Eb0la11's 165G Reef Tank Build
 

Hey guys,

ok so I have been around asking tons of questions over the last 3 months and finally have collected almost all of the hardware to begin setting up my tank. I've got a 165G six foot tank built from Bow Valley Aquatics and am very pleased.

I have used a 30G tank I had laying around to build a sump and I am now beginning the setup. Here are some pictures:

Full Tank Shot
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k.../TankShot2.jpg

Top of Tank Shot
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k.../TankShot3.jpg

Overflow
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...1/Overflow.jpg

Overflow Box
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...verflowBox.jpg

Sump
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...0la11/Sump.jpg

Cracked Sump!!! :cry:
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/k...rackedSump.jpg

So I was cutting the board for the bottom of my tank so I had a nice level space to put the sump, QT tank etc and the above shot shows what happened as I slid the sump from one side under the tank to the other and hit one of the braces idiotically...

Sooooo, I'm thinking of just leaving it in there cracked and buying a new glass pane that is cut to size of the inside dimensions and I'll silicone it inside of the sump. I'll lose 1/8" or so but it should be ok. Is this a plausible solution?

Bulkhead
 

Another quick question I had is whether the rubber o-ring for a bulk head goes inside the tank against the glass or on the outside of the tank against the glass? Does it matter?

Good question. Have a look at this thread for your answer.:biggrin:

Where is a good place to get plumbing parts in Calgary? I found Home Depot wasnt extensive enough.

Rona here in Edmonton has a good selection.

Rona is generally better that HD. i usually go to Wosley, they will have anything you need (except gate valves)

Which we stock at RC:mrgreen: also other specialty parts. *holds up product with cheesy infomercial guy smile*

Ok I have 3 parts that I am having a hard time finding.

1. 1/2" Ball and Socket PVC (Lock line I think its called or something?) I keep finding 3/4" but not 1/2"

2. 2" PVC Gate Valves

3. A 1 1/2" Y Connector

Do you have all those parts? If you do, I'm literally going to come by tomorrow. And if thats the case I would also probably get a small sheet of 5mm glass cut, I think 13 and 1/2" x 11 and 15/16" but I can talk about that there I would think.

Anyways, let me know.

1/2" loc line is there, pretty sure we have 2" gates, not sure about the "y"... Give Kevin a call after 1pm to make sure 4033381880.

Ok, so I got the 1/2" loc line from Red Coral. I decided against the gate valve for now cause it was pricier than I was willing to pay. 59.99

I think I can find it for 20-$30 elsewhere. The fellow there, his name slips my mind, not Kevin, said that they might drop the price if I found it cheaper elsewhere. Ive already seen them online for 20 dollars so I think I just gotta look.

So I had three questions now.

1) Do you guys feel if I installed a herbie style drain if I could have only one of the pipes have the gate valve on it? The secondary pipe acts as an emergency anyways and I feel like it has no need to be restricted ever. Thoughts?

2) When I plumb, I use PVC cement for slip fittings and teflon tape for screw fittings, correct? Is there anything else that people use to help if there's a leak? Is Oatie PVC glue reef safe? Or is there a different brand I need to buy? Is teflon tape reef safe?

3) For my four 1/2" returns I am wondering if a 90 degree 1/2" pvc hose barb wouldnt be best. I know 90s restrict flow, but this would be the only one in the lines. How do you guys feel about that? Ive seen other enthusiasts do it, so I feel like it'd be ok. Am I wrong?