My new 93 Gallon Starphire Rimless Cube Reef Build

[ataller]

Hello there.

I am not an expert by any means, however, I might be able to save you a head ache though.

I have a very similar setup as you do. Herbie to a basement sump. If you would like I could probably find some pictures.

I see that your gate valve is display side, not sump side.

You will find that you get noisy cavitation by having the gate valve at the top. You should plumb in the gate valve as close to the water line in the sump as possible. That way the entire drain will be full of water until the end. It is easier to push the air bubble out of the drain that way.

If anyone disagrees please post, I would hate to steer him wrong. This was however, my experience in the past with my tank.

Adam

[letsdiscus]

Originally Posted by ataller

Hello there.

I am not an expert by any means, however, I might be able to save you a head ache though.

I have a very similar setup as you do. Herbie to a basement sump. If you would like I could probably find some pictures.

I see that your gate valve is display side, not sump side.

You will find that you get noisy cavitation by having the gate valve at the top. You should plumb in the gate valve as close to the water line in the sump as possible. That way the entire drain will be full of water until the end. It is easier to push the air bubble out of the drain that way.

If anyone disagrees please post, I would hate to steer him wrong. This was however, my experience in the past with my tank.

Adam

Thanks Adam. Unfortunately i have glued the ball valve already and there is no room to cut the PVC and join it back with Union. Will wait to see how i can control the flow/noise once i start the leak test.

Many thanks for your inputs. Would appreciate if you can share your setup pics as well.

[Seriak]

You could always just add another one in the basement and leave the top one wide open, if it becomes a problem.

[letsdiscus]

Originally Posted by Seriak

You could always just add another one in the basement and leave the top one wide open, if it becomes a problem.

Thanks Seriak.. I guess I will keep this option open for now once i test the plumbing with water..

[letsdiscus]

Got some more work done lately.. My current stand is from the old Marineland 90 Gallon cube. The stand was open from the back and was lower for the earlier plan of having the sump under it.

Had to add 4x4's on the base to increase the height and sealed off the back with added 2x4's solid Oak.

Stand view from back-




My upcomming Bar in the making-



Oak finish trim for the 4x4's on the stand base


Front view


Top view


Complete-front view

[letsdiscus]

Managed to get the LED lights fitting done this weekend..

Had my GHL Mitras LED delivered a few weeks back....Had to take sometime to run around different hardware stores to hunt for the compatible hanging screw which would fit in the supplied GHL hanging bolt.

The size is Metric 0.6mm.

I was not able to find a Dowel hanging screw which would have been ideal to fit one end(Metric size) in the supplied hanging bolt and the other end(wooden screw threads) into the studs through the dry wall ceiling.

Reviewed few threads on GHL Mitras forum to get some ideas, also reached out to Michael (Aqua Digital) to check if GHL could supply the compatible Dowel screw. Finally decided to place a wood strip in between the Ceiling Dry wall and the Studs. Materials used..

1. 2x2 Solid Oak strip from HD (Roughly $7/- )
2. 2 nos. M6x25 Nuts(screws) -(BIN # 3095 in HD) ($0.49/- each)

Pictures...

Mitras Unpacking




Hanging Assembly-




Final Product-

[Scythanith]

Looks great! Are you going to snip the excess cable or just roll it up? I have been debating snipping mine but no one see's it in the fish room but me. Still bugs me though.

[letsdiscus]

Thanks for your feedback.. At the moment not decided to snip the cable..Will probably do once I have the full setup running but wud try to leave some extra length just in case..

[letsdiscus]

Re-attaching the pictures.

Originally Posted by letsdiscus

Managed to get the LED lights fitting done this weekend..

Had my GHL Mitras LED delivered a few weeks back....Had to take sometime to run around different hardware stores to hunt for the compatible hanging screw which would fit in the supplied GHL hanging bolt.

The size is Metric 0.6mm.

I was not able to find a Dowel hanging screw which would have been ideal to fit one end(Metric size) in the supplied hanging bolt and the other end(wooden screw threads) into the studs through the dry wall ceiling.

Reviewed few threads on GHL Mitras forum to get some ideas, also reached out to Michael (Aqua Digital) to check if GHL could supply the compatible Dowel screw. Finally decided to place a wood strip in between the Ceiling Dry wall and the Studs. Materials used..

1. 2x2 Solid Oak strip from HD (Roughly $7/- )
2. 2 nos. M6x25 Nuts(screws) -(BIN # 3095 in HD) ($0.49/- each)

Pictures...

Mitras Unpacking




Hanging Assembly-




Final Product-

[letsdiscus]

Had been away few weeks from the forum. was trying to complete the Basement plumbing and Sump setup along with leak test. Had a few disasters along the way with my DIY skills..
Story told in pictures below..

Stand for the Sump. Re-using the Carton in which the Tank was delivered to make for the Sump Stand.



My 55 Gallon Acrylic Sump


Tonga Rocks- These will be the life in the Reef


Levelling- Ensured the level was perfect before the leak test


Sump Setup-Basement



With the UV and Return Pump


Had a small goof up while drilling the sump. My drill bit gave up on me while half way in the drilling process. Since the acrylic was too hot..it developed these cracks. Luckily they were from inside and had tested for leaks for a few days. Also got the sump checked from ORG from where i had bought it. They confirmed its good to go. Phew...

Disaster averted....




PS- Please do post your feedback -ve or +ve if you like this build thread..