Double or Nothing... AJ's 405-Gallon Reef Savvy Upgrade

[Stylo328]

I do see water.. Very nice update indeed.

Is that pump supposed to be connected?? or is that capped off?

Thanks. It is capped for now as I've only got one of the L1s plumbed. The other is currently running on the 187. I'll swap the plumbed pump to the other return for the other half of the leak test tomorrow.


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[Stylo328]

How will each outlet provide ample flow sine the water will take the path of last resistance?

Corey

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Since they are all reduced to 3/4" loc-line, the flow will equal out (for the most part) across the three returns from each pump. With two MP60s and three MP40s on the tank, I'm not really relying on the return pumps for flow.


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[Stylo328]

Success! Leak test went pretty well. Had to tighten one bulkhead on a phantom overflow, but otherwise dry. Had only one of the L1s plumbed as the other is still on the 187. Will swap the L1 to the other return tomorrow to finish the leak test.

Tank was quieter than I expected. Need to raise the water level in the ghost overflow as I don't like the fact that I can see the waterline under the canopy. Also need to raise the water level in the sump to silence the system altogether.

Here are a few photos. Note the waterline.

And a quick video for "sound effect".

https://vimeo.com/193482000

Thanks for checking in.




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[worm5406]

Very nice update. Glad only one blukhead needed work.

A second pump, or higher pressure, might increase that water to where you want it too.

 

[Stylo328]

A second pump, or higher pressure, might increase that water to where you want it too.

I hadn't thought of that. Now I'm torn. If I don't raise the level in the overflow and the second pump doesn't resolve it, then I'm stuck with the lower level as it will be hard to access the overflow boxes once the tank is in place.

Conversely if I do raise the intakes in the overflow and the second pump increases it further, I could end up with a real issue when I put the second pump on. Same issue with access to the overflow applies.

Unfortunately I will not be able to add the second pump until I tear down the 187 and swap all rock and corals over to this tank.



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[Achilles Torben]

Very clean plumbing! Thumbsup
Great set up

Grüße Torben

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[Stylo328]

Very clean plumbing! Thumbsup
Great set up

Grüße Torben

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Vielen Dank

I think that translates to thank you [emoji16]
In case it doesn't, thank you very much!


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[worm5406]

I hadn't thought of that. Now I'm torn. If I don't raise the level in the overflow and the second pump doesn't resolve it, then I'm stuck with the lower level as it will be hard to access the overflow boxes once the tank is in place.

Conversely if I do raise the intakes in the overflow and the second pump increases it further, I could end up with a real issue when I put the second pump on. Same issue with access to the overflow applies.

Unfortunately I will not be able to add the second pump until I tear down the 187 and swap all rock and corals over to this tank.

IMO place the bottom of the weir at the bottom edge of the visible edge of the trim. Naturally water will create a small buffer zone and then enter the weir. As the flow increases it will raise on the weir and in turn raise the edge around the lip of the tank and be above the visible edge.

 

[Achilles Torben]

Vielen Dank

I think that translates to thank you [emoji16]
In case it doesn't, thank you very much!


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It seems that everybody in US is able to talking german! Great

Grüße Torben

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[Stylo328]

IMO place the bottom of the weir at the bottom edge of the visible edge of the trim. Naturally water will create a small buffer zone and then enter the weir. As the flow increases it will raise on the weir and in turn raise the edge around the lip of the tank and be above the visible edge.

Thanks for the advice. I'll tinker with it a bit today and see how it works out. I'll post an update with the outcome.


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[ADVRESOURCE]

Or, trim around the canopy. What will you be putting in your system? Fish only? LPS? Softies? or SPS? For lower flow rates through the sump, you won't want to add another pump. Lower water flow increases efficiency of your skimmer. Additional flow for SPS can be accomplished with power heads, like they GYRE or MP40's, inside your tank.

Your plumbing skills are excellent! I'd hate to mess with that work of art.

 

[Stylo328]

Double or Nothing... AJ's 405-Gallon Reef Savvy Upgrade

Or, trim around the canopy. What will you be putting in your system? Fish only? LPS? Softies? or SPS? For lower flow rates through the sump, you won't want to add another pump. Lower water flow increases efficiency of your skimmer. Additional flow for SPS can be accomplished with power heads, like they GYRE or MP40's, inside your tank.

Your plumbing skills are excellent! I'd hate to mess with that work of art.

Thanks for the kind words on the plumbing.

I bit the bullet and ordered another Vectra L1 today. Now I'll have three. One can serve as a back up. This way I can plumb both pumps while the tank is in its current location and mess with flow rates to see if the water level rises.

I also went ahead and raised the height of the drains inside the ghost overflows which raised the water level in the tank about 1/4 of an inch. Still not enough to get it under the canopy but it's definitely better. Let's see how we do once the new pump arrives.

Tank will have three MP40s and a pair of MP60s for flow.


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[Stylo328]

Double or Nothing... AJ's 405-Gallon Reef Savvy Upgrade

Thanks for the suggestions on raising the water level. Here is a quick update. I raised the drains inside the ghost overflow, which raised the water level a bit.

I still have at lease an inch that can be raised without risk of overflow for the tank, but then capacity for the sump comes in to question...

I'm hoping the addition of the second L1 (pending from UPS) will correct that last bit of visible water line.


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[scubadan206]

When I built my overflow the water was too low as well. I rolled up some epoxy and squished it into the teeth.
It raised the water level almost an inch. Putting a sheet of acrylic or something against the inside of the teeth would work as well. Epoxy is permanent, but covering the teeth with something else would be more adjustable.

 

[Stylo328]

When I built my overflow the water was too low as well. I rolled up some epoxy and squished it into the teeth.

It raised the water level almost an inch. Putting a sheet of acrylic or something against the inside of the teeth would work as well. Epoxy is permanent, but covering the teeth with something else would be more adjustable.

That actually gives me a great idea. Let me fiddle with it a bit and see if it works. Thank you!


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[Gatorfan]

Is it just the pictures, or is the water level higher in the back of the tank than the front?

 

[Stylo328]

Is it just the pictures, or is the water level higher in the back of the tank than the front?

It's just the photo. I checked with a level and the tank is square. This is in the temporary spot. Hoping to achieve the same in the final location.


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[Justin330]

Very nice build. Great job on the plumbing. Tagging along to see further progress

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[Stylo328]

Very nice build. Great job on the plumbing. Tagging along to see further progress

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Thank you very much. Great having you along.


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[Stylo328]

Double or Nothing... AJ's 405-Gallon Reef Savvy Upgrade

Tiny update today, but one I'm oddly excited about nevertheless. I ordered these brackets for the two BRS Jumbo reactors. These will allow me to mount them high along the rear of the stand and make good use of the manifold! Of course, the brackets didn't come with screws, but a quick Hone Depot run remedied that. Not sure if I am going to run the GFO and Carbon in parallel or not, but it's nice to have the option.

Hoping for a much better update tomorrow!


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