WarDog's Tank Thread : Episodic Trial And Error

[mike31154]

Originally Posted by WarDog

Put the sump in the stand for the first time today.

Thinking I might do a custom ATO reservoir behind the sump. I wonder if 9 gallons will be enough for a weeks worth of top ups on a total system volume of 80 gallons? Any thoughts on this?

Thanks for looking.

My sumpless 77 gallon evaporates about a gallon a day. I use a glass wine carboy that holds about 7 gals. as an ATO reservoir & it lasts close to 7 days (lucky 7!). That's under LED lighting. Depending on how much heat your lighting adds & additional water movement with sump, YMMV, but I'd guess 9 gallons will easily last a week.

[WarDog]

Originally Posted by mike31154

My sumpless 77 gallon evaporates about a gallon a day. I use a glass wine carboy that holds about 7 gals. as an ATO reservoir & it lasts close to 7 days (lucky 7!). That's under LED lighting. Depending on how much heat your lighting adds & additional water movement with sump, YMMV, but I'd guess 9 gallons will easily last a week.

Thanks for the input Mike. Think I will plan for a 10 gal reservoir.

I was able to get some work on the tank in, despite a busy Mother's Day.
Got the back glass painted, although there was a learning curve to this. Didn't expect to have to do several coats, waiting for it to dry in between.
Please ignore the back yard... it's a work in progress.



Drilled all the holes for plumbing/electrical/venting, and then painted and mounted the back panel.



Originally started with two 3 inch holes for the overflow, but on further inspection it seemed a tight fit to install the bulkheads.
Ended up just chopping out a larger rectangular section.
Should be able to get a wrench on them now.



Here is how she sits now. Got the cabinets ordered from the maker next to work and will probably start some plumbing in the meantime.



Comments/suggestions welcome, thanks for looking.

[WarDog]

Ordered the cabinets almost 2 weeks ago and picked them up today. I'm impressed how they turned out. The stain colour, called 'Wendy custom toned' is the same as our kitchen and mantle (seen on the right).
Colour is pretty darn close. Doors are ubber custom at 22"x33", solid maple. Going to assemble on the weekend hopefully.

You can see a few schedule 80 fittings on the right of the stand. Been collecting them over the last week. Those I couldn't find locally I had to order online, including some pretty damn sexy pipe.

[gregzz4]

Yup, lookin' very sexy

[WarDog]

The wife noticed a few problems (like they always do) with the front cabinet and doors, so off it went, back to the maker.

Trying to find an affordable way to fab the ATO, still searching. Was quoted $190 and I think that is too much, considering my display tank was only $260.



Got the rest of the fittings on Friday from BRS. First time I've ordered from them and I look forward to dealing with them again. Got the pipe from a company called Formufit. http://www.formufit.com/ They supply the coloured pipe to BRS, but on their site it's half the price. I went around asking for coloured PVC pipe to Noble, Corix, Home De Pot, and PoCo Builders... they all looked at me like I was from Mars.

[WarDog]

Another piece of the puzzle. I really love the look of Vertex.

[The Guy]

Hey Warren RE: auto top off.
I got the Aquahub DIY kit from Bulk Reef Supply and it works great for me.
$39.99 and a small pump and RO water storage container, total cost approx. $60.00

[WarDog]

Originally Posted by The Guy

Hey Warren RE: auto top off.
I got the Aquahub DIY kit from Bulk Reef Supply and it works great for me.
$39.99 and a small pump and RO water storage container, total cost approx. $60.00

Although this looks like a great kit Laurie, I am not looking for the hardware/electronics part of the ATO, just the reservoir. Thanks for the idea!
Matt from Concepts has sent me a message and I am considering a custom glass reservoir from them. It is cheaper than anything I can find locally even when you factor in shipping.

[WarDog]

Yet another idea stolen... errrr... 'borrowed' from gregzz4. Any more and I think I may have to start paying royalties.

[gregzz4]

Nicely done