Eb0la11's 165G Reef Tank Build

[Eb0la11]

haha I guess flood proof was a little premature. I will simulate the tank draining down during a power outage to see how well my sump responds. I think I'd have enough if it stopped at the height of my overflow, but not if it goes to the bottom of my return line holes. Eventually I'll be getting something more like a 50G sump but hopefully worst case scenario doesnt occur before then. If it did it wouldnt be the end of the world since im on a concrete floor and I think I could handle 10-15 Gallons of water on the floor.

It'd suck, dont get me wrong, but theres nothing that would get completely wrecked really, and eventually the water would find the nearby floor drain.

[lastlight]

Nice I see some sprinkler parts made it into your build as well? Are those Orbit from HD?

[Eb0la11]

Yeah there are four sprinkler parts. They are the 90s that will come out the back of the bulkheads for my returns. Anyone have any insight if that will be a problem? They are from HD, yes haha.

[banditpowdercoat]

They wont be a problem, Ive used some of them before

[lastlight]

the barb ends of the 90s and straight adapters they make are the exact same size as the eheim outputs. I was happy to discover them and put back the $20 in pvc that I had collected to create an equivalent adapter at HD.

[Eb0la11]

Ok Ive made a lot of progress on my plumbing. I got 99% of the parts and I know this because they are all roughed in right now and I believe I just need two more male 3/4" streets or whatever its called and then I think I have everything.

Plumbing this sucker is difficult only because I cant mount to the metal frame at all. So I've made a bit of a wood skeleton that will hang over my sump and support the piping further. I'll also build a shelf for my ballasts I think too.

I'll post some pics soon.

Only question Ive really come across is how the heck do you tighten your threaded streets into your bulkheads easily? I got them pretty tight. Tight enough that I feel like I could fill it and have a strong chance it wont leak, but I just know I could get it a bit tighter some how but it just keeps spinning mostly cause I dont have a wrench big enough to hold the 2" bulkhead flange.

Anyways, I think theres a reasonably strong chance I'll be filling this sucker this weekend.

[Eb0la11]

Alright I have made more progress. I've hooked up and glued all the plumbing and everything and filled the tank today. Turns out I cracked one bulkhead and it was leaking but other than that its pretty good. I got a new part and will hook it up tomorrow and fire up the system again.

If its 100% leak proof I'll probably run it with regular water for at least half a day or full day and then fill it with RODI. Perhaps next weekend we can mix up the salt and get the live rock in that we have and order more that we need.

My camera is really making me frustrated. It says memory card full but then I go to delete pictures and it says no pictures or videos to display. Im so confused....