cabin
Premium Member
I'm beginning to think the second tank is harder than the first. You know all the things you don't like about the first one, but figuring out exactly how to change all that sure takes a bundle of time! It's been over a month now since we brought home the used 180 system we bought, and we don't seem any closer to getting it in the door! My husband is the master of plumbing ceremonies, and every question he asks me takes me a whole night of research, or so it seems. Just when we thought we had all the pieces in place to plumb, I realized the pipes will show from the side (because this is the old style "reef ready" that has the overflows in the corners) so I needed to use black pipe for that part. Sigh. Another order for parts.
On the positive side, we dragged the sump, skimmer, and all the pumps outside this weekend and did a dry--er, wet--run to see if everything would at least move water around, and that test was passed! It is a little scary that once the sump is in place and the tank on top, the sump cannot be removed (because the weight of the tank makes it impossible to remove the cabinet's vertical support anymore). So I sure don't want to think of some divider or hole or whatever that I need after it is too late to drill/glue/etc. Another problem with such a big sump is that there is no room for other things I thought I wanted. If I decide I want a calcium reactor, chiller, etc. later, there will be nowhere to put them.
One of my major goals is to make this tank less work, despite it being more than twice the size of the existing one. No more carrying 5 gallon pails to do a water change! If we ever succeed in getting this all together, I promise to host a meeting! Meanwhile I'm working harder than ever figuring stuff out, while still maintaining the old tanks. Does anyone in this hobby have free time??
Wynne
On the positive side, we dragged the sump, skimmer, and all the pumps outside this weekend and did a dry--er, wet--run to see if everything would at least move water around, and that test was passed! It is a little scary that once the sump is in place and the tank on top, the sump cannot be removed (because the weight of the tank makes it impossible to remove the cabinet's vertical support anymore). So I sure don't want to think of some divider or hole or whatever that I need after it is too late to drill/glue/etc. Another problem with such a big sump is that there is no room for other things I thought I wanted. If I decide I want a calcium reactor, chiller, etc. later, there will be nowhere to put them.
One of my major goals is to make this tank less work, despite it being more than twice the size of the existing one. No more carrying 5 gallon pails to do a water change! If we ever succeed in getting this all together, I promise to host a meeting! Meanwhile I'm working harder than ever figuring stuff out, while still maintaining the old tanks. Does anyone in this hobby have free time??
Wynne
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