rededteck had this great idea for a topic from what happened to golfish...Will be great help for members setting up their tanks! [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

What precautions have you taken with your set-up if anything in your sytem should fail?[img]/ubb/online.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/online.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/online.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/online.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/online.gif[/img]

I for one don't trust just placing holes on the return outlet in the tank from the sump return pump...it can easily be clogged by algae growth...so I placed the outlets with the diffusers from the sump return only 1/2" from the water surface...this way if the pump stops "returning" and begins to siphon back to the sump, the siphon breaks after only 1/2" of water volume from the tank goes to the sump. In turn, I placed the level of the overflow low enough so that it keeps the water level 2 inches below the top of the main tank, that way in case the overflow should fail and that the return pump pumps all the water from the sump up to the tank, there's enough room in the main tank to accomodate this.

With this, I never worry about a disaster that can be caused from equiptment failure with water exchange between sump and tank. [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]


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The NUT!
Alex's Ocean Realm
GO FOR A DIVE!!!
http://home.earthlink.net/~amariquit/thereef

i will admit that one day i made a mistake, and put a snail in my overflow basket ( the big mexican grazer snails ). needless to say i woke up that night to water flowin all on my floor. it is just a good idea to have lotsa water on hand.


Jade

This is probably one area over looked on a tank as disasters rarely occur. I learned my lesson 15 years ago with a 55 gallon salt tank and a DIY filter system... ouch... never make that mistake again. Wonder how many people have their inlet line from their main pump or their pre-filter too low in the water, not too mention a sump too small?

Salt water on oak floors creates an uncomfortable spousal dispute... [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]


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"It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine..."

When it comes to precautions you must assume that whatever can happen will happen. Try to run through all scenarios in your head and adjust accordingly.
Returns should be placed just below surface to prevent a backflow in case of power outages. Turn off pumps and check your sump can handle this amount of water.
If possible add a dosing pump with a pressure switch in case your sump gets to low. Make sure the reserve tank does not contain more water than the sump can handle in case of switch failure. Keep an extra pump on hand in case of failure. Always have a reserve of makeup water on hand. Might want to think of a generator in case of power failures. The list goes on and on........
Taking a look at all the components of your system on a daily basis and being prepared is probably the best precaution possible.

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Just how much do I need to spend in this hobby!!!!

I have my return 0.5" submersed, also have a sump that is only about 70% full.... so plenty of room for flow back.... have valves on return hose (actually have a t-piece with a standard hose connection) with a valve on the return after the t, and a valve on the hose connection, then when I need to change water it is one valve off, connect the hose, other valve on, pump on and instant water changer !! But alas I digress [img]/ubb/lol.gif[/img]

Tank hood actually sits about 3" down on the glass, and that is free of water, so plenty of room for water should overflow become clogged...

Tank is grounded (to prevent shock treatment [img]/ubb/eek.gif[/img] ) and also is connected to two different circuits so heating etc can be maintained if one circuit blows. 25% change of both RO and Salt Water on hand at all times, being aerated by airstone to keep it active... hmm I think that is about it [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

Jamie [img]/ubb/bandit.gif[/img]

[This message has been edited by The_Bandit (edited 07-05-2000).]

Well, can't advise, because we're not compleatly set up yet.

However, we've invested in a large mop and a restaurant-sized five-gallon bucket, the heavy yellow variety with the big lever-operated mop press.

Will be using a float switch to control the return pump, and a proven design on the main tank overflow heading to the sump.

As to Aquanuts question, a ground probe seems prudent, and it's high on the list. Curious, I was told by many sources, not to introduce anything metal into the tank! Metal reacts with salt water... so what to do?

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Cheers,
Rob
New York City

One thing I have leanred over the years,Is to have plenty of Salt and RO\DI water madeup. Back in 1987 we had a big Qauke here in So. Cal. my 70 gal lost about 20 gallons of water,plus the tank moved about 3" off the stand. I had no salt (no body had RO's back then)it was 7am and no LFS were open.

Mark

Great idea, Golfish...

How is it best to store mixed water (RO water mixed with salt already) ?????

5-gallon gasoline Gerry-cans?

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Cheers,
Rob
New York City

Rob...
2 things...be sure that the water is aerated well...and ground probes of titanium are the best "metal"...

Congartulations on your commercial mop! [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img][img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img][img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]...I can just picture you and Tanya enjoying a brew in "The Ear"...you drop your beer and wait for that poor guy to bring out the bucket and mop and mug him for it...You New Yorker!!! [img]/ubb/lol.gif[/img]

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The NUT!
Alex's Ocean Realm
GO FOR A DIVE!!!
http://home.earthlink.net/~amariquit/thereef

The Ear at least have enough style, not to mop when there are customers around.

Nah, I went out to Queens and knocked over some dweeb of a White Castle manager. He won't report it, because they'll take it out of his pay, and these places are so dirty that nobody will notice that the mopping stopped ;-)

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Cheers,
Rob
New York City

Rob,

I use 5 gallons.... but mine are plastic (kept in the laundry out of wife's way.... if I bring anything else into the room where the tank is I am a dead man [img]/ubb/lol.gif[/img] )

I just use a couple of airstones going 24/7.... but maybe someone else can advise of the pros and con of that method.

And I use a titanium bike spoke connected to an earth... good to have a brother for an electrician [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img] )

Jamie [img]/ubb/bandit.gif[/img]

[This message has been edited by The_Bandit (edited 07-05-2000).]

Alex, GFCI or Ground Fault Circuit Interupt and a titanium ground probe in my main tank yet to get one for my hospital tank.

Being in an apartment I could not mess with the wall outlet, so I had to find an alternative for the GFCI. Home Depot has these portable GFCI units so I purchased a few of those. I put my power strip into one and one on the other side of my UPS (a UPS will falsely trip a GFCI), this way I could still protect myself from the devices going into the UPS.

If you don't already have GFCI protected outlet I strongly recommend you get one, or have an electrician install one for you.




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E-mail: fishies@ravenstar.com

well i have a 5 gallon plastic can i use for top off so if my overflow stopped salinity would not get too affected in a 20 gallon tank however i would get water on the flow at some point! I see now way around this since siphons do break very rarely but they do. I have cpr overflows and line is attached to venturi so i have never had this problem but it can happen. see no way to stop that other than keeping size of top off down

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This is the most addictive thing that i have ever come across as well as expensive

How much do the Home Depot GFCI go for and will they know what I'm talking about if I ask? Does it look like an adaptor type thing you just plug in.

I've been meaning to get it, especially after reading posts about electrical disasters...
How can you tell if the wiring of the home is already built with GFCI?

Thanks...

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The NUT!
Alex's Ocean Realm
GO FOR A DIVE!!!
http://home.earthlink.net/~amariquit/thereef

Alex, glad you asked [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

They were about $25 apiece here, small price for something that could end up saving your life, or anyone else who sticks their hands/arms in your tank(s). Chances are the outlets in your livingroom/dinningroom/den whatever, are not GFCI. But I would wager the one in your bathroom is and maybe one in the kitchen. You can tell my the outlet, it will have a [Reset] and a [Test] button, you may have even seen these plugs on hair dryers.

Here is the box that mine came in from Home Depot:




Here is the actual unit:




I'm sure the store will know what you are referring to and if not browse around the electrical supplies section.


Here is another option, a bit more expensive though but minus the extension cord:



This one can be found at:
http://www.marine-monsters.com


If I was you I would get one to replace the existing outlet in my wall, less messy but you need to know what your doing, power has to be off at the junction box before you ever loosen a screw on the outlet.




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E-mail: fishies@ravenstar.com

Beyond the call of duty Ravenstar...
takes the guess work out of everything...[img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

You're right about the bathroom outlets...I think the extension cord one will do just fine. Would be ironic if I attempted to install the in wall and zapped myself to kingdom come before I get it working...[img]/ubb/lol.gif[/img]

Thanks!!!

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The NUT!
Alex's Ocean Realm
GO FOR A DIVE!!!
http://home.earthlink.net/~amariquit/thereef

Here is a link to one on the net, but I don't know how hard they are to install. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...577762-5342265

Thanks Brewster...$10 is good! I wonder if it's like installing any electrical box?


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The NUT!
Alex's Ocean Realm
GO FOR A DIVE!!!
http://home.earthlink.net/~amariquit/thereef

Speaking of electrical currents...
How have you guys protected yourself from possible electricution...aside from health and life insurance...[img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

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The NUT!
Alex's Ocean Realm
GO FOR A DIVE!!!
http://home.earthlink.net/~amariquit/thereef

I have a GFCI in the appartment AND another one only for the tank:



my life is worth more than the cost of a GFCI...not what my mother-in-law says... [img]/ubb/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

it saved my neck once already, this is how I sounded after that click here

Joaco

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My webpage Updated 3rd July 2000

[This message has been edited by Joaco (edited 07-06-2000).]