Pgr11's TRFS/AA 265 upgrade

[pgr11]

I think im finally done with the plumbing. It took a 2 hr drive to toms to get a Tru union check valve but I got it all done. The tank is full and im filling the sump now. This will give the plumbing time to set then im switching her on. Cross your fingers for me. Please oh please no leaks!!!!!!!

So what do you think? Its my first time plumbing a big tank and making a manifold for an aquarium. I've laid out hundreds of irrigation systems built big manifolds for them but never for a tank and boy was I nervous. I left the three ball valves empty for future expansion. One of them will be taken up by my brs reactor and the other 2 for whatever I might need later.

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[krjackso]

congrats getting it plumbed up.:bounce1::bounce1: getting close now bro.

Couple thoughts...

any support for all that plumbing? is it pretty rigid? would help to reduce stress on the fittings and bulkheads if possible.

Also, can not really tell from the pics, but did you tie all your drain pipe in together? If so, heard that might negate the benefits of the bean animal. If not, you are good to go.

 

[pgr11]

Thanks man. Im gonna give some support. I have a couple ideas just gotta see which way I wanna go. As far as the drain no they are all three separate lines. Pics must just be deceiving.

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[krjackso]

good to hear. could use something like these...
http://www.lowes.com/pd_298088-3414...L=/pl__0__s?Ntt=pipe+hanger&page=1&facetInfo=

or I used a plastic version of this stuff from my local Lowed/ HD...

http://www.lowes.com/pd_301700-3414...L=/pl__0__s?Ntt=pipe+hanger&page=1&facetInfo=

much simpler to use and less obtrusive. keep it up bro. scaping next? saw that really cool rock from a local reefer you picked up.

 

[pgr11]

Thanks Those look great. Looks like im headed to lowes tomorrow

 

[pgr11]

Here's a shot of inside the overflow. I can tell you it completely silent.

We added sand tonight in the tank and fuge area. Tank looks like crap now but should settle soon. Its time to start thinking about the scape. Im gonna take my time figuring it all out so it looks cool. Work is just getting in the way.

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[franny.boy]

Looks good so far.

 

[pgr11]

So I plugged in the lights and turned them on to see what it looks like and im very happy. It will work well until I get enough cheddar to get a couple more Ai units. The rock is some that I got from another member and is just sitting in the tank for now while I contemplate my aquascape. Im looking at lots of other tanks for inspiration.

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[pgr11]

Update time......

Well I've always den letting things settle in a bit and cycle. Water parameters looked good so we decided to buy some chromis and tops them in and double check things before we transfer our existing livestock. We also finalized the aquascape after much fiddling and fiddling and asking the advice of others who's scaping we enjoy. We both really like it. It gives us lots of space on the sand and plenty of shelf space also. We only ended up transferring a few pieces from the other tank and because we had some coral on it it had to come with it. Also one of the grow out pieces had started to encrust to that rock so we decided to pull it off and leave it in the other tank. Subsequently it got a little damage. Oh well not like we were gonna win anyway. These pics are of the tank very cloudy because of all or tinkering with it. We just got done and I wanted to post our progress. Please limited what you think. Im very interested on everyones feedback. The more feedback the better good or bad. Anyway here it is.

And plenty of room in the back for good flow.

Again the tank is cloudy so I will try for better pics tomorrow when it clears up. Thanks for looking

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[pgr11]

So all afternoon I have been catching fish crabs snails and shrimp acclimating them and adding to the tank. Everybody is now in the new home and looking very very happy. The last hold out is a maxi mini that refuses to let go of his rock. I can't seem to get him off. Any ideas are welcome. I have him in a bin now with a powerhead 2" him. I tried ice on his foot and no dice. Idk what to do with him. The house is a mess now but im gonna sit for a few and relax before I clean up. Here are some more pics

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[pgr11]

So if you saw tropical reef fish store thread on his purple and sohal tangs you know I picked up one of each last night. They looked great at the shop and all were eating. I have a red sea salifin in my tank already so I needed to get a pt that was as big as possible so we got what seemed to be the biggest. He is still quite a bit smaller but I figured id give it a shot. The sohal was also super nice and healthy looking. So after acclimating them in they went and let's just say salifin not happy. He was going nuts on them. To my sunrise the purple stood his ground pretty good. Because of his size he was still getting punked but he did ok. The sohal found a home and stayed there. I fed the tank heavy and everyone came out and ate including both new tangs. I shut off the lights and crossed my fingers. This morning everyone is getting.g along great and the all ate again. Im super pumped. I was worried for a minute but super happy this morning. Here are some pics

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[bullitr]

Looks very good
I might sell my big 7" and rounded powder blue (the big boss of my tank )
if it doesn't get along with my large achilles and supermale naso.
Let me know if you are interested.

 

[pgr11]

Wow lmk what you might want for him if it doesn't work out. I saw pics of your achilles tang and he is gorgeous. Thanks for the kind words

 

[dogpound]

Very nice tank. I have a 300dd and I want a large achilles tang can u pm me where u got him. Also how is he doing now. Send me a pm. Thanks.

 

[pgr11]

Got the cover for the stand on today. Its just an outdoor type of material. Its cloth on the outside but with a waterproof backing on the inside. Looks pretty good a.d allows me to just lift it up in any spot to access anything under the tank. Things are coming alone nicely.

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[geaux xman]

coming along real nicely bud.

Hey, if you dont mind, can you go more into detail with the overflow box? you mentioned it was 48" long, can you estimate how deep(down) it is, and how far back?

how big are your drains and returns? is that 2 drains and one saftey? what return pump are you using?

 

[pgr11]

Thanks. The overflow is 5.5" wide and 9.5" tall. I have 3 drains that are 1.5" that I set up like a beananimal system. The first is a full syphon second is a drain with a stand pipe and third is a straight pipe that is a little above the waterline of the overflow. If anything gets backed up the water level will rise and the straight pipe will kick in. As for the return pump I have a reeflo super dart gold pump that I built a manifold for using 1.5" pipe and reduced it down to 3/4 for the 4 returns and used flow accelerators in the tank. I also built in extra outlets on the manifold for reactors or anything else that might come along. Hope that helps.
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[geaux xman]

gotcha, thanks. i had to read up more about the beananimal overflow. i was wondering how much room outback i would need for an external overflow box too.

 

[pgr11]

No worries. Imo having the space behind the tank for the overflow is no big deal. Especially since it gives you so much space inside the tank. You loose no room inside. Plus I love how much surface skimming I get. Plus it looks super cool. Got a new toy yesterday. We have 2 now that are synced and moving tons of water

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[pgr11]

Been awhile since the last update. Things have been going real good. Fish are all happy and getting fat. Corals are doing good as well. As I add more im having to adjust in dosing a little. My Alk was a little low but now pretty stable at a little over 9 and my ph 8.1-8.2 . I got a 55w uv that I need to plump into the system but am being lazy about it. I love to watch our tangs swim and interact with each other. The sohal def uses the full length of the tank. She swims so beautifully.

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