Ultimate 20G Setup Journal - Pic Intense

[DSparks]

So overall I am very happy with how things went. I can see where my patience and planning are paying off. The Durso's work great, and the overflow will be enough to handle the flow I'm wanting to put through it. The plumbing is a little tight, but I'll be able to manage that easy enough. Once I get the next size pump I can consider this phase of the project complete.

Next steps...build a bubble trap for the return, re-install the doors and install the child safety locks.

 

[sidjam]

i had a mag12 on a SCWD with 3/4 tubing on my 75 and i was never satisfied with it. the SCWD reduces the flow considerably on the mags. i took off the SCWD and replaced the the mag12 with a mag7 and ran 1" tubing and the flow is just as good if not better than the mag12 with the SCWD.

 

[DSparks]

Thanks for the info sid. I may try to hook it up without a SCWD to see what the difference is like. I had considered an OM Squirt. Since they are driven by a motor and not the water flow then maybe that is the smarter way to go.

 

[Cutiewitbooty]

Looking good!!!! We used to have a wood stove too before we moved south, they are so cozy What kind of lighting do you have over the tank? You might have posted it before, but i don't remember. I just got myself a new tank, it has the same foot print as your's. but it's 20" high. And i just bought a coralife metal halide/PC setup

 

[DSparks]

Amber, wood stoves are the way to go for cheap garage heating. I love the sound of the wood fire popping and crackling.

I've about decided on a 150W MH. I'll probably go with a PFO Mini Pendant. Not sure about a bulb yet. Then I'll supplement actinics with either T5's or PC's.

 

[Mikeeal]

Please enjoy pictures like these as much as you can, it's the cleanest it's ever gonna look.

Seriously, I've been lurking your setup, and I must say, it's really beautiful. All of it. You definitely did your research and planning and it shows. I'm really impressed with the quality of all the work you've done. I can't wait to see it stocked.

 

[DSparks]

Thanks Mike!

Do you have any experience with external overflows? Any links to posts or pics?

 

[Mikeeal]

Well, sorta. My 20 I'm working on has one, but only to a fuge on the back. The thread is titled, "Mikeeal's 20, if you'd like to check it out. I used a small RO valve for the tee fitting. I will use an external overflow on my next, larger tank too. Those pics of yours I pasted, I just really like ones like these, because everything is brand new, and just looks really clean, plus I like PVC.

 

[rjwilson37]

Awesome, just simply awesome fellow reefer!

 

[navyav8tr]

I have been hitch hiking on this thread and I must say this is really an impressive setup. I wasn't sure if you had decided on what lighting to use on this bad boy yet. I am setting up something similar, a 30G cube with external overflow, and if you were going to do MH I was wondering if you had decided how to handle the heat.
Awesome setup.

 

[sidjam]

i'm going with the OM squirt on a panworld 50px-x to handle my flow on the 29.

how's the noise on the external overflow? any coming from the tank into the box?

 

[DSparks]

Awesome, just simply awesome fellow reefer!

Thanks RJ!

and if you were going to do MH I was wondering if you had decided how to handle the heat.

I'm going to install a fan or two in the canopy and probably one in the cabinet to help with evap. I'm hoping that alone with handle any temp problems. My 10G has a 70W MH and with one fan it hovers around 80.

how's the noise on the external overflow? any coming from the tank into the box?

It was surprisingly quiet. Once I had the Durso dialed in the only noise was coming from the pump, and I think I can fix that once I install padding between the sump and cabinet.. I haven't run the Urchin skimmer yet. I'm hoping it's quiet also. Then the only thing I'll need to worry about is the fans in the hood. The wife wants this setup to run very quiet since it's in our main living area of the house.

 

[navyav8tr]

Do you think you will go with Icecap fans? I have heard they are pretty quiet but not sure if there was something else out there.

 

[DSparks]

I'm not sure navy. They are fairly expensive. You can get fans much cheaper from computer building sites that are advertised as quiet fans. The icecaps do have the sensor that will control the speed according to the surrounding temp. And I've read that they are built to last in the harsh saltwater environment. I'll have to do some digging on the boards to see if that proves to be true.

 

[DSparks]

Due to some major car troubles this morning I was able to spend the day at home with the family. I was also FINALLY able to bring the setup into the house

 

[DSparks]

In case you're interested, here's a few pics of how the child safety locks work. In order to open the door you have to use the magnetic key from the outside. Very clever!

 

[sidjam]

lookin good!

 

[Chelsey]

VERY nice! I too have been lurking and I'm ready to see some livestock in that thing!

 

[fishes2889]

Livestock!! Livestock!! looking good sparks!!

 

[DSparks]

Thanks Sid, Chelsey and Fishes. Trust me, it's killing me not to kick it into gear and get wet. Unfortunately Turbo Tax tells me I need to write a big check this year

I'm only lacking a heater and lighting. Maybe in another month or two I'll have what I need to get started. You know what they say, patience is a virtue...

I'm planning more updates tonight. Nothing major, but some neat DIY to overcome a problem I had been struggling with. Stay tuned...