new 240 project
- Thread starter tolthoff
- Start date
Yes, the closed loop goes to the basement as well. I am using a reeflo hammerhead pump with 1.5" flex pvc. The closed loop flows into the tank through the bottom, through pvc "manifolds" that are incorporated into the rockscaping substructure. Return to the pump is via the bulkheads/strainers at the top rear corners of the tank.
I hope to have led lights by September. I don't plan on putting any livestock in the tank until the new light fixture is in place. I am strongly considering the aquaillumination fixture. I initially was going with solaris, but from what I've read, the build quality isn't that great. Any opinions??
thanks rolodex1!
now for a plumbing question... I built a durso standpipe for each of the overflows (1.5" pvc). Each drains seperately via 1.5" flexible pvc to my sump tanks in the basement. The drain lines drop straight out of the tank, through the floor, travel horizontal for about 4 feet in the basement ceiling, and then drop straight into my sump. I am having a lot of difficulty silencing them. They gurgle a lot and I get the "flushing" phenomenon. I went to durso's website and followed instructions about drilling larger siphon holes and adjusting the length of the drains where they enter the sump (they were 6-8" below the water surface, now they are 1"). Making these adjustments, I made the problem worse!! I can easily redrill new caps for the standpipes, but does anyone have any additional suggestions?? Would a different type of standpipe work better? Thanks in advance...
now for a plumbing question... I built a durso standpipe for each of the overflows (1.5" pvc). Each drains seperately via 1.5" flexible pvc to my sump tanks in the basement. The drain lines drop straight out of the tank, through the floor, travel horizontal for about 4 feet in the basement ceiling, and then drop straight into my sump. I am having a lot of difficulty silencing them. They gurgle a lot and I get the "flushing" phenomenon. I went to durso's website and followed instructions about drilling larger siphon holes and adjusting the length of the drains where they enter the sump (they were 6-8" below the water surface, now they are 1"). Making these adjustments, I made the problem worse!! I can easily redrill new caps for the standpipes, but does anyone have any additional suggestions?? Would a different type of standpipe work better? Thanks in advance...
I just thought of another question.... ( I have a million of them tucked in various places in my brain!). I am using 2 reeflo hammerheads in my system. One is a closed loop and the other for the main circulation with the sump tanks. My closed loop hammerhead runs silently (ball valves fully open, ~3000gph at tank). My main circulation hammerhead pump is very loud, I can hear it on the main floor and even sometimes on the 2nd floor of my house!! I can't open the ball valve completely for this pump, because the overflow drains are not capable of keeping up and I will end up overflowing the display tank. (my wife doesn't like that scenario). plumbing is with 1.5" flexible pvc with 1" output to tank. I can only open the ballvalve approx 1/3 to 1/2 at the pump. I also have valves at the tank, should I use these to adjust flow instead? Should I switch to a smaller pump? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated
limitdown
New member
The noise could be a result of "dialing down" the pump with the ball valve. IME, dialing down sometimes causes pumps to vibrate a bit more. That vibration can be carried up through rigid pipes all the way up to and through your display.
Something you can try is to use a 2-3foot sector of flexible tubing to connect your return pump to your rigid piping. The flexible tube will help dampen vibrations.
If you want to be doubly sure that the Hammerhead currently on your return side is not faulty, try switching it with the one on your closed-loop.
Something you can try is to use a 2-3foot sector of flexible tubing to connect your return pump to your rigid piping. The flexible tube will help dampen vibrations.
If you want to be doubly sure that the Hammerhead currently on your return side is not faulty, try switching it with the one on your closed-loop.
stunreefer
Reef Hugger
Great build tolthoff!
Thanks for the compliments/suggestions!
Limitdown, the entire system is flexible pvc. The only rigid pvc are the pipes located within the overflow chambers. I contacted reeflo and they were extremely helpful. They immediately sent a new impeller (from the barracuda model pump) which made a huge difference in the noise. I can still hear the pump on the first floor of my house (pump in basement), but it is much quieter. It is still louder than the closed loop pump that sits right next to it and I'm sure its because I still have to dial down the outflow to prevent an overflow. Reeflo pumps are awesome!! It's too bad my returns still can't keep up.
I am going to try using the ball valves at the display tank end of the system to dial down, rather than the one at the pump to see if that might lessen the noise.
Thanks again!!
Limitdown, the entire system is flexible pvc. The only rigid pvc are the pipes located within the overflow chambers. I contacted reeflo and they were extremely helpful. They immediately sent a new impeller (from the barracuda model pump) which made a huge difference in the noise. I can still hear the pump on the first floor of my house (pump in basement), but it is much quieter. It is still louder than the closed loop pump that sits right next to it and I'm sure its because I still have to dial down the outflow to prevent an overflow. Reeflo pumps are awesome!! It's too bad my returns still can't keep up.
I am going to try using the ball valves at the display tank end of the system to dial down, rather than the one at the pump to see if that might lessen the noise.
Thanks again!!
I will try to submit a few photos soon.
I began adding the first of the livestock to the tank! A midas blenny was first to arrive, soon followed by 2 tiny black/white clownfish and a coral-banded shrimp. I have a small open-brain coral, a small colony of star polyps, green/blue mushrooms, and a few frags of corky sea fingers (that I fragged from a large branching colony in my other tank) that are also in the tank. A green bubble tip anemone went into the tank with my live rock, and has been very happy. I added an orange bubble tip as well and it found a comfortable place to live.
Unfortunately, I don't have my led light fixture yet so additional corals will have to wait.
I will soon be moving my yellow tang, hippo tang, and coral beauty into the tank, if I can catch them!! I also have a copperbanded butterfly and potters angel in quarentine that will go into the reef in about a month.
I began adding the first of the livestock to the tank! A midas blenny was first to arrive, soon followed by 2 tiny black/white clownfish and a coral-banded shrimp. I have a small open-brain coral, a small colony of star polyps, green/blue mushrooms, and a few frags of corky sea fingers (that I fragged from a large branching colony in my other tank) that are also in the tank. A green bubble tip anemone went into the tank with my live rock, and has been very happy. I added an orange bubble tip as well and it found a comfortable place to live.
Unfortunately, I don't have my led light fixture yet so additional corals will have to wait.
I will soon be moving my yellow tang, hippo tang, and coral beauty into the tank, if I can catch them!! I also have a copperbanded butterfly and potters angel in quarentine that will go into the reef in about a month.
SeaHorseTim
New member
Nice work.. I'm taking notes for my build 
As far as your pump situation, here's some stuff you might find useful..
water flow is determined by the formula:
.25(pi) * (pipe diameter)^2 * water velocity
Thing is, you have a huge advantage over physicists; imperial reality. I would get a 1 gallon bucket (or some other known-size container) and time how long it takes to fill it. Then you'll know your actual flow rate. You could even find your max flow rate by opening that valve until the overflows _just_ start to fall behind, back it off a touch, and calculate it then.
Anyway, once you know your flow rate, you can get a pump that is the right size, and you'll save a ton of wear/tear on the pump (from not having to restrict it) and also save some energy, since you won't be running such a large pump.
As a side note, one of the things that affect flow rate is the amount of pressure on each side of the pipe. So, if you put an air gap between the overflow and your sump (cut the pipe so it doesn't actually enter the water) you'll increase your flow rate. But you'll also increase noise, evaporation, and you'll introduce a lot of air bubbles into your sump, so maybe you don't want to do that. (I like air gaps, however, and not just for the increased flow)
As far as your pump situation, here's some stuff you might find useful..
water flow is determined by the formula:
.25(pi) * (pipe diameter)^2 * water velocity
Thing is, you have a huge advantage over physicists; imperial reality. I would get a 1 gallon bucket (or some other known-size container) and time how long it takes to fill it. Then you'll know your actual flow rate. You could even find your max flow rate by opening that valve until the overflows _just_ start to fall behind, back it off a touch, and calculate it then.
Anyway, once you know your flow rate, you can get a pump that is the right size, and you'll save a ton of wear/tear on the pump (from not having to restrict it) and also save some energy, since you won't be running such a large pump.
As a side note, one of the things that affect flow rate is the amount of pressure on each side of the pipe. So, if you put an air gap between the overflow and your sump (cut the pipe so it doesn't actually enter the water) you'll increase your flow rate. But you'll also increase noise, evaporation, and you'll introduce a lot of air bubbles into your sump, so maybe you don't want to do that. (I like air gaps, however, and not just for the increased flow)
Thanks guys, great suggestions! I really appreciate it. My yellow tang and coral beauty made it into the new tank successfully and seem to be very happy!! My hippo tang is extremely stressed from the netting procedure and is actually in a quarentine tank right now. I hope to move him very shortly into the main display.
ckprax, thanks for the suggestion regarding the pump. I don't know why I didn't think of that, but I appreciate your help jumpstarting my brain!!
I spent a couple hours last night reconfiguring my plumbing. As suggested, I added a "T" and couple ball valves to my pump output and redirected some flow back through the sump. It worked great!! Not only did I increase the flow to my tank a little, I was able to run the reeflo barracuda nearly unrestricted, improving the noise level greatly.
Update on the hippo tang.... he is doing fine, a few days in the quarantine tank and he is as happy as ever, no white spots or discoloration anywhere. I transferred him to the display tank last night and he is doing very well, swimming out in the open all day long, nibbling on the rocks, eating seaweed salad, flake food, and mysis shrimp. Thanks again!
I spent a couple hours last night reconfiguring my plumbing. As suggested, I added a "T" and couple ball valves to my pump output and redirected some flow back through the sump. It worked great!! Not only did I increase the flow to my tank a little, I was able to run the reeflo barracuda nearly unrestricted, improving the noise level greatly.
Update on the hippo tang.... he is doing fine, a few days in the quarantine tank and he is as happy as ever, no white spots or discoloration anywhere. I transferred him to the display tank last night and he is doing very well, swimming out in the open all day long, nibbling on the rocks, eating seaweed salad, flake food, and mysis shrimp. Thanks again!
Im14abeer, thanks for the comment... I originally chose the hammerhead because of 15 foot of head between the pump and my display tank (pump/sump in basement, display on first floor). However, the hammerhead is a beast!! I contacted reeflo, who sent me the barracuda impeller, but it is still way too much flow. I inserted a "T" into the line, and sent some flow back to the sump, controlled by ballvalves, but I still think the pump is too much. I am considering my options. I may try a dart pump to see how it does, but I really like having the extra power, incase I do a frag tank or something. I have to say, I love the reeflo pumps, my closed loop is a hammerhead, and it runs very quietly, moving a lot of water!
Update.... sorry no pics as of late.
This past week has been very hectic. The Chicagoland area had some nasty storms come through that reeked havoc on my property. Fortunately, no major damage to the house. My neighborhood lost power for almost 4 days, restored yesterday. I have a backup home generator which was a lifesaver for my tanks, but when the power came back up, my main breaker for the house tripped, and eveything shut down for a short time. My wife discoved the outage while I was at work, and I was able to talk her through bringing everything back up.
Thankfully, I didn't lose any livestock through the ordeal, but I need to re-evaluate the plumbing again. My pumps were running pretty quietly, but now the main pump is making quite a bit of noise again, and I'm not sure why...
This past week has been very hectic. The Chicagoland area had some nasty storms come through that reeked havoc on my property. Fortunately, no major damage to the house. My neighborhood lost power for almost 4 days, restored yesterday. I have a backup home generator which was a lifesaver for my tanks, but when the power came back up, my main breaker for the house tripped, and eveything shut down for a short time. My wife discoved the outage while I was at work, and I was able to talk her through bringing everything back up.
Thankfully, I didn't lose any livestock through the ordeal, but I need to re-evaluate the plumbing again. My pumps were running pretty quietly, but now the main pump is making quite a bit of noise again, and I'm not sure why...
No aquailluminatino yet... a few more pressing home projects have been absorbing funds lately. I will post when I get it, and install it.
Otherwise not much happening with my build right now. Everything is cruising along pretty well. I have it stocked with a yellow tang, regal tang, copperbanded butterfly, coral beauty, potter's angel, (2) black/white clownfish, a midas blenny, coral-banded shrimp, (2) cleaner shrimp, and a bunch of snails. I also have a scattered blue and green mushroom corals on the rock, along with star polyps, an open brain coral, and 2 sea anemones.
I will continue to post, but probably not add pics until I get my new LED lighting.
Otherwise not much happening with my build right now. Everything is cruising along pretty well. I have it stocked with a yellow tang, regal tang, copperbanded butterfly, coral beauty, potter's angel, (2) black/white clownfish, a midas blenny, coral-banded shrimp, (2) cleaner shrimp, and a bunch of snails. I also have a scattered blue and green mushroom corals on the rock, along with star polyps, an open brain coral, and 2 sea anemones.
I will continue to post, but probably not add pics until I get my new LED lighting.
