More questions.... I hate to keep bugging everyone! LOL

[Iconz]

I had posted this in my project thread, but I decided that I didn't wanna clutter that one up, so I'll repost it here... I should have an update for everyone later tonight for my "nanotime" thread... But, for now, I just have questions!!! Thanks ahead of time for answering! And, sorry for the length!

Equipment:

- Titanium heaters.... Are they a must?
- Circulation in a fuge... what do you all reccommend? (it will be about 7 gallons - 12x11.5x12)
- ATO resivoir placement... Is there any issues with it being above the sump? (I'm going to have an aqualifter attached to a dual float switch)
- Does anyone know how deep of water the Coralife 65gal superskimmer operates best in?
- PVC connections to pumps... What is the best way to do it?
- Overflow drain pipes... Is there an issue with putting T's or 90 degree Elbows on these? (I don't have access to flex pvc.)
- New equipment (PH's, pumps, heaters, Skimmers, etc...) what's the best way to break these in, and should you clean them before you start using them in "production" in your tank (if so, how?)....?
- When doing a full-blown wet test of the whole system, is RO water nessicary or reccommended?

________________________________________

Live Stock:

- I plan on having a DSB of 3-4" in my fuge, should I put any type of clean-up crew in the fuge as well?
- When should I introduce the clean-up crew?
- At what point should I add in cheato to my fuge? (before cycle, after, during?)
________________________________________

LRock, Sand

- I've got some carib sea sugar-fine dry sand coming, do I need to wash this stuff before putting it into the tank?
- If the LR I buy is cured, is there any need to wash it before I put it in my tank?

________________________________________

Filtration

- Carbon - Would it be good to drop the bags of it in my aquaclear 70 that I can attatch to my sump instead of just putting it directly into my sump. This way, I can maintain the flow going through it more easily.

BTW... I've been told by several people now that carbon really loses its effectiveness after 24-48 hours. And, after that, its basically a bacteria farm.

- Should I run a mechanical filter of some sorts during the cycle process?
__________________________________________________ _____________

I think this is it for now! LOL.. Thanks again for taking the time!

-JD

[hummer]

jd i like all you qustions im going to sit back read and try to learn and remember it all ... lol

[jojo22]

Equipment:

- Titanium heaters.... Are they a must?

I think so if your glass one breaks you fish will have a shocking experience.

- Circulation in a fuge... what do you all reccommend? (it will be about 7 gallons - 12x11.5x12)

I would say about 10 times per hour but there are many opinions on this point.

- ATO resivoir placement... Is there any issues with it being above the sump? (I'm going to have an aqualifter attached to a dual float switch)

Don't see any
- Does anyone know how deep of water the Coralife 65gal superskimmer operates best in?

Hope someone else answers this one for you

- PVC connections to pumps... What is the best way to do it?

I like quick disconect union joints
- Overflow drain pipes... Is there an issue with putting T's or 90 degree Elbows on these? (I don't have access to flex pvc.)

try to use 45's instead of 90's even if there are more of them you will have less friction, also only use what is needed the more fittings the more friction loss

- New equipment (PH's, pumps, heaters, Skimmers, etc...) what's the best way to break these in, and should you clean them before you start using them in "production" in your tank (if so, how?)....?

I have always just rinsed in freshwater but I could be doing it wrong.

- When doing a full-blown wet test of the whole system, is RO water nessicary or reccommended?

tap water should be fine.

________________________________________

Live Stock:

- I plan on having a DSB of 3-4" in my fuge, should I put any type of clean-up crew in the fuge as well?

I would do maby some snails and a crab or two

- When should I introduce the clean-up crew?

when you start to see a need for one. don't waste money on a "pre selected" crew, build one according to your nneds as they arise

- At what point should I add in cheato to my fuge? (before cycle, after, during?)

I would go a few weeks after.
________________________________________

LRock, Sand

- I've got some carib sea sugar-fine dry sand coming, do I need to wash this stuff before putting it into the tank?

yes rinse it very well, if you don't you will have a major sand storm ( I learned the hard way)

- If the LR I buy is cured, is there any need to wash it before I put it in my tank?

nope

________________________________________

Filtration

- Carbon - Would it be good to drop the bags of it in my aquaclear 70 that I can attatch to my sump instead of just putting it directly into my sump. This way, I can maintain the flow going through it more easily.

Nice idea

BTW... I've been told by several people now that carbon really loses its effectiveness after 24-48 hours. And, after that, its basically a bacteria farm.

- Should I run a mechanical filter of some sorts during the cycle process?

It would only cost money, the cycle will run its course without it

[Iconz]

Thanks for the reply Joe!

Me - Circulation in a fuge... what do you all reccommend? (it will be about 7 gallons - 12x11.5x12)

Joe -I would say about 10 times per hour but there are many opinions on this point.

Me - So, there's no need for a PH in the fuge or anything?
__________________________________________________ ____

Me - ATO resivoir placement... Is there any issues with it being above the sump? (I'm going to have an aqualifter attached to a dual float switch)

Joe - Don't see any

Me - So there isn't a risk for a siphon from the resivoir to the tank? If not.. that's sweet!

[jojo22]

Me- nope no need for a PH in the fuge


Me- not if you are useing a pump instead of gravity

[Iconz]

ME! - Sweet, thx again joe!

[jojo22]

No problem buddy!!!

[hummer]

me.. lol

[Iconz]

I've got some carib sea sugar-fine dry sand coming, do I need to wash this stuff before putting it into the tank?

- Scratch that... they gave me agra-alive sand instead...
Is there anythign special that I need to do with this stuff?

[Fatman]

I had posted this in my project thread, but I decided that I didn't wanna clutter that one up, so I'll repost it here... I should have an update for everyone later tonight for my "nanotime" thread... But, for now, I just have questions!!! Thanks ahead of time for answering! And, sorry for the length!

Equipment:

- Titanium heaters.... Are they a must?
- Circulation in a fuge... what do you all reccommend? (it will be about 7 gallons - 12x11.5x12)
- ATO resivoir placement... Is there any issues with it being above the sump? (I'm going to have an aqualifter attached to a dual float switch)
- Does anyone know how deep of water the Coralife 65gal superskimmer operates best in?
- PVC connections to pumps... What is the best way to do it?
- Overflow drain pipes... Is there an issue with putting T's or 90 degree Elbows on these? (I don't have access to flex pvc.)
- New equipment (PH's, pumps, heaters, Skimmers, etc...) what's the best way to break these in, and should you clean them before you start using them in "production" in your tank (if so, how?)....?
- When doing a full-blown wet test of the whole system, is RO water nessicary or reccommended?


a) Not sure on heaters never used them, my lights are hot enough =P
b) I have the 65gallon and it seems to work best in very shallow water, if its to deep it begins to overflow and not cause enough bubbles.
c)Drain no, but returns will cause a drop in your GPH.
d) I just gave mine a rinse with some tap water.
e) I had alot of salt water so I just did it with that.
________________________________________


Live Stock:

- I plan on having a DSB of 3-4" in my fuge, should I put any type of clean-up crew in the fuge as well?
- When should I introduce the clean-up crew?
- At what point should I add in cheato to my fuge? (before cycle, after, during?)
________________________________________

a) Pods tend to grow in your fuge like rabbits! Its insane, I never put anything in my fuge except some rocks and its crazy how many critters are in there.
b) Looking back I recommend snails over hermit crabs. Still hermit crabs are not bad and a small handful helps.
c) No idea, I added after cause I installed the fuge after.

LRock, Sand

- I've got some carib sea sugar-fine dry sand coming, do I need to wash this stuff before putting it into the tank?
- If the LR I buy is cured, is there any need to wash it before I put it in my tank?

________________________________________


Filtration

- Carbon - Would it be good to drop the bags of it in my aquaclear 70 that I can attatch to my sump instead of just putting it directly into my sump. This way, I can maintain the flow going through it more easily.

BTW... I've been told by several people now that carbon really loses its effectiveness after 24-48 hours. And, after that, its basically a bacteria farm.

- Should I run a mechanical filter of some sorts during the cycle process?
__________________________________________________ _____________

a) I still have not used Carbon to this day, but my gf aquarium has, and the water clarity is extremely clear.
b) I ran a fine filter to clean out all the tiny sand I had and afterwards removed it.

[Iconz]

Thanks FM!

[Iconz]

Alright, I've got a couple more... PLUMBING!!!

- Last night, I made a trip to Home Depot and Lowes. I could NOT find a female threaded peice to fit my 1" bulkhead. Where (if anywhere) have you all found a female, threaded piece to attach to these?
It has the ability for me to slip a normal piece of PVC into the bulkhead, but I had read that threading it on was better...

... I did, however manage to pickup 2 x 1" quick disconnects and 1 x 3/4" one.

- When using these, what do you all use to attatch to your actual, non-threaded pump ends? Do you glue a slip female to threaded male end on them, or what?

- Is there any reason for me to not just use normal, clear, vinal tubing for the overflow drain lines and the return line?

[Fatman]

Alright, I've got a couple more... PLUMBING!!!

- Last night, I made a trip to Home Depot and Lowes. I could NOT find a female threaded peice to fit my 1" bulkhead. Where (if anywhere) have you all found a female, threaded piece to attach to these?
It has the ability for me to slip a normal piece of PVC into the bulkhead, but I had read that threading it on was better...

... I did, however manage to pickup 2 x 1" quick disconnects and 1 x 3/4" one.

- When using these, what do you all use to attatch to your actual, non-threaded pump ends? Do you glue a slip female to threaded male end on them, or what?

- Is there any reason for me to not just use normal, clear, vinal tubing for the overflow drain lines and the return line?

Depends if its a return or intake bulk head. The return will have the pressure from the pump while the intake wont, so usually sliping in a normal piece is ok with an intake side.

No idea on quick disconnect :)

[Iconz]

The bulkhead will be an 1" intake line for a CLM.

[Fatman]

The bulkhead will be an 1" intake line for a CLM.

The reason I see threading being better is so you do not have to glue which makes sense, but I just ziptied the plastic pvc tubing to my intake for easy removal if I have to later. Most of my intake side is not glued and has not leaked and its been over a year.

[Iconz]

cool. so, you've zip-tied Flexible pvc tubing?

Also, here's a diagram drawing of what I have in mind for my plumbing... What do ya think?!

I'm getting better with paint, lol.

[bobert]

i am paint master lol lol

[Fatman]

My "spa flex" (what you named it in your pic) yes is zip tied or has a small binding Im not sure. And my return actually is binded/zip tied too I just took a look at it. But I'll tell you one of the reason why it works so well cause the bulkhead intake is 1/2 or 3/4 and the Spa flex is a size smaller so I really had to heat it and strech it to make it fit and when it cooled it created a nice seal.

[Iconz]

ahh, gotya... I'm thinking of hard-glueing a piece of normal pvc inside of it. then putting a quick disco and a ball valve between it and the pump, now that I think about it.

[Fatman]

ahh, gotya... I'm thinking of hard-glueing a piece of normal pvc inside of it. then putting a quick disco and a ball valve between it and the pump, now that I think about it.

To prevent back siphon?? As long as one of your returns grabs air quick you should not have much back siphon.

[Iconz]

not really for back siphon, since this will be on a closed loop... no risk of flooding due to siphoning there.

Basically, here's how I think i'm gonna plumb it... The closed loop, that is...


Display Tank > Bulkhead > small piece of pvc > Ball valve > sm .pvc > quick disconnect (union joint) > sm. pvc >female slip / female threaded adapter > pump > female thread. / female slip adapter > sm. pvc > quick disco. > pvc > CL outlets.

[hummer]

sounds pritty good to me .i like drawings thou whip one out

[hummer]

sorry i just seen your drawing i like it wish i can dothat with paint

i just glued my sump i did mess up on two of my little baffels but i can rig up somthing.. i have pics.i will post them later so you all can see in the dyi ..55 from the start.. hope im not cutting in just thought i let you know ..jd

[Iconz]

Cool bud! I just checked it out! Looks good from what I can see!!!

[iVgOnMaD]

"Me - ATO resivoir placement... Is there any issues with it being above the sump? (I'm going to have an aqualifter attached to a dual float switch)

Joe - Don't see any

Me - So there isn't a risk for a siphon from the resivoir to the tank? If not.. that's sweet!"



I would worry about your reservoir emptying out into your sump/refuge even when the pump is turned off because of a siphon effect from it being above the sump..

[Iconz]

That is what prompted that question. So, a siphon will go through an aqualifter eh? Is there a way to prevent this? I'm kinda limited on space for resivoir location.

[dakar]

The only way I can see it working is with a float valve, but you run the risk of having it fail and emptying your res. into your sump... I've not had a float valve fail on me yet, but it's always a chance.

[Iconz]

well, is it not possible to put a hole in the intake line to the aqualifter? I guess it would have to stay below the water surface, eh?

[dakar]

well, is it not possible to put a hole in the intake line to the aqualifter? I guess it would have to stay below the water surface, eh?

A hole in one of the lines would break any siphon but also defeat the pump. If you put a hole inline with the output you'd end up with a fountain, and on the input side it would not be able to draw water up to the pump. :(

[Iconz]

hmm... looks like I need a "plan B"...