270 Gallon "Fish Pairs Themed" Upgrade

[Lost in the Sauce]

Oi vei .

Doug does pretty work, but he makes it more complicated than it needed to be.

You have two, pressurized 1 inch / 1.5" pipes going into the display, and are only utilizing one, gravity Fed 1-in pipe for the return.

This is an issue. You need to be utilizing both your main and secondary drains on the bean animal. One 1 in pipe is not going to flow enough out, which is why you are backing up in the display.

Ideally, the flow in would be set and stationary first which means setting the pump at the number of watts needed and don't plan on changing it more than a watt without having to tune the gate.

Now that you have them switched, Open up that gate valve fully, and tune it like I outlined below.

I'd like to know where the water level is sitting in the display after, compared to now.

 

[MrsBugmaster]

I thought you meant the water was touching the brace in the sump.

Is it only that high when you are running it?

I believe You are pushing way too much water in, for the One pipe to take out which is raising the water level.

A video of water in tank


If I take out some water in the tank so it is not touching the braces then it lowers water in return chamber

 

[MrsBugmaster]

Oi vei .

Doug does pretty work, but he makes it more complicated than it needed to be.

You have two, pressurized 1 inch / 1.5" pipes going into the display, and are only utilizing one, gravity Fed 1-in pipe for the return.

This is an issue. You need to be utilizing both your main and secondary drains on the bean animal. One 1 in pipe is not going to flow enough out, which is why you are backing up in the display.

Ideally, the flow in would be set and stationary first which means setting the pump at the number of watts needed and don't plan on changing it more than a watt without having to tune the gate.

Now that you have them switched, Open up that gate valve fully, and tune it like I outlined below.

I'd like to know where the water level is sitting in the display after, compared to now.

I will switch these in the morning and let you know. I can’t deal with it anymore tonight.
Thank you so much for all your help!

 

[MrsBugmaster]

If you keep the pipe in the secondary, It should probably be made shorter because it looks like it's going to be pretty close to the water surface which will cause it to pull air in with it.

How much shorter should I make the secondary pipe?

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

How much shorter should I make the secondary pipe?

I would say at the very least one and a half inches below the running level of the overflow box.

It's too tall. It will suck air from the top water.

 

[MrsBugmaster]

I would say at the very least one and a half inches below the running level of the overflow box.

It's too tall. It will suck air from the top water.

Thanks

 

[crusso1993]

Jumped on board when you first started this thread and been following but lacked any real time to comment before now. I would have provided guidance for the leaks and your overflow sounds/design but, well, lacked the time. Plus, I knew you were in good hands.

Happy that it’s all coming together nicely and am looking forward to following along and, if you play your cards right, giving you a really hard time!

 

[MrsBugmaster]

I would have provided guidance for the leaks and your overflow sounds/design but, well, lacked the time. Plus, I knew you were in good hands

Thanks and yes there are so great and knowledgeable people on here that are always willing to help.

if you play your cards right, giving you a really hard time!

Haha. Bring it on!!

I got some rock and sand in. Not all of it cause I’m still working on cementing rock formations together. Ran out of cement and waiting for order to arrive. And don’t want the sand in the side with no rocks yet. But I really need to get the fish out of the temporary holding containers and into the tank! Planning on adding fish tomorrow.

 

[Petcrazyson]

But I really need to get the fish out of the temporary holding containers and into the tank! Planning on adding fish tomorrow.

We need those pics!

 

[MrsBugmaster]

Not much else to do right now while I’m waiting for the sand storm to settle so working on embroidery the last few towels for the swap on Saturday. Looks like I am running out of bobbin thread too so may not get them all finished. Oh well I have a couple wine glasses to make too.

 

[MrsBugmaster]

We need those pics!

The last picture they all went into hiding.

 

[rmorris_14]

So you got the plumbing dialed in though?

 

[MrsBugmaster]

So you got the plumbing dialed in though?

Yeah pretty much I think. But it’s all changing as I add sand and rock. Figured out the return nozzles in the display were blowing the water higher in front forcing the water to touch the braces. I adjusted them and now it’s good.

 

[rmorris_14]

Yeah pretty much I think. But it’s all changing as I add sand and rock. Figured out the return nozzles in the display were blowing the water higher in front forcing the water to touch the braces. I adjusted them and now it’s good.

I’m glad… it was a nail biter for sure

 

[Stang67]

Getting it set up is the hardest part. Now be aware of where your returns are blowing relative to the rockwork and your wave makers. That's the next tricky part getting the flow right. It's looking awesome!

 

[fishguy242]

just a thought , did not see check valves on returns , be sure if power is lost sump does not overflow...

 

[MrsBugmaster]

just a thought , did not see check valves on returns , be sure if power is lost sump does not overflow...

I was thinking about check valves. It was 50/50 with the people I talk to about check valves. Some said they failed pretty quick even the expensive ones they ended up taking off and not using anymore. Even my LFS guy said don’t bother. I thought I could add them later maybe if I wanted to.
What everyone’s opinions on them here? And which ones do you use?

 

[fishguy242]

Don't trust them ,don't use them. just kill the return to make sure not to overflow sump

 

[MrsBugmaster]

Got the lights mounted in the canopy tonight. Canopy is not on yet. 1. it’s too heavy and need a couple more people. 2. I need the rest of the rock in first. That will be several days before it’s all finished. But all the live rock from the 180 is in!

Tank is a lot clearer now too.

 

[Stang67]

I'll be out that way on Sat for the show. If you need a couple extra hands let me know