom of the pump from seating properly. oh S*$T!
That is the best I can do picture wise and even then it doesn't show the damage. No idea how this could have happened. Its 2 years old. I used it with no issues on my 65G tank and then as a casual mixing pump for kalk in my 28G ATO - never had any issues. Gutted to say the least.
I found a brand new mag 12 in my storage closet that i have never used so I have put that up for sale on craigslist in an effort to cover part of the cost towards the replacement Syncra 3.
Will hopefully be able to get that ordered on Monday along with an Apex. For now all work is suspended until further notice : (
Its just occurred to me - that its valentines this weekend so probably for the best anyway...
Continued this morning...
This afternoon....
Water finally got into the over flow - had to tighten the bulkheads : ) no major disasters thankfully but enough to grab the towels quickly.
Filled up the sump...
Filled it up enough to turn on the return pump only for there to be no flow and a very load grinding noise. I immediately d/c the return pump and opened it up, pulled out the impeller, impeller looked fine - checked the inside and found that the plastic on the inside at the very bottom had melted stopping the cushion that holds the impeller in place at the bottom of the pump from seating properly. oh S*$T!
That is the best I can do picture wise and even then it doesn't show the damage. No idea how this could have happened. Its 2 years old. I used it with no issues on my 65G tank and then as a casual mixing pump for kalk in my 28G ATO - never had any issues. Gutted to say the least.
I found a brand new mag 12 in my storage closet that i have never used so I have put that up for sale on craigslist in an effort to cover part of the cost towards the replacement Syncra 3.
Will hopefully be able to get that ordered on Monday along with an Apex. For now all work is suspended until further notice : (
Its just occurred to me - that its valentines this weekend so probably for the best anyway...
Lilmatty5dimes
New member
Looking good. Sucks about your pump. On the bright side better now than when you've got $600 worth of coral and fish.
hawaiifavo
New member
Finally got the replacement syncra 3 and the apex in. Started on the cable management side of things. I'm a big fan of everything not only being accessible but also setup cleanly and in such a way that a single piece of equipment can be removed easily with minimal fuss. To that end here is what I have so far. I have used only velco straps to tie down the cables.
hawaiifavo
New member
hawaiifavo
New member
Got the new Syncra 3 installed, however the built in flow regulator just was wasn't allowing me to adjust the flow as much as I would have liked. Subsequently, I had a huge problem with noise in the overflow box and at the input section of the sump due to too much flow. After raising the water level in the sump and a lot of tweaking of the durso, I resigned to adding a ball valve after the check valve.
I still think its really noisy, but I'm just going to see how it goes in the mean time.
I have never used a durso before so what I didn't realize is that they cant handle a lot of flow without getting noisy. My only real option is a bean animal or herbie but that would require drilling and modifying the tank which I really want to avoid.
This will be the first time I have the tank running 24/7 while I'm working in the office so fingers crossed for the next week.
I just need to add a 10G ATO container to replace the 5G and make an egg crate stand to raise the skimmer up.
Here is a pic of the finished sump.
I still think its really noisy, but I'm just going to see how it goes in the mean time.
I have never used a durso before so what I didn't realize is that they cant handle a lot of flow without getting noisy. My only real option is a bean animal or herbie but that would require drilling and modifying the tank which I really want to avoid.
This will be the first time I have the tank running 24/7 while I'm working in the office so fingers crossed for the next week.
I just need to add a 10G ATO container to replace the 5G and make an egg crate stand to raise the skimmer up.
Here is a pic of the finished sump.
hawaiifavo
New member
On the to-do list (not in particular order):
1. Calibrate pH probe
2. Raise skimmer
3. Add salt (HW-Marinemix Reefer)
4. Add Seeded media from DT to sump
5. Add 10G ATO
6. Install Radion XR15w
7. Install MP10QD
8. Config Fusion
9. Make egg crate frag stand
Anyone have any thoughts on cleanup crew? Also, to fish or not to fish? I was thinking of a 4 line wrasse and a blenny or some sort. I'm sure I will have to add a screen top if I add fish.
I also have a few fish in my DT that I was thinking of pulling out and putting in the frag tank but they wont really provide the same services that a 4 line or Blenny would.
McCosker Flasher Wrasse
Helfrichi Firefish
Cherub Angelfish
hawaiifavo
New member
Great thanks. I have a 150 on my DT and I was thinking about 7"-8". Much appreciated!
hawaiifavo
New member
Thanks, the bulb that I'm using is the same that I use on my DT fuge and it grows Cheato like a weed for me. If I have any issues though I will certainly look more into your recommendation. Thanks again!
hawaiifavo
New member
Thanks man, this has been a fun build and I'm really pleased with the outcome so far.
