In-wall 380gal tank - cut out options

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hahahah I love your miny model! lolll

It looks good to me. IS that a return line going to the bottom? I hope you got some siphon protection.

Your rock looks good, just makes sure not to over rock/aquascape. Think more of coral scape.
 
Yes. There's a 3/4" siphon break near the top.

The plan is to create open branch platforms with pillars instead of dense rocks for support. I'm putting rigid airline tubing in the thorite molding process to create future anchor points for corals ... Even on vertical faces.

For the connective rock, I am thinking of cloth soaked in thorite... Like cement paper mashie over a PVC skeleton.
 
Where are you getting your thorite? The only source I could find was internet:
Emaco GP, Fast Setting Waterproof Repair Mortar (50lb)
EMACO-GP
$55.00 SALE $43.95

and shipping was another $40!
 
karimwassef,
I have just found and read your thread, great system you are putting together. I am sure all of this planning and debating will pay off many times over! It looked like you used threaded rod to suspend your shelf. This seems like the best idea, do you have an opinion yet on how it will work out? I am also very interested in how your surge device works. I am a few years out on a home remodel, and wife is good with a tank and fishroom as part of the plan, so I am curious how this works as I want to steal your idea :) Also have you picked out epoxy for your sump yet, and what material will you be using for your baffles?
 
Muttley,

I tested the threaded rod platforms with the full 100gal load. I was expecting to hear some creaking or see some warpage but it was as stable as my second floor. It's not so much the threaded rod. The 1/2" rods I used can carry a lot of weight and 1/2 the support is directly into the walls. The beams that the rods go into are the load bearing structures of my second floor so they are designed to take weight with margin.
 
I am going to try acrylic baffles. Success unknown. Will post once I test it. I am also adding small acrylic windows ... More TBD
 
I am using us composites 2:1 (I'll post a pic). It is VERY slow curing. With 4 layers on each of 5 sides and 7 joints... It's a month (or two) of curing time but I'm in no rush.
 
Lavoisier said:
Where are you getting your thorite? The only source I could find was internet:
Emaco GP, Fast Setting Waterproof Repair Mortar (50lb)
EMACO-GP
$55.00 SALE $43.95

and shipping was another $40!
Click to expand...

I'm not the OP but perhaps I can help?

You can get smaller quantities of Emaco from Marco Rocks. Look in the 'Aquascaping supplies'. Free shipping.

Make sure you mix up small quantities. They don't lie when its called 'fast setting'!
 
woodnaquanut said:
I'm not the OP but perhaps I can help?

You can get smaller quantities of Emaco from Marco Rocks. Look in the 'Aquascaping supplies'. Free shipping.

Make sure you mix up small quantities. They don't lie when its called 'fast setting'!
Click to expand...

Oh No, Quoting my own message! :eek2:

I forgot to add, it should be available at 'White Cap'. There is a store close to you in Kansas City, MO. They'd have the 50 lb. bag if you need a lot. They might have to order it.
 
karimwassef said:
Ok. So it was too messy creating my return flow and reef structure using software. So I decided to create an 8:1 scale model of my tank and then use pipe cleaners and modeling clay. I Chose 8:1 so the 1/8th inch acrylic would be close.
Click to expand...

I'm coming to this thread a little late . . . but building a scale model of your tank with pipe cleaners and modeling clay is awesome. You are my new "build thread" hero!

Keep up the great work. I'll be following along.

-Mike
 
Thanks. I've made some progress since then. Just need to upload the pictures.

Nice "buzz" image, btw. I'm a GT alumn too.
 
ok. I've run into a bit of a snag. I have a BA overflow but the main siphon won't start when I test a power outage.

I have two failsafes so no flood, but the water level doesn't come back down and the main siphon remains filled with a giant airbubble.

All the drain lines are 2" PVC. The pump is pushing ~5000-6000gph and once the main 2" siphon is activated, it can drain all that flow and more... it'll run the overflow dry if the valve is fully opened.

When I test a power outage, the main siphon pulls almost all the water in the overflow down to the sump. The main returns both run to their siphon breaks. Now, There is a giant airbubble in the main siphon that starts in the overflow and fills the 2" pipe down to the water level in the sump (drain end is about 1" below sump water level).

When I restart the pump, the backups all go to work, but the main siphon is air-blocked. The water level can rise (if I close the other drains) 3" over the main siphon's intake and still air-blocked.

I have to turn the pump OFF... then the siphon starts and if I restart the pump just before the overflow runs dry, I can get it all restarted.

Clearly, this won't work in case of a real power outage.

What's wrong?
 
I am going to drill and run a 1/4" airline to the main pump intake to hopefully get the airbubble moving a little and kickstart the siphon. I didn't want to go there, but it is A possible solution.
 
I think I've seen Uncle mention that if the main drain is more than an inch below water level in the sump then the siphon can fail. I'm not sure how to correct that situation if the sump water level rises due to a power failure but have wondered about this in the past. I look forward to seeing the resolution.
 
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