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View Full Version : Squire's 80 Gallon Rebuild ** UPDATED new pics**


ensquire
03-08-2011, 05:20 PM
I have been poking around here for about 4 months now after having to take over someones neglected tank.
Started a few threads here and there on various topics , but maybe it is best that I just start a journal thread and consolidate everything in one thread. This way I can solicit all the great free advise available on this site.
So thanks in advance and lets get started.

This is the original post with details on what I acquired:
Warning! Long winded newbie post!!

Just over a year of Saltwater experience. First time posting here.

I acquired an 80 gallon Bow front tank. The owner had hired a local guy to maintain it and had done so for a while but then just stopped showing up.
Buddy asked me to have a look at it and it was in rough shape. Tank had 7 fish, no sand, 50 - 60 lbs mostly dead rock, algae running wild, and 2 to 3 inches of fish sludge on the bottom. Sump skimmer was running wide open spraying water through the lid , so worst salt creep ever. Really bad shape, but such a nice tank.
Original intent was to break it down, clean everything and set it back up in my office, so I saved a lot of the water, stored rock in buckets with water and moved fish to home tank. Had to take tank to the car wash to clean it.Of course, during the move, we snapped off one of the plumbing fixture elbows. Upon inspection I realized that the plumbing was totally inadequate and needed to be replaced. Now I live in Yellowknife, NT so this is not a matter of going to the LFS and picking up parts, NO. Hello J&L, week to get bulkheads. No problem, give me time to get other fittings etc. NOPE, needed new fittings to make up rest of plumbing runs. Also had to build new stand because salt creep had destroyed particle board stand. (Why do manufactures use this ???) Cleaned up all equipment, ordered new bulbs for fixtures etc.
Bulkheads arrive, multiple trips to every building supply and plumbing shop, plumbing is finished. Fill up box that plumbing lines run through to check for leaks, checked out, so started to fill tank with stored original water, topped off with new water approx 50/50 old/new saltwater. Turned on system to circulate and heat water. Added 80lbs Live sand and let it settle for a day or 2. Tank is starting to look good but find that Coralife Super Skimmer is missing its O-ring and, just by chance, the Coralife at home has snapped off at the drain hole. Guess what. can't order replacement at any of my normal suppliers. More on this later. Anyway, I find one that is close and does the job for now.
Add Live (dead) rock to tank and sump and I like the look of the tank even more. The tank now consists of:

80 gallon Bow Front tank
30 gallon sump 3 chamber
single drain and return plumbed through corner box ( Danger here I Think)
Coralife 125 Super Skimmer
Return pump (looking for advise on needed flow rate, best quietest, etc.)
2 Hydor Koralia 600 GPH power heads
2 heaters (1 in tank, 1 in Sump)
2 Coralife 130w PC fixture with 2 50/50 bulbs per
80 lbs live sand
60 lbs rock, mostly dead and will be used as base.

Tank has been running now for 3 weeks and is crystal clear,
need to do a bit of finish work on base but is functional as is.

Here are the questions.

1) Would it be possible to drain 80 gallon, save water, move home, transfer water, rock and fish from home tank and not have to let it cycle?
2) What would be ideal media for second chamber in Sump? I have skimmer in first, rock in second and pump/heater in third, but the rock is dead as far as I can tell and I need to replace it.

If you have made it this far, Thanks for your patience.
All advise welcome and appreciatted
Any obvious holes in system should be pointed out.
Pictures to follow.


Thanks

Mike

Some great advise follow of course and if anyone else is interested here is rest of that thread..
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=71319

ensquire
03-08-2011, 05:37 PM
At this point I decided to try the first simplest option of replumbing system as it was with updated pipes. Which lead to this post....

Thanks and now the next series of questions. LOL
Drain is a 1" bulkhead with a 3/4" straight pipe and the drain has 3/4" pipe with 2 elbows draining into sump. Return is a 320 GPH pump hooked to a short piece of hose into a 1/2" run about 3' long with 2 elbows attached to a 1/2" bulkhead with a 1/2" pipe into a Locline nozzle. I don't like the open drain, and have experimented with several types of drains, but whenever I change from the straight open end I have to throttle back my pump. I would like and need more than 320 GPH flow, which brings me to
My questions about my options.
Is there any effect on the drainage if I make the pipes bigger before and after the bulkhead? It is still a 1" opening.
I see several options but would like to get some opinions and feedback on them.
My first thought was to order some glass bits and bore out the openings inside the overflow box but my concerns are about how close the boles will be and the space underneath would be tight but might be an option.
Option 2) Use both lines in overflow box az drains (Herbie, or other).Increase pipe to 1 1 1/2 before bulkhead and 1" after. Run an exterior line up the back thAt would tee off into 2 returns drilled thru back of the tank and use nozzles to have some flow behind the reef. in the tank. If this is best option, should the return be a single line or double and should it be 1/2, 3/4, or 1" based on the size of the drain?
Option 2) use 1' bulkhead in overflow box as 1' return line and use second pipe as emergency overflow. Then build either an interior or an exterior overflow box on the back of the tank?

I would like to increase my pump to a Quiet One pushing 800 GPH if I can work out this plumbing problem, and I am really stuck here. My tank has been running for a month now with only the liverock in it and I am dying to start stocking it, but I feel that this will be a mistake until I address this plumbing/flow situation.

Thanks.

Mike


Or option 3) I am overreacting and I should be happy with present situation?

Here are a couple pics of tank at that point, Taken with Iphone so not the best pics:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gal002a-800.jpg


http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gal003a-800.jpg

ensquire
03-08-2011, 06:12 PM
Thought about just going with it as it was, but luckily this happened:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/algae%2009-800.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/algae%2004-800.jpg

Here is the rest of that thread....
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=72026

Lucky only because at this point I was ready to finish it up and start stocking it.

Some pics of the second attempt to make the overflow work to my satisfaction:
New Pump

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2002%2009%2011%20001-800.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2002%2009%2011%20002-800.jpg

Original plumbing
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2002%2009%2011%20006-800.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/DSC00111-800.jpg

Rocks stored with heater and Koralia 4 , plus a carbon filter and frequent water changes to combat the Cyano

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2002%2024%2011%20011-800.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2002%2024%2011%20014-800.jpg

ensquire
03-08-2011, 06:33 PM
Took a month to get all the fittings together if you can believe that :sad:

Quiet One 4000
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2002%2024%2011%20018-800.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2002%2024%2011%20019-800.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2002%2024%2011%20023-800.jpg

TOOL TIME WOO HOO

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2002%2024%2011%20026-800.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2002%2024%2011%20028-800.jpg

New Diamond hole bits
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2002%2024%2011%20029-800.jpg

Newly redesigned overflow box

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2002%2024%2011%20020-800.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2002%2024%2011%20021-800.jpg

Over the top return pipe

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2002%2024%2011%20024-800.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2002%2024%2011%20031-800.jpg

all assembled and ready to fill

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2002%2024%2011%20032-800.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2002%2024%2011%20033-800.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2002%2024%2011%20035-800.jpg

ensquire
03-08-2011, 07:03 PM
New Drains

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2002%2024%2011%20037-800.jpg

Hmm need to put Xmas decorations away

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2002%2024%2011%20040-800.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2002%2024%2011%20041-800.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2003%2002%2011%20001-800.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2003%2002%2011%20002-800.jpg

Filling it up....
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2003%2008%2011%20004-800.jpg
Running

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2003%2008%2011%20003-800.jpg

Was very happy with the flow at this point. Only one minor flaw . Use ball valve on drain line and wasn't as easy to dial in flow to maintain water height in overflow but easily changed. So I am quite happy at this point.
Now it was time to test emergency line, so I blocked the main drain and watched as the tank very slowly began to fill. PROBLEM .
which takes me to this thread:
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=73494

ensquire
03-08-2011, 07:27 PM
water was a little higher in sump than normal and Yellowknife has a semi monthly subscription to power outages, so I thought it might be a good idea to test and see if sump could handle a power outage . Turned off pump and watched as the sump very very quickly began to overflow.
DOOOOOOOOOOO
turned pump back on with no immediate effect , closed drain line and slowly began to slow the flood. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
Grab shop vac and try and figure this one out..
:redface:
Then I remember the thread about back siphoning return lines.
Another one of those AHHH HAAA moments that take place in this hobby for me.Lucky for me it was fresh water and on lino,

So for now we are ordering up a few new fittings, a gate valve, painting and sealing the stand. Drilling a hole in the back for my return line because I don't like the overtop at all.

For now the only question I have for everyone is about check valves.
As I said earlier, we get a lot of power outages, and as I haven't finalized my return. I was going to plumb in a backflow behind the bulkhead.
Is this effective or is the small hole drilled in the line just below the water level a good enough solution to the back siphon problem??

Thanks for reading

outacontrol
03-08-2011, 09:21 PM
So the drain pipe is larger than the emergency drain?
Why not raise the drain pipe up closer to the height of the overflow, should be quieter and maybe even drain less water into sump on a powerfailure.
The back siphon on the return is an easy fix just drill and 1/8" hole in the return line just below the tank water level. The hole will allow air into the return line and break the siphon.

ensquire
03-12-2011, 04:23 AM
Yes the drain is bigger
As soon as my parts arrive I'm going to drill my return thru the back, going to add a 3/4" above and below the 1/2" emergency bulkhead and give it a test.

ensquire
04-10-2011, 11:26 PM
Time for an update, been busy lately and haven't had much time to post up some pics.

Cleaning gunk off the back of tank from the old background glue.
Going through back office looking for something to use and guess what worked best. Yup Overproof Rum took care of the glue in short order.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20Gallon%2003%2028%2011%20001-800.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20Gallon%2003%2028%2011%20002-800.jpg

Masked it off and used Acrylic spray paint, may need another coat but we shall see when setup.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20Gallon%2003%2028%2011%20004-800.jpg

Touch up the stand with some filler

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20Gallon%2003%2028%2011%20007-800.jpg

Drill a few holes to run cords out to Powerbar.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20Gallon%2003%2028%2011%20008-800.jpg

ensquire
04-11-2011, 12:02 AM
Princess Auto order arrived and I was able to get my overflow tuned up.
There was a lot of good advise on how to accomplish this because of the previous owners setup , but I came up with the following plan and have great confidence that it will work perfectly when up and running. ( I hope):eek:
Since I have a 1" Drain bulkhead , I will adapt that to a 1 1/2 Drain Pipe inside the overflow box extending up to about 3/4 of the height of the box. With the second hole sized for a 1/2" bulkead, and not really being sufficient for an emergency drain. I decided to break open the new drill bits and bore out the hole to fit a 3/4" bulkhead. Found some adapters locally and second hole will have 1" pipe before and after bulkhead.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20Gallon%2003%2028%2011%20011-800.jpg

And for safety sake, a second 1/2" emergency drain line cut into the back of the overflow, because it was getting pretty tight in there. Thanks to a few of the members for there input on this one.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20Gallon%2003%2028%2011%20012-800.jpg


http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20Gallon%2003%2028%2011%20014-800.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20Gallon%2003%2028%2011%20015-800.jpg

New bits mean fast drill time, minor chipping and the only real problem I found was that I didn't want to put a lot of pressure on the drill and let it do the work. What I found was that in doing this, the bit tended to sit and bore the hole out rather than drilling a nice straight hole. Nothing serious at all and I am sure after a few more tanks I will get this to work better.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20Gallon%2003%2028%2011%20016-800.jpg

ensquire
04-11-2011, 12:28 AM
First coat of Marine Grade Paint on stand.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20Gallon%2003%2028%2011%20017-800.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20Gallon%2003%2028%2011%20018-800.jpg

Canopy had some water damage , so I need to remove the damaged wood and rebuild it. My plan for now is to cut out a slot that my 6 Bulb Aquaticlife fixture can sit into and slide back and forth on. Depending on what I put into it I have 3 different light fixture ready to go into it, but we can discuss this later.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20Gallon%2003%2028%2011%20019-800.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2004%2011%2011%20002-800.jpg

ensquire
04-11-2011, 12:34 AM
Finally after 2 weeks, my drill bits from China arrive.
Drilling a single 1" return line through the back on the right rear of the tank.
24.00 for both with shipping and a nice case also .:biggrin:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2004%2011%2011%20001-800.jpg

used a piece of plywood on the backside to see if it would help with the chipping when the drill went thru. Seemed to help.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2004%2011%2011%20003-800.jpg

Finished

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2004%2011%2011%20004-800.jpg

ensquire
04-11-2011, 12:41 AM
Paint and Verathane stand is next on the list . Adjust and reconnect plumbing lines. remove baffles and reconfigure sump.

Never thought it would take this long to get things up and running, but logistically challenging with no LFS or part and piece stores in the area.
Great learning experience thus far and looking forward to the next steps.
Thanks for the advise supplied so far and I know there will be lots more solicited in the future........:smile:

ensquire
04-21-2011, 09:00 PM
3 coats of marine grade black paint and 2 coats of sealer.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2004%2021%2011%20002-800.jpg

Set stand in place and pull out the level and ............ NO WAY

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2004%2021%2011%20001-800.jpg

Set tank in place, nice reflection in tank me and my Sponge Bob Tshirt.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2004%2021%2011%20004-800.jpg

After careful consideration of all advice on how to mod my overflow, I came up with this solution. Since I had a 1" and a 1/2" bulkhead in overflow I found it insufficient to drain efficiently. I upsized the 1" to 1 1/2" Pipe above the bulkhead . I bored out the 1/2" to 3/4" and made that the emergency drain and I added a second 1/2" emergency out the back.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2004%2021%2011%20005-800.jpg

Side veiw

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2004%2021%2011%20007-800.jpg

Prepping emergency line and Return line for paint. Like the look of black pipes on black background.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2004%2021%2011%20008-800.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2004%2021%2011%20009-800.jpg

This is the return that I came up with, is it to much ?? want lots of flow .

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2004%2021%2011%20011-800.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2004%2021%2011%20012-800.jpg

Cover for overflow

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2004%2021%2011%20013-800.jpg

Painted Lines

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2004%2021%2011%20014-800.jpg

Ready to be glued in place and a little touch up paint. Good to go.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/80%20gallon%2004%2021%2011%20016-800.jpg

ensquire
04-21-2011, 09:05 PM
Sump retrofit up next.

Aquaria
09-08-2011, 05:32 PM
When's the next update it's been awhile

ensquire
12-16-2011, 03:19 AM
After a year of gathering , tuning , upgrading, making sure it was ready to go. I decided today was the day to move this tank home. Balmy -31 outside.




http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/IMGP4224.jpg


http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18798128/Tank%20pics/IMGP4226.jpg

Nuff Said

:censored: :bad-word: :Cry:

The Grizz
12-16-2011, 03:35 AM
OH CRAPPY DEAL!! Worst part you can't even just replace the side.

Nano
12-16-2011, 03:40 AM
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cry: thats so awful.

fishytime
12-16-2011, 03:49 AM
duuuuuuuude!.......that sucks!:sad:

ensquire
12-16-2011, 04:12 AM
OH CRAPPY DEAL!! Worst part you can't even just replace the side.

Yup , nice looking tank but pretty hard to patch ,
Was getting pretty excited to get it going after all this time.
Local FS has 2 tanks for sale , 130 gallon for 3200.00 and a 65 gallon for 1300.00. Not that desperate ........................
and of course there are at least 4 or 5 tanks on here that would work, only a 10 hour drive away


FML

lastlight
12-16-2011, 04:50 AM
Wow and you'd been so patient and fiddled so much with that thing! I swear moving somewhere closer to aquatic civilization might be worthwhile =)

ensquire
12-16-2011, 06:24 AM
Wow and you'd been so patient and fiddled so much with that thing! I swear moving somewhere closer to aquatic civilization might be worthwhile =)

Maybe but thats a bit of a double edged sword, Nice to be close to all those goodies. And yet scary at the same time. LOL
I gotta 1000 km chain on my wallet now
Best thing so far is that my wife is really pushing for me to pick up another tank ASAP . :biggrin:
See what we can work out so I can get a brand new one shipped up here.

The Grizz
12-17-2011, 06:04 AM
Hey Mike, I have a contact at First Air in Yellowknife that will give me a shipping quote for you, might even get it up to you for free but no promises there. What size tank are you looking for. Send me a PM or e-mail with your wish list and we can chat

ensquire
12-17-2011, 06:23 AM
Email sent

Thanks Greg

Hey Mike, I have a contact at First Air in Yellowknife that will give me a shipping quote for you, might even get it up to you for free but no promises there. What size tank are you looking for. Send me a PM or e-mail with your wish list and we can chat

Skimmerking
12-17-2011, 03:59 PM
ya that is friggin awesome GREGG

The Grizz
12-17-2011, 04:07 PM
Kal has a 90 in Edmonton, I will get some good pics & see if it's a good one.

ensquire
12-18-2011, 12:29 AM
Canreefer's are awesome, Thanks again Greg.

The Grizz
12-18-2011, 01:31 AM
He has a 4' 120 gal as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ensquire
12-18-2011, 03:20 AM
[quote=The Grizz;662299]He has a 4' 120 gal as well.


HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM can floor handle an extra 300 lbs :question::question:
would mean more rock and fish , so much to ponder LOL

Let me know what he wants for each ,

Thanks

reefgirl189
12-18-2011, 05:55 AM
I really enjoyed reading this build. Your tank and stand look great!
Can't wait to see some pics of it all filled up now ;)

Nano
12-18-2011, 06:30 AM
good luck on the tank! I hope you find one that suites your needs. My wife wants to change ours to a cube maybe 40 gallons, if we can find one, but that will have to wait a week or so til I get paid! lol damn cars...

ensquire
12-18-2011, 07:59 AM
good luck on the tank! I hope you find one that suites your needs. My wife wants to change ours to a cube maybe 40 gallons, if we can find one, but that will have to wait a week or so til I get paid! lol damn cars...
:rolleyes: Yeah I know that feeling not a good week, Tank breaks, expedition battery calves out at work and they say it comes in 3's.... Can't wait to see what's next..:eek:

Nano
12-18-2011, 08:03 AM
haha Yeah, its like i said the other day in another thread... "tis' the season" lol. But sh*t happens, life goes on. I'm glad I had time to fix my wifes car today, and since I put my tank money into that, I get to do an upgrade now! just have to track down the tank! Anyone if you seed a 30-40 gallon cube on here Let me know! I had a dream of a b*tching aquascape for a cube. lol:mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

The Grizz
12-18-2011, 07:34 PM
Don't worry Mike, we will get you fixed up. It will be my Xmas good deed & hopefully bring me some better luck in 2012 :biggrin:

ensquire
12-19-2011, 09:20 PM
I'm honored and blessed, Thank you Greg

Don't worry Mike, we will get you fixed up. It will be my Xmas good deed & hopefully bring me some better luck in 2012 :biggrin: