kriswaters Posted March 30, 2007 Author Share Posted March 30, 2007 Well, it is 32" by 10" by 16". So about 20 gallons. Two hours and still no leaks. Maybe I should start a "tank build log" ohhh maybe not. Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 You're going to install an automatic top-off system right? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kriswaters Posted March 31, 2007 Author Share Posted March 31, 2007 At this point, no. My LFS has Ro/DI water for $1 a container, no matter what the size. I am pretty much a home body and for the time being, top off shouldn't be a problem. I do plan on installing my on RO/DI unit, and then I will go with the auto top off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 You could put A couple of gold fish in the sump for now!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kriswaters Posted March 31, 2007 Author Share Posted March 31, 2007 LOL...there are already a variety of "little bugs" in it. It's been 24 hours and no leeks. I will leave it one more day then empty it. I will have to take apart my stand to get it under the tank! Luckily, there is no cross brace in the back, just 1/2 sheet of board. Shouldn't be to hard. Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAVES Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 At this point' date=' no. My LFS has Ro/DI water for $1 a container, no matter what the size. I am pretty much a home body and for the time being, top off shouldn't be a problem. I do plan on installing my on RO/DI unit, and then I will go with the auto top off.[/quote'] Wow who sells water for $1 per container? Ive got a 100 gal tank for my truck maybe Ill go shop there too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 Be sure to check your sump daily, evaporation will drain your return section fast. I had a similar sump setup and I had to add top-off water daily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kriswaters Posted March 31, 2007 Author Share Posted March 31, 2007 Will do...I live in Newberg and my LFS is a great place. The sell exotics as well. It's where I get the ferrett food, snake food, chameleon food, FW supplies.....I even met a breeder there and got my "baby puppy" AKA Raider, my 2 1/2 black lab. Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefgeek84 Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 That is good looking rock...most have gotten it from someone who knows whats up, LOL... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kriswaters Posted March 31, 2007 Author Share Posted March 31, 2007 The rock is looking good. Left it outside though and still having trouble getting the temp above 68 degrees. No worries though. I am still struggling with my overflow plans. The bulkhead is fairly long, and if I go with an external durso as planned, the tank would have to sit about 8-12 inches away from the wall to accomodate the plumbing. Going back to a single "corner" over flow drilled through the bottom of the tank. I don't think I will lose that much space and most of the plumbing would remain under the tank. Looks like another trip to multi-craft for a piece of black acrylic. I plan on moving the water inside and will plant it with some LR from my LFS. That ought to get things really cooking! Thanks again. Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 8-12" mine is only like 6 max. heres a pic if it helps. If you are using 1 1/4 pvc you may have to get your female adapter from the electrical section at HD.(its the gray pvc not sure sch.) thats what I had to do but i ended up downsizing my pvc to 1" since i have low flow and didnt need the larger pipe and plus the weight of the pipe caused a flex in my gasket on the bulkhead and a slow leak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 On mine, I cut about an inch off of the bulkhead; still lots of surface area for a reliable seal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 good idea andy...i didnt think about doing that...[language filter] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kriswaters Posted April 1, 2007 Author Share Posted April 1, 2007 Well, that looks good. I did think about cutting off some of it. My wonder is how do you prime it? Kris Check out the next post before reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kriswaters Posted April 1, 2007 Author Share Posted April 1, 2007 Ok, retraction. I just did a little more research and got the "just" of this. It is not a siphon device, as it is a "gravity" device. AHHHHH light bulb came on! I under stand it now. LOL you should have seen me trying to test it. I was sucking water out of the little hole in the end cap trying to prime it. Oh, life's lessons, aren't they fun? Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kriswaters Posted April 1, 2007 Author Share Posted April 1, 2007 good idea andy...i didnt think about doing that...[language filter] 8-12" mine is only like 6 max. heres a pic if it helps. If you are using 1 1/4 pvc you may have to get your female adapter from the electrical section at HD.(its the gray pvc not sure sch.) thats what I had to do but i ended up downsizing my pvc to 1" since i have low flow and didnt need the larger pipe and plus the weight of the pipe caused a flex in my gasket on the bulkhead and a slow leak. How did you plump from the back to your sump? Did you use two 45's or 90's? Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mister crabs Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 its actually 3 90's and a 45. heres a pic sorta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kriswaters Posted April 2, 2007 Author Share Posted April 2, 2007 Success is great. I drilled my tank today, and it went without incident. We (hubby and I) used a 1 and 5/8 hole saw and it buttered right through the acrylic. The holes are in back, on each end of the tank. I am hoping that this will allow for better access to the plumping. I will pick up another bulk head tomorrow. I also pulled off the back of the stand. It was 1/2 or 5/8 piece of particle board. I will not reuse it, but instead shore it up with 3-4 2x4's. Again, leaving me room for access. I think I will go with the Mag7 for a return. Hopefully this will give me the right amount of circ in the tank. I also move the rock and tub inside. This should allow for temp increase of the water. Some of the rocks are beauts. I am getting closer! Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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