Renton's Upgrade

One of two return pumps are running. The return pump running feeds 3 of the 4 returns to the display tank. The second return pump will feed 1 of the display tank returns and the 2 returns of the frag tank. I do not have enough water to run the frag tank yet :)

All of the returns have VCA Random Flow Generators and so far I really like them, they really throw out the flow in a wide rang randomly.

Here is a quick video of the VCA Random Flow Generators, you can see how it break the surface when sending the flow up:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VyVrctCd3s0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Here is the the system running. I am working on tuning the drains, drilling the locline for a siphon break and keeping the VCA Random Flow Generators low enough so the inductors are not sucking air into the water flow.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rXl8I2GHv5Q" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Got the the frag tank connected and the second return pump online last night. There were some minor plumbing issues that will be easy fixes. It ran all night and is still running and seems good to go.

One issue that I knew would be a concern from the beginning was the potential for a sump overflow if both of the return pumps stopped. So, both return pumps will be on battery backups that should cover the time between the power outage and my automatic home generator kicking on. Additionally I drilled siphon breaks in the locline on the returns near the surface of the water. Finally, I am considering adding check valves on the return lines, i know you need to clean them up from time to time to keep then working.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ngS3C10pGBo" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
[MENTION=291318]Wspangler[/MENTION] build these hanging canopies for me, I picked them up today and painted them. They will hand down about 4 inches from the ceiling and then the lights will hang from them.



They have a 4 inch rim around them so that I can put all the power supplies up in them and out of sight. The canopy is upside down as I just painted it. When mounted the painted side will face down.



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Thanks! The tank builder's name is Derrick and is the owner of OceanLife and Aquariums. He mostly does wholesale tank builds for several retailers in FL. I had a friend in FL have a large tank built buy him and referred me to him. He built the tanks and sump, drove them up here and led the delivery, moving effort. I am very happy with his work.
 
Tank move in video. The sped up footage makes us look like tank moving professionals


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/obbortr1xzk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Nothing against your Homewrecker or Orange Passion, but I was really looking forward to seeing your finished tank this weekend. Still in progress? Any updates?
 
There has been progress. Lots of little things that take a lot of time and are not all that interesting.

I have been working on getting the drains in the overflow box the way I want them which has been a bit of a challenge because the boxes a just a bit too small for all of the 1.5" fittings I am working playing around with. I have used a dremel to grind down the thickness of a couple 90s to get them to fit better as well as sawing off some of the 90 to get the water levels where I want them.

The tank is now cycling, I added some thawed out Rods Food, Algae Barn NitroCycle, Fritz Turbo Start, and Prodibio Bio Digest. I know some people who had great success cycling their tank in this manner.

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I took a lot of the Marine Pure Creamic Bio Media Cubes that I have in my old sump and put them in various spots in the new system. I also take about 5 gallons of water out of the old system a day and put it in the new system.

A reefing acquaintance, Wes, built the frame work for the hanging canopies that the lights will hang from. The canopies will be trimmed up and hide most of the space between them and the ceiling when all is completed. I will house the light power supplies up in the canopies and I am considering housing other electronics up there as well.

If things go as planned today, I should have the lights mounted over the display tank tonight.

Just planning the spacing, the lights will hand down several inches from the canopy:

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I have to say, the size of this thing doesn't translate well in pictures. I am still trying to get used to its scale. Standing at the far end of the display tank and looking across its length, I continually get intimidated by how much actual water is in it.
 
So, on the drains I need the water level at a certain height for 2 reasons. 1. To reduce the noise of the water entering the overflow box. 2. The siphon drain needs to be elevated so that the siphon breaks quickly if the return pumps/power fails. I did not give myself much room in the sump for extra capacity in a failure event (part my fault, part miscommunication). So, with the siphon higher as it is, if it were just a pipe facing up it would keep slurping air loudly, so it faces down using 2 90s. There wasn't quite enough room for them, so where I am pointing at is where I ground down the outside of the pipe to allow it to fit.

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Lights are up over the display tank. I want to actually raise them a bit higher but I have gone as high as I can with the current hanging kit.

I will tweak other aspects but I am happy that they are up and running!

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Looks great. How much light spills over? vs what goes in the tank. I've considered a setup like this, but worried about jumping fish and lighting the room instead of the tank.
 
Thanks guys!

I don't have any direct light spill over, not spotlight on the floor. Just the glow from the tank.

I will be having ClearView Lids make fitted screen tops to stop the jumpers!
 
Renton777 said:
Thanks guys!

I don't have any direct light spill over, not spotlight on the floor. Just the glow from the tank.

I will be having ClearView Lids make fitted screen tops to stop the jumpers!
Click to expand...

How did you contact CLearView? I emailed them twice over a month ago and haven't hear back.
 
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