Dirt4dinner's build up

[graphixx]

Tyler,

Looking good my brutha!!! Nice and clean just the way you wanted it. I really dig the sump. that is way sharp. were you able to get your leak test done yet???? Keep us posted.

[Dirt4dinner]

No water in the system yet. I still have a couple dozen more trips to HD. I love it there...NOT! So, hopefully tonight I can get back into it a little more. The biggest thing right now is modifing my return set-up. Thanks to DaveJNZ who can't leave well-enough alone! So thats going to require some drilling, cusing, and praying. I will keep you posted.

Eric is a poo-poo head.

[Dirt4dinner]

Ok, I got back to it last night and did some (IMO) MAJOR changes to the layout of the system. Here is the nitty gritty:

When I bought the tank it came with dual 1/2" returns in the form of 2 PVC pipes running up the inside of the overflow chamber, through the opening in the top of the aquarium and then doing a "U" turn back into the top of the aquarium. Like in the 1st picture (except in this picture they aren't actually screwed into anything, they are just sitting there, but you get the idea).

The new idea is to drill holes on either side of the overflow and plumb the returns to exit through these holes rather than having to make the trip up out of the tank and through two elbows (I was told that would cost me some water flow, and it didn't look very good IMO).

So once the holes where drilled, I mounted 1" bulkheads on both sides of the overflow chamber and I will run hoses up through the overflow chamber where the dual 1/2" PVC pipes once were and out the new bulkheads. This will look extra clean once I get my hands on some of that black socket joint flex tubing stuff.

The other modification I did was to add 2x 45 degree elbows to the overflow pipe (mostly because I accidently mounted the new return bulkheads in the way, and had to get the overflow pipe to go behind the new bulkheads). I also added a 1-1/4" "T" with a cap to make the system quiet (according to DaveJNZ...master of sumps and overflows). There is a picture of the overflow stand pipe laying on the top of my tank, and then another one where I am holding it in place with my finger...I should be a hand model, anyways.

So here are the photos of the new holes, my new over flow pipe, and me the made scientist who almost fainted at the thought of drilling holes in my new tank. But it worked!

[lReef lKeeper]

nice to put a face with the name tyler. your system is looking good man. keep the pics coming.

[dsfdbutterfly]

Tyler,

You let your guard down again and wore a hat whilest working? Thought you'd learned your lesson . Great build. The tank is looking awesome. You will have to teach me a thing or two to save me a few bucks at the store.

Angie

[lReef lKeeper]

Angie, DIY will save you more than a few bucks. Just ask us and we will be more than happy to help you out. My DIY sump cost me $20 compared to a pretty much same thing at Feeders selling for $269.99

Looking good Tyler, glad to see that you're not afraid of the drill anymore. Need any more help just ask.

[Dirt4dinner]

well the plumbing is done. All I have to do is get the ok from DaveJNZ (he will have be change something!) so I can glue it all together. It came out pretty good, kind of crowded down in the stand, I kind of wish there was only 1 return instead of two...but hopefully it works out well.

So here is what I did. I ran PVC from the return pump up to a T and then split it with 1/2" flex hose to get it to the bulkheads, the returning water will pass through the bulkheads and then back into hose as it travels up the overflow, then takes a sharp turn and SPLASH...into the tank it goes through another bulkhead.

The overflow is pretty simple, 1-1/4" PVC all the way down the overflow, through a bulkhead, 2 45 degree elbows, and it's in the sump.

I noticed I have ZERO room for any LR in my sump...so it might just be a pile of rubble in one corner if any at all. I also need to stuff my UV sterilizer in there someplace as soon as it gets here...hopefully tomorrow. I should be able to glue tonight and leak test tomorrow! SWEET!

[davejnz]

Tyler,there's no need for LR in a sump anyways IMO.OH,and i'm NOT the sump master,LOL.I'm just passing on info that i've learned from articles/past experiences.I'm glad your getting this done RIGHT the first time,the return mod will really help reduce head pressure on your pump and improve flow rate.I didn't know you were useing 1" bulkheads for the sides of your overflow.I'd get one of those reducers that slip into the bulkhead to reduce it down to 3/4".You'll probably be at close to 650gph after head loss/plumbing restrictions so 325gph thru your dual returns would have idea velocity at 3/4" IMO

[at]

It seems to me your sump almost needs to be twice the size of your tank, at least in my case.Where people put refugiums and a sump I have no clue.

[davejnz]

Large sumps are nice,its just that in most cases they're not practical to employ.Whenever you can increase the total water volume in a system its beneficial.I run a 30gal sump under my 40gal tank.I don't use refugiums so I can't comment much about them.