Tank Design ... tell me what you think

[Shaqinwi 65]

So here is the modified design based on yesterday's good suggestions

I changed to Fly Guy's spa inlet cover instead of the machined slots and I went with piping instead of the sectioned off "chambers" so I have access for cleaning.

I was also reading another thread by Fly Guy and some other plumbing guru's and they were talking about using a spray tube to get in behind the rock. I thought that sounded like a good idea so ... WALLA!

[Fly Guy]

I like it. One thing to consider here. spraybars take a ton of flow to really accomplish anything...that and they add a ton of head pressure. If im seeing your plumbing correctly you have the cls pump going to the spraybars from both ends, and the up to four ports above.

darts cant handle head pressure. it could work if pl;umbed a little differently with the dart, but as it sits, the water is going to take the path of least resistance and pretty much bypass the spraybars accomplishing not very much with them. You could fix this by adding some ball valves just above where the spraybars fork off and therefore controlling who gets what flow

[Shaqinwi 65]

Thanks FG

1" Dia. good for the spray bar?

How far up from the sand bed should the spray bar be?

How many and what dia. holes would you drill in the spray bar?

Would you drill the holes in line or stagger them to get different flow direction?

[Fly Guy]

Originally Posted by Shaqinwi 65

Thanks FG

1" Dia. good for the spray bar? 1" will work....1.5" or even 1.25" wouild be better

How far up from the sand bed should the spray bar be? an inch or so

How many and what dia. holes would you drill in the spray bar? hard to say. Since you are taking your time with this build I suggest starting small and playing with it. play with freshwater and get a decent sized submersible pump so you cna empty the tank real quick to upsize the holes. I went through quite a few tanks of water on my last build before I got it right. I suggest starting at 3/16 and holes 1" apart. Youo may end up at 1/4" and 1/2" apart...maybe. Coming in from both sides you wont need to stagger the distance apart so much. If you are coming in from just one bulkhead you want to have the holes farther apart closest to the bulkhead or you will lose all of your flow out the first holes and have nothing left by the time you get to the end

Would you drill the holes in line or stagger them to get different flow direction? I would stagger them to go both under my rock and at the rock(rock is always lifted for free flow underneath), but I would be using a lot larger pump. You wont be able to afford more than one row flowwise with your configuration. I would aim them horizontal, maybe a touch up so they shoot just above the sand

[Fly Guy]

I just caught something else.......since we upgraded your pump, you are going to either want to feed it with a 2" bulkhead, or 2-1.5" bulkheads fedding into a 2" T and then 2" pipe to the pump. You will maximize your flow this way. It doesnt have to be done this way as long as your putput pipe is no bigger than your infeed line, but if you dont it will cost some flow which with spraybars you want every bit you can get

[Shaqinwi 65]

I have read more than a person would ever want to read about reef tank circulation!

What I learned was that I probably wont be happy with a design without a lot of experimentation.

So in my latest design I incorperated "flexibility". I'm going to start with less expensive Loc-Line and ball valve all the ports. I also changed back to slots for my CLS input purely for aestetic reasons and increased the pipe size to 2, 1-1/2".

I wish I knew how to post full size JPEGS instead of the thumbnails

[Fly Guy]

Originally Posted by Shaqinwi 65

I have read more than a person would ever want to read about reef tank circulation!

What I learned was that I probably wont be happy with a design without a lot of experimentation.

So in my latest design I incorperated "flexibility". I'm going to start with less expensive Loc-Line and ball valve all the ports. I also changed back to slots for my CLS input purely for aestetic reasons and increased the pipe size to 2, 1-1/2".

If you have the time and desire.....absolutely. :thumbsup:

The biggest problem with locline besides being obtrusive is it isnt available in anything bigger than 3/4" that I am aware of. 1" is the absolute smallest any cls port should be.

smaller pipe outlets = less flow/more velocity

larger pipe outlets = more flow/less velocity

Wtiht the larger outlets you end up with not only more flow, but its much more usable flow as the velocity wont rip the flesh off of an8imals and you d=have more options of where to am it

Even if you make your own outlets out of pvc and 45 degree fittings with not much directional control, you are better off doing ti this way IMO. Once you get towards the end you will round up the cash for those omniflex as they simply are the sweetest port option available

Originally Posted by Shaqinwi 65

I wish I knew how to post full size JPEGS instead of the thumbnails

close the brackets on the ends

img]http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=61362&d=1203785395[/img




ps- I really like your machined cls infeed program. its even lower profile and less obtrusive than the spaflex covers.......but you need to figure out a way to have access to that enclosed space where the bulkheads are as it is a inaccessible tomb at this point and when and if something gets stuck in there or needs cleaned....you are going to be up the creek

[Shaqinwi 65]

Originally Posted by Fly Guy

Once you get towards the end you will round up the cash for those omniflex as they simply are the sweetest port option available

As I sigh with resignation I agree that in the end I'll be shelling out more than I wanted to in the beginning (Omniflows @ $26 ea. x 6 + = $156 )

Originally Posted by Fly Guy

but you need to figure out a way to have access to that enclosed space where the bulkheads are

I'm going to make that top part removable.

I can't wait till the temp gets warm enough to get into the shop and start trying some of this stuff out!

Originally Posted by Fly Guy

close the brackets on the ends

Okay ... here is another try ... close the brackets ... do I see any brackets ... NO ... I'm an engineer and use computers all day ... I should be able to do this ... click manage attachments, load the JPG ... I see the file name but no where do I see where to close brackets ... curses!!! Another thumbnail! ... oh wait ... let me try the attachment pulldown



http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/at...1&d=1203795244

Nope ... no luck

[Fly Guy]

lol....you engineers.......

try this......click on the pic to open it in a new window.....copy the address.......

put

img]address you copied[/img

close the brackets meaning add these to the above on the ends- []



2 section omniflex are plenty. you wont have a 90 degrtee option....but cant imagine why you would ever need that anywya......

get the slip omniflex and use slip bulkheads......the threaded are a pita. If you disagree after you buy them I will mail you the threaded ends to replace the slip as ive already been through this......lol

[Shaqinwi 65]

img]http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/at...1&d=1203795244[/img

What the???

My daughter could probably do this in a heart beat.

[img]http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/at...1&d=1203795244[/img]

Lord have MERCY

img]http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/at...1&d=1203795244[/img]

Last try

img][http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/at...1&d=1203795244][/img]

What in tarnation

img][http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/at...1&d=1203795244][/img

I guess we'll be doing thumbnails