The Journey - 300+ Gallon System Build - Picture Heavy

[Swirlygig]

I am not so sure that is going to be enough pump with all the stuff hooked up to it. You would be better running a separate pump for the other stuff. My understanding is darts are not great with lots of excessive plumbing/head pressure. Maybe someone who knows a bit about plumping and returns better can chime in to help here...

[jmking33]

I'd use the reeflo to just move water from sump to tanks. Then use smaller pumps for the skimmer, reactor, etc.

[Crazy_Beaver]

I have bought a used snapper from a friend!He was running it on a manifold and I planning to do so as well!

IMHO it all depends on how much water you are happy returning in your display and this should be your guideline!

[bpcardona]

So I am consulting a engineer and another very educated person in regards to my plumbing. These are some models I put together tonight to explain my setup. From what I am gathering it will be very hard to control the flow at each stop along this system. Because this manifold also feeds my tank, the flow through my tank will be difficult and variant. I may have to redesign with another pump dedicated to the display tank. We shall see what the experts say.


To follow will be a model of the return in my tank, along with lots of numbers. I will provide Height, Length and size of pipe, number of valve and unions, and also the number of elbows.

>

[bpcardona]

This is the back of the tank and the rest of the plumbing. This is the return from the pump. I still need to get some number, but that will likely be tomorrow

[Newbie Aquarist]

If you want chaos in your tank I think you created that with the manifold. Random current should be good since most of the flow will be internal with the powerheads.

[tgunn]

Originally Posted by bpcardona

Thanks for this great piece of advice! I wouldn't have thought of that nor have I read it anywhere, but make sense.

Thanks

Just make sure your reactors are able to handle the pressure of having the valve on their outlet. You're going to be pressurizing them with this mode of operation. Not bad, but something to consider.

Plumbing is so unpredictable. I can't count the number of revisions the plumbing on my 140g went through. When I set up my next tank I'll do it differently yet again.

[bpcardona]

Okay so here are the numbers. I will attempt to explain the figure below.

The total 90 elbows in this system is 4. The figure are also color coded. For all green pipe, the diameter is 1.5". For all red pipe, the diameter is 2".

Figure 1
Overview of the total system. This show the total positive elevation of 69" (~5.6'). This is starting at the pump and ending with the loc-line fans in the display tank.



Figure 2: Another overview of the total system. This is here so that one understands the isolated shot to come.



Figure 3: This shows the origin of the pump. I will rise 15" (positive elevation) to obey the 10x Diameter rule before the first elbow. However this model shows a 45, but needs to show a 90. I simply can't use the 45 due to my stand.



Figure 4: This show a 69" linear run to the entry point of my wall. This includes the 2" manifold and the run of 1.5" pipe. Therefore it should be noted that the manifold length is ~30".



Figure 5: This is another linear run through the my hidden pantry. The linear length here is 135".



Figure 5: This show the final positive elevation of 52" (~4.3'). This will end with six 3/4" Loc-Line fans (two are using "Y" adapters)



Figure 6: This shows the total positive elevation of 67".

[bpcardona]

Sorry it has taken me so long to reply to everyone. I have been trying to work on the tank, but life has gotten in the way. Thanks for everyone comments and suggestions.

Originally Posted by tgunn

Just make sure your reactors are able to handle the pressure of having the valve on their outlet. You're going to be pressurizing them with this mode of operation. Not bad, but something to consider.

Plumbing is so unpredictable. I can't count the number of revisions the plumbing on my 140g went through. When I set up my next tank I'll do it differently yet again.

tgunn: I great point you make here. I will be sure to be very careful of any back pressure caused by an exit valve. I hope to only do this plumbing once!

Originally Posted by Newbie Aquarist

If you want chaos in your tank I think you created that with the manifold. Random current should be good since most of the flow will be internal with the powerheads.

CHOAS? Not FUBR? at least not yet right. The variable flow won't be a problem in regards to the flow generated in the tank. However because I am fine tuning the sump returns to be at full siphon, any change will effect this. Then I get a mess or noisy tank.

Originally Posted by Crazy_Beaver

I have bought a used snapper from a friend!He was running it on a manifold and I planning to do so as well!

IMHO it all depends on how much water you are happy returning in your display and this should be your guideline!

Thanks I need to hear that other are doing the same thing as me. It very dangerous to be a "Maverick". Just ask Palin....

Originally Posted by jmking33

I'd use the reeflo to just move water from sump to tanks. Then use smaller pumps for the skimmer, reactor, etc.

I may end up with two pumps. One for the display return and one for the manifold. I want to get away from using a bunch of smaller pump, one for each device.

Originally Posted by Swirlygig

I am not so sure that is going to be enough pump with all the stuff hooked up to it. You would be better running a separate pump for the other stuff. My understanding is darts are not great with lots of excessive plumbing/head pressure. Maybe someone who knows a bit about plumping and returns better can chime in to help here...

Hey buddy!!! Your advice is well taken. I will probably end up with two Reeflo darts. I am surprised to hear a negative review on them. I have heard nothing but great things. Perhaps I need to research again.

PS the coral are looking GREAT!! Thanks a million.

Originally Posted by tgunn

Reefed419 is correct, the one downside to manifolds is that it can be a bit tough to balance the flow coming out of each. If you are using it to feed things where super-precise control isn't necessary, that's optimal.

On my old 140g I used a manifold to feed the skimmer, calcium reactor, and a media reactor. The rest of the return went to the main tank. Small variations in how clogged the reactors got would unbalance my overflow making it loud. Similar issues with the skimmer.

As long as you've set things up assuming the flow at any one port can vary you should be fine.

Thanks. It is looking like I am going to have two pumps on this system. One for the DT and one for the manifold.

Originally Posted by Reefed419

Not speaking from personal experience but I would think that having that many out puts running from one pump, could end up being a real hassel to keep the pressure you desire in each device as water pressure builds or lessens. I do not have a better solution. just thinking aloud is all. I see alot of people running manifolds to run all the reactors, so it mught not be that big of a hassel to deal with.

An engineer friend of mine echoes what you said. I am currently looking at a second pump.

[bpcardona]

So stepping away from plumbing I have some other updates:

Thanks you the John and the guys at Fish and Other Itchy Stuff I now have a hole in my 55g sump! It is a 75mm hole with a 2" bulkhead. This was my first visit to their shop, and I love it. They have a great atmosphere, and some supplies that other shop don't have! Thanks.

Regarding the rock work, I have decide to cure/seed the rock in the tank. I know I showed the rock being locked away in the tubs, but when I took it out to rinse I started to play around. I built up a plan for my aquascaping and thought it would be better to be able to take my time setting it up in the tank. If I cure/seeded it in the tubs for 6 week, investing all that time to get all that bacteria, then I would have to rush the aquascaping process. I felt that I could build my scene dry, take my time glue it together then add water. I will then cover the tank as not to let any light in for a few weeks. I will also do large water changes. I won't be able to do 100% each week, but I will do approx 55g each week. So here is my planned rock structure!

Finally I have decided that the amount of sunlight getting to the Display Tank is to much. Therefore I will be getting the windows tinted. The four window at the top receive much of the morning and afternoon sunlight, and I don't want issues with algae or loss of color. Notice the glare on the tank during it's install. I went with I 3M product the will block 85% of the transmitted light. This gets installed Wednesday.

[tgunn]

I think your idea to stack up the rock in the tank dry is a good one. Then there is no big rush to perfect the aquascape and you don't have to try to do it underwater.

Looks like a nice aquascape so far. Plenty of open swimming space and interesting shapes.

I think you will be happy you decided to add another pump. It also gives you a bi more redundancy in case of a failure.

[bpcardona]

Originally Posted by tgunn

I think your idea to stack up the rock in the tank dry is a good one. Then there is no big rush to perfect the aquascape and you don't have to try to do it underwater.

Looks like a nice aquascape so far. Plenty of open swimming space and interesting shapes.

I think you will be happy you decided to add another pump. It also gives you a bi more redundancy in case of a failure.

I think is will be much happier with setting up the rock dry. I planned it out fairly well, even put tape around the edges to maintain a gap between the glass. But if I try to remember how to piece it all back together, quickly underwater. I would end up with something much different.

As far as the pump, the more I think about it the more it make sense. I just need to find another good deal on one.

[tgunn]

Originally Posted by bpcardona

I think is will be much happier with setting up the rock dry. I planned it out fairly well, even put tape around the edges to maintain a gap between the glass. But if I try to remember how to piece it all back together, quickly underwater. I would end up with something much different.

As far as the pump, the more I think about it the more it make sense. I just need to find another good deal on one.

I think you'll be happy to have extra time to set it all up dry.

For the other pump you might want to consider a smaller pan world or iwaki. They're pressure pumps better suited for running reactors and what not. The dart is an awesome pump but it optimized for pushing large volumes of water through big pipes with little restriction.

[owenspackman]

now i see why you asked about windows! you have much more light on the display than I do, especially those top lights, tinting is the right way to go!

Seems we're the same age too, 'young' reefers in the grand scheme of things.

Good work so far, seems as though its been a patient build. I'll be tagging along, looking forward to seeing how it progresses!

Any stocking lists yet?

[bpcardona]

Originally Posted by owenspackman

now i see why you asked about windows! you have much more light on the display than I do, especially those top lights, tinting is the right way to go!

Seems we're the same age too, 'young' reefers in the grand scheme of things.

Good work so far, seems as though its been a patient build. I'll be tagging along, looking forward to seeing how it progresses!

Any stocking lists yet?

I imagine we are about the same age, 28 here. I do get a lot of light in the room so hopefully this helps a lot. The build has been 3 months in the making, but well worth it. As a stock list goes, I have some ideas but nothing planned out. I really want a couple tangs, and more fairly wrasses. (don't tell the Tang police)

[Newbie Aquarist]

Originally Posted by bpcardona

I imagine we are about the same age, 28 here. I do get a lot of light in the room so hopefully this helps a lot. The build has been 3 months in the making, but well worth it. As a stock list goes, I have some ideas but nothing planned out. I really want a couple tangs, and more fairly wrasses. (don't tell the Tang police)

I am loving everything so far. For a future small frag I can become a decoy and advert the tang police in another direction.

[bpcardona]

I have been lazy about posting, but have a ton of updates. However, I gotta say posting is somewhat time consuming. Therefore before I spend the time posting, I need to know if anyone is following. I am making this build thread partly for me, documenting the progress. But mainly I am doing it to share ideas, and get feedback.

So anybody following this thread?

[worm5406]

Not a single person...

/me pushes everyone else back and turns the light off.

Of course we are.. Come on......

[SABOB]

Yes,please continue


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Crazy_Beaver]

I am following!

[wakelust81]

Still following!

[sirreal63]

I am still here.

[bpcardona]

Sorry for asking, but I just don't want to waste time if no one cares. So to follow will be several updates. I will try to keep them in chronologic order. First up:

Window tinting!

As stated before I receive a lot of light in the morning hours through 4 picture windows. I decided to get them tinted and this is the result.

This is just before the install


The right window has tint the left does not


The left two window with, right without



Before


After

[owenspackman]

I've been waiting for updates and I'm still following!

[sirreal63]

We have the same style picture windows on both ends of our house, and they are tinted but ours are covered so we don't get the same amount of light through them that you do. The tinting really helps but I wouldn't worry about trying to do more, the incidental diffused light reaching the tank won't make much difference.