550G Display + Fish Room Frag Tanks = 900G of Fun

[don_chuwish]

I know the feeling! Even on the relatively simple nano I just finished the plumbing adjustments caused weeks of delays.

 

[Blue Tang Clan]

On the plus side, you don’t see this kind of coloration on your mitre saw every day!

 

[don_chuwish]

On the plus side, you don’t see this kind of coloration on your mitre saw every day!

Make sure you clean up those sharp edges inside and out. I used a utility knife and file but really wished I had a proper inner-outer reamer.

 

[Blue Tang Clan]

Make sure you clean up those sharp edges inside and out. I used a utility knife and file but really wished I had a proper inner-outer reamer.

Have you ever had issues with primer/cement staying in place if you don’t file down edges?

 

[nickkohrn]

The sump arrived from Advanced Acrylics - it’s gorgeous.

Oh, that sump is incredible!

 

[don_chuwish]

Have you ever had issues with primer/cement staying in place if you don’t file down edges?

I've never NOT done it so I can't say. But it definitely helps with dry fitting. They slide into fittings better and are more easily removed. Also the inside edge I want cleaned up just for smoother water flow.

 

[jwilliams860]

I need advice on a noisy sump:

The sock chamber (yes I want to use socks) is significantly higher than the water height for the skimmer so the water crashes down into the socks and makes a racket.

I put filter floss across the top, and even jammed some into the socks, but I’m trying to get it even quieter.

What solutions have you used to silence water dropping down?

Do you have the filter sock silencers? They work wonders

 

[Blue Tang Clan]

Do you have the filter sock silencers? They work wonders

I've looked at those, and I can't fathom spending $20/sock on a silencer. That said, this is not a cheap hobby.

Have you had luck using those silencers? I see ones available from Modular Marine, Synergy Reefs, and Advanced Acrylics.

 

[jwilliams860]

I've looked at those, and I can't fathom spending $20/sock on a silencer. That said, this is not a cheap hobby.

Have you had luck using those silencers? I see ones available from Modular Marine, Synergy Reefs, and Advanced Acrylics.

I have 2 in my current setup and just installed 4 7" ones on my buddies 600 gallon. Mine came from GEO reef and his came from synergy reef. They are over priced but I think they work awesome. Instead of the water coming in on just one side of the sock, it disperses evenly across the opening.

 

[don_chuwish]

I didn't find that the silencers helped in my case - it just made the water drip down into the middle of the sock which was noisier than having it sheeting down the sides.

 

[jwilliams860]

Can you add some photos showing the water entry and exit points from the filter sock section?

 

[Blue Tang Clan]

Can you add some photos showing the water entry and exit points from the filter sock section?

Absolutely. Pics attached, showing the bottom slit where the water enters the skimmer section (at the bottom of the sump so water has to go through the socks). The drain pipes are not above the socks so I can't extend them down (that was probably a design oversight on my part)

Baffles are PVC, and not adjustable, but easily drillable. I'm looking at a 6" drop from the 15" sock top height.

My thought right now is to bite the bullet on the $50 in sock silencers and then add some loofas in each one to minimize the drop. Or, I could potentially hack off the bottom of the bulkheads to allow for 90 degree elbows to get piping into the socks.

 

[don_chuwish]

How about simply reducing flow?

 

[jwilliams860]

Mine is very similar on the drain entry side, I would definitely add PVC extensions on the drain bulkheads, extend it down well below the water line. This is done straight off the bulkhead down into the water chamber before it spills over onto the socks. You don't need to glue it just slip fit it in. You dont need the plumbing going directly into the socks.

Add the silencers as well. Between that I thank this will cut the noise down a bunch.

This is how mine is setup and is very quiet.

 

[Blue Tang Clan]

How about simply reducing flow?

it is a racket with any amount of flow. 6” is a long way down - oddly enough, a huge amount of flow is quieter, but it’s still loud.

I think the multipronged approach with shorter bulkheads, loofas, and sock silencers should do it!

 

[Blue Tang Clan]

Plumbing update: I have to wait for a few more fittings (arriving Monday) before I can finish my support tank plumbing.

The issue is - I have corals and fish that really need to come over from my old house.

Are there any big downsides to filling my frag tank below the water overflow line and putting in corals? Lights are ready to go, and I could manually does ask/cal - just no plumbing.

how long do you think I could go without plumbing (filtration) before issues arise?

 

[Schnizzle]

I have to ask because I haven’t seen it mentioned. Could you just lay a cover over that chamber or would the noise still get out through the relief holes in the baffle?

 

[jwilliams860]

I have to ask because I haven’t seen it mentioned. Could you just lay a cover over that chamber or would the noise still get out through the relief holes in the baffle?

I think he has a cover for the sock section

 

[jwilliams860]

Plumbing update: I have to wait for a few more fittings (arriving Monday) before I can finish my support tank plumbing.

The issue is - I have corals and fish that really need to come over from my old house.

Are there any big downsides to filling my frag tank below the water overflow line and putting in corals? Lights are ready to go, and I could manually does ask/cal - just no plumbing.

how long do you think I could go without plumbing (filtration) before issues arise?

You could hang some powerheads in it. Not much different from a setup they run at frag shows

 

[esther]

great build! following along.