Deltec finally arrived

[kenneth_halley]

Well after waiting about 8 weeks the Deltec is finally here.
Had a bit of a muck around with the couriers but it got here in one piece.
Its in my garage just now as I wanted to check it all out before I took it indoors- as it arrived about 4 weeks ahead of schedule I don't have my lights here yet- so want to hang them first.
You can see some detail on my new tank here and read about the problems I have had too- better to soak the garage floor than the livingroom floor . http://www.halleynet.demon.co.uk/deltec.htm
The eco cooler is going to need some modification too if its to get into the livingroom- it doesn't half fling out some water at the back.
I still have to work out how I am going to build my sand bed up with rocks on top- should I just plock in the sand and rocks on top or use some support for the rocks- any advice greatfully received http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif : Especially on what quantities I should get- was going to get a mixture of Aragamax and Aragamud Tank is 1500mmx500mmx600mm

[Privman]

Hi Ken,

Nice looking tank, I saw one in Clearwater Aquatics a couple of weeks ago and they really do look the mutts nuts.

Not too impressed with those problems you had with it though. It's a serious wedge you've paid out, and to have water leaking out of a faulty joint and the cooler is not a good sign of quality control doing it's job http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

Good luck with the rest of it though, can't wait to see pics when the project is finished.

Mark.

[kim]

If you are planning a "deepish" sand bed (even a DSB) then don't just pile the rocks on top. *Some critter will do a bit of mining and.......TIMBEEEEEEEER..........that nice new Deltec will have a scratch.

I think others support the rock independently from the sand even when it is just a sprinkling to avoid dead spots.

When buying a tank from Deltec do you have to buy all the "Deltec" kit or can you pick and mix ?? *I like the look of the tanks but don't want all the accessories to begin with - just a very basic layout. So no calc reactor, no red BMW.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Looks great. *Enjoy !

kim



Last edited by kim at Aug. 17 2002,22:43

[kenneth_halley]

You can just get a cabinet or a tank or both if you like I beleive. I wanted the Deltec for the looks as much as anything- I am a crap cabinet maker and if I was going to have another tank the wife insisted it looked smart in the living room. Once I had decided on this route I looked at getting just the basics and adding the rest later- theres no doubt you could do it cheaper this way however I decided to get the whole lot from the start and save my self the hassle of plumbing and stuff- cos I hate that sort of thing. A it turns out I will need to sort out the leaky joint which is a bummer- got well wet faffing round with that lot today - but at least its in the garage http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif
I have to say despite the niggles I am well pleased witht he finish its superb, and apart from the slight splishy sound from the cooler- its almost silent with the pumps running. http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[simonh]

Looks nice. *That sump certainley is packed!

Sorry to hear about the problems you experienced. *Deltec use the Tangit PVC glue I beleive. *Your dealer should be able to get some from them or RS components etc... although it really shouldn't have leaks like that http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif I don't have the Eco-cooler, but does rotating the bars to spray more downwards stop the problem with water out of the back ?



Last edited by simonh at Aug. 17 2002,23:33

[tuan]

Hi Kenneth,
Tank looks impressive!
Would you mind post the full spec of the tank, ie. what style, size, thickness of glass etc...
Also was it an 'off the shelf' size or custom made to measure? I'm interested on how long it takes to get it built & delivered.

ps. with the cooler, is it a case of the spinning arm inside going around too fast to spray water out? is it possible to reduce the flow so slow down the spining spray bars.

also, with the leaky joints, are you sure you can apply the solvent weld to fix it? surely if you try to use more solvent only the outside edge would get glued. Howabout using sealant (force some through the gaps too) around the outside of the joint?

[kenneth_halley]

Thanks for the ideas- never considered rotating the bars of the sprinkler- did not realise they turned- I'll go look. I run the tank all last night and founds a fine mist of water over the garage floor where the cooler vents. You can reduce the flow through it by opening a bypass valve- butthis has the effect of increasing the nise level from a whisper to permanently flushing toilet- in varying degrees.
If I was to run it this way- which was my initial idea- did not intend to run a cooler fulltime- don't think I'd need it all year round- I'd have to do something about here the water returns to the sump, as its just above the main return outlet- so will miss the caulerpa bed, and also would have to look at dapening the way the water returns- there is a lot of force there.

Re tank spec- its on my website but briefly
Custom made tank/stand- Trendline panorama in BMW Blue Grey metallic- colour 372

Size 150 x 50 x 60 (cms)
Eco cooler and bypass
One External HLP4745 main pump
Two HLP5250 closed loop pumps
The loop and cooler thermo will be IKS controlled- not arrived yet.
Reef flush bar
TS1250 Turbo skimmer (was to be 1060 but wouldn't fit)
PF500 Calcium reactor
KW Mixer KM500
Top up reservoir and valve
A couple of Plug bars

Tank is I think 12mm- it f$$king heavy!
http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif
Black silicon, and polished edges- very smart.

Have lashed up a temporary baffle to the cooler and wil see how it goes for the next few hours- I am away again for the rest of this week on a course so need to finalise myt ests before I head off!.
Thanks for the ideas. Simon How much sand did you need for your tank- yours is a bit bigger eh? How have you done your sump bed?

[simonh]

With the sand I moved and what I bought I estimate 15 bags or so of Aragamax. *However, it is not all >4" and near the front glass it is only 1-2", at the back and under the rocks it is 4". *I haven't got any sand in the sump. *Actually, my sump is pretty much empty at the moment while I decide exactly what to put in the calurpa bed area.... *It doesn't look like you have any room to put anything in the sump!



Last edited by simonh at Aug. 18 2002,11:42

[kenneth_halley]

Actually there is a reasonable bit space in the sump between the cooler and the return weir/skimmer- its 17"x14". I intend to fit a small flouro tube over it and run it at night with the a little sand in and grow algae- eventually!

The cooler takes up a lot of head roomin the sump area, thought he actual water area is pretty well the full length of the base minus a space at one end for the top up, and t'other for the circulation pump- so its about 48" long total. I dare say I could have a "dark area" in the sump too- never considered it - hmm
http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Now its all ticking over- I have a few mods I will need to make I think before moving it into the house- I have to say i don't envy you having to put yours straight in- a bit of a leap of faith!
http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
I want to split the return inlets for the circulation pumps to soften the flow and allow a little more directional output- its quite fierce the way it is- like a tidal wave running down the tank- having said that-they will be run from an IKS- I just have them on flat out right now!. I always thought I'd do this but wanted to see what came out the box! It does not help that its not lying on the exact level either in the garage- so the water is a little higher at the bottom end.
I have rigged up a baffle for the cooler- seems to be working well- no splashes now- I will silicon this in later- and also I want to put a couple of wee bits of PVC strip along the back edges of the stand so any water drips that do get in, can't run out the back onto the floor. It makes me much happier to have had the opportunity to try all this in the garage!
Finally I will need t lift the spray bar for the reef flush a few inches ottherwise it will lie below my sand level again thats a five minute adjustment- thought this would happen

Simon- you didn't support your rocks on anything did you? I am still torn on this subject! http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif

[simonh]

To be honest when the day came I never really thought of testing it first! *I think on the day the excitement took hold and that's why it just got wheeled straight in http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Do you have the 'bird-beak' things on the returns? *I removed these and it gives a much softer flow. *About the only other modification I did on the closed loop is the return right next to the sump return is add a second bend which can be angled up/down, this is then directed lower down towards my rock work. *I didn't get the reef flush system fitted.

My rocks sit direct on the sand. *I did put a few bits of tufa rock burried in the sand and just solidify the area where the rock contact points sit. *In this was it is nice and discreet without seeing PVC pipes or similar supporting rock.

I notice yours has the Panorama style stand whereas mine I specified the reactangular with overhang. *Is the only option on the 60cm wide models the Panorama stand to give enough room for all the sump items or was it a personal choice?



Last edited by simonh at Aug. 18 2002,13:33

[kenneth_halley]

I have to own up here- I thought I was getting the squarer base but looking at the original quote they called it a panorama- so should have clicked that the angle would continue down to the base.I thought it was going to be a square base- I noticed this when it arrived- I don't think I have seen a base like mine before! However it looks fine! Wife likes it anyway!

The bird beak things are in there- I was gonna take them off- I have the same idea as you- I want to angle the outlet up/down so it improves the flow at lower levels- I only need a few bits to achieve this so can sort all this out easy

[reefer]

nice tank m8!

but id be seriously peeed off after spending all that dosh that it had a leak onit..to the point id insist they came round asap and sorted it out FOC

looks good tho http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blush.gif

[simonh]

I think Martin Freeman and Suk both got the panorama base like yours. Both their tanks were 60cm wide so maybe it isn't possible to do the rectangular with that width as the stuff won't fit in the sump?

[LEEWINK]

you little beauty ! , make sure we get plenty of piccies throughout setup, i wont ask the cost, looks beautiful again, cheers, lee http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.ultimatereef.net/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Glenn'n'Emm]

Well the dogs danlgies appears in your photos, setting up can be quiet a task with loads of questions and so many duifferent opinions.

With respect to the rock and whether to mount it on something I have just started to put my system together and had the same questions.

I am proposing to build an arch from live rock, maybe not to everyones tatse but Emma and I like the idea. Anyway whatever desing for your rock you choose it would be a shame if it fell over or created a pressure point on the tank somewhere causing it too crack.

I reckon that unless you are sure that the sand upon whihc you sit your rock is never going to move it is wise to put it on something. I have built a framework from 3" pipework which is solvent weled together plus stuck to the tankwith aquarium sealant. The rock will be drilled and held in place with cable ties and the underwater putty stuff.

Where the base rock is over the base of the tank i will use some undergravel filter framework to keep it of the glass.

I have some pictures of the framwork an tank just after I put it together if you want to look. Not very exciting pics but I plan on adding more, prob today as I filled it with water yesterday.

http://community.webshots.com/user/ejc87

[jss]

Kenneth,
I take it you bought your deltec from UDA --the guys there were telling me they has sold one or two systems and I was wondering who it might be --
my heart is aching for one but I cant see it happening for some time --

ENJOY ENJOY ENJOY

John