Matt's 5000ltr Display

[dave.m]

Is that from Ghost busters?

Maldives → Maldavia → Moldavia

It's a process. Sorry.

Dave.M

 

[d3hree]

Beautiful build, you are inspiration for all of us . funny, i recently started 500l reef tank, ne to the hobby, and i`m already getting things in my head about build like this one..too addictive

Thanks. Good luck with your 500l build. My first tank was about 180ltrs IIRC. This build is my 4th upgrade.

Lookin good man! I'm glad to see things are progressing. I'll be starting my build next month (finally!) so watching your progress has further motivated me to get my butt in gear! I like the camera and am looking forward to seeing video from it

Great!..I have been looking forward to watching your build since you first mentioned it...I hope its a quicker one than mine! :lolspin:

 

[d3hree]

some pics of recent progress...no it isnt wet yet.

With the glass in place I was able to plumb in the last two closed loops.

The 3rd CLS drops down to the tank bottom from the left hand side. It runs along under the glass shelf and points up at the reef from the front.

The 4th CLS drops down to the tank bottom from the right hand side and splits to go inside some rock structures. Most of the flow comes from the bottom upwards. This cls will provide a little flow at mid level of the tank.

 

[d3hree]

The yellow submarine only lasted a day before I had to get in the tank and spray it black

I also gave the inner frame it's first coat of paint.

 

[SERVO]

Glad to see things have come along for you! This is all about planning, planning, planning and then execution! Did you ever think about using optical sensors for your surge? This way, the burden of a surge/float switch failure is less likely. I know it's no big deal if it fails as the overflow will just end up down into the sump, but it will be one less maintenance issue.

 

[dave.m]

I am looking at those long, complex CLS runs and I am wondering if you have considered what you will do several years down the road if you have to take them apart to clean the inside of the pipes. I have never seen anyone do it, but several books and articles I have read in the past mention that piping gets clogged over time and need to be reamed out. Perhaps some inexpensive unions might help break the longer runs up into more manageable portions.

Dave.M

 

[d3hree]

Glad to see things have come along for you! This is all about planning, planning, planning and then execution! Did you ever think about using optical sensors for your surge? This way, the burden of a surge/float switch failure is less likely. I know it's no big deal if it fails as the overflow will just end up down into the sump, but it will be one less maintenance issue.

Thanks Servo
I did "think" about using optical sensors. I approached a company here in the UK to create the surge control device as its really not my thing. They came back with the current design and I just went with it. If the float switches fail or require too much maintenance I can (I assume) replace them in the future.

I am looking at those long, complex CLS runs and I am wondering if you have considered what you will do several years down the road if you have to take them apart to clean the inside of the pipes. I have never seen anyone do it, but several books and articles I have read in the past mention that piping gets clogged over time and need to be reamed out. Perhaps some inexpensive unions might help break the longer runs up into more manageable portions.

Dave.M

I have used loads of unions throughout the plumbing for just that reason Dave. But I havent used any on the plumbing that will be buried under the sand..nor infact on the CLS that runs under the glass. An oversight on my part now you mention it. I think i will amend the next chance I get. Thanks Dave, as ever your input is greatly appreciated.

 

[d3hree]

Not much to update unfortunately, work has been really really busy since September.

My 1kw bulbs should be with me tomorrow but i doubt I will have chance to fire them up before I go away

 

[SERVO]

Are you planning on lighting the neighborhood? Reminds me of an Ultra Vivid Scene song from the 90's; or a lousy U2 song from the late 90's. God am I dating myself.

 

[d3hree]

Ha..yeah, either my bulb supplier is the smallest man in the world or they are pretty big bulbs.
I am afraid I have never heard of Ultra Vivid Scene. Either I am too young or they never made it over to the UK. Unfortunately I suspect the latter.

 

[Crazy_Beaver]

That is a big lamp!

 

[dave.m]

Looks like a scarier version of high colonics!

Dave.M

 

[kentrob11]

i looked down at my bulb....And now I have bulb envy

 

[kentrob11]

Something that my buddy Bill did with his system was to put true union ball vales at the far ends of each plumbing run with a 3/4' tapped outlet. they he glued in 3/4' true union Ball valve and then once every year or so he hooks a pump in a tub of a hydrochloric acid mix ti those outlets and circulates that mix through it for 20 min or so. it completely disolves all build up and then when finished, he just flushes with water and then opens the larger valves to return to service. It may not be practical for smaller plumbing lines but he has quite a few 3-6" plumbing runs that are a pain to disconnect to clean. Just an idea...

 

[coralreefdoc]

An excellent plumbing idea, kentrob11 ! Sounds like something the ingenious ReefKeeper Bill Wann would do ...

 

[SERVO]

Something that my buddy Bill did with his system was to put true union ball vales at the far ends of each plumbing run with a 3/4' tapped outlet. they he glued in 3/4' true union Ball valve and then once every year or so he hooks a pump in a tub of a hydrochloric acid mix ti those outlets and circulates that mix through it for 20 min or so. it completely disolves all build up and then when finished, he just flushes with water and then opens the larger valves to return to service. It may not be practical for smaller plumbing lines but he has quite a few 3-6" plumbing runs that are a pain to disconnect to clean. Just an idea...

Is it possible to have you or you friend to post some pictures?

 

[kentrob11]

I'll have to see if i have any pics of that from my last visit...Man i can't wait to see some water in this tank! common brother!

 

[d3hree]

I have made a start on the surge tank.

First the stand, a simple 2x2 frame

Added the bulkheads to the tank, a 50mm surge and 40mm overflow

The tank sits about 1m above the DT level

A rough coat of timber care

I need to add an external frame so I can clad it all and add insulation...a job for tomorrow.

 

[Elliott]

wow, nice

you are going to get some serious flow from that!

how big is that surge tank?

 

[d3hree]

its about 400ltres but i wont be surging it all. The DT would take the 400ltrs but I need to see how the sump handles it, specifically the mangrove and cryptic tanks dont have a lot of room for expansion. It will be trial and error when I get it all up and running.