Not sure what I did, but I just plumbed my system yesterday and it ran perfect overnight. I tried to add rubber feet to my pump to dampen the vibrations and so I had to disassemble some piping via the unions.
Anyhow hooked it all back the same way and turned on the pump and now my main drain cannot keep up even with the gate value wide open.
My gate was closed (see pervious post) just a bit while keeping the emergency drain dry, the water level perfect, and absolutely no noise.
1200 gph overflow box
2 x 3/4 bulkheads drain 1 x 3/4 supply drain
Mag 9.5
3/4 pipe all around
Sump 20g long (36 x 12 x 12) water level about in inches below the top when pump is off
Drain is about 2 inches off bottom
I hope to have an answer soon.
The Grayson Reef
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Friday, June 14, 2013
All plumped up
Lots going on here, but to sum it up...
I used a mixture of schedule 40 and schedule 80. There is absolutely no need for schedule 80 except color. My local hardware store(s) sold unions only in schedule 80, so I used a mixture.
All is plumbed with 3/4 in pipe. Hard PVC for the supply (water coming up from the sump), then I used vinyl for the drains.
For the supply, I added a (link here) George Fisher check valve so incase of a power failure, the water will not drain. This does actually work, I tried removing it and my garage floor was covered in water.
The internal overflow box is rated a bit larger than my tank, but I rather it be larger then smaller. (1200GPH overflow box link here)
One thing I hope I can help someone out. I used a Bulkhead Overflow Strainers from Bulk Reef Supply. The strainers restrict the water flow, so I wish I would of made my drains I inch and used the gate valve to tune the water flow.
I talked to Bulk Reef Supply and they suggested I try the internal overflow box lid, so I will post my results.
Pump is a Mag 9.5 and I only had to turn my gate valve a quarter turn to 'tune' the system . I used 2 45 elbow instead of 1 90 to reduce the pressure (not sure if that actually works, but it sounds good)
About the mag 9.5, I had to use old filter material to dampen the vibrations, but now I can only hear the hum of the pump. No water sound, no vibrations. Ultra quiet.
Sump is a 20gallon long tank (still need to add the baffles)
Time to start drilling some glass holes.
Let me state it clear, I have no idea what I am doing. I am 100% flying by the seat of my pants.
The setup came with a glass drill bit and some bulk heads, so I suppose I have everything I need to drill some holes in my glass tank.
For the overflow box and a threaded bulkhead, I purchased them from BulkReefSupply. They have tons of videos and even chatted with me while I asked basic questions the videos clearly demonstrated.
I placed the overflow box onto the back for some measurements and traced out the drill bit to be sure my holes would have the proper spacing.
I also added duct tape to the front side so no glass shards would fall into the tank (they still did)
To keep things cool, i kept a continuous flow of water on the drill bit, being this was my 1st time, I think it was a success. Just let the drill do the work, do NOT push down.
The setup came with a glass drill bit and some bulk heads, so I suppose I have everything I need to drill some holes in my glass tank.
For the overflow box and a threaded bulkhead, I purchased them from BulkReefSupply. They have tons of videos and even chatted with me while I asked basic questions the videos clearly demonstrated.
I placed the overflow box onto the back for some measurements and traced out the drill bit to be sure my holes would have the proper spacing.
I also added duct tape to the front side so no glass shards would fall into the tank (they still did)
To keep things cool, i kept a continuous flow of water on the drill bit, being this was my 1st time, I think it was a success. Just let the drill do the work, do NOT push down.
65 Gallon Non Reef Ready
I picked up a smokin deal from craigs list. 65 gallon tank, 100lbs of dead rock, and a few $100 worth of other odds and ends.
Plan is to turn this into a Reef and to add a 20gallon sump.
Plan is to turn this into a Reef and to add a 20gallon sump.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Coralife BioCube 29
I just picked up a BioCube 29 from Atlanta Aquarium. Like with most "all in one" products, to keep the price reasonable, most manufactures cut some corners. With that said, I took the advice of the owner and did some minor, but yet critical upgrades.
1. Dump the bio ball and replaced with 1L Matrix premium, natural biofilter support media.
2. Added a power head.
Thats it. Now lets get building...
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