Squidd.......Teach me.....DYI:Plumbing 101 on a SW Tank
- Thread starter leona
- Start date
squidd
Active Member
RU guys NUTS?
I prefer the term "Extreme Aquariest"...
You don't "have to" go with the O/M unit, again we're still in the process of laying out options, looking at the Pros and Cons, (including the budget) and giving you the oppertunity to make "informed" choices...
One of the "options" in "thinking ahead" ...is to get the tank drilled in "anticipation" of a O/M 4-Way and then hooking it up for direct flow (from the pump)...then somewhere down the road...you can add the flow "switcher"...
At least at that point your tank is drilled and ready for it...:thinking:
Really what we want to look at is the "direction" of the flow...from where to where...Bottom to top...back to front...top down..etc...
Technically...a good option at this point might be to do 3 holes in the back...
One for intake (big one) and two to blow deitrus out from behind the rock where the overflows can pick it up and take it down to the Sump/skimmer/fuge...
And then two more holes in the Euro bracing on the top-front (as acrylic 51 suggested) that could be used at a later date with the O/M unit (if you so desire..or Hit the Lottery) or just some Loc-Line "directors" to get additional flow back toward the overflow and give a "wash" over the "face" of the rock work...
Now we're down to 5 holes...3 bulkheads and no O/M at this point...Heck, I just saved you $500...:joy: ...You should "Thank Me"...
I prefer the term "Extreme Aquariest"...
You don't "have to" go with the O/M unit, again we're still in the process of laying out options, looking at the Pros and Cons, (including the budget) and giving you the oppertunity to make "informed" choices...
One of the "options" in "thinking ahead" ...is to get the tank drilled in "anticipation" of a O/M 4-Way and then hooking it up for direct flow (from the pump)...then somewhere down the road...you can add the flow "switcher"...
At least at that point your tank is drilled and ready for it...:thinking:
Really what we want to look at is the "direction" of the flow...from where to where...Bottom to top...back to front...top down..etc...
Technically...a good option at this point might be to do 3 holes in the back...
One for intake (big one) and two to blow deitrus out from behind the rock where the overflows can pick it up and take it down to the Sump/skimmer/fuge...
And then two more holes in the Euro bracing on the top-front (as acrylic 51 suggested) that could be used at a later date with the O/M unit (if you so desire..or Hit the Lottery) or just some Loc-Line "directors" to get additional flow back toward the overflow and give a "wash" over the "face" of the rock work...
Now we're down to 5 holes...3 bulkheads and no O/M at this point...Heck, I just saved you $500...:joy: ...You should "Thank Me"...
toddg
New Member
Originally posted by Squidd
If you were stationed in Florida or California....
I'd think about it...:thinking:
I live in Florida... I will at least offer you a short term contract to help me set up my tank...!!!!! It's supposed to be near 70 this weekend for the superbowl (I live in Jacksonville..)....
Any of this working yet??
I am watching this thread closely. I am actually in the exact same boat as Leona... Have a little knowledge but nothing near enough to set up a system like this. I will be getting a 165gal acrylic with acrylic stand. So thanks for all the formulas etc because I am just putting in my numbers!!!!
squidd
Active Member
Originally posted by ToddG
I live in Florida... I will at least offer you a short term contract to help me set up my tank...!!!!! It's supposed to be near 70 this weekend for the superbowl (I live in Jacksonville..)....
Any of this working yet??
>>>Do you live near the Beach...?? :thinking:
.... So thanks for all the formulas etc because I am just putting in my numbers!!!!
That's great..and a big part of why I'll write in "general" terms and throw out "several" options...
Everybodys system is/will be a "little" different, but the general thought process is the same...
leona
Member
Originally posted by Squidd
I prefer the term "Extreme Aquariest"...
You don't "have to" go with the O/M unit, again we're still in the process of laying out options, looking at the Pros and Cons, (including the budget) and giving you the oppertunity to make "informed" choices...
One of the "options" in "thinking ahead" ...is to get the tank drilled in "anticipation" of a O/M 4-Way and then hooking it up for direct flow (from the pump)...then somewhere down the road...you can add the flow "switcher"...
At least at that point your tank is drilled and ready for it...:thinking:
Really what we want to look at is the "direction" of the flow...from where to where...Bottom to top...back to front...top down..etc...
Technically...a good option at this point might be to do 3 holes in the back...
One for intake (big one) and two to blow deitrus out from behind the rock where the overflows can pick it up and take it down to the Sump/skimmer/fuge...
And then two more holes in the Euro bracing on the top-front (as acrylic 51 suggested) that could be used at a later date with the O/M unit (if you so desire..or Hit the Lottery) or just some Loc-Line "directors" to get additional flow back toward the overflow and give a "wash" over the "face" of the rock work...
Now we're down to 5 holes...3 bulkheads and no O/M at this point...Heck, I just saved you $500...:joy: ...You should "Thank Me"...
Ok Mr. Extreme Aquariest thank you........................Back to the subject.
so If I make 1 of the holes in the back big enough then at a later time I could always add the OM 4 way.........Hey, I was looking at the 8 way. Maybe the 4 way wouldn't be that much. Will have to look up some prices. But I still don't think it will make it this time. IN any of this layout will it blow the sand around alot and make holes in the sand or dead spots?
I'm STILL very confused on the best spot for the holes.
acrylic51
Active Member
Sorry don't mean to but in again, but Squidd you did help me loads with my new tank!!!!! I did look at the OM 8 way and to me that seems a bit much and I'm not sure if anything has changed with them since the last time I looked, but I think you get a better flow pattern with the 4 way then the 8 way??? But again he has all kinds of ideas you can do with it and interchangeable drums as well......
Why just 1 big hole for the CL instead of 2???? How do you suggest blowing up from the bottom to suspend detrious into the water column to be picked up by the overflow and not have your sand bed disturbed???? I'm looking for some ideas Squidd!!!!!!!
Why just 1 big hole for the CL instead of 2???? How do you suggest blowing up from the bottom to suspend detrious into the water column to be picked up by the overflow and not have your sand bed disturbed???? I'm looking for some ideas Squidd!!!!!!!
squidd
Active Member
The "one hole" is for the "intake" to the pump..."probably" a 2" bulkhead in the 2 3/4" hole...(we haven't picked a pump yet.)
Why would you need more than that...?
There will be at least two (preferably 4) holes for the C/L "return" to tank outlets...
I agree that the 8 way can be a bit "much"...(or the 4-way with 3 way revs or 12 "ways" per tank)...especially in a smaller tank (under 200 gallons)
Too much "chaotic" flow goes nowhere...it just "jiggles" back and forth...I'd rather see "controled random flow" through 2-4 outlets that actually "moves" some water from one place to another...
Speaking of "moving" water -not sand...my suggestion would be to place the two "outlets" 6" to 8" >above< the floor of the tank..to keep from blowing sand, but still bringing oxygen rich water to the lower levels of the tank...
And the "intake" 6"to 8" below the surface to suck in oxygenated water to transfer down lower...
And then the additional two outlets in top front blowing down and back at the face of the rock to "wash" the rock (and corals)
By placing the first two outlets "behind" the rock work (but not "blocked") you will lift deitrus to be suspended in the water colum where the overflows can take it to the sump/skimmer/fuge...
The top front outlets will help in surface aggitation (again for oxygenation) and pushing suspended deitrus toward the overflows...
Running a "constant" flow (no O/M) will be fine from behind (preferable actually) but the top/front outlets should be on "Loc-Line" spreaders to be able to "adjust" them from time to time...
So the "back of the tank would look something like this..
Why would you need more than that...?
There will be at least two (preferably 4) holes for the C/L "return" to tank outlets...
I agree that the 8 way can be a bit "much"...(or the 4-way with 3 way revs or 12 "ways" per tank)...especially in a smaller tank (under 200 gallons)
Too much "chaotic" flow goes nowhere...it just "jiggles" back and forth...I'd rather see "controled random flow" through 2-4 outlets that actually "moves" some water from one place to another...
Speaking of "moving" water -not sand...my suggestion would be to place the two "outlets" 6" to 8" >above< the floor of the tank..to keep from blowing sand, but still bringing oxygen rich water to the lower levels of the tank...
And the "intake" 6"to 8" below the surface to suck in oxygenated water to transfer down lower...
And then the additional two outlets in top front blowing down and back at the face of the rock to "wash" the rock (and corals)
By placing the first two outlets "behind" the rock work (but not "blocked") you will lift deitrus to be suspended in the water colum where the overflows can take it to the sump/skimmer/fuge...
The top front outlets will help in surface aggitation (again for oxygenation) and pushing suspended deitrus toward the overflows...
Running a "constant" flow (no O/M) will be fine from behind (preferable actually) but the top/front outlets should be on "Loc-Line" spreaders to be able to "adjust" them from time to time...
So the "back of the tank would look something like this..
toddg
New Member
Originally posted by Leona
Ok Mr. Extreme Aquariest thank you........................Back to the subject.
so If I make 1 of the holes in the back big enough then at a later time I could always add the OM 4 way.........Hey, I was looking at the 8 way. Maybe the 4 way wouldn't be that much. Will have to look up some prices. But I still don't think it will make it this time. IN any of this layout will it blow the sand around alot and make holes in the sand or dead spots?
I'm STILL very confused on the best spot for the holes.
The o/m squirt is $125 per their site listed above. And I didnt see 'option' which would make it more expensive although I am sure you could add something..
squidd
Active Member
The "Squirt" with it's 3/4" outlets is good up to 1000 gph or so ..
Leona needs 2600 or so for her tank (to make up 30X turnover) so would need the 4-Way with the 1 1/2" outlets...(bout $310)
But..Leona could use the Squirt on "part" of her system...
By "splitting" the flow from the pump and sending 1600-1700gph to the back of the tank...(constant flow) and then the other 1000gph or so through the Squirt to the "front/top" outlets (4 of them now) to "wash" the front of her rocks....
"Another" good and cost saving option....
Leona needs 2600 or so for her tank (to make up 30X turnover) so would need the 4-Way with the 1 1/2" outlets...(bout $310)
But..Leona could use the Squirt on "part" of her system...
By "splitting" the flow from the pump and sending 1600-1700gph to the back of the tank...(constant flow) and then the other 1000gph or so through the Squirt to the "front/top" outlets (4 of them now) to "wash" the front of her rocks....
"Another" good and cost saving option....
squidd
Active Member
Originally posted by Leona
:notsure: Meaning it's less expensive than the 4-way....
Nevermind us...
You just go with the drawings above..three holes in the back and two top/front and we'll go "continous flow (no O/M Nothing) ..Then in a year or two you can add it in...if you choose..
leona
Member
Originally posted by Squidd
Before what...???
Sorry I should of wrote it down here.
1-left end panel hole 1 3/4".............this hole will be in the overflow correct? Tom is going to want details.
1-Right end panel hold 1 3/4"
1- Left Back Hole 1 3/4"
1-middle back hold 2 3/8" this would be the hole that I COULD ADD in the future the O/M?
1-right back hole 1 3/4"