My 1st Father's Day Gift
- Thread starter astiesi
- Start date
astiesi
Member
Well, I haven't been around too much lately and the build hasn't progressed any but that should change soon. I ended up being unemployed for only a week... started a new job last Monday. I've been busy dealing with all that but I'm looking to pick up some LR and get water in the tank in the next 2 weeks, so there will be some progress soon. Thanks to everybody who has stopped by.
astiesi
Member
Ok I'm REALLY liking this plumbing... can you give some idea/diagram what each item is in this pic
Well its been a while but I'll describe the plumbing in a bit more detail:
Overflow Plumbing (Tank -> Sump):
1. Glass-holes 1500 overflow kit. This consists of two 1.5" threaded bulkheads with two threaded to slip 90 degree elbows.
2. Two 1.5" PVC ball valve / union combo fittings, slip to slip.
3. Two 1.5" PVC 45 degree fittings, slip to slip.
4. Two more 1.5" PVC 45 degree fittings, slip to slip.
5. Two 1.5" PVC 90 degree elbow fittings, slip to threaded. I chose threaded here in order to allow all plumbing in the cabinet to be easily removed without touching the plumbing behind the tank.
6. Two 1.5" PVC 90 degree elbow fitting, slip to slip. I did not cement the side connected to the down spout as this will allow me to remove these pieces easily.
Return Plumbing (Sump -> Tank):
1. 3/4" Vinyl tubing connecting the Mag 9.5 to the start of the PVC.
2. One 3/4" 90 degree elbow, slip to slip.
3. One 3/4" PVC tee fitting, with the branch connected to a 3/4" ball value, a 3/4" PVC 90 degree elbow, and a PVC 45 degree fitting for feeding the refugium, all slip to slip.
4. One 3/4" PVC union, slip to slip.
5. One 3/4" tee fitting, splitting the return to the dual returns, slip to slip
6. Two 3/4" 45 degree elbows on each return, slip to slip.
7. One 3/4" ball value / dual union combo fitting for flow control on each return, slip to slip.
8. Three 3/4" 90 degree elbows on each return, first two slip to slip, the last one is threaded for locline attachment.
astiesi
Member
Well, I finally have some progress to report...
I ordered 50 lbs or dry rock and 10 lbs of LR from marcorocks.com. It arrived 48 hours after ordering and was packed flawlessly. Each piece of LR, 10 lbs gave me 2 pieces, was individually wrapped in wet paper, then in large plastic zip bags, then in a large black plastic bag. There was enough bubble wrap to survive a 5 story fall. Both pieces did not have so much as a pebble broken off in transit. The 50 lbs of dry rock was packed similarly, minus the individual packing and wet paper. Out of 50 lbs I ended up with only a small handful of pieces which broke off in transit. I was very pleased with the service and would recomment this seller for anybody looking to buy rock online.
On 10/10 I was finally able to get water in the tank! I dropped in a few raw deli shrimp and the cycle is progressing. Last reading showed NH3 at 1.0 and NO2 still at 0. Will be testing again tonight. I'll also be posting a picture as there is finally something to take a picture of.
On Thursday the lighting will arrive. I've joined the T5 club and ended up with the 6x39W Nove Extreme Pro unit. I know there are units out there with better reflectors but right now the cost of these units is beyond my budget. I like the NEP for the active cooling. I spent a little extra and got a few upgraded bulbs...started with 2 Geissman Aqua Blue +'s.
I also got a Refractometer as a birthday gift from my brother...can't believe I survived with the swing-arm this long. Very cool tool.
I ordered 50 lbs or dry rock and 10 lbs of LR from marcorocks.com. It arrived 48 hours after ordering and was packed flawlessly. Each piece of LR, 10 lbs gave me 2 pieces, was individually wrapped in wet paper, then in large plastic zip bags, then in a large black plastic bag. There was enough bubble wrap to survive a 5 story fall. Both pieces did not have so much as a pebble broken off in transit. The 50 lbs of dry rock was packed similarly, minus the individual packing and wet paper. Out of 50 lbs I ended up with only a small handful of pieces which broke off in transit. I was very pleased with the service and would recomment this seller for anybody looking to buy rock online.
On 10/10 I was finally able to get water in the tank! I dropped in a few raw deli shrimp and the cycle is progressing. Last reading showed NH3 at 1.0 and NO2 still at 0. Will be testing again tonight. I'll also be posting a picture as there is finally something to take a picture of.
On Thursday the lighting will arrive. I've joined the T5 club and ended up with the 6x39W Nove Extreme Pro unit. I know there are units out there with better reflectors but right now the cost of these units is beyond my budget. I like the NEP for the active cooling. I spent a little extra and got a few upgraded bulbs...started with 2 Geissman Aqua Blue +'s.
I also got a Refractometer as a birthday gift from my brother...can't believe I survived with the swing-arm this long. Very cool tool.
astiesi
Member
Here are some pictures of the tank, a little over 2 weeks into the cycle. Lights should be delivered tomorrow. Falhiem, all the rock you see was ordered from marcorocks.com. You see two pieces of live rock (about 10lbs) on the top of each tower. Everything else is their dry base rock (about 50lbs).
Tom, the plumbing looks nice but I'm still having problems with noise. The overflow itself is quiet but the water rushing sound in the PVC drain is louder than I expected. I may have to try to insulate the pipes. Not sure what else to try.
Tom, the plumbing looks nice but I'm still having problems with noise. The overflow itself is quiet but the water rushing sound in the PVC drain is louder than I expected. I may have to try to insulate the pipes. Not sure what else to try.
nightfire76
Active Member
probably making alot of noise because the piping is so wide.a trip to lowes or home depot to get insulation might help alot,depending on the type you get of course,maybe also play with cutting off the flow a bit with the valves you installed,but looking good so far 
Looks GREAT! MarcoRock sure does have a nice look and feel to it
I know that occasionally I'll have to "Tweak" a valve to stop the "Rushing Water" sound in my PVC. The trick is to make THAT silent without causing it to either GURGLE or RUSH somewhere else. It will happen over time.. or at least mine did...
I know that occasionally I'll have to "Tweak" a valve to stop the "Rushing Water" sound in my PVC. The trick is to make THAT silent without causing it to either GURGLE or RUSH somewhere else. It will happen over time.. or at least mine did...
astiesi
Member
Hey Al, I've messed around with the valve a few times, I just don't like the idea of closing off the drain lines. I got it to run almost silent once but the valves on the drains were almost fully closed. The reason I chose the 1500 kit was for the redundancy of the drains. If I match return flow to possible drain flow I'm not leaving much room for error.
astiesi
Member
Well in an attempt to fix one problem, I have improved another. I added 2 90 degree elbows to the end of the drain lines just under the water level. This change had the desired effect of reducing the amount of bubbles in the sump but it also quieted the drain lines down quite a bit. Things still aren't silent but they are much improved.
Also, my latest test results (Tuesday night) showed the NH3 level to be 0 and the NO2 level to be 0.25. I am hoping that by this weekend both levels will read 0 and I'll be able to start moving livestock over. I'll provide a picture update tonight.
Also, my latest test results (Tuesday night) showed the NH3 level to be 0 and the NO2 level to be 0.25. I am hoping that by this weekend both levels will read 0 and I'll be able to start moving livestock over. I'll provide a picture update tonight.
astiesi
Member
Well, the cycle is complete and as of Wednesday the plan was for a water change on Saturday and then it was going to be time to transfer the livestock. However, I found a "shocking" problem Wednesday night (yeah, yeah...couldn't resist). Basically, the used Mag 9.5 is leaking voltage into the tank. I measured about 40V with the pump turned on, 0 with all other equipment. After looking locally and getting $140+ quotes for a new pump, I ordered online and won't get the new return pump till next week.
So, everything is on hold this weekend. I'm still having the microbubble problem...I'm actually hoping that a new return pump will make a difference since I have tried just about everything else to eliminate the problem.
I did finish building a couple screen tops for the tank as well as changed out the power outlet with a quality GFCI outlet. The NEP fixture also came in and is sitting on top of the tank...I'm impressed so far but I'll reserve any recommendations until after I see the effect it has on my coral. I'll take some update pictures this weekend and post them.
So, everything is on hold this weekend. I'm still having the microbubble problem...I'm actually hoping that a new return pump will make a difference since I have tried just about everything else to eliminate the problem.
I did finish building a couple screen tops for the tank as well as changed out the power outlet with a quality GFCI outlet. The NEP fixture also came in and is sitting on top of the tank...I'm impressed so far but I'll reserve any recommendations until after I see the effect it has on my coral. I'll take some update pictures this weekend and post them.
I wonder if the Mag 9.5 is TOO much? I know if I turn my Mag18 all the way on HIGH it (somehow) causes bubbles in the display even though the water level is 12" above the pump. I can only assume that the water movement is so strong that it's pulling the bubbles under/over BOTH bubble traps instead of allowing the water to "Dwell" long enough for them to settle out. Just a guess...