Unclesalty's 180 Gallon Tank Build Thread

[Myka]

Originally Posted by unclesalty

Everyone seems to say controllers are "must haves"

If they are must haves, I would have one. Many people think smart phones are must haves. Controllers are pretty nifty though - especially if you take advantage of all the equipment that work in conjunction. Controllers that work in conjunction with smart phones are nifty x2.

[Parker]

I have to say I love my controller. Makes life a lot easier ( for me at least ) Every piece of equipment I have is tied into mine.

My next project is to tie in a 12v remote trigger from my home theater. Press BluRay and my lights shut down, 2 of my three pumps shut down, wavebox shuts down. It will all come back up on it's own once I shut the amp down again..

Pretty neat toys if you take full advantage of them.

[unclesalty]

Lockrookie's idea worked excellent and the overflow box top edge is 100% perfect down to the exact mm!

[unclesalty]

Overflow is now complete but still waiting for the 3rd bulkhead to arrive which should be anyday now and also still waiting for the drill bit for returns. Deciding also whether to use a gate valve or a ball valve on the siphon as they both have their pros and cons.

[lastlight]

Besides some extra cost what disadvantage would a gate valve possibly have? I use them on my herbie and on each outlet on my manifold. Love the control they allow over a ball valve.

[unclesalty]

Originally Posted by lastlight

Besides some extra cost what disadvantage would a gate valve possibly have? I use them on my herbie and on each outlet on my manifold. Love the control they allow over a ball valve.

I totally agree that the adjustabilty of a gate valve is excellent unlike a ball valve which is terrible. Only problem with gate valves is their not as durable as ball valves from what more than one person has said. 1 yr to 1-1/2 yr sometimes I have heard which would suck to have to replace. It sounds like the salt gets in the stem seal which causes them to leak. I would much prefer a gate valve as the siphon adjustment can be touchy I've heard but 1yr-to 1-1/2 yr thing kind of shys me away from them. How long have you had yours for? Other opinions?

[kien]

Originally Posted by unclesalty

I totally agree that the adjustabilty of a gate valve is excellent unlike a ball valve which is terrible. Only problem with gate valves is their not as durable as ball valves from what more than one person has said. 1 yr to 1-1/2 yr sometimes I have heard which would suck to have to replace. It sounds like the salt gets in the stem seal which causes them to leak. I would much prefer a gate valve as the siphon adjustment can be touchy I've heard but 1yr-to 1-1/2 yr thing kind of shys me away from them. How long have you had yours for? Other opinions?

The gate valve on my 150g reef is coming up on 3 years. The one on my FOWLR is 2 years old. So far so good. And ya, it would really suck to have to replace them.

[unclesalty]

Return holes are now drilled and vinyl background is on. I had to do it in 2 pieces as I didn't have a 6ft piece of vinyl. If I could do it again I would of spray painted back of tank in garage before I took it downstairs. No biggie though as the coraline will cover it in time anyhow. I still have to drill and tap the cap on the open channel standpipe and then it should be ready to fill with some RO reject water to clean and rinse tank out!

[Skimmerking]

looks good man

[unclesalty]

Originally Posted by asmodeus

looks good man

Thanks Mike, it would look good if it wasn't so blotchy like as seen in pic by left return outlet. It actually looked better with the vinyl just taped on as I think I used too much water applying it. Deciding now on whether to be picky and replace it or just leave it be and let it get coralined up. Next up also is a decision on the widely debated, tank - styrofoam - plywood issue. So many different opinions on that one.