So I'm Building Stuff Again. 150g Plus Fish Room. (1 Viewer)

[steveb]

If I was going the route of plugging holes on the bottom of the tank with bulkheads. I for sure would use schedule 80 pvc bulkheads over the abs schedule 40’s. The face is much thicker/stronger less likely to flex and allow water to seep past a gasket.


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[Cody]

If I was going the route of plugging holes on the bottom of the tank with bulkheads. I for sure would use schedule 80 pvc bulkheads over the abs schedule 40’s. The face is much thicker/stronger less likely to flex and allow water to seep past a gasket.


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Yes, the size of the bulkhead makes a difference, but at the end of the day, a bulkhead relies on squeezed, pliable rubber to keep in the water. In the case of glorified rubber band vs. bonded pvc, I'll take bonded pvc. If it was glass, which I originally thought the bottom was glass and not pvc, I would take silicone and a small piece of glass all day. Those bulkhead are probably fine, but there are just much better options out there for this situation.

 

[Reefahholic]

Well, either way...I think you solved the problem. I was just thinking that the holes may come in handy later on, but sounds like you won’t be using them. Continue on sir...better hurry if you’re gonna beat me. My plumbing is already done and the overflow is sitting beside it. Light is already hung and the sump is under the stand. 3-4 weeks and I “should” be getting the tank. If you take any longer than that...........don’t blink!

 

[Cody]

Well, either way...I think you solved the problem. I was just thinking that the holes may come in handy later on, but sounds like you won’t be using them. Continue on sir...better hurry if you’re gonna beat me. My plumbing is already done and the overflow is sitting beside it. Light is already hung and the sump is under the stand. 3-4 weeks and I “should” be getting the tank. If you take any longer than that...........don’t blink!

I couldn't think of a universe where I would need the holes, so they're out.

3-4 weeks for your tank....allegedly

 

[Reefahholic]

Yeah, we’ll see how long it takes. It’s The Holidays, so you know how that goes.

When are you expecting to see water? I’d like to be up by Christmas Day, but that depends on DFW.

 

[Cody]

Yeah, we’ll see how long it takes. It’s The Holidays, so you know how that goes.

When are you expecting to see water? I’d like to be up by Christmas Day, but that depends on DFW.

As far as the system getting wet, that won't take but a couple weeks. As far as lights on, rocks completely in, etc, I'm looking at Christmas as well. The wife won't buy me anything for Christmas, I'm sure. I'm about to start spending my butt off haha

 

[Reefahholic]

As far as the system getting wet, that won't take but a couple weeks. As far as lights on, rocks completely in, etc, I'm looking at Christmas as well. The wife won't buy me anything for Christmas, I'm sure. I'm about to start spending my butt off haha

Yep, my Christmas will be in the tank.

Be interesting to see how the tanks do since they’re be started at the same time. Like as far as algae blooms etc..

 

[Cody]

Yep, my Christmas will be in the tank.

Be interesting to see how the tanks do since they’re be started at the same time. Like as far as algae blooms etc..

Yeah we will see. If things go as well as they have in the past, it should be pretty smooth. The last couple tanks have been set up with well established rocks so the cycle was non-existent.

 

[Reefahholic]

Yeah we will see. If things go as well as they have in the past, it should be pretty smooth. The last couple tanks have been set up with well established rocks so the cycle was non-existent.

I'm setting up with established rock. Expect the tank to do fairly well by the 4 month mark.

Still not sure about sand. I'm like 50/50. I like the look, but sometimes I hate it. I'll probably end up with it, but I really just don't know.

 

[Tstew32]

I'm setting up with established rock. Expect the tank to do fairly well by the 4 month mark.

Still not sure about sand. I'm like 50/50. I like the look, but sometimes I hate it. I'll probably end up with it, but I really just don't know.

Love/hate relationship here. Went with the tropic eden and loved it. Went through the crap stages and all algae gone now. Sand still filthy. At my 7 month mark.


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[Reefahholic]

Love/hate relationship here. Went with the tropic eden and loved it. Went through the crap stages and all algae gone now. Sand still filthy. At my 7 month mark.


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Yeah, the the benefits of sand aren't that great now that reefing is so advanced. I do like the surface area it provides and the visual appeal. There's few more benefits like denitrification or animals that consume waste, but other than that it's really a pain in the rear. All this things (excluding visual appeal) can be accomplished by other methods. This is why I'm thinking about trying to go bare bottom. I'm not sure if I can do it though. Might be hard to look at the tank without sand. There's a lot of benefits with BB tanks. I just can't make up my mind.

 

[Cody]

I've got the week off, and I'm looking to get a lot done. Also, I have quite a bit of equipment left to get, and with black Friday just around the corner, the timing couldn't be more perfect. If only eBay would do a sale though. The black box lights went from $92 each to $129 each since Trump started rattling chains with China.

Last night I decided to water test my hole patch job. I bonded the pvc on Wednesday so that's four days of cure time. The Weldon 10 said 48 hours yields 80% of the 3000 pounds per square inch strength, so I figured four days, even though it's been cold, should be plenty enough.

This is when I start to pay attention. The pressure on my patch is a function of water depth and the water level is rising.

 

[Cody]

My cat didn't quite know what to make of the shimmer haha

And here we are. Full, no leaks, and in need of some time. I woke up this morning and everything looks great. I'll leave it with water for a day or two more, but there shouldn't be any issues. I'm confident that I planned correctly for this particular task.

 

[Cody]

Yeah, the the benefits of sand aren't that great now that reefing is so advanced. I do like the surface area it provides and the visual appeal. There's few more benefits like denitrification or animals that consume waste, but other than that it's really a pain in the rear. All this things (excluding visual appeal) can be accomplished by other methods. This is why I'm thinking about trying to go bare bottom. I'm not sure if I can do it though. Might be hard to look at the tank without sand. There's a lot of benefits with BB tanks. I just can't make up my mind.

Haha let me help you out on this one. Do you like how a tank looks with sand or not? I personally don't see any value in the arguments for or against having a sand bed. For every claim of a reason to have sand or not, I personally know of a tank that defies that rule and renders It invalid in my books. It just comes down to whether you like the look or not.

 

[Rio1969]

I like the look of sand, besides I have a sand sifting diamond goby.

 

[RR-MAN]

So are you drilling this thing for a ghost overflow Cody?
Sch. 80 is over-rated. I used it in my previous 200/g tank and regret using it due to the bulkiness/thickness.

 

[Cody]

Got a little more work done yesterday. It's slowly coming together.

Got my old 40 breeder cleaned out. This tank and another 40 breeder will go above my sump and be tied into the main system.

New 40 breeder getting a little rinse then getting drilled.

Diamond bit template clamped and ready to go.

This is what happens when you push a little and don't let the weight of the drill do the work. Should be no problem though.

Cutting the hole for the return

Making sure the overflow fits. Spoiler alert, it does.

 

[Cody]

Taped up and ready to go

I figured I'd go with spray paint over a roller because it's cheaper and I got pretty good at spraying while painting my stand.

Gotta do thin, quick layers with spray paint. Heavier layers is not always better

Drying between layers. It really expedited things to use a blow drier.

All done. Just let it dry over night.

 

[Cody]

So are you drilling this thing for a ghost overflow Cody?
Sch. 80 is over-rated. I used it in my previous 200/g tank and regret using it due to the bulkiness/thickness.

Schedule 80 is for the birds unless you're going for color. Even then, there are so many colored pvc options for tubing, and plenty of black pvc fittings out there. I plan on using just plain ole white since it will match my room.

Also, I should finish my ghost overflow today. 48" internal overflow box. Boss unit.

 

[steveb]

Nice. Can I borrow your 1" glass hole saw?