Mike's 300 Double-D

[launchnukes]

The sc40 female connection is leaking a little on my dart too even after Teflon tape....then it randomly stopped. I'm still keeping an eye on it though.

 

[crvz]

sweet new toy, Mike. I'm thinking of upgrading my skimmer as well, but thus far I'm holding out on the new ATi product.

 

[prop-frags]

The sc40 female connection is leaking a little on my dart too even after Teflon tape....then it randomly stopped. I'm still keeping an eye on it though.

Yep. Minor leaks will sometimes stop themselves with a little salt creep. Good news for us is that we were able to patch up the leaks with our fourth try at the leak test. More on that below.

sweet new toy, Mike. I'm thinking of upgrading my skimmer as well, but thus far I'm holding out on the new ATi product.

Chris, for me the jury is still out. The new Octopus has a very beefy pump on it and it sure churns out some thick foam, but there's a lot of turbulence in the neck, and we'll just have to see once it settles in if it will perform as well as our Deltec.

Hi Mike,

Are they leaking at the seal to the tank, or through the threads?
If you are considering going slip joints and permanent glue: Why not just PVC Cement your current threaded pipe bulkheads and adapters? I've done that in the past.
I'm pretty sure the bulkheads and PVC adapters are the same material whether they are molded to be slip joint or threaded.
The threaded pieces are National Pipe Thread (NPT), which means the pitch of the thread changes as the threads go further along the pipe (the threads get closer together). That is how NPT pipe seals to each other. They automatically "tighten up" as they go.
1. Please contact a PVC supplier or plumber and verify all that.
2. You would have to clean all the Rector Seal off all the pieces really well.
3. You would have to use PVC Cleaner before the Cement.
4. If/when you do this: The PVC Cleaner and Cement will really soften-up all the threads. As you tighten, go ahead and snug the connections; but don't overdue it, or you will twist the threads right away (off).
5. HOLD the pieces stable for a good 2 minutes to help it bond crack free.
6. Again, please verify all that with a pro!

Thanks for the detailed info, Rick. We were able to finally eliminate all the leaks today. Here's what we did. After letting the Rectorseal cure up for 48 hours, only two of the 1" outlets were still leaking (very small leaks, but we're in a "zero tolerance" mode right now, Terry says ). So, we pulled the two leaking connectors out, put a fan under the stand to dry them out thoroughly overnight. We cleaned off the male threads of the connectors, and applied a thick coating of Rectorseal T Plus 2. This is the product we had used previously with success on the threads for the 2" inlet on the Dart closed loop pump. Screw the males into the bulkheads, wipe off the excess T Plus 2, and run leak test number 4. No leaks. All dry! :fun4:

So here's the long-awaited picture of salt water finally going into our replacement tank!!! :bounce3:



<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5590278701/" title="nt 969 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5590278701_527bfbd258_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="nt 969"></a>

 

[yoccm]

Gratz Mike and Terry!!!:celeb2::celeb3::celeb1:

Great to see water going back in! Going to be better then ever!!:beer:

 

[btkrausen]

You'll love that skimmer. I run the 3000 version of it, and its a monster for sure. I can't imagine what the 6000 would do.

I just added the Octopus Cleaning Head on mine, which was special ordered since they aren't on the market yet. Can't wait to see what difference it makes.

 

[dahenley]

i hate teflon tape.....
because i could never get it to work, i got liquid teflon in the same place of the plumbing section as the tape, and i have never had a leak since.....

i havent used the rector seal, but i know the liquid teflon is safe for potable water and never had any ill effects.
just an option

 

[prop-frags]

You'll love that skimmer. I run the 3000 version of it, and its a monster for sure. I can't imagine what the 6000 would do.

I just added the Octopus Cleaning Head on mine, which was special ordered since they aren't on the market yet. Can't wait to see what difference it makes.

We ordered the cleaning head as well and can't wait for it to get here. We're really pleased w/the beast's performance so far:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5595346027/" title="nt 970 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5595346027_10e54f2d91_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="nt 970"></a>

i hate teflon tape.....
because i could never get it to work, i got liquid teflon in the same place of the plumbing section as the tape, and i have never had a leak since.....

i havent used the rector seal, but i know the liquid teflon is safe for potable water and never had any ill effects.
just an option

Thanks dahenley for the tip... Our original 300 was drilled for schedule 80 bulkheads for the closed loop. I gotta say they were much easier to work with and NO LEAKS. Schedule 80 wasn't an option this go around. We've had the closed loop running for a couple of days and no leaks, so hopefully, no more issues.

 

[drummereef]

Looks like some nasty gunk the beast is pulling out.

 

[prop-frags]

Looks like some nasty gunk the beast is pulling out.

No kidding Brett!


We've been bizzy... Here's a sneak peek:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5605293412/" title="nt 974 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/5605293412_6378756f94_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="nt 974"></a>

All of the fish and 2/3rd's of the coral are in. MH and actinics are connected, but haven't gotten to the LED's yet. The corals are not in their permanent locations. We'll post a more thorough update later. Past my bedtime, LOL!

:dance:

 

[drummereef]

No kidding Brett!


We've been bizzy... Here's a sneak peek:

All of the fish and 2/3rd's of the coral are in. MH and actinics are connected, but haven't gotten to the LED's yet. The corals are not in their permanent locations. We'll post a more thorough update later. Past my bedtime, LOL!

:dance:

WOW! That is looking amazing. Well done.

 

[launchnukes]

Wow, you have been busy! Looks great.

 

[john90009]

that flame wrasse is hugeeeee

 

[lionfish300]

Awsome work Mike, tank look great

 

[acronautical]

Beautiful! I've been running the Octopus 3000SSS Int for the past month or so. I absolutely love this monster!

 

[prop-frags]

WOW! That is looking amazing. Well done.

Thanks Brett! We still have a lot more to do before we're completely finished.

Wow, you have been busy! Looks great.

Thanks man! Saw your update on your canopy and it looks awesome! :beer:

that flame wrasse is hugeeeee

Yes he is! And his mate is running a very close second...

Awsome work Mike, tank look great

Beautiful! I've been running the Octopus 3000SSS Int for the past month or so. I absolutely love this monster!

Thanks guys! And acronautical, Monster is a good description... we've nick-named ours The Beast, lol! :fish2:

Since our last post, we managed to tear down the temporary 350g tank and stand and the new owners picked them up this morning. Amazing how much space we now have in the garage!

We hope to post a more detailed update of our progress with pics in the next couple of days...

 

[prop-frags]

OK, we are finally getting some time to post an update for all the work that has been going on here with the 300DD rebirth project! Thanks for your patience and the words of encouragement everyone!

As you guys know, since our original tank had a bottom seam split back on 9/13/2010, we did a custom order with Perfecto. We picked up the new tank on 3/5/2011. Here's a scale drawing of how the custom build turned out:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5626019402/" title="300dd by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5626019402_7bc89c3ec3_z.jpg" width="640" height="248" alt="300dd"></a>

The overflow box is approx 14" wide and 7" front-to-back, yielding about 28" of linear overflow space. Since the new center-mounted overflow creates a completely different form-factor, we had to modify the plumbing under the tank quite a bit. Here you can see the drain and return line arrangement coming into the new overflow box.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5625668321/" title="nt 1011 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5625668321_9423fd57ca_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="nt 1011"></a>

Here's a closer look at the plumbing and how we had to rework it. We only have four holes to work with, compared to the six we had with the last time. So we opted to keep the two Herbie drains, and have only one emergency durso. The last hole is occupied by the return line, which we split off to dual outlets up top. The main drain lines back to the sump got re-worked. The dual Herbie's now come into two 2" swoop lines and then connect to the 2" drain line down to the sump in the garage. The Durso uses a 1" spa flex line into the original 1.5" drain fitting - we simply capped off the second drain line (giving a somewhat aroused look to the plumbing hahah):

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5625582145/" title="nt 1006 copy by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5625582145_0da2ab39fa_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="nt 1006 copy"></a>

Here's a shot looking down at the new overflow box. The wonderful thing about this new arrangement is that the drain and overflow is almost completely silent! It truly is amazing how quiet this setup is!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5625420657/" title="nt 998 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5625420657_67d58126e3_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="nt 998"></a>

With the plumbing done, and all the leak tests completed, it was time to move the live rock up to the display and start assembling the aquascaping structures. We had scrubbed and cooked the rock for about 6 months in 110g stock tanks to get it nice and clean. Mrs. Prop-Frags had wanted to use the StarBoard under the rock, and it worked out great. Highly recommended. Here is one of the work-in-progress shots taken while we did the work back on 4/7:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5626003680/" title="DSC_5139 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/5626003680_8b2760a695_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="DSC_5139"></a>

The next day, we added the sand in. Same deal - we cleaned and cooked the sand in one of the stock tanks as well. It was cloudy for a couple hours, but cleared up very quickly:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5625415235/" title="DSC_5141 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5625415235_4aa20ec2cb_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="DSC_5141"></a>

Next up was to bring the canopy up from the garage. We had been using it on the temporary 350g tank, but now it was time to reinstall it. Of course, a nice rub down with R/O water got all the salt spray off:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5626186934/" title="nt 1010 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/5626186934_9741ff002c_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="nt 1010"></a>

One of the key things we wanted to do with the re-install was to move all the electrical connections away from the tank and out from under the stand. Since we installed the lighting electronics out in the laundry room, we needed to re-work the wiring on the light rack to accommodate the wiring harnesses coming through wall into the laundry room. Here's a look at the light rack wiring:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5626008892/" title="nt 997 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5144/5626008892_d648d43405_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="nt 997"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5626011316/" title="nt 1000 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5307/5626011316_59e6905973_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="nt 1000"></a>

And here's a look at the lighting electronic cabinet on the other side of the wall. In the lower right, are the two dedicated 20-amp circuits we pulled from the breaker box:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/terryl93/5626008150/" title="nt 996 by terryl93, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5101/5626008150_23ecaf2f7f_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="nt 996"></a>

 

[Redhdfishgirl]

Looks Great and SAFE!!!

 

[launchnukes]

Great work. It's funny, you could never imagine how much time & thought go into just the plumbing on a system this size...until you do it! If I breathe in any more PVC glue I'm going to probably die! It is nice when it's all done though

 

[110galreef]

what all do you have for flow in there?
Love the aquascape too, it will look great when filled in too!

 

[allsps40]

Looking good. Sorry to hear you had to start over again.