BackbayReef’s 550gal: angels, tangs, and acros!

[backbayreef]

So…it took my son & me 4 hours to cut and glue 3 drain lines! It’s our first time so measure 2 5 times and cut once. ;) Is this normal? You guys can do this in 30min? Anyway, will let them fully cure and install tomorrow — hoping for zero leaks!

Also, will need to plumb 2 return lines tomorrow - hoping easier job than these drain pipes!

 

[backbayreef]

All done — after 12hrs later! My OCD son & I took extra time and we’ve just leaked test everything. So far so good — beginner’s luck? lol Next time, hire professionals to do this?

Anyway, now we wait for RODI to fill up the whole tank and fully circulate then drain 150g, salt it, and move rocks & fish over!!!

Hoping to be online by next weekend, bearing no issues / leaks.

 

[danreef55]

Nice work. Suggest that you support the return lines. Either in the center or at the left side of the sump.

 

[backbayreef]

Nice work. Suggest that you support the return lines. Either in the center or at the left side of the sump.

Thanks. Yup -/ on the list. Right now they’re resting on the 1.5” drain pipes with good support to the sump. Need to figure this out soon.

 

[Jimbo327]

Since your white PVC pipes are exposed in the fish room, pro-tip is to use acetone or nail polish remover to wipe away the printed markings on the outside of PVC pipes. It’s OCD but makes it look all white and clean. My white pipes are under the stand so I didn’t bother.

Good job on the plumbing.

 

[backbayreef]

Since your white PVC pipes are exposed in the fish room, pro-tip is to use acetone or nail polish remover to wipe away the printed markings on the outside of PVC pipes. It’s OCD but makes it look all white and clean. My white pipes are under the stand so I didn’t bother.

Good job on the plumbing.

Yup — also on the list for Home Depot. We’ve wiped them upon gluing but had some residues. My son & I passed out after 8hrs of continuous measuring, cutting (1.5” was brutal) and gluing! lol

Noticed that you didn’t see any labels/marks on the PVCs? I made a conscious effort to flip them back/below so you won’t see them.

 

[backbayreef]

We are roughly 1 day from filling up the whole tank for a full leak / circulation test! True test will be more water flowing down the overflow and return nozzles. I’m still concerned about the overflow although I’ve ran water down there already and there was no leak. (Fingers crossed)

 

[backbayreef]

Here is a view from the sump area. I have a Kasa camera watching this should we overflow.

These gyres will be close to the water line and MP60s will be in the center.

 

[danreef55]

We are roughly 1 day from filling up the whole tank for a full leak / circulation test! True test will be more water flowing down the overflow and return nozzles. I’m still concerned about the overflow although I’ve ran water down there already and there was no leak. (Fingers crossed)

No need to guess. What is the size of the sump. What water level are you going to run the sump at. What size are the drain lines and how long are they. Need same for the returns

 

[danreef55]

No need to guess. What is the size of the sump. What water level are you going to run the sump at. What size are the drain lines and how long are they. Need same for the returns

sorry I thought you were worried about the sumo level when the power is off

 

[backbayreef]

sorry I thought you were worried about the sumo level when the power is off

All good — not my first tank, got 3 others running. I’m worry that there will be leaks when the tank is full since I don’t have enough water to test end-to-end. There are some bulkheads that I could not test yet. Will test tomorrow once I have more water in the system. Hindsight: should have just gone tap water and then just drain the whole thing! lol

 

[Jimbo327]

Beautiful work on the plumbing. I know when I did my plumbing, I zoned out after 4 hours, and glued wrong pieces together...and had to repurchase and replumb that part. It's good your son is able to help you. Going at warp speed on this build.

I did the same thing when I filled. I just gambled and went straight to RODI. LOL. I had a lot of unions on my piping, so I can fix things if it leaked.

 

[backbayreef]

Thanks guys — I figured if I went with TAP, that’s 400g to drain and start over. If I do RODI, I only have to drain 150g +/- 30g perhaps?

 

[backbayreef]

I had to move one of the pumps out a little since it was too close to the sump wall. Gotta love these 45d and flexible pvc.

 

[backbayreef]

Rocks and aquascaping — the 450g will be seeded with existing live rocks from the old tank & frag tank. Additionally, I have probably 150lbs+ of these “Real Reef Branch Rocks” that have already been cycled for almost a year. They seem heavy and not as porous & lightweight as my Pukani rocks (currently dry and need to cycle) - pics below. Some of the dry, Tonga branches are already in the tank as a centerpiece.

Question: should I use these man-made rocks or use the Pukani rocks I’ve been collecting for years? I don’t mind cycling them since coralline will grow quickly.

 

[backbayreef]

I’ll be fragging the following colonies from the 150g cube to get ‘em ready. Top down view this beautiful Sunday morning. Yes, I do need a better camera! lol

My fav has always been the PC Rainbow but recently loving the TSA Fruity Pebbles. It grows very fast in this tank.

 

[backbayreef]

Tank fully running with RODI — no leaks!!! Beginner’s luck? lol

Going run for another day to make sure.

 

[backbayreef]

Just finished hooking up the 57W UV light - in from one pump, out to another, no feed pump needed - patent pending! lol I do have a flow meter but another point of failure - simply adjust the valve for now.

Oh yeah - that’s the float valve for the ATO. It’s currently on strike after filtering 450g all week!

 

[backbayreef]

I ran out of black pvc - currently slated for the chiller. Will swap it out later to avoid algae growth.

 

[backbayreef]

Ok — deep breath, new tank just got salted and hopefully do the big transfer tomorrow afternoon. It’s awesome having gyres & MP60s going at 90% creating crazy storm pattens! I put in the heater earlier to speed things up as well.

Fingers crossed — it’s been 4 days of non-stop build! lol