Serpentman's 300g upgrade

[serpentman]

Thanks Mike, yeah, it's been a long 3 months. Even longer dreamin about this day. Fired the return pump up today. Had some issues here and there that required a little replumbing, but all in all it was a successful test.

The biggest challenge is going to be to get my Sea Swirls to break the siphon right away to avoid overflowing the sump.

 

[polywise]

serpentman,
"The biggest challenge is going to be to get my Sea Swirls to break the siphon right away to avoid overflowing the sump."

Can you put a check valve on the return line of the pump?

A siphon break is going to be hard due to the amount of flow you are pushing through them...

 

[mike660r]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15043835#post15043835 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by polywise
Can you put a check valve on the return line of the pump?

A siphon break is going to be hard due to the amount of flow you are pushing through them...

A check valve will clog just as easily as a siphon break on an SPS tank. The are just another added point of failure.

I'd go with two holes in each of the nozzles or install a 200 gallon sump

 

[serpentman]

I think I have a something that will work (will post pics if it works). Also, I plan to raise each sea swirl up a bit so they don't sit so low. Right now, everything works ok, however I still have 2 more tanks to plumb in which will add to the sump when the pump shuts down.

 

[polywise]

I have been running (2) check valves on my supply line to my tank for 6 years now -- 75 feet of 3" PVC pipe to the tank, pumps are turned off from time to time, and they never have failed. A trick is to not let light get to them, to prevent alge growth inside that would disrupt seat area...

 

[serpentman]

I will likely approach the problem 2-fold. I will install siphon breaks along with check valves. Finally, I will probably drill the sump for an emergency overflow for additional reassurance so I can sleep at night.

 

[serpentman]

IT'S ALIVE! MUWAHAHAHAHA!

Finally got the main display fired up. Not without a few bumps. First, glue on the main return line might have helped:

Also sprung a couple of pin leaks. In my efforts to be neat, I think I erred too cautiously and didn't use enough glue on a couple joints. And finally, the seam on the 75g is was planning to use as a fuge went. Good thing it happened before I plumbed it in....

Didn't like the effect of a check valve on the head pressure of my pump so pursued a better solution to break the siphon which seems to work:

 

[serpentman]

Going to work on the lighting rack tonight. Here's the pulley system I picked up from Harbor Freight (thanks Sean):

Please note that the cart doesn't come with it:

 

[stumpovrtyme]

Man that is one sweet setup! If you dont mind me asking what do you think the apx. cost of this project will be?

 

[serpentman]

Funny, my wife asked me the same question tonight. If you are talking the construction costs alone, if I had to guess, I spent somewhere in the neighborhood of ~$2000 in construction materials plus a lot of sweat. My buddy Sean (Discoreefrover) was a huge help.

 

[serpentman]

Little update, the temporary light rack is done. This will be in place until I have have an aluminum rack made which should give me more clearance. The rack itself is only 60" long to allow it to retract beyond the soffit.

 

[serpentman]

Looks like tomorrow is the day to make the switch over. Original plan was to move it today but I am just not quite happy with the water quality. Salinity is ok, pH is in line, however its still pretty cloudy so running a lot of carbon and filter socks.

Also, picked up a 75g for the fuge so the extra day will give me an opportunity to plumb it in and button up a few loose ends.

 

[AD87]

let me know if you need any help!

 

[melev]

I'm trying not to be impatient, I'm trying not to be impatient, I'm trying not to be impatient...

 

[serpentman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15063695#post15063695 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
I'm trying not to be impatient, I'm trying not to be impatient, I'm trying not to be impatient...

Tell me about it. I am actually impressed with myself. A few years ago, I would've just slapped it together.

Good news, the water has cleared up so tomorrow its on. Hey Tony, if you are interested and have the time, I plan to get going at 11ish.

 

[melev]

I'm guessing you are finally completely surrounded with Spring, and snow is a thing of the past?

 

[BigTuna321]

looks good serpentman :thumbsup:

Are you going to be do anything special with your aqua scape? or just stack the rock?

 

[serpentman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15065218#post15065218 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
I'm guessing you are finally completely surrounded with Spring, and snow is a thing of the past?

Ironically, we had frost about 2 weeks ago. However, I think we are officially outta the woods. My wife is getting on my case to finish the tank so I can start tackling some landscaping and finish my pond.

Big Tuna, definitely will do something interesting with the rockwork. I am a fan of rock pillars. Will post more pics as I get things moved.

 

[sean_954]

nice build .....looking good !

 

[serpentman]

Well, its 3am and do you know where your reef tank is? Got things running finally. Murphy showed up once big time. A snail wedged itself in the drain of the frag tank before I was able to get a guard in place. Needless to say, I had about 10g or so on the floor. Otherwise, everything went pretty smooth.


Huge thanks to Cleveyank and Discoreefrover for helping out. It was definitely more than a one man job....

Will post pics tomorrow after some z's