Lightsluvr's 340G Upgrade

[Lightsluvr]

Uh, oh...

Uh, oh...

Yesterday, I removed the 1x2" cedar trim pieces that form the exterior frame of the double-pane plate glass window to the fish room.

The window on the right:

I was concerned that the window would just "fall out"... but not to worry. It's in there big time, probably some type of sealant on the interior side is holding it in place. Tomorrow, I will gently remove the interior molding to see what I find... :eek1:

I discovered a small colony of carpenter ants had taken up residence under the window. There were a bunch of pi$$ed off ants when I removed the trim wood... Needless to say, I put the hurt on them, and will re-treat today to make sure I got the queen. I will have to do a little repair to the window frame wood where they had their little nest...

Finally, I found a local glass company to come out Friday, measure for the replacement glass, and remove the old window, if it's necessary! I will just have to tarp over the opening until they can bring the replacement window on Monday...

It's getting close!

LL

 

[Lightsluvr]

Question for the bad-boy tank experts:

Question for the bad-boy tank experts:

OK here's the question of the day...

Have you ever seen a large tank use a strainer basket in the plumbing system?

When I bought the tank and stand from the previous owner, much of the plumbing, valves and pumps had already been acquired...

Does anybody have a clue how he might have planned to use this strainer basket? Maybe a giant filter sock? Something to do with priming one of the Barracuda pumps? I just don't know...

I have a lot of respect for the knowledge of the previous owner. Unfortunately I haven't been able to contact him. I am positive that he had a plan for the basket...

The mysteries of life...

LL

 

[jejton]

Maybe as a media basket?

 

[Lightsluvr]

Hmmm....

Hmmm....

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15207570#post15207570 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jejton
Maybe as a media basket?

That's a thought...

I'd have to figure out where to plumb it so the flow wouldn't be too high for a particular media... maybe in an overflow?

Any other ideas?

LL

 

[melev]

If all the internals are plastic, it's fine to use. A basket normally is inside, to trap larger stuff like leaves in a pool.

It could be used for carbon, I suppose, but the flow would be too fast through it. I don't think I'd use it.

 

[Lytehouse]

+1 on the idea of media basket. Looks like it would be great for that. Your idea of a lower flow area is spot on.



unles melev is writing at the same time and says it is a stupid idea.....

 

[melev]

:lol:

 

[peaceinusa]

Yeah, not sure what that would be used for other than a supplemental media container. If it was plumbed in, and not used that just leaves another device for possible leaks or issues that you do not need with a tank upgrade such as this.

I agree that I would not put it in the system initially. If you decide or find out what the heck this basket was purchased for, you can always add it later. With your husbandry schedules and maintenance, I don't see the need for something like this.

My 2 cents

 

[Lightsluvr]

Kicked to the curb...

Kicked to the curb...

I'm just going to kick the strainer basket to the curb, unless I can talk to the seller and find out what he planned to use it for...

Marc, it's all plastic.

I remember when I had swimming pools, the systems had those darn things, and they were always leaking...

I agree that I want to avoid leaks...

LL

 

[Lightsluvr]

Water management system

Water management system

I just ordered a pair of 65G Vertical tanks to form the heart of a water management system. The tanks looks like this:

And their specs are:
23" dia x 42" ht

5" Manway & 1" Drain Fitting

S.G. - 2.0

Tanks are translucent white with gallon markers

wt: 25 lbs.

Initially they will just be used to store and mix water to put in the new display. The tanks will eventually be set up in a water system to store RO/DI, mix saltwater, add SW to a sump for water changes, transfer water between the two tanks, using one pump. See photos earlier in the thread.

Another project.

LL

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15197386#post15197386 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lytehouse
George,

Congrats on the first lighting of the bulbs.

You should get a visit soon by either the police investigating the suspicious glow or the DUDE wanting to make a midnight purchase .:bum:

Maybe I should call my friends in the P.D. ahead of time, so I won't get raided by DEA early one morning...

I can see it now, "But officer, those are MANGROVES, not MARY JUANS!"

LL

 

[Dtking]

i know you will but make sure you go into great detail about the tanks for RODI and mixing!!! I want to do something similar when I get home, and I dont have the resources in my area to just go over to someones house to check out how they did it! LOL

Keep up the good work! I have been following very closely!

 

[edandsandy]

George those tanks look familiar :lol:

I hope they work out for you, I know We certainly enjoy ours...















BTW, I will be doing a change out by myself, well I say by myself, my niece will be here, and she LOVES to take pictures...........

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15214226#post15214226 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by edandsandy
George those tanks look familiar :lol:

I hope they work out for you, I know We certainly enjoy ours...

BTW, I will be doing a change out by myself, well I say by myself, my niece will be here, and she LOVES to take pictures...........

Excellent...please take pics and place them on your thread... thanks...

LL

 

[edandsandy]

OK pictures are posted.

Ed was too busy to do the write up, he is much better with the detailed part.......

I hope you enjoy!

 

[Lightsluvr]

Water change

Water change

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15216578#post15216578 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by edandsandy
OK pictures are posted.

Ed was too busy to do the write up, he is much better with the detailed part.......

I hope you enjoy!

I read the posts and looked at the pictures. I am impressed. The only thing I might change is to have permanent connections to feed the sump. (What's another valve or two among friends...)
I'd like to turn one valve and have DT water drain out - probably by gravity from an outlet connected to the closed loop intake (bottom of the tank) Then I could pump FSW into one of the sumps after starting up the return pump until the correct amount is dispensed and the proper levels are achieved in the DT and sumps. Any reason that wouldn't work?

Love your thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1403507

I really like your FTS in that recent post. The black framework is very unique - stunning in that location.

LL

 

[serpentman]

Re: Water management system

Re: Water management system

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15212541#post15212541 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lightsluvr
I just ordered a pair of 65G Vertical tanks to form the heart of a water management system. The tanks looks like this:

And their specs are:
23" dia x 42" ht

5" Manway & 1" Drain Fitting

S.G. - 2.0

Tanks are translucent white with gallon markers

wt: 25 lbs.

Initially they will just be used to store and mix water to put in the new display. The tanks will eventually be set up in a water system to store RO/DI, mix saltwater, add SW to a sump for water changes, transfer water between the two tanks, using one pump. See photos earlier in the thread.

Another project.

LL

Things are looking good. If you don't mind my asking, where did you order these from?

 

[Lightsluvr]

Quick and easy water change system

Quick and easy water change system

I have used many ideas from edandsandy's build thread, including the light rack and pocket door rails ideas.

Now I have seen Ed's water change system and really like the flexibilty using two vertical tanks and just one pump.

For a great pictorial on how their system works, click on the link below and scroll to the top of the page. Sandy walks you through her water change procedure.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=15217605#post15217605

I have two similar tanks on the way to plumb in our fish room.

I think the only change I would make is to use gravity flow to remove "old" saltwater through the lower bulkhead of our 100G Rubbermaid sump to the drain. (This sump will only hold live rock for filtration.) After 55G is drained from the Rubbermaid, I would then use Ed's water system to replace the old water with FSW in the sump.

When the return pump is re-started, the FSW coming from the Rubbermaid sump will be combined with the water in the 95G acrylic, to be returned to the DT.

This way I could complete a 12% system water change without disturbing the display tank.

Does anyone see any flaws with this idea?

LL

 

[Lightsluvr]

Re: Re: Water management system

Re: Re: Water management system

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15217752#post15217752 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by serpentman
Things are looking good. If you don't mind my asking, where did you order these from?

Sure, here you go.

http://www.gototanks.com/VT0065-23.aspx

If you have a commercial business they can be shipped to, you can really save shipping $$$. I am having my tanks shipped to my friendly neighborhood LFS.

LL

 

[edandsandy]

Re: Water change

Re: Water change

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15216902#post15216902 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lightsluvr
I read the posts and looked at the pictures. I am impressed. The only thing I might change is to have permanent connections to feed the sump. (What's another valve or two among friends...)
I'd like to turn one valve and have DT water drain out - probably by gravity from an outlet connected to the closed loop intake (bottom of the tank) Then I could pump FSW into one of the sumps after starting up the return pump until the correct amount is dispensed and the proper levels are achieved in the DT and sumps. Any reason that wouldn't work?

Love your thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1403507

I really like your FTS in that recent post. The black framework is very unique - stunning in that location.

LL

:lol:

what's one or two more valves between frineds

:lol:

I do see how it will work with your CLS.
I really enjoy you modifying our system, and make it work for you, I look forward to seeing it all come together.

Thank you, I just wish I had moved my desk out of the way first!

Most of our art work has a black frame, so we wanted our tank to look like a piece of living art.