310 mega matrix planet aquarium build

[solor]

Started the plumbing yesterday.

And as most plumbing projects go, placed another order last night with BRS to get the 45 degree elbows instead of the 90 degree elbows I ordered...

 

[solor]

One concern I have is that I need to put two Varios 8 pumps in the return chamber of the sump. Doing that I only have at most 1/2” of space between the pump and the wall...

I could cut the threads off of the pump to gain an inch plus, but hate to do that unless it is necessary...

Is the 1/2” sufficient?

 

[Pntbll687]

One concern I have is that I need to put two Varios 8 pumps in the return chamber of the sump. Doing that I only have at most 1/2” of space between the pump and the wall...

I could cut the threads off of the pump to gain an inch plus, but hate to do that unless it is necessary...

Is the 1/2” sufficient?

I may be missing something, but can you just turn the pumps the other way? Orientation being north/south instead of easy/West like the picture above?

The space there may be enough. It would really depends on how much water you're pushing.

You could also try angling then a little bit to the side if you can't change the three positioning that much.

 

[solor]

I may be missing something, but can you just turn the pumps the other way? Orientation being north/south instead of easy/West like the picture above?

The space there may be enough. It would really depends on how much water you're pushing.

You could also try angling then a little bit to the side if you can't change the three positioning that much.

Thanks for the reply.

There will be two pumps in that space. The space barely fits both of them... I did plan on facing one east and west...

One pump will be running a manifold and a return (so significant headless) and the other runs about 3 ish feet directly to a return. I have not ran any true calculations but I would guess? 3000 gph combined?

 

[Pntbll687]

Thanks for the reply.

There will be two pumps in that space. The space barely fits both of them... I did plan on facing one east and west...

One pump will be running a manifold and a return (so significant headless) and the other runs about 3 ish feet directly to a return. I have not ran any true calculations but I would guess? 3000 gph combined?

If I had to choose, I'd run the manifold off the one with limited space. It will most likely my running significantly less flow than the other.

 

[solor]

If I had to choose, I'd run the manifold off the one with limited space. It will most likely my running significantly less flow than the other.

Thanks, but I need both pumps in that space...

I like the redundancy of running two pumps. I could maybe buy a stronger pump to run all of the plumbing or make one external but I am trying to use what I have if it will work.

 

[solor]

Thanks, but I need both pumps in that space...

I like the redundancy of running two pumps. I could maybe buy a stronger pump to run all of the plumbing or make one external but I am trying to use what I have if it will work.

They both will have that same distance of 1/2”. The compartment barely fits both pumps east and west and would only fit one north and south.

 

[solor]

You have me thinking about other alternatives....

If that distance isn’t going to work I reluctantly could drill a hole through the other side and run the inlet into the chamber. I really don’t want to do that but it would work...

 

[Pntbll687]

You have me thinking about other alternatives....

If that distance isn’t going to work I reluctantly could drill a hole through the other side and run the inlet into the chamber. I really don’t want to do that but it would work...

I would not do that. Then the level of both chambers would need to drop to trigger your ato. Depending on the size of the sump, it could be gallons of water at a time that needs to be filled.

You may have to wait until you fill and test the plumbing to see what options are going to make sense. All this back and forth could be good nothing, because it might be fine the way it is

 

[solor]

I would not do that. Then the level of both chambers would need to drop to trigger your ato. Depending on the size of the sump, it could be gallons of water at a time that needs to be filled.

You may have to wait until you fill and test the plumbing to see what options are going to make sense. All this back and forth could be good nothing, because it might be fine the way it is

True, I do plan on doing a leak test. Will have to see what works... thanks

 

[mrbh22]

I am also building a 310 with pvc bottom from planet. Hope all goes well. Following along.

 

[solor]

I am also building a 310 with pvc bottom from planet. Hope all goes well. Following along.

You have a build thread?

 

[mrbh22]

I do. I have no clue how to link it though. I think you can look in my profile and I think there is a link for my build thread. Or search my screen name.

 

[solor]

Coralvue responded to my email saying that 2 inches would be the recommended minimum distance from the sump wall for the Varios 8. So that changes my plans just a little.

The new plan is to use the first chamber for Chaeto, The second chamber (which was housing the skimmer feed pump anyways will now have the two Varios 8 return pumps in them as well, and I plan on putting the feed pump for the bio reactor in the return chamber.

This way I won't have to cut on the sump or the pump itself to get the clearance recommended.

 

[solor]

Started to plumb in the Bashsea 8-30 Bio reactor to the recommended Sicce 3.0 pump and found that the water inlet on the reactor is 1/2” instead of the spec 3/4”...

I would just swap it out but it is welded In place... Hoping for a positive resolution here. So far I love the quality of their products. The customer service was great when I had the 40 gallon custom ATO made, so high hopes here.

 

[solor]

Finally finished the plumbing a couple of days ago. Filled tank with fresh water on Christmas Eve to leak test and so far as of today no leaks!

 

[yman182]

Looking like a great build! I am following along. I myself am in the process of building a Planet 270 that was delivered Sunday!

mine is sitting on LVT with rubber backing. So far it looks good. If the tank ever moves there will probably be dents in it, but the tank is never moving :)

how did you decide on using MP40s vs MP60s?

I have some WAVs in there now, but for the pumps that will be closer to the front glass I wanted to put some MP pumps.

 

[solor]

6 months later... I ended up buying 2 MP60's. I currently am running 2 MP60's and 2 MP40's on the right side and I have ordered 2 XF350 and the hydro wave engine for the left side. The left side is open to the hallway to the kitchen so I want to keep the viewing angle somewhat unobstructed. Currently, I have another MP40 on it but I don't like the view...

Right now I am fighting Dino's... so will see how that plays out...

 

[solor]

so 2 and a half years later I added sand. I gave up on bare bottom, could not get equilibrium. I haven't changed much expect adding the xf350ce on both sides, middle too along with the Mp60 and MP40 on both sides. Hind sight MP40 are not strong enough for an 8 foot tank from the sides but I do not have access from the back which was the original placement idea and I have 6 backups so they stays they are placed on the back towards the bottom to keep flow behind the rocks.

This has not kept red Cyano at bay, but I will take that over Dino's any day:

I beat the Dino's by adding 2 Jabeo UV lights, which may have helped, but I will swear by the addition on live merce

6 months later... I ended up buying 2 MP60's. I currently am running 2 MP60's and 2 MP40's on the right side and I have ordered 2 XF350 and the hydro wave engine for the left side. The left side is open to the hallway to the kitchen so I want to keep the viewing angle somewhat unobstructed. Currently, I have another MP40 on it but I don't like the view...

Right now I am fighting Dino's... so will see how that plays out...

so 2 and a half years later I added sand. I gave up on bare bottom, could not get equilibrium. I haven't changed much expect adding the xf350ce on both sides, middle too along with the Mp60 and MP40 on both sides. Hind sight MP40 are not strong enough for an 8 foot tank from the sides but I do not have access from the back which was the original placement idea and I have 6 backups so they stays they are placed on the back towards the bottom to keep flow behind the rocks.

This has not kept red Cyano at bay, but I will take that over Dino's any day:

I beat the Dino's by adding 2 Jabeo UV lights, which may have helped, but I will swear by the addition of Mercer of Montana live Phytoplankton. Could have been the two together but the phyto made a difference in weeks. I ran the uv for months.

 

[solor]

Now my issue is bubbles in the display. My biggest regret is to small of a sump. I have a maybe 6 x 6 area for my skimmer and bio reactor to drain into and it creates a lot of bubbles that enter display. I have tried multiple filter pads with no luck possibly due to water volume.

Does anyone think the crushed rock will work? That is my next thought...