Thanks!

Well for the last week I've been trying to get my sump going. Right now, I'm just trying to setup the T3. I've set it up, so the pump is just flowing back into the sump as I want to leak'proof' everything. After 5 tries, I've still got leaks.

The first time it was the bulkhead, but I fixed that with some silicone. Now its just the connections after the pump which goes thru a gate valve, union, T, and then the output. I've tried numerous times putting a good amount of white tape on the threads, and even putting silicone on the outside, but that water still finds it way out. What is the best way to seal these for good? Using the actual PVC glue? I'd rather not, just for the fact of being able to remove the parts later if I ever have to, but if gluing it is the only way, then thats what I'll do. Any recommendations?

Secondly, the last time I ran the pump (few hours ago) I left it going for a good 2-3 hours. Everything seemed fine, cept for the SMALLEST leak, which I didn't notice till after. I noticed that the pump (T3) runs very hot, almost too hot to touch. Is this normal? I'm wondering if putting a small computer fan on it, will help with the longitivity of the pump?

TIA!

I am not sure what you are saying with gluing the pvc stuff. Personally, I would glue the pieces together. Hand tight will not be water proof and I dont know how well silicone bonds to pvc in the long term?

the white tape in the threads only, I wouldnt glue anything thats threaded...

the velocity pumps run hot, because they are water cooled only - to reduce noise. I am not sure if a fan on the pump will prolong its life, but I am pretty sure it will reduce your tank temps - the velocity pump will raise your tank temps a degree or two.

hth.

Sorry, should of been more clear. All the slip fit connections (whichever ones there are) have been glued. Its the threads where I've got leakage from. I've put on a generous amount of white tape, but still doesn't seem to be sealing as good. I was told just to hand tight them together, but should I be using a pipewrench?

Gotcha. Well I'm sure taking out a powerhead, and adding the extra 15g of water from my sump, should even out the heat from the pump so I should be okay in that terms. Still may put a small computer fan on it, just to keep things cool.

Hey Gujustud, Were are your threaded fittings? Are they all bulkheads between Glass and PVC fittings. Or between pumps and PVC?

Jason

I knew a picture would help ;) I'll post one when I go home, but for now, and from my memory, this is what I have

Sump -> bulkhead (slip) -> reducer (1-1/4 - 1)(slip) -> slip/male adapter -> union (slip) -> reducer slip/male (1 - 3/4) -> T3 -> adapter male/male -> union -> adapter male/male -> gate valve -> adapter male/male -> t-pvc ->

Thats about it, all the leakage is before the T-pvc pretty much. If you can't follow that I'll be sure to post a pic of it, which will make much more sense.

A question that comes to mind, how much white tape do you generally apply? How many rounds around the threads?

So if you didn't read already, I had a small disaster.

Anyhoo, I can only look foward. I picked up some macro lense for my camera, so I thought I'd take some Macro pictures to check out the new closeup's. (click on all pics to see bigger versions)

Zoo colony. Finally opened up and looking good. This has to be one of the best macro shots I've taken ever. I've seen so many pictures like this, but could never get it. There is zero photochop work done to this pic.

http://www.ditchmond.com/gallery/alb...l_DSCF1983.JPG

Purple Firefish

http://www.ditchmond.com/gallery/alb...l_DSCF2008.JPG

Cleaner Shrimp

http://www.ditchmond.com/gallery/alb...l_DSCF2053.JPG

Green Mandarin, a rare sight, as she's always hiding.

http://www.ditchmond.com/gallery/alb...l_DSCF2068.JPG

more pics

Very nice.

What camera do you have? Digital SLR?

These photos rock! What camera, lens?

I'm using the Fuji S5000 (DPreview.com)

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0307/finepixs5000-001.jpg

Awesome camera with great features: 1/2.7" SuperCCD IV HR, 3.1 million, 10x Optical Zoom, 37 - 370 mm equiv, F2.8 - F3.2, Macro: 10 cm - 200 cm, manual focus. Its not a exact SLR camera, but it looks and feels like one.

I picked up a CLOSE-UP Kit on ebay for cheap. But it was a Hoya kit, and they make awesome lenses. With the adapter ring I was able to join the 4+ 2+ 1+ lense (3 in total) for these pictures. Makes a huge diff as you can see.

Been a while since my last update. Summer flew by as I took almost 2 months off for school to finish my private license, then the next month was taken up with my sisters wedding. Back to the normal life of work however.

Still haven't got a whole lot done with the tank, as the last month was extremely busy with work, but its actually going to be slow for the next week, so i'm hoping to finish up some of the important things. 3 main things on my list, 1) new lighting, 2) sump, and 3) skimmer.

Most of my plumbin' and repairs on the sump is almost done. I hope to finish it tonight. Everything is bought for my new lighting, just needs to be made, and setup.

In the meantime, I did add a new addition to my tank, a Bicolor Blenny. The guy has tons of character, and his moving eyes rock.

http://www.mazda6club.com/images/guj...qua/smokey.jpg

Yesterday I dropped by OA, and picked up a Button Coral (or is a Open Brian Coral?). Jack spotted it out for me, but its a nice addition. The red really makes it stand out:
http://www.mazda6club.com/images/guj.../DSCF4871s.JPG
http://www.mazda6club.com/images/guj.../DSCF4872s.JPG