DIY Grow Out Setup - Day By Day

Thanks for the tip Joe, my CPR Continous Syphon overflow box has a simular device, so I can probably get by without the pic, but thanks.

I've got most of the plumbing for the returns finished, but it's not connected yet, so now would be a good time to do that. With any luck, I'll get all the plumbing finished up and running before my new ones hatch Wed. night. I want to go ahead and move the first set of babies onto the new system, and just start with a slow drip to gently acclimate them to the new water. I hope I don't kill them!

John, good idea also on the shelf paper, I had a bunch of this foam left over from an old project, so it was free! I also noticed that the Fan Fold (1/4" blue insulation foam) fits the shelves perfectly, and it is mylar backed also. I had read somewhere that foam under a tank that might sit on an uneven surface was a good idea (Calfo's book I think) so I went that route.

It's all coming together quite nicely, thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Now I just have to find the $$ for the skimmers, return pump, and another shop light for the refugium and I'll be all set!
 
Foam is good for acrylic tanks (shock absorbtion, insulation) but not good for rimmed glass tanks, which require a flat even surface for the rim. But 10g tanks aren't that heavy and the rim will probably be able to take the stress.
 
It's the foam pushing up on the raised bottom of the glass tank that is the danger. However, the water will be pushing down in an opposing way, so perhaps there will be no problem.
 
This foam is only 1/4" thick, and pretty stiff because of the mylar backing on both sides. It's kinda like foam core that you see at art stores, but with a water proof plastic backing instead of paper. I don't think it has a chance of getting into the bottom, so hopefully I will be OK. I have to pull all the tanks to install the plumbing anyways, maybe I'll go with the shelf paper and doubled up wood at that time.

I found another mistake I made, rotifers on the bottom shelf is no good. Can't syphon from there, I had to laugh at myself. I think I will move those to the corner of the computer desk where I can see them better.
 
I had rots on the floor before, during construction, you can siphon as long as the container is at the same level, you are only removing less than half the water anyway...

Have you drilled all the tanks? The only problem i see with your overflow is that that type of set up is not very good at removing oils from the surface. Stand pipes are better at that. The only thing you can do is attach an elbow to the "bulkhead" but the hole is to close to the edge and will overflow.

Ed
 
Ed,

Yet another thing I didn't think about, luckily I have only drilled 4 tanks. With the position of the holes being so high, I could probably turn those 4 into larvae tanks and drill the rest properly.

What do you think about running a short length of pipe out of the bulkhead, putting a closed end on it, and cutting the "top" of the cap open to allow for surface skimming?

I can drill more tanks, but my plumbing is already cut and glued (4 sets) for the position of these holes, so I really need to find a way to make them work as is. I suppose I could also cut down an elbow so that it didn't extend so high upwards. I'll look at it a little closer.

Thanks!
 
Thanks Ed, that actually wasn't so hard. 2 minutes with a Dremel....how about this?

overflow2.jpg
 
Not to be a pain but I doubt the o-ring method will last to long. You know how Murphy's law works. I would just silicone those fittings in and be done with them. The o-ring has too little surface area to perform over long periods of time. Plus to get a good seal you will have to crank down that fitting and run the risk of cracking the glass.
 
That is just perfect J, gonna do that myself...

Morgan is right, maybe if you get a flat gasket, I put silicone on the bulkheads even when they come with a pretty good seal.

Talking about future problems; use threaded ball valves, and screw them in with teflon, using slip valves with solvent will create a problem when the time to replace them comes, when they start leaking.

Ed
 
Morgman, sounds more like you are trying to save me from being a pain in my own butt (no comments) :D Sounds like I need to break out the silicone.

Ed, I have only cut plumbing for 4 tanks so far (only bought one shelf until I see if it's going to work out, it's NOT). I can return most of the other stuff and get threaded ball valves and ends.

I'm now thinking I'm going to cycle the sump/refugium with this setup, and then redo a second setup (probably on a custom built shelving unit) with all of the corrections made. All in all, it wasn't THAT expensive of a learning experience. I also learned more what I want from my custom shelving, and a freind offered to let me use his well equipped wood shop. This thread will be about 57 pages by the time I get it right! :D

Thanks a lot everyone! I almost feel like I am ready to start another one properly.....almost. I'm going to try to talk one of the CAD guys here into making a 3D drawing of my shelf ideas. They can even print me out a materials list. Not to mention that you guys can look at my shelf design and offer suggestions to it as well.
 
you don't have to break out the silicone just yet....swing back to your lowes and ask them for rubber gasket material. It's sold in squares (12") and you can cut out flat "washer-like" o-rings from that. Saves you a mess with silicone that will most likely leak also!

HTH
 
of course, in all honesty, you're probably only saving 10-15$ from ordering regular bulkeads on line! gotta love DIYers though....=P
 
Yeah, it really wasn't a money savings thing as much as it was the step by step additions I plan. I didn't want to place 15 online orders, and am building the setup 4 tanks at a time. So I needed a way to buy 4 of everything, several times, when my monthly budget permitted it.

I'm also the type of guy that wants it when I need it, not when the UPS man shows up :D The hardware store is about 2 miles from home, so when I realize I need something, I have it in my hands in 10 minutes. I had bought some garden hose gaskets that fit as well, and they are flat, but I will probably go with silicone anyhow...it won't leak if you put enough on! :D
 
This is an old, but good post. Wondering if you have any new updates on your system Jnowell. maybe even some new pictures to post.
 
like the post, i second james37128 and are there any recent pics. just to add I am also a closet geek and fly fomies, gas, and helis for fun and Big helis for work.
 
jnowell got out of the hobby. He said he did what he tried to do, now moved on. He is a treasure diver with a group in Florida, living on a boat, so he cant keep aquariums. We talked about raising fish and seahorses and all the problems at length last week. He may get back in it some day. He doesnt fly RC planes anymore either. Steve.
 
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