MitchM tank build

[Alberta-newb]

Hi Mitch, exciting build!

I was wondering why you changed out the Dart pumps for SpeedWaves? I'm working on a build with 2 closed loops and still struggling with pump choices. I like the Dart gold pumps but was looking into the DC pumps as another option.

How do you like them so far and what was the motivation to swap out those expensive Darts?

Francis

[MitchM]

Hi Francis,

I really like the Speedwaves. I prefer submersible pumps because I like to have things effecient where I can.

Speedwave pros for me:
-lower electricity usage
-submersible means that the heat that is generated is transferred to the aquarium water
-simpler plumbing hookup (barbed connections for flexible hose that's contained in the sump so if there's a leak it stays within the system)
-soft start, so when the pumps start up in the middle of the night there's no splashing noise

Dart cons:
-higher electricity usage
-external, attracts dust with their cooling fins so exterior needs to be cleaned often
-more complicated hard plumbing, need to drill access holes in sump. Leaks are not contained within the system

I am using 1 Speedwave externally, because of how my closed loop is configured. No cooling fans on the Speedwave to attract dust.

I'm just going to clean the Darts and store them away. They work fine. They've been operating steady 5 hours on/6 hours off without a problem for a couple of years.

I've also changed my sump turnover rate to 1 X system volume/ hour. I'm going to increase the circulation only within the main display itself with powerheads and the closed loop. That saves some energy.
( that I can put into those T-5's, lol)

[MitchM]

I've had the recirc heating running for about an hour now.
Incoming water temp is 91.9 F, outgoing water temp is 77.9F
Present water temp is 75.6 F, so the aquarium water is taking almost all the heat that is being put through the coils. I didn't do any calculations to arrive at how many coils, just my best estimate. I put in 5 coils with a 20" diameter.
We'll see how long it takes to bring the 700 gallons up to the target temp of 79 F.

[riceboy]

Quick question are those copper fittings on the pump?

[MitchM]

Brass.

[MitchM]

Here is the hookup to the hot water tank:
Hot water exit is coming out of the top middle of the hot water tank. The red PEX pipe attached at the "T" fitting is leading to the recirc pump which pumps to the coils in the sump.
The cold water supply line to the hot water tank runs down the front of the tank out of the picture. The white PEX pipe at the "T" fitting is coming directly from the coils in the sump.
The loop follows: hot water tank -> red PEX -> recirc pump -> coils -> return line to the cold water supply -> water gets reheated and goes through the loop again as needed.

[MitchM]

It took 5 hours to raise the temperature from 73F to 79F.
I'm happy with that.
The gas boiler didn't turn on today so that means that the heat came from solar.