Tomoko's new 180

[Tomoko Schum]

I worked on my tank some more yesterday.

Here's a picture of the standpipes:

I changed the 1 inch return pipe to 3/4 inch pipe. Eheim pump has 3/4 inch output barb and a loc-line fitting over the overflow is 3/4 inch as well (the next size up is a 2 inch fitting.) So I did not see the reason to put a 1 inch pipe and 1 x 3/4 inch adapters.

Here's how the Durso fittings look like from above. You can see how crowded the overflow box is.

From the side:

1-1/2 inch and 1 x 3/4 inch Hose barb inserts installed with Rectorseal on threads:

With 1-1/2 inch pool vacuum pipe for drain:

The drain pipes going into the 1st section of the sump:

 

[Tomoko Schum]

The first Lumen Bright reflector installed:

I mounted the reflector with hooks for easy removal for cleaning.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Reilly putting in the third screw to mount the reflector for me:

Here's the picture of all three reflectors installed:

Now I am at a standstill waiting on the ballasts, bulbs and Eheim pump to arrive.

 

[doorlady]

We can't hear the Sedra pump in our ASM, the only thing we hear from our tank is the water flowing into the sump, but we may not be qualified to speak on noise levels since our house is full of kids!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Well, my house is not exactly quiet, either, with a teenager and two rowdy dogs. It gets worse when older two kids come home periodically.

My Sedra pump is probably louder than my Mag Drive 12. The Mag Drive 12 hums with a low sound while Sedra has a bit higher frequency sound. The low frequency sound of the Mag Drive travels well enough through the hardwood floor that I can literally feel it the adjacent master bedroom closet. I definitely need to lose these pumps .

When we cleared the room to bring the new tank in, I can hear echos in the room. I did not realize just how much sound the furniture and books could absorb.

 

[jkburn88]

Lights look great...I like the idea of hanging them for easy maintenance/cleaning. Keeps the pics coming!

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Thank you. I can easily take one reflector down by myself to clean it.

I need to lengthen these lamp cords to reach Ice Cap ballasts. The ballasts, which I got from Marine Depot, came with very short lamp cords (about 1 ft) with female disconnect plugs. I remember that the ballast that I bought from diyreef in the past had very long lamp cord and power cord. Now I need to look for three conductor cords (600V rating) and get Ice Cap male disconnect plugs . Another delay in the project....

 

[Tomoko Schum]

I found out that Lumen Bright reflector socket has a 16/3 AWG 300V rated cable while my ballast has 18/3 AWG cable (probably rated for 300V, too.) Home Depot has 18/3 AWG cable but not 16/3. I guess I have to go to a different electrical supply house on Monday.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

An update

An update

Today I got all light bulbs working and the tank plumbed up.

Here's the picture of the tank with a black vinyl background:

With all three lamps working:

We drilled a big enough hole to accomodate all three lamp cords:

I did not have to lengthen the lamp cords after all. This solved the problem of using the cable with the insulation that is not rated high enoubh for the ballast and saltwater environment. This was the sticking point for Reilly. (Engineers tend to complicate thigs sometimes as you might have noticed...)

I managed to make do with the 8 foot lamp cords that came with the reflectors by changing the way I take down the reflector for cleaning. My socket assembly will have to be secured to the hook on the canopy so it won't try to dive into the tank :eek2:.

First lamp fired. This is a combination of a 250W XM20K lamp and a Reef Fanatic ballast.

With canopy open:

With canopy closed:

 

[Tomoko Schum]

With the second lamp on Ice Cap ballast:

With all three lamps on. The ballast for the center is Reef Fanatic and the others are Ice Cap ballasts. I cannot tell the difference in the quality of light.

All three ballasts placed on the lower bookshelf. They will be placed on a timer:

I used Ice Cap male connectors for Ice Cap ballasts. They were not as easy to install wires in as a ballast disconnect that I bought from Home Depot which allowed me to simply push in individual conductors into holes.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Here's the picture of Eheim 1262 placed in the sump.

I used a union for it so that I can easily disconnect it for cleaning.

I can use my Eheim to pump out the water from the sump very easily by swapping the upper part of the union with another part with a drain hose connected to it .

A 3/4 inch kink free tubing on the return side:

Here is the picture of my sump. It's finally ready for testing:

I bought two 12V DC fans from Radio Shack (120 mm):

I thought about using AC fans, but DC fans consume much less power. Its flow rate and noise level are the same as those of its AC counterpart. The red fans match my red canopy color although a clear case fan with blue LED's looked sharp, too .

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Here's the picture of the fan which is now mounted on the canopy.

I am somewhat dissappointed in this fan. It is kinda noisy although Its noise rating is 20dB which is much less than many other fans with similar CFM rating.

Do any of you know of a silent 12V DC fan (120mm CPU fan)? I'd like to replace it if possible.

Air flow wise, it's not bad, but it's no comparison to a 6 inch fan. I wonder how many fans I should use for 180. I currently have two mounted on the canopy. I hope to add a fan or two over my sump.

Here's a picture of Loc-line fitting installed.

I will be filling the tank with salt water shortly.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

I filled up my tank with fresh water today and run my pump to check for leaks. A progress! I am making a lot of RODI water as well.

I had to tighten the right 1-1/2" bulkhead nut and a left 1" bulkhead nut. Then my right drain sprung a small leak at the hose barb below the bulkhead.

It took me only a short time to deal with the leaks . "Rectorseal T plus 2" worked very well on all the threaded joints.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

I started filling the tank with salt water now.

I first laid down plastic drip cloth to protect the floor:

Then, I added a new bag of Southdown sand to the tank and laid a sheet of plastic over the sand. The plastic sheet helps to keep the water clear instead of turning the water into milk shake with ultra fine particles of Southdown sand.

Gradually adding water on top of the sheet. Water slowly goes beneath the plastic:

As you can see, the water underneath the plastic sheet is clear despite the brand new Southdown sand:

 

[brandon2432]

nice looking set up. If it wasnt so much work I would be all over a 180. Love it! good work

 

[Tomoko Schum]

A 180 requires no more work than a 125 IMHO. Having two tanks is more work than having just one for sure.

 

[brandon2432]

Im saying the work your doing now. lol switching over

 

[Tomoko Schum]

The work I am doing is not very much for some people. I am just slow and I whine a lot, but I am actually enjoying the whole process.

 

[jkburn88]

Looking good...the Lumen Bright reflectors seem to put out a nice spread of light. Where did you manage to find Southdown sand? I've looked all over for it...

 

[Tomoko Schum]

I got it from another hobbyist who posted an ad here. I recall beaslbob still has a bag or two.

I have emptied my 120 yesterday. It has 2-1/2 bags of Southdown (still live at this point.) My 29 has been sitting with a bag of Southdown (used for one year and sitting dry for a few years.) If you want the sand, you can come get it. It's free to good home.