Lookout's new adventure

[lookout888]

Newbie Aquarist : Thank you, I hope I can keep it just as clean looking as the build goes on.

So I am going to try something.... new.. At least I have not seen it on any of the build threads I have read over the years. Instead of drilling a hole in the pipe for a siphon brake, I am going to put a flapper check valve but the opposite way. So when the pump is running the check valve will be closed. When the pump stops and there is suction the valve will let air flow. I am going to plumb it so it the valve is over the water. This way if it leaks it will go into the tank. Has anyone tried this? Any thoughts?

 

[lookout888]

Made the filter sock hanger. I think it came out nice for not having much experience with acrylic. Need to get some more acrylic to build the rest of the sump. More pictures.

 

[lookout888]

Got all of the PWM wires extended and connected to the arduinos. Have to clean up the wires a little bit. Have a few more relays to run over to the arduinos then I can start adjusting the drivers and testing it all.

 

[nightOwl]

Made the filter sock hanger. I think it came out nice for not having much experience with acrylic. Need to get some more acrylic to build the rest of the sump. More pictures.

lookout888 - I really like the way you did these. Very neat and professional looking. I know know how I will do my next big circle when cutting acrylic!

 

[lookout888]

lookout888 - I really like the way you did these. Very neat and professional looking. I know know how I will do my next big circle when cutting acrylic!

Thank you, the only hard part is when you are cutting all the way through the last little bit. You have to go really slow and hold both the center and outer pieces. It can grab the work and throw it.

 

[lookout888]

Got some stuff in today. First time cutting holes in glass. Was very easy..

 

[lookout888]

Got a lot of the plumbing done, Waiting on the flapper check valve, should be here tomorrow. Rigged up the plumbing i did not get done yet so I can finally get water in the tank. Filled up the sump, opened the valve to the pump.. and I hear a sssssss noise. The pump is leaking from the back seal on the shaft.. Tried turning the pump on for a second.. still dripping out the back. Will give the online store I got it from a call tomorrow. They have awesome customer service. Will post a few pictures in a bit. Will get water in it soon!! I hope!!!:headwallblue:

 

[lookout888]

 

[lookout888]

Leak!!!

Leak!!!

Ok so I came home to a wet floor. I found out what the problem is but need some options.
The sump area is parts of an old tank. The person before me had a piece of 1/4 inch black acrylic glued to the inside of the back of the tank (1 inch clear). When they glued it they just put a bunch of weld on and clamped it together (this is my guess) so there are parts with no glue. The water is going behind the 1/4 black piece and out the back of the bulk head bypassing the gasket. So here are my options.

1) Put the bulkhead on backwards so the gasket is on the outside. This would be the easiest thing to do but not sure if there is any down side to it
2) Take some Weldon and put it in between the 1/4 inch black and 1 inch piece inside the bulkhead hole and then put the bulkhead on squeezing the 2 together. There is a big chance this may not work.
3) Try to break the 1/4 black piece off. If I cannot get it smooth then the gasket is going to leak.

I am hoping there is no problem with number 1. Please anyone chime in!

 

[lookout888]

Ok so I came home to a wet floor. I found out what the problem is but need some options.
The sump area is parts of an old tank. The person before me had a piece of 1/4 inch black acrylic glued to the inside of the back of the tank (1 inch clear). When they glued it they just put a bunch of weld on and clamped it together (this is my guess) so there are parts with no glue. The water is going behind the 1/4 black piece and out the back of the bulk head bypassing the gasket. So here are my options.

1) Put the bulkhead on backwards so the gasket is on the outside. This would be the easiest thing to do but not sure if there is any down side to it
2) Take some Weldon and put it in between the 1/4 inch black and 1 inch piece inside the bulkhead hole and then put the bulkhead on squeezing the 2 together. There is a big chance this may not work.
3) Try to break the 1/4 black piece off. If I cannot get it smooth then the gasket is going to leak.

I am hoping there is no problem with number 1. Please anyone chime in!

Well I tried this

. I took 2 clamps put then through the hole. Clamped down enough that I could just get a little wire in there. Then I applied Weldon 4 .. A lot of it. Then I clamped them nice and tight. I got a good 1/2 inch of glue in the areas there was not glue. I am going to let the clamps sit overnight. If the glue stays the way it is, I think I am in the clear.. If not then I can just put the bulkhead backwards. Again thank you for the help, will update tomorrow

 

[lookout888]

Here is the layout for the sump. Let me know what you think. Comments welcome. Going to order the acrylic tomarrow for the deviders.

The skimmer area is 17"x14"

 

[cdrewferd]

I like that layout. What are the dimensions?

 

[lookout888]

I like that layout. What are the dimensions?

Sump is 33 1/8"x 32" x 15 1/2" high, the outside is 1" acrylic and all internal will be 1/2" thick.

Thank you

 

[lookout888]

Sump is comming along.

 

[lookout888]

Water testing the sump.

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

I like the sump layout. I don't think you need that lip before the filter sock. I almost have that same design on my sump that i built. Once again, great attention to detail.

 

[007Bond]

Lookout, with your ability to show design drawings, could you show the water flow direction in your sump? Thanks---Rick

 

[lookout888]

Lookout, with your ability to show design drawings, could you show the water flow direction in your sump? Thanks---Rick

I dont have that drawling at work. I can do it later if you would still like to see it but in the below picture. the water goes from the bottom left to the bottom right then overflows into the top big area for the return.

 

[007Bond]

I think I see, is there media that is going between the baffles?

 

[lookout888]

I think I see, is there media that is going between the baffles?

the last box to the right is for the skimmer. The one to the left of that is the filter sock area and the 2 to the left are for the return pipes. I did it that way so the return piles are alwasy the same depth under the water.

Reactors and anything else can go in the big section.