- Joined
- Jun 19, 2017
- Messages
- 55
- Reaction score
- 91
Two Minor Tweaks
After posting on #AskBRSTV I received a few good tips that had just completely slipped my mind. The first was with my plumbing as it exited the two Varios return pumps. I was using barbs and sized them at 1.25” to match the plumbing. I failed to even think that the barbs themselves are restricting me down from that measurement from the start. The amount of bends I needed to get the two UV’s installed was already causing me concern, so I decided to place a quick-ship order at BRS to get some different fittings. Luckily, the unions I used made this fairly easy and I ended up redoing from the pump to the hard plumbing on both pumps with 1.5” barbs and vinyl tubing instead. Now that I actually know my flow numbers, I’m glad I did this.
After posting the scape pictures someone had mentioned the possibility of collecting detritus in some areas. As I was building, the goal was coves with hiding spots so fish could “hide” in plain sight. I originally laid out the base rock with space in between to create some though-space where flow could pass. However, after that comment I went back and took a closer look and realized as I was building the right side, I ended up closing one of these areas off completely and would definitely collect detritus in that particular area. I debated for three days on redoing it since I had already glued. Finally, I took the plunge. I carefully tried to pry a few rocks apart. I was just about ready to give up when one section popped, and I was able to pull it out. I wish I would have taken a picture because this left a large rock jetting out with nothing underneath and the rest of the structure didn’t budge…a true testament to the BRS extra thick glue!
With that section out, I was able to remove the large rock, break a chunk off of another and get it right back together with great flow through that area. I’m glad I did this and the main reason I did, was I thought even if it takes me two hours to get it back, I’ll be enjoying it for years, so it is well worth it.
Before
After
The Parts Removed
Before
Before
After
After
After posting on #AskBRSTV I received a few good tips that had just completely slipped my mind. The first was with my plumbing as it exited the two Varios return pumps. I was using barbs and sized them at 1.25” to match the plumbing. I failed to even think that the barbs themselves are restricting me down from that measurement from the start. The amount of bends I needed to get the two UV’s installed was already causing me concern, so I decided to place a quick-ship order at BRS to get some different fittings. Luckily, the unions I used made this fairly easy and I ended up redoing from the pump to the hard plumbing on both pumps with 1.5” barbs and vinyl tubing instead. Now that I actually know my flow numbers, I’m glad I did this.
After posting the scape pictures someone had mentioned the possibility of collecting detritus in some areas. As I was building, the goal was coves with hiding spots so fish could “hide” in plain sight. I originally laid out the base rock with space in between to create some though-space where flow could pass. However, after that comment I went back and took a closer look and realized as I was building the right side, I ended up closing one of these areas off completely and would definitely collect detritus in that particular area. I debated for three days on redoing it since I had already glued. Finally, I took the plunge. I carefully tried to pry a few rocks apart. I was just about ready to give up when one section popped, and I was able to pull it out. I wish I would have taken a picture because this left a large rock jetting out with nothing underneath and the rest of the structure didn’t budge…a true testament to the BRS extra thick glue!
With that section out, I was able to remove the large rock, break a chunk off of another and get it right back together with great flow through that area. I’m glad I did this and the main reason I did, was I thought even if it takes me two hours to get it back, I’ll be enjoying it for years, so it is well worth it.
Before
After
The Parts Removed
Before
Before
After
After