Kelley's 37 gal system. from the start

It looks like your elbows are high enough for something to get under them. Maybe you already have an idea but I just wanted to mention it again. I wouldn't take it lightly because eventually, a snail or fish is going to get in one of those pipes and your tank could over flow.

A guy I know had a snail crawl into a return line and block it while he wasn't home. Thankfully, the tank and sump were in the basement because the pump drained the 100 gallon tub down, and overflowed the tank because the water couldn't get back. Unfortunately, he lost a lot of livestock. It looks like you have enough returns to where it wouldn't be likely multiple ones would be covered at any given time but I would be scared of one of the drain pipes becoming plugged.
 
You could always put window screen over the overflow. Silicone it in. Not sure how maintenance would work though. Thanks for pointing that out. Not something I had considered but extremely important. I'm only using one overflow.
 
Sorry about the moulding question. It didn't occur to me that there ISN'T black plastic trim on the sides of the tank, only on the top and bottom. Don't you love answering your own questions? Lol. Solves that problem, anyway. Did you use any moulding at all on the sides?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9198779#post9198779 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zmazza
Sorry about the moulding question. It didn't occur to me that there ISN'T black plastic trim on the sides of the tank, only on the top and bottom. Don't you love answering your own questions? Lol. Solves that problem, anyway. Did you use any moulding at all on the sides?
Click to expand...

There is an exposed side of the plywood along the front of the rear sides. That will be covered with veneer.

As for additional trim, stay tuned... :D
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9198749#post9198749 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vessxpress1
Ok, just saw your response. Yeah,the eggcrate's a good idea and should prevent any problems.
Click to expand...
:D

I very much appreciate your feedback though. I try to think of as much as possible, but I know I will be missing something along the line and without my fellow reefers, I won't know it.
 
From Wikipedia:
Veneer, in woodworking, refers to thin slices of wood, usually thinner than 3 millimetres (1/8 inch). Veneer layers are usually glued and pressed onto core panels of different materials (such as wood, particle board or medium density fiberboard) to obtain doors, tops and side panels for cabinets, parquet floors and pieces of furniture. They are also used in marquetry. Plywood is made up of a number of layers of veneer, each layer glued at right angles to the adjacent layers. Also veneer beading is a thin layer of decorative edging, that can be placed around objects.e.g. jewelry box.
 
Pure genius. Thanks for the definition. A search at home depot yielded quite a few "results". Much better explanation. Expensive?
 
Based on questions in other threads and PMs, here is a graphic representation of how the side of the plywood meets the 2x4 and also how the oak trim was installed to hide the black aquarium trim.

50370corner.jpg
 
Thanks again for the picture. Really helps clear things up. I'm still not sure what to do about the sump though. Would a rubbermaid bin work? I've got several of those laying around that would probably fit under that stand. What's the drawback from using one of those? I don't have a skimmer at the moment... so it would be just a pump.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9200610#post9200610 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zmazza
Thanks again for the picture. Really helps clear things up. I'm still not sure what to do about the sump though. Would a rubbermaid bin work? I've got several of those laying around that would probably fit under that stand. What's the drawback from using one of those? I don't have a skimmer at the moment... so it would be just a pump.
Click to expand...

You're welcome. PM sent.
 
I worked on my water changing station over the weekend. Here is an image.

50370waterchange.jpg


Simple design, but should make maintenance tasks easier. The RO/DI unit feeds into the tote located on the top shelf. In that tote, there is a bulkhead that splits off. The right side is a direct line out. I can open this ballvalve and have a "faucet" of fresh RO/DI water for topoffs. The split to the left is piped into the lower tote. The lower tote is a saltwater mixing station. Inside is a heater and a pump. The bottom tote also has a bulkhead that can use used to open and fill a container for moving the water to my display tank for water changes.

Basically, once full, I have constant access to about 20 gals of RO/DI water and 20 gals of heated and mixed saltwater.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9218170#post9218170 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gary faulkner
Looking good Kelley, we're moving right along now!
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Thanks, it's nice to see things moving along again. I really hit a standstill around the holidays and have just recently picked up the pace a little. I will try to keep the thread moving along and post pics as I go.

Did you ever convert your 37 gal QT?
 
Very nice water station.

How do you put the salt mix in the bottom tank, just lift the lid or do you have another way of doing it?
 
Did you ever convert your 37 gal QT?


Not yet. I am still working on getting all the fish out and into the display.

This will be my next project, hopefully.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9219947#post9219947 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gary faulkner
Did you ever convert your 37 gal QT?


Not yet. I am still working on getting all the fish out and into the display.

This will be my next project, hopefully.
Click to expand...

I find fish are like houses... There are always projects to do, they are never done. Most projects are enjoyable, some are not. They bring great joy and pride at the same time stress and aggrevation.

I look forward to seeing how it goes. The funny thing is, once you start, you will need another QT! :D
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9219799#post9219799 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bstoner
Very nice water station.

How do you put the salt mix in the bottom tank, just lift the lid or do you have another way of doing it?
Click to expand...

Thanks, it should make my life much easier. I can do water changes just about any time I need to and I have a nice constant supply of water.

Yes, you are correct, right now I have to open the lid to add the salt. I have future plans to add some kind of funnel contraption to make it easier, but for now, there is plenty of room for me to pop the top open and add the salt.

Future plans for it also include a float switch so the top reservoir always remains full with fresh RO/DI water. Because I use a booster pump on my RO/DI unit, it is not as easy as just adding a float valve so I have to look into that further. Also, I will add gallon marks on the saltwater mixing tote which will help me estimate how much salt I need to add. Finally, a remote temp gauge will make it easier for me to see what the temp of the saltwater in the mixer is without having to fish out my floating thermometer.

As it stand now, the "Water Changer 5000" as my wife and I jokingly call it, should make things easier. Future improvements will make it even better. :D
 
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