Dawn On The Reef

[SkiFletch]

Oooh, just realized something Colin now that I see this setup. You're going to want to strain relieve that bulkhead by gluing some kind of pipe clamp (commonly used to secure pipes to walls) to it and to the wall of the tank. Once water starts moving, its going to have a tendancy to shake the pipe, putting torsional forces on the bulkhead that will cause it to leak over time. If you can't find a plastic pipe clamp, you could try tying some nylon fishing line to the horizontal portion and securing that to your hood. Or if you want to go even simpler, you could just lean it against the side wall of the aquarium, and silicone the heck out of it to hold it in place.

 

[BigC]

Point taken Ski, When I notch the rockwall I will make it secure via that.
Regards
BigC

 

[SkiFletch]

Point taken Ski, When I notch the rockwall I will make it secure via that.
Regards
BigC

Ah yes, forgot about the rockwall. I like cheating If you're gonna do it that way, just use superglue

 

[BigC]

I've taken onboard your thoughts on securing the pipe in some fashion Ski. On reflection I have cut a little piece of glass at work and drilled a 28mm hole in it, I slipped it over the durso upright pipe and cut it so as I can silicone it to the tank wall and over the durso pipe about halfway up. (harness) Looks a lot neater (pics to follow)
Just a note on the air vent hole at the top of the cap. There are certain views on diameters etc. I was thinking of drilling one fairly large hole in the rim of the cap, then drilling a series of smaller holes (various dims) around the top of the pipe section, The idea of the thing is to be able to swivel/turn the cap (with the large hole) to what ever diameter of hole in the pipe suits the operation of the Durso best. Will this work or should I just drill a hole in the top for an airline and clamp regulation.
Advice is much appreciated.
Regards
BigC

 

[SkiFletch]

Start with an 1/8" hole and drill out bigger as needed. If you're getting a lot of air wheezing sounds and fluctuating flowrate, go a little larger with the hole.

 

[BigC]

Start with an 1/8" hole and drill out bigger as needed. If you're getting a lot of air wheezing sounds and fluctuating flowrate, go a little larger with the hole.

Cheers Ski

Regards
BigC

 

[andywg]

Or, as I do, drill a 6mm hole, shove in some airline and put a check valve on the airline, allowing easy adjustment

 

[BigC]

Or, as I do, drill a 6mm hole, shove in some airline and put a check valve on the airline, allowing easy adjustment

Cheers Andy, another great suggestion.
Regards
BigC

 

[BigC]

Just added a glass bracket/collar around the Durso upright for stability as advised by Skifletch.

Photo of Durso with top section removed
Regards
BigC

 

[SkiFletch]

Wish I worked in a glass shop

 

[BigC]

Wish I worked in a glass shop

LOL
It has its advantages when your an aquarist.
If I'm in the mood for building a new tank, then I'll cut the glass myself and proceed, other times, if I cant be bothered I'll just go to the LFS and purchase one.
I'm sick of the sight of glass.
Regards
BigC

 

[BigC]

Well due to a drunken weekend and european football (soccer) finals. I was unable to start the process of transfering the old tank contents into the new plumbed tank and sump combo. I have sobered up enough so I thought I'd make a start. I bought two large plastic storage bins from IKEA to house the live rock, fish and other critters for a few days whilst all the disturbance is going on. I will use half new water and half existing water form the main aquarium. Hopefully should finish the task by the weekend.

Large IKEA bin with heater/stat. Temp home for livestock.

I am going to use totally new Aragonite sand and ditch the old stuff. As for the Durso air intake/vent I have decided to go with the swivel top with varying size of hole.

Pipe and top drilled

Pipe on top of Durso

Complete setup

I will post more pics daily to show the changeover.
Regards
BigC

 

[Nalaundi]

Lookin great! cant wait to see it all put together

 

[BigC]

Ok thats it for today....I'm knackered.
Plumbed all the pipework (Solvent Weld) from the new aquarium to the sump. Thoroughly cleaned the rockwall, Removed all the inhabitants into plastic heated bins.
Performed some minor changes to the setup, Rockwall and powerhead positions..

A shot of the pipework from the bulkhead going back into the cabinet below to the sump

Sealing and clamping the glass slips for the coverglass runners to sit.
Need also a bracing piece put in, I'll do that tomorrow when the slips cure.
In the bend near the top of the "Durso" I have inserted a grill which can be removed for periodic cleaning, this will prevent small inhabitants from entering the plumbing.

Quick shot of the sump

Another quick shot of the sump, note I've construced a chamber at the back of the first compartment, its filled with Bioballs and a course jewel sponge, On top of the sponge I will be having my Rowaphos sack and topped with filter floss. The water enters the bottom of the filter compartment via the main tank plumbing. It then overflows into the first compartment of the sump proper. From there it enters the second sump compartment via a baffle and is subsequently syphoned to an external Eheim pump to return to the main tank.

Where I'm at at the end of todays tasks.

Tomorrow all being well I'll fill the tank and test the pumps, get the substrate back in and deal with the Liverock.
Fish and Critters I should have back in by Monday evening.
Will post some more pics tomorrow, hopefully with a fully operational sump.
Thanks for taking the time to look.
Regards
BigC

 

[BigC]

It took all day today (Sunday) but after many trials and tribulations "IT WORKS"
Pics to follow once I've tidied away all the mess
Regards
BigC