Join me for a strange one...

[Nathan.Titulaer]

If you want to cut down on the noise and still be able to handle the surge have you considered having the skimmer float on the surface. Have one pipe slip in to the other and allow the skimmer to raise and fall with the water level. You could probably then tune to reduce noise and still get effective skimming with a surge.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

A sawtooth pattern instead of "straight" teeth might help. It would tend to be positively stable (note my extremely technical terminology here). More skimming at a higher water level, less at a lower level. Just brainstorming here...

Though I don't like teeth on weirs, since they tend to increase noise and ruin the nice laminar flow you get without them. My overflow is just a smooth wall with 1/4" clear nylon mesh to keep livestock out.

 

[BeanAnimal]

The safe search term is "bell mouth spillway"....

 

[maxxII]

Geeezz. I didn't think of that angle.

The "glory hole" I was referring to is the giant scary funnels used in reservoirs to absolutely fix the water level.

Sorry man, I'm a cop and we see some weird stuff while working. I didnt realize that you were referring to a bell mouth spillway as opposed to .....something else....

Now that this thread has been derailed......

Back on track...

Excellent build and amazing attention to detail. Hats off to you, Sir.

Nick

 

[kcress]

Thanks Nick. And thanks for the earlier heads-up.

Nathan and DWZM(N squared) thanks for the ideas. I haven't figured out how I could run a floating one with enough sealing to prevent a huge amount of DT water from hitting the sump in an extended power outage.

As for the teeth gambit. You mean wider the higher?

I understand the teeth/no teeth issue. Since this isn't like a regular overflow that a fish might end up in the overflow box without going 'down the pipe' and since the level could be rising suddenly and regularly, I really need something to block creatures. Perhaps teeth that are really narrow. Perhaps 1/8" would not mess up the flow enough so that noise would not be added to having turbulent flow going over the edge.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Mesh! I have this material around mine:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store...ous-items/clear-1-4-screen-netting-7-x-3.html

You could include 4 or 5 teeth to "hold up" the mesh. It lets water through like a smooth weir, but stops livestock from getting in. Before I put it on my weir, I was scooping fish out of the overflow or sump at a rate of 1/day. Haven't had a single fish in since (granted, it's only been a week. )

 

[kcress]

Nice idea ZWZM. Thanks for the link.

I've messed with the restricting valve in the sump added 10 gallons and voila! No noise at all. S i l e n t. Skimming is working as desired. It's been that way for two days now.

Power failed this morning, (very windy), and the tank drained down below the weir because I haven't trimmed any more off the return even though the new weir raised the water level. The return siphonsed. The sump filled up to about 3" from the top.

Power came back on, water level climbed in the DT made lots of noise of falling water (as the standpipe refilled) then it went right back into silence with the water about 1/3 up the weir teeth. I think we have a winner here.

Now if only the cycle would happen... The nitrite is holding steady. The ammonia is going no-where. Still off scale a bit.

I wonder if the nitrate bacteria choked since there was zero nitrite for so long. Should I inoculate again?

 

[kcress]

On a sadder note Big Blue, my saucer sized angelfish, died this morning. I feel bad he never made it to the Promised Land.

So close but yet so far.. (fill in other cliches here)


The big blue fish waits
paradise on horizon
for him it will pass so close

 

[Mock]

Sorry for your loss

 

[brackishdude]

Try gutter guard. I use it along my weir Calfo and it seives great with minimal flow restriction.

It's pretty stiff, and a ring/cylinder of it would support its own weight. Just zip tie the ends together to make the cylinder of the right diameter and then zip tie it to two or three teeth.


great build. I was blown away at the beginning, with the outstanding engineering of the stand, and the decor is inspired.

 

[kcress]

Appreciate it Mock. He had almost 14 years - which is a heck of a run for a fish.


Thanks for the suggestion Brackish. Thanks for the thumbs up too!.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Poor Big Blue!

What species of angel was he?

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Sorry for you loss.

 

[kcress]

Thanks folks.

DWZM; I was never able to get a definitive answer as to what type he was. He was a very pleasant slow fish. He liked to screw with us by sitting in his normal location like nothing was odd only he'd be upside down.

He looked very much like this:

 

[brackishdude]

Regarding the gutter guard, I looked again and see that you've got an outer ring of pvc with a bit of a lip between it and the surroiunding decor. I thin you could make the gutter guard ring/cylinder a hair larger than the pipe OD, and just slip it over.

Didn't this thread have an index? I'm trying to remmeber why you won't be running it full. . .

Carry on!

 

[maxxII]

Thanks folks.

DWZM; I was never able to get a definitive answer as to what type he was. He was a very pleasant slow fish. He liked to screw with us by sitting in his normal location like nothing was odd only he'd be upside down.

He looked very much like this:

Kcress....pictures not showing up for me...

Sorry for your loss man...

Nick

 

[kcress]

Let's see if this link works. It's an actual picture of him.

Thanks Nick.

brackishdude; There's going to be a large splashy surge that needs room.

 

[LedZep fan2]

Looks like a Koran Angel to me, had one myself that looked almost identical to yours. Great fish, sorry for your loss

 

[Everyones Hero]

I picked up about 50' of what I think is gutter guard from Lowes fairly cheap. It's more of a window screen material but it's only about 1' wide. Very flexible, small holes, ect. I used it on my canopy to allow airflow but keep my eel from getting out.

Your thread has been entertaining, educational, & inspirational. I appreciate you allowing us to live vicariously through your tank build. You've inspired me to take my time, experiment, & set my tank up the way I want it.

 

[miwoodar]

Pretty fish. Sorry for the loss.