mpcart's 240G build
- Thread starter mpcart
- Start date
Solid work Mike :thumbsup: Let me know if you need any help.
mpcart
New member
The tanks are 65 gallon and I purchased them at Rural King in Collinsville. They were $115 each. They seem to be stock items at farm stores although they were $150 EA at Tractor Supply so I guess I got a good deal.
http://www.ruralking.com/ace-roto-mold-65-gallon-free-standing-tank-no-sump-fs0065-24.html
-Mike
http://www.ruralking.com/ace-roto-mold-65-gallon-free-standing-tank-no-sump-fs0065-24.html
-Mike
mpcart
New member
I have all the supplies for the lighting track. I'm using galvanized box rail and trolleys for the tracks and superstrut with threaded rods for the lighting frame. The tracks are 5' long so the lighting will slide completely off the back of the tank. I think I'll place the ballasts high on a shelf to the side of the tank.
If I find that I need more ways to adjust the reflectors then I'll just bolt on some superstrut cross members. I also haven't thought much about supplemental lighting or moon lights but those will also attach to the frame somehow.
Putting it together will be this week's project.
-Mike
If I find that I need more ways to adjust the reflectors then I'll just bolt on some superstrut cross members. I also haven't thought much about supplemental lighting or moon lights but those will also attach to the frame somehow.
Putting it together will be this week's project.
-Mike
mpcart
New member
Made a little more progress. Finished the drywall, waterproofed the stand, purchased a large acrylic sump, and hung the lighting rig. The lighting rack is a bit overkill but I like the way it turned out. It is adjustable up and down and slides off the back of the tank when I need access.
-Mike
-Mike
larcomak11
New member
over done?? thats perfect, awesome job on the rail...ill definitely keep watching for updates!
mpcart
New member
Question about my plumbing plan . . .
My dual overflows each have a 1.5" drain and a 1" return.
My return pump has both 1.5" inlet and outlet.
I'm going to have a manifold on the outlet side of the return that will have 4-1" gate valves to feed the skimmer, calcium reactor, carbon media, and who knows what else.
I'm thinking I'll bring the outlet side of the pump down to 1.25" to feed everything and keep the inlet at 1.5". The pump is a reeflo barracuda so there is more than enough flow to feed everything and the instructions recommend having a smaller outlet pipe than inlet pipe to help prevent cavitation.
Any problems with that plan?
-Mike
My dual overflows each have a 1.5" drain and a 1" return.
My return pump has both 1.5" inlet and outlet.
I'm going to have a manifold on the outlet side of the return that will have 4-1" gate valves to feed the skimmer, calcium reactor, carbon media, and who knows what else.
I'm thinking I'll bring the outlet side of the pump down to 1.25" to feed everything and keep the inlet at 1.5". The pump is a reeflo barracuda so there is more than enough flow to feed everything and the instructions recommend having a smaller outlet pipe than inlet pipe to help prevent cavitation.
Any problems with that plan?
-Mike
mpcart
New member
Here's the plumbing plan that I'm going with. It doesn't show in the picture but since the sump isn't directly underneath the tanks I'm somewhat restricted in where I can place my return pump and route the plumbing.
Open issues I have before putting it all together
I'll see if I can show this in my sketchup model but I'm not good enough to add PVC piping in sketchup. Might take a while.
-Mike
Open issues I have before putting it all together
- The manifold is terminated rather than reconnecting with the main line. Should I do this or route it back to the sump?
- I have two 1.5" drains feeding into a single 2" line to the sump rather than have both lines independently go to the sump. Is this okay?
- The line from the sump into the pump inlet will be a straight 6" -I don't have 15 inches of piping (the 10x rule) feeding the inlet but I think the rule more applies to not having any restrictions in that distance. So I think I am ok.
- The sump is acrylic. Should I run the pipe to the pump through a bulkhead or would a uniseal work just fine?
I'll see if I can show this in my sketchup model but I'm not good enough to add PVC piping in sketchup. Might take a while.
-Mike
dave.m
Active member
It is entirely a matter of personal choice. I like to keep filters on a separate pump. I don't like the idea of adding or removing a filter affecting return flow to the tank. I really don't like the idea of losing all system functions if the one main pump fails for whatever reason. I prefer tailoring pump sizes to particular tasks.
Again, this is all a matter of personal choice.
Dave.M
Again, this is all a matter of personal choice.
Dave.M
