Henry Colf
New member
Lookin' good Kurt.
New 220 gallon build
- Thread starter KurtsReef
- Start date
KurtsReef
Premium Member
Savco fittings arrived today along with the flexible PVC tubing. Has anyone used this tubing here? Just wondering what PVC glue you used (well, is there a right/wrong or is the normal PVC glue acceptable?)
Plan on using the flex tubing pretty much everywhere. (4) tubes for returns on the inline each with its own true union joint so I can clean the Ocean Motion occasionally. (1) 1 1/2 dran too the closed loop and (2) drains (2) returns too the main tank for a total of 8 1" true unions and (1) 1 1/2 inch true union...
I opened the package and there was a big roll of the 1" tubing, a shorter 1 1/2 inch tube a strainer and 8 1" true union ball joints...no 1 1/2" true union ball valve so i check the receipt thinking they forgot too add that too my order, but nope there it is $34.
Grabbed the phone and called, Savco rep seemed to be very helpful and said he would take care of it today (so, wont have the part I need till Monday/Tuesday?)
Plan on using the flex tubing pretty much everywhere. (4) tubes for returns on the inline each with its own true union joint so I can clean the Ocean Motion occasionally. (1) 1 1/2 dran too the closed loop and (2) drains (2) returns too the main tank for a total of 8 1" true unions and (1) 1 1/2 inch true union...
I opened the package and there was a big roll of the 1" tubing, a shorter 1 1/2 inch tube a strainer and 8 1" true union ball joints...no 1 1/2" true union ball valve so i check the receipt thinking they forgot too add that too my order, but nope there it is $34.
Grabbed the phone and called, Savco rep seemed to be very helpful and said he would take care of it today (so, wont have the part I need till Monday/Tuesday?)
KurtsReef
Premium Member
Could not really reach the bottom of the tank and wanted to wipe it out with vinegar so enlisted my older daughters help...she got a kick out of being in the tank (I know second kid in tank photos in one thread...going overboard?)
So, the tank was clean and ready for some stuff inside
So, the tank was clean and ready for some stuff inside
KurtsReef
Premium Member
So off to Reef Creations to get some sand/live rock a replacement 1.5" true union so I could finish the plumbing and pick up my pumps that arrived.
I must have been Randy's favorite customer today :eek1:
Got home to find my wife was still out at a 5k run with the son and did not get back to work on it until after 9pm (gave me time to drip an SPS I picked up and fish) but put me behind schedule. I also found out I need a couple more PVC joints to complete the plumbing so carried some 5g buckets of water up to fill the tank a little keeping the liverock mostly under water but got tired so called it a night.
About 150lbs of rock and 140lbs of sand in the tank right now and I did not count the buckets of water moved.
First "residents" of the new tank, must have been hanging on or in some of the rock I moved from the 75 gallon
I must have been Randy's favorite customer today :eek1:
Got home to find my wife was still out at a 5k run with the son and did not get back to work on it until after 9pm (gave me time to drip an SPS I picked up and fish) but put me behind schedule. I also found out I need a couple more PVC joints to complete the plumbing so carried some 5g buckets of water up to fill the tank a little keeping the liverock mostly under water but got tired so called it a night.
About 150lbs of rock and 140lbs of sand in the tank right now and I did not count the buckets of water moved.
First "residents" of the new tank, must have been hanging on or in some of the rock I moved from the 75 gallon
KurtsReef
Premium Member
Picked up some of the blue PVC cement (The correct stuff too use with the flexible PVC tubing) and finished everything except placing the pumps in. Did rig up a submersible for the Barricuda so that I could pump water up into the main display to empty the 300g rubbermaid enough to put in a bulkhead.
Surprisingly enough it worked well, the submersible (rubbermaid tub with a 2 1/4 hole cut out for the input) allowed me to get the pump at water level. I did try the Mag 7 from the 75 gallon first, no luck...then tried the Dart pump which also could not get the water that high...it looks like I ended up with a 14-15' head.
So, the display is now full up too about 5" below the top of the tank. The bulkhead fitting for the sump's pump is drying. I figured since its not 100% flat surface to seal it with aquarium sealant after getting it on.
I wanted too use one of the rocks from the 75 gallon to add more support too a 60lb rock I have placed up creating a large cave so took it up and shook it, saw a large star inside so kept pulling it a little out of the water and the star eventually dropped out (the water in the display is about 15 degrees cooler than that in the old 75 gal at this point) and the process of getting the star out took about 10 minutes. I then looked over the rock several times to ensure there were no other hitchhikers. As soon as the rock hit the water in the new tank, my wrasse shoots out and goes into the rockwork too hide.
I quickly put three heaters in the new tank hoping that this will help get the temp closer too what it was in, but I fear any damage is done. I should have been more patient and heated the water before adding anything from the 75 gal.
I hope the wrasse is tough enough to make it.
Tomorrow I will hook up the pump on the sump and hopefully have it ready to run on Monday after some more RO/DI water is made into the sump. I will be moving at least the rockwork out of the 75 gallon tomorrow and setting up the final aqua-scaping and perhaps moving some of the other livestock depending on the parameters of the water.
Will not have my lights yet, so would have too jury rig something too hold my current light set up over this tank. Wont be able to finish the closed loop until the Ocean Motions arrives.
Coming too a point where I am waiting on gear.
Surprisingly enough it worked well, the submersible (rubbermaid tub with a 2 1/4 hole cut out for the input) allowed me to get the pump at water level. I did try the Mag 7 from the 75 gallon first, no luck...then tried the Dart pump which also could not get the water that high...it looks like I ended up with a 14-15' head.
So, the display is now full up too about 5" below the top of the tank. The bulkhead fitting for the sump's pump is drying. I figured since its not 100% flat surface to seal it with aquarium sealant after getting it on.
I wanted too use one of the rocks from the 75 gallon to add more support too a 60lb rock I have placed up creating a large cave so took it up and shook it, saw a large star inside so kept pulling it a little out of the water and the star eventually dropped out (the water in the display is about 15 degrees cooler than that in the old 75 gal at this point) and the process of getting the star out took about 10 minutes. I then looked over the rock several times to ensure there were no other hitchhikers. As soon as the rock hit the water in the new tank, my wrasse shoots out and goes into the rockwork too hide.
I quickly put three heaters in the new tank hoping that this will help get the temp closer too what it was in, but I fear any damage is done. I should have been more patient and heated the water before adding anything from the 75 gal.
I hope the wrasse is tough enough to make it.
Tomorrow I will hook up the pump on the sump and hopefully have it ready to run on Monday after some more RO/DI water is made into the sump. I will be moving at least the rockwork out of the 75 gallon tomorrow and setting up the final aqua-scaping and perhaps moving some of the other livestock depending on the parameters of the water.
Will not have my lights yet, so would have too jury rig something too hold my current light set up over this tank. Wont be able to finish the closed loop until the Ocean Motions arrives.
Coming too a point where I am waiting on gear.
drlucky4life
New member
Sump
Sump
Looking Good hows the old sump coming?
Sump
Looking Good hows the old sump coming?
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
Wow- you've been able to move quickly and gitter done!
KurtsReef
Premium Member
I checked the water and everything is checking out fine. The wrasse is still alive, hopefully the shock it received last night wont hurt it.
Plan for today is too finish plumbing the sumps pump so I can get it running later today and move everything over. The difference in temp is currently 4 degrees but I plan on doing water changes from the 75g too the 220 gallon over a period of hours that should raise the temp in the 220 and lower it in the 75 bringing them closer together. The fish will be a direct move into the new system and the rock work will go into some buckets so that I can check for the problem anemones (Manjone spelling?) and hopefully remove all if not simply most of them. I may end up with a fish that finds them attractive but plan on keeping the rocks that are known carriers too remain in the refugium.
Anyone with concerns on the above plan for todays transfer, please let me know...like do you think I should 'float' or drip the fish instead of a direct transfer? I did not do this when moving from the 45 too the 75g but the amount of 'new' water was not nearly as severe.
Plan for today is too finish plumbing the sumps pump so I can get it running later today and move everything over. The difference in temp is currently 4 degrees but I plan on doing water changes from the 75g too the 220 gallon over a period of hours that should raise the temp in the 220 and lower it in the 75 bringing them closer together. The fish will be a direct move into the new system and the rock work will go into some buckets so that I can check for the problem anemones (Manjone spelling?) and hopefully remove all if not simply most of them. I may end up with a fish that finds them attractive but plan on keeping the rocks that are known carriers too remain in the refugium.
Anyone with concerns on the above plan for todays transfer, please let me know...like do you think I should 'float' or drip the fish instead of a direct transfer? I did not do this when moving from the 45 too the 75g but the amount of 'new' water was not nearly as severe.
KurtsReef
Premium Member
Thanks Scott, I may do that as it would not take too much effort and would be a bit safer perhaps. This water has been set up for over a week in the cellar though, its not freshly made.
I was just thinking I did not have the bucket room, but just remembered I have 3 large styrofoam containers from getting the live rock the other day so that room will not be an issue
I was just thinking I did not have the bucket room, but just remembered I have 3 large styrofoam containers from getting the live rock the other day so that room will not be an issue
chrisguy
New member
I believe that someone stated it earlier that Anthony Calfo believes in near 100% water changes with aged saltwater. If your water is a week old then you should be fine. Just match Salinity, Ph and Temp.
By mixing water from the two tanks you can do a large acclimation if it would help you feel better.
By mixing water from the two tanks you can do a large acclimation if it would help you feel better.
KurtsReef
Premium Member
Chris, I am doing exactly that.
All the fish and corals are now in buckets/styrofoam containers with water from the old tank. I am draining the old tank and filling the new with that water, will be adding more of the water from the new tank too the containers as the day goes on for a couple hours then introducing them.
All the fish and corals are now in buckets/styrofoam containers with water from the old tank. I am draining the old tank and filling the new with that water, will be adding more of the water from the new tank too the containers as the day goes on for a couple hours then introducing them.
KurtsReef
Premium Member
75 is dismantled, will add baffles and such tomorrow for the refuge.
All livestock that are going into the new display are in, not necessarily where they will end up but they are in. Have a few corals I have not decided on location for, some are not going into 220 and will end up in the refuge for now mostly soft and button polyps.
Good news, the yellow clown goby which our porcupine puffer has been getting blamed for eating turned up...he/she was living in the refuge undetected for the past month. He took a ride down the overflow and then today I was using a powerhead too drain the sump and he sucked through that in great shape too end up in the bucket I was filling.
Will take some pics tomorrow, its currently only being lit by a single 400w MH 10k from the old display...waiting on the new lights.
Oh, BTW that sump has been running for about 3 years or more with a deep sand bed that had never been disturbed...can you say stinky smell when dismantling :eek1: it was disgusting.
All livestock that are going into the new display are in, not necessarily where they will end up but they are in. Have a few corals I have not decided on location for, some are not going into 220 and will end up in the refuge for now mostly soft and button polyps.
Good news, the yellow clown goby which our porcupine puffer has been getting blamed for eating turned up...he/she was living in the refuge undetected for the past month. He took a ride down the overflow and then today I was using a powerhead too drain the sump and he sucked through that in great shape too end up in the bucket I was filling.
Will take some pics tomorrow, its currently only being lit by a single 400w MH 10k from the old display...waiting on the new lights.
Oh, BTW that sump has been running for about 3 years or more with a deep sand bed that had never been disturbed...can you say stinky smell when dismantling :eek1: it was disgusting.
belgian_waffleman
New member
You sure make short work of this transition. How long have you been planning this upgrade?
Looks awesome btw!
Waffleman
Looks awesome btw!
Waffleman
KurtsReef
Premium Member
Well, its up and running and water parameters are great...including a temp of 74.5 which is much cooler than I have been able too keep the 75 gallon all summer its been averaging well over 10 degrees more.
As you can see in this shot just have the old hood and one light on the system right now. You can see the basics of the aqua scaping in this shot, some corals may be moved and/or a few rocks moved but this will be the basic idea. Will wait until I have all the water flow going too make final decisions.
Don't think they really show up in this shot but I have a micro bubble issue, not sure the cause. Water going into the bulk head fitting in the sump does not appear too have any bubbles on the way in but they are there when entering the tank. Need to do a search for possible causes or fixes too the issue.
I have put acrylic panels in the 75g today, tomorrow I will finish setting up the refugium.
Still need to figure out the calcium reactor...have not given it a try yet.
We start finishing the stand tomorrow, still waiting on the lights and ocean motion.
Getting ready for a party we are throwing on Friday so have not been able too put the time in this week...like going and picking up and then setting up this slide
As you can see in this shot just have the old hood and one light on the system right now. You can see the basics of the aqua scaping in this shot, some corals may be moved and/or a few rocks moved but this will be the basic idea. Will wait until I have all the water flow going too make final decisions.
Don't think they really show up in this shot but I have a micro bubble issue, not sure the cause. Water going into the bulk head fitting in the sump does not appear too have any bubbles on the way in but they are there when entering the tank. Need to do a search for possible causes or fixes too the issue.
I have put acrylic panels in the 75g today, tomorrow I will finish setting up the refugium.
Still need to figure out the calcium reactor...have not given it a try yet.
We start finishing the stand tomorrow, still waiting on the lights and ocean motion.
Getting ready for a party we are throwing on Friday so have not been able too put the time in this week...like going and picking up and then setting up this slide
KurtsReef
Premium Member
Well, had put some acrylic baffles in the 75g and wanted too move it (it was empty) yesterday too use the concrete blocks its setting on in the making of a stand for it. After trying too get my arms around it a couple times decided too just pick it up by the center brace.
Ok...bad idea, dont try this at home as the brace will break off in your hands.
So I picked up some more aquarium seal and made a new brace out of acrylic which is currently curing in the cellar. Will get help from my wife or someone too move it today.
While picking up the sealant also added some fish too the livestock. Picked up a trio of Scotts Fairy Wrasses and a couple large polyp stonies...the tank just looked so bare
The micro bubble issue was in the sump, not in the lines. Have gotten rid of most of them. The water coming into the sump was full of bubbles from the 14 and 16' free falls, the 14' line has no bubbles coming out anymore the 16' line will be going partially at least into the refugium so once that is set I am hoping the issue will be completely solved.
Ok...bad idea, dont try this at home as the brace will break off in your hands.
So I picked up some more aquarium seal and made a new brace out of acrylic which is currently curing in the cellar. Will get help from my wife or someone too move it today.
While picking up the sealant also added some fish too the livestock. Picked up a trio of Scotts Fairy Wrasses and a couple large polyp stonies...the tank just looked so bare
The micro bubble issue was in the sump, not in the lines. Have gotten rid of most of them. The water coming into the sump was full of bubbles from the 14 and 16' free falls, the 14' line has no bubbles coming out anymore the 16' line will be going partially at least into the refugium so once that is set I am hoping the issue will be completely solved.
SkiFletch
New member
not the greatest of ideas... aquarium silicone does NOT stick to glass very well and will not be structurally strong enough for a brace system. You need to use glass instead. Your other option would be to try the new GE plastics silicone that just came out on the market. I know you can get it at the Home Depot in Amherst, but it comes in a red hand-squeeze tube and is designed to affix acrylic and glass.
Edit: you took those Scott's from RandyO? Nice
KurtsReef
Premium Member
The acrylic was put in place first with super glue and then some aquarium glue applied, it was some stuff in a caulk gun tube that Randy had...will have too read the side of it.
I used aquarium silicone when making the sump in the 75 and the pieces are still very much connected (same thing glass to acrylic)..now you have me worried.
I used aquarium silicone when making the sump in the 75 and the pieces are still very much connected (same thing glass to acrylic)..now you have me worried.
