75G DIY stand sump plumbing buildup PICS!!!!!

[chinaman4u]

I just got a used 75G tank and an Iwaki 40 pump! Over the next several months I am going to build everything I need to support what I hope to be a great minature reef. I hope you enjoy the pictures.
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC02082.JPG

Just so you know about my background. I currently have a mostly unplanned DIY setup with a 45 gal tank. So imagine a tank with many rerouted reglued messy unplanned wiring and plumbing... a nightmare to work on. So my goal is a planned neat looking unit thats easily serviced. Hopefully this upgrade to my new 75G will go well.

[chinaman4u]

From Lowe's i bought a whole bunch of red oak for $100 and cut it up. I have considered a 2x4 stand, but looking at how commercial stands are made, I decided to use 1/4 inch oak laminate doubled up and some neat dovetail joints for added strength.

Cut peices, sanded, dry fitted, doubled and tripled checked all dimensions.
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC02067.JPG

The top and bottom frame with dovetails(my first time doing them!!!) Ofcourse I practiced on some scrap wood.
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC02083.JPG

[chinaman4u]

First I assembled the base frame.
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC02087.JPG

then checked the dimensions on the side supports
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC02088.JPG

I then installed the floor on to the base, then the inner and outer side supports. Its held together with few screws and lots of Gorilla Glue(this glue expands and is very strong), note the top frame in the background.
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC02122.JPG

[chinaman4u]

The completed assembly!!!
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC02124.JPG

Now test fitting of the 75G tank
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC02127.JPG

[chinaman4u]

Finished with Minwax stain and coated several times with polyurethane.
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC02134.JPG

[chinaman4u]

Now the sump! Local glass company cut these pieces for me for $90. All the edges were sanded with fine sandpaper for a smoooth finished, taped together and bonded with Weld On acrylic cement.

Sump measures 24"x15.5"x14"high.
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01277.JPG

Then I installed the left side baffle with bubbletrap
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01278.JPG

Then the right side baffle. The angled piece is the bottom of the refugium section.
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01279.JPG

[chinaman4u]

Finished! The bubble trap is on the right side and overflows to the rear under the refugium to the left side where i have drilled a hole for a bulkhead to the pump.

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01280.JPG

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01281.JPG

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01282.JPG

[chinaman4u]

Here's a pic of the pump installed with the return plumbing through a manifold which will supply the dual 1/2" returns and a skimmer, and a spare for water changes or something.

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01286.JPG

[cannarella]

Nice work.

Aren't those dove tails a pain to get setup correctly???

[chinaman4u]

I was a dovetail virgin until this project!!! I practiced on scrap wood at least a dozen times. But once set up its easy. Was very nervous because a screw up on the oak would cost dearly, i'd have to scrap the whole length, however all went well.

[dattack]

Great job on the dovetail.

[chinaman4u]

Close up of finished and stained dovetail
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01293.JPG

[chinaman4u]

Finished overflow plumbing.

Leftside: Oops! No clearance to go straight across so had to do the trap type thing.
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01291c.JPG

Rightside: The red ties will be replaced with something more permanent.
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01291b.JPG

[DurangoReeFarm,]

well done, diy paid off..

[Phisher]

Awesome stuff!

Joe

[chinaman4u]

Restarted my project after a three week break, i hope to have it cycling by the end of the month.

I removed the sump and added foot pads, without them; if I should have a spill, the water remains sandwiched between the sump bottom and the top surface of the stand bottom and evaporates very slowly, may cause rot over time.
http://hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01295.jpg

[chinaman4u]

I added a manifold system. Just incase i also used a 1/2" union, should I later decide to scrap it.
http://hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01296.jpg

The drain is simple and freestanding, however during testing it gurgles, inserting an air tube silences it, but this area will need some modification.
http://hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01297.jpg

[chinaman4u]

This is the system with water and my soon to be 'old tank' next to it. I'll run it like this for a few days and see if it works.

http://hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01301.jpg

http://hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01302.jpg

Some initial issues:
-overflow gurgling, hmm.. the one side with the trap doesn't gurgle.
-lots of noise from the bubble trap in the sump.
-the manifold is nice and the flow is good(need a bigger pump :-), i wonder what will happen when i add my skimmer which will be fed off the single iwaki.
-motor is loud, when i run it dry the fan doesn't make that much noise, with water its louder.

[chinaman4u]

Cost thus far:

tank and motor $125
stand lumber 100
hood lumber 60
sump acrylic 90
plumbing/misc 50 TOTAL: $ 425.00

[speakeraddict]

You gotta love DIY!

I build just about everything except some of my tanks. Thus far in all my tanks (3 - 55's, 10 gallon in wall, 5 on my desk at work) I have less than $600 including liverock and lighting.

Yes, the liverock and fish were given to me and the heaters and bulbs were traded for. But everything else was either built or bought by me.

You just have to be patient and buy good used stuff when you can or trade off woodworking for the rest.

I just finished and hooked up a 4 foot pvc skimmer on one of my 55's and it works perfectly. It cost me $15-20 plus an old power head and an air pump.

speakeraddict

[dwturpin]

Very nice, neat job on the sump. I like the way the stand is put together.

[chinaman4u]

Here are a few pics of my hood.

Some of the parts were quite intricate involving multiple cuts and ofcourse some more dovetails. The hood is quite light using 1x2 framing with 1/4" oak laminate, glued together.

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01304.jpg
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01305.jpg
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01303.jpg

[chinaman4u]

Here's the completed hood sitting on my tank.
The front piece(shown lower right) slides onto the hood for access.

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01306.jpg

[Phisher]

I was having the same noise issue with my externals. I wanted to do hard pipe on all my plumbing but found replacing most of the pvc with vinyl really help the noise. I was able to remove a few 90's and really reduce vibration noise if this helps you any.

Joe

[chinaman4u]

Added salt and Southdown sand, ie sandstorm and cloudiness.

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01307.jpg

[chinaman4u]

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01308.jpg

I used an old Fluval 404 filled with filter floss to remove the cloudiness, which it did quite well. It cleared up in 2 days. With tubing I hooked up the new tank to my old tank, the idea is in a week or so the water parameters for both tanks would be the same. Trying to lay out some base rock I got recently and will place them in the new tank while I refinish the hood. i painted the interior white, then coated with polyurethane. After staining the outside I'll wire up the light and start the process of moving all livestock over! :-)

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01310.jpg

[chinaman4u]

Just added some new base rock, 75lbs!

I just can't wait to get this tank stocked and running. I like the look of the southdown sand bed, its shallow, not a DSB. There's a full 50lb bag in there. However the clarity isn't as good as the crushed coral on my other tank. Perhaps after some time it will be clearer?

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01312.jpg

[chinaman4u]

Oh my! What a mess... :-)

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01314.jpg

However, I managed to transfer all livestock over and everything looks great!!!!

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01313.jpg

I still have the old tank hooked up to the new one(through a siphon) so I still have the original biological filtration intact, hopefully this works and my few sps's won't bleach. I only have one of my 175W Ushio 10K hooked up, so the left side of the tank is brighter. The other side is only lit by a blue actinic.

Next week I have to build a skimmer for the new tank, and finish the electrical as my electrical is now a mess. And set up the fuge. i'll post those pics.

I post pics of my livestock after they've settled.

One thing I didn't transfer over to my new tank is a coral beauty angel 2". It's great at eating algea and niusance macro, and it does not eats corals; but it does have a liking for pulsing xenia(which I'd rather have). It is available for trade for anything if anyone in the state college area wants him, otherwise it will be going to the LFS.

I also have a mated pair of blue coral banded shrimp, I want them, but not sure. They seem to hide all the time and not bother anything. Anyone keep CBS in their reefs? Will they get big and suddenly be 'not reef safe? i'd hate to banish them to my fuge.

[chinaman4u]

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01314.jpg

[chinaman4u]

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01313.jpg

[faylor]

where did you get your southdown sand at?? ive been looking for it for quite some time with no luck??
thanks
Joe

[chinaman4u]

Check this link out, not named 'southdown' but same stuff. readily available in north east though still somwwhat difficult to find.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=513392&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

[chinaman4u]

I have found out that noise is transmitted and amplified through the pvc piping, so to reduce noise I added flexible piping between the pvc plumbing and the pump. And it works great.
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01318.jpg

[chinaman4u]

Now I added my fuge lighting using a cheap clamp on type fixture found at Lowe's, modified so it neatly screws into a 1x2 stud.
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01315.jpg
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01316.jpg

[qwuintus]

whered you get that hose? i have spa flex but its 1" i need 3/4"

[chinaman4u]

I got that at a local fish store, That Pet Place, Lancaster, PA. They have online ordering too so I'm sure you can have it shipped. Its 3/4" flexible tubing, fits tightly using standard 3/4" pushon type fitting found at lowe's. Sorry about the ? pics, AOL issues, hopefully will be resolved soon.

[chinaman4u]

Look what I just got! In the local paper for $40! Supposedly half used so I have about 500 gallons RO water! I think its an Ebay unit. :-)

http://hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01333.jpg

[chinaman4u]

Here's are some pictures of my livestock, they seem to be doing well or better in the new tank, the high random flows, and the new fresh saltwater seemed to do them some good. I haven't lost anything in the transfer.

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01326.jpg
8"x8" frogspawn with about 20 heads and several buds at the base.

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01326.jpg
Devils hand leather, I have taken frags from this guy about 6 mo ago and they are great!

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01328.jpg
Acro frags!!

[chinaman4u]

Oops!

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01327.jpg

[chinaman4u]

Here's how the tanks looks now, just on the blue actinics right now, so everything is blue. The brown stuff is algea growing on the what used to be white base rock. Still working on a DIY skimmer to replace the Jebo unit. I need to put doors on. A calcium reactor... i can't believe I still need more stuff!!!

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01334.jpg

[chinaman4u]

Here's the installed $40 water filter I got. I can't believe the taste difference compared to tap water. When I do my next water change I'll let you know differences as I have always used tap water in the past. The red outlet goes to a spicket on the sink which I plan to Tee-off for an automatic topoff, but when I went to Lowe's, wouldn't you know it... sold out!!!! :-(

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01335.jpg

[jaze36]

Great work! Its a nice clean set up. I will be starting a similar project soon. I found a broken 75gal someone was throwing out on the side of the road yesterday. It should not be hard to fix, then it is full speed ahead.

[chinaman4u]

Just bored so I drew these. Please use at your own risk. My stand is assembled and in use and is rock solid. I used 1/2" oak laminate for the sides, you may change this to 3/4 or thicker to be safe. Also parts of the plans have changed since I did the dovetail thing.

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/75G_1.jpg

[chinaman4u]

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/75G_2.jpg

Sand with fine grit sandpaper before assembly and sand with the grain. If you sand afterwards its harder. Once assembled you would only need to sand parts that you have messed up with glue. Sanding smooth makes for a more even finish when apply stain.

Have fun and good luck.

[chinaman4u]

Just some closeups... sony DSC-V1 with +4 +2 +1 close up lens
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01340x.jpg
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01338x.jpg
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01336x.jpg
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01335x.jpg

[growyourown]

Just a suggestion, for drinking you don't want to run off that red hose... DI water is not meant for consumtion. T off of the blue line coming from the left side of the pressure switch to your pressure tank, then to the faucet (RO water tastes great). The red hose (RO/DI water) will go to your tank/sump/where ever you need DI water.

I have the exact same RO/DI unit. Although I paid $100 on ebay.

Just some unsolicited advice.

[growyourown]

Oh and wait till you hook it to your ice maker / make ice cubes, they come out perfectly clear... makes you wonder what we have been ingesting all these years.

[chinaman4u]

Thank you. I did not know that. :-)

[chinaman4u]

Oh here another thread with links to some 75 gal / 90 gal and other tank stands if your interested...

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=586556

[chinaman4u]

I bought a 12 coral frag pack from Dr. Mac(http://www.drmaccorals.com) for $110 plus an additional $70 blue acro and was pleased, packaged well and sent fast! here are some closeups...

http://hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/mac1.jpg
http://hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/mac2.jpg

[chinaman4u]

http://hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/mac3.jpg
http://hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/mac4.jpg
http://hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/mac5.jpg
http://hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/mac6.jpg

[chinaman4u]

The frags were a nice size, large enough that I had fragged them during acclimation so now I have about 28 frags all together! I'll post pics after they are placed in their final positions and i hope they color up well. Pictures taken under Ushio 175W/10K w/PC blue03actinics.

[chinaman4u]

I have made some mods to the free standing drainpipe...

http://hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01368.jpg

... I have found that cutting slots was beneficial bc without the slots my one clownfish seems to like flowing over the edge taking the wild ride down to the sump, he did this several times, after the slots were cut he hasn't made that trip.

I plan on putting some netting(u know that plastic netting used to hold oranges at the supermarket) over the whole thing and secure it with a rubber band to prevent snails from going in. Also an airline tubing stopped the gurgling.

Otherwise this overflow works great. There are two 3/4" overflows and the return pump is a Iwaki WMD40RLT (750 gph @ 4' head)

[chinaman4u]

I'm doing a 50% water change using filtered water! I usually use tap water before I got a RO unit. Here's the setup...

http://hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01368.jpg

my old tank(40 Gal) is now a resevoir. Water will be pumped to the display tank to the resevoir with a small pump(Aqua Lifter 3.5 gal/hr) and the new water will drain into the overflow box then down into my sump. After several days or a week or longer, i drain the resevoir and start over.

i used to do this using a 2 gallon water container, now I have a spare tank. Maybe I'll use it as a frag tank, add a nice 400W 20K MH.. hmm, then what will i use as a resevoir? :-)

I prefer changing this way as opposed to draining the sump and dumping in 20 gallons or so fresh water. This has a less drastic affect on the corals.

[chinaman4u]

oops

http://hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01370.jpg

[Taniaza1]

Great setup! Everything looks so organized. I wish I had that much patience and pre-planning! Keep up the awesome work. =)

[Rikko]

That looks absolutely pro. I am in awe.

I give you two months before the empty tank is plumbed into the system and running again. :D

[chinaman4u]

Here's a sideview shot, my clowns always love being photographed!
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01371rc.jpg

[chinaman4u]

Closeups of new white baserock, this would be about 4-5 weeks since they were clean white. Lots of spots of coraline algea...this is a good sign! Although I haven't gotten any growth on the glass yet.
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01374rc.jpg

[chinaman4u]

Tank shots left and right sides with new coral frags, of the 12 i got from maccorals, one species went rtn :-( the others are doing great, hope they like their new home(s).

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01373rc.jpg http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01372rc.jpg

[chinaman4u]

One month update: full tank shot. Since the above shots were taken, I have been so busy, I have done absolutely nothing to this tank for a month! Except a clownfish disappeared on me.

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC0002x.jpg

[chinaman4u]

Today I added a DIY skimmer, countercurrent airstone type using a 6' long clear 2'PVC pipe and Lowe's parts.

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC00001x.jpg

[chinaman4u]

And here it is installed. The 2" dia pipe fits snuggly between the tnak and wall. Fed by my return pump then drains to an above tank fuge and drains to the main tank. And yes, that's a JEBO unit in there now, it works great.

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC00005a.jpg

I need a strong air pump for the airstones(for the skimmer) for the 6ft depth, any recommendations? I still have to make a collection cup. Its running now with no leaks.

[killereef]

Great carpentry, I wish I can be more creative. How is the flow with are the 90's and outlet? Does it look like theirs good water movement?

[chinaman4u]

The flow is good but not great. However this high pressure iwaki-55 output gets split 4 ways; sump, skimmer, and with two 3/4" returns to the tank. The two returns then loses more pressure through two manifolds with 4 outlets each. Orig 6 outlets, had to cut back bc of inadequate flow. An upgrade to a 70 or 100 would be better but trying to keep elec and noise low. The mainfold is nice bc the outputs' flow direction can be optimized without the use of multiple powerheads. I may add a sieo though.

[chinaman4u]

New addition! Only $5.00!
http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC00016x.jpg

[bullfish]

great thread, alot of good learning material in here.. Tank looks awesome.

I have been lurking around on the board for a long time, trying to learn enough so one day I can start up my own reef.

I have a stupid question. I am not the greatest 'plumber' in the world, but how did you connect your RO/DI unit to your faucet. Is it tee'd from the pipe or connected to the actual sink faucet? A pic would be great too.. Just trying to see how all this stuff works..

thanks

[speakeraddict]

Get one of the tetra tech DW series. I use the 24-2 on a 4' long 3"model and it works unbelievable well. I even had to throttle it back a bit. I would say a single 3" air stone on that skimmer with the 24-2 would work well.

speakeraddict

[bassman57]

Nice Work. I love the woodwork. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:. I also love your overflow idea. Very simple. I can't believe i haven't though of somthing like that. :lol: :lol:

[chinaman4u]

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC00017x.jpg
A water tap on cold water line, then clear tubing to filters. The deionized water comes out the red line and gets split to an auto top off device and a sink spicket(note that deionized water is not for drinking). i was told that i should split at the blue line for drinking. Waste water goes through the yellow to the drain. Very simple. The black gate valve is a flush device to clean the system. There is considerable waste water, but I don't pay any water bills..

[chinaman4u]

I couldh've not put them in my new tank; but I couldn't give them up. I have heard bad things about CBS, but these mated pair of Blue CBS are supposed to be not as aggressive. They are actually very shy(hiding all the time). The one with the big blue belly full of eggs is the female. I have had a small clownfish and a mandarin disappear recently since i haven't fed my tank in a while, they are suspect. If fed, i think they are reef safe.

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC00007x.jpg

http://www.hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC00021x.jpg

[RGibson]

The RO water will not show up on the water bill because the the water meter can not read low flow from the flow restrictor on the RO system.

[chinaman4u]

Oh! ... That is interesting to know!

[RGibson]

Water is free with a RO ,I have put the RO on its own water meter it will not read the water flow.

[bullfish]

thanks, this helps alot

[nickb]

Originally posted by RGibson
Water is free with a RO ,I have put the RO on its own water meter it will not read the water flow.
I don't understand this. I generate about 4 gallons of waste water for every gallon of RO. So, to make 100G, I would need to draw 500G from the water mains. Are you saying that the water meter won't notice this volume?

[RGibson]

The water meter can not read the low flow from a RO.

[Chrisrush]

That's interesting RGibson. I guess I don't have to worry about my waste h2o anymore. Down the drain it goes.

Chris

[smdavis9]

Sorry to hijack, but I would love to hear more about this free water bit...RGibson, could you start a new thread with some more info please?



Shawn

[delv]

Free water in Colorado....not for nothing...but of all the places to ask about how to get around paying for water...Texas might be my next best choice for irony...."down the drain it goes....".

d.

[chinaman4u]

I guess this can be verified.

First I checked to verify that no water was being used on my water meter(there is a small triangle that shows water use that spins) then I drained my resevoir tank and checked the water meter. It shows that water is being registered. To verify, I shut off my resevoir tank and the water meter the triangle stops spinning. Again i turn my resevoir on and the triangle spins again.

SO... here in state college, the water meter does register ro/di use. The triangle spins very slowly, but it does spin.

So when I buy a house, I'll have to check to see if I have an older model water meter so I wouldn't have to foot the water bill for filling my new huge gigantic aquarium!

[satch12]

awesome setup man i wish i could do somethin like that also

[cougaraug]

that's a sweet bit of DIY!

[god910]

I have a Culligan R/O unit and a larger 20g tank. (Got it dirt cheap because they over ordered them, tank was like $25) My R/O unit doesn't register on my Cullgan digital water softener that meters water down to .1g/h

All this being a moot point in my house as I'm on a well. So water's free no matter what. That's why I let my Coralife unit spray waste water all over the ground. :eek2:

[Dr. Chek]

chinaman,

sweet setup with the RO Unit.
Nice to see a fellow Lion...

keep it up,

[GoldStripe]

I'm gonna have to see if my meter spins down here in Jacksonville. Hopefully it doesn't so my RO stays full as well as my pool (waste)!!! For free!! I'm not holding my breath though, I couldn't get that lucky :)

[RGibson]

The water meter that i used for the RO is a precision water meter and the same kind is used at the front of the house for the water bill .And both will not read when the RO system is running

[chinaman4u]

Just an update...

OH NO! ICH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-(

[-TS-Vash]

Nice.

[chinaman4u]

Another update. I have removed the few fish that I had to get rid of the ich problem, then had an ongoing hair algea problem due to old bulbs. Everything as far as corals go are doing well, though I have problems with my sps which I unfortunately have lost, one by one they went rtn. Except for one species, a dark green acro which is well encrusted and growing.

I should note that my Jebo skimmer still is working, however since I have added another larger DIY skimmer that pulls out a 1/2 cup of dark liquid skimate evry couple of days, that my algea has stopped growing and is easilly removed by syphoning. No pulling required. In conclusion, the Jebo unit works, just a little undersized for my tank.

I'll let you know whats up with the new sps in a few months. Maybe with the new skimmer(for better water quality) and a new geo calcium reactor; I will have cleaner and more stable water for keeping sps.

My Frogspawn, my favorite coral has had babies, and budding at the base with new ones! It has doubled in size(taking 1.5 years). i think i may give up on sps and have a tank full of frogspawn!

As for the tank stand. It is holding up super! I built my sump so that it fits snuggly inside the stand and this was a mistake. Moisture collects and salt spray is ruining the finish on the inside of the stand. This could lead to rotting wood and eventual failure, though I don't expect this to happen for many years. I even used several coats of clear polyurethane, (6 to be exact). Not enough protection. To change I would move the sump away from the walls, or a taller sump.

I am curious if I have sufficient lighting for demanding sps. 2x175W10K and 65W pc for a 75 gal? I was thinking of adding a third 175W20K in the middle.

Also, cheap ebay 175W10K MH bulbs for $30 each aren't worth it, to yellow. i guess you get what you pay for. I'm going back to Ushio.

Also, in school now, so I doubt I'll be putting much money into my tank for now, just going to keep paying my electric bill and let the tank mature!

[stevedola]

2 - 175 w MH plus pc is enough lighting for a 75. I use it with no problems.

[fishypapas]

hey china, thanks for the link, good to see drain pipes instead of overflows!

about the sps and lighting. from what i have read, the lighting seems fine. it looks like it was all the extra nutrients. the lps, again from what i have read, are said to like "dirty", ie nutrient rich, water, where the sps dont likey.

with all the extra skimate and algea build up, id say there was a ton of extra nutrients that problably knocked out your sps.

just a thought.

fp

[xtm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=4974802#post4974802 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chinaman4u
I have made some mods to the free standing drainpipe...

http://hometown.aol.com/hchung5501/RCpics/DSC01368.jpg

................. Also an airline tubing stopped the gurgling.

.

Hello,

I'm particularly interested in your "free-standing PVC overflow" setup-----I was wondering where you inserted the airline tubing? (Sorry I couldn't see it in the pic) How far does it go down and is it attached to anything- like a pump?

Also, how efficient is the surface skimming? Does it remove the surface film effectively?


I'm thinking about a similar setup-- eliminating the addition of the "box" overflow will definitely be less work.

Good job on that tanks! Beautiful pics!

Thanks for your help

[mandrin13]

I am so jelous.I have got to do more diy

[goulding.c]

The free water thing is a meter type issue. Some impeller type meters will not measure low flow, but most resedential meters are a differant type that reduce pressure and measure lower volumes such as drips from ro units. Allthough, you can have a deduct meter installed for any water you use that does not go down the city sewer lines such as irrigation water and outdoor use. You pay more for sewage on your water bill than the acual water. Using deduct meter will get you out of the sewage portion of the bill.

[chinaman4u]

XTM-

the tube is just stuck down the hole(mines goes down about 2"), how deep it goes is to be adjusted and depends on your flow. Stick the tube in and to whatever depth needed to make the sucking noises stop. Over time the airline can be sucked into the pipe, ATTACH the free end of the hose, free end is just open to air(not attached to any pump).

The overflow works better without the slots, but tended to suck fish in. The water level is a full 1/2"(depends on your water flow i guess) higher than the top of the rim. It is now 1/4 inch with the slots. You should know that I have two overflows, and the one that has a trap(it goes down then back up, like under your sink) makes a significantly smaller amount of sucking noises. Though I have not tested this theory. The other overflow, leading straight down into the sump makes a most noise.