250 gallon build thread - Page 6

oneoffcustom · 06/05/2008, 08:34 PM

wow

logiktest · 06/06/2008, 03:18 AM

The Dart pump should make for a nice return pump.

Nice price too.

michealprater · 06/08/2008, 05:19 PM

Ok, got some new updates for you guys. Finally started on the plumbing. I want to thank Kraash for coming by today and helping out. We went to Lowes in Edwardsville to get all kinds of pvc.

Here are the really cool grabber green ball valves!

Here is a pic after we have the drains installed.

And another with the returns plumbed.

Nothing is glued yet, as I am waiting on a few items to convert my 75 to a sump. Just thought I would share a few pics.

maxxII · 06/08/2008, 08:17 PM

One thing to keep in mind about foam in the tank is that foam floats. Doesnt sound like a big deal till you try and keep it from floating. I used Pond Foam for one of my rock racks in my tank. I used enough to break up the outline of the 1/2 inch pvc I was using to make the rack. I filled the rack with sand first in order to give it some weight....didnt weigh it to find out how much it weighed, but will guesstimate it at about 10 lbs with sand in it.

It wouldnt submerge. Tried a couple of rocks...heavy ones. Still wouldnt submerge. Wound up removing the foam from the rack and using Thorite cement on it. Now I have a rack that doesnt look like its made of PVC, and doesnt float.

Nick

logiktest · 06/08/2008, 08:54 PM

Cool ball valves.

You may want some conventional pipe hangers. I see that they rest on nails though.

Looks like your getting close to having water. Is the sump drilled yet?

michealprater · 06/09/2008, 05:29 AM

Yeah, I plan on getting some hangers. Like I said, its not glued. That is just a mock up. I still need several supplies to actually finish it up.

The sump still needs baffled and drilled. I need a few more bulkheads, a drill bit, the glass, and some 90 degree fittings.

I started on the rock racks, I will post soon. I still have to paint my stands prior to gluing all the plumbing.

MaxxII, thanks for the rack advise, I really appreciate it.

michealprater · 06/09/2008, 05:30 AM

BTW, where can I pick up some Thorite cement?

maxxII · 06/09/2008, 11:50 AM

The Thorite was ordered online for local pickup at Ace Hardware...
You can also use Quikrete's Hydraulic Water Stop cement (commercial grade) which can be found at Lowes...
I've used both with no ill effects in my system.

Nick

michealprater · 06/09/2008, 12:12 PM

I assume that could also be used with aragonite to make DIY rock?

maxxII · 06/09/2008, 12:23 PM

I would assume so...but I've never tried it, and wouldnt know what mix ratios to use.

Nick

michealprater · 06/09/2008, 02:02 PM

I cannot get the ace website to work, maybe just this PC. I will try my laptop later.

maxxII · 06/09/2008, 02:57 PM

Here is a thread with lots of information on using hydraulic cement in tanks. Its titled reef ceramics because there was/is a product named reef ceramics. Interestingly enough the majority of the people using reef ceramics wound up having massive problems keeing acros...it was later determined that the reef ceramics were the cause. I dont know if the issue has been resolved with reef ceramics or not, but the second poster to the thread, Mr wilson has alot of experiance with hydraulic cement and other similar products in reef tanks. Its a long read, but worth it...

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=993625

Nick

michealprater · 06/09/2008, 07:51 PM

Well I got one of my rock racks done. You would not believe how hard these are to make! The second one will be smaller. Infact I may trim this one down some.

michealprater · 06/09/2008, 09:23 PM

Max, is this the stuff?

http://www.acehardware.com/search/in...Brand%7CTHORO+

Angler02 · 06/09/2008, 11:38 PM

I had a thought while looking at ideas for your rock racks. I was looking into doing something like that as well. If you remember I had found an article on live framing you tank. Anyway if you use the foam as Logiktest suggested you could also smash a live rock or two into a bunch of pieces and use the smaller pieces of LR to place on the foam thus covering up the pvc. I'm not sure if that makes sense but it seems like a logical way to hide the pvc.

logiktest · 06/10/2008, 05:27 AM

Covering the PVC with aragocrete and foam would look good, and certainly be heavy, though you would have to wait for it to properly cure.

michealprater · 06/10/2008, 05:29 AM

I am not 100% sure how I am going to cover it. The verdict is still out. Although I have gotten lots of good ideas from all of you!

maxxII · 06/10/2008, 06:44 AM

Yes, the waterplug thorite is the same stuff I used.....

Nick

michealprater · 06/10/2008, 09:20 AM

Nick, do you have any pictures you could show me of how you used it? Or what it looks like in the tank?

maxxII · 06/10/2008, 09:38 AM

Page 4

Shows before and after.

Its supporting the Lava rock my maze brain coral is sitting on in the left side of the tank. The "rock" the large Derasa clam is sitting on is actually a 4 inch slip/mpt adapter with 3/8 inch acrylic rods as legs zip tied to the exterior and coated with the Quikrete from Lowes...so is the "rock" my large purple LTA is sitting in...in the 20 gallon satellite tank. 11th page of my thread for reference...

Nick

michealprater · 06/10/2008, 10:45 AM

Awesome! How long have you had the regal? Where did you get it? Does it bother your corals? I have loved them for years. I kept one alive for a month one time, thats it!

michealprater · 06/10/2008, 10:46 AM

Also, how did you apply the cement to the pvc?

maxxII · 06/10/2008, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by michealprater
Awesome! How long have you had the regal? Where did you get it? Does it bother your corals? I have loved them for years. I kept one alive for a month one time, thats it!

I've had this one for 6 months now. I had a Red Sea Regal prior to this one, that I kept for over a year before losing it to an accident. That one was a better eater than this one. I got this one from Diver's Den, the first I purchased from Phishybusiness. Both are great places to do business with. It doesnt bother my corals at all...doesnt even nip at Zoa's. Does chase the peppermint shrimp around and will steal food from it....She's the boss of the tank right now. I just wish she ate as aggressively as my last one and wasnt as finicky as she is about what she eats.

Quote:

Originally posted by michealprater
Also, how did you apply the cement to the pvc?

I mixed up small portions in a milk jug I cut in half, and applied the cement by hand wearing rubber gloves. It sets up pretty quick so you have to move quick with it. I would suggest drilling holes and making whatever reinforcements or add ons you plan on building shelves or ledges for first. I wouldnt try and drill afterwards. I made two narrow shelves on the clam stand for Zoa's to anchor on. I also let the piece dry for about 2-3 days prior to placing it in the tank...although according to Mr Wilson on the thread I linked you to earlier, thats not strictly necessary.

Nick

michealprater · 06/10/2008, 01:44 PM

I wont have water in my tank for some time, so drying time should not be a problem.

I assumed you mixed by the directions on the can?

michealprater · 06/10/2008, 03:07 PM

Ace had "Ace brand Quick Set Hyraulic Cement" will that work the same as Thoro and is it as safe?

06/05/2008, 08:34 PM	#126
oneoffcustom Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: houston texas Posts: 311	wow __________________ Honey your are gonna be ****ed but... I really needed it!!! Current Tank Info: 5g Unknown destination!

06/06/2008, 03:18 AM	#127
logiktest Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Zone 5 Posts: 4,071	The Dart pump should make for a nice return pump. Nice price too. __________________ Mike Have you ever looked around at the group of people you are in and thought, "If the Zombie Apocalypse happens right now, this is what I have to work with." Current Tank Info: 140.5gal. goldfish bowl

06/08/2008, 05:19 PM	#128
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	Ok, got some new updates for you guys. Finally started on the plumbing. I want to thank Kraash for coming by today and helping out. We went to Lowes in Edwardsville to get all kinds of pvc. Here are the really cool grabber green ball valves! Here is a pic after we have the drains installed. And another with the returns plumbed. Nothing is glued yet, as I am waiting on a few items to convert my 75 to a sump. Just thought I would share a few pics. __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

06/08/2008, 08:17 PM	#129
maxxII Super Housemonkey! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 4,442	One thing to keep in mind about foam in the tank is that foam floats. Doesnt sound like a big deal till you try and keep it from floating. I used Pond Foam for one of my rock racks in my tank. I used enough to break up the outline of the 1/2 inch pvc I was using to make the rack. I filled the rack with sand first in order to give it some weight....didnt weigh it to find out how much it weighed, but will guesstimate it at about 10 lbs with sand in it. It wouldnt submerge. Tried a couple of rocks...heavy ones. Still wouldnt submerge. Wound up removing the foam from the rack and using Thorite cement on it. Now I have a rack that doesnt look like its made of PVC, and doesnt float. Nick __________________ A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn, that was fun!"

06/08/2008, 08:54 PM	#130
logiktest Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Zone 5 Posts: 4,071	Cool ball valves. You may want some conventional pipe hangers. I see that they rest on nails though. Looks like your getting close to having water. Is the sump drilled yet? __________________ Mike Have you ever looked around at the group of people you are in and thought, "If the Zombie Apocalypse happens right now, this is what I have to work with." Current Tank Info: 140.5gal. goldfish bowl

06/09/2008, 05:29 AM	#131
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	Yeah, I plan on getting some hangers. Like I said, its not glued. That is just a mock up. I still need several supplies to actually finish it up. The sump still needs baffled and drilled. I need a few more bulkheads, a drill bit, the glass, and some 90 degree fittings. I started on the rock racks, I will post soon. I still have to paint my stands prior to gluing all the plumbing. MaxxII, thanks for the rack advise, I really appreciate it. __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

06/09/2008, 05:30 AM	#132
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	BTW, where can I pick up some Thorite cement? __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

06/09/2008, 11:50 AM	#133
maxxII Super Housemonkey! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 4,442	The Thorite was ordered online for local pickup at Ace Hardware... You can also use Quikrete's Hydraulic Water Stop cement (commercial grade) which can be found at Lowes... I've used both with no ill effects in my system. Nick __________________ A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn, that was fun!"

06/09/2008, 12:12 PM	#134
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	I assume that could also be used with aragonite to make DIY rock? __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

06/09/2008, 12:23 PM	#135
maxxII Super Housemonkey! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 4,442	I would assume so...but I've never tried it, and wouldnt know what mix ratios to use. Nick __________________ A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn, that was fun!"

06/09/2008, 02:02 PM	#136
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	I cannot get the ace website to work, maybe just this PC. I will try my laptop later. __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

06/09/2008, 02:57 PM	#137
maxxII Super Housemonkey! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 4,442	Here is a thread with lots of information on using hydraulic cement in tanks. Its titled reef ceramics because there was/is a product named reef ceramics. Interestingly enough the majority of the people using reef ceramics wound up having massive problems keeing acros...it was later determined that the reef ceramics were the cause. I dont know if the issue has been resolved with reef ceramics or not, but the second poster to the thread, Mr wilson has alot of experiance with hydraulic cement and other similar products in reef tanks. Its a long read, but worth it... http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=993625 Nick __________________ A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn, that was fun!"

06/09/2008, 07:51 PM	#138
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	Well I got one of my rock racks done. You would not believe how hard these are to make! The second one will be smaller. Infact I may trim this one down some. __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

06/09/2008, 09:23 PM	#139
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	Max, is this the stuff? http://www.acehardware.com/search/in...Brand%7CTHORO+ __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

06/09/2008, 11:38 PM	#140
Angler02 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: St Charles Posts: 3,544	I had a thought while looking at ideas for your rock racks. I was looking into doing something like that as well. If you remember I had found an article on live framing you tank. Anyway if you use the foam as Logiktest suggested you could also smash a live rock or two into a bunch of pieces and use the smaller pieces of LR to place on the foam thus covering up the pvc. I'm not sure if that makes sense but it seems like a logical way to hide the pvc. __________________ Sometimes things fall apart so something better can fall together. Current Tank Info: Tall Jason has it!!!!!

06/10/2008, 05:27 AM	#141
logiktest Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Zone 5 Posts: 4,071	Covering the PVC with aragocrete and foam would look good, and certainly be heavy, though you would have to wait for it to properly cure. __________________ Mike Have you ever looked around at the group of people you are in and thought, "If the Zombie Apocalypse happens right now, this is what I have to work with." Current Tank Info: 140.5gal. goldfish bowl

06/10/2008, 05:29 AM	#142
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	I am not 100% sure how I am going to cover it. The verdict is still out. Although I have gotten lots of good ideas from all of you! __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

06/10/2008, 06:44 AM	#143
maxxII Super Housemonkey! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 4,442	Yes, the waterplug thorite is the same stuff I used..... Nick __________________ A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn, that was fun!"

06/10/2008, 09:20 AM	#144
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	Nick, do you have any pictures you could show me of how you used it? Or what it looks like in the tank? __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

06/10/2008, 09:38 AM	#145
maxxII Super Housemonkey! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 4,442	Page 4 Shows before and after. Its supporting the Lava rock my maze brain coral is sitting on in the left side of the tank. The "rock" the large Derasa clam is sitting on is actually a 4 inch slip/mpt adapter with 3/8 inch acrylic rods as legs zip tied to the exterior and coated with the Quikrete from Lowes...so is the "rock" my large purple LTA is sitting in...in the 20 gallon satellite tank. 11th page of my thread for reference... Nick __________________ A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn, that was fun!"

06/10/2008, 10:45 AM	#146
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	Awesome! How long have you had the regal? Where did you get it? Does it bother your corals? I have loved them for years. I kept one alive for a month one time, thats it! __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

06/10/2008, 10:46 AM	#147
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	Also, how did you apply the cement to the pvc? __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

06/10/2008, 01:44 PM	#149
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	I wont have water in my tank for some time, so drying time should not be a problem. I assumed you mixed by the directions on the can? __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

06/10/2008, 03:07 PM	#150
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	Ace had "Ace brand Quick Set Hyraulic Cement" will that work the same as Thoro and is it as safe? __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef