Flower's Sump/Fuge Build

acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Jstdv8 that's precise engineering!!!!!:laughing: I knew it would be a tight squeeze.
Flower that looks really good!!!! From the pics it seems the output of the skimmer is facing the baffles? Is it possible to rotate the skimmer output into the far left corner facing the room? For bubble sake during break in they would be forced into the corner and have to make their way around the skimmer body before the baffles. Just a thought!!!
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

Well it has been a great day indeed for me! LOL…I am so sore, I feel like I have been playing football. This morning I feared disaster and now the hardest part is over..I can do the plumbing and be all set. If I had known I could remove that part in the front, I would not have needed a custom sump…none of this story would have ever happened. God has his ways, don’t you think?
When I got on the computer this morning LATE because I was messing with the tank…my landlord contacted me. He asked me if I really wanted the house and if I would be interested in signing papers for a quick deed, he would still be on the line if I defaulted, but my rent would pay for my own home and it would be mine. 5.75% interest on a 30 year fixed mortgage. Taxes and insurance included on the mortgage, $1022.00 a month instead of $1075.00 for rent!
The little house I rented with the option to buy will be mine! A year early since I have only been here 2 years on my 3 year lease. I have never been late on a single rent check, so he is willing to work with me…I’m so happy!
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

I was so excited about the house I almost forgot...
Shawn, you made those pipes for the refugium and made them so they won't make bubbles using those elbows. I want to use the plumbing you and Corey created. I want as much of you guys in that sump as I can get.
I think I will cut out the stickers Slice made to put on the boxes and save them in a scrap book. I was saving the boxes to possibly move next year...but now if all goes according to plan, I won't have to move at all.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Flower that is so cool!!!! Contests!!!! That box is big, even though Slice tried to down play it.....:laughing: I sorta had an idea earlier when I had asked if anyone had some Photoshop or pic editing skills. I was thinking it could all submit pics, and the editor somehow make a group picture or something for you!!!!
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
OMG I am so happy right now I could cry, seeing everything under your tank is the best christmas present yet. I just got home, I went to three different LFS today and i bought myself a little christmas present 3 heads of a Ricordea Orange. I think it is orange it looks kinda pink anyways, Flower good news about your house as well. It begininning to look alot like christmas. - I think it is orange looks more pink to me.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
That's great news on the house!!!
The plumbing still glues the same way Flower. It's only the one piece of pipe on top that glues into the bulkhead. I moved the union piece up there because I figured it would be easier to install that way. You can see in the picture below how it unscrews and seperates. You can take it apart and then take it outside to glue it into the bulkhead. Make sure the bulkhead is installed on the overflow box before you glue it otherwise you'll never get the bulkhead back into the overflow. And then you can easily install it on the back of your tank. Once you do that you should be able to stick the hoses behind the tank and then just screw that piece back together. It should also make it easier if you ever need to clean the hoses. You can just unscrew them and take them outside and hose them down or throw em in the bath tub.
Looking at the last pics you posted, what is that I see under the fuge? It looks like the fuge is raised. I'm just hoping you have enough room to put those hoses in there with it like that because I know they are rather big. I'm sure you'll figure it all out. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Oh and when you go to unscrew the "union" piece...take note of the black O-ring inside of it that it doesn't get lost. That's what makes the seal water tight.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

My hands are too weak to unscrew the connector...so I just left it attached and glued the end making sure everything was aliened properly the way it will fit on the tank. So All I have to do now is hang it and secure it with the zip ties. Next time I have a man visit I will have him losen it enough for me to manage..You are stronger than you think Corey.
The refugium is lifted about ½ inch because the inside of my stand had a small warp where the canister had leaked at one time. I used insulation board to stabilize that spot and set the refugium on a flat surface. There is plenty of room for the hose..it is hard to tell in the pictures.
I have a question about the overflow itself:
That little tube with a tiny black ring, that sits inside the sponge..where do I originally place the ring before I adjust it and how do I know when it’s in the right place anyway?????
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/1520#post_3338663
Flower that is so cool!!!! Contests!!!! That box is big, even though Slice tried to down play it.....
I sorta had an idea earlier when I had asked if anyone had some Photoshop or pic editing skills. I was thinking it could all submit pics, and the editor somehow make a group picture or something for you!!!!

That would be great for the scape book! When I get enough ink, I want to print this thread, it reads like a book. I will be bringing my camera to the meeting too.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/1520#post_3338733

My hands are too weak to unscrew the connector...so I just left it attached and glued the end making sure everything was aliened properly the way it will fit on the tank. So All I have to do now is hang it and secure it with the zip ties. Next time I have a man visit I will have him losen it enough for me to manage..You are stronger than you think Corey.
The refugium is lifted about ½ inch because the inside of my stand had a small warp where the canister had leaked at one time. I used insulation board to stabilize that spot and set the refugium on a flat surface. There is plenty of room for the hose..it is hard to tell in the pictures.
I have a question about the overflow itself:
That little tube with a tiny black ring, that sits inside the sponge..where do I originally place the ring before I adjust it and how do I know when it’s in the right place anyway?????
Sorry, Flower. I thought I had left it fiarly loose enough so that you wouldn't have much trouble opening it. It actually doesn't take much effort to tighten it good enough to make a good seal. Just a little snug should be good.
10/4 on the fuge. The pic from the front threw me off because it looked like it was really tight on top.
The little tube with the black o-ring...move the o-ring close to the bottom. You'll want to install this once the water is flowing and draining from the overflow. The little tube is designed to help silence any gurgling sound the drain will make. You'll just want to adjust the little tube up and down untill you find the spot that seems to reduce the most amount of noise. The little o-ring will hold it in place once you find it. That's why I would start with it close to the bottom. And as you push the tube down it will work it's way up untill you find the "sweet spot" as it were.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/1520#post_3338779
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/1520#post_3338733

My hands are too weak to unscrew the connector...so I just left it attached and glued the end making sure everything was aliened properly the way it will fit on the tank. So All I have to do now is hang it and secure it with the zip ties. Next time I have a man visit I will have him losen it enough for me to manage..You are stronger than you think Corey.
The refugium is lifted about ½ inch because the inside of my stand had a small warp where the canister had leaked at one time. I used insulation board to stabilize that spot and set the refugium on a flat surface. There is plenty of room for the hose..it is hard to tell in the pictures.
I have a question about the overflow itself:
That little tube with a tiny black ring, that sits inside the sponge..where do I originally place the ring before I adjust it and how do I know when it’s in the right place anyway?????
Sorry, Flower. I thought I had left it fiarly loose enough so that you wouldn't have much trouble opening it. It actually doesn't take much effort to tighten it good enough to make a good seal. Just a little snug should be good.
10/4 on the fuge. The pic from the front threw me off because it looked like it was really tight on top.
The little tube with the black o-ring...move the o-ring close to the bottom. You'll want to install this once the water is flowing and draining from the overflow. The little tube is designed to help silence any gurgling sound the drain will make. You'll just want to adjust the little tube up and down untill you find the spot that seems to reduce the most amount of noise. The little o-ring will hold it in place once you find it. That's why I would start with it close to the bottom. And as you push the tube down it will work it's way up untill you find the "sweet spot" as it were.

Thanks! I have to get off to work, I will pick up hose for the fantastic gizmo tomorrow and be all set to start the sump. Just to double triple check...
Am I correct that I should start the overflow first..the water won’t drain beyond the edge of the overflow lip...I THINK
Then start the return pump and when the water gets high enough the overflow will begin again to drain into the sump..IS THAT CORRECT?
I won't see this post until morning..LOL..I will be sure to check it before I do a thing.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Coming in on the tail end.....I would put enough water in the return section of the sump to cover the return pump. I would fill the skimmer compartment of the sump to just about where it would start to flow over the baffles.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/1520#post_3338817
Coming in on the tail end.....I would put enough water in the return section of the sump to cover the return pump. I would fill the skimmer compartment of the sump to just about where it would start to flow over the baffles.

I am about to go get some hose for the Corey gizmo and the ATO. I was going to fill the refugium to the very edge of the bulkheads before it drains into the return chamber, and the sump chamber deep enough for the skimmr...6 inches. I will put water on the return pump as well.
My question is which do I turn on first? The return pump or the aqua lifter pump to start the overflow...I Think I should start the overflow first but I want to be sure.
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
I think start the return pump and then immediately after the aqualifter, watch the overflow to make sure it is draining as the return pump is going. Also have the line from the agua lifter go on the inlet side of your overflow therefore always keeping it full, you don't want to loose the siphon at start up. Can wait to here your results
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I agree with Al's recommendation..... Start the return pump then the aqualifter and watch!!!! After you have it balanced and overflow is functioning, will fire the skimmer.... We will adjust the simmer down, so it won't overskim, but it should affect the water level a bit.....
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

I am one person and I am on opposit sides of the tank...if I am not fast enough will it overflow my tank?
 
al&burke

al&burke

Active Member
Flower if you have an extra power bar - plug your pump into it temporaily so you can shut it off quick - if you need to - make sure you have everything GFCI
 
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