mpcart's 240G build

[pmrossetti]

And on the 2,231st day (the beginning) . . . there was light! Ooops, no light since my new ballasts are on a UPS truck somewhere.

However, on that day there was water . . .









-Mike

Great sump!!
Whats that dark cap piece you're using now where the Durso used to be?
thanks!!!

 

[mpcart]

Great sump!!
Whats that dark cap piece you're using now where the Durso used to be?
thanks!!!

Thanks. I do like the sump.

That's the "Maggie Muffler". I have clearance issues and that will allow me to raise the drain pipe and minimize the waterfall. It is three pieces that just slip together and lay on the pipe. Seems to work well.

-Mike

 

[mpcart]

Finally took the plunge and moved the small tank over a couple feet. It's amazing how well those magic furniture slider things work!

I'm having a cabinet maker come over next week to come up with ideas for the framing. I've never been able to cut/stain trim and make it look good.

The hole looks small in the pictures but is just the right size in actuality.

-Mike

 

[mpcart]

Looks like everything made it through the move okay.

-Mike

 

[mpcart]

Finished labeling and securing all the lighting wires. I used Techflex split sleeve cable wrap to secure all the lamp cords and found 2ft power cords at monoprice to replace the 15ft cords that came with the ballasts.

I also installed rubber quick disconnects on the lamp cords so the reflectors can easily be removed or relocated.

-Mike

 

[t.priscu]

Your build and fish room is so organized. I love it!

 

[mpcart]

Your build and fish room is so organized. I love it!

Thanks. Got those caps placed and waiting for their spots in the big tank.

-Mike

 

[t.priscu]

Nice, it looks like they kept their color pretty good.

 

[mpcart]

Just got a new Reeflo Snapper/Dart to replace the Barracuda. Hopefully, the new pump along with swapping out some rigid PVC with FlexPVC will cut down on the noise.

I can't believe how much smaller the new pump is.



-Mike

 

[mpcart]

After four days running the RO, I finally have enough water to finish my leak tests and drop in some salt.

I've been fighting leaking problems on the new pump and in/outlet plumbing and finally decided to run the pump all day for a final test. I moved my tank cam into the equipment room and can monitor for pump leaks from work. For anyone looking for a cheap IP cam I'd recommend the Dericams with pan/tilt and "optical" zoom.

Here's a live shot showing no leaks. (Sorry for the mess).



-Mike

 

[mpcart]

Being able to watch the tank from work is going to put a dent in my productivity!

-Mike

 

[mpcart]

It looks like the Reeflo Dart and two Tunze 6125 raise the temperature one degree in 12 hours. I'll be adding two Ecotech MP40's which shouldn't put out any heat so it looks like all my heat problems (if there are any) will come straight from the 1000W of MH. Duh.



-Mike

 

[Bilk]

Love the planning, organization and execution! I also like the use of Kindorf for the light supports. Definitely follow along. Bravo!

 

[mpcart]

Love the planning, organization and execution! I also like the use of Kindorf for the light supports. Definitely follow along. Bravo!

Thanks. I haven't heard of the Kindorf brand - just Unistrut and Superstrut. I wish I'd known about that brand as they might have had a wider selection of fittings.

-Mike

 

[mpcart]

Since the first pump/plumbing test resulted in a lot of noise in the viewing room, I made some changes for round two.

I replaced the used Barracuda pump with a new Snapper Gold. It runs much quieter than the old pump. I also added foam insulation between the pump, base, and floor. I cut up pieces of foam anti-fatigue floor mat that I got at Harbor Freight at 16 sq ft for $10.

I also replaced sections of the rigid pipe on the inlet/outlet with spa-flex. The 2" spa flex had a slight curve to it that made it difficult to connect to the pump and sump. I didn't want to stress the pump volute so I soaked the hose in hot water for 10 minutes and it straightened right out.

I removed one of the two rigid clamps securing the manifold line to the wall and attached foam and a plastic clamp to the remaining point. The single clamp and flex PVC means the line isn't as secure as I'd like but it will do for now. If pressure through the manifold causes to much movement in the line then I'll add another attachment point.

Everything is much quieter now.

-Mike

 

[Bilk]

Thanks. I haven't heard of the Kindorf brand - just Unistrut and Superstrut. I wish I'd known about that brand as they might have had a wider selection of fittings.

-Mike

Well it is a brand, but it's mostly used as a generic name here in NYC, by the trades.


Regarding the manifold that was mounted to the partition wall between the fish room and the entertainment room, why not make a mast support for it using the Unistrut? Mount it to the platform the pump is on. Well just a thought. Looking good

 

[mpcart]

The mast idea is a good one. I hadn't thought of that. If I need to reduce the sound more then I'll try something like that out. I could actually string a Unistrut or wood brace between the side wall and the tank stand.

-Mike

 

[mpcart]

The next source of noise in the equipment room is with the drain pipes. Luckily that noise doesn't work it's way into the viewing room.

I stole a couple ideas to muffle the sound and am trying 3" pipes to reduce bubbles and keep the splashing down.

The pipe on the left has two sets of holes and is much louder. You can see the bubbles escaping out the side. The pipe on the right only has holes on the top and is much quieter. I'm going to use that design on both pipes.

On this sump, the water doesn't run over the top of the baffle into the middle section, rather it escapes through a slot half way down the baffle so both of the pipe designs seem effective in keeping bubbles in the first chamber.

-Mike

 

[Koddie Doo]

Looks like you have everything under control. Love the detail you put in the build! What store in town did you get the rails for the rack from?

 

[mpcart]

Got the rails and rollers at Rural King in Collinsville. Love that store.

-Mike