**former thread of the month** Rebuilding the Reef - Log of a 90 Gallon Restarted - Page 7

peacetypes6 · 01/01/2005, 06:12 PM

nice work so far

Aqua_expert19 · 01/01/2005, 07:55 PM

insane how much did the hole setup cost???? I would like to have you come over and do that for me!!!!

Jamesurq · 01/01/2005, 08:57 PM

Thanks.

A few bucks. If you're interested in what a specific item cost, I can do that for you. I'm not sure I'd like to tally it all up..

Jamesurq · 01/01/2005, 10:38 PM

For what it's worth - based on some reading I purchased a couple of these fans:

Directron Silencer 80mm fans.. ($8 each) - 20 dB.

I was going to go without - but with a 128 degree canopy temperature (assuming I can trust the thermometer (that's another thread

) it's probably a necessity.

Aqua_expert19 · 01/01/2005, 10:40 PM

ya i wouldnt eather

I am curious to know how much that tank cost with the built in over flow?? That is an awsome tank! Your setup is already unbeleivable. Also i dont get how your tank had a meltdown if you dont mind could you explain? ive never heard of it happening. THanks and keep up the good work

Jamesurq · 01/01/2005, 10:40 PM

Ok - so on to the topoff system.

Here's the 6 stage RODI unit with the automatic switch and 3 gallon tank sitting in the crawlspace:

Jamesurq · 01/01/2005, 10:43 PM

the waste pipe runs out of the crawlspace and feeds into a gutter spout (which outputs on the driveway)

Jamesurq · 01/01/2005, 10:44 PM

the output from the RODI unit feeds into the sump room:

Jamesurq · 01/01/2005, 10:46 PM

It runs through this room and out to the garage where a rubbermaid garbage can awaits...

I could have put it in the small room (with some shoehorning) but for 2 reasons I said no:

1 - it was full and heavy.
2 - I'm lazy.

Jamesurq · 01/01/2005, 10:48 PM

Allright - so inside the tub is a kent floatvalve to keep it full, and a maxijet 900 to feed the tank (tried a maxijet 400 but it wasn't quite enough)

Just an FYI - the white stuff in the tank is coralline flaking off the maxijet... soon to be dead..

Jamesurq · 01/01/2005, 10:51 PM

The maxijet pump runs back into the sump room and feeds this handy dandy ghetto style kalk mixer. It's the top of a Christmas wrapping paper rubbermaid container. It has a 1" bulkhead connected to the side (at the bottom) with a valve glued to it.

Jamesurq · 01/01/2005, 10:55 PM

Inside the ghetto kalk mixer is the overflow to the tank - it looks like some type of carlson surge device, but it's not. Basically, the premise is that the water spills in with the MJ900 pump and stirrs up the kalk. The water level reaches the top of the container and flows into the pipe. The kalk at the bottom and the foam on the top shouldn't ever enter the pipe.

Oh - and it didn't really show up - theres a small hole drilled in the top of the U shaped pipe ( so it doesn't syphon like a carlson surge

)

I haven't put any kalk in there yet (obviously)...

Jamesurq · 01/01/2005, 11:00 PM

Here's the unit that tells the maxijet when to turn on:

It's a reeffanatic level controller.

And here's the two float switches that tell the unit when the water gets too low:

Why 2? If one fails, the other one still works... If they both fail? The maxijet pump will put probably 10 gallons maximum and then run dry - it's situated near the surface of the rubbermaid garbage can. From there it's only capable of putting whatever capacity the RODI unit can put out (supposed to be 75 GPD - but nowhere near that).

That's if the pump doesn't burn out...

Jamesurq · 01/01/2005, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aqua_expert19
ya i wouldnt eather I am curious to know how much that tank cost with the built in over flow?? That is an awsome tank! Your setup is already unbeleivable. Also i dont get how your tank had a meltdown if you dont mind could you explain? ive never heard of it happening. THanks and keep up the good work

Thanks - the tank itself with the builtin overflow was $230. The tank basically died because of a power issue. Without circulation an overstocked fishtank won't last long. When a few fish die they'll spike the ammonia levels such that EVERYTHING dies...

Appreciate the words of encouragement..

Aqua_expert19 · 01/01/2005, 11:27 PM

ok thanks!!! Im sorry about that but it looks like that your 90 gallon is turing into a 900 gallon with all the do dats and what nots so your looking good in my book for overstocking with coral. Your tank is awsome it has been a pleasure reading and folloing along and has givin me ideas when i move out of my parents house being that i am still in highschool that i might try the same thing.. but to a lesser extent

Jamesurq · 01/02/2005, 08:15 AM

I'm definitely into the do dats and what nots. I'm working on getting a few thingamajigs and whatchamacallits - but you know, patience is important in this hobby.

mcichows · 01/02/2005, 08:25 AM

James,

Where did you learn all that plumbing????

How'd you think of drilling a hole to stop the syphon in that top off system???

Just when I think I will put a remote sump/return I see something here I never would have thought of.

How do you get the holes in the rubbermaids without them leaking?? Is that just a 1"bulkhead with heavy silicone or do you use something else?????

Jamesurq · 01/02/2005, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mcichows
James,

Where did you learn all that plumbing????

How'd you think of drilling a hole to stop the syphon in that top off system???

Just when I think I will put a remote sump/return I see something here I never would have thought of.

How do you get the holes in the rubbermaids without them leaking?? Is that just a 1"bulkhead with heavy silicone or do you use something else?????

Learned to plumb things installing pools one summer after highschool. But really, if you ever did things like Legos or other construction sets, you could figure out plumbing. It's easy.

The drilling of a hole to stop the syphon was basically an adaptation of the Durso standpipe.

The rubbermaid is just a 1" bulkhead - no silicone... You don't need it.

Jamesurq · 01/03/2005, 09:37 AM

Ok - so jumping in with 3 feet here:

Cleanup crew arrives Wednesday,
Spiked livesand arrives Wednesday,
18 SPS frags and a RBTA from Dr. Mac arrive Wednesday
All my leftover corals from my old tank arrive Saturday.

Nothing like taking it slow huh?

thrlride · 01/03/2005, 11:11 AM

James, did you ever buy those fans? I bought a pair of 120 mm fans compusa DC fans that are very quiet. They move a decent amount of air and are virtually silent. The SKU is 299936.

thrlride · 01/03/2005, 11:14 AM

Oops, I just saw where you bought some fans. Sorry about that.

Jamesurq · 01/03/2005, 11:31 AM

yeah. Thanks though. I'm still waiting on them. Hopefully, they get here before the corals do. If not - no problem. I have a couple of noisy old Radioshack fans I can fit temporarily..

bugshop · 01/03/2005, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jamesurq
Ok - so jumping in with 3 feet here:

Cleanup crew arrives Wednesday,
Spiked livesand arrives Wednesday,
18 SPS frags and a RBTA from Dr. Mac arrive Wednesday
All my leftover corals from my old tank arrive Saturday.

Nothing like taking it slow huh?

Slow...What's that? LOL

bugshop · 01/03/2005, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jamesurq
Club is doing well for being around such a short time. We have 15 members and all are active. The LFS situation around here is relatively weak (sorry Craig). I toured all of them on Tuesday with my family and they all agreed it was pretty sad. There is one store that has potential, but it's not where it needs to be.

How's your group? Maybe we could both meet up half way (say, Columbia? )

How many meetings have you had?

We'll be havng our 3rd next week at the PassPro shop
they have an 11,000 gal salt tank that one of our LFS owners
looks after.
We've had 11 and 12 at our first two meetings, not a bad start
especially over the hollidays.

I've been to most of the LFS in your area
and they seem decent, average anyway, my kids liked the
one with the ray tank.

I was loking at a job offer in that area about 1.5 years ago
that is still a possibility in the near future.

Did you know Anthony Calfo will be in
Cola. for the Feb. CMAC meeting?
I don't make it to many CMAC meetings
now that I'm living in Surfside Beach.

Timmy

Jamesurq · 01/03/2005, 01:32 PM

you'll get PM. Don't want to clog this thread up too much..

01/03/2005, 11:11 AM	#170
thrlride Aka lemmywinks Join Date: May 2003 Location: Harrisburg, NC Posts: 8,017	James, did you ever buy those fans? I bought a pair of 120 mm fans compusa DC fans that are very quiet. They move a decent amount of air and are virtually silent. The SKU is 299936. __________________ Beer Snob Current Tank Info: 210 gallon FOWLR (H&S 200a-1260 , panworld 50px-x, 2x Vortech w/ WWD)

01/03/2005, 11:14 AM	#171
thrlride Aka lemmywinks Join Date: May 2003 Location: Harrisburg, NC Posts: 8,017	Oops, I just saw where you bought some fans. Sorry about that. __________________ Beer Snob Current Tank Info: 210 gallon FOWLR (H&S 200a-1260 , panworld 50px-x, 2x Vortech w/ WWD)

01/01/2005, 06:12 PM	#151
peacetypes6 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Timonium, MD Posts: 674	nice work so far

01/01/2005, 07:55 PM	#152
Aqua_expert19 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 713	insane how much did the hole setup cost???? I would like to have you come over and do that for me!!!!

01/01/2005, 08:57 PM	#153
Jamesurq Moved On Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 5,470	Thanks. A few bucks. If you're interested in what a specific item cost, I can do that for you. I'm not sure I'd like to tally it all up..

01/01/2005, 10:38 PM	#154
Jamesurq Moved On Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 5,470	For what it's worth - based on some reading I purchased a couple of these fans: Directron Silencer 80mm fans.. ($8 each) - 20 dB. I was going to go without - but with a 128 degree canopy temperature (assuming I can trust the thermometer (that's another thread ) it's probably a necessity.

01/01/2005, 10:40 PM	#155
Aqua_expert19 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 713	ya i wouldnt eather I am curious to know how much that tank cost with the built in over flow?? That is an awsome tank! Your setup is already unbeleivable. Also i dont get how your tank had a meltdown if you dont mind could you explain? ive never heard of it happening. THanks and keep up the good work

01/01/2005, 10:40 PM	#156
Jamesurq Moved On Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 5,470	Ok - so on to the topoff system. Here's the 6 stage RODI unit with the automatic switch and 3 gallon tank sitting in the crawlspace:

01/01/2005, 10:43 PM	#157
Jamesurq Moved On Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 5,470	the waste pipe runs out of the crawlspace and feeds into a gutter spout (which outputs on the driveway)

01/01/2005, 10:44 PM	#158
Jamesurq Moved On Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 5,470	the output from the RODI unit feeds into the sump room:

01/01/2005, 10:46 PM	#159
Jamesurq Moved On Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 5,470	It runs through this room and out to the garage where a rubbermaid garbage can awaits... I could have put it in the small room (with some shoehorning) but for 2 reasons I said no: 1 - it was full and heavy. 2 - I'm lazy.

01/01/2005, 10:48 PM	#160
Jamesurq Moved On Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 5,470	Allright - so inside the tub is a kent floatvalve to keep it full, and a maxijet 900 to feed the tank (tried a maxijet 400 but it wasn't quite enough) Just an FYI - the white stuff in the tank is coralline flaking off the maxijet... soon to be dead..

01/01/2005, 10:51 PM	#161
Jamesurq Moved On Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 5,470	The maxijet pump runs back into the sump room and feeds this handy dandy ghetto style kalk mixer. It's the top of a Christmas wrapping paper rubbermaid container. It has a 1" bulkhead connected to the side (at the bottom) with a valve glued to it.

01/01/2005, 10:55 PM	#162
Jamesurq Moved On Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 5,470	Inside the ghetto kalk mixer is the overflow to the tank - it looks like some type of carlson surge device, but it's not. Basically, the premise is that the water spills in with the MJ900 pump and stirrs up the kalk. The water level reaches the top of the container and flows into the pipe. The kalk at the bottom and the foam on the top shouldn't ever enter the pipe. Oh - and it didn't really show up - theres a small hole drilled in the top of the U shaped pipe ( so it doesn't syphon like a carlson surge ) I haven't put any kalk in there yet (obviously)...

01/01/2005, 11:00 PM	#163
Jamesurq Moved On Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 5,470	Here's the unit that tells the maxijet when to turn on: It's a reeffanatic level controller. And here's the two float switches that tell the unit when the water gets too low: Why 2? If one fails, the other one still works... If they both fail? The maxijet pump will put probably 10 gallons maximum and then run dry - it's situated near the surface of the rubbermaid garbage can. From there it's only capable of putting whatever capacity the RODI unit can put out (supposed to be 75 GPD - but nowhere near that). That's if the pump doesn't burn out...

01/01/2005, 11:27 PM	#165
Aqua_expert19 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 713	ok thanks!!! Im sorry about that but it looks like that your 90 gallon is turing into a 900 gallon with all the do dats and what nots so your looking good in my book for overstocking with coral. Your tank is awsome it has been a pleasure reading and folloing along and has givin me ideas when i move out of my parents house being that i am still in highschool that i might try the same thing.. but to a lesser extent

01/02/2005, 08:15 AM	#166
Jamesurq Moved On Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 5,470	I'm definitely into the do dats and what nots. I'm working on getting a few thingamajigs and whatchamacallits - but you know, patience is important in this hobby.

01/02/2005, 08:25 AM	#167
mcichows Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 147	James, Where did you learn all that plumbing???? How'd you think of drilling a hole to stop the syphon in that top off system??? Just when I think I will put a remote sump/return I see something here I never would have thought of. How do you get the holes in the rubbermaids without them leaking?? Is that just a 1"bulkhead with heavy silicone or do you use something else?????

01/03/2005, 09:37 AM	#169
Jamesurq Moved On Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 5,470	Ok - so jumping in with 3 feet here: Cleanup crew arrives Wednesday, Spiked livesand arrives Wednesday, 18 SPS frags and a RBTA from Dr. Mac arrive Wednesday All my leftover corals from my old tank arrive Saturday. Nothing like taking it slow huh?

01/03/2005, 11:31 AM	#172
Jamesurq Moved On Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 5,470	yeah. Thanks though. I'm still waiting on them. Hopefully, they get here before the corals do. If not - no problem. I have a couple of noisy old Radioshack fans I can fit temporarily..

01/03/2005, 01:32 PM	#175
Jamesurq Moved On Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 5,470	you'll get PM. Don't want to clog this thread up too much..