BeltedCoyote’s reboot: the birth of the leviathan

[Bo.]

heres the interior of the tote. I’m thinking I could do something with the grooves on the bottom since it’s in a grid. Don’t know about the sides

Instead of getting fancy, you could just put a smaller bucket or container cut down to the water level you want and slightly raised off the bottom for detritus cleaning flow inside your tote.

 

[BeltedCoyote]

Instead of getting fancy, you could just put a smaller bucket or container cut down to the water level you want and slightly raised off the bottom for detritus cleaning flow inside your tote.

if I’m understanding you correctly, this would be like a diy plastic…filter sock analogue?

 

[WVNed]

The tall flat section on the side in the middle would be the top of the F , the shorter on to the right would be where the water enters. PVC plank comes in 12 inch width and is 3/4 thick I think. It is soft and could easily be notched to go over the ribs in the bottom. The width would give you a good glue joint. The bottom would have to be supported underneath so it doesn't sag with the weight of the water though.

 

[BeltedCoyote]

The tall flat section on the side in the middle would be the top of the F , the shorter on to the right would be where the water enters. PVC plank comes in 12 inch width and is 3/4 thick I think. It is soft and could easily be notched to go over the ribs in the bottom. The width would give you a good glue joint. The bottom would have to be supported underneath so it doesn't sag with the weight of the water though.

that makes a lot of sense and the drawing really helps. Thank you.

and I’ve been thinking about the bottom. I know @MERKEY uses the same tote for his sumps. I don’t recall if he ever mentioned how he supported the bottom

 

[WVNed]

Honestly my sump works fine without baffles. My ATO senses it fine. I dont really think you need them.

I always have circular flow in mine created by a cheap wavemaker. That keep stuff suspended in the water until the skimmer sucks it up. It doesn't get dirty.

If you place the wavemaker just right it forms a vortex that surface skims the sump so you dont get a film on top.

 

[BeltedCoyote]

Honestly my sump works fine without baffles. My ATO senses it fine. I dont really think you need them.

I always have circular flow in mine created by a cheap wavemaker. That keep stuff suspended in the water until the skimmer sucks it up. It doesn't get dirty.

If you place the wavemaker just right it forms a vortex that surface skims the sump so you dont get a film on top.

I actually was already planning on having a small wave maker in there. I want to have a decent amount of live rock in it, and was planning on having it rest on some raised egg crate. Thus the power head to keep the detritus from settling

 

[Bo.]

I actually was already planning on having a small wave maker in there. I want to have a decent amount of live rock in it, and was planning on having it rest on some raised egg crate. Thus the power head to keep the detritus from settling

Sounds good to me

 

[Bo.]

if I’m understanding you correctly, this would be like a diy plastic…filter sock analogue?

Nope, I meant just for the return section so you have a single space for evap and shorter run times on your ato. Plus less worry for it sucking detritus off the bottom. I'm all for a single large chamber with a good ato and wave maker and your return an inch off the bottom though. I just don't have the space.

 

[BeltedCoyote]

Nope, I meant just for the return section so you have a single space for evap and shorter run times on your ato. Plus less worry for it sucking detritus off the bottom. I'm all for a single large chamber with a good ato and wave maker and your return an inch off the bottom though. I just don't have the space.

I may just go for a keep it simple stupid set up since this is my first sump. That said I may still use your idea for the return.

so many options I’m almost feeling overwhelmed haha

 

[jandlms]

Lurked on the thread for a bit now.
Love what your doing BC.
BUT Danieyela this is totally uncalled for. I was just declared diabetic a few months ago and I am struggling with the whole thing. Now I may have ruined a perfectly good IPad trying to lick the screen.
Not cool!

 

[BeltedCoyote]

Lurked on the thread for a bit now.
Love what your doing BC.
BUT Danieyela this is totally uncalled for. I was just declared diabetic a few months ago and I am struggling with the whole thing. Now I may have ruined a perfectly good IPad trying to lick the screen.
Not cool!

thank you for stopping by and for the kind words. Means more than I can say!

 

[BeltedCoyote]

Not really an update. But I just wanted to say how thankful I am for everyone who has taken the time to follow my build.

and another to the old salts who have stopped by, given advice, and not been bothered by my inexperience.

I really believe this kindness I’ve received is a testament to the amazing community @revhtree made. And I’m so glad I found it.

here’s to all of you

 

[Bo.]

Not really an update. But I just wanted to say how thankful I am for everyone who has taken the time to follow my build.

and another to the old salts who have stopped by, given advice, and not been bothered by my inexperience.

I really believe this kindness I’ve received is a testament to the amazing community @revhtree made. And I’m so glad I found it.

here’s to all of you

Cheers!

 

[BeltedCoyote]

So I’m not sure if this is an update or not. Maybe more of an explanation for my lack of activity here on my build.

I’ve been in a bit of a funk. I don’t know why but it is what it is. I’ve hit a bit of a stall in my build due to financial stuff and getting a new family member. I really appreciate the Don coral-Leone @fishguy242 for all he did to help me bring my new pooch home, for being a great friend and mentor who let me vent my concerns, and for the pep talk he gave me when I finally met him in person.

there is good news, however. My SO (read wife at this point even though we haven’t made it official) is now completely on board with the hobby and is going to help me with getting the stuff I need for plumbing and final set up. Not that I’m trying to have her fund my hobby. It’s more, she has gone from thinking reef keeping is kinda cool in an abstract way but giving me soft hearted grief for the cost of doing things right the first time, to understanding the passion and actually wanting my tank to get set up. Beyond that, she now wants to one day have a tank big enough for us to swim in. I had to explain how that’s an endgame plan, but she’s also more than down with me going with a monster tank in five years or so as a stepping stone to the dream she has.

so that’s been something that’s helped bring me out of the funk. And has made me realize all the more that she is the one.

this kind of stuff might not seem like build thread material but I’ve always approached my build as an accurate account of my experience on the path of reef keeping so you all get a broader glimpse into my life whether you want it or not.

in other news our rescued pit bull puppy Rusty has blown me away with how he’s been with our new Aussie/GSD mix puppy Shelby. He is so loving, gentle, and patient with her it blows my mind. Especially with his history. Bait dog and stray, and he still is one of, if not THE, best dog I’ve ever had.

I don’t know what I’d do without all of you, my pups, my SO, or this community. I don’t mean to gush but I truly do feel blessed. Pick your own supernatural force that gives blessings. But yeah. Oh, and shout out to @Smirkish for allowing me to bring my new puppy into my home. And to @revhtree for being so approachable and such an amazing human being, let alone forum owner.

anyway, here’s some floof pics. Enough from me

 

[BeltedCoyote]

PSA I don’t know why some pictures posted more than once. Oh well lol

 

[sp1187]

Hey Mr. Coyote.
How’s things?
Long time no see um.

 

[danieyella]

Miss ya spam

 

[BeltedCoyote]

So I’ve had a while to think during my time away.
Finally got the tank room cleared out. Really just need to get the tank level, plumbing figured out, and that’s it.

so next steps will be the leveling and learning how to be a plumber. At this point I want to have my build plumbed but my birthday (November 28) and wet by Christmas.

then I’ll be working on fine tuning things. I still want to utilize maricultured rock in my sump. So I’m going to be figuring out sump set up for that.

other stuff to figure out as well but I’ve got time.

Weirdly I also am tempted to try my hand at a small planted tank at some point as well.

blah. Too many ideas. Too little time and money

 

[elorablue]

Welcome back!!

 

[najer]

Welcome back, planted macro tank?