Jeff's 150 Build - The Salt Box

[hung]

Made myself a water change appliance as well. Have 10% and 20% lengths. Will supplement with the 3/4" strainers as well. One less thing....

Awesome work so far, love the detail. Is there anywhere you can point me to read more on this water change device?

 

[Beradd]

I love the extra "work area" I like the idea of appoxying in found beach items there like sea glass and shells, sand dollars and such. or picture box style, though admittedly picture box wouldn't work if your going to set a tank there in the future. love this build write up. one for the books!

 

[CastAway]

Is there anywhere you can point me to read more on this water change device?

I search R2R, and could not find it. It’s just a syphon, not really a “water changer”. I mean, it does not facilitate vacuuming (although I suppose one could improvise an appurtenance to do that). It’s just convenient because the hard PVC allows it to hang firmly on the tank- hands free – and the syphon breaks automatically when the tank drains to a measured depth, equal with the length of PVC pipe and the top of the tee fitting. Not pictured is the braided vinyl hose that would simply hang down into a wastewater container. To refill, the end of the vinyl hose can be connected to a submersible or external pump to pump a measured quantity of new water back into the display.

There’s no automation here, It’s manual, just hands free. Hope this helps hung.

 

[CastAway]

I also cut and coated a panel to mount in the back of the stand, on which I'll mount various stuff, like my temperature controller, Calc reactor pH controller, MP40 controller, etc.

 

[stunreefer]

Fantastic build and attention to detail, very well done!

I think I may just accessorize the system to top off directly, no reservoir.

Be very, very careful doing this... I have seen more than one great system crash due to an RO/DI system sensor/float failing that bypassed a reservoir. Reservoirs give you that extra step of protection if your sensors/floats should fail.

Keep up the great work!

 

[Reeflogic]

Excellent build! Love the attention to detail and the plumbing works deserves a high-five!

 

[Reef_Insanity]

I like the work surface =) you should see the top of my seaswirls on my tank... they look like giant icebergs from how many times I set super glue up there

 

[daytripp01]

WOW this is a beautiful set up! Im along for the ride !

 

[revhtree]

Great build!

 

[CastAway]

Thanks for the compliments. I really appreciate it. I'm a newbie, so the advice is very welcome as well.

 

[CastAway]

Mounting the equipment on the back panel tonight. I'm using Velcro to mount the stuff. I want all the wires on the back side, unseen. I'm trying to decide, cut holes for cables, or slots. I thought slots might be cleaner.

 

[CastAway]

Well, I didn't think this one through. The idea was that the hoses would extend down into filter socks that will be suspended in some acrylic I have yet to fabricate. They were to extend below the water line, deep enough not to splash or make noise, but shallow enough not to cause the drain to surge (I hear that can happen). I thought that I'd be able to slip the filter socks, with their plastic lip, under the hoses to remove and clean them, but, the hose is so rigid I don't think that will work. Hmmm.

I have not trimmed the hoses to length yet. Water line will be several inches below the top edge of the sump. Ideas? Advice?

 

[CastAway]

Almost finished with the plumbing. Only about 18" left. Finished the longest run tonight, the refugium bypass line, designed to adjust flow through the refugium by at a little less than half the pump capacity. Hours of test fitting upon test fitting so as not to put any stresses on the bulkheads whatsoever, getting the unions to fit perfectly. Also finished mounting the controllers. Next, water test, refugium sand, dry rock, and hang the light fixture. (forgive the unsteady panorama pic)

 

[Reeflogic]

Looking good, what did you end up doing with your drain line situation? I personally find socks to be tedious and pretty much a waste of money in the long term. But that's just me. I just siphon out what the skimmer doesn't get, every week or so.

 

[CastAway]

Have not decided anything on the drain line/socks yet. Will probably trim the hoses to just below the water level, and then just twist and bend the filter socks out from under them. If that proves to troublesome, I suppose I can just abandon the idea. Of the three types of filtration, mechanical, chemical and biologic, the socks and skimmer are my only mechanical methods, so I was hoping to keep them. I've already decided to abandon the foam block I was intending to use as it seemed a little redundant, and, people suggest they are "nitrate factories". I suspect there will have to be some trail and error once it's wet, as I'm just making this all up as I go. At least the socks I've bought are relatively cheap, if I end up not using them.

 

[Reeflogic]

Yeah in a larger bio load, they are great for exporting waste, that's probably why I'm not using them this go round, because I'm only a 57 for the time being and don't notice any issues. I just found them to be a chore and would end up neglecting them until they were basically overflowing, and they tend to clog very fast lol. Over-skim for the win! Whatever you decide I'm sure it will be as methodical as the rest of your system. Really enjoying your progress.

 

[CastAway]

Thanks man! Love your system and your build thread. Was thinking about getting some eductors form my returns. How do you like yours?

 

[Reeflogic]

Thanks Jeff! Actually, they do increase the flow; however, I switched or downsized to this 57 and ordered the DC pump and knew it would be a little less than desirable on GPH and as it turns out, it really doesn't push the split lines hard enough. I did check it running directly to one and was very impressed with the flow increase. At some point I will upgrade the pump. My dual MP40's at 30% makes up for the lack of return flow haha. I will incorporate them in my next build for sure. Mine actually have a nozzle thing that spins and causes the current to somewhat swirl, but due to the lack of flow from my pump, it did not generate enough flow to spin the nozzles, so I took them off.

 

[CastAway]

Plumbing finished. Moving on...

 

[Reeflogic]

Love it. I know you already put the money into that clear / white hose you have, but if you ever change, you might try the spa or flex hose, I believe it is better insulated and it also doesn't allow algae growth from the sump / fuge lights. These clear / white hoses turn a dirty brown over time and are unsightly, it might take away from your beautifully plumbed system! I know it's minor, just adding my two cents, because I hated it after 3-6 months of using them and now I use the white spa hose and I like it much better! Wish it came in schedule 80 grey lol. Can't wait to see this beast in a year or two.