I finally finished the final setup. It has been running for about 3 days now checking that everything is running smoothly, and tweaking anything that needs it. I had a few moments of over flowing water, but it's all fixed and running smoothly now
So here's the system so far.
Here's he PVC overflow.
It's pretty silent unless the water level changes suddenly. Then air gets trapped in the pipes (I think) and it starts gurgling. This means I won't be able to use the short pulse mode on the mp20, unless there's another solution to taking care of the intermittent gurgling noise. But the other modes are pretty sweet too, so it's not a big deal. It's pretty easy to fix though, once the water level in the display tank calms down i unplug the return pump and let it drain water till it's at the set level, then plug the return pump in and it' silent again.
The overflow is plumbed with pvc pipe to the first tank below the stand, which is the refugium area.
So far I just have mangroves and a few pieces of live rock inside. Will be getting some cheato soon and if I can find various other macro algae i'll be getting some too. The lights are 2 9watt coralife PC bulbs that I took out of a mini light last year
I made a little airline tubing holder for where the dosing and ATO tubing will be connected to to keep things neat. So far the ATo tube is connected, haven't set up the dosing pump/timers yet.
The water from the refugium is then transfered to a 5 gallon bucket through a PVC 40 degree elbow i bonded to the acrylic using weldon 16. It makes a really good seal and works perfectly.
Inside the 5 gallon bucket is the ATO float switch and the return pump which is a maxijet 900.
I initially had a brand new Quiet one pump in there. But the flow was waaaaay to much for my over flow to handle, and I really didn't need 600gph being pumped from my sump since I already have the vortech providing more than enough flow in the display. I tried slowing it down with a ball valve but it had to be turned way down, and the pump made a loud vibrating noise so I decided to go via the maxijet route and it worked out perfectly
The protein skimmer is a deltec MCE 600 and there's a media bag filled with carbon in the return section of the skimmer. It wouldn't fit underneath the stand, so i had to prop it up on 2x4's and keep it outside the stand on the back. I wanted it to be a peninsula style tank but the equipment spilling out from underthe tank couldn't be helped. I guess it's a semi -peninsula tank now lol.
Light timers hogging a wall socket
And finally, Here's where all the dosing /ATO equipment will be kept. It's next to the sump and I decided to use the hood that came with the tank stand to keep them in so it looks all fancy and stuff lol. Might as well use it for something
I haven't set up dosing yet, but I will be doising for alk and calcium using a method I read about on nano-reef where you use digital light timers, aqualifter pumps, and ball valves to get just the right amount in when you want.
Short vid tour:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu3WlX1NufI
Next up will be the rock structure. I'm actually working on it right now, I love the long weekends! Will probably be in the next update
