My Bigger Piece of the Reef (LotsOPics)

[Kannin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11837227#post11837227 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ycnibrc
did I miss it but what do you use to cycle the tank?

The Marco rocks were only partially cured so I felt that a cycle would start but, I only saw a very small spike so I added some frozen food to the tank last Friday and it appears to be working.

 

[Kannin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11835057#post11835057 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
I wouldn't think you would have PO4 already unless something in the system is leaching it or your tap water filtration is not working right.

My RODI unit is new and the TDS meter reads Zero. I will check may new water tonight. I kind of figured it was coming from the rocks.

 

[Kannin]

So... I found my first major flaw... this morning. My sump is 1 gallon too small. I thought I had accounted for everything but, when my new heaters combined with the lights to trip a switch on the powerstrip... and everything shut down. My sump overflowed. Luckily, my stand is waterproofed. I didn't account for the fact that the water inside the skimmer would seek it's own level and it drained out.

I am thinking I could install an acrylic box on the side of the sump to catch the overflow thru a drilled hole. Another optuion would be to glue a one inch strip around the top of the sump.

Does anyone have another idea??? short of draining it and shortening the baffles.

 

[AOT]

How about just lower the maximum fill level in your return section by 1 gallon equivalent? Do you have an ATO?

 

[mrcrab]

You lost me on the shortening of the baffles. The sump will only hold so much water. How will shortening the baffles make it hold more?

If it's to lower the level in the skimmer, won't that effect it's efficiency?

 

[AOT]

shortening the baffles would reduce the overall volume transiting the sump at a given time, wouldn't it?

 

[Kannin]

If there is less water in the sump when the pump shuts down... there will be more room for the volumn that flows from the overflows.

As far as the return section... I think the water level is as low as it can be without creating bubble issues. I am installing the top off this weekend.

 

[mrcrab]

Gotcha...so you'll actually be reducing the system volume. That should work. Just trying to think of another, easier way to accomplish the same thing.

Do you have some type of durso in your overflow, I can't remember? If so, would it be possible to increase the volume your overflow holds when the system shuts down?

 

[Kannin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11839368#post11839368 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mrcrab
Gotcha...so you'll actually be reducing the system volume. That should work. Just trying to think of another, easier way to accomplish the same thing.

Do you have some type of durso in your overflow, I can't remember? If so, would it be possible to increase the volume your overflow holds when the system shuts down?

I'm trying to figure out an easier way too. It would be a nightmare to have to drain and take th sump apart.

I like raising the stand pipes a little though. I'm using Hofer pipes.

Here's my sump...

Couldn't I just drill a drain hole or two, very close to the top on the left side? Then weld an acrylic box to the outside to catch the gallon that would overflow thru the hole?

 

[mrcrab]

Yes, that would work too, but I think raising your standpipes would be the easiest solution that I can think of at the moment. As long as the overflow would accomodate the required water volume and not leak it back to the sump.

 

[mrcrab]

I wouldn't even worry about welding the box to the sump. How about just a hole in the sump with a bulkhead and a pipe from the BH to the overflow box?

 

[Kannin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11839728#post11839728 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mrcrab
I wouldn't even worry about welding the box to the sump. How about just a hole in the sump with a bulkhead and a pipe from the BH to the overflow box?

I'm not sure I'm picturing this one correctly.

 

[mrcrab]

[Here's my sump...

Couldn't I just drill a drain hole or two, very close to the top on the left side? Then weld an acrylic box to the outside to catch the gallon that would overflow thru the hole? [/B]

From what you're saying and what I'm thinking...you're suggesting gluing (welding) another box to the existing box with a hole inbetween to catch the extra water, correct?

From your picture, it looks like you have some room on the left side. Rather than gluing a box to the existing sump with a hole in between, why don't you just install a bulkhead near the top, like the one on the bottom right, and run a pipe from that bulkhead to an extra overflow box. Similar to what you are thinking but with a pipe and bulkhead connecting them rather than gluing 2 pieces together. You could then just use a cheap glass 5 gallon tank to catch the extra.

 

[Kannin]

I got it... Thank you. I am installing the top off containers to the left this weekend but, I'm sure there'll be enough room behind them for what you're suggesting.

Plus... If I ever have to remove the sump... a box welded on would make that impossible.

 

[mrcrab]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11840178#post11840178 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kannin
If I ever have to remove the sump... a box welded on would make that impossible.

Nothing a sledgehammer wouldn't fix! :lol:

 

[Kannin]

The right tool for the job... That's what I always say.

 

[jnarowe]

man you cut that close...too close! I always figure about 25% - 30% more than calculated because I have a knack for screwing up.

 

[Kannin]

See... I just (in the past month or so) have come to the conclusion... that I also, have a knack for screwing up.

It was impatience... I didn't have the skimmer yet but, wanted to get the sump done. So I had the baffles made 2 inches higher than I would have needed for the skimmer just to be safe. OOPS!

 

[jnarowe]

I know how it goes.

 

[stunreefer]

Wow Kannin, thats one of the best finds I have ever seen from a LFS! Great build.