my first reef

nextlevelreef · 04/02/2009, 06:29 PM

well its been a year of research and 8 months of gathering parts and finaly i can say my plumbing is done heres some pics
any comments would be great

and my unfinshed stand

fasteddie99 · 04/02/2009, 06:34 PM

Wow!

Great job on the plumbing. Looks very neat and tidy. The cabinetry is fab from what I can see. I'd like to see more pictures of the display.

Great job! Your work?

BWine · 04/02/2009, 06:40 PM

Looking really good! Everything looks nice and clean.

reefergeorge · 04/02/2009, 06:44 PM

I hate you.

JK. If that is your first atempt. It is amazing!

Squidward5 · 04/02/2009, 07:03 PM

I like the tank but I like the workmanship you put into the plumbing more good job!

jterrell · 04/02/2009, 07:22 PM

I would add a few more shutoff valves if I where you! Just kidding, looks great.

nextlevelreef · 04/02/2009, 07:27 PM

thanks everyone ya i realy took my time wiht my plumbing i hate messy workmanship i wanted to make sure everthing was easy to reach and service

polyppetey · 04/02/2009, 08:31 PM

I love the small side window, plumbing looks like a nuclear submarine or something. I like it.

cward · 04/02/2009, 08:42 PM

Very nice, and I like the fact that you used all grey PVC.

drummereef · 04/02/2009, 08:54 PM

Nice work on the plumbing.

Can you hook me up with your supplier that got you those gate valves.

Looks amazing. Loving the trim detail on the display too.

91yota · 04/02/2009, 10:11 PM

i usually skip threads with similar titles... the results typically reinforce the title... this is one thread im glad i clicked on... the equipment and attention to detail in setting the system up is very impressive! great job

Rbacchiega · 04/02/2009, 10:21 PM

Well you're definately headed in the right direction. Very clean under the tank.

OwenInAZ · 04/02/2009, 10:58 PM

The plumbing looks really clean and well thought out -- the only thing I see is your ball valve pointing straight down with nothing under it:

I assume the intent is to make water changes easier, but IMO that is a recipe for disaster when that ball valve gives way, or you/someone taking care of the tank leaves it open even a little bit.

I do think that rock pile is going to look sweet once things really start growing on it, and the cabinetry is really nice looking too

ludnix · 04/02/2009, 11:15 PM

What would you recommend he do differently OwenInAZ? I can't imagine a ball valve giving out unless it's not glued in.

Squidward5 · 04/02/2009, 11:22 PM

PVC Schedule 80 ball valve = No Problems

Fun $ Pit · 04/03/2009, 06:59 AM

First reef? Hella nice job!

nextlevelreef · 04/03/2009, 07:15 AM

that valve is a extra for who knows i also use it for water changes to drain my sump i may just end up looping it back in the the first section of my sump to keep debris floating

thanks for all the great comments i wouldnt have done this good with out RC it has realy helped me do things right the first time!!!

and im still learning little tricks all the time

the gate valves came from just a online hardware store dam i forget now but i beleve marinedepot sells the same brand

macreefster · 04/03/2009, 07:23 AM

awesome job on the plumbing and woodwork. love the look of the sch 80 fittings and pipe. i don't even want to look at my plumbing and sump area after seeing such an organized system!

how do you like your ati power module? i am so itching to switch to t-5's.

silentscream · 04/03/2009, 08:39 AM

I wish my first reef was that well thought out, nice work!

ed102475 · 04/03/2009, 08:47 AM

I can see the pic's i dont know why any ideas?

an411 · 04/03/2009, 09:29 AM

Yeah that is a great setup I only can wish under my tank looks half as neat. Good luck with everything

OwenInAZ · 04/03/2009, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ludnix
What would you recommend he do differently OwenInAZ? I can't imagine a ball valve giving out unless it's not glued in.

Well, if it were me I wouldn't have plumbed it in to start. If he doesn't want to do the old school method of a siphon through a hose into a bucket (can be messy), he can throw a small pump into the sump or the tank and pump it out that way. For now, though, I'd recommend putting a threaded cap onto the end of that valve (I assume it's a threaded joint and not slip) so if it fails there's something keeping the water in.

My philosophy is just to keep things simple, and to have multiple redundancies built into the system in case something gives out. For example, the sump should be able to hold all the water that backflows out of the tank during a power outage -- to make sure that happens, the return is placed high in the tank with several break holes drilled. In that one example there are three points of redundancy to prevent water on the floor. Just saying "it's schedule 80, it won't be a problem," to me, is an unacceptably high amount of risk considering the investment we make in the tank and the potential damage to a home.

I don't know if that ball valve *will* go out, but to me that's a huge failure point in what appears to be an otherwise strong system, and as we know in this hobby if something can go wrong it generally will at some point

mixer911 · 04/03/2009, 09:35 AM

Looks like you Did your Homework

Nice job!!!

rendogg · 04/03/2009, 09:53 AM

Nice work! That plumbing looks pretty neat and sweet....salt creep should take care of that.

nextlevelreef · 04/03/2009, 10:17 AM

my sump actual has a back up plan in case of a weird emergency my sump will never over flow cause i have a 3/4 bulk conected to a pipe that drains in to my sump pump in the basemet which mena no water ever on my hardwood!!!! puttinga cap on that ball valve is probaly a relay good idea i will take your advice saftey first disaster avoided

and yes slat creep sucks im wipe my equipment every week to keep it spiffy

04/02/2009, 06:29 PM	#1
nextlevelreef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 91	my first reef well its been a year of research and 8 months of gathering parts and finaly i can say my plumbing is done heres some pics any comments would be great and my unfinshed stand

04/02/2009, 06:40 PM	#3
BWine Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Brandywine, MD Posts: 230	Looking really good! Everything looks nice and clean. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: 210 gal, 75 gal Sump/Refugium, MSX300a Skimmer, 4 AI SOL Blues

04/02/2009, 06:44 PM	#4
reefergeorge Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Louis MO Posts: 4,222	I hate you. JK. If that is your first atempt. It is amazing! __________________ $35-50 for a <1" frag of some stupid named thing that came from a colony you bought for $40-60 wholesale and chopped into 20-40 pieces? No thanks. "JasonH" Current Tank Info: 125 aggressive reef, DIY led lighting, swc cone skimmer, 33 gallon sump, posiden Ps3 return.

04/02/2009, 08:42 PM	#9
cward Premium Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Granville, Ohio Posts: 5,006	Very nice, and I like the fact that you used all grey PVC. __________________ ~~~Having a high post count doesn't automatically give you a high reefing IQ.~~~

04/02/2009, 08:54 PM	#10
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Nice work on the plumbing. Can you hook me up with your supplier that got you those gate valves. Looks amazing. Loving the trim detail on the display too. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/02/2009, 06:34 PM	#2
fasteddie99 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Delaware Posts: 1,028	Wow! Great job on the plumbing. Looks very neat and tidy. The cabinetry is fab from what I can see. I'd like to see more pictures of the display. Great job! Your work?

04/02/2009, 07:03 PM	#5
Squidward5 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 231	I like the tank but I like the workmanship you put into the plumbing more good job!

04/02/2009, 07:22 PM	#6
jterrell Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ruidoso, NM Posts: 263	I would add a few more shutoff valves if I where you! Just kidding, looks great.

04/02/2009, 07:27 PM	#7
nextlevelreef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 91	thanks everyone ya i realy took my time wiht my plumbing i hate messy workmanship i wanted to make sure everthing was easy to reach and service

04/02/2009, 08:31 PM	#8
polyppetey Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: richboro Posts: 313	I love the small side window, plumbing looks like a nuclear submarine or something. I like it.

04/02/2009, 10:11 PM	#11
91yota Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 782	i usually skip threads with similar titles... the results typically reinforce the title... this is one thread im glad i clicked on... the equipment and attention to detail in setting the system up is very impressive! great job

04/02/2009, 10:21 PM	#12
Rbacchiega Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ballarat, Australia Posts: 50	Well you're definately headed in the right direction. Very clean under the tank. __________________ "Here's to Swimmin' with Bow-Leged Women" Current Tank Info: 180 gallon in progress

04/02/2009, 10:58 PM	#13
OwenInAZ Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 2,409	The plumbing looks really clean and well thought out -- the only thing I see is your ball valve pointing straight down with nothing under it: I assume the intent is to make water changes easier, but IMO that is a recipe for disaster when that ball valve gives way, or you/someone taking care of the tank leaves it open even a little bit. I do think that rock pile is going to look sweet once things really start growing on it, and the cabinetry is really nice looking too __________________ Owen Professional Bacteria Geek "Ree... cy... cling?" "One day it's a bowl full of cherries, one night I'm suckin' on lemons and spittin' out the seeds" Current Tank Info: 90 gallon tall reef

04/02/2009, 11:15 PM	#14
ludnix Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,031	What would you recommend he do differently OwenInAZ? I can't imagine a ball valve giving out unless it's not glued in. __________________ -Eric Sutter Current Tank Info: 14g Biocube

04/02/2009, 11:22 PM	#15
Squidward5 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 231	PVC Schedule 80 ball valve = No Problems

04/03/2009, 06:59 AM	#16
Fun $ Pit Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Collierville, Tennessee Posts: 302	First reef? Hella nice job! __________________ Thank you. Drive Thru! Current Tank Info: 180G - See my Gallery

04/03/2009, 07:15 AM	#17
nextlevelreef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 91	that valve is a extra for who knows i also use it for water changes to drain my sump i may just end up looping it back in the the first section of my sump to keep debris floating thanks for all the great comments i wouldnt have done this good with out RC it has realy helped me do things right the first time!!! and im still learning little tricks all the time the gate valves came from just a online hardware store dam i forget now but i beleve marinedepot sells the same brand

04/03/2009, 07:23 AM	#18
macreefster Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: michigan Posts: 1,015	awesome job on the plumbing and woodwork. love the look of the sch 80 fittings and pipe. i don't even want to look at my plumbing and sump area after seeing such an organized system! how do you like your ati power module? i am so itching to switch to t-5's. __________________ mac Current Tank Info: 70gal sps reef (36x24x20), 50g sump, 25g refugium, vertex alpha cone 170, 2 x 250w 14k phoenix w/ lumenmax 3's, 2 vortech mp40w's, eheim 1262 return pump

04/03/2009, 08:39 AM	#19
silentscream Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,136	I wish my first reef was that well thought out, nice work! __________________ Justin

04/03/2009, 08:47 AM	#20
ed102475 Reef Custodian Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: FL. Posts: 954	I can see the pic's i dont know why any ideas? __________________ Stromalitic cyanobacteria!... Gather. An entire ecosystem contained in one infinitesimal speck.

04/03/2009, 09:29 AM	#21
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	Yeah that is a great setup I only can wish under my tank looks half as neat. Good luck with everything

04/03/2009, 09:35 AM	#23
mixer911 Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 1,566	Looks like you Did your Homework Nice job!!! __________________ Rick --::-- Baffleless Sump Club Shallow Reef Club Rimless Aquarium Club Current Tank Info: 103 Gallon Starphire Reef Savvy Cube / 250w Galaxy Dimmable - Radium - Lumenbright Mini / 2 x 24" VHO / 2 x 24" T5 / 3x Power Brite Act LEDs /2 x Tunze 6025 / Vortech MP40ES / Neptune APEX Lite / CS200 Cone with Octo BB 2000

04/03/2009, 09:53 AM	#24
rendogg Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Abbotsford, B.C. Posts: 578	Nice work! That plumbing looks pretty neat and sweet....salt creep should take care of that.

04/03/2009, 10:17 AM	#25
nextlevelreef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 91	my sump actual has a back up plan in case of a weird emergency my sump will never over flow cause i have a 3/4 bulk conected to a pipe that drains in to my sump pump in the basemet which mena no water ever on my hardwood!!!! puttinga cap on that ball valve is probaly a relay good idea i will take your advice saftey first disaster avoided and yes slat creep sucks im wipe my equipment every week to keep it spiffy