My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle - Page 19

SaltwaterGeek · 04-12-2008, 01:44 PM

Does the saltwater deteriorate the gaskets on the bulkheads over time? If so, how long do they usually last?

SaltwaterGeek · 04-12-2008, 03:56 PM

To refresh everyones memory, I don't intend to use any substrate. I had mentioned this to a guy I trust at the LFS, and he was telling me about a technique of "floating" all the LR by drilling holes into it and using acrylic rods to suspend it all off the bottom of the tank. He stated that by doing so would not only increase flow, but eliminate any possibility of NO2 build up.

Has anyone heard of this, and if so, whats your take on it?

tbittner · 04-12-2008, 08:23 PM

Never heard of that. I'm not sure that you would need to go to that extreme to ensure flow under the rocks. Unless you have really flat rock that sits on the bottom, don't you think you'd get enough flow under the rock?

SaltwaterGeek · 04-12-2008, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbittner

Never heard of that. I'm not sure that you would need to go to that extreme to ensure flow under the rocks. Unless you have really flat rock that sits on the bottom, don't you think you'd get enough flow under the rock?

I would hope that I would have enough flow with my current plan, but I'm Always open to new ideas.... don't hurt to ask.

tbittner · 04-12-2008, 11:34 PM

That's for sure! And I wasn't saying it's a bad idea, I'm just thinking that I don't see it as necessary but I've been wrong before. Many, many, many times.

framerguy · 04-12-2008, 11:43 PM

I have actually heard of drilling holes and using PVC to suspend the rock off the bottom, but it was used in a tank with sand and just gave support for the rock to keep it off the glass and so miners wouldn't cause an avalanche. Without a substrate I think it would definately help with flow, it would almost have to! Then, if you decide to add substrate later (I don't like the look of bare bottom tanks, mind you

) you would be ahead of the game. That is the way I want to go in my new build.

boozeman · 04-13-2008, 08:18 AM

I've seen it done.... It is done so that powerheads can be aimed at the floor of the tank keeping detritus from accumulating there. Barebottom and elevated with lots of flow is great if you are planning a super stocked sps reef

I personally like the look of sand and the rocks resting on top of it.

SaltwaterGeek · 04-13-2008, 06:38 PM

Yeah that's what I'm hearing Robert.... I am going SPS, and I got James to do the bottom of the tank black so I can go Bare bottom.... So we'll see. I need to learn a bit more about the elevation techniques first, before I make a final decision.

SaltwaterGeek · 04-13-2008, 07:36 PM

I have a question about setting up my return line from the sump back into the tank... The line is going to come back out of the overflow, over the eurobrace, and back into the tank. Should the end be submerged in the water, or should I cut it just above the surface?

I've seen it done both ways, and I was just curious if either one had an advantage (other than the sound of water).

tbittner · 04-13-2008, 07:44 PM

Salt creep. If you have it above the surface of the water, you'll end up with salt creep. But if you plumb it so it's submerged, then drill a couple small holes just below the surface of the water so when the electric goes out, the water will siphon back down to the sump until those holes are exposed to air and they will break the siphon.

SaltwaterGeek · 04-13-2008, 07:49 PM

Ah ha... Thanks for the tip Terry.

Ratpack · 04-14-2008, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivingTheDream

To refresh everyones memory, I don't intend to use any substrate. I had mentioned this to a guy I trust at the LFS, and he was telling me about a technique of "floating" all the LR by drilling holes into it and using acrylic rods to suspend it all off the bottom of the tank. He stated that by doing so would not only increase flow, but eliminate any possibility of NO2 build up.

Has anyone heard of this, and if so, whats your take on it?

This is similar to what I have done for my tank. I have 4 columns built to go into it and they are suspended by PVC legs about 3/4" long. That way flow can get under them to keep things from settling under there. I also, placed 3 small rocks in a triangular pattern between all the big rocks to keep them seperated as well. I don't want anything to settle anywhere. If I get a chance, I will post pics of the colums I built to give you a better idea.

SaltwaterGeek · 04-14-2008, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratpack

This is similar to what I have done for my tank. I have 4 columns built to go into it and they are suspended by PVC legs about 3/4" long. That way flow can get under them to keep things from settling under there. I also, placed 3 small rocks in a triangular pattern between all the big rocks to keep them seperated as well. I don't want anything to settle anywhere. If I get a chance, I will post pics of the colums I built to give you a better idea.

Do that... I would love to see it.

Ratpack · 04-15-2008, 07:53 AM

Here is my rock for my 75g. There isn't anything on it as it is dry rock, but I have a 47g full of LR that will seed it when I am finished with the set up. Not the clearest picture, but you can see that each large rock is suspended above the one below by smaller rocks thus keeping it very open for flow, which I should have plenty by running a Sequence Barracuda on it in a closed loop. In the second picture, you can see the little PVC legs that are epoxied underneath to lift the stacks off the bottom to allow flow under there.

SaltwaterGeek · 04-16-2008, 06:24 AM

Very nice... Thank you for sharing. I think that I will be doing something very similar when I finally get things going... speaking of which, I just had my custom stand builder over yesterday. He took measurements and is going to get back to me by the end of the week. I'll keep everyone posted.

04-12-2008, 01:44 PM	#271 (permalink)
SaltwaterGeek Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 402 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle Does the saltwater deteriorate the gaskets on the bulkheads over time? If so, how long do they usually last? __________________ Thanks for the help, My 150g Envision Acrylic Chronicle

04-12-2008, 03:56 PM	#272 (permalink)
SaltwaterGeek Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 402 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle To refresh everyones memory, I don't intend to use any substrate. I had mentioned this to a guy I trust at the LFS, and he was telling me about a technique of "floating" all the LR by drilling holes into it and using acrylic rods to suspend it all off the bottom of the tank. He stated that by doing so would not only increase flow, but eliminate any possibility of NO2 build up. Has anyone heard of this, and if so, whats your take on it? __________________ Thanks for the help, My 150g Envision Acrylic Chronicle

04-12-2008, 08:23 PM	#273 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle Never heard of that. I'm not sure that you would need to go to that extreme to ensure flow under the rocks. Unless you have really flat rock that sits on the bottom, don't you think you'd get enough flow under the rock? __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

04-12-2008, 11:34 PM	#275 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle That's for sure! And I wasn't saying it's a bad idea, I'm just thinking that I don't see it as necessary but I've been wrong before. Many, many, many times. __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

04-12-2008, 11:43 PM	#276 (permalink)
framerguy Manta Ray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mount Airy, Ga Posts: 3,660 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle I have actually heard of drilling holes and using PVC to suspend the rock off the bottom, but it was used in a tank with sand and just gave support for the rock to keep it off the glass and so miners wouldn't cause an avalanche. Without a substrate I think it would definately help with flow, it would almost have to! Then, if you decide to add substrate later (I don't like the look of bare bottom tanks, mind you ) you would be ahead of the game. That is the way I want to go in my new build. __________________ ___________________________________ Greg All time fav quote: "Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy."-Guillaume Apollinaire "Being happy can be as easy as deciding to be!"-Greg Kimsey (framerguy) Still Workin' on it! 375gDT built in wall, Gargantuan DIY Beckett Skimmer, 100g sump, Sequence Hammerhead closed loop, 75 gallon seagrass/mineral mud refugium, 55 gallon crushed coral/live rock refugium, 30 gallon DSB/ cheatomorpha refugium, algae turf scrubber, DIY calcium reactor, DIY kalkwasser mixer, DIY light system w/4x 250MH & 4x54w T5, etc, etc, etc... chronicles-akwareum

04-13-2008, 08:18 AM	#277 (permalink)
boozeman The CodFather ~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: new york Posts: 8,800 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle I've seen it done.... It is done so that powerheads can be aimed at the floor of the tank keeping detritus from accumulating there. Barebottom and elevated with lots of flow is great if you are planning a super stocked sps reef I personally like the look of sand and the rocks resting on top of it. __________________ ...and when I'm old and wise little things mean little to me like autumn winds they'll blow right through me and someday, in the mist of time when they ask you if you knew me remember that you were a friend of mine

04-13-2008, 06:38 PM	#278 (permalink)
SaltwaterGeek Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 402 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle Yeah that's what I'm hearing Robert.... I am going SPS, and I got James to do the bottom of the tank black so I can go Bare bottom.... So we'll see. I need to learn a bit more about the elevation techniques first, before I make a final decision. __________________ Thanks for the help, My 150g Envision Acrylic Chronicle

04-13-2008, 07:36 PM	#279 (permalink)
SaltwaterGeek Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 402 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle I have a question about setting up my return line from the sump back into the tank... The line is going to come back out of the overflow, over the eurobrace, and back into the tank. Should the end be submerged in the water, or should I cut it just above the surface? I've seen it done both ways, and I was just curious if either one had an advantage (other than the sound of water). __________________ Thanks for the help, My 150g Envision Acrylic Chronicle

04-13-2008, 07:44 PM	#280 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle Salt creep. If you have it above the surface of the water, you'll end up with salt creep. But if you plumb it so it's submerged, then drill a couple small holes just below the surface of the water so when the electric goes out, the water will siphon back down to the sump until those holes are exposed to air and they will break the siphon. __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

04-13-2008, 07:49 PM	#281 (permalink)
SaltwaterGeek Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 402 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle Ah ha... Thanks for the tip Terry. __________________ Thanks for the help, My 150g Envision Acrylic Chronicle

04-15-2008, 07:53 AM	#284 (permalink)
Ratpack Star Polyps Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 157 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle Here is my rock for my 75g. There isn't anything on it as it is dry rock, but I have a 47g full of LR that will seed it when I am finished with the set up. Not the clearest picture, but you can see that each large rock is suspended above the one below by smaller rocks thus keeping it very open for flow, which I should have plenty by running a Sequence Barracuda on it in a closed loop. In the second picture, you can see the little PVC legs that are epoxied underneath to lift the stacks off the bottom to allow flow under there. __________________ Tim

04-16-2008, 06:24 AM	#285 (permalink)
SaltwaterGeek Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 402 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 120g Acrylic Tank Chronicle Very nice... Thank you for sharing. I think that I will be doing something very similar when I finally get things going... speaking of which, I just had my custom stand builder over yesterday. He took measurements and is going to get back to me by the end of the week. I'll keep everyone posted. __________________ Thanks for the help, My 150g Envision Acrylic Chronicle

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