The Why Oh Why...38 stairs, 290 Tank Build

[reefwithareefer]

Originally Posted by Myka

Whatcha got for framing in that wall the tank is going on? It doesn't look all that beefy...

Three sides are bearing walls that go down to the concrete floor downstairs. 16" O/C 2x4 studs. The front, which you see in the pic is framed with 2x6 and the opening has a 6x6 header sitting on triple 2x6.

I do not think it will sag, but I will probably put a post in the center, as I want to put doors on it anyways.

It was actually only a 2x4 full height wall, till the GF thought a saltwater tank would be nice...

I cut out the wall, widened it to 27" wide etc etc. Ended up hacking it up a bit to install all the gear downstairs, as I had no idea the gear etc needed for this hobby.

[Myka]

Sounds like a good plan with the return pumps. I wouldn't turn any return pumps off at night. It's the powerheads (if anything) that should slow down for the night.

Sounds like the wall will be good too. It doesn't look like you've modified it at all (which is good haha).

[reefwithareefer]

Originally Posted by Myka

Sounds like a good plan with the return pumps. I wouldn't turn any return pumps off at night. It's the powerheads (if anything) that should slow down for the night.

Sounds like the wall will be good too. It doesn't look like you've modified it at all (which is good haha).

Thanks Myka,

I was just thinking of turning off the 250 and leaving the 150 on.
You do not think that is enough?
I have only been reefing for less than a year now, so still learning.

My idea was to run a 3/4" pipe from one end of the tank to the other under the canopy. I would then install 6 or so 1/2" or 3/4" loc lines with different nozzles on them for returns. I think I will put shut off valves on each one to control flow. Not sure if they should all point in one direction or random...

I was a carpenter for 20 years, so I am hoping I learned a few things..Alot of weight on it.

[duncangweller]

I'm intrigued by that dosing container. How's Tue build quality? Does it look leaky?

[reefwithareefer]

Originally Posted by duncangweller

I'm intrigued by that dosing container. How's Tue build quality? Does it look leaky?

It is actually really well built. In all honesty I was expecting crap for 23 bucks. It is good and solid with John Guest tube connectors.
I am going to use it to dose Phyto etc.

I would give it a 9 out of 10

Even the high low water alarm seems great. Paid 4 bucks. Figure I can find some use for it at that cheap of price.

[reeferfulton]

if you run 2 different return pumps for various times of day then..

You wound run into problems with your drain system depending on how its designed.

for example if you have a herbie design and its set perfectly for the pan250. when you switch to the smaller pump at night your drain will lose full siphon and your sump level will raise.

Usually herbie or doso drain designs are matched to 1 return pump by setting the gate valve on the main drain. So with this idea i think you may have issues , thats unless i am missing something ?

[reefwithareefer]

Originally Posted by reeferfulton

if you run 2 different return pumps for various times of day then..

You wound run into problems with your drain system depending on how its designed.

for example if you have a herbie design and its set perfectly for the pan250. when you switch to the smaller pump at night your drain will lose full siphon and your sump level will raise.

Usually herbie or doso drain designs are matched to 1 return pump by setting the gate valve on the main drain. So with this idea i think you may have issues , thats unless i am missing something ?

I never thought about the Herbie....I was thinking sump level might change and cause issues with the skimmer ..

I have not used the Herbie, but plan on it for this tank build.

[reefwithareefer]

I correct my self. I will be using the Bean Animal. I went to is own site to see what issues I might have with two pumps running differently and it seems that it will compensate for variations is the GPH of a pump. Not sure if it will compensate a large amount or just a little variance in amounts of GPH.

Anyone know the tolerances of what it will compensate for?

[lastlight]

love that dosing container! i'm tempted to order one now lol. where is it from?

edit. found it on fish street. i'm ordering two of the larger 5L ones... rad!

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

It looks like you have dual RW20s (20000L/hr) not dual WP-20s (no such model - closest is WP-25s (6500L/hr)).