My First Project Log

[cweber]

Woo Hoo!! Im finally starting my Nano Reef. I got the stand figured out(thanks walmart), and drilled the tank this afternoon. Is it usual to break the first one? Also how long do the bits last? Anyway as soon as i get a new 10 for the sump i will start on it. Ive got my ideas ready, thanks to jojo, and now just waiting for those paychecks to come in.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k304/cweber_2006/HPIM0423.jpg

[jojo22]

Look at my seaclone mod in my nano thread it really quiets down the noise!!

Looks sweet bud!!

[cweber]

Just cut off the return? Also how much flow is your return pump? Ive read a lot about putting to much flow through the sump. I was going to run about 200 for the return and T off the fuge, and a maxi jet 900 in the tank(around 240 i think). Any opinions?

[jojo22]

I wust a Catalina Aquariums 1200 for my return. I also have an aquaclear 10 and 30 in my tank. I am thinking about dooing a return manifold. Might be something to look into as it would be easier before you get the tank wet.

[spookey]

looks good cweber


chris

[jojo22]

The sump is usually not drilled, I don't know if you have a great idea in your head or if that was the broken one just to show your set up but just thought I'd pass along that info!!

[cweber]

Thanks spookey

jojo-Yes it is the broken one. I cracked it the first time then did a practice hole after that. What is a return manifold, like a closed loop? I need around 300-400 turn over right?

[cweber]

Also is an overflow box nessesary or can i just run a 90 to the top, which is better?

[jojo22]

Kind of like a closed loop. Look at Iconz "it's nanotime" thread he did a great job on his!! You could run a 9o but IMO an oveflow is better.

[cweber]

Ok that looks much better than a power head. I will look into that.

[jojo22]

Just cut off the return?


Yep it was hard to cut. If you have a dremel it would make life much easier.

[cweber]

Do i use 1/8" glass for the bubble traps in the sump? Does Lowes sell and cut glass?

[Iconz]

Thanks for the compliment joe! Great start so far too!

Baffles/bubbletraps.....I'll chime in here...

Its really up to you on what you use for these. 1/4 acrylic did great for me (and i have a glass sump.) You'll get alot of conflicting things from people saying that silicone won't stick to acrylic. It will. As Eric said to me when I was making this decision.... I can pick my sump up by the acrylic baffles.
But, if glass is your choice, I would probably go with 1/4" inch or 3/16" simply because 1/8 can be very brittle and break easy, cutting you. Either way you go, if ya run into any problems, don't hesitate to ask!

To answer your other question, Lowes and Home Depot both sell and will cut glass for you. Good luck with it.
__________________________________________________ ______

Also, if you decide to do a CLM (Closed Loop Manifold) or RM (Return Manifold), and need some help feel free to give me a shout on pm, and I can give ya my number.... (I'd go with 3/4 pipe btw.)

-JD

[jojo22]

NOT all HD's cut glass none of them by me will.

[cweber]

Which is cheaper acrylic or glass? I will probly do the cheaper. Oh and thanks iconz. Also i think i to will copy your design on the return manifold,slightly modded of coarse.

[jojo22]

Glass sheets that are 8x10 at home depot run about 2 or three bux a sheet. little big so either trim them down or have your baffels at an angle both ways work. *looks at scars on hands* Put them in at an angleit is not much I think they are like a 32nd too big, they go almost straight.

[cweber]

Cool, thanks bud. Sorry about the tramatic memories.that will probly be the easiest thing to do huh. Hey what about my overflow question, is it nessesary or should i just put a 90 on it?

[jojo22]

It would be as simple as getting a few small peices of glass from a glass company and sticking them together so I would say it would be better to do an overflow.

[cweber]

Ok, a few questions before i order. Im going to use a Viaaqua pump w/480 gph,use 3/4 vinyl tubing to the manifold, and 1/2 pvc for the manifold. Does this sound like enough gph, and the size of the plumbing ok? Thanks

Cory

[jojo22]

That pump is plenty large enough, do you plan to t off some of the flow to a refuge???

[cweber]

yes im gonna t it at the fuge,like yours. i just got the pvc for the manifold, i just got 3/4 all around. Im gonna order the pump today then if its okay. Thanks bro!

[jojo22]

Just a suggestion but I wish I had used a gate valve instead of a ball valve, it would give a finer adjustment.
Also I had to get a smaller pump I was going close to 600GPH I have a ca 1200 now and like it. might want just a little smaller pump I re read your post and the first time I read it I thought it said 400 not 480 that might be a bit large for a 10 gal sump.

[cweber]

Cool. i will look for a smaller pump. I just wanted enough flow for the fuge and to run the manifold. What gph is your 1200?

[jojo22]

Larger than I thought its says 550 on the website, but I don't tink it's that high.

[cweber]

I ordered the pump, bulkhead, silicone. This pump is just under 400gph

[jojo22]

Should serve you fine!!!!!!!!!

[cweber]

YEAH!!! My pump and bulkhead came today. Im hopping the tank will be wet tonight. Does the rubber for the bulkhead go inside the tank or outside?

[jojo22]

I always put the seal inside, less chance of it drying out and cracking that way, IMO.

[cweber]

I got my glass sheets for the sump today. Im building it now :) Watching silicone dry isnt quite my dream day but im excited. The sheets are just a tid to wide at 10 inches even. so some of them are tweeked to the side a bit. Anyway i will try and post pics this evening if its done.

[cweber]

Well here is my sump. I will test it out tommorow night. If you notice the scratches its the cracked tank. I repaired it with a few pieces of glass.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k304/cweber_2006/HPIM0430.jpg

[hummer]

how thick it the glass in the tank ??? and dont risk the main tank on a cracked sump buddy :) imo



i was so worred when i put water in the sump that i built
then after it was in place upstairs with the tank and stand and water i dont know about every one else but the tank weight settling was .. creakey (hard too explan) but it was there a day or two

[cweber]

Im going to fill it and leak test it for a while. Especially because i have to wait a while to finish the project.I probly cant buy sand and salt until the middle or end of april. I have to finish my trailor and get it ready to park at the lake. A home away from home, and where better to have one than the lake.

Also i dont think weight will be a problem with to ten gallons. :)

The glass in the sump is probly 1/8" thick.

[cweber]

Great news...No leaks! The water doesnt hardly touch the crack even when the pump is turned off. Everything works great,except my maxijet on the skimmer is making a little noise.

[hummer]

let see a pic of it working

[cweber]

I just painted everything. Im gonna fill it with water again this weekend and i will snap a shot.

[spookey]

good job ....

[cweber]

Pic update! I think everything is done. I just have to wait to order my salt and sand!

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k304/cweber_2006/HPIM0431.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k304/cweber_2006/HPIM0433.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k304/cweber_2006/HPIM0432.jpg

I just have to figure something out for a curtain to cover the bottom up.

[hummer]

velcro.. stitch it to some canves metereal and then get some stick on velcro and put it on the stand and you have a re moveable curten

easy and cheep

[cweber]

Very clever hummer. Thanks. I just found an old black shower curtain. I can stitch that up. Now i just need some velcro.

[jojo22]

Looks good bud!

[cweber]

Thanks jojo! Kinda ghetto but i like it.

[cweber]

Jojo i tried your idea of melting some pvc and pinching it together. It works great. Im painting them right now but i will post a pic later on. I also went ahead and added an overflow box. Im getting ready to install it in the tank. I couldnt trust the way i had it if the power was lost.(which happens often here)

[cweber]

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k304/cweber_2006/HPIM0434.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k304/cweber_2006/HPIM0437.jpg

[spookey]

good job there

[jojo22]

Looks good bud. Can't wait to see you get that thing salty.

[hummer]

yes good luck and take lots more pics so you can look back and admiyer a job well done :):)

[cweber]

DOGS FOR SALE!!! :(

My lab(the one in my avi) ate my return jets...good thing i bought xtra. I installed another 50watt heater and the temp is set where i want it now at 78-80 degrees. Im leak testing the overflow and will check it out tonight. Is it absolutly nessesary that its water tight?

Thanks to all for the comments.

Cory (i signed my name for jojo,lol)

[jojo22]

It really should be water tight, if you have a power outage and it leaks your tank COULD drain to the level of either the lowest leak or the bottom of the intake, which in turn COULD flood your sump.

P.S. I get that greef of messing up one name GEESH!!!

[cweber]

LOL! j/k

That makes sense. I figured it should just wanted to make sure.

[cweber]

I just order a 70 watt mh ballast $40 shipped! I hope to get salt and substrate tommorow. Do i have to use sand? Im not sure for a fact my lfs has sand. I know they have crushed argonite.

[jojo22]

If it is about the size of sugar grains it will be fine!! Don't get the chunky stuff!!

[hummer]

imo the sand looks better

[jojo22]

Yes to some it does but agronite sand looks Great and will help buffer your pH

[cweber]

Thats what im going for. WOO HOO!

[spookey]

yes sand is better

[jojo22]

The agronite kind, it is still sand but it buffers pH.

[cweber]

Well i got salt, 500watt halogen work light, and a clamp on light with bulb for the fuge. I had the lfs order 20lbs of argonite sand for $14. Should be here next week. I also almost bought the pet store. But my wife doesnt want the risk.

[iVgOnMaD]

watch out and dont over fill your sump, when the power goes out, a liitle bit of water from the main display will drain back into the sump.

[iVgOnMaD]

also, 500w of halogen light is gonna be very $$$ in the long run, I would switch to PC, or T5 for a fuge.

[jojo22]

What is the kelvin rating on that halogen??? I don't think they project the correct spectrum for aquarium needs.

[cweber]

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! LOL

The halogen fixture us for my halide. LOL
My 70 watt ballast is trying to be delivered to me but i wasnt home. You guys are funny! Post #50 is when i said i ordered my ballast.

[cweber]

And the clamp on fixture has a pc bulb in it.

[cweber]

YEAH! My halide ballast came today!

[jojo22]

Which one did you get???

[cweber]

http://ballastwise.com/item.asp?PID=112&FID=17&level=1

[iVgOnMaD]

sweet, pics of the DIY 70w MH?

[cweber]

I could do that. Im still pending on my other deal with the 55 gallon, so i have stopped progress until its final.(no point in spending money just to change it) As for the MH i have the ballast wired but just havnt decided how to mount the ballast to the fixture.

[jojo22]

I run mine remote.

[cweber]

Well i wanted to do that but the ballast is suppose to be mounted to the fixture for grounding. I guess i could soldier a wire the the housing and do it that way.

[jojo22]

That would work.

[cweber]

Ok here are DIY pics of the halide.

First the halogen lamp $9 and the 70 watt ballast $42 shipped
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k304/cweber_2006/HPIM0469.jpg

Then i drilled a hole for the wires and pulled them through to be soldiered
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k304/cweber_2006/HPIM0470.jpg

Here are the connections done with heat shrink tubing and the hole siliconed
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k304/cweber_2006/HPIM0472.jpg

And its ready for a double ended bulb
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k304/cweber_2006/HPIM0473.jpg

I still have to ground the ballast. I cant get soldier to stick to the case. I put a ground wire on it to be screwed down when its mounted. Sorry if its kind of vague but i havnt ever done a "how to" post.

[cweber]

New update! I didnt get the 55 gallon. I now have a 125 gallon oceanic aquarium. Im waiting on my brother in law to help me unload it. I got the tank canopy and a wood frame stand ready for paneling. Only $230! Im not sure but i think thats a good deal :) Plus im getting some live sand and live rock for free as well. Pics when its clean!

[jojo22]

SWEET Can't wait to see your pics.

[spookey]

that is cool

[cweber]

Small update on the ten gallon. I decided since its already running and it will be a while on my 125, im going to keep going on the ten. I currenly have about 15 pounds of LR, and 15 pounds of LS cycleing the tank. I ordered a MH bulb 14000k last night. I will post pics in a few days.

[cweber]

Sorry no pics yet. I have been busy in the evenings at my other job. Just paosting that my cycle is almost over. Nitrites were in between .25 and .50 today so hopfully in the next two days. WOOHOO :)

PS my halide bulb should be here the 31st. Thats a long time. :(

[jojo22]

You're a better man than me, I always have to spring for the overnight. If I had more patience I would be able to afford more stuff!!!

[cweber]

LOL i will wait. It was pay $10 more at the lfs and wait a few days. Or pay $10 or 15 more for overnight. But I would still be waiting on my cycle so i figured wait. (plus im cheap)

By the way joe the email didnt work. Could you try again?

[cweber]

My halide bulb came today!!! Its beutiful and i dont think i could use anything but halide! The tank is now cycled and ready ot go.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k304/cweber_2006/HPIM0529.jpg

PS Thanks for the help Joe!

[jojo22]

No problem buddy!!! Are you sure thats only 14K, Well I guess we'll see the true color once it gets burnt in, but it looks really blue to me.

[cweber]

It looks more blue in the pic than in person. I thought that to. Also i called on the bulb and its uv coated. They said all bulbs should be. So i took the glass off the fixture to get rid of some heat.

[jojo22]

Watch out for and type of water splashing. Could be bad for your bulb.

[cweber]

I got two hermits and two snails yesterday! Ive seen quite a few pods climbing the glass and rocks as well. Its nice to see something move in the tank for a change.

[jojo22]

It only gets better my friend, it only gets better.

[Sweetpea]

Indeed it does! ;)

When we put the 14k MH over sharkbait's tank it looked really blue to us, but then again, we'd only been looking at 10k. The color difference could also be simply the camera and how it perceives the lighting.

Looks great - I know you must be excited! :D

[cweber]

Very much so! I will be getting some frags from jojo in about two weeks, and a few fish around the end of the month.

[cweber]

UPDATE!!! My frags came today. Im sooo excited. A few have started to open up but not all. Best of all...I have pics!

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k304/cweber_2006/HPIM0536.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k304/cweber_2006/HPIM0539.jpg

My camera sucks,sorry about the pics being fuzzy. The frags are 3 zoas, 1 paly, 1 finger leather, 1 gsp, and 1 slipper tongue.

[jojo22]

Lookin good, glad to see they all made it.

[hummer]

looks awsome keep up the great work

[cweber]

Thanks guys!!!

[jojo22]

Got any open pics for us??? If they have opened up nice yet that is.

[cweber]

Not yet, some more of the gsp opened up, and three tiny green zoas are out. Thats all though.:( Still patiently waiting.