View Full Version : Reefsteve's New 4x2x2
Hi all
Thought I would start a thread showing my new setup step by step as I go. I'll warn you now though that this is not going to be a quick setup so don't expect piccies too often ;)
Tank is currently in the shed and was bought of a fellow member about 6 weeks ago. I will be doing various bits and pieces to it as and when time and cash allow and not necessarily in a logical order :D .
Tank - 48x24x24 (100g) in 10mm glass with 2 x 40mm holes drilled in rear
Sump - 40x20x18 (50g) with several partitions and input strainer section
Cabinet - Custom built, all I will need to do is re-clad it in ply to match current furniture
I plan to run the tank as mostly SPS with no sand, just a rubble zone (I know this will limit some of my stocking options but I'm not too worried about this) and also keep the sump BB to allow easier syphoning of detrious etc. I am planning on keeping a small fuge in the sump to house some live sand and macro algae but this will be a small plastic tank with holes drilled in it supported on legs to keep it off the bottom and in the water flow.
Most of the base rock will be DIY live rock to be seeded with actual live rock.
Lighting will be a mixture of T5's for actinic and 2 x 250w halides.
Not fully decided on skimmer yet but probably either MCE600 or Deletc APF600
I will be running carbon and ROWAPhos in a fluidiser
Tank squeezed into the shed
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Rear%20of%20Tank.JPG
First step was to remove the old bulkheads and black paint
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Black%20backing%20Removed.jpg
Here is the basic closed loop layout that I plan to implement
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Closed%20Loops.jpg
Loop 1 - This will provide flow from the front of the tank from 3 nozzles
Loop 2 - 5 nozzles across the rear base of the tank to clean base of tank
Loop 3 - 2 nozzles to provide flow from the rear that sits on top of Loop 2
Loops 2 & 3 will run off the same pump, I plan to Tee off above the pump and fit gate valves to each side, this way I hope to be able to adjust the flow going to each loop. Most of the flow will go to Loop 3 for circulation but occassionally I will divert more flow to Loop 2 to push detrius etc up into suspension and hopefully over into the sump where it will be easier to syphon out.
Thats about it so far, next job will probably be overflow pipework and putting in the weir (this will be almost tank length) along with a 'B&Q Pool Blue' paint job on the back.
Thanks for looking...comments welcome
looking good so far steve.
im gonna have to see the progression in the flesh soon.
what size pumps are you using planning on using for the loops? and when do you plan to make the rock?
Thanks Trev
Regarding the loops, probably pumps with same sort of output like Aquabee 3000's but it is really going to depend on what I can get hold of probably on Ebay cheap etc as I'm not too up on pump performances through pipework etc for different pumps...Si G's looked good through the same pipework on Aquabee 3000's
Hopefully gonna play with the rock in the next few weeks, obviously the Portland cement is no problems, B&Q for a few quid but not sure about Crushed Oyster shell...some sort of animal feed outlet I suppose...anywhere you know of out your way?
Cheers
Steve
yeah ive got loadsa farm shops near me so oyster shell ain't a problem. in blandford could try batchelors on the estate at top of town. or out of town theres Scatts farm supplies. could also try Mole Valley but there ain't one near me.
don't want to pay much more that 6quid per bag (25kg). [if you have probs gettin any give me a shout.]
locally to you you could try southern aquatics, or pets at home on the PC worlds estate, behind B&Q.
try some snow crete too, looks quite nice, a mix of snow and ordinary may look quite nice, better than whiter than white or dull grey.
hth
ps: any idea how SA marine section is?
Hi Mate,
Looks good. I second the snowcrete option. It has a much lower alkaline content. Took me a couple of goes to get the right consistency. But it had cured in a couple of weeks. Left it in a bucket under my leaking garden tap!
Peter
Maybe I will go 50/50 Snowcrete and portland regular then :thumbsup:
Cheers
Guys
Finished off the overflow pipework last night, it just needs to be supported with some pipe clips and the final runs into the sump compartment to be cut (I'm leaving these at the moment as I am not sure how much higher the tank will sit on the stand at the moment due to polysterene base etc so lengths could change slightly)
It is constructed witht the B&Q Marley 32mm push fit. I would have prefered to of used the 40mm but the tank already had 40mm holes drilled in it.
The bulkheads fit the holes fairly snuggly as it is so hopefully will require minimal silicone to keep them drip free.
Also bought some water base gloss paint for the rear panel...'B&Q Colours Sky Blue', it's a touch lighter than 'Pool Blue' so I will see how it looks.
Some of the fittings used...most only about 60p each and even the bulkheads were only £1.30 each :thumbsup:
The plug caps are there so I will be able to test the bulkhead seals and weir seals without all the other pipework.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/32mm%20Marley%20Pipework%20Fittings.JPG
The basic pipework in place, you can also see the rough position of the closed loops in the tank
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Overflow%20Pipework%201.jpg http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Overflow%20pipework%202.JPG
Cheers
Steve
I created a mock up weir from cardboard so that I could get an idea how the new weir will look and make sure I had access to bulkheads under the brace bars etc once it was in place.
Next step is to get the local glass company to cut the 3 pieces required in 6mm glass I guess!
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Mock%20Up%20Weir%201.JPG http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Mock%20Up%20Weir%202.JPG
Also manged to source some crushed Oyster shell for the DIY Live Rock, maybe a little over priced compared to buying bulk but will give me something to experiment with. It was £1.32 for 3kg.
Cheers
Steve
looking good there, steve.
yeah shell may be a little pricey, but atleast it gives you the chance to start making some trial rocks.
tanks comming on i see, hope to see water in it in a week or 2 then.
Originally posted by trev@May 16 2005, 09:27
looking good there, steve.
yeah shell may be a little pricey, but atleast it gives you the chance to start making some trial rocks.
tanks comming on i see, hope to see water in it in a week or 2 then.
Cheers Trev
Need to source a half decent return pump next so I can at least test all the pipework...probably an Eheim 1060/1260, OR 3500 or might look at a cheap NewJet 3000...I am not going to be pushing much flow through the overflow so think an OR 6500 etc would be too much for drains to handle!
I can't test it in the shed either as I don't think the floor will take the weight of 130g :unsure:
Still got to get some other bills paid off before really going for it, just trying to get some of the little bits and pieces sorted in the meantime!
Cheers
Steve
PM sent/replied too. but forgot to put that you can borrow my NJ for a while if you need to to trial it
steve just wondered with a weir shaped like that have you throught about growing mangroves in it?
anymore updates yet ReefSteve
Got the glass cut for the weir and will hopefull be siliconing that together tonight and then siliconing it in place in a couple of days.
Also received my Ehiem 1060 return pump today so will hopefully be able to at least test the pipe work soon. :dance:
I will be linking this to the closed loops as well to test the output flows although I will probably end up using different pumps for the loops...I'll wait and see how it goes.
Next steps are:
1) Build and test seal on weir/bulkheads
2) Test closed loops
3) Setup sump return pipework
Cheers
Steve
Steve looks really good. If you need any help let me know.. How are you going to plumb in the return also don't forget the syphon break. Thats a nice idea for a weir shouldn't take up too much space although are you going to cover the inlet manifolds snails seem to like these areas for some reason of other. Speak soon.. oh replied to PM!
Nic
Siliconed the weir pieces together last night and was pleased with how it came out for a first attempt with the sticky stuff.
Also took delivery of my second hand Eheim 1060 which fits nicely in the end section of the sump.
Initial testing in a bucket produced a nice fountain of water. I could have maybe looked for something more powerful as a return but I don't want to push the 2 x 32mm overflows too hard....lovely and quiet too :thumbsup:
This is the weir being prepared and built
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Weir%20Materials.jpg http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Weir%20Siliconed.jpg
The Eheim 1060 return pump
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/Eheim%201060.jpg
Hopefully going to silicone the weir in place this weekend, probably going to rest the tank on it's front glass and put the weir in like that so I won't have to prop it up and keep it level while it cures (48hrs)
Cheers
Steve
i would rest it on the back glass and use some masking tape to hold it in place. provided its not too top heavy it should stay in place. need any help im a PM away
glad to see its all taking shape :thumbsup:
Originally posted by trev@May 26 2005, 10:39
i would rest it on the back glass and use some masking tape to hold it in place. provided its not too top heavy it should stay in place. need any help im a PM away
glad to see its all taking shape :thumbsup:
Your right Trev...I mean't back glass :blush: I've been looking at it for so long in the shed with the back facing me that I have started calling it the front :blink: :wacko:
Having the drains on the front would be a novel idea :lol: :whistling:
Cheers
Steve
lol, easy mistake to make :D
Originally posted by trev@May 26 2005, 13:23
lol, easy mistake to make :D
I'll need to slap some of that 'Pool Blue' paint on the back so I remember what side I'm looking at...then again there are two big 40mm holes in it :lol:
Having it on it's back will also give me the chance to give it a really good clean out more easily....time to get that hose pipe in there!!!
mclaren6969
29-05-05, 10:16
lookin good
hey steve, you got the weir on it this wkend then?
hope to see it with water in soon!!! :D
Trev
Nah, spent the time scraping old silicone off the front glass where it had been used to attach some would strip to conceal water line I guess. Can also confirm that silicone remover doesn't work very well <_< :angry:
Did get the new Eheim 1060 wet and connected it up to my 3 closed loops to test the outlet configuration. It went well with only some minor adjustments to be made on the loop with 5 outlets :whistling:
Although the flow wasn't that powerful it will be perfect for the sump return...absolutely silent as well :dance:
The weir will go in when I get 'Narthur' to pop over and help me turn it onto it's back so I can finally wash out all the old sand and have it in a position to silicone the weir. Cheers for the help shifting it out of the shed on Friday Nic :cheers:
Cheers
Steve
ahh well atleast its taking shape. should have given me a ring i was about over the weekend, doing the usual shops, lol.
ive never used silicone remover myself, but prefer to use a sharp stanley knife blade just as effective. IMO
Plans could now be evolving to site this in the corner of the lounge behind a false wall :dance: but we will see...certainly make more space for kit and sump underneath.
Tinkering with some of the supplemental lighting last night. Obtained some old 39w/34" T5 tubes last night (Steve & Helen :cheers: ) and was able to test the Deltec Twin T5 unit I got a while back (Nic :cheers: ) after breaking one of the bulbs that came with it in transit
Probably going to use it as sump/fuge lighting or stick it above tank with pure actinic tubes.
Will be on the look out for some 250w halides soon!
Cheers
Steve
so when you have closed loops where does the pump go, and how do you conect it if its not in the tank
Originally posted by pipatic@Jun 6 2005, 10:15
so when you have closed loops where does the pump go, and how do you conect it if its not in the tank
You can put the pumps where you want, mine will probably go under the tank in the cabinet. The picture of the Eheim doesn't show it, but there is a hosetail attachment that screws into the inlet of the pump so you can connect soft tubing to it.
My loops are all going to be plumbed in with hard pipe but will connect to the pump via a short length of soft tubing. This also has the benefit of reducing the vibration from the pump being tansmitted up the hard pipework, which can make them rattle :thumbsup:
Cheers
Steve
right with ya ,cheers steve
vBulletin® v3.8.7, Copyright ©2000-2012, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.