Jojo's 72 Bowfront Project Log

[lReef lKeeper]

lol, been there done that, buddy !! you may want to try an aqua lift pump or a small standpipe for inside the overflow to get it a little quieter.

[jojo22]

Yeah I was reading over the old threads and think I am going to add a standpipe to overflow. Not much work room in the H.O.B. unit but I should be able to make something work.

[jojo22]

Ok I think I messed up. I took a pvc "T" conector and put a cap on it then drilled a small hole it the top of the cap. Now it is louder than before. What did I do wrong???

[seahorsedreams]

Ok I think I messed up. I took a pvc "T" conector and put a cap on it then drilled a small hole it the top of the cap. Now it is louder than before. What did I do wrong???

You need to put an air valve adapter on some tubing and stick it in the hole. That way you can adjust it. I made a thread recently on here about standpipes and will see if I can find the link. It has pictures of the valve just in case you are a visual person.

Here it is: Standpipe Thread

[seahorsedreams]

I just found my first major mistake, NO CHECK VALVE ON MY RETURN, this has been fived and now to find the slowdrip in the overflow plumbing.

You should never rely on a check valve to prevent your display tank from emptying into (and ultimately out of) your sump. A check valve can fail but gravity won't. It's better to design the plumbing and the sump volume to easily deal with this when it should happen. For example: Leave room in your sump for 5 gallons of extra water and drill holes in your return fittings so that the siphon will break after the 5 gallons drains. It can't fail if you perform normal maintainance to keep the hole clear. I never did much to mine and nothing ever grew around it besides a little coralline.

[jojo22]

I think I have it all figured out. One problem I have is the OTB overflow, it doesn't leave a lot of room for stand pipes. It is going to be a long time before this thing gets salty because i am going to just go ahead and soak the rock in the tank untill the PH comes down, so I have a lot of time to decide if I want to drill it or not, if this stays running I probably won't chance it.

[jojo22]

Ok time to start makeing some rock when I get home from school tonight. Is the Quickcrete contractors grade portland cement ok???? I know I read that it needs to be low alk but the package doesn't saay what it is. I hope it's good to go because I really want to start tonight.

[dakar]

Sorry to say Quickcrete is not such a good choice from what I've studied... a LOT of extra 'stuff' in there... straight portland #1 or #2 grade concrete seems to be the best choice.

Any luck locating the crushed oyster shell?
(BTW sorry had to bail on the chat so quick last night, Angel needed me)

[jojo22]

Well I read the bag enough to know that it it straight#1 portland cement so I'm going to give it a try. As far as oyster shell the best I could find are 1 lb boxes in the bird section at the local pet supply plus. I am going to useing playsand for the mold.

Sorry that may have come off a little smart assed after reading your post again with my post right after. What I wanted to get across is that it's not a premixed product it is just portland cement so you can make your own concrete/mortar. Sorry again not trying to be a smartass just in a big rush.

[dakar]

No offense taken... best of luck and be sure to post us your results after the cement dries and after it's cured!