“Ina’s Reef” Acrylic 150gal(60”x24”x24”) Work in Progress, Guidance Needed. !!!

[Skipper J]

Hi!Krish no problem it's my pleasure.It's a bit on a slow pace though coz this is my first reef set up. I had tanks before but no where near this kind. So I'm groping for every step trying to read here and there.

I found a way to accelerate the process though so now I'm done with it! :lol: :lol: :lol: Stock it with my daughter and nephew :badgrin:
See you around!

Joey

 

[Scooterman]

Looks like Cichlids there, what you feed them

 

[Skipper J]

Hiya Scott! Pizza works perfectly find, noodles in a soup will be a favorite. :lol:

 

[NaH2O]

Yikes! Get some eggcrate on the top of that baby....you're about to lose the livestock! LOL

Love the pics!

 

[Skipper J]

Finally my plumbing has arrived from marine depot.Pretty fast delivery by fedex international.And the excitement of moving on with the project is up again.While waiting for this things to arrive I have tried to make some drawing layouts at the back of my tank to make adjustments from my planned design.Doing this gives you a look at what goes where and what fits on the position originally design. Hmmm..this is it the drilling of a perfectly sealed tank to a point of no return the plumbing holes. I waited for the BH to arrive before I will buy circular saw to get the perfect fit fo the holes as this is my 1st acrylic drilling.I'll also be making a few practice holes to get a feel before doing it in the tank. Tonight I'll layout the parts in the tank take pictures and perhaps if I can control my self do the drilling tomorrow.

I was hoping to hear some suggestion regarding the placement of the returns and things needed to avoid back flow during power failure.So watch for my progress as this is going to be another busy week.

I have also ordered my ro/di from ebay and will probably arrive next week. I'll keep every body posted.

Check out the skimmer thread for this tank as well, I will be making progress on the area too. I just got my self a router now so I'll learn to use it and continue with all the DIY projects. I'm getting hook up with the building aspect so slowly I'm adding tools now and then.

 

[CarlaW]

Hey, I like the progress so far. Once you get started on the plumbing, it's all downhill from there!!
Your tank inhabitants look fairly aggressive, , hope they don't start chewing on your corals!!
As far as power failures, just make sure your sump is big enuf to handle it. Place your returns high enuf in the tank so that they will start sucking air, and that will stop the siphon. HTH

 

[Scooterman]

Looks like your going to make swiss cheeze out of your tank lol, looking like your on your way. Before you drill you may want to shoot Mike a pm & show him your flow design but to me it looks like a plan.

 

[Skipper J]

Hey, I like the progress so far. Once you get started on the plumbing, it's all downhill from there!!

I thought so Charlie just a while back I was checking on the space the BH and the T's will it up much of my back space. I just hope I had the table top made big enough (28"wide) so when I move the tank forward I'll still have an inch to put the base border.

Then when I attached the CL pump I'll have to bore a hole through a hole going to my bathroom. Still a lot of work and chaleenges to face.

Your tank inhabitants look fairly aggressive, , hope they don't start chewing on your corals!!

Now that you remind me!This creature are just to accelerate tanks cycle.They will be gone before any corals will be place there.Otherwise this monsters will destroy my aquascape :lol: :lol: :lol:

As far as power failures, just make sure your sump is big enuf to handle it. Place your returns high enuf in the tank so that they will start sucking air, and that will stop the siphon. HTH

Thanks for the advice!I wonder how high I could put them since I'm still figuring out how to plumb that center T going to the pump.I'm trying to avoid crossing it with another pipe this will eat more space at the back.

That overflow return I'm gonna need a check valve for the piping. A potential hazard right?Since the pump input will be coming from the sump then when it is off it can siphon off water to the sump.Specially the output is located at the the middle of the tank.

This what is slowing me down a bit the things that I need to incorporate to prevent disaster.I'll try reading on other set up threads I might pick up something.

Joey

 

[Kensn]

Looking at your diagram, did you mislabel the inputs and outputs from the cl?

 

[Skipper J]

Ken Hi!Nope!They pertain to the flow going in and out of the tank.A bit confusing sometimes when you read the labeling if the source is not specified.
Joey

 

[CarlaW]

I wouldn't use a check valve, to much can go wrong. They require conctant cleaning to keep them operating at the level they are supposed to.
I would leave as much room as possible behind the tank so you can get at things and work on them. Hopefully, this is possible for you.

 

[Kensn]

The blues are returning water to the tank then, and the reds are suppling the pump?

 

[Skipper J]

Here is a test on the plumbing layout.There are a few things missing that I have not ordered to Marine Depot I'll get them locally. I'm very glad of the decision of sourcing out the fittings from the US well worth it.They are the quality products that a tank deserves.And to think that this is just the cheaper BH how much more for the high quality ones with a more expensive price.

Joey

 

[Skipper J]

Yes Ken!That's the idea!

 

[Kensn]

Very good!! I was mixed up. Looks like you are planning it out very well. I personaly like the construction phase, all the building and tinkering... Ya !!

 

[CarlaW]

Very good!! I was mixed up. Looks like you are planning it out very well. I personaly like the construction phase, all the building and tinkering... Ya !!

PVC= big boys tinker toys :lol: :lol: I really like the set up part too, especially when it is completed. It is like making of piece of art!!

 

[mojoreef]

Go Skipper Go!!!!!!!!!



MIke

 

[Skipper J]

I would leave as much room as possible behind the tank so you can get at things and work on them. Hopefully, this is possible for you.

I only have enough Charlie in fact it looks like I have encroached a lot of space from our dining area that the wife is beginning to notice being cramp up while eating.I just told her she ate to much! :lol: :lol: :lol:
This is one of a few challenges!!

So then are you saying that checkvalve arent really necessary and they are more of a liability in the long run.?I have a 55 gal AGA tank for my sump and this will be full of equipment I'm sure. I need to avoid flooding in the house considering the size of our flat and the volume of water in that tank

Joey

 

[Kensn]

Don't forget some true unions ball valves on each side of the pump for servicing the pump if you have to.

 

[Skipper J]

You said it Mike Go!Thanks!