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08-02-2004, 11:23 PM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Azle, Tx
Posts: 1,544
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sump plan-imput needed
Well, I didn't sell my tank, so I'm going to do some upgrades on it instead. I inherited a 40g acrylic tank and its liverock from my sister, Mel, and have decided to turn the tank into a sump for my 55g. Here's a quick layout of what I am planning. I have a AquaClear CAP-2200 return pump rated at just over 500 gph @ 4ft. and I am planning to drill the 55 with a 1" bulkhead for the return. My idea is to use the front half of the 40g as a refugium/rock filter and to divide the sump in such a way as to avoid marring the front glass for viewing. The skimmer will be my HOB Remora Pro, so the #1. chamber for the intake/skimmer will have to have a high water level for the skimmer to work right. From the skimmer chamber the water will drop down about 2" to the refugium. The refugium will overflow into a 3 tiered media tray then into baffles befor reaching the return pump. The baffle/return chamber will only be as deep as midway in the tank so (I hope) that will leave enough space in the top of the return chamber and the top 2" of the refugium to collect backflow in the event of a power outage.
Any feedback/constructive criticism welcome! Thanks in advance! 
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08-03-2004, 03:06 PM
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#2
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Nemo's Chamber Boy
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Lake Oswego
Posts: 4,539
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looks like a solid design. just make sure to account for space to get the skimmer on and off for cleaning, and the ability to reach down into the return pump compartment to get the pump out for maintenance. made that mistake myself once, and it was a real issue doing routine stuff.
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08-03-2004, 06:20 PM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Azle, Tx
Posts: 1,544
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Quote:
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make sure to account for space to get the skimmer on and off for cleaning, and the ability to reach down into the return pump compartment to get the pump out for maintenance.
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Thanks Krux! I think that may be my biggest concern with this plan. This tank has an aprox. 4" border all around the top and if I divide the tank centrally with a high wall as I plan to keep the water level high for the skimmer, then I could have difficulty getting into the skimmer and return pump chamber. I won't know just how tight it will be until I start messing with it, but, I think the top could be cut down if needed to give more room. Here's a diagram of the tank top as it is and another showing possible top modification.
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08-04-2004, 02:10 AM
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Azle, Tx
Posts: 1,544
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John, (Voyeur) this is for you!  |
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08-04-2004, 07:44 AM
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#5
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Harriman TN
Posts: 177
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NOTHING is more sexy than a woman that knows how to use power tools!!
John |
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08-04-2004, 10:18 AM
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#6
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That Biker Looking Guy
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,446
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ARRRRRRRRR ARRRRRRR ARRRRRRRRR (Tim Allen)
Jeff
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Proud to be a card carrying member of the "J" Crowd
Body By Nautilus; Brain By Mattel.
If Walking Is So Good For You, Then Why Does My Mailman Look Like Jabba The Hut?
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08-04-2004, 10:22 AM
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Azle, Tx
Posts: 1,544
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Quote:
NOTHING is more sexy than a woman that knows how to use power tools!!
John
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 Well, darn, John! Wish I'd known that when I was younger!
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08-04-2004, 05:28 PM
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#8
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Harriman TN
Posts: 177
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by OodleyBoodely
Well, darn, John! Wish I'd known that when I was younger! |
Aaaahh but we all know how sexy you are Bood.....
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08-04-2004, 10:30 PM
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Azle, Tx
Posts: 1,544
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Oh, yeah! Who's 'we'? I want to meet this person! 
OK....back to the topic...what was the topic? Oh, yeah. Question: when I install the bulkhead fitting, should I use some kind of cement such as pvc cement, or will the rubber gasket in the fitting be watertight enough with just tightening by hand? What about using silicon tape? |
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08-04-2004, 10:36 PM
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#10
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Harriman TN
Posts: 177
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You shouldnt need any other sealant.The bulkhead is made to seal with just the rubber gasket that comes with it.
I think my middle name is we........
John |
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08-05-2004, 01:24 AM
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#11
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Ghost of reefers past
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Southern Oregon, Way West of Dimples ;)
Posts: 25,155
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ya'll are scaring me 
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Cowboy is a verb, not a noun
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08-05-2004, 08:00 AM
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#12
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Pretty In Pink
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: portland or
Posts: 3,262
Reviews: 6
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oodley
Some "guy's/gal's use a little silicone in the hole with the gasket, not much just enough to fill the space. I do this for glass tank, just can bear down too much on that BH or it'll crack - yep done that.
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08-05-2004, 03:44 PM
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Azle, Tx
Posts: 1,544
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If I just tighten it into place without using any sealant as you suggest, John, how likely is it to loosen over time and start leaking?
Wanareef, what kind of silicone do you use? Are you talking about a gel/liquid or silicon tape?
Just a little harmless fun, Doug! Actually, if I post a pic of myself, 'We' would probably run for the hills!  |
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08-05-2004, 06:31 PM
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#14
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Harriman TN
Posts: 177
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by OodleyBoodely
If I just tighten it into place without using any sealant as you suggest, John, how likely is it to loosen over time and start leaking?
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As far as I can see if its done right it shouldnt loosen up at all.The problem with putting silicone on it is if you ever DO have to remove it,you have to get ALL of the old silicone off the tank and pieces and get a new rubber gasket or really clean the old one well to re-use it.
I would try it the way the manufacturer says to,then if it leaks maybe try the silicone.....
John
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08-06-2004, 02:50 AM
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Azle, Tx
Posts: 1,544
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Quote:
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I would try it the way the manufacturer says to,then if it leaks maybe try the silicone.....
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I think I will try it that way first. 
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