Marine Upgrade

[OscarWilde]

Thanks for all the help so far. I've made some progress with the Plumbing:

Does this look about right? If so I'll do a wet test to make sure it's water tight at the weekend.

Overview:

Sump: Look OK? Pump is 1700lph

Standpipes\Overflow: Is that the right lingo?

Return Pump: Was thinking a spray bar may be of benefit. What do you think?

 

[rabbut]

The way the pipes are in the sump ATM will lead to lots of bubbles in the tank. Swap them over and all will be good Otherwise, all OK unless you can get both into the first chamber (the one where the pipe with the valve is ATM)

I'd be tempted to split the return line into two, entering at opposit ends of the tank if possible, but either the spray bar or that nozzle will work OK

All the best
Rabbut

 

[OscarWilde]

The way the pipes are in the sump ATM will lead to lots of bubbles in the tank. Swap them over and all will be good Otherwise, all OK unless you can get both into the first chamber (the one where the pipe with the valve is ATM)

I'd be tempted to split the return line into two, entering at opposit ends of the tank if possible, but either the spray bar or that nozzle will work OK

All the best
Rabbut

Unfortunately there are no Baffles in the Sump though I am going to look at some designs.

If there was two chambers though would it not be risky putting the stand pipe and overflow in the same chamber? If there is a blockage would I not end with a flood? Im trying to work out what the risks are. I guess it will be easier when I've seen it running.

Also, with regards to my needing the system to run as silently as possible (its going in my bedroom), what are people opinions on Skimming on a Timer?

 

[rabbut]

Skimmers mainly work overtime after feeding, so timed skimming on paper looks an OK idea. I personally wouldn't though, as livestock death occurs mainly overnight, and you see the skimmer removing foaming galore if something goes over. Not removing this stuff after something dies could potentially drag the rest of the tank down. Some people run smaller tanks skimmer less though, so it should be safe enough to do

What is the line I can see in the sump picture then if you don't have baffles?

All the best
Rabbut

 

[OscarWilde]

Thanks yet again Rabbut. The line is sealent, I assume that the previous owner broke the baffle.

 

[seffieuk]

You soon get used to the noise of the skimmer and miss it when it's not gurgling away

Seffie x

 

[OscarWilde]

Well, the its all cleaned up really well and I've got the Display and Sump filled with water at the moment to check for leaks. Thats the good news.


I've posted the rest of this update in the Hardware section but its here too for the record.

Hi all

I recently bought a 2nd hand setup. Eveything was sold to me as working but BOTH the return pump and skimmer pump dont seem to be functioning. They both power on and make a very quiet noise but neither of them are moving ANY water.

Is there somthing stupid I dont know about larger pumps 1700\2000lph or should I ring up the person who sold me the tank and give them a piece of my mind!

So far I have tested them simply by submerging them in a bucket of water. Nothing.

Models are Nu-jet 1700 and OceanRunner 2000.

Thanks.

 

[OscarWilde]

Also in HW section but here for the record:

OK. I've decided to write-off the Pumps, Sump and Pipework and Skimmer. I finally used another Pump from one of my other tanks and I've decided that its too noisey anyway. I'll keep hold of the Sump tank and Piperwork though incase i ever have the tank in another room (not my bedroom).

So after all of that Im left with the following.

- Rio 125
- Cabinet
- Arcadia T5s
- Hydor 75W Heater
- Maxi-jet 600 lph powerhead.

Still not bad for £125 I reckon.

So I need a new plan.

I also have the following to work with from my existing Nano and spares.

- 15kg Fiji Live rock.
- 1 X 200W Heater
- Koralia Nano 900 l/h
- 1 X 500 lph Internal filter with Spray bar.

So 2000l/ph flow in total.

I will need to find another Skimmer but will all of the above be enough to transfer my existing Nano setup to the new tank?

Cheers.

 

[rabbut]

That should be enough to transfer across I'd me be swap the internal filter for an alternative powerhead, like a Koralia/Tunze

It's a shame you scrapped the sump, they can be made quiet The OR pumps can be temperamental with the needle wheel you get to drive the skimmers, so your lack of water flow from it does not necessaryly mean it's broken... I am not too well up on nu-jets though...

For skimmers, look at Deltec MCE 300's, a replacement AquaMedic Turboflotor HOB or Tunze equivalent. TMC V2 range gets a good write-up in here, but I wouldn't buy one of those myself with the amount of trouble a few of my mates have had with them...

All the best
Rabbut

 

[OscarWilde]

Finally finished the transfer! Phew! Hard work.

Kept as much of the original tank water as I could and the Live stock all seem to be doing fine, particulaly my blood shrimp which I was most worried about.

The new Arcardia light has two sets of bulbs. One daylight white and one blue. If nessecary I can put them on different timers. Is there any advantage to this or is it a case of the more light the better?

I also recived 15kg-20kg of 'Dead' live rock with the new tank. I've set this off curing in my old nano with freshly made up water. I understand the mechanics of the curing process, check for amonia, water chnage etc but do I need lighting? If so what timings should I put on?

Many thanks for your help so far eveyone. I'll post some pictures later this week

 

[rabbut]

If the old rock was dead, there will be no advantage from putting light over it... For your lights, I'd have the blues come on and hour before and an hour after the main whites, with the whites on for 8 hours

 

[OscarWilde]

Thanks again Rabbut.

Current parameters on the new 125.

Amonia: < 0.25
Nitrate: 0.25
pH: 8.4
Nitrite: 0
Temp: 27.4

Planning weeky 20% changes until the params are where they should be. Skimmer arrives tomorrow.

Plus as promised. A few Pics. Don't think Ive even mentioned my livestock yet!

2 X False Percula Clownfish
1 X Blood/Fire Shrimp
Several Hermits and Turbos.

And from before the upgrade...

 

[rabbut]

The hermits and shrimp are so cute Nice rock scape and lay-out. I'm intrigued by why there is a dangling powerhead in the front right though, and why there is no guard on the one at the back Still, looks good

 

[OscarWilde]

The hermits and shrimp are so cute Nice rock scape and lay-out. I'm intrigued by why there is a dangling powerhead in the front right though, and why there is no guard on the one at the back Still, looks good

Front right is not dangling. Its fixed on to the weir

The other one does need a guard but im replacing it with one of these next week.

Cheers.

 

[seffieuk]

Are those wavemakers any good, they look like a koralia look alike?

Seffie x