Lightsluvr's 340G Upgrade
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
I guess I've had my two minutes of fame, and everything is downhill from here... :celeb1:
Added a couple of medium sized (4"-6") clams to the tank. Will take some pictures this weekend.
LL
The last time I checked with the Hanna meter, it was .15. (I feed heavily) That's down from .29 when I first tested it using the photometer.
I am replacing media in my Phosban reactor and carbon reactors this weekend, so we'll check it again in a few days.
LL
Yesterday was a morning of manual removal of Byropsis algae. I used the old fashioned method of removal by hand with a siphon hose catching the algae and sending it into a 5G bucket. I filled and emptied 10 buckets and called it a good day. I had forgotten how heavy a full Home Depot orange bucket can be...
My Magnificent Foxface let me know how ticked off he was at the intrusion into his peaceful morning:
Isn't it incredible how nature's creatures came up with camo long before man did?
LL
My Magnificent Foxface let me know how ticked off he was at the intrusion into his peaceful morning:
Isn't it incredible how nature's creatures came up with camo long before man did?
LL
A third sump for Chaeto and Mangroves - just thinking.
A third sump for Chaeto and Mangroves - just thinking.
My tank has four overflows. Currently they are set up as follows:
#1 - Sump #1
#2 - Sump #2
#3 - Skimmer
#4 - Emergency standpipe to Sump #2 return chamber
Sump #1 is a 100G Rubbermaid stock tank which provides supplemental filtration. It contains a 6-8" DSB covered by approx. 350# of live rock. There are three MJ1200 Mod powerheads rated at 1600 gph each to push water around this sump before it drains into the return chamber of sump #2.
Here is sump #1:
This is the sump that is "flushed" every week by a 65G water change. New saltwater comes from the water management system on the left. Water is drained to the house sewer line from the pipe in bottom of the sump:
Sump #2 is a 95G Acrylic tank located under the stand. Currently I grow Chaeto in the center compartment of this sump.The overflow from sump #1 and the skimmer both flow into the return chamber of this sump.
Unfortunately, this sump is so tall that it is difficult to work inside it... everything requires tongs, grippers or some other extension of my non-NBA arms.
I am thinking about removing the chaeto from Sump #2 and placing it in a 70G Rubbermaid tank:
http://www.instawares.com/rcp4244bl...tm?LID=GGLE&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=RCP4244BLA
It would be located perpendicular to the existing Rubbermaid, and fed from the fourth overflow. (Closest to camera in photo below
This would be sump #3 in the system, and would also drain into the return chamber of Sump#2.
Advantages:
1. I could light, examine and harvest chaeto more efficiently.
2. I could place my GAC and GFO reactors in this tank, where they would be readily available for maintenance.
3. I could place a reactor for an ozone generator that is in the plans.
4. I could place a Mangrove "crop" in this tank to share lighting with the Chaeto.
5. Using the fourth overflow to feed this tank, I could increase the flow to my DT returns. The Reeflo Barracuda return pump is currently throttled back by a third.
6. Sump #2 will serve largely as just a reservoir to contain water which flows back when the return pump shuts down.
Disadvanatges:
1. No emergency standpipe in case of stoppages in one of the dursos
2. ?
Any comments or suggestions from readers would be welcomed...
LL
A third sump for Chaeto and Mangroves - just thinking.
My tank has four overflows. Currently they are set up as follows:
#1 - Sump #1
#2 - Sump #2
#3 - Skimmer
#4 - Emergency standpipe to Sump #2 return chamber
Sump #1 is a 100G Rubbermaid stock tank which provides supplemental filtration. It contains a 6-8" DSB covered by approx. 350# of live rock. There are three MJ1200 Mod powerheads rated at 1600 gph each to push water around this sump before it drains into the return chamber of sump #2.
Here is sump #1:
This is the sump that is "flushed" every week by a 65G water change. New saltwater comes from the water management system on the left. Water is drained to the house sewer line from the pipe in bottom of the sump:
Sump #2 is a 95G Acrylic tank located under the stand. Currently I grow Chaeto in the center compartment of this sump.The overflow from sump #1 and the skimmer both flow into the return chamber of this sump.
Unfortunately, this sump is so tall that it is difficult to work inside it... everything requires tongs, grippers or some other extension of my non-NBA arms.
I am thinking about removing the chaeto from Sump #2 and placing it in a 70G Rubbermaid tank:
http://www.instawares.com/rcp4244bl...tm?LID=GGLE&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=RCP4244BLA
It would be located perpendicular to the existing Rubbermaid, and fed from the fourth overflow. (Closest to camera in photo below
This would be sump #3 in the system, and would also drain into the return chamber of Sump#2.
Advantages:
1. I could light, examine and harvest chaeto more efficiently.
2. I could place my GAC and GFO reactors in this tank, where they would be readily available for maintenance.
3. I could place a reactor for an ozone generator that is in the plans.
4. I could place a Mangrove "crop" in this tank to share lighting with the Chaeto.
5. Using the fourth overflow to feed this tank, I could increase the flow to my DT returns. The Reeflo Barracuda return pump is currently throttled back by a third.
6. Sump #2 will serve largely as just a reservoir to contain water which flows back when the return pump shuts down.
Disadvanatges:
1. No emergency standpipe in case of stoppages in one of the dursos
2. ?
Any comments or suggestions from readers would be welcomed...
LL
Last edited:
Yes and Yes. (Plus the plumbing that runs across the top of it. (Much of which will be rearranged when I place the new sump.)
That being said, I need every bit of that sump to contain the water that siphons back when the return pump is turned off. Water rises to within 6" of the top of the acrylic sump. It serves an important purpose.
LL
If the 90 can not be moved, and from what I remember of your pump placement it can't, then the third sump is a good idea for the reasons you described.
An acrylic tank might take up less floor space than the rubbermaid. If you look at the comas tank thread, the one I just put under the frag tank is a 65 gal 48 x 18 x 17.
I could probably move the 90 out from under the stand, but I have decided it is perfect for the function it serves. Most important, it catches water that flows back from the DT and other sump until there is a siphon break.
I am able to change filter socks under there with little problem, so all is good.
I would just like to place my reactors where they would be more readily accessible, put Chaeto where it can be turned and pruned and have a small container with mangroves adding to nutrient take-up.
The search is on for a 70G Rubbermaid that I don't have to pay $150 to ship!
LL
I am able to change filter socks under there with little problem, so all is good.
I would just like to place my reactors where they would be more readily accessible, put Chaeto where it can be turned and pruned and have a small container with mangroves adding to nutrient take-up.
The search is on for a 70G Rubbermaid that I don't have to pay $150 to ship!
LL
mcrist
Premium Member
Do you have a Tractor Supply in your area? I purchased all my Rubbermaid stock tanks from them.
Your setup is getting more complicated as time goes on. I have found that KISS (keep it simple) helps a lot with the design of a system. I am not saying not to do what you are thinking but just to make sure you need it or that there isn’t an easier way to accomplish the same thing.
Please don’t take this as criticism in any way, I absolutely love your setup and enjoyed your TV video.
Your setup is getting more complicated as time goes on. I have found that KISS (keep it simple) helps a lot with the design of a system. I am not saying not to do what you are thinking but just to make sure you need it or that there isn’t an easier way to accomplish the same thing.
Please don’t take this as criticism in any way, I absolutely love your setup and enjoyed your TV video.
PaPa_Johnny
Premium Member
LL Tractor supply or any farm supply locally? You could find a livestock trough at anyone of those.
Your setup is a wonder to behold but I have a quick question for you is there any way to divert or split one of the other drains to feed the new sump? and still maintain your emergency drain. I know you're probably saying "well silly if I could I would have said" but it's hard for me to follow the flow pattern without drawing a picture, simple minded I guess.
Loved the video, have been following thread for long time now. Thanks for the time you take to share with us.
Your setup is a wonder to behold but I have a quick question for you is there any way to divert or split one of the other drains to feed the new sump? and still maintain your emergency drain. I know you're probably saying "well silly if I could I would have said" but it's hard for me to follow the flow pattern without drawing a picture, simple minded I guess
. Loved the video, have been following thread for long time now. Thanks for the time you take to share with us.
Thanks for the suggestion. No offense taken - I seek advice - that's why I post over here. I have learned much from others' successes and failures...
Tractor Supply has the 50, 100, 150 and 300G sizes. No. 70G.
LL
LL Tractor supply or any farm supply locally? You could find a livestock trough at anyone of those.
Your setup is a wonder to behold but I have a quick question for you is there any way to divert or split one of the other drains to feed the new sump? and still maintain your emergency drain. I know you're probably saying "well silly if I could I would have said" but it's hard for me to follow the flow pattern without drawing a picture, simple minded I guess
Loved the video, have been following thread for long time now. Thanks for the time you take to share with us.
I am working on a back up plan to shut off the return pump if the level gets too high in the Overflow box. With the Apex Controller and a Neptune break-out box, I already have the ability to do that. Concern solved.
LL
Everybody has the 100G tank in stock - some have the 50G. I wanted the 70G because of its 24" depth and the size of the footprint it would have in the fish room...
The only other farm-type supply store I could remember around here is Atwoods. I called the closest one and learned that they have a 70G Rubbermaid in stock and they are holding it for me... What a deal!
LL
The 70G in TS's catalog is a shallow 12" deep water tank for goats... (they're so stupid they would get in a deep tank and drown...)
LL
Reef Happy
New member
Hey, George have you tried Koi fish pond supply shops for the 70gal?
I had not thought of the Water garden stores... if the Atwoods' tank turns out to be a false lead, I'll give them a call.
Thanks, Doug.
LL
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