My 55 gallon reef project

sloshesv, your tank looks great man, I can't believe you have such great growth with just regular florescent. (well I mean I believe you, it's just that . . . well you know what I mean). T-5's are the smaller diameter (5/8" dia) tubes. What lighting are you getting for Christmas and why? [/B][/QUOTE]

Thanks. I'm not sure, but they'll be halides. I'd like to see if they improve health/growth of some of my corals and for a clam. Though the PC's have been good to me. I'm movin' on up to Eastside.
 
I'm very happy with the construction. I will have to check on the switch wattage. At first thought, I'm thinking maybe 12 volt with switch/power supply. I'm not sure though. I'll get back to you, but I have had absolutely zero problems with it thus far. Works like a charm (as I pray my switches don't fail and flood my apartment :) ) Thanks for the interest.

This weekend may be doomsday: The rock will be removed and I will plumb underneath. I just hope my pump puts out enough flow. Wish me luck.
 
I've been out of town since Tuesday night, and I'll be making my way back tomorrow. I currently have my closed loop plumbed up to the ocean's motion and from there to the edge of the tank. I also have the intake portion totally finished. Next comes the hard part. I hope to buy some stirofoam coolers to put my rock in while i'm finishing my plumbing work.

sloshev: I haven't forgotten you, I'll check on the voltage of those switches as soon as a get home.

Does anyone have some tips on plumbing my tank under the sand without being able to really test the lengths first?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8560015#post8560015 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dcombs44


Does anyone have some tips on plumbing my tank under the sand without being able to really test the lengths first?
Click to expand...

I ran the piping for my closed loop UNDER the tank in the stand then up thru drilled holes. I am not sure if I'd recommend this again but it does save the drop pipe inside of the tank.

As far as measuring the length, can't you just lay a piece of pipe to the side of the tank with a dry fit on the elbow to see how long it needs to be? Or are you concerned about the fittings leaking? If that's the case, I wouldn't worry about it. If it does leak it is inside of the tank and it would not be very much. Just pressure fit the fittings as best you can. But why not glue them?

Did I understand your concern or am I off base?
 
My tank is full of water sand and rock. I'm going to have to assemble the plumbing while the rock is in the tank, then remove the rock, install the piping, and put the rock back in. That's my concern. I can't really do a dry fit do to the fact that I don't want to lose the mushrooms and critters on my rock. Time is very limited here.

I did plan to glue them, but I don't want to end up plumbing it and then having it be too short or long.
 
Nice thread. I have a 55 as well, and recently revamped the whole thing (re'scape, new closed loop, new electric panel, SW delivery from the basement for water changes, etc)

Does anyone have some tips on plumbing my tank under the sand without being able to really test the lengths first?
Click to expand...

It's really not so bad. Just measure carefully, and allow for pipe diameters and amounts that the pipe is inserted into a fitting. The trouble with PVC (if you call it a "trouble") is that a dry fit of pipe to an elbow will go in only 1/3 of the way. But the dimensions are all convenient. For instance, a 1 inch pipe will insert into an eblow for 1 inch. Same for a 3/4 inch. Just plan it all out. Good thing is that if you mess up, it's only $.39 for that elbow. If it helps, work on the longer pieces first, so if you mess up, you can reuse the pipe for the smallers parts.

Also, get one of these: PVC cutter . It's only $12 bucks :-)

Good luck.
Matt
 
plumbing my tank under the sand
Click to expand...

Sorry -- I thought "sand" was just a typo for "stand". Not sure if my previous post addressed what you were asking. Can you elaborate a bit on what you're plan is? Are you building a rack of sorts from PVC that the rock will then rest upon?
Matt
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8561549#post8561549 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EBR4
. . . . For instance, a 1 inch pipe will insert into an eblow for 1 inch. Same for a 3/4 inch. Just plan it all out. . . . .Good luck.
Matt
Click to expand...

I'll bet I have installed over 30 lawn sprinkling systems for family members, former girlfriends, new-homes, etc. and I NEVER knew that rule about the insert length. That is awesome to know. Thanks for sharing that Matt.
 
There is some detail up above. I'm running pipe under the sand to have two returns coming out of the sand in the front of the tank pointing up and toward the back.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I have a pvc cutter, and I've done quite a bit of tank plumbing, i just had never done a project quite like this before so I figured i'd ask for a bit of advice.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8541491#post8541491 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sloshesv
Looks like you're heading for success. Here's my 2.5 year old, low-tech 55. It's not a great shot or the best time of day to really show it. Aaaaand I'm going to get better with the new camera.

img0421di2.jpg
Click to expand...

I have a low tech 55 with PCs; But I don't know how you kept the caps and how long you've had the bubble coral (looks like a 5 year old bubble coral).

Can you share your regimen to us; including additives, watts of lighting, setup, etc. I want to soon be able to learn how to incorporate caps into my 55.

I have 4x65W PC daylight/actinics with two powerfilters and a Prizm skimmer...and 3 powerheads.
 
Well I've got the closed loop plumbed up to the water line. All I have to do now is plumb down the tank wall and under the sand.

Here are some pics of the process.

HPIM0437-1.jpg


HPIM0438.jpg


HPIM0439.jpg


I'm afraid to go any farther :D I'm not sure when I'll get it finished. I need to get some containers to put the rock in while I plumb the inside part.
 
$225 will get you there. I just closed my eyes and clicked the order button :)

I just hope my pump works well.
Stay tuned.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8566158#post8566158 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by archie1709
I have a low tech 55 with PCs; But I don't know how you kept the caps and how long you've had the bubble coral (looks like a 5 year old bubble coral).

Can you share your regimen to us; including additives, watts of lighting, setup, etc. I want to soon be able to learn how to incorporate caps into my 55.

I have 4x65W PC daylight/actinics with two powerfilters and a Prizm skimmer...and 3 powerheads.
Click to expand...
bttt, be right back.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8577773#post8577773 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sloshesv
bttt, be right back.
Click to expand...

Here ya go:
I am not advocating the use of any specific product and you should check with your doctor before beginning any excercise regiment.

My chemical room- I keep calc and kh high. I dose either roids or dt's about twice a week. I average changing 6-12 gals per week.

img0711kg2.jpg



My low tech overflow skimmer. I change out 1 of those carbons about every 2 weeks.

img0713yf9.jpg
 
The bubble coral is about 2 yrs old and started with probably 12 bubbles. It will expand far beyond that with out getting hit with the heavy flow it does. That's what's kept the monti happy. The green is just a little over a year and started as a brown frag that has essential eroded away by now.

img0509up6.jpg


The red is over 2 and should have been fragged long ago for it's own good. But I have 3 fish that sleep in it like it's a Feldman, so I've let it go. It was only starting it's second level when I got it.
 
Thanks for the compliment triggerfish. I know my tank isn't the ideal dimensions, but it's all I have room for, and I've done my best to make it the best it can possibly be with the space that I have. I hope that when I begin stocking that the money put into it will help my corals, fish and inverts thrive.
 
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