First fish in "the Ark"

[fishytime]

Originally Posted by Alberta-newb

Yah it sucks, but if your in this hobby you have to expect to get wet once in a while

I have a piece of 3/4" this time just to be sure. Should have all five bulkhead holes finished tonight and it siliconed back in. Man, drilling 3/4" is a lot of work! The hawks are doing fine in the sump and the other fish are happily exploring the extra rock in the 120. Once it's ready for water I think I will do a big change on the 120 and use it in the 75. My storage tank is only 35 gallon so I'll be busy making fresh for the next couple of days.

You've got just about the best attitude about this hobby of anyone I know.*salute*

[Red Coral Aquariums]

Let me know how I can help.
Kevin

[Myka]

Holy!! Lotsa tanks breaking lately. Oi! Glad you're not too upset about it! Keep er goin!

[Alberta-newb]

Originally Posted by Red Coral Aquariums

Let me know how I can help.
Kevin

You already have! Those diamond bits did the charm quite nicely. The bottom is in and plumbed, just have to wait for the silicone to set up..then it's leak test time! I'll post some "rebuild" pics soon.

[superduperwesman]

Originally Posted by fishytime

You've got just about the best attitude about this hobby of anyone I know.*salute*

I'd say... no anger at all. I would not be happy!...but the bottom blows out and the only response is cheery as can be

[Alberta-newb]

Originally Posted by superduperwesman

I'd say... no anger at all. I would not be happy!...but the bottom blows out and the only response is cheery as can be

Can't let life get you down too much...especially with this recession! I've experienced this disaster before, about 20 years ago I had a plywood build let go (I didn't do the math right) and about 15 years ago a 33 gallon freshwater blew the front out while I was out of town for work. The missus at the time was not impressed! I kept the tank, but eventually gave up the wife

[subman]

Originally Posted by Alberta-newb

I kept the tank, but eventually gave up the wife

Wow I just spit Pepsi all over my computer!! That line is hilarious!

[Leah]

No sense of adventure, I sometimes wonder what life would be like when, not all wet, he
he!

[Alberta-newb]

Well since I pretty well had to rebuild the tank, turning this thread into the tank build. (mods could you move it to the correct forum?....please)

The tank is a used one that's made its way around a few times (thanks Ed and Kevin!). Dimensions are 24" wide by 23" tall by 31" depth making it 74 gal. But since guys like to exagerate I'll call it a 75

Finished drilling the new 3/4" bottom for three 1" closed loop returns, a 2" drain for the closed loop inlet and a 1" drain for the sump. I plumbed the closed loop with a 1.5" manifold to try to keep flow even between each of the four returns plus I have a garden hose connection for water changes or as I discovered, emergency drainage. Here's a pic of the new bottom all plumbed. Thanks to Josh (JDigital) for the inspiration on the closed loop.





Here's a view of the sump (a standard 20 gal) and the closed loop pump (Reeflo Dart). I used 2" conduit PVC for the inlet for less restriction than using a regular PVC 90. In the sump I have a Ocean Runner 2500 for the skimmer (Oddysea 160) and return to the display.



A view of the overflow showing the drains and one closed loop return:




For mechanical filtration I like using filter socks so I made this holder to fit onto the closed loop drain. It's made up of (from the bottom) a 2" x 4" ABS adapter, a length of 4" ABS and a 3" x 4" ABS adapter that holds a standard filter sock perfectly. I made it removable in case any fish decide to go "over the wall".




I'm happy to say "the Ark" is now full of water, live rock and the two hawkfish. No casualties from the disaster except some zoos that were eaten in the 120 and a couple of snails on some rock that got cold. More pics once the water clears up.

Francis

[BlueAbyss]

Hmm, your closed loop inlet is in your overflow... interesting! I've never seen that before.