Brand New 8 gallon bio cube

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Fin said:
I have been plumbing tanks for over 30 years and it still is an unpleasant task for me, so it doesn't get better with time (for me anyway). I have created a nightmare for myself with my new tank and plumbing is probably one of the biggest things that is making this build go so slowly. I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer and I spend a lot of time thinking about how I am going to do things. Trying to get plumbing right takes me a while.
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Just like most other things in reef keeping, plumbing is absolutely not something to be rushed, especially hard plumbing. Planning out runs and how everything will fit together and more importantly, flow, takes time and is not something to rush atall. Coming up with drawings and dry fitting everything is an absolute must IMO. Doesn't matter if your drawing skills are nonexistent as long as you can understand them and follow through on a plan you're far better off. I love the plumbing aspect of the hobby but I do feel like I'm a relatively rare individual in that sense.

Even with my personal enjoyment and knowledge I'm still a bit nervous with my setup, not because of leaks or anything of that nature but more so how the entire system flows overall. I've got a lot of length on my return and drains so plumbing it and tuning it after should be fun :p
 
Top Shelf Aquatics
Ran across this picture of the plumbing on the original Pirate's Reef tank. None of this was visible once the chest was assembled around it. There was a closed loop on it with a SCWD. Too bad those things suck, because they did work well - when they worked. This is a 7.5 gallon tank. :)

Back_plumbing.jpg
 
Ecoscape Reef Rock
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Katrina71 said:
@Why-Me can your lfs order her a pederson? I'd like to get it for her. Please. It matches her tank too!
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I'm sure they can, my closest and best LFS is New Wave Aquaria.
That being said 2 weeks before our local frag swaps on our forum we put up a pre sale thread and there are about 3 different vendors that offer inverts. I plan on getting one then, not sure they have pederson shrimp BUT since it's 2 weeks prior to the event they usually can come up with anything needed really.

Just got back from Menards and got:
10ft of raceway to hide wires cleanly.
Clear pvc primer.
ABS to PVC transition cement for the bulkheads.
Teflon tape.
Screws to install the apex and all the controllers.
Ethernet cable to connect the apex to the interwebs for control and observation.

The finish line is in sight!!!
 
Why-Me said:
I'm sure they can, my closest and best LFS is New Wave Aquaria.
That being said 2 weeks before our local frag swaps on our forum we put up a pre sale thread and there are about 3 different vendors that offer inverts. I plan on getting one then, not sure they have pederson shrimp BUT since it's 2 weeks prior to the event they usually can come up with anything needed really.

Just got back from Menards and got:
10ft of raceway to hide wires cleanly.
Clear pvc primer.
ABS to PVC transition cement for the bulkheads.
Teflon tape.
Screws to install the apex and all the controllers.
Ethernet cable to connect the apex to the interwebs for control and observation.

The finish line is in sight!!!
Click to expand...

What's the teflon tape for if you don't mind me asking?? Good call on the transition glue for the bulkheads :)
 
Deltec
Why-Me said:
I'm sure they can, my closest and best LFS is New Wave Aquaria.
That being said 2 weeks before our local frag swaps on our forum we put up a pre sale thread and there are about 3 different vendors that offer inverts. I plan on getting one then, not sure they have pederson shrimp BUT since it's 2 weeks prior to the event they usually can come up with anything needed really.

Just got back from Menards and got:
10ft of raceway to hide wires cleanly.
Clear pvc primer.
ABS to PVC transition cement for the bulkheads.
Teflon tape.
Screws to install the apex and all the controllers.
Ethernet cable to connect the apex to the interwebs for control and observation.

The finish line is in sight!!!
Click to expand...
Are you sure you got everything??? I have no idea how many hardware store trips I have in my build - so far. :-)
 
JoshH said:
What's the teflon tape for if you don't mind me asking?? Good call on the transition glue for the bulkheads :)
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I got it to use on the threaded connections.

Fin said:
Are you sure you got everything??? I have no idea how many hardware store trips I have in my build - so far. :)
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I don't really know, we'll find out soon.


Also noticed an issue I've somehow overlooked this whole time...With the overflow and returns there's no way to get my light to clamp on the tank anymore so I will need to hang the light from ceiling or use a tv wall mount I have here, we'll see what happens in the next 24hrs, either way it's going up tomorrow.
 
Top Shelf Aquatics
Why-Me said:
I got it to use on the threaded connections.


I don't really know, we'll find out soon.


Also noticed an issue I've somehow overlooked this whole time...With the overflow and returns there's no way to get my light to clamp on the tank anymore so I will need to hang the light from ceiling or use a tv wall mount I have here, we'll see what happens in the next 24hrs, either way it's going up tomorrow.
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Any particular reason you went with the tape vs the thread sealant? I prefer sealant myself and won't use the tape on PVC fittings.
 
JoshH said:
Any particular reason you went with the tape vs the thread sealant? I prefer sealant myself and won't use the tape on PVC fittings.
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Didn't think of it, didn't look for it, now I feel stupid lol. I'm going back to menards to cop some thread sealant.
I don't wanna **** with this thing over n over....set it and forget it!!
 
JoshH said:
Any particular reason you went with the tape vs the thread sealant? I prefer sealant myself and won't use the tape on PVC fittings.
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I know this is a heated debate in the reefing world, but there really is no harm using teflon tape. Don't use too much and don't over-tighten and you will be ok. I started out using the pipe sealant on my build because of all the stuff you read on forums about using tape. The sealant may work great, but it makes a huge mess - and will keep making a mess if you don't get all of the excess off, because it doesn't dry. I don't think I will use it anymore.

I have to say that after seeing Bill Wann's spiel about how he always uses silicone sealant on his screw in fittings - even on his big tank - that is how I finished up Pirate's Reef. Nowhere that I used silicone leaked at all.

So, I guess - for me anyway - you can use all of them and they will work. More of a personal preference, to me anyway.
 
Fin said:
I know this is a heated debate in the reefing world, but there really is no harm using teflon tape. Don't use too much and don't over-tighten and you will be ok. I started out using the pipe sealant on my build because of all the stuff you read on forums about using tape. The sealant may work great, but it makes a huge mess - and will keep making a mess if you don't get all of the excess off, because it doesn't dry. I don't think I will use it anymore.

I have to say that after seeing Bill Wann's spiel about how he always uses silicone sealant on his screw in fittings - even on his big tank - that is how I finished up Pirate's Reef. Nowhere that I used silicone leaked at all.

So, I guess - for me anyway - you can use all of them and they will work. More of a personal preference, to me anyway.
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For me it's not that the tape leaks, it's just more prone to breaking fittings from over tightening than the paste, done it once and won't use it again lol I've made absolutely no mess with sealant myself I am just minimalist with it. I purchase the can of sealant with an applicator brush and coat the first 1/4" orso of the male side of the threads on whichever connection your putting together then thread it into the female portion. Haven't had a broken fitting, a messy connection or a leak since. Silicone is another great option I just tend to get it everywhere when I'm working with it lol

And I guess, for not just you, it comes down to personal preference. But I usually recommend steering clear of the tape anyway, of the 3 options it can be the most troublesome :)
 
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Deltec
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IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

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