Coral reefer
Past President
But you will. Patience is a virtue and will be rewarded in time with your best tank to date! I know you know, just a little positive reinforcement
Rygh's 250 gallon upgrade
- Thread starter rygh
- Start date
rygh
Guest
Nice to have the support.
Regarding ATS: I have been running a turf scrubber in my current 75 gallon tank for over a year.
Mixed results, meaning zero measurable nitrates and phosphates, but still hair and bubble algae issues.
I know what I did wrong though. Horizontal scrubbers are not as efficient because algae cannot grow in 3 dimensions easily.
New ones will be vertical. I am looking forward to see how those work as well.
Regarding ATS: I have been running a turf scrubber in my current 75 gallon tank for over a year.
Mixed results, meaning zero measurable nitrates and phosphates, but still hair and bubble algae issues.
I know what I did wrong though. Horizontal scrubbers are not as efficient because algae cannot grow in 3 dimensions easily.
New ones will be vertical. I am looking forward to see how those work as well.
xcaret
Guest
I frequent a web forum based in Mexico and Turf Scrubbers are a must; people swear by them. Are very popular due to economics playing a big part there; not everyone has big bucks to pay for equipment that has to be shipped from the USA; not to mention companies there inflate the price plus shipping cost is expensive.
Ian posted something like "Upgrade" and the word "Soon" but soon this hobby means take your time and plan well I guess.
Took me two years to go from 46 to 90 and Jim (gimmito) needs to place a banner outside his place "Grand Opening Soon" and a cool neon sign "Aquarium"
Ian posted something like "Upgrade" and the word "Soon" but soon this hobby means take your time and plan well I guess.
Took me two years to go from 46 to 90 and Jim (gimmito) needs to place a banner outside his place "Grand Opening Soon" and a cool neon sign "Aquarium"
rygh
Guest
Decent progress today. Mostly....
Last I will see of this wall for a long time!
Note the extra insulation on tank, and plastic on wall to protect against moisture.
Also, you can see the holes where all the pipes go to the garage.
From Aquarium_Release
Six of the 8 returns. These are the low pressure gravity fed ones, from turf scrubbers. (300 gph each)
There will be 2 more pressure ones, with flow accelerators. But not done yet.
From Aquarium_Release
Measure once, cut twice. Add pipe, cut again, measure again, cut again. ARGH
Bit of a screwup. Nothing a bit of extra pipe can't fix. But of course, ran out of couplers.
This shows one of the main drains, and 3 of the returns. Spacing will be even, once connected. See oops above.
From Aquarium_Release
Here is the new overflow screen. Need a bit more paint, but otherwise done.
Pretty happy. Basically, there is a flat overflow, 6" x 6".
The screen (simple PVC gutter screen) comes out at 45 degrees, from about 1" below the overflow.
So lots of flow, nice flat overflow, with a pretty good screen to keep the critters out.
Also, the screen pops out for easy cleaning.
From Aquarium_Release
Last I will see of this wall for a long time!
Note the extra insulation on tank, and plastic on wall to protect against moisture.
Also, you can see the holes where all the pipes go to the garage.
From Aquarium_Release
Six of the 8 returns. These are the low pressure gravity fed ones, from turf scrubbers. (300 gph each)
There will be 2 more pressure ones, with flow accelerators. But not done yet.
From Aquarium_Release
Measure once, cut twice. Add pipe, cut again, measure again, cut again. ARGH
Bit of a screwup. Nothing a bit of extra pipe can't fix. But of course, ran out of couplers.
This shows one of the main drains, and 3 of the returns. Spacing will be even, once connected. See oops above.
From Aquarium_Release
Here is the new overflow screen. Need a bit more paint, but otherwise done.
Pretty happy. Basically, there is a flat overflow, 6" x 6".
The screen (simple PVC gutter screen) comes out at 45 degrees, from about 1" below the overflow.
So lots of flow, nice flat overflow, with a pretty good screen to keep the critters out.
Also, the screen pops out for easy cleaning.
From Aquarium_Release
rygh
Guest
Interior plumbing done!!!
Doing the Tequila-Happy-Dance!
arty:
(And if you have to ask, you can't handle it)
Basically, the plumbing inside the house is about 99% done. I still have to order flow accelerators, but all pipes are done.
The garage (fish room) is a different story. Pretty much a bunch of pipes sticking out of the wall.
Plumbing details, from left to right:
1) Overflow #1. 6" x 6" overflow, gravity fed, through 1.5" pipe. 500 GPH.
2) Intake for Turf Scrubber #1, suction fed, through 1.25" pipe. 1000 GPH.
3) Return from Scrubber #2, gravity fed, through 1.5" pipe, split to 3 x 1" open returns. 1000 GPH.
4) Return from sump, pressure fed, through 1.25" pipe, split to 2 x 1" pipe, to 2 x 3/4" flow accelerators. 1000 GPH.
5) Return from Scrubber #1, gravity fed, through 1.5" pipe, split to 3 x 1" open returns. 1000 GPH.
6) Intake for Turf Scrubber #2, suction fed, through 1.25" pipe. 1000 GPH.
7) Overflow #2. 6" x 6" overflow, gravity fed, through 1.5" pipe. 500 GPH.
That was a lot of pipe. Glad PVC is cheap.
Doing the Tequila-Happy-Dance!
arty:(And if you have to ask, you can't handle it)
Basically, the plumbing inside the house is about 99% done. I still have to order flow accelerators, but all pipes are done.
The garage (fish room) is a different story. Pretty much a bunch of pipes sticking out of the wall.
Plumbing details, from left to right:
1) Overflow #1. 6" x 6" overflow, gravity fed, through 1.5" pipe. 500 GPH.
2) Intake for Turf Scrubber #1, suction fed, through 1.25" pipe. 1000 GPH.
3) Return from Scrubber #2, gravity fed, through 1.5" pipe, split to 3 x 1" open returns. 1000 GPH.
4) Return from sump, pressure fed, through 1.25" pipe, split to 2 x 1" pipe, to 2 x 3/4" flow accelerators. 1000 GPH.
5) Return from Scrubber #1, gravity fed, through 1.5" pipe, split to 3 x 1" open returns. 1000 GPH.
6) Intake for Turf Scrubber #2, suction fed, through 1.25" pipe. 1000 GPH.
7) Overflow #2. 6" x 6" overflow, gravity fed, through 1.5" pipe. 500 GPH.
That was a lot of pipe. Glad PVC is cheap.
rygh
Guest
Any recommendations??xcaret said:
The only pressure return is from a quiet one 4000, so about 1000 GPH (at low head), split into two.
I was going to get two 3/4" versions of these:
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=19714
But I have not really spent much time on checking yet.
xcaret
Guest
I have these, 1" MTP
I'm not familiar with flow accelerators, wanted to try them on the 70G tank but did not happen, kind of wanted to use the Omniflex returns from Oceans Motions but some of them come apart; ended installing Lockline 3/4 on that dry tank.
My brother had the ones you linked to but don't know what happened to them and if he liked those; probably they are buried in the basement.
I'm not familiar with flow accelerators, wanted to try them on the 70G tank but did not happen, kind of wanted to use the Omniflex returns from Oceans Motions but some of them come apart; ended installing Lockline 3/4 on that dry tank.
My brother had the ones you linked to but don't know what happened to them and if he liked those; probably they are buried in the basement.
rygh
Guest
I am attempting a technical discussion after a bit too much celebrating, but here goes:
What you show has a wide flare, which means that the inner flow does not mix as well with the
outer (inducted) flow. Nothing really wrong with that, other than you get a thinner higher speed result.
(Yes, a bit counter-intuitive, getting a thinner higher speed flow with wider nozzle)
I am looking more for a lower speed, wider flow, so probably stick with a thinner nozzle.
That said, there is a serious lack of specs on these things. So a bit hit-or-miss.
There is a real chance I will skip it, and simply have a 90-deg elbow return.
Often, minimizing the restriction on the pump is simply the best thing to do.
What you show has a wide flare, which means that the inner flow does not mix as well with the
outer (inducted) flow. Nothing really wrong with that, other than you get a thinner higher speed result.
(Yes, a bit counter-intuitive, getting a thinner higher speed flow with wider nozzle)
I am looking more for a lower speed, wider flow, so probably stick with a thinner nozzle.
That said, there is a serious lack of specs on these things. So a bit hit-or-miss.
There is a real chance I will skip it, and simply have a 90-deg elbow return.
Often, minimizing the restriction on the pump is simply the best thing to do.
rygh
Guest
Ventilation system nearing completion!
Just a small missing segment and a plate on the bottom of the fan.
Here is the top vent inside. This takes in the hot air from the lights, through a 4" duct in the wall.
From Aquarium_Release
Here is the tank vent inside. This will be connected to the top of the tank, such that it pulls moist air
out. So tank will essentially be slightly negative pressure, with low flow from left to right across top of tank.
This should keep all humidity out of living room, and decrease salt creep and other issues.
Concern with mold and rust in the ducting though, so need to check that.
From Aquarium_Release
Here are those two ducts going down inside the wall. That was a pain!
Those 2 4" ducts get combined in a box to a 6" duct.
Here is the 6" duct coming out of the wall into the garage.
Note the special firestop section, that automatically closes in case of fire.
From Aquarium_Release
Here is the fan. I will connect above duct to a plate on the bottom of the fan.
From Aquarium_Release
And of course, fan going across roof of garage, out through new hole in the house!
Never easy - where I wanted to go, I had an electrical line, and a PVC pipe that is the drain
from the air conditioner. Of all the gaps between studs to pick...
tjLnGvZ5g75Y5vMj7izQyufM?feat=embedwebsite">
From Aquarium_Release
And finally the outside. Bit of a pain to cut a 6" hole in stucco+plywood.
Just a small missing segment and a plate on the bottom of the fan.
Here is the top vent inside. This takes in the hot air from the lights, through a 4" duct in the wall.
From Aquarium_Release
Here is the tank vent inside. This will be connected to the top of the tank, such that it pulls moist air
out. So tank will essentially be slightly negative pressure, with low flow from left to right across top of tank.
This should keep all humidity out of living room, and decrease salt creep and other issues.
Concern with mold and rust in the ducting though, so need to check that.
From Aquarium_Release
Here are those two ducts going down inside the wall. That was a pain!
Those 2 4" ducts get combined in a box to a 6" duct.
Here is the 6" duct coming out of the wall into the garage.
Note the special firestop section, that automatically closes in case of fire.
From Aquarium_Release
Here is the fan. I will connect above duct to a plate on the bottom of the fan.
From Aquarium_Release
And of course, fan going across roof of garage, out through new hole in the house!
Never easy - where I wanted to go, I had an electrical line, and a PVC pipe that is the drain
from the air conditioner. Of all the gaps between studs to pick...
tjLnGvZ5g75Y5vMj7izQyufM?feat=embedwebsite">
From Aquarium_Release
And finally the outside. Bit of a pain to cut a 6" hole in stucco+plywood.
sfsuphysics
Supporting Member
I'd put a proper collar/clamp on that duct work to your vent pipe, the duct tape really isn't very useful on ducts ironically
rygh
Guest
There are clamps on the other 4" ducts. But no 6" clamps at OSH.sfsuphysics said:I'd put a proper collar/clamp on that duct work to your vent pipe, the duct tape really isn't very useful on ducts ironically
I will probably use sheet metal screws.
With no heat, and quality tape, I would expect the duct tape to hold for quite a while though.
bluevoodoo
Guest
Looks like the build is coming along nicely.
Coral reefer
Past President
The metal/aluminum tape they sell at hardware stores works. GREAT on ducting if you can't find collar
rygh
Guest
Just a note on the duct tape:
Since it is in my signature, I guess I am rather obligated to use copious amounts.
Also a note that I started a separate LED thread for my lighting.
http://www.bareefers.org/home/node/11490
Since it is in my signature, I guess I am rather obligated to use copious amounts.
Also a note that I started a separate LED thread for my lighting.
http://www.bareefers.org/home/node/11490