Starting a 240 gallon.. Follow Along!
- Thread starter Reefdrumz
- Start date
Phyl
New member
John did an AMAZING job of drawing out the plumbing. From that he created spreadsheets of how many of each type of fitting were needed to complete the project. We ended up with one major trip to HD and then one extra trip because we didn't have a corded drill (and the cordless was not happy drilling through the subfloor) and another time to replace some fittings that leaked. Otherwise it would have truly been a one trip wonder.
Good luck! (I'd hire John if I were you).
Good luck! (I'd hire John if I were you).
JohnS_323
New member
I'll be glad to work up a drawing for you when you're ready Brian. From that, the shopping list is fairly straightforward. Since I was doing a lot of things, I broke the list into sections (pump to manifold, manifold to frag tank, etc). When I got the all of the parts I boxed them up according to where they were going to be used. Then, as I got into the project I wasn't wasting a lot of time looking for specific fittings. It helped out a lot.
Of course, I'm the guy who watches "Monk" on TV and thinks "Finally, someone I can relate to!"
Let me know if there is anything I can do to help out.
Of course, I'm the guy who watches "Monk" on TV and thinks "Finally, someone I can relate to!"
Let me know if there is anything I can do to help out.
Reefdrumz
Premium Member
Okay.. Another question...
What type of lighting is good for a fuge... Is it still those Lights Of America fixtures?
I really don't want to spend a lot of money to light the fuge.
Also.. Does everyone think a Mag 18 can power all of this?
Basically it would have to run from my sump (70-100 Gallons) to my fuge (55g) then to my tank (120g) It wouldnt be a very long run, the tank and sump will be about 3 feet from each other.
I am not looking for a ton of flow through the sump/fuge, just enough to keep it running properly, I have enough circulation in the tank now. I was hoping to use the Mag 18 (since I have it!) and not have to drop another $200 or so on a pump.
What do you all think?
What type of lighting is good for a fuge... Is it still those Lights Of America fixtures?
I really don't want to spend a lot of money to light the fuge.
Also.. Does everyone think a Mag 18 can power all of this?
Basically it would have to run from my sump (70-100 Gallons) to my fuge (55g) then to my tank (120g) It wouldnt be a very long run, the tank and sump will be about 3 feet from each other.
I am not looking for a ton of flow through the sump/fuge, just enough to keep it running properly, I have enough circulation in the tank now. I was hoping to use the Mag 18 (since I have it!) and not have to drop another $200 or so on a pump.
What do you all think?
Phyl
New member
I wouldn't run the 18 through the fuge at full throttle. It just wouldn't be as productive that way. I think that they recommend much less than 10x the fuge volume in turnover in order to properly export nutrients. I'd be inclined to create a smaller loop either with a small pump to the fuge and overflow return to the sump or a t connection off of the 18 that could be controlled with (what other than) a ball valve.
We have the small loop going through our Phosban Reactors and back into the sump with what will be a throttled back 606.
We have the small loop going through our Phosban Reactors and back into the sump with what will be a throttled back 606.
Phyl
New member
Have you run it through the head calculator here on RC? I took some guesses and put it through, making the following assumptions...
Vertical length in feet 10
Horizontal length in feet 6
Pipe diameter in inches 1"
Choose your pump: mag18
Number of 90 degree elbows 4
Number of 45 degree elbows 4
Number of gate valves 0
Number of ball valves 2
Number of union couplings 2
Number of swing check valves 0
Number of pipe exits 2
Number of pipe entrances 1
Total losses are 12.51 feet of head pressure, or 5.4 PSI. with a flow rate of 638 GPH. Process took 60 iterations.
Doesn't seem like a whole lot is left at the end of the pipe (and that doesn't take splitting off for the sump into consideration).
Vertical length in feet 10
Horizontal length in feet 6
Pipe diameter in inches 1"
Choose your pump: mag18
Number of 90 degree elbows 4
Number of 45 degree elbows 4
Number of gate valves 0
Number of ball valves 2
Number of union couplings 2
Number of swing check valves 0
Number of pipe exits 2
Number of pipe entrances 1
Total losses are 12.51 feet of head pressure, or 5.4 PSI. with a flow rate of 638 GPH. Process took 60 iterations.
Doesn't seem like a whole lot is left at the end of the pipe (and that doesn't take splitting off for the sump into consideration).
Kind of different, but I work on high Vacuum systems at work and 90 degree bends are a big no no for flow. 1 inch diameter line for a 4 feet run turns into a 10 inch diameter line for a 10 ft run. Maybe 2 45 bends instead of a 90. Maybe increase diameter of return lines, may help with resistance.
Just a thought.
Andrew
Just a thought.
Andrew
steve68
New member
Brian i have been running a LOA on my sump fuge for over 2 years & it grows macro real well, u might want to just run one on one side of the tank & leave the otherside alone for now.
i think a mag18 will do u fine with 1 inch pipe for a little more flow, i was told by a rep that they test the pumps with 1.5 inch pipe & i was like "WHAT ARE U SURE!" (mag18 & up) i did a test run on my mag18 with 1 1/4 & i could not believe how much more flow it pushed only draw back is heat.
i think a mag18 will do u fine with 1 inch pipe for a little more flow, i was told by a rep that they test the pumps with 1.5 inch pipe & i was like "WHAT ARE U SURE!" (mag18 & up) i did a test run on my mag18 with 1 1/4 & i could not believe how much more flow it pushed only draw back is heat.
Reefdrumz
Premium Member
Well... This might have all come to a screeching halt.
Once I sat back and thought about everything I realized that If I wanted to upgrade the tank I would have to tear down the whole system. It's kind of hard to explain. My tank sits in a recessed wall in my basement. It's not in the wall but could be very easily.. If I cut a hole in my laundry room I can have access to the tank from that room. Right now I can access the back of the tank from the left side of the tank. If I get a bigger tank it would take up all the space left to right and leave me with only one option.. That would be to Cut a hole in the wall in the laundry room, which is where the new sump and fuge would be.
Now I am kind of at a crossroads with this whole set up. I can only fit a 5' tank in the area that my 120 sits right now. I'm not even sure if there is a 5' tank.. I thought I could get a 6 footer in there but measured last night and I am about 4" short of that.
So who knows what the hell I am going to do at this point.. One way or another.. It is a big project.. knocking down walls and adding walls.. ugh.. Since when did a reefer need to be a plumber, carpenter, electrician... uhh... chemist.. lol the list goes on.
I would just like to thank everyone for the input.. It will go to good use eventually, once I figure this all out! One good thing is, if I upgrade I could use my 120 for a sump!
But there is one more bit of advice I could use I guess.. While I have some time to figure stuff out.. What kind of skimmer would be recommened for approx. 300 gallons of total water volume?
Once I sat back and thought about everything I realized that If I wanted to upgrade the tank I would have to tear down the whole system. It's kind of hard to explain. My tank sits in a recessed wall in my basement. It's not in the wall but could be very easily.. If I cut a hole in my laundry room I can have access to the tank from that room. Right now I can access the back of the tank from the left side of the tank. If I get a bigger tank it would take up all the space left to right and leave me with only one option.. That would be to Cut a hole in the wall in the laundry room, which is where the new sump and fuge would be.
Now I am kind of at a crossroads with this whole set up. I can only fit a 5' tank in the area that my 120 sits right now. I'm not even sure if there is a 5' tank.. I thought I could get a 6 footer in there but measured last night and I am about 4" short of that.
So who knows what the hell I am going to do at this point.. One way or another.. It is a big project.. knocking down walls and adding walls.. ugh.. Since when did a reefer need to be a plumber, carpenter, electrician... uhh... chemist.. lol the list goes on.
I would just like to thank everyone for the input.. It will go to good use eventually, once I figure this all out! One good thing is, if I upgrade I could use my 120 for a sump!
But there is one more bit of advice I could use I guess.. While I have some time to figure stuff out.. What kind of skimmer would be recommened for approx. 300 gallons of total water volume?
scarletknight06
New member
Brian,
I think oceanic actually makes a 60" tank. its something like 20" deep and tall. pretty cool size. I hope you get things worked out. As far as a skimmer goes, I'm sure people will recommend a beckett like and MRC, but personally I think the best deal out there right now is the reefmania.net needle wheel skimmers.
www.reefmania.net
check out the ps8 with 2 sedra 5000's
I think oceanic actually makes a 60" tank. its something like 20" deep and tall. pretty cool size. I hope you get things worked out. As far as a skimmer goes, I'm sure people will recommend a beckett like and MRC, but personally I think the best deal out there right now is the reefmania.net needle wheel skimmers.
www.reefmania.net
check out the ps8 with 2 sedra 5000's
Reefdrumz
Premium Member
Yikes! That is pricey.. Looks cool though!
I looked at that Oceanic Johnathan.. 178g. It would fit, but it's just not big enough.. If I am going to go bigger I want BIGGER! lol
This was something I didn't forsee.. It really sucks because this is really the only place I could do a tank with a big fuge and sump..
::sigh::
back to the drawing board.
I looked at that Oceanic Johnathan.. 178g. It would fit, but it's just not big enough.. If I am going to go bigger I want BIGGER! lol
This was something I didn't forsee.. It really sucks because this is really the only place I could do a tank with a big fuge and sump..
::sigh::
back to the drawing board.
scarletknight06
New member
well if you buy a beckett for $300 then you have to buy a pump around $200, then you have to deal with the extra noise from the external pump and its extra energy costs.
To me $715 for that skimmer seems good, compare it to a comparable ER, or a deltec or h&s (which would admittedly perform better) and then it seems like a good deal. skimmers for larger tanks will cost you a good dime.
To me $715 for that skimmer seems good, compare it to a comparable ER, or a deltec or h&s (which would admittedly perform better) and then it seems like a good deal. skimmers for larger tanks will cost you a good dime.
steve68
New member
PS8 (250 gal) - $715
take a good look at the skimmer, how much will it cost u to build it?
with a little help u can build the same one & save a bunch of money.
im all about DIY anymore
brian trust me when i tell u it's not hard to build a needle wheel or beckett skimmer.
dont give up just yet
take a good look at the skimmer, how much will it cost u to build it?
with a little help u can build the same one & save a bunch of money.
im all about DIY anymore
brian trust me when i tell u it's not hard to build a needle wheel or beckett skimmer.
dont give up just yet
scarletknight06
New member
steve you are a crazy DIY'er!
how much does cell crast acrylic cost (thats what its made out of)? I'd be interested in building one, someday I'd like to have a large tank.
how much does cell crast acrylic cost (thats what its made out of)? I'd be interested in building one, someday I'd like to have a large tank.
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