Large new build.
- Large Build
- Thread starter Gyerfat
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Hello all, I've been doing some prepwork. I am spray foaming my perimeter of the basement. As well I installed a daiken 24k btu mini split system. It is taking care of the heat. And will do ac in the summer. I have the basement at a comfortable 70 degrees. I had to move 2 55 gallon drums holding my water because it was center and that's where I wanted the unit. My dolphin pumps are here so I will be piping soon.
NY_Caveman
likes words, fish and arbitrary statistics
Nice to see the progress!
I did a little rough pipe today to get an idea of what it looks like. I made one chamber return, Its 2 inch across by 1 inch going down. I am trying to make everything serviceably. The unions on the bottom lift the pipe off the ground and I went down to 1/2 inch to build pressure. I can remove the entire thing to clean or make adjustments. The 2 inch pipe will swing up and head back the the pumps for a complete circle. This way each tee I split off will have equal pressure. I will spend some time looking and thinking, then it all comes down to be painted.
I made a template for my overflow, this chamber will hold my sea lettuce. Going to drill holes in it. Slides easy in and out for cleaning. It dosent need to be water tight so the little around the edges is fine
One of the good reasons I am not rushing this project, the longer I stare at it this more ideas I have to make it better. I am moving my pumps because I didn't like how they looked. I upped the unions on my bar to 1 1/2 (raises the spray bar higher off the floor). I also added 2 more jets, I would really like to get my lettuce to spin well. While I was drilling the holes and thinking how I am 2 lazy to make a proper pattern, I thought of a great idea to prefilter the screen. Now how the holes look dosent matter and pretty much gurantees to keep my lettuce contained, I will clean daily
I've been ready to spray for a bit. Was kinda procrastinating because I thought it wasn't going to go well. I was wrong. The primer went on in 20 min and first coat of rubber took 30 or so. Looks like I will have enough for 6 coats. Hopefully 1 coat per day. I also installed a post so I can cut out the other post (more room for a bigger tank [emoji38]).
Hello all. I wasn't happy with my first attempt with the rubber. I was getting a lot of micro cracks, due to moisture and my application. I re primed the entire enclosure twice with the best primer at the hardware store. I now have to do very light coats. Looks much better with the first coat. Shouldn't take too long now before I can fill it with water and see if it holds [emoji23]
Yes I am going to put plastic across the ceiling. I all also thinking about making covers for the sump. I might do exhaust fans and dehumidifiers as well. Not sure yet. I have a lot of testing to do before fish go in.
Back to the drawing board. Water is amazing. I didn't even get the first chamber halfway filled before water came running out the bottom like I didn't have fiberglass with 8 coats of rubber. I am kind of stunned, but I went into this knowing it might now work, it's either line the whole thing or knock it down and use commercial tubs
AlexG
Valuable Member
=
Sorry to hear that it did not work out on the test fill. It might be possible to use a pond liner but I think the HDPE tanks is likely your best solution. I have been very happy with my HDPE sump tanks.
Muttley000
Valuable Member
Sorry to hear but I for one appreciate your willingness to try something new and experiment! Have you thought about just fiberglass in ganged epoxying the whole inside? Certainly it would be successful but it is a lot of smelly and hard work!
Similar threads
