The Journey - 300+ Gallon System Build - Picture Heavy
- Thread starter bpcardona
- Start date
bpcardona
Trying to hard
I completely understand what you're saying. I am a bit worried about relying on a piece of machinery. However I believe this will make it much easier for tank maintenance and I will be much more likely to do it. How insulated is your garage? Could always look into getting more insulation or running redundant chillers.
bpcardona
Trying to hard
Here is the diagram I am using to run my returns. I will have two 1" full siphon returns on each of the overflows along with two 3/4" emergency drains. The full siphons will have 1" gate valves allowing for full siphon adjustments, and the emergency will have nothing in their way. There are some unions and ball valves in the plumbing that are not shown here on the schematic, but are in place. The return line will come from a Reeflo Super Dart Gold HYBRID. (Thanks for the great deal Newbie Aquarist) The output of the pump is 1.5" and I will carry that through a manifold ending with the return to the tank. The 1.5" will continue through the wall up the back of the back where it will "T" off and run the linear length of the tank. This will be "T" three time to accommodate 6 loc-line fitting equaling 3/4" each.
Does anyone see any problem with that before I add glue?
I need to find a 75mm glass hole saw, because the intake of this pump is a whopping 2". Looking like I may have this hole drilled for me.
I have more picture, but I am currently using this as a distraction from what I should be doing so......this is it for now.
Does anyone see any problem with that before I add glue?
I need to find a 75mm glass hole saw, because the intake of this pump is a whopping 2". Looking like I may have this hole drilled for me.
I have more picture, but I am currently using this as a distraction from what I should be doing so......this is it for now.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8467208636/" title="Image009 by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8227/8467208636_88d981ff9e_z.jpg" width="640" height="376" alt="Image009"></a>
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
Everything looks good to me. Are the returns going to go over the back of the tank? Are you putting the lower impeller in the dart to accommodate the 1 inch drains or are you going to chuck the pump return down?
bpcardona
Trying to hard
I haven't decided which I will run. I am leaning toward the higher output, just because I plan in running a manifold. That should break up the flow, and I can dial it in.
I was concerned about that as well. So I reasoned it this way, if I have a problem, hopefully it won't be a full clog in both pipes. I think the 3/4" pipes could handle a partial clog in one of the pipes. So with that said I need to keep a close eye on the pipes.
bpcardona
Trying to hard
You are absolutely correct. I am rolling the dice here. I want to maximize my turn overrate, and to do so I choose the 1" as primary returns. Together this gives me essentially 3000 gph ( ~1500 gph each). That's the plan at least. I hope I never need the the emergency drains but if I do......I will let everyone know how it goes.
Untamed12
New member
Have the emergency drains exit above the sump water line... The siphons exiting below waterline. Add a 45 degree bend on the exits of the siphon tubes so that any air bubbles driven out the bottom of the drains are pushed y to the side so they won't float up back into the pipe.
bpcardona
Trying to hard
[/CENTER]
Please please please tell me you're not going to put 460+ pounds of water in a 55g barrel on a piece of what looks to be 1/2" (maybe 3/4") plywood suspended 3 feet off the ground with absolutely no support underneath it.
This will fail.
Let me repeat....THIS WILL FAIL.
It may not happen right away, but eventually that board is going to sag (especially if it gets wet at all) and give out dumping 55 gallons (and 1 broken barrel) all over your garage floor. You need to at least put a 2x4 frame underneath the plywood on the outside, and I would recommend even putting 1 or 2 across under the center of it. The frame should be sit on top of your 2x4 posts and not be screwed into the side of it (only being held up by the screws).
I'm actually surprised no one else said anything about it since that picture was posted about a week ago, but I just saw it and didn't feel right not saying something. Just trying to look out for you. Tank looks good so far though and keep posting pictures. :thumbsup:
bpcardona
Trying to hard
Another great call! Thanks so much. I actually have this braced more then is in this picture. I was running out of daylight when I was building this. I picked it up the next day. I have a brace in the front and one in the back. The two 2x4 in the back will also be attached to the wall.
Do you think this is enough?
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8468867365/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8231/8468867365_b13b5cc4d9_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>
It's better, but it looks like this 2x4's are cut down (so like 1.5" x 1.5"), which won't give you a whole lot more support (but is a bit better than just the plywood). I would go ahead and cut down the inside 2x4 posts enough so that you can fit a 2x4 standing vertically (the 3.5" dimension) and frame out the square there. You could always screw in 1 or 2 extra 2x4s down the middle to give it a bit more support directly in the center. The main carrying strength of your boards is when you have the tallest dimension standing vertically and it sits directly on a post in the corners.
Was going to edit my last post but it would let me attach a picture. Here is how I framed out my water change station. It is probably a bit overkill, but I made the span a little longer and I wanted to make sure it wouldn't dump 55 gallons of water all over my basement. 
Hope it helps a bit.
Hope it helps a bit.Attachments
bpcardona
Trying to hard
Thanks so much for paying such close attention. I will spend some time reworking the structural aspects of this stand. I am a amature at best here and need as much input as possible. That's what I love so much about these forums, very one knows something. I would have been very upset if I came home to 55g of water on the floor, and that kind of barrel was hard to get.
Truly thanks.
Truly thanks.
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
bpcardona
Trying to hard
Wayne you are spot on my friend. I think this build would be cut short if she came home to splinters and a river! LOL I also think she would become acutely aware of how much I am just winging it. Hahahahaha
bpcardona
Trying to hard
Plumbing update. Most of it is complete, more to come.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8471647141/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8098/8471647141_b9cc272415_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8472740764/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8243/8472740764_99c87ba31a_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8471648919/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8388/8471648919_799397e4be_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8472740764/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8243/8472740764_99c87ba31a_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8471648919/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8388/8471648919_799397e4be_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>
bpcardona
Trying to hard
Here is my planed manifold system. It will be ran from a Reeflo Super Dart Gold HYBRID, with the Dart impeller. This will provide a 4300 GHP return. I understand that this will not be my true delivered GPH, but that's my starting point. I will use this manifold to power everything in the system. The the intake on the Reeflo is a 2" fitting, and the output is 1.5". I will run the output 15" before the 1st 45 degree elbow, to observe the 10x rule. I will then jump to a 2" manifold with 1" feeder gate valves. The various feeders will provided water, at a controlled rate, to the equipment listed. I also have built in several ports for future upgrades. For example if I decide to have a Ca reactor, a jumbo reactor or another frag tank/Refuge. This manifold will end with a step down to 1.5" gate valve which will lead back to my display tank.
Also take note that I have included a separate port just before the manifold to supply the QT tank with water from my system. This line will also be utilized as a drainage, if one is ever needed (ie: large water change).
So tell me what you think? Should I change anything? Is there anyone that has learned from a mistake I am about to make?
Also take note that I have included a separate port just before the manifold to supply the QT tank with water from my system. This line will also be utilized as a drainage, if one is ever needed (ie: large water change).
So tell me what you think? Should I change anything? Is there anyone that has learned from a mistake I am about to make?
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8490967064/" title="Image010 by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8508/8490967064_615367eeab_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="Image010"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8489713491/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8489713491_a30c887f1b_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8490811342/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8376/8490811342_bd55d9a1eb_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8489713491/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8489713491_a30c887f1b_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8490811342/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8376/8490811342_bd55d9a1eb_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="Untitled"></a>
Reefed419
New member
Not speaking from personal experience but I would think that having that many out puts running from one pump, could end up being a real hassel to keep the pressure you desire in each device as water pressure builds or lessens. I do not have a better solution. just thinking aloud is all. I see alot of people running manifolds to run all the reactors, so it mught not be that big of a hassel to deal with.
