Chuck's 150 Gallon Reef Project

[ChuckG]

Most folks try to get more sump space. It seems that in my replumb, I'm doing the opposite.

Anyone see anything wrong with running a Deltec skimmer "in sump"?

I'd like to have more floor space in my fish room.
The Deltec as it sits now is going to be in the way of replumbing.
Since it has a habit of leaking slightly, I'd feel safer with it in sump.

[ricosuave]

I think you would benefit by putting the Deltec in-sump. Especially considering your luck with it. With 2 - 29 gal sumps(plus frag tank and fuge) you've got a considerable amount of capacity anyway. Judging by the pics, it looks like floor space is at a premium. Realistically you are only losing a couple of gallons at most by placing the Deltec in the sump. You could always take it out later and replumb....

[ChuckG]

Remember - I'm losing the fuge space. It's the new home for the ETSS skimmer.

[ChuckG]

Todays challenge was the main overflow on the display tank.

BEFORE:



Two more holes cut for the extra pipes.



Unfortunately, I had a problem with two of the bulkheads. I cut the new holes with just a dremel. Actually only took about minute each to cut the holes. However, I couldn't really see what I was doing. One hole was PERFECT. The other hole was too big. The bulkhead didn't seal. I ended up cutting the hole even bigger and putting in a 1.5" bulkhead and then reducing it back down to 1". The original bulkhead in this overflow had to be replaced simply because everything was glued and I had to cut it out. The hole was perfect but the bulkhead wouldn't stop leaking. I changed gaskets and tried a different gasket - still leaking. I ended up just tightening the slightest bit and wiping off the water and then checking it again 10 min or so later and repeated the process until I finally got it to stop leaking but it sure seems like that bulkhead is now on too tight.

I also had to clean out the sump directly underneath the overflow box. I removed a baffle and threw out the sand that I had as a substrate in this sump.

Finally, on in to the evening now, and I get another overflow completed.



And once again - it appears that there is next to no flow in the sump because this thing KICKS ASS.



I think I mentioned earlier that this was going to take some time to adjust correctly. I was actually making a mistake at first. It's VERY easy to adjust and is actually quite forgiving.

I can't believe that more people don't go this route. I would dare to go out on a limb and say this set up is SO GOOD that eventually it will become the industry standard for reef ready tanks. Yes - it's that good.

[ChuckG]

Even without redoing the 3rd overflow, the loudest noise coming from the system is now the humm of a Dart pump. In fact, now that I can hear the humm, it's too noisy. I'm going to have to add that pump to the list of things to look at.

I'm going to miss going to sleep with the sound of a waterfall - NOT!

[ricosuave]

Industry standard??? I think I'll wait for the jury to come back. Only one more to go. You better hurry you only got one day left.

[ChuckG]

Yea and I have other things to do as well. Like make Chuckie's Worlk Famous Marinated Chicken that I should have done yesterday but forgot about.

I'm going to do a quick redirecting of the flow from the 3rd overflow and see how it runs temporarily. I'm out of time to finish this thing up. Right now, it's this 3rd overflow that is dumping close to the return pump. I'll redirect it to the input side of the first sump and see how well the water travels through to the 2nd sump. Adding another pipe between sumps is still on the agenda as well. Plus I need to get the skimmers up and running as well as look at the skimmer on my other tank that isn't producing after doing a recirculation mod on it.

Ah - too much to do - too little time. I need a vacation

[ChuckG]

I've had a bit of a run of bad luck lately.

Today alone:

My cats broke my Skimmer.

Then I continue on to my replumbing of my tank. Todays project was going to be to add another pipe to the two 29 gal tanks that are already connected. Cut down a baffle in another sump so that the ETSS skimmer will be able to run "in sump" and change the where that sump's water enters the other sump (if that makes sense).

I did redirect the water real quick without totally moding the overflow.
Then I went to work on drilling more holes in the two sumps to add an additional pipe for more flow between them. Then my dremel burns up on me and I have to make another trip to Home Depot and buy a new dremel. Then I made a stupid measureing mistake. I measured the pipe length and neglected to account for the bulkheads being different thicknesses.



As you can see. That's not going to work. I run off to Home Depot and it was already closed. I come home and put the McGyver cap on. I actually came up with a great idea.



I added another washer from another bulkhead to be used as a spacer. This was just too darn easy.

Things still didn't tighten up so easy.



It's after 11 PM and yes, that's a crack in one of my sumps.

We are supposed to be heading out for Tampa tomorrow about 6 PM and now I have to find a 29 gal tank and completely replumb the sumps again tomorrow.

Somebody wake me up - the really must be a dream.

[ChuckG]

And if all that isn't bad enough, we are meeting up with Rico and Cuddle tomorrow and I have a gigantic zit on the tip of my nose. I look like Rudolph.

I'm going to bed.......................

[ChuckG]

DECISION TIME:

I really don't have time to play with fixing things right today before we go away for the weekend. Even if I was able to secure a new tank and get it drilled and get baffles in it, etc, the silicone would need to cure for at least 24 hrs. I just don't have that kind of time so a decision needs to be made.

CURRENT STATUS OF TANKS:

Frag tank: Almost empty. Has a littel rock rubble with some shrooms on them as well as one clump of feather dusters.
Plans: Move the remaining frags into the Main Display tank. Keep a power head in the water for circulation.


Sump Under Frag Tank: Just has some filter socks and reef plugs sitting in it.
Plans: Keep a power head in the water for circulation.


Sump-1, Under Main Display: Nothing in it except a little bit of standing water.
Plans: Do nothing with it.


Sump-2, Under Main Display: This has my cryptic rocks and sponges in it and very little water.
Plans: Currently I have a power head in there for circulation but am concerned about the amount of water here.


Main Display: Looks like nothing is in the tank. It really isn't very well stocked yet but everything that is in it is closed up from the night as well.
Plans: It has the OM 4 way going for circulation as well as two Maxi-Jet Mods that I will run continuously. I've aimed one of the mods more towards the surface to get more surface agitation for the time being.


OVERALL PLAN: Leave everything as it sits till I get back from vacation (4 days). Evaporation will cause a salinity rise in the tanks while gone but it will be slow and I will simply lower it slowly once I get back in town. I was also going to be overly concerned while away after just replumbing the whole system. You never know what will go wrong with a new set up. This way, the chance of a flood is zero unless a tank happens to blow out. Most of the living things are in the Main Display and that is where all my live rock (filtration) is, so I think it should be fine for now. Water won't be skimmed during this time period (about a total of one week) but I don't think that will be disasterous.

Anybody have any better ideas or something else that I need to do before I just let the tanks sit?