Chuck's 150 Gallon Reef Project

[phlounder]

Oh. Well, in that case, when you do get it out maybe put a union down on the bottom side of the pipe - if it will fit. You might not have enough room for a union that size though. Or, just leave it set up like it is and when you rebuild it, just dry fit the pieces together and not glue them. That way, you could disassemble the top part of the Durso and just unscrew the pipe to get it out.

[ChuckG]

I was going to dry fit just a coupling once I get it out. At least till I have the whole system up an running and I know for sure what height I need the durso to be. But I actually might have enough room to put a union in there.

Time to stop talking about it and actually get something done.

Will update later on today.

[phlounder]

Originally Posted by ChuckG

I was going to dry fit just a coupling once I get it out. At least till I have the whole system up an running and I know for sure what height I need the durso to be. But I actually might have enough room to put a union in there.

Time to stop talking about it and actually get something done.

Will update later on today.

Yeah, I am working on my nano today. Pirate's Reef is going skimmerless.

[ChuckG]

Originally Posted by phlounder

Yeah, I am working on my nano today. Pirate's Reef is going skimmerless.

Why?


Cut the fluidized bed out of the system and plugged it off with another ball valve. I'll worry about plumbing that to a ready made reactor later.

Got the durso cut out without a problem. Only nicked the glass wall of the overflow once because I was being careless.

Of course I don't have a 1.5" union so it looks like it's time to make my daily trip to HD.

[phlounder]

[quote=ChuckG;802576]Why?
Going to step up water changes instead and increase the size of the refugium. I must come to the realization that the tank is probably not doing as well as it could because I believe it is actually overskimmed. Duh! Not that it is that big of a surprise. I am just going to try it this way to see how it goes. The skimmer won't be far away, should things start going down hill. I can always put it back.

[ChuckG]

I'm actually kind of hoping that my attempt at the zonal approach will render my skimmer useless in this new system. We shall see.

Good luck.

[ChuckG]

On the way home from HD I saw a yard sale with two rubbermaid tubs just sitting out there calling my name. I new they would be perfect for pulling my LR out of the frag tank and having it close by when I aquascape the new tank.



Total Cost: $3.00

It's off to the curing room for you two.

[ChuckG]

I was able to cut the Durso down and lower it using a union. I now have about a 1" drop into the overflow box. Good to go on this one.

After several hours I noticed one drop of water from one of the bulkheads in the sump so it looks like I've got to fix that one as well. The other two bulkeads leaked a bit as well and I ended up having to use two rubber washers. One inside and one outside, with a bit of silicone. I think the holes that I cut were slightly too big for the bulkeads.

I threw together a quick thermometer holder out of some scrap acrylic.



And I've been experimenting with the noise level from the water returning to the sump. I tried a straight pipe that went well under the water level with holes cut in it. I tried a T at the water level leaving half open to air. I tried just a straight pipe that barely went under the water level. I tried no pipe at all. I don't like the noise level from any of them. Of course, right now the entire sump area is open and I'm sure that the cabinetry will reduce the noise level as well but I still think it can get quieter than I have it. Next I will try an eggrcrate shelf that I can set some kind of pad on and see if that will disperse the water into the sump quieter.

Any other ideas?

[ChuckG]

I tried the eggcrate in the sump. Still not quiet. I'm beginning to believe I'll just have to adjust to it. Actually, it's still quieter than the previous system that was running so I guess I shouldn't complain.

I just HAD to get an idea of how this was going to look so I tossed a set of PC lights on it. This is only 4 x 65 watt bulbs.





And a surface shot showing movement from the OM 4-way.

[RonnieM]

Looking good chuck. Is the OM 4 way moisy when it switches? I think my next tank I will give the OM a try.