So it begins, part two (120G)

[carb850]

I don't expect to see much of a Nitrogen cycle. I could be way off base and I will test to verify. I believe this because my rock should be supercharged with bacteria from the rock cooking. If my theory is correct, I can add an ammonia source such as a raw shrimp and the ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites should go to zero pretty quickly. Am I off base here?

I am open to the idea of a group buy or splitting an order. It might be 1-3 weeks before I'm ready though depending on everything.

 

[rnhrtfan]

Carb I cooked my rock for about 3-4 months and I had absolutely no cycle at all. I set up my system and let it run for about two weeks prior to adding the livestock.....no cycle what so ever.. not nitrites, nitrates, or ammonia. I too would be interested in a cleanup crew but it will be several weeks before I am ready. All my new tile is down will be spending the next few evenings grouting it...after that the rebuild will begin.....

 

[coralreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14589467#post14589467 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by carb850
I heard you seldom have problems out the Emeralds unless they do not have enough food present. Is this in line with what you have seen/heard?

Pretty much what I've heard about emeralds that and they get pretty big. I've never been much of a crab fan...sorry Dwight :lol:
I've had to evict several hitchhiker hairy ones that were accused and found guilty of picking on polyps.

Depending on when you order I may be up for a couple things too. Or maybe we could work up a couple different orders a few weeks or so apart.

 

[LtPiper]

I'm in when ever we do it I can get now or hold off either one. Also since I work an off norm schedule and from home I'd be willing to be the drop point for the order.

 

[solareclisped]

I am setting mine up this weekend but my rock is going from dry to the tank and I am going to use the tank cycle to cycle my rock. I hope this works the way I want it too. If everything goes ok and you all order after mine is cycled I may also be interested in a few things.

 

[carb850]

Plumbing is complete. Difficult to capture with a photo, but there you have it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the water only comes out the holes that it is intended too. :eek2:


Next up, find a place to mount the power strip, DC8, AC Jr, and Galaxy Ballast.

 

[MattG]

Looks good.

It does look like you have the T on the right (the one from the drain) open? If so you will want to add a short extention to keep water from splashing out. If you have one on ignore

So you gonna fill it this weekend?

 

[carb850]

The 'T' is capped with 3 - 1/4" holes drilled in the top. I wanted to do a union on that output but A) I didn't have one and that meant yet another trip B) that was going to add more weight to that overflow portion which I didn't want. I'm already wondering if I will need to support that in some fashion. Once I get water running I will have a better idea how much extra weight it adds.

 

[LtPiper]

Little bit confused here. the drain is on the right and the return is in the middle???? How is water ever gonna get to the skimmer or am I missing something?

 

[Altpers0na]

i dont see the skimmer pump. is it a downdraft? or just hidden?

 

[carb850]

The two drains tie together and they feed the skimmer via gravity. The drain will have about 450GPH but I need to choke it down to 200GPH for the skimmer. A 'T' section is on the right side which is is positioned higher than my gate valve. The drain which doesn't feed the skimmer will fall out into the refugium. You can see a bit more of it in this photo.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/carb850/Aquarium/Updates002.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/carb850/PlumbingSketch.jpg

The skimmer is a recirculating design and the pump just happens to be on the back side.

Once I get the 30G ready, I will have an Eheim 1250 also in the center section of the sump feeding it. The drain from it will either all go into my fuge or I may split it between the refugium and left portion.

 

[Altpers0na]

i had seen the recirc part, i have always wanted to do the donwdraft skimmer... im toooooo chicken..

 

[carb850]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14605439#post14605439 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MattG
So you gonna fill it this weekend?

I keep wondering about this but I decided to wait a week or so. The room it is in currently has no window coverings. I need to get some blinds first. That will also give me time to not rush the placement of the electrical equipment.

 

[cdbias2]

Aren't you concerned about an external skimmer without an overflow container? I'm talking about a drilled hole and valve leaving the collection cup.
It's not a big deal when you run these things internal but with a 120g you can foam a gallon overnight if something bad dies.
That stuff stinks!

 

[carb850]

I been thinking about it but haven't decided. I heard the performance on these drops a lot when the necks get dirty so it will still need weekly clean outs. I imagine having the drain line and collection cup will make that a lot more cumbersome.

But having a stand full of nog might be cumbersome too.

 

[rnhrtfan]

Carb, Just looking at the drain lines they apear to have a sag in them or at least a high spot where the "T" is....I had the same thing on mine when I plumbed mine and it caused a flushing effect in the overflow..... you will want to correct that if it does in fact it does raise at the "T"

 

[carb850]

Which 'T' are you talking about? I wish I could get a good photo showing everything but it isn't possible.

 

[rnhrtfan]

Well now that I look at it again the one I was talking about appears to be on the return (spa flex?) but it appears to me that the drain ("t" in the right side of the sump?) comes out of the tank and then back up before draining into the tank???? is that right or am I seeing things????

 

[cdbias2]

I'd fill that thing up with tap water and let it run to see how quiet it's going to be, check bubble traps, gurgleing, etc. It's alot easier to drain out if its only tap water. Shop vac it clean. Fix what needs be. Do it again until your happy.

 

[carb850]

rnhrtfan, your right about the drain. As it drains from the overflows it goes down and connects with the other drain. Then after both are tied together they connect to a gate valve then to the skimmer feed line. As the water gets restricted by valve, it will 'backup' until it reach's the spill-over height.


cdbias,
You make a good point. Someone else even mentioned filling with RO/DI for the test. I wouldn't want to waist the good water by draining it out but at least it would save the salt cost.