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wayneb

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    wayneb's Blog

    in Tank Builds

    Posted

    29 July 2010

    Has been an interesting few days since I made my last update. What I was blaming on the physical aspects of my job and old age turned out to be only partially correct. My physical condition finally got to the point where I could barely walk at work on Monday. Did something I very rarely do and went to the emergency room to get checked out and was immediately hospitalized and put on IV and antibiotics Turns out that I was diagnosed with cellulitis (skin infection) in both lower legs. Released last Thursday and told to stay off my feet until a follow on check with doctor Monday. To my regret it meant missing this months ARC meeting. Still had problems with my left foot and he believes that I may also have the beginning of gout. More blood tests and x-rays were done and should soon find out the results, Given more prescription medicine and ordered to stay off my feet for a while longer, Inactivity is driving me up the walls,

    While laid up have spent my time getting to know my laptop. Although I've had it for a while, never really used it except as a fancy "Kindle" to read my e-book cds. Am now able to access the web and sites (including ARC) from my laptop plus have transferred files from my PC using zip drives. So while laid up and unable to physically work on stand, am able to surf and plan on what I need to do. Mainly focusing on what I need to do to modify the sump/refuge and skimmer for best advantage.

    What I came up with is to have the sump/refuge/skimmer as three separate parts tied together thru Sch 80 bulkhead fittings and pipe. Inspiration for going this route was http://www.melevsreef.com/, and his DIY for building a separate unit sump (Model C). However I opted to go with three units consisting of 1. Input/refuge 2. Mech filter/output 3. Skimmer container. The skimmer input will be teed off of the over flow from the aquariums to the input/refuge and the skimmer output fed back to the input/refuge (again another idea from Melev. Between each of three parts want to add unions and where/when required ball valves.

    Questions to the readers are: 1" or 1 1/2" piping/fittings (thinking of cost difference) and can I use or even should I use wood hole saws or go with the glass hole saws for Acrylic material and the Rubbermaid container?

    Note: for some reason cannot access the sump/refuge pictures I added from Photobucket. Will attempt to add the individual pics as I discuss them.

    The input/refuge unit (see picture below) requires some work besides changing location of bulkhead fitting to allow refuge to hold more water. Need to modify bubble trap area baffles, first by increasing height of first baffle so that more live rock can be added to aid in dissapating any bubbles from the inputs from the tanks and skimmer. 2nd is to lower the next baffle to about 1-2" from bottom and 3rd is to add a new baffle from bottom to near top of fuge with critter guard to raise fuge area.

    Although the input area has a cutout to hold a filer sock, I am not planning on using one, As inferred from above will be adding rock rubble/live rock to dissapate bubbles. I also need to patch the hole left for the original bulkhead and as stated move the new bulkhead fitting(s) (one 1 1/2" or two 1") up 3 or 4".

    post-1216-13019292464204_thumb.jpg

    connecting tanks

    in Do It Yourself

    Posted

    Dave, thanks for the Kudos.

    I decided to go with "Blog" entires/updates because 1. didn't want to tie up forums with the many questions and ideas I have. 2. It allows me to get my thoughts and ideas in order (I figure if it can make sense to me at 2-3 in the morning, then hopefully it will make sense to the rest of you all at a civilized hour (lol). 3. wanted to reinforce to other newbies (which I consider myself still one and will do so for a long time to come) the 'fact' that everybody preaches - "There are no dumb questions, except those unresearched and/or unasked". 4. finally have been asked many times on the status of the build, an interest by others that is appreciated very much. My Blog allows fellow reefers, newbies, etc. to see for themselves, make comments, ask questions, provide answers to my musings. If anyone and everyone wants to jump in with questions, answers, etc please feel free to do so. Think of it as a newbie chat blog.

    To quote one of the reasons I started a Blog in the first place: "Next reason is I feel that this is one way to gather and record my thoughts, ideas, etc., no mater how silly I think they are or dumb they sound to me. That I choose to post them is probably my first silly idea. However the one thing I value most, outside of family, is knowledge. And I don't mean book learning per se, but that gained from practice and repetition, and feedback from others more wiser in the subjects. The comments received can be read, saved, and reread again and again until it sinks in. As I get older the one problem I have in receiving face-to-face advice is that my photocopy mind soon runs out of ink and becomes blurry in a short time."

    Dave, thanks again to you and the others who keep this an interesting and fun hobby.

    wayneb

    Spectrapure RO/DI

    in Hardware

    Posted

    Hi Teresa,

    Every forum category is sorted with the most recently replied to topic displayed first. If you are selling an item , more people will tend to see it if it is listed first. so people will sometimes reply to their own add with the word "bump" to bump their topic up to the top of the list.

    When used judiciously , as i have seen it used on this forum, it is a help to forum members to keep all the items that have not yet sold near the top of the list.

    -Scott

    Teresa, you will also see "ttt" for to the top.

    I had to ask too. thks Mama

    wayneb

    Dow Blue foam or Owen Pink foam

    in Reef Keeping

    Posted

    In the flooring department, you can find 1/4" thick dense foam floor cushion. Not carpet pad, but cushion for high traffic hard floor applications. I have used this under a sump and liked how it performed. Just enough deformation to accommodate irregularity in the deck surface and to fully support the glass bottom of the sump. It is sold by the foot. Looks like it also comes in 2x3 sheets:

    Cushion

    Check it out!

    Our Lowes carries something similiar, had checked it out a couple of weeks ago. But to use as carpet protection to build the stand on. Didn't like the price so went with the plastic

    staircase carpet protector.

    More comfortable using the blue foam as that is what I used when I had freshwater tanks set up. For you old-timer Austinites- I had gotten it at Homers Lumber and Hardware formerly located at 35 and 71 back in the early 80s..

    wayneb

    Dow Blue foam or Owen Pink foam

    in Reef Keeping

    Posted

    Spent the morning checking out both Lowes and Home Depot, here in Bastrop - looking for the foam sheets to put under tanks and fuge.

    Neither of them carry the 2' x 4' sheets 3/4" or 1" thick. Doing a LFS road trip tomorrow so will be in Austin and want to see if I can find

    it there. Any suggestions?

    thanks,

    wayneb

    July Marine Depot Group Order

    in Group Orders

    Posted

    You pick the time- I'm off and can make a LFS road run anytime,

    I will want a Tom's Aqua lifter Doser Pump - 14.99

    Pura Filtration Pad (15" x 30") = 25.99

    total: = 40.98

    Thanks,

    wayne

    PS will go thru products listing one more time to see what else I can use.

    wayneb's Blog

    in Tank Builds

    Posted

    CONNECTING TANKS BUILD (formerly Building on the Cheap)

    July 14, 2010

    Have changed the title of my Blog to "Connecting Tanks". Due to various reasons, have decided to put the 120gal tank setup on hold and focus on the spare room and getting the smaller tanks established. (See my "Connecting Tanks" ideas in the DIY forum). As I have gotten good feedback, decided to redirect that build to this Blog. To bring readers up to date, have included my posts/ideas I entertained in the forum:

    　

    20 May 2010 entry:

    Have a question which I can't find any answers to on the various reference sites.

    Have 3 tanks of similar width and depth: 48"x13"x20" 55g, 30"x13"x20" 29 gal and 14"x13"x16" 20gal

    that I was thinking of setting up as frag, holding and specialty tanks (SH), etc. (but not as quarantine tank).

    I also have a 30gal already plumbed as a fuge/sump.

    I am looking for both pro and con inputs and how-to ideas on daisy-chaining the 3 tanks together and using

    the one sump with skimmer for all 3. My idea is to have in-tank overflow boxes (trying to avoid the probs

    that people seem to have with HOB equipment).

    Any feedback would be appreciated.

    5 June 2010 entry:

    Have started the build somewhat. At least got a good idea on how I want it. Decided to go with 3 separate return pumps from the sump after talking with Shane, though he did bring up a possible heat problem with

    running 3 pumps. Have to look at what pumps are available, size and wattage used (lower wattage=less heat). Plus plan on adjusting pump size to each individual tank, figuring a gph turnover rate at 6-8 times quantity. Like the idea of Hydro's and others on using SPA flex tubing instead of rigid PVC. Still have to investigate more concerning the siphon break holes.

    Stand will be along the wall enclosed L shaped shelf type and about 20/22" wide on the long section and 26/28" on the short leg. It will be braced/crossbraced 2x6s and 1/2 plywood skinned (top of course 3/4"). All to be painted dark blue. Height still to be determined although I'm leaning toward 38", as I would like to comprimise between viewing sitting down and being able to work in tank. Lights will be hanging retrofit T-5 fixtures hidden by removable false-front canopies sized for each tank.

    Again ideas and feedback welcome

    (Note: The corner where the stand will be can be seen in Chap 2 of this Blog.)

    4 July 2010 entry:

    Decided to use the sump/fuge that I got when I bought my used 120gal last year. Got it out of storage and found that it was actually two diy acrylic units connected by a 1 1/4" bulkhead fitting. The smallest of the two tanks is 15.5 gal (14.5w x 15"l x 16.5" h) divided equally into two sections by a fish guard baffle across the width of the tank. The other part is 28g (14.5"w x 28"l x 16.5"h) is also divided into two sections, however the largest area is about 2/3 of the tank (fuge?) and has the bulkhead fitting.

    If I figured it out right - the input (smallest area of the large tank) flows into the fuge thru bubble trap baffles and out thru the bulkhead fitting to the output pump(s) area with the other part used for top off resevore.

    Which brings up questions - Is a single 1 1/4" fitting large enough to handle the input from four aquariums? (Picked up another 30 gal at garage sale and had it drilled)

    As there doesn't appear to be a skimmer area, I think I either need to divide the fuge area to allow for one or add a spare 10gal tank between the two units. As I want a large fuge area, I am leaning toward getting the 10g drilled and using it. But again would appreciate any suggestions.

    Note have pics, but work computer will not let me access photobucket site. Will add when I get home.

    thanks,

    wayneb

    http://s740.photobuc...%20refuge-sump/

    　

    The build is going very slow, due to various reasons- mainly the physical aspects of my part time job, hours, and my age, etc. Have almost finished the basic framework of the stand. Working under the concept of "plan, then do a little and rest a lot then plan some more".

    Received the four ViaAqua return pumps I ordered from Foster and Smith today. Went with these instead of the others due to their better gph/ft ht. capability. Last week I picked up the Deltec AP600 skimmer from DoMa and KaceyJ's sump. Had decided to use the 20gal as an isolation tank and wanted a sump instead of an in-tank filter (Besides I had already had Shane drill it.). I also painted the back of the 55g as I plan that to be the first tank to be set up.

    Can't believe it but have decided to go with halides and T-5s retro-kits. Will probably use the Aqualight Pro fixture I got from Crab Ragoon back in March for the 55. Comes with 2 150 w halides and compacts, though I think I will have to modify it a bit and use only the halides and add T5 retros to supplement them.

    For the 2 30s and the 20 will get 70 w halide kits (1 for each tank) with T5 retros. Also plan on adding lunar lights.

    My To-Do list:

    1. Run dedicated wiring from the room to the area of the power distribution box in the garage and have an electrician wire it to a 20 amp GFI breaker.

    2. Figure how I want to do the lights, I.e. hanging or canopy.

    3. Modify the sump/fuge and decide if I want the skimmer in or out of a container.

    That's it for now. Will post pictures later.

    blogentry-1216-024033300 1279264495_thum

    post-1216-13019292453169_thumb.jpg

    post-1216-13019292462225_thumb.jpg

    What is your plan when the power goes out?

    in Reef Keeping

    Posted

    Have been reading these posts with interest - as I do all posts on the various forums. And feel I would like to add my penny and a half. From my experience (hurricanes, monsoons, ice storms, tornadoes, power grid outages, etc), a general plan is good, but needs to be very flexible as each incident is unique and cannot be set in concrete. No two situations are the same nor does everyone have the same priorities. For me - its family, pets (dog first, fish and tank second), and everything else third. I live in the country, so have propane for cooking and hot water and have made the choice to forgo a generator. People can survive without air conditioning easier then they can without heat (grew up without a/c). Water and Food same thing. All in all its a personal (i.e. family) decision.

    wayneb

    Dr. Pepper smell

    in Do It Yourself

    Posted

    I put this here because I'm designing a salt mixing barrel for our 58 gallon. . .

    WayneB gave me a 15 gallon container he picked up from the Coca-Cola Bottling Company here in Austin. I've had for several months letting it soak in Clorex then in white vinegar. I still have a strong smell of Dr. Pepper. I'm afraid to use it. Is this something to worry about if should I try something else?

    TIA,

    Dave-

    Dave- sorry, I have checked the other three (plus the 2 30s) I still have and none have an oder. After I gave the one to you, I rinsed the others out a few more times in vinegar/water and then flushed them one last time with tap water. Refilled them with tap water and allowed them to sit outside for a couple of weeks without the caps. Emptied them, flush them with 5 gal of RO water each and am letting them sit outside until I need them.

    wayneb

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