patrick8929
Active Member
awesome ill look into it for sure!
Snake's 20g Nano Build thread
- Thread starter snakeblitz33
- Start date
travelerjp98
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/387674/snakes-20g-nano-build-thread/160#post_3443719
Traveler....
1 Doesn't the drip bucket need to be much higher than what you have it? And..the few inches on the ironing board folded up doesn't seem enough to me. I'm surprised it worked.
2 You have enough space behind your tank for a bucket and then an ironing board as well???? I thought I left a big space with an 8 inch clearing.
3 Also, and please don't think I am flaming you, just some helpful advice on a possible future problem....I understand not everyone can get RO water, but the chlorine in the tap will also kill your chaeto...you should at the very least dechlorinate the tap water. Water that sits 24 hours is clear of chlorine and using tap in a holding tank hasn't had a chance to do much damage, but you are playing with a loaded gun in that area.
Hi Flower,
I didn't take your post as flaming at all.... but I would like to have a bit of a discussion
1) The reason that it works is because the end that is in the bucket is a tiny bit above the end that's in the refugium. It doesn't matter how much higher it is, as long as it is any amount higher.
2) Yep, I have 18" from the tank to the wall
But, even if that space isn't available, there are a lot of options around it... you could put the tank that holds the top off water somewhere below the tank, above the sump... on the side of the tank... etc... tons of options, one just needs to be creative with it.
3) The water sits in the holding tank for days... and no, it will not kill the Chaeto... at least the amounts that are in most tap water won't.
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/387674/snakes-20g-nano-build-thread/160#post_3443719
Traveler....
1 Doesn't the drip bucket need to be much higher than what you have it? And..the few inches on the ironing board folded up doesn't seem enough to me. I'm surprised it worked.
2 You have enough space behind your tank for a bucket and then an ironing board as well???? I thought I left a big space with an 8 inch clearing.
3 Also, and please don't think I am flaming you, just some helpful advice on a possible future problem....I understand not everyone can get RO water, but the chlorine in the tap will also kill your chaeto...you should at the very least dechlorinate the tap water. Water that sits 24 hours is clear of chlorine and using tap in a holding tank hasn't had a chance to do much damage, but you are playing with a loaded gun in that area.
Hi Flower,
I didn't take your post as flaming at all.... but I would like to have a bit of a discussion
1) The reason that it works is because the end that is in the bucket is a tiny bit above the end that's in the refugium. It doesn't matter how much higher it is, as long as it is any amount higher.
2) Yep, I have 18" from the tank to the wall
3) The water sits in the holding tank for days... and no, it will not kill the Chaeto... at least the amounts that are in most tap water won't.
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by travelerjp98 http:///t/387674/snakes-20g-nano-build-thread/180#post_3443820
Hi Flower,
I didn't take your post as flaming at all.... but I would like to have a bit of a discussion
1) The reason that it works is because the end that is in the bucket is a tiny bit above the end that's in the refugium. It doesn't matter how much higher it is, as long as it is any amount higher.
2) Yep, I have 18" from the tank to the wall
But, even if that space isn't available, there are a lot of options around it... you could put the tank that holds the top off water somewhere below the tank, above the sump... on the side of the tank... etc... tons of options, one just needs to be creative with it.
3) The water sits in the holding tank for days... and no, it will not kill the Chaeto... at least the amounts that are in most tap water won't.
LOL...I posted a thread about IV tubing, it will save you needing a ton of knots and it controls the drip perfectly...look into that because I'm sure you can use it. $1.05 for the tubing and all the gizmos on it.
Originally Posted by travelerjp98 http:///t/387674/snakes-20g-nano-build-thread/180#post_3443820
Hi Flower,
I didn't take your post as flaming at all.... but I would like to have a bit of a discussion
1) The reason that it works is because the end that is in the bucket is a tiny bit above the end that's in the refugium. It doesn't matter how much higher it is, as long as it is any amount higher.
2) Yep, I have 18" from the tank to the wall
3) The water sits in the holding tank for days... and no, it will not kill the Chaeto... at least the amounts that are in most tap water won't.
LOL...I posted a thread about IV tubing, it will save you needing a ton of knots and it controls the drip perfectly...look into that because I'm sure you can use it. $1.05 for the tubing and all the gizmos on it.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Interesting. I doubt I can use the same setup for my 20g tank though.
Two more days till I get the pump. Then it will be wrapped for Christmas.
I was sick as a dog the last couple of days with some kind of 48 hour virus. I always seem to get sick around Christmas.
Two more days till I get the pump. Then it will be wrapped for Christmas.
I was sick as a dog the last couple of days with some kind of 48 hour virus. I always seem to get sick around Christmas.
travelerjp98
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/387674/snakes-20g-nano-build-thread/180#post_3443897
Interesting. I doubt I can use the same setup for my 20g tank though.
Two more days till I get the pump. Then it will be wrapped for Christmas.
I was sick as a dog the last couple of days with some kind of 48 hour virus. I always seem to get sick around Christmas.
Haha... Al was sick too...
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/387674/snakes-20g-nano-build-thread/180#post_3443897
Interesting. I doubt I can use the same setup for my 20g tank though.
Two more days till I get the pump. Then it will be wrapped for Christmas.
I was sick as a dog the last couple of days with some kind of 48 hour virus. I always seem to get sick around Christmas.
Haha... Al was sick too...
E
eric b 125
Guest
that ATO, while economical, seems like a sketchy setup. i can see how it would slow the loss of water from the sump, but i cant see how it can be very accurate. the more water that gets removed from the reservoir, the slower the drip rate will get. the purpose of an ATO is to avoid having to add large volumes of water to compensate for evaporation. when water evaporates, the SG and pH rises slowly. typically, however, people just dump water into their tanks when they top off, and the SG and pH drop quickly. having a float valve, or laser sensor (like that on the osmolator) help maintain the SG at as constant a level as possible if they are maintained appropriately. this is not to say that traveler's setup isn't better than nothing, but a float valve is so cheap that i dont see why you wouldnt incorporate one, especially on a 20 gallon with a lot of flow, where water will evaporate quickly.
travelerjp98
Active Member
Mine works perfectley...
and I set it up for the reason you stated, to not have sudden changes in water parameters.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
I absolutely agree, Eric. I want great stability in my tank. I'm just curious about all these new ATO units, and I'm weighing my options.
I think I've finally decided which skimmer I want
All I have to do now is plan the move over to the new stand, buy some new plumbing parts, wait for some more money to buy my skimmer and then next will be an ATO.
In a sense:, here's what I want to buy in order:
1. Plumbing parts
2. Water/salt mixed
3. protein skimmer.
4. ATO
4.1 Buy a refractometer (LOL)
5. Modify ATS
6. vortech MP10 (or 20)
7. ATI t5 bulbs
8. Ecoexotic Panorama LED strip(s) royal blue and one CW/RB mix. I'm going to modify my T5 unit to hold the extra unit(s)
9. Dosing pumps for ca and alk with pH probe and...
10. A monitor/controller for extra monitoring options and controls. (You know, gotta protect the investment and all... )
I'm going to start adding some easy SPS corals once I get numbers 1-4 done. Then some more dificult one's when I get 5 & 6 done. The numbers 7 & 8 have to do with lighting my 20g, and I'm not sure I'll have the 20g still up and running by the time I get ready to upgrade the lighting. :
I think I've finally decided which skimmer I want
All I have to do now is plan the move over to the new stand, buy some new plumbing parts, wait for some more money to buy my skimmer and then next will be an ATO.
In a sense:, here's what I want to buy in order:
1. Plumbing parts
2. Water/salt mixed
3. protein skimmer.
4. ATO
4.1 Buy a refractometer (LOL)
5. Modify ATS
6. vortech MP10 (or 20)
7. ATI t5 bulbs
8. Ecoexotic Panorama LED strip(s) royal blue and one CW/RB mix. I'm going to modify my T5 unit to hold the extra unit(s)
9. Dosing pumps for ca and alk with pH probe and...
10. A monitor/controller for extra monitoring options and controls. (You know, gotta protect the investment and all... )
I'm going to start adding some easy SPS corals once I get numbers 1-4 done. Then some more dificult one's when I get 5 & 6 done. The numbers 7 & 8 have to do with lighting my 20g, and I'm not sure I'll have the 20g still up and running by the time I get ready to upgrade the lighting. :
E
eric b 125
Guest
Quote:
Originally Posted by travelerjp98 http:///t/387674/snakes-20g-nano-build-thread/180#post_3444251
Mine works perfectley...
and I set it up for the reason you stated, to not have sudden changes in water parameters.
i wasn't knocking it, i was just stating some of the problems i see with that type of system. i hope you didn't take my comments the wrong way! it's better than a massive top off every other day, so long as the knots don't get looser causing too much FW to go into the system, or for the water to become too low in the reservoir causing too little water to go into the sump, allowing the water level to drop leading to the need for a large top off that we are trying to avoid.
i guess my real problem with that system is that float valves are so cheap that i dont see why you wouldnt use one rather than tying the knots
i would imagine that they are more accurate than the knot method as long as they get routine maintenance.
i still think that with a 20 gallon bare bottom tank and all the flow that will be agitating the surface causing increased evaporation a float valve is a good idea. i used to hear all types of horror stories about float valves that got stuck "on" however my personal experience with them is that if they receive a little attention during every reservoir refill they tend to be pretty reliable.
Originally Posted by travelerjp98 http:///t/387674/snakes-20g-nano-build-thread/180#post_3444251
Mine works perfectley...
i wasn't knocking it, i was just stating some of the problems i see with that type of system. i hope you didn't take my comments the wrong way! it's better than a massive top off every other day, so long as the knots don't get looser causing too much FW to go into the system, or for the water to become too low in the reservoir causing too little water to go into the sump, allowing the water level to drop leading to the need for a large top off that we are trying to avoid.
i guess my real problem with that system is that float valves are so cheap that i dont see why you wouldnt use one rather than tying the knots
i still think that with a 20 gallon bare bottom tank and all the flow that will be agitating the surface causing increased evaporation a float valve is a good idea. i used to hear all types of horror stories about float valves that got stuck "on" however my personal experience with them is that if they receive a little attention during every reservoir refill they tend to be pretty reliable.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
I have four leftover float valves! I guess I can silicone in some egg crate and install one of em' but my reservoir is level with my sump. I guess I could elevate it...
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
I woke up to the sound of my return pump running dry tonigh.
My scrubber grew enough algae that it leaked water over the side of the sump.
Definitely going to have to build the scrubber in an aquarium or a tote. This accident just sealed the decision.
I dumped in freshwater to make up for the lost saltwater. I'll get water after work tomorrow to make some saltwater to increase the salinity.
My heart is still pounding. And my mind is racing. It makes me want to get that pump installed ASAP over the weekend.
I'm still upset.
My scrubber grew enough algae that it leaked water over the side of the sump.
Definitely going to have to build the scrubber in an aquarium or a tote. This accident just sealed the decision.
I dumped in freshwater to make up for the lost saltwater. I'll get water after work tomorrow to make some saltwater to increase the salinity.
My heart is still pounding. And my mind is racing. It makes me want to get that pump installed ASAP over the weekend.
I'm still upset.
E
eric b 125
Guest
seth, couldnt you fabricate a splash guard w/ plexiglass around that part of your sump?
travelerjp98
Active Member
Eric- I will look into float valves... it's just that my method works fine.... but that it also because I have a large tank... on the other hand, I would definitely be more carfeful with a smaller tank...
Seth- Sorry about what happened. Before I had my ato in place, I HATED waking up to a dry sump
I think that waking up to a dry sump is one of the most stressful things in the hobby..
Seth- Sorry about what happened. Before I had my ato in place, I HATED waking up to a dry sump
I think that waking up to a dry sump is one of the most stressful things in the hobby..
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Yes. But i have a lot of money tied up in the new system. I think it will work better if built inside a blacked out aquarium. the lights from the scrubber create too much algae in the rest of the sump.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
This is Pickling Salt. AKA Calcium Chloride. This is about a year and a half (if not a little longer) worth of calcium supplements for my small tank.
The best part is... it was free!
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Oh, also my sump build pics for anyone interested...
Step one - mark it out
Step 2: Gather supplies
Step 3: Tape it up
Step 4: Silicone it in
Step 5: Add other baffles and silicone them in too.
Step 6: Wait for it to dry for 24 hours
Step 7: Test for leaks
Step 8: Pat yourself on the back for a job well done.
Step one - mark it out
Step 2: Gather supplies
Step 3: Tape it up
Step 4: Silicone it in
Step 5: Add other baffles and silicone them in too.
Step 6: Wait for it to dry for 24 hours
Step 7: Test for leaks
Step 8: Pat yourself on the back for a job well done.
travelerjp98
Active Member
Pretty nice!
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Ah, man - I forgot the last step...
Put it in your stand! lol
Put it in your stand! lol
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Anyone have any ideas how I could mount a float valve in the return section of the sump? I was thinking about a small piece of eggcrate - but I would have to buy a whole $11 sheet of it to get just a sliver of it for the float.
Does anyone else have any suggestions for what to attach the float valve with/to inside the sump's return pump section?
Does anyone else have any suggestions for what to attach the float valve with/to inside the sump's return pump section?
travelerjp98
Active Member
haha.... not putting the sump in the tank might be a bit of a problem!
Why don't you just mount the float valve directly to the sump?
Why don't you just mount the float valve directly to the sump?