New Tank

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8936661#post8936661 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by garvin90
You devil you! Joel came in to see me the other day and it appears someone has already had a sneak peek of your tank! He said you set it very well especially the catwalk idea so that you can maintence every area of the tank. Joel said however that while you can reach straight down from the side, you pretty much have to be in the tank to reach anywhere else right?

On a side note, you have competition. Kurt i believe is thinking about outdoing your tank! I think this obviously calls for you to go ahead and make a marine pond...

Not true on the access. There should be no trouble getting to almost every inch of the tank without putting on the snorkel. That is one thing I made sure was better planned out from the last tank and the main reason I put the catwalk on the back side of the tank. I also had the cabinet doors on the finished side made with one style and large doors that can be removed for easy access. Access should not be an issue this time around!!

I know Kurt had talked about a larger tank sometime down the road but had not heard anything recently. More power to him if he does!!:thumbsup:

 

[tom obrecht]

Since the subject of access was brought up (and since I haven't gotten much else done on the tank yet) I thought I would show a couple shots on how the front and side doors open to work on the display. The doors can also be removed (special pop hinges the cabinet maker installed) if need be. The pics aren't great but I think you can see the wide open area I'll have to work.

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

And from the work room side looking out into the finished side.

[/IMG]

 

[Avast Marine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8910461#post8910461 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tom obrecht

I'm also trying to findendcaps for my VHO's like the ones in this picture from my old tank.

[/IMG]

These look very simple to make. Is it the coiled cord keeping it tidy that you like?

Your new setup looks nice, I hope you get the water situation worked out soon.

 

[tom obrecht]

These look very simple to make. Is it the coiled cord keeping it tidy that you like?

Your new setup looks nice, I hope you get the water situation worked out soon.

I'm looking for the actual endcap, not the wiring harness. Are you saying the actual endcap would be easy to make? If so I would be interested in how it would be done. I have already taken the next step to mount single endcaps next to each other so I can still double up the VHO's between the halides.

 

[tom obrecht]

Here's the latest. Lighting and plumbing are complete. Once the water senerio gets figured out I'll be adding water. Here is what the tank looks like lighted. I'm using 3-400 watt 10K Ushio's in Luminarc III reflectors supplemented with VHO actinics.

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

 

[lvpd186]

That is one cool looking... box of air (LOL)! So what is the deal with the water? I wouldn't think it would be that bad. All kidding aside the tank is looking great!

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8982807#post8982807 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lvpd186
That is one cool looking... box of air (LOL)! So what is the deal with the water? I wouldn't think it would be that bad. All kidding aside the tank is looking great!

The main issue with the water is co2. Apparently when high levels of certain elements mix it causes co2 in the water. CO2 exhausts di resin very quickly and since I'll be going through alot of water it becomes an issue. Somehow we need to find a way to degas the water before the di filters. I can store the water in a container after the ro, degas it and then pump it back through the di filter but am trying to find a way to get around having another container in the room. I wasn't in too much of a hurry originally since everything else wasn't finished, but now I may take that route since I'm ready to go. Probably find out some things in the next day or so.

 

[bubbaOPPD]

So your the reason for Global warming...

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8985778#post8985778 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bubbaOPPD
So your the reason for Global warming...

?

 

[bubbaOPPD]

CO2 is the main component for global warming, it is one of the main "greenhouse gases" besides methane and such. I'm an engineer so I found it funny guess it doesn't work on non science geeks...

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8986005#post8986005 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bubbaOPPD
CO2 is the main component for global warming, it is one of the main "greenhouse gases" besides methane and such. I'm an engineer so I found it funny guess it doesn't work on non science geeks...

Sorry. I'm aware of the co2 greenhouse effect, just didn't catch the punchline. Must be getting old and dumb.

 

[bubbaOPPD]

I think we have all been there...like the time I called someone a "stepheaded red child".

 

[garvin90]

If it makes you feel better, I got it and laughed steve.

 

[Goldleaf Reef]

Just a Question with the pool table... were/are you concerned about a stray pool ball cracking the tank. Where I plan to put my tank my pool table would also face the tank like your's so I was trying to come up with a shield Idea. Or am I over thinking ? or I shouldn't be concerned.

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9063446#post9063446 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Goldleaf Reef
Just a Question with the pool table... were/are you concerned about a stray pool ball cracking the tank. Where I plan to put my tank my pool table would also face the tank like your's so I was trying to come up with a shield Idea. Or am I over thinking ? or I shouldn't be concerned.

I don't think you are over thinking at all...just thinking ahead . Funny this question was brought up. Just yesterday the pool table company came out to level the table and wax the seams. The same question was brought up and now the person breaking will be shooting the opposite way of the tank. I'm sure it could happen but I think in a home setting you should be ok unless things really get out of control or the table is close to the tank. Even if a ball would happen to fly off the table the tank is made with 3/4" glass and it would need to be hit fairly hard to break the glass. By the way the table sits about 7' from the front of the tank.

 

[tom obrecht]

I have test run the system today with water. I filled the tank up with tap and with some luck no leaks! I do have to dial in the pumps through the Sea Swirls but things seem pretty good at this point. Still waiting for the ro/di unit and that should be in yet this week. I hope withing a week I will be making water and start the cycling process!

 

[tom obrecht]

Well here's the latest. One step foward two steps back I always say. After testing the system with regular tap water a few issues arose. First, the main return pump is too large for the 2" drains. I can throttle back the pump but end up with little flow through the Sea Swirls. Second, due to the long horizontal run of the drains water seems to be backing up and producing backpressure thus not allowing the water to drain smoothly. Third, the 3 Gen X pumps on the circular loops running together attached to the wall of the hollow stand are producing more vibration noise than I care for.

I will be replacing the 3 Gen X pumps with the main return Dolphin for noise reduction and replace the main return pump with a smaller Dolphin. The left 2" drain has been modified by splicing in a 3" run to the sump. Here are some pics of the construction phase.

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

 

[tom obrecht]

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

 

[lvpd186]

Tom, do you think it would help to put more of an downward angle on your drain pipe?

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9122047#post9122047 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lvpd186
Tom, do you think it would help to put more of an downward angle on your drain pipe?

It probably would however I am unable to do that with the cofiguration of the room, the height of the sump and the access of the tank having the catwalk. Are yo speaking of the length of pipe under the catwalk or the drain to the refugium?