The offical TimH07 75g/55sump build thread.

[TimH07]

Ok so i'll start an actual build thread on this one and consolidate my updates and questions here

the first step... get a tank


check

i just got done building the sump, god i hope these baffles hold, the guy at lowes cut them 1/8" narrow so i had to shim them with little plactic pieces to hold them in place and silicone. i used an entire 2.8 oz tube PER baffle.








the baffles are 3" apart.. i have large arms... so i had to get down there to silicone, hope thats not a bad thing.

that 75 will sit over this.



more to come....

[ibefishy]

The space between your baffles shouldnt be a problem. Mine are about that width apart and it has actually come in real handy for holding cheato. When the fuge part of my sump filled with cheato, I pulled it out and stuck most of it between the baffles and it is still there and thriving.

[TimH07]

just ordered the mag drive 9.5 and the current usa nova extreme pro 6x54W 48" fixture from marineandreef.com

[charlie]

Things are looking good so far Tim, keep up the good work!!!

[TimH07]

update, ive created a fan tray that will hold 2 fans in the sump for cooling.
stole the idea from melvsreef.com i think it was.





sloppy work here but i did it with a metal jigsaw while pouring water on the bit and in a hurry too



now i need to figure out how to hook these up on a toggle switch (any ideas??)




problem is i need a 115v ac wire for those fans, not a DC converter so im stumped at getting them wired, perhaps i could just splice a light wire they will be under, but want to do it right

[TimH07]

so i cut an old VCR power cable and spliced the fans to it, plugged it in, viola! it works perfectly, and you cant even hear the fans at all, only the wind

[charlie]

Hey Tim, glad you got that figured out. Are you going to try to get a controller or something that will turn them on when the tank temp reaches a certain temp?

[TimH07]

it would be ideal, but i dont know what i could use, other than some expensive reef controller.

[charlie]

Would this work???

Current USA Single Stage Ranco Temperature Controller - eBay (item 260375870066 end time Jun-09-09 11:44:40 PDT)

[metalhead]

it would be ideal, but i dont know what i could use, other than some expensive reef controller.

Check this out...

Remote-Sensing-DIY-Controller-for-Less-Than-$25

Or you could go this route if you want to save some time and spend more $$$...

Refrigerator Thermostat for home brewing and wine storage - Easy to Install

[TimH07]

all good ideas, i'll figure out something, no rush yet. thanks guys.

[TimH07]

when i fill the tank, should i just fill it up with ro/di then mix the salt in the tank? i cant see any harm it that.

[TimH07]

while working on a way to make an ATO system, i remembered that i had a dormant small table fountain in the closet. i took it out and pulled a tiny water pump out of it that still works, i can set it to almost no flow and have it run with a float switch.

is this the cheapest i can find one, does anyone know a better or cheaper one?

Ultralife Float Switch

[charlie]

when i fill the tank, should i just fill it up with ro/di then mix the salt in the tank? i cant see any harm it that.

That is what I did, just don't your critters for a while, right?

[TimH07]

ITS FINALLY HERE!! WOOT!







and my magdrive 9.5





she's ready for plumbing once i get a hand setting the stand over the sump and tank on it, they will be in the corner you see the sump sitting on with the overflow facing that wall.

im like a kid at christmas lol

[brandonb]

That mag drive 9.5 seems a little big. I have a mag drive 5 on my 75g, 30g refugium and it pumps a lot of water at a head of 5'. Good luck with everything, and if you are going to mix salt in the tank make sure you have plenty of water movement. The koralia power heads work very well and look nice to!

[TimH07]

thanks brandonb,

i plan to actually split the return near the pump and ball valve them so one cycles back to the sump feed, this way i can get the exact speed i want in the tank (maybe even feed the alternate line directly into my remora skimmer!)

[TimH07]

so i got some plumbing done, hope i did it all right lol. here i am with some water in the sump so far







i put screwed some wood pieces in for the lights to sit on to elevate the fan holes above the hood rails..







more to come!

[Doodaa]

Where's your split in the return to recycle back into the sump? Also, why did you put the ball valve so low in the sump? You'll have to stick your hand in the water to adjust it. ;)

[TimH07]

after talking to some ppl i decided against the split return, also room is kinda tight under there thats why the ball valve is down there, i needed room for the flexable hose. it just kinda worked that way, but i dont plan to have to adjust the valve often