Third time better be the charm

[Stang67]

Stand is done.

And I broke down and bought myself new lights. Yeah what do the kids say yolo? Went with 2 32 reefbreeder v2+ models. They were on sale at brs since they are an older model. So saved about 500$. Now I have to design a tslot mounting system for them. Then I still have the plumbing to finalize.

 

[strawberry_reef]

Love the build so far, subbed!

 

[Stang67]

Boom we just got the new lights. They are nice and from the reviews I should be able to grow pretty much anything. I just went ahead and ordered more t slot to make a hanging system as well so it's going to look slick too.

Now I can finally start work on the plumbing. I think I just need to drill bigger holes in the floor and make sure I have enough pvc for the runs. I am pretty sure I have 95% of what I need. But it's always good to triple check.

 

[Stang67]

Ordered clamps and more t slot bolts for having the plumbing. Pricing out transfer switch install and generators as well.
Th lights by the way are amazing. I put one above the existing tank and omg. I just have to figure out how to program the darn thing.

 

[Stang67]

Ordered a few more clamps for the drains. Flow nozzles, last bit of sand and a frag rack for my swap haul. Only thing left is dry fitting the plumbing and making sure it's all ready. Then I gave to call some lfs to see if they have some muscle for hire and when they are avail.
Next couple weeks:
Have to pull the new scape out of the bin and get it ready to hold the existing tank contents. Figure out what I am going to do with the existing tank when the move is done. Keep or sell. I'm sure there is other stuff too but we will figure that out.

 

[Stang67]

Got the last of the stuff, sand, clamps, flow nozzles. So it's all ready. This weekend is finally plumbing time. Also ordered some cuc for the current tanks.

 

[Stang67]

Sorry for the snowy pic but it's March in NEOhio. Electrician is coming on the 30th to install a plug and transfer switch. I'm also having him put in a regular outlet outside. Why not. Gonna need party lights for the deck this summer.
I promise this weekend I will (maybe) work on the plumbing layout.

 

[Stang67]

I contacted a local Aquarium Service company to help move the tank onto the stand. The upgrade is scheduled for a month from now. That's right people its time.
GO GET BUCKETS
- get the Rubbermaid ready as a holding tank aka clean and get heater and power heads set up.
- get some "old" water in the holding with some new rock get up to temp
- make sure you have a top off system hooked up
___________________________________________________________________________________
- transfer existing rock and livestock and "new" water
- break down existing tank / sump and stand and move (where???)
- Drill holes for new plumbing
- move new stand into place
- set up new sump
- GUYS COME TO MOVE TANK
- set up new plumbing / test for leaks
- add sand / new and some old rock / water
- add livestock / bacteria

I am hoping to do this transfer done over the course of a weeks time starting on 4/20.
I am so ready for this.

 

[New&no clue]

I know you've been through this before, but I never seem to have enough water when doing a tank transfer. Extra is always better.

 

[Stang67]

I know you've been through this before, but I never seem to have enough water when doing a tank transfer. Extra is always better.

Oh yeah for sure. Going 3x larger is going to be alot of water. Have the 55g mixing station and going to use the 100g rubbermaid temp tank and old 40g sump. It's going to take a couple rounds to get it all the way filled. Hoping I can leak test it with regular h20 then drain and fill in stages with a mix of new and old salt h2o.
I have a ton of salt and will be making rodi for it all. New set of filters ready too just in case.

 

[Stang67]

Electrician came early.

I felt really motivated and cleaned out and set up the holding tank, heater, powerheads and ato. No water or anything yet but thinking that will be the plan this weekend.

 

[Stang67]

Playing around on the backside of the stand tonight. Light mounts and plumbing clamps oh my.

And hanging bracket.

 

[Stang67]

Yup its crunch time....
Holding tank has saltwater, heater and pumps. Need to figure out top off system. Trying one more thing before I give up and try and buy one. Old mixing Brute cans have been converted to holding tanks as well. Testing them overnight to make sure the plugs don't leak.

 

[Stang67]

Plugs didn't leak at all and I found a workable solution to the ato issue. One thing I have learned (among many) with this upgrade is that it's good to keep all your old gear. Even if you think you will never need it ever again. You may. I dug out my original ato from God knows when. See prior build thread. Put that on the office tank took the ato from the office tank and put it on the holding tank. Had to have one with magnets for the holding tank and this solution looks like its gonna work.

 

[New&no clue]

Plugs didn't leak at all and I found a workable solution to the ato issue. One thing I have learned (among many) with this upgrade is that it's good to keep all your old gear. Even if you think you will never need it ever again. You may. I dug out my original ato from God knows when. See prior build thread. Put that on the office tank took the ato from the office tank and put it on the holding tank. Had to have one with magnets for the holding tank and this solution looks like its gonna work.

I do the same. I have a bin of all my old stuff, and I use it regularly for one thing or another.

 

[Stang67]

I do the same. I have a bin of all my old stuff, and I use it regularly for one thing or another.

Yeah it's scary. I am using old heaters, powerheads, atos, pvc, brute cans, lights. It's really amazing how resourceful we can be to save money. Especially when there's a new tank that's gonna need filled.

 

[Stang67]

I hate plumbing. Its the worst part of a build for me. Too many choices, too many options, too much can go wrong. I have a spot on the drains where it runs 1.5 from the overflow box. I knock it down to 1.25 for the gate valve I bought. Now the issue I am running into is that the span of the 3 pipes (primary, secondary and emergency) is wider then the floor joist so I have to convert the hard PVC to some kind of flexible option, then through the floor, then back to hard pvc for the sump. The length I will need will be directly proportionate to the flexibility of the hose. Its not under any pressure so to speak because its the drains.
I thought of the spa pvc but it is not bendy enough, I have some that I tried.
I went out and bought this:

But since is corrugated on the inside I'm second guessing myself.
So I was going to order this:

God I am really not having much fun today.

 

[New&no clue]

This is the flex tubing I have for my drain line. It might not be flexible enough for what you need.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/EZ-FLO-1-in-Inner-Diameter-x-1-ft-PVC-Spa-Flex-Hose/1000365071

 

[Stang67]

This is the flex tubing I have for my drain line. It might not be flexible enough for what you need.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/EZ-FLO-1-in-Inner-Diameter-x-1-ft-PVC-Spa-Flex-Hose/1000365071

Yes that's the spa pvc I have some of that and can use it for the returns. Just isn't bendy enough for the space I am working with. I ordered some of the pond tubing. Fingers crossed.

 

[Stang67]

Started cycling the new rock. Ammonia and XLM. Once cycled the new rock will go into the Brute cans (with heater and circulation) until they can go into the new tank.
Then the rubbermaid will be used as the holding tank for the existing rock and stuff.
Testing daily to determine when cycle has been completed.