pics of 10 gal fug built at meeting

[Serra]

I have pics and directions for the 10 gal DIY refugium that Travis Stevens build at last Sat.'s meeting. It is on my web site. Click on link at the bottom of this page:
http://www.maddogarts.com

Thanks again to those of you who helped!
Sheryl

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

Shortcut - But you have to shop first! (Edited: )

But it's well worth browsing the entire site. Nice art Sheryl! :thumbsup:

 

[Serra]

Gee thanks Travis <snort>
The idea was for to have them come in and browse while they were there! Christmas is right around the corner...

 

[MyMonkey]

Very nice job on the directions.

 

[Dtking]

good on everything, but (unless i over read it) do you just use all slip connections without pvc primer or glue?! or do you need to use it?

I loved everything though, I am going to build one as soon as i get my 44gal up!

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

It's a personal preference. Gluing all the PVC together is probably a good idea to keep it from leaking. But this is how I look at it. Saltwater has a high surface tension and with 45Ã"šÃ‚º Angles, droplets just slide back to the refugium (or evaporate and leave salt creep that usually seals the leak). Plus, I have a real knack for the craziest things getting stuck in my plumbing. I've had a trochus snail manage to make it's way in the plumbing and get stuck at the ball valve creating a near flood experience. I just turned off all the pumps and pulled apart the plumbing. Mind you, if this was glued, there's no way I'll be able to re-plumb it at 2am

If it helps any, I'll be using a 10g refugium on my 29g, 42g hex, and 44g Pentagon whenever I can finally get things up and running. On the 42g and the 44g, I'm going to attempt to put a downdraft skimmer in.

 

[captbunzo]

Not gluing!!! That's crazy. But you're probably right.

I have always glued on a matter of principle. With my next tank, I might selectively NOT glue some joints and see how that goes. I have left the top of a bulkhead unglued where you stick a standpipe, and then wrapped the standpipe with Tephlon Tape. That'd probably work pretty well on other joints we well...

Hehe - this is like a personality test. I always glue because it's just want you do to PVC, right?

 

[Serra]

Well- there is about 1/4 teaspoon on the floor behind my tank. That is 5 days worth so I am not too worried.

 

[Dtking]

you could go with pex pipe and use the slip connects (its kinda like compression) but is much more expensive than pvc...

 

[captbunzo]

Pex ABSOLUTELY rocks. I used it to replumb my house in Kansas City, but not with slip fits. For that level you use brass fittings with these crimp rings.

But that's anothr thread...

 

[poke75]

I glue everything "up stream" of my valves.

I put the valves as close to the main tank as possible and everything else from the valves down is just stuck together for the ease of re-plumbing and removing obstructions.

The glued part is straight only so it is hard to have any problems with obstructions. The gluing also prevents leaks if I close the valves and build pressure "up stream" of the valves.

$.02

 

[purza_00]

What care must be given to the pvc prior to use? How do you clean it, sterilize it, and get those pesky little glue-on price tags off? Whenever I see pvc in a store it looks filthy.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

Just wash it off with water and a wet rag. The stickers come off in time if you can't peel it off.

 

[captbunzo]

I use Goo-Gone for the price tags...

 

[purza_00]

Thanks to both. Will be trying again. First time I poisoned my system. Lost two fish and some xenia and etc.