Large Build

[KevinsHVAC]

Maybe I should have posted in here first but I started a thread in the DIY and had a few questions. I just installed my bulk heads for my drains and over flows the other day and I was trying to figure out what is needed so they are about as quite as I can get them. Do I just need to add a T on the outside of the bulk head and put a cap on the top with a hole and some tubing? Please see the pics and let me know. Thanks!

 

[Dmorty217]

The T with caps and a hose will work but not sure if that will make it as quite as you would like? Thats one heck of a tank you have!

 

[KevinsHVAC]

The T with caps and a hose will work but not sure if that will make it as quite as you would like? Thats one heck of a tank you have!

Thank you very much for the reply.....and thanks for the compliment. I am not looking to make it perfectly quite....just a little quitter than if it had nothing. Should I put a 1/4" valve on ea hose or not? And should all 6 drains have this on them?

 

[Dmorty217]

I would use valves to be able to adjust the noise level and yes on all 6 is what I would do.

 

[KevinsHVAC]

I would use valves to be able to adjust the noise level and yes on all 6 is what I would do.

Perfect thanks! Heading to Lowes today, will post up some more pics when I get some of the plumbing done. I am going to start to try and buff this beast out today.

 

[KevinsHVAC]

I would use valves to be able to adjust the noise level and yes on all 6 is what I would do.

Ok I just picked everything up from Lowes, next question. How far in the cap does the 1/4 tube go?? Down to where it will be in the water or just barely through the cap?

 

[Kaidman]

Just barely through the cap. Are you running the 1/4" over the back into the overflow box, just above the water line?

 

[KevinsHVAC]

Just barely through the cap. Are you running the 1/4" over the back into the overflow box, just above the water line?

Not sure what you mean? I was going to connect a T that looks like the one in the pic with a 2" cap on it. Drill a hole in it and connect a 1/4 pex style tubing in to a push connector type valve and then have another small piece of 1/4 tubing coming out of that.....I thought the tubing just vented out into the outside of the tank?

 

[KevinsHVAC]

This is what I accomplished last night....I have cut 4" pieces to connect to the other side of the valve. But I want to make sure it just vents out in to the open like it is now.

 

[McPuff]

Holy cow, how big is that tank?!

 

[KevinsHVAC]

Holy cow, how big is that tank?!

15ft x 5ft x 30"..... just a small jump up from the 75g. Hell the sump is 300g...:lolspin:

 

[Kaidman]

Not sure what you mean? I was going to connect a T that looks like the one in the pic with a 2" cap on it. Drill a hole in it and connect a 1/4 pex style tubing in to a push connector type valve and then have another small piece of 1/4 tubing coming out of that.....I thought the tubing just vented out into the outside of the tank?

If you've looked at the Beananimal style drain you'll see that one of the pipes is essentially just like what you've setup. The 'durso' style, which bean then routes the air line into the overflow box, above the water line. In the event that the drains cannot keep up in a durso style (drawing air) they will then convert over to a full on siphon, which can drain water faster. So as the water rises in the overflow box the air line becomes submerged. The drain is no longer pulling air and starts the full siphon. It's really just a backup, in case things go bad. It shouldn't happen, but is there to CYA.

 

[KevinsHVAC]

If you've looked at the Beananimal style drain you'll see that one of the pipes is essentially just like what you've setup. The 'durso' style, which bean then routes the air line into the overflow box, above the water line. In the event that the drains cannot keep up in a durso style (drawing air) they will then convert over to a full on siphon, which can drain water faster. So as the water rises in the overflow box the air line becomes submerged. The drain is no longer pulling air and starts the full siphon. It's really just a backup, in case things go bad. It shouldn't happen, but is there to CYA.

Ohhhh, ok, yea I studied his post quite a bit, but thought I couldn't do it because I am only running two drains per over flow vs his 3.....

 

[KevinsHVAC]

Here are some more plumbing pics from last nights work session. I am almost done, I ordered the wrong return line loc from BRS so I placed a new order last night. The only thing left I have to do as far as the plumbing goes is the returns which there will be 8 of them, and then tie everything in to the sump.

 

[KevinsHVAC]

Got all 8 returns drilled and 3/4" bulk heads installed, will be working on plumbing this weekend and hopefully have all of that done. Will post pics once its all done.

 

[albano]

15ft x 5ft x 30".....

From the pics, it looks like the tank is three 5'x5' tanks seamed together?

 

[KevinsHVAC]

From the pics, it looks like the tank is three 5'x5' tanks seamed together?

sides are 5ft sheet
front, back, top, and bottom, are one 8ft sheet and one 7ft sheet

It's all 3/4" acrylic and at ea seam there is a 1" cylinder that has been cut in half and welded over top of the seam. Also there is 1" square stock welded at the top, bottom, and side joints where they meet. This tank was in a commercial building prior to me owning it and they had a few sand sharks in there.

There is only one seam on ea side, the builder just put the molding equally apart to make it look even.

 

[McPuff]

My goodness, this is truly a huge tank. What are your plans for it? How many people can you fit in there? Need more details and more pics! :0)

 

[KevinsHVAC]

My goodness, this is truly a huge tank. What are your plans for it? How many people can you fit in there? Need more details and more pics! :0)

I can fit the whole family and some in it....the kids like to get in when I am working on it. As far as plans this is what I have so far:

Break down of components I have so far for the build:
-2 110g tubs from Tractor Supply for my mixing station
-BRS 180gpd RODI
-1200lbs of pure aragonite sand
-1000lbs of dry rock and still acquiring
-4 Jebao DCT15000 pumps
-MRC skimmer w/reeflo hammerhead pump
-2 72" 150w ea MH lights that will go on one 6ft section of the tank "planning on having a few clams and some coral on a shelf"
-2 maxspect 150 gyres, one on ea side of the tank
-Current USA orbit LED lighting for the rest of the tank
-8 boxes of instant ocean 200g boxes of salt mix
-a **** ton of bulk heads, PVC ranging from 2", 1.5", 1", and 3/4"

There will be 2 closed loop systems and 2 return sections, one supplying the left side and one supplying the right side. Filtration will mostly be biological with all the rock, but ea drain will run through a 100 micron filter sock. There are 6 drains total, 2 per over flow. And then the MRC skimmer. I will have a dedicated electrical circuit on a UPS in case there is a power outage which knock on wood in three years there hasn't been one.

I have had some people ask what the live stock will be and I am almost sure I know what I want but this list may change as time progresses.

2 black tip reef sharks
4 lionfish 2 red and 2 blacks
2 rays 1 blue dot 1 atlantic
1 panther grouper
1 tessellata eel
2 humu trigs
2 dogface puffers
2 maculosus angels

Various forms of COC will be added. Sharks will be the last thing added. I am hoping to have all of the plumbing done this weekend and will post more pics on Monday with everything "hopefully" done. I do still need to do some more fine tune buffing but I did get all the scratches out of the front and sides. I am not worried about the back because at 5ft deep you wont be able to see the fine scratches.

 

[albano]

Not easy to keep your eyes on 4 lionfish, while you do any 'in tank' maintenance... Also don't recommend them for a home with young children...