drummereef's 180g in-wall build

Good luck Brett with the dart. I had one for about a week but I downsized to the snapper as I always had the dart valved back. I am getting ready to replub the tank with an internal pump as they are just a bit more quiet.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15264421#post15264421 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by H.Veras
so are you QT anything yet? more pictures...:):):)
Click to expand...


Not until I get all the kinks worked out. The pump is one big kink in the system right now. Hopefully I'll have better luck with the next pump.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15264483#post15264483 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kiel'thalin
Great to see your upgrade. I have enjoyed reading the thread and look forward towards the progress. Good Luck!

K
Click to expand...


Thanks Kiel'thalin! It's a work in progress for sure. Should have some updates for you soon. :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15266287#post15266287 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mpoletti
Good luck Brett with the dart. I had one for about a week but I downsized to the snapper as I always had the dart valved back. I am getting ready to replub the tank with an internal pump as they are just a bit more quiet.
Click to expand...

I thought about getting the Snapper before I bought the Dart. Since I plan on plumbing a remote refugium in the system I thought I needed the extra power. I just hope the next one doesn't leak like the first one. :)
 
UPDATE:


I have a weird update for you guys today. As you know I've been doing fresh water testing on the system for the last couple weeks to make sure I get all the kinks worked out. Over the last couple days I noticed the tap water I used for testing starting to get cloudy. I'm obviously not running the skimmer and there is no bio filtration as I'm just testing the plumbing for leaks etc. I'll obviously be using RO/DI for the real startup with saltwater.

I drained the system yesterday because of this... :eek1: I'm guessing it was a bacteria bloom or something??? One more reason NOT to use tap water for reef tanks. ;)

pics005.jpg~original



Half way drained. I used 5/8" ID tubing to drain the tank. Took about an hour for the display. I used my wet/dry shop-vac to get the little bit that was left in the bottom. Clean, dried, and waiting for the new pump to get here.

pics004.jpg~original
 
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That was strange - almost like privacy glass. :lol:

Perhaps it was affected by the glues and pastes from assembly. Were you running the lights? Was the flow on?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15275743#post15275743 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
That was strange - almost like privacy glass. :lol:

Perhaps it was affected by the glues and pastes from assembly. Were you running the lights? Was the flow on?
Click to expand...

Totally weird right? There was no light except for ambient room light and a little sunlight from the back windows. I was running the return pump and Vortechs 24/7 as well. I did notice some cat hair got in the tank. Wondering if this could have started a cycle of some kind? Kinda gross I know... :lol:
 
Bizarre

Bizarre

That is so strange... almost like a curtain pulled over the tank...What is the TDS of that water??

Does the water clear up when you make RO/DI? I sure hope so...

LL
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15275762#post15275762 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hop
You mean your guy's water is normally not that color?





:lol:
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I do live by the Mississippi you know. Reminds me of Clark Griswold and the Family Truckster... "That's the Mississippi. The mighty Mississip. The old Miss... The old man..." :lol:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15275879#post15275879 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JustinReef
I have crazy amounts of cat hair getting into my tank everyday.

Looking great!
Click to expand...

I'm guessing you know because your skimmer pulls it out? I could say a hair ball joke but I'll refrain. :D
 
Re: Bizarre

Re: Bizarre

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15275908#post15275908 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lightsluvr
That is so strange... almost like a curtain pulled over the tank...What is the TDS of that water??

Does the water clear up when you make RO/DI? I sure hope so...

LL
Click to expand...

I haven't tested the TDS of the tap water over here yet. Might be a good thing to do. I know the TDS over where my 40g is living is around 35-40. The RO/DI gets it down to 0. I'm in the same water district so I'm assuming it's about the same.
 
Wanted to show you a new tool I picked up the other day too. It's a Craftsman Strap Wrench. It's basically a metal bar with a stout rubber strap. The handle on this particular one is rubberized for easy grip. I really like it when tightening/loosening the nuts on my true union ball valves. Makes quick easy work when hand adjusting is difficult. Best part is the rubber strap protects the plastic parts from getting marred up. I highly recommend this when working on larger ball valves. My 2" true union has 5.5" nuts that make it difficult to hand tighten or loosen. :)


Craftsman Strap Wrench

pics002-2.jpg~original



Showing the application of the wrench on a large valve

pics003-2.jpg~original
 
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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15276018#post15276018 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bill14
That's a great idea! Obvious and simple. No wonder I didn't think of it.
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Thanks Bill. Wish it was my idea, I'd be rich! :D Actually the guy I bought the valves from works for the Illinois water company. He also works part time at a respected LFS in my area. These are the same valves the water company uses and he suggested I pick up a strap wrench to tighten them down. I initially tried to hand tighten them, but was getting some minor leakage. First time I tried the strap wrench I couldn't believe how easy they were to turn with it. Best of all, no leaks now! :)
 
Be sure to put some silicone grease on the union threads, which will make the job of loosening and tightening even smoother & easier.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15276774#post15276774 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Be sure to put some silicone grease on the union threads, which will make the job of loosening and tightening even smoother & easier.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, that works great. Every time I take them apart I check the threads and add a tiny bit of grease. Really helps.




Btw, the new Dart is scheduled to come today! :)
 
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