My New 300 some progress pictures

Hi Steve,

I think I got Version 3. I let paul pick the one he felt would work best on my tank. I did get spa flex and regular sch 80 also. I will try to keep the plumbing as high and out of the way as I can. Any other words of advice for me? The plan is to plumb everything in the garage let the tank run with jst freshwater in it to make sure everything is ok. Then break the tank down and move it to its home in the basement. BILL
 
Use good glue.(weldon ).Don't use the kitchen&bath silicone.I would use silicone on the threads for the dart pumps and anything else that has threads.I used Oatley thread seal or thread lubricant.You find it at HD.Its liquid Teflon( its grey)I don't know if its reef safe.I used very little of it and its only on two threaded joints where I had a leak so I used it.I tried my best to only keep it on the threads.I don't know if anyone here knows if its reef safe,but like I said I used very little of it.
 
Bill you are better off placing the tank downstairs and then testing for leaks there.If you dismantle and move stuff around more than likely something that didn't leak the first time around may leak after you have moved it.I would place the tank in the basement where is going to stay.Fill the tank 2 or 3 inches as well as the sump(height of the bulkheads)This way check all the bulkheads first.Leave it for 2 or 3 days then fill it to the height where water goes into your cl.Test your cl lines for any leaks.leave it for another day and check for leaks if your good add a bit more water and start up your cl pumps.If all your bulkheads are good you should be fine.the return lines usually don't leak.I don't know how you are planning to take everything apart.This is why I said test in the basement .If you have unions everywhere then you can unscrew them and you are fine.Unions aren't cheap.
 
Hi Steve. The reason for doing it in the garage was because I am placing the new tank in the same place the existing tank is. So no matter what I am going to have to move it again when I do the switch. I am using all True union Valves and unions so taking the stuff back apart is no big deal. I would much rather make a mess in the garage then in my finished basement. just figured doing it in the garage would be easier. I am not really doing it to test for leaks I am doing it to make the time needed to switch everything over easier. When I set it up in the garade i will not silicone the bulkheads in the CL. But when it is in the basement I will; be ptting a silicone bead around the bulkhead just for extra protection......
 
Thats good.I wasn't sure if you were going to use unions and then tighten them up again.You can also cut the pipes and use couplings(Would cost less) Unions are better though cause at least you don't have to re glue everything.If your not removing the bulkheads than you can place a bead of silicone on them the first time.Don't over tighten the bulkheads.You are supposed to tighten them by hand.
 
Thanks for all the info Steve....If you can think of any more I would appreciate it. After all I know you went thru this process not to long ago. If you can think of any other do's/don'ts PLEASE share them.. THANKS AGAIN BILL
 
#1 Don't use Kitchen&Bath silicone
#2 Don't hook up a kalk reactor to a pump without using some type of controller along with a float switch or else when you come back from vacation finding out everything (or almost everything)might be dead
#3 Don't tell your wife what you spend on the tank(she doesn't need to know)
#4Don't let your wife read this
#5 Don't use any soap when washing filter socks
#6 Don't leave buckets lying around where someone else can use them to wash stuff,not tell you anything,and then fish don't eat and die!
#7 Don't let your in laws live with you while there house is being renovated(see rule #6)
#8 Try not to buy aggressive fish that may kill the fish you already have.
#9 dead live stock and corals can cause an ammonia spike witch will lead to other things dying.
#10 If you have Mh lights get a chiller
#11 Make sure when you go away you have someone who knows what he or she is doing to maintain your tank
#12 Don't overfeed unless you have a very powerful skimmer,even then nitrates and phosphates are a corals worst enemy.
#13 try to keep electric outlets away from splashing water unless you want to make your basement into a very expensive bonfire
#14 Cover your tank when switching out bulbs,some people have butter fingers and the bulbs break(Jnarowe knows this) and end up in the aquarium where you may not find all the pieces of the puzzle.They couldn't put Humpty Dumpty back together again,same goes for the lost bulbs

If I missed out the dew's and don't s someone can add to it
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11577076#post11577076 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steve the plumb
#1 Don't use Kitchen&Bath silicone
#2 Don't hook up a kalk reactor to a pump without using some type of controller along with a float switch or else when you come back from vacation finding out everything (or almost everything)might be dead
#3 Don't tell your wife what you spend on the tank(she doesn't need to know)
#4Don't let your wife read this
#5 Don't use any soap when washing filter socks
#6 Don't leave buckets lying around where someone else can use them to wash stuff,not tell you anything,and then fish don't eat and die!
#7 Don't let your in laws live with you while there house is being renovated(see rule #6)
#8 Try not to buy aggressive fish that may kill the fish you already have.
#9 dead live stock and corals can cause an ammonia spike witch will lead to other things dying.
#10 If you have Mh lights get a chiller
#11 Make sure when you go away you have someone who knows what he or she is doing to maintain your tank
#12 Don't overfeed unless you have a very powerful skimmer,even then nitrates and phosphates are a corals worst enemy.
#13 try to keep electric outlets away from splashing water unless you want to make your basement into a very expensive bonfire
#14 Cover your tank when switching out bulbs,some people have butter fingers and the bulbs break(Jnarowe knows this) and end up in the aquarium where you may not find all the pieces of the puzzle.They couldn't put Humpty Dumpty back together again,same goes for the lost bulbs

If I missed out the dew's and don't s someone can add to it
Click to expand...


Those are great rules, just need to be able to switch out #3 and #4 for hubbies. I try to be creative when I can...
 
The plumbing has started.......Steve We are not going to be able to run it in the garage like I wanted to.......If we glue the fittings I will not be able to get the tank off the stand because the plumbing will not be able to fit back thru the bulkhead holes......So we are just going to dry fit everything move to the basement and then glue everything.

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What I'm talking about is the fact your tank is plumbed into the bottom through your sump... Your sump is below the tank and open. so if the power goes out, or your pump stops. The water will back flow into the sump. Unless your sump can handle the volume of water contained in the tank. ALL of it will end up on your floor...

Most people will use a closed loop for this type of plumbing. Also I would change those Sch 40 bulkhead for Sch 80.

And lastly never use a check valve, they will fail and the same even with water all over your house will happen...

As far as the ball valve goes there great for working on the pump and changing... But do little if your not home when something happens..

just my .2 cents
 
He is talking about that pump going into the sump(the white one next to the dart) That one is plumbed into the bottom of the sump.If there is a power failure I could see you draining the sump(if its going to your skimmer) or the tank if thats your return pump.If your return line is about an inch below your water line then you have to set your water level in your sump so you can handle it.I think we had talked about this on the phone.I wasn't sure how you were going to plumb the tank and then dismantle it without getting leaks or moving it.I see you placed the pipes out of your way where you have room to work.
 
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