My new CLS with pic's

LISound · 03-23-2005, 01:09 AM

First-Thanks for all your help everyone...especially Geoff, Tom, Tims and Motorslave.
So I went with a BIG pump-Mag 24.

It's only a 55 so we're talking flow!
The first design included some 1" tubing which I later scraped.
The idea was to go around the wet/dry filter and skimmer for the one return.
I found it better to use the pvc because it was more riged.

The spray bar has 6 hole in it on one side only.
I ended up drilling a hole in the end cap too, so 7 but that one is only 1/32,
the others are 3/16.

I used ball valves and unions to service the pump...good idea since I have to make adjustments.
All the plumbing is currently 1"-so I'm getting some cavitation on the intake side and it's a bit loud.

The pump vibrates the floor, so I plan to check the impeller and increase the intake plumbing to 2".
When I cut back on the output ball valve, it's not so loud.

Overall, it's a great design.
There is more then enough flow from the 1" return and the spraybar is like having 6 maxi 1200's.

My filter can't keep up right now. The skimmer is going crazy and I can't belive how much ditrus was in the SB...which was totally removed and replaced by starboard.
There is some crushed shell up front.
I also added about 25lbs of base rock and another 10-15lbs of live rock--for a total of about 75-90lbs.
Right now all the fish have been QT because of a velvet issue-so this was a great time for the upgrades.
Also bought a new stand.
My other one was warping!

You can see from all the pic's, it was a mess.
Took the whole weekend and one all nighter on Saturday.
Glad it's over.

Now with the con's....
HEAT!!!
mag 24 in a 55-didn't think it was going to be a heat issue from my research, but it is.
I'm getting a 4-6 deg. temp swing...but i'm still playing with that.
I'll be home all day-so I'll keep an eye on it while it runs 24hrs.

NOISE!!!
Oh boy. But I think it's mostly due to the intake.
It does vibrate a lot and has an industrial humm to it.
Not great for the living room/kitchen/main room of the house.
Everyone says it sounds like the dishwasher running!
I'll see what happens when I upgrade the intake today.
Any suggestions on how to quiet down even more would be great.
The pump sits even with the bottom of the tank on a shelf.

The flow is great...if i just use the spray bar it's nice and calm...if i hit the return a bit it adds cross current....if only I can reslove the noise issue all would be great on the reef.
Here are all the pictures.
What do you all think?

LISound · 03-23-2005, 01:21 AM

more pic's.
http://www.thereeftank.com/photopost...00&ppuser=9001

I'll post some of the final.

As a side note, I also made a small overflow box for the skimmer-there is a lot of oil on the surface water.
I'll post pic's of that too.

bad mantis shrimp · 03-23-2005, 04:30 AM

Try using a short peice of nylon tubing between the pump and pvc which will dampin the vibration. also put a sponge or somthing cushy like a small pillow between the pump and shelf

wanareef · 03-23-2005, 04:36 AM

Looks good. Reefers are always coming up with something new for the situation. Maybe a mouse pad under the pump - those mags are noisy out of water.

drsyme · 03-23-2005, 04:57 AM

tims · 03-23-2005, 05:56 AM

SWEET!

GLAD YOU GOT IT DONE

like everyone else said . you can use foam padding under the pump that will help some.
good job!

VWD · 03-23-2005, 06:47 AM

Very Nice,

Vince

skeety · 03-23-2005, 07:19 AM

do you have bigger pics? I'm using you as a guinea pig (sorry), and would like to see what you did...but can't get any detail from the attached pics.

But overall, looks great! Glad it worked out nicely!

Any other tips for would be followers?

VWD · 03-23-2005, 07:22 AM

We need casey to enlarge them for us.

Vince

motorslave · 03-23-2005, 11:19 AM

Good job! Youll be very happy with the added flow a spray bar is a great thing for your tank!

Robert

DAC · 03-23-2005, 11:20 AM

also as was mentioned, use some kink free of vinyl tubing to help dampen the noise,.,. the viration seems to be carried anlong the pvc.. I used it on my 2 mag 18's and helped alot....

You think the noise from the empellor is due to having used 1" line for the intake?? Mine makes that same noise.. drives me nuts...

LISound · 03-23-2005, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAC

also as was mentioned, use some kink free of vinyl tubing to help dampen the noise,.,. the viration seems to be carried anlong the pvc.. I used it on my 2 mag 18's and helped alot....

You think the noise from the empellor is due to having used 1" line for the intake?? Mine makes that same noise.. drives me nuts...

Yes, for sure.
I closed down the valve to the return to reduce flow and it's silent...big time.
even though the intake is 1" it really needs more water than that.
I can hear it cavitate at the elbow going into the pump.

if anyone wants bigger pic;s shoot me a message with email address...resizing is a real pain.
I'll send you all the closeup's you need.

Did the mouse pad thing...now it's quiet...but what about heat issues?
Can't afford a chiller.
Anyone experience heat problems with a mag 24...

LISound · 03-23-2005, 02:07 PM

oh and the spraybar sits 2 inches off the bottom and 1 inch off the back glass.

Like I said, it's like have 6 maxi jet 1200's- I can't believe how strong the water pressure is from the spraybar.

Thanks all

motorslave · 03-23-2005, 03:55 PM

For the heat issue there are a couple of things you can do. First is a 9 inch or so fan blowing on the water surface in the sump, I do this and it helps agreat deal. Second would be to get one or two 4 inch fans for the hood to do the same as the sump fan and also help take heat out of the hood as there can be a great deal of heat in there.

Robert