The 29 gallon BioCube Build

[drdude05]

I like

Thanks

[YLChik]

Originally Posted by drdude05

I'm thinking this should generate turnover between 7 and 15 times the tank volume an hour.

Just a thought 7-15 times is a pretty wide range for a horse tank... since it requires such low flow...It sounds like the flow is really going to be spread out, but I would but a gate valve on it to make sure you can dial down the flow if it ends up blowing the horses around since they are such weak swimmers...

HTH
Amy

[pledosophy]

Adding a ball valve or something similiar to give you the ability to turn down flow is always a good idea IME.

Personally I have found that through the use of spraybars I can have the flow in my horses tanks 20x plus. JME The tank I'm building now will be close to 30x so we'll see how that goes.

Your tank looks good but IMO I would add some more places for them to hitch. JMO.

Good Luck.

[drdude05]

As for the hitching need, I am planning to add some gorgonians a little later (once I get the flow problem fixed again). Any other suggestions for hitching posts?

As for the closed loop, I am thinking of using either an Eheim 1048 or 1250 or a QuietOne 1200 as the pump, and terminating the return for the closed loop with either dividing Loc Line or a 1/2" circle flow assembly. The circle fow assembly looks like a cross between loc line and a spray bar. I added a pic of my very roughly drawn plan, which does call for a ball valve in the return line to regulate flow.



Does anyone have any preferences of Eheim over QuietOne? Is one quieter than the other? Is one more prone to leak in an external application?

[drdude05]

Well, I ordered a QuietOne 1200 from Drs Foster and Smith. They were on sale for $19.99. It has 1/2" MPT inlet and outlet. I'm planning on using 3/4" thin walled PVC to build the CL and terminate it using part of the circle overflow on one side of the tank and one or two 3" flare nozzles on the other side. I should be circulaing about 249 gph with this setup for 11X turnover per hour. I plan to plumb a ball valve to adjust flow if it is too strong or plumb a spray bar at the termination of the CL with larger holes to decrease the "jet" effect as the water returns.

[drdude05]

Yeah, my pump and plumbing parts came today. Pics to come.

[drdude05]

Alright, after promising some pics of my closed loop project, here they are.

First is a a pic of the QuietOne 1200 pump with 1/2" FPT to 3/4" slip bushings attached.





The next pic shows starting the buildup on the intake side of the pump.


The next is fitting the union on the output side and then the attachement of the union and the ball valve.

[drdude05]

Next is extending the intake side.


Then the output side, and measuring where to place the 90 degree elbows.


Adding the plumbing to pickup water from the tank.


And finally, finishing the return line.

[Wiskey]

That's a slick Closed loop setup,.. you did that just like I did the return on my 125.

Have you tried it out yet? How does it work? I hope your QO 1200 is not as loud as all mine are

Whiskey

[drdude05]

Thanks for the complients Wiskey, unfortunately I haven't tried it out yet. While I was filling the intake to prime it I got to thinking, wow ... this is really taking alot of water to prime. I looked down and noticed why. The water was running out of the intake housing of the pump and all over my filing cabnet and the floor. After I got the mess cleaned up, I tore the CL apart and found that the inake of the pump was cracked . Anyway, I bought it from Fosters and Smith so i called them up and they are calling it a manufacturing defect and sending me another pump. I should have it Thursday, So, till then, I wait .

[Wiskey]

Oh, that stinks On the upside the glue will be dry by then!!!

Whiskey

[drdude05]

Good point!

[drdude05]

I'm hoping that the CL functions like I planned for it to. I'm really anxious to see it in action.

[drdude05]

That's a slick Closed loop setup,.. you did that just like I did the return on my 125

.

I meant to say eairler that great minds think alike .

[drdude05]

FedEx dropped off my new pump today .... hooraaay! I have since rebuilt the intake part of the CL with a new union and 1/2" FPT to 3/4" slip bushing, to replace the old one and reinstalled the CL. It seems to be working great. Updated pic of the tank to follow.