Ultimate 20G Setup Journal - Pic Intense
- Thread starter DSparks
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DSparks
New member
lol, thanks sid 
ska, thanks for the compliment. I didn't take it as a slight, just opinion.
From the get go I wanted a tank where I can keep just about anything (keeping in mind the size of the tank). I figure why not "go overboard" if I have the ability and resources to do so. My fish and corals will thank me for it down the road.
ska, thanks for the compliment. I didn't take it as a slight, just opinion.
From the get go I wanted a tank where I can keep just about anything (keeping in mind the size of the tank). I figure why not "go overboard" if I have the ability and resources to do so. My fish and corals will thank me for it down the road.
rjwilson37
New member
I think it is looking great, but I myself would put effort like that into a larger tank setup.
Then again... to maintain a larger tank is a lot more expensive, as well as what it costs to fill it with stuff, so this is a sweet little setup and will not cost a lot to get going and will probably be pretty darn sweet taking minimal space in the house.
Then again... to maintain a larger tank is a lot more expensive, as well as what it costs to fill it with stuff, so this is a sweet little setup and will not cost a lot to get going and will probably be pretty darn sweet taking minimal space in the house.
OK, I have to throw in my $.02 too.
I think Sparks is doing a jam up job. Keep it up!!! I think many people get hung up on larger tanks, but larger is alot more money. The difference in the cost of water and electricity alone is huge. I really love the overflow that Sparks built. It is a unique tank and one to be very proud of. Not to mention, I am using it as inspiration to possibly create a nano setup. I think some of the prettiest tanks are the small nanos.
Not to mention no matter if you have a small or large tank, you get out what you put into it. I think Spark's tank speaks volume. (Pune intended)
Keep us posted.
Cheers,
Chris
I think Sparks is doing a jam up job. Keep it up!!! I think many people get hung up on larger tanks, but larger is alot more money. The difference in the cost of water and electricity alone is huge. I really love the overflow that Sparks built. It is a unique tank and one to be very proud of. Not to mention, I am using it as inspiration to possibly create a nano setup. I think some of the prettiest tanks are the small nanos.
Not to mention no matter if you have a small or large tank, you get out what you put into it. I think Spark's tank speaks volume. (Pune intended)
Keep us posted.
Cheers,
Chris
Cutiewitbooty
New member
I love what he did with the tank too, i wish i could do stuff like that. I espically love his overflow and really want one lol I can't do anything even close to that, the only tools i own are a couple screw drivers and a hammer thats lost. I bet he could even do a small business making RR nanos, i know i would buy one lol. Great job and i can't wait to see what it looks like with water, BTW if you haven't noticed i'm, jealous 
DSparks
New member
Thanks for the kind words Gunter and Amber. I appreciate it. Like I said, I don't think ska or rj are meaning to be critical. I just take it as them sharing opinion which is what makes RC such a great place.
I do plan on having a very big tank when we move into our next house. Unfortunately, I don't have adequate space/power in our current home for a large tank. And I know that a skimmer and fuge and sump and <fill in the blank> is not necessary for a nano (I'm running my 10 gallon without any of these things). But like I said, I want to create the best possible environment for success. And it also gives me a chance to work with some of these systems before moving to a larger tank.
I do plan on having a very big tank when we move into our next house. Unfortunately, I don't have adequate space/power in our current home for a large tank. And I know that a skimmer and fuge and sump and <fill in the blank> is not necessary for a nano (I'm running my 10 gallon without any of these things). But like I said, I want to create the best possible environment for success. And it also gives me a chance to work with some of these systems before moving to a larger tank.
Sprockett
New member
DS.....
Dude your rig rules :eek1:
My wife asked me the other day about putting one in our formal front room, it would sit between two windows but would not get direct sun. I measured it today out of curiosity and it's 37.5 wide, so I would put a whomper of a setup there, and if you don't mind I think I'll steal more than just a few ideas from your setup
I love the way you integrated everything and all the little touches, your woodworking skills look good too...
Great Job!!
Dude your rig rules :eek1:
My wife asked me the other day about putting one in our formal front room, it would sit between two windows but would not get direct sun. I measured it today out of curiosity and it's 37.5 wide, so I would put a whomper of a setup there, and if you don't mind I think I'll steal more than just a few ideas from your setup
I love the way you integrated everything and all the little touches, your woodworking skills look good too...
Great Job!!
gwrulzmylife
New member
2 thumbs up! Nice nice nice!
DSparks
New member
I bought all of the PVC for the plumbing on Friday. The stuff can really add up when you starting throwing ball valves and unions in the cart.
The Loc-Line arrived Saturday morning care of the United States Postal Service. Go to http://www.modularhose.com for all your Loc-Line needs. They have a great selection to choose from, and the prices are good.
The pump arrived on Saturday afternoon care of FedEx.
I was expecting a slip fitting on the output for some reason. It ended up being a threaded connection (which makes more sense), so I had to go back to Lowes on Sunday afternoon for one threaded bushing that cost a whopping 24 cents.
So by the time I had everything I needed it was late Sunday afternoon. No water tests today
I decided to go ahead and dry fit the plumbing and glue everything up.
It was snowing outside and really cold. Since I was no longer pressed for time I took it easy and built a warm and cozy fire.
The Loc-Line arrived Saturday morning care of the United States Postal Service. Go to http://www.modularhose.com for all your Loc-Line needs. They have a great selection to choose from, and the prices are good.
The pump arrived on Saturday afternoon care of FedEx.
I was expecting a slip fitting on the output for some reason. It ended up being a threaded connection (which makes more sense), so I had to go back to Lowes on Sunday afternoon for one threaded bushing that cost a whopping 24 cents.
So by the time I had everything I needed it was late Sunday afternoon. No water tests today
I decided to go ahead and dry fit the plumbing and glue everything up.It was snowing outside and really cold. Since I was no longer pressed for time I took it easy and built a warm and cozy fire.
DSparks
New member
At first things didn't go so well. It was pretty tight under there, even with all my planning ahead of time. Here you can see the return assembly laying to the side. The SCWD at top will feed the two returns into the tank. The fuge will be fed by the pipe extending to the right. The ball valve on the left will be used to make water changes easier.
And finally, everything was dry fit in place. The main drain is the one coming towards the front. It'll have more pipe attached once I build a bubble trap. The backup drain is the one on the left. It emptys back into the return section of the pump. Hopefully I'll never get to see this one in action
The SCWD is attached to the returns, which in turn have the Loc-Line plumbed into them. Don't worry, I'll come up with a nice way to mount the returns cleanly in place once I've water tested the setup and work out the kinks.
And finally, everything was dry fit in place. The main drain is the one coming towards the front. It'll have more pipe attached once I build a bubble trap. The backup drain is the one on the left. It emptys back into the return section of the pump. Hopefully I'll never get to see this one in action
The SCWD is attached to the returns, which in turn have the Loc-Line plumbed into them. Don't worry, I'll come up with a nice way to mount the returns cleanly in place once I've water tested the setup and work out the kinks.
DSparks
New member
That's as far as I was able to get today. Hopefully things will warm up a bit this week and I can finally get some water flowing.
I still need to get the clamps for the rubber tubing. Anyone know where I can get the plastic ones? Lowes evidently does not carry them, and I'd rather not wait on an on-line order.
I still need to get the clamps for the rubber tubing. Anyone know where I can get the plastic ones? Lowes evidently does not carry them, and I'd rather not wait on an on-line order.
fishes2889
In Memoriam
nice keep us updated!!
DSparks
New member
Time for an update. This afternoon I was finally able to peform a "dry" run of the system. Of course, with my luck lately, we had about 3 inches of snow today. The outside spigots were froze up, so I did what any dedicated reefer would do. I lugged 40 gallons of water to the garage, 10 gallons at a time.
After 4 very cold trips (our garage is detached) I had the tank and sump full and ready to go.
I turned on the pump switch and much to my surprise there were no leaks. <insert big sigh of relief>
After 4 very cold trips (our garage is detached) I had the tank and sump full and ready to go.
I turned on the pump switch and much to my surprise there were no leaks. <insert big sigh of relief>
DSparks
New member
My next priority was to tune the Durso's. I have never run an overflow, so this was another area of concern. Had I built them right?
Well, at first I got the toilet flush effect, which I had expected. You can see the water line is almost to the bottom of the Durso's opening.
I started with the smallest drill bit in the set and drilled a hole in the top of the end cap. I stepped my way up through the bit sizes. With each increase the length between the flushing decreased. Finally, at 3/16", the flushing stopped and the water level in the overflow leveled out.
Well, at first I got the toilet flush effect, which I had expected. You can see the water line is almost to the bottom of the Durso's opening.
I started with the smallest drill bit in the set and drilled a hole in the top of the end cap. I stepped my way up through the bit sizes. With each increase the length between the flushing decreased. Finally, at 3/16", the flushing stopped and the water level in the overflow leveled out.
DSparks
New member
So everything was going along great, that is until I realized the flow in the main tank was not very strong. I thought for sure the Mag 7 was more than enough, but I was wrong. While it could be enough flow for softies and LPS, I doubt I could keep any SPS.
So I guess I'll contact ReefGeek and see if I can exchange the Mag 7 for a Mag 9 (I'm not sure what their policy is). Surely another 200 GPH will get me to where I need to be??? AARRRGGGHHHH!!!
So I guess I'll contact ReefGeek and see if I can exchange the Mag 7 for a Mag 9 (I'm not sure what their policy is). Surely another 200 GPH will get me to where I need to be??? AARRRGGGHHHH!!!
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