New Guy's Sage Continues: 100g build - Page 2

marcelft · 10/18/2008, 09:51 PM

Newest adventures...some good, some not good.

Ok..so I finally got the foam rock wall completed and installed in my tank. It was two peices, but I was able to get rid of teh crease between them. I have some gaps I'm not sure if I should fill in, or leave open. Im worried stuff my get in there and not be able to get out, but if I close in in what will happen to the stagnant water?? Here are pics:

Space between overflow and eggcrate, should I silicone this closed??

And gap where Egg Crate warped some, not sure why.

Oh, if you notice, I am bandaged up, will explain in next post below.

marcelft · 10/18/2008, 09:58 PM

So I finished my Sump. I literally shed sweat, LOTs and LOTS of blood, and even a few tears...while scoring the acrylic with a razor knife, I wound up slicing about a third of the tip of my thumb COMPLETEY off, had it stiched back on, hope the chunk sticks, will know in a few days:
Here is the finished sump, I think the Refugium on the right might be too small, maybe down teh road I will make a seperate larger one?

Here is the aftermath...this totally freaked me out. I had my hand to close to the straight edge I was using to score the acrylic sheeting. I had even moved my hand twice before as I knew it was a bad place, but for some reason I placed it back there..

Here is how much got cut off (used my right thumb for referance), went straight down, took 10 stiches, 3 through my fingernail, to sew it back on. I feel like an idiot, but accidents happen and you live you learn, could have been alot worse.

This fish tank better be worth it!!!!!!!!!!!

lilfishbigreef · 10/19/2008, 04:26 AM

OUCH!!!

hope you heal fast and all goes well!

on the far right is that baffle sealed or siliconed at the bottom as well so that water only goes over the top?

flamron · 10/19/2008, 07:07 AM

might want to rethink the acrylic in the glass sump. They don't get along real well. It may last, but silicone doesn't adhear well to acrylic. I would look at getting some glass baffles cut. Also, if you do stick with the acrylic, I hope you cut them about a 1/4" short, otherwise they may "POP" the seals when the acrylic expands (most likely will). Even if you do go with glass, I would still cut them 1/4" short, and then use silicone to seal them.

Hope you get to keep your finger, I enjoy mine and I wouldn't want to lose one...

marcelft · 10/19/2008, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lilfishbigreef
OUCH!!!

hope you heal fast and all goes well!

on the far right is that baffle sealed or siliconed at the bottom as well so that water only goes over the top?

Yes, It sealed all the way down. Thats where the Refugium will be. I will have a tee off my overflow line which allow me to regulate overflow to it.

marcelft · 10/19/2008, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by flamron
might want to rethink the acrylic in the glass sump. They don't get along real well. It may last, but silicone doesn't adhear well to acrylic. I would look at getting some glass baffles cut. Also, if you do stick with the acrylic, I hope you cut them about a 1/4" short, otherwise they may "POP" the seals when the acrylic expands (most likely will). Even if you do go with glass, I would still cut them 1/4" short, and then use silicone to seal them.

Hope you get to keep your finger, I enjoy mine and I wouldn't want to lose one...

Thanks for the input, not that I wanted to hear that all that work and my cut off thumb was for nothing. I have seen other people who did it like this, so I went with it. Anyone else out there who can chime in on this??

venom00viper · 10/19/2008, 08:21 AM

I made my 29g sump with acrylic baffles. been 2 months so far all is well. I got the thickest i could find and lowes. I did cut it shorter on purpose to allow the silicone to form around it and sealed all the sides. Your layout of baffles it similar to mine. I made the middle section my fuge and the last one for the return. Is there a space under the last baffle? Maybe just add an over flow baffle before that one. Works great for me. Good luck!

-ben

marcelft · 10/19/2008, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by venom00viper
I made my 29g sump with acrylic baffles. been 2 months so far all is well. I got the thickest i could find and lowes. I did cut it shorter on purpose to allow the silicone to form around it and sealed all the sides. Your layout of baffles it similar to mine. I made the middle section my fuge and the last one for the return. Is there a space under the last baffle? Maybe just add an over flow baffle before that one. Works great for me. Good luck!

-ben

Thanks Ben, yea, this is a 29g tank also. No, there is no space under the last baffle, just overflow on the top, about 1.5" down from top of tank. Maybe I'm confused from loss of blood yesterday, but what do you mean by adding an overflow baffle before that one?

nivram · 10/19/2008, 02:40 PM

If you can I agree with everyone else in that you should try to make the middle section your fuge and the right section for your pump. Sorry to hear about your finger. Sounds painful.

marcelft · 10/19/2008, 03:49 PM

Ok...I hear ya guys, but how do I make the middle section the refugium and have its water level higher than the skimmer's 8" level? I can't remeber where I heard it, but dont you want the water flow through the refugium to be slower then say through the skimmer and return area?

Lovin the input, I want to get this thing right. Couldn't even imagine how hard it would be to gather info back when there was no Inet.

marcelft · 10/19/2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by venom00viper
I made my 29g sump with acrylic baffles. been 2 months so far all is well. I got the thickest i could find and lowes. I did cut it shorter on purpose to allow the silicone to form around it and sealed all the sides. Your layout of baffles it similar to mine. I made the middle section my fuge and the last one for the return. Is there a space under the last baffle? Maybe just add an over flow baffle before that one. Works great for me. Good luck!

-ben

Ben,
do you have a good pic of your sump?
Marcel

AquamanE · 10/19/2008, 08:24 PM

Cant tell by picture but remember to give yourself a good water level in the return area to account for evaporation. Unless you get an ato, if your water level is too low you limit the amount of time you can be away from tank before return area goes dry.

BTW- Very nice job on that rock wall!!!

marcelft · 10/19/2008, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AquamanE
Cant tell by picture but remember to give yourself a good water level in the return area to account for evaporation. Unless you get an ato, if your water level is too low you limit the amount of time you can be away from tank before return area goes dry.

BTW- Very nice job on that rock wall!!!

Thanks for the compliment on the wall, it came out better than I thought it would, wasn't that hard to do either.

As far as the return area, all I have is 8" x 9" x 12". Im wondering if this 29g is just to small? Maybe I should get another tank for a refugium, and just have skimmer and return in the 29g. Im trying to keep this simple though. How much evaportation should I expect in a tank like mine? Im not running MH, just T5 and VHO's.

flamron · 10/20/2008, 10:25 AM

My 75G with 30gal long sump evaporates about 1/2 to 3/4 of a gallon a day. I'm having heat issues, so it is about to go up once I add a fan to the sump. I can go about three days without refilling. I will try to get my measurements for my return chamber in my sump when I get home.

marcelft · 10/20/2008, 12:19 PM

cool...thanks. My tank may be on hold for a bit, I just found out I need plastic surgery for my damn thumb, and will be outta work for 3 weeks.

brians4671 · 10/20/2008, 01:15 PM

marcelft unfortunate about the hand. the wall looks real good. keep us posted on your plans and progress.

AquamanE · 10/20/2008, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by flamron
My 75G with 30gal long sump evaporates about 1/2 to 3/4 of a gallon a day. I'm having heat issues, so it is about to go up once I add a fan to the sump. I can go about three days without refilling. I will try to get my measurements for my return chamber in my sump when I get home.

I get the same with a 65 with 20 gal sump. No heat issues. only t5's

AquamanE · 10/20/2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by marcelft
cool...thanks. My tank may be on hold for a bit, I just found out I need plastic surgery for my damn thumb, and will be outta work for 3 weeks.

Thats horrible. Sorry to hear.

The things we do for our hobby.

Soudns like you might need some addiction therapy.

marcelft · 10/20/2008, 03:44 PM

Yea, Im pretty bumed out...time will heal it. Thanks for the good words guys. i wont have funds to finish it for a while.

nivram · 10/20/2008, 03:54 PM

Marcel Don't give up. It'll be there when you are all healed up. Perhaps now that you have some down time you can plan out the livestock you want.

marcelft · 10/20/2008, 04:11 PM

Thanks Marvin, and hell no Im not giving up, I'd give my left thumb up for this tank...oh wait, I did....

I really don't have that far to go. I gotta get the tank up on the stand, plumb the overflow/return, get sand, get live rock, get a couple of powerheads, and let it cycle.

nivram · 10/20/2008, 04:52 PM

If it's on a weekend I don't mind giving you a hand (no pun intended.)

marcelft · 10/20/2008, 06:28 PM

Thanks man, I appreciate the offer, might take u up on it. With how much this tank weighs now that I added 60 more lbs, I might need two big dudes like you..LOL

marcelft · 10/24/2008, 10:06 AM

This is sort of aquatic related: So I had reconstructive surgery on my thumb, they are doing some crazy stuff, the made a flap with my pointer finger to graft onto my thimb, so right now my thumb is sewed to my pointer finger. Anyways, they gave me this sponge contraption to help me keep my hand elevated. I think it looks like SpomgeBob Square Pant's body...hence the aquatic theme.

brians4671 · 10/24/2008, 05:01 PM

if you cut your left thumb you are probably right handed so at least it wasnt your beer holding hand.

10/19/2008, 04:26 AM	#28
lilfishbigreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pembroke Pines, FL Posts: 1,068	OUCH!!! hope you heal fast and all goes well! on the far right is that baffle sealed or siliconed at the bottom as well so that water only goes over the top? __________________ To Live is Life, to LOVE is to be ALIVE Emilio "Emilio, why can't you be more mature like me, Les, and Brian?" <~Phuzzy (yeah, i'll believe that when Les is the Mother Terresa) "whenever I see light at the end of the tunnel, I always assume it's a train headed my direction" <~ Bart Current Tank Info: None

10/19/2008, 07:07 AM	#29
flamron Professional Stick Gluer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 2,216	might want to rethink the acrylic in the glass sump. They don't get along real well. It may last, but silicone doesn't adhear well to acrylic. I would look at getting some glass baffles cut. Also, if you do stick with the acrylic, I hope you cut them about a 1/4" short, otherwise they may "POP" the seals when the acrylic expands (most likely will). Even if you do go with glass, I would still cut them 1/4" short, and then use silicone to seal them. Hope you get to keep your finger, I enjoy mine and I wouldn't want to lose one... __________________ Ronnie 60g cube - Ghost Overflow - ATI 8 bulb dimmable sunpower - Apex - MP10s - Synergy sump

10/19/2008, 08:24 PM	#37
AquamanE Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 6,544	Cant tell by picture but remember to give yourself a good water level in the return area to account for evaporation. Unless you get an ato, if your water level is too low you limit the amount of time you can be away from tank before return area goes dry. BTW- Very nice job on that rock wall!!! __________________ Eddie Soler FMAS BOD Member MACNA 2013 Chairman "I'd rather die living than live to die" Current Tank Info: 200G mixed reef with 60G sump, Radion LED’s , Bubble King skimmer, blah blah blah.

10/20/2008, 10:25 AM	#39
flamron Professional Stick Gluer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 2,216	My 75G with 30gal long sump evaporates about 1/2 to 3/4 of a gallon a day. I'm having heat issues, so it is about to go up once I add a fan to the sump. I can go about three days without refilling. I will try to get my measurements for my return chamber in my sump when I get home. __________________ Ronnie 60g cube - Ghost Overflow - ATI 8 bulb dimmable sunpower - Apex - MP10s - Synergy sump

10/18/2008, 09:51 PM	#26
marcelft Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 540	Newest adventures...some good, some not good. Ok..so I finally got the foam rock wall completed and installed in my tank. It was two peices, but I was able to get rid of teh crease between them. I have some gaps I'm not sure if I should fill in, or leave open. Im worried stuff my get in there and not be able to get out, but if I close in in what will happen to the stagnant water?? Here are pics: Space between overflow and eggcrate, should I silicone this closed?? And gap where Egg Crate warped some, not sure why. Oh, if you notice, I am bandaged up, will explain in next post below.

10/18/2008, 09:58 PM	#27
marcelft Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 540	So I finished my Sump. I literally shed sweat, LOTs and LOTS of blood, and even a few tears...while scoring the acrylic with a razor knife, I wound up slicing about a third of the tip of my thumb COMPLETEY off, had it stiched back on, hope the chunk sticks, will know in a few days: Here is the finished sump, I think the Refugium on the right might be too small, maybe down teh road I will make a seperate larger one? Here is the aftermath...this totally freaked me out. I had my hand to close to the straight edge I was using to score the acrylic sheeting. I had even moved my hand twice before as I knew it was a bad place, but for some reason I placed it back there.. Here is how much got cut off (used my right thumb for referance), went straight down, took 10 stiches, 3 through my fingernail, to sew it back on. I feel like an idiot, but accidents happen and you live you learn, could have been alot worse. This fish tank better be worth it!!!!!!!!!!!

10/19/2008, 08:21 AM	#32
venom00viper Moved On Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Downtown Palm Beach, fl Posts: 844	I made my 29g sump with acrylic baffles. been 2 months so far all is well. I got the thickest i could find and lowes. I did cut it shorter on purpose to allow the silicone to form around it and sealed all the sides. Your layout of baffles it similar to mine. I made the middle section my fuge and the last one for the return. Is there a space under the last baffle? Maybe just add an over flow baffle before that one. Works great for me. Good luck! -ben

10/19/2008, 02:40 PM	#34
nivram Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: S. FL Posts: 6,194	If you can I agree with everyone else in that you should try to make the middle section your fuge and the right section for your pump. Sorry to hear about your finger. Sounds painful.

10/19/2008, 03:49 PM	#35
marcelft Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 540	Ok...I hear ya guys, but how do I make the middle section the refugium and have its water level higher than the skimmer's 8" level? I can't remeber where I heard it, but dont you want the water flow through the refugium to be slower then say through the skimmer and return area? Lovin the input, I want to get this thing right. Couldn't even imagine how hard it would be to gather info back when there was no Inet.

10/20/2008, 12:19 PM	#40
marcelft Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 540	cool...thanks. My tank may be on hold for a bit, I just found out I need plastic surgery for my damn thumb, and will be outta work for 3 weeks.

10/20/2008, 01:15 PM	#41
brians4671 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: miami fl Posts: 2,088	marcelft unfortunate about the hand. the wall looks real good. keep us posted on your plans and progress.

10/20/2008, 03:44 PM	#44
marcelft Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 540	Yea, Im pretty bumed out...time will heal it. Thanks for the good words guys. i wont have funds to finish it for a while.

10/20/2008, 03:54 PM	#45
nivram Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: S. FL Posts: 6,194	Marcel Don't give up. It'll be there when you are all healed up. Perhaps now that you have some down time you can plan out the livestock you want.

10/20/2008, 04:11 PM	#46
marcelft Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 540	Thanks Marvin, and hell no Im not giving up, I'd give my left thumb up for this tank...oh wait, I did.... I really don't have that far to go. I gotta get the tank up on the stand, plumb the overflow/return, get sand, get live rock, get a couple of powerheads, and let it cycle.

10/20/2008, 04:52 PM	#47
nivram Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: S. FL Posts: 6,194	If it's on a weekend I don't mind giving you a hand (no pun intended.)

10/20/2008, 06:28 PM	#48
marcelft Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 540	Thanks man, I appreciate the offer, might take u up on it. With how much this tank weighs now that I added 60 more lbs, I might need two big dudes like you..LOL

10/24/2008, 10:06 AM	#49
marcelft Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 540	This is sort of aquatic related: So I had reconstructive surgery on my thumb, they are doing some crazy stuff, the made a flap with my pointer finger to graft onto my thimb, so right now my thumb is sewed to my pointer finger. Anyways, they gave me this sponge contraption to help me keep my hand elevated. I think it looks like SpomgeBob Square Pant's body...hence the aquatic theme.

10/24/2008, 05:01 PM	#50
brians4671 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: miami fl Posts: 2,088	if you cut your left thumb you are probably right handed so at least it wasnt your beer holding hand.