My 240 Gallon Reef Build

[anarchyx914]

I have alot of pictures I took and still need to upload, but here you can watch a video I just took of me putting it all together.

All plumbed and ready to go, except for a few leaks that need addressing.

Let me know what you think as well as offer some comments/suggestions -- feedback is always appreciated!!!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/4XLERckiouM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[msderganc]

Just a note, but you don't want to restrict the inflow of a pump, just the outflow.

 

[SPotter]

Your water level seems very high....it looks like the bracing is touching the water. Also, it doesnt seem like you have a lot of back flow room in your sump for when the pumps turn off. Otherwise it looks great...very clean. Who built the tank?

@msderganc.....look up herbie overflow systems you will see that you need to restrict the flow on one of the drain lines.

 

[Adamc1303]

Looking good now go fix those leaks!

 

[msderganc]

@SPotter I was referring to the ball valve that he mentioned restricting flow to the return pump, right at the beginning.

 

[Reef_RC]

nice anarchyx914.

Are those 40 gallons breeder tanks you're using for both sump and refugium? Wished I had that much space to work with.

 

[SPotter]

@SPotter I was referring to the ball valve that he mentioned restricting flow to the return pump, right at the beginning.

my mistake...thanks for clarifying.

 

[tolowkjr]

Man that looks like a sweet setup you have started.

 

[Adamc1303]

@SPotter I was referring to the ball valve that he mentioned restricting flow to the return pump, right at the beginning.

The ball valves are usually there to close if and when you need to service the pump so you don't have to drain the sump. He used a true union ball valve which makes it very simple.

 

[msderganc]

The ball valves are usually there to close if and when you need to service the pump so you don't have to drain the sump. He used a true union ball valve which makes it very simple.

Yes, I completely agree with this, but he mentioned controlling the amount of water flowing into the pump. It's not a bad design if you just use it for maintenance, but it's generally not good for a pump's inlet to be restricted during normal operation.

 

[anarchyx914]

nice anarchyx914.

Are those 40 gallons breeder tanks you're using for both sump and refugium? Wished I had that much space to work with.

Yep, dual 40 breeders.

 

[anarchyx914]

Just a note, but you don't want to restrict the inflow of a pump, just the outflow.

I set it up this way so I don't have any back flow into my sump area when I feed corals. This way I can cut that ball valve and none of the water will drain back into fuge when I am broadcast feeding, this way it doesn't drive my skimmer crazy when water level fluctuates. I have had this problem with my current setup. So I will just cut power to pump, crack valve, and boom im done.

I realize I could have used a check valve, but I don't think they are that reliable.

 

[anarchyx914]

Your water level seems very high....it looks like the bracing is touching the water. Also, it doesnt seem like you have a lot of back flow room in your sump for when the pumps turn off. Otherwise it looks great...very clean. Who built the tank?

@msderganc.....look up herbie overflow systems you will see that you need to restrict the flow on one of the drain lines.

Water level was just for testing, this is hose water. It wont be anywhere near this high when I setup with salt.

 

[msderganc]

I set it up this way so I don't have any back flow into my sump area when I feed corals. This way I can cut that ball valve and none of the water will drain back into fuge when I am broadcast feeding, this way it doesn't drive my skimmer crazy when water level fluctuates. I have had this problem with my current setup. So I will just cut power to pump, crack valve, and boom im done.

I realize I could have used a check valve, but I don't think they are that reliable.

Ah that makes sense. Yeah, check valves are worthless.

 

[h.cordero]

Can't see the video!?

 

[SPotter]

I set it up this way so I don't have any back flow into my sump area when I feed corals. This way I can cut that ball valve and none of the water will drain back into fuge when I am broadcast feeding, this way it doesn't drive my skimmer crazy when water level fluctuates. I have had this problem with my current setup. So I will just cut power to pump, crack valve, and boom im done.

I realize I could have used a check valve, but I don't think they are that reliable.

Are you using a controller for your tank? If so, you can achieve the same thing by using the "feed" options. When I hit the feed button on my system, the main pumps turn off for 20 minutes and my skimmer turns off 1 hr. This way theres need to worry about closign and opening a valve.

 

[Reef_RC]

reliability of check value - are you referrring to ball check value or flap check value kind? Thought ball check valve was very reliable.

I set it up this way so I don't have any back flow into my sump area when I feed corals. This way I can cut that ball valve and none of the water will drain back into fuge when I am broadcast feeding, this way it doesn't drive my skimmer crazy when water level fluctuates. I have had this problem with my current setup. So I will just cut power to pump, crack valve, and boom im done.

I realize I could have used a check valve, but I don't think they are that reliable.

 

[anarchyx914]

Are you using a controller for your tank? If so, you can achieve the same thing by using the "feed" options. When I hit the feed button on my system, the main pumps turn off for 20 minutes and my skimmer turns off 1 hr. This way theres need to worry about closign and opening a valve.

Yes I have an Apex Neptune controller. I don't have it set that way yet because of my current system, but I will probably use that with the new system. thats a great suggestion.

 

[agcneves]

Your project is very good. Making small adjustments everything will run smoothly.
I will monitor your progress.
Congratulations! :thumbsup:

 

[anarchyx914]

Latest update now online.

Tank has substrate, rock, and is cycling now!

Slowly nearing completion!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC5A0LlMM_A