nivram
New member
Great build. You could buy the hole saw and drill it your self. They are pretty cheap on EBay.
The Journey - 300+ Gallon System Build - Picture Heavy
- Thread starter bpcardona
- Start date
Great build. You could buy the hole saw and drill it your self. They are pretty cheap on EBay.
bpcardona
Trying to hard
Has anyone tried drilling this size hole? I wouldn't worry to much if it were one hole, but I have four very close together. I did find a them on ebay and amazon. So which size? I want the 4" sock to fit like a glove. I did a quick google search and came up with 95mm. Does anyone have any insight into this?
Kawi9_cf
Member
I would think the simplest route would be to run 2 strips of glass about an inch wide on each side then just lay a piece of acrylic with the holes for the socks drilled in it down. That would also give you the ability to easily alter your design later on down the road if you want to.
bpcardona
Trying to hard
So this setup will hopefully be complete this weekend. Any last thoughts on the setup? I have made a lot of purchase the past few days, most from members. I will high list each as we go along.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8437258372/" title="Screen Shot 2013-02-01 at 9.59.27 PM by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8047/8437258372_9c1a15e42a_z.jpg" width="640" height="425" alt="Screen Shot 2013-02-01 at 9.59.27 PM"></a>
Are you plumbing the QT tank into the system or making it stand alone? I am planning on using your design and thought I would plumb the qt into the system but have a ball valve on it to shut it off while qt new tank mates then if all goes well I could open the valve and have extra water volume.. would this be a good idea or what are your thoughts?
bpcardona
Trying to hard
Thanks for the suggestion, I have plans for the "real estate" but if they change this is the route I will take. This will be the spot for the external pump, reactors, and external skimmer. The 55 gallon sump will contain the refuge, should be plenty of room.
I had plans on have the QT as a separate system, with a fill pipe come off of the manifold. However you have a great idea. I will consider the possibility off plumbing this in to the system. I would only need to add a drain back into the sump, with valve (like you said). If this doesn't work one could always leave the valve shut. I am humbled that you would using this design as a guide. I have to ask, why you choose mine. Like most I have flipped through hundreds of build threads, just curious what made you pick this one.
bpcardona
Trying to hard
Progress:
Most of the day was spent running new wires between rafters. I decided to put in a GFI breaker that would only run the fish equipment. I installed one breaker and 6 outlets, all new line. Gratefully the attic wasn't to hot today. Toward the end one the day I was able to start building the stand for the filtration system. Tomorrow I should be able to complete this, and start think heavy on plumbing.
Most of the day was spent running new wires between rafters. I decided to put in a GFI breaker that would only run the fish equipment. I installed one breaker and 6 outlets, all new line. Gratefully the attic wasn't to hot today. Toward the end one the day I was able to start building the stand for the filtration system. Tomorrow I should be able to complete this, and start think heavy on plumbing.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8439192935/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8090/8439192935_5dbdcfd15d_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8440283896/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8051/8440283896_d7729345ce_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8439195109/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8053/8439195109_99529f5aec_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8439196231/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8046/8439196231_0c3b4f966e_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8439197287/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8468/8439197287_20b5929c37_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8440287992/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8511/8440287992_08f80e70db_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8440283896/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8051/8440283896_d7729345ce_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8439195109/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8053/8439195109_99529f5aec_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8439196231/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8046/8439196231_0c3b4f966e_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8439197287/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8468/8439197287_20b5929c37_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8440287992/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8511/8440287992_08f80e70db_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>
bpcardona
Trying to hard
Construction is complete. I want to paint it this evening, but until then.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8440809385/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8192/8440809385_4c9d54a27a_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8440810931/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8329/8440810931_a8aeb586a3_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8440810931/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8329/8440810931_a8aeb586a3_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
To help with the filter socks overflowing I would only make the top piece only an inch maybe inch and a half so if the socks filled up they still overflow into the main of the sump. The second thing I would change if you didn't notice yet is switch the baffles.
bpcardona
Trying to hard
Good catch, this design was done late at night. Hopefully I would have caught this during the build. BTY thanks for such a great deal on the pump.
bigpuffer1
New member
looks great keep the pics coming. if the house falls the tank stands!
tgunn
Active member
Looks great so far! Tagging along.
A suggestion regarding the overflows: If you have the room for it, maybe screw a 1x4 rail (or 2x4) into the wall behind the tank. Then you could put your ladder beside the tank and lay a board from the ladder to the back rail, and give you something to lean on.
I only suggest this because I had a difficult to access overflow in my old 140g tank. It was next to impossible to get into it for cleaning. Over a number of years it ended up collecting loads of detritus, and other undesirable things I just couldn't get in to clean out.
A suggestion regarding the overflows: If you have the room for it, maybe screw a 1x4 rail (or 2x4) into the wall behind the tank. Then you could put your ladder beside the tank and lay a board from the ladder to the back rail, and give you something to lean on.
I only suggest this because I had a difficult to access overflow in my old 140g tank. It was next to impossible to get into it for cleaning. Over a number of years it ended up collecting loads of detritus, and other undesirable things I just couldn't get in to clean out.
bpcardona
Trying to hard
So the stand for the filtration is complete! I changed the header to a 2x6. This change my working space. I have 26" clearance between the base and the header. However it is 29" on the sides. I do have more under the stand but this is what I have to work with maneuvering equipment. I wish I had a bit more room between the top of the sump tank and the stand, but I have enough room to change socks, and work on the refuge so I will leave it. I only have the mixing station to build, but I am waiting to pick up the barrels. Tought it was going to be today, but.....
So let me know what you think.
So let me know what you think.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8445154449/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8362/8445154449_eb688c85e8_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8445172373/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8512/8445172373_fdab97b11c_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8445173031/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8329/8445173031_a2b25c7ea0_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8445172373/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8512/8445172373_fdab97b11c_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8445173031/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8329/8445173031_a2b25c7ea0_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
I think you meant sump. Lolol you are welcome. I made the same mistake when I did my sump design early on in my thread build. Didn't want the same disaster happen to you.
Sent from my iPhone using Siri and Tapatalk.
bpcardona
Trying to hard
Well thank you for the bubble trap fix, but I did mean pump. I bought the Reeflo from you.
Reefneophyte007
New member
Just wanted to chime in with regards to plumbing your QT tank with your main system. At some point,your QT is going to turn into a hospital tank when treating for diseases ie:ich. You will most likely be using some form of medication at some point (copper). This is just me speaking, but I would not want there to be even a slight chance of copper or any other medication getting mixed with the water of my main display. Nor would I want a chance of water from my QT that may be diseased to get mixed with my main display water.
I would keep it seperate.
I would keep it seperate.
bpcardona
Trying to hard
Lol, I hope that I have over done it when it comes to the stands!
I love this suggestion! I was concerned about my ability to reach the back of the tank. This help help a lot. I will give this one a strong consideration. Thanks for the input. Keep them coming.
You make some strong points here. I would hate to hospitalize a fish, have him recover only to see the tank be destroyed due to meds. My current plan is to leave it separate, so unless I can think of a way to reduce contamination to zero likelyhood I will keep it this way.
