Hello all, its been a while since I last updated this thread. This build has been a bit of a headache. I must say, there was a hiccup every step of the way. A quick refresher, During the leak test, there were a few leaks that warrent me in redoing 90% of the plumbing. I was not a happy camper when I had to go back to ACE hardware and spend another $75 on plumbing and having to throw out $75 in plumbing that was no longer any good. After redoing the plumbing, I had no leaks this time. Once the plumbing was complete, I added the rocks to the tank and started to fill with RO/DI water. Once I had a quarter of the tank filled, I added the sand. It was tough due the water being cloudy. I honestly don't know why I added the sand at that time and not before the water. After an hour or so the tank was full, salt was added the pump was running and I figured out the Herbie overflow system, my first disaster happened. I was trying to get manifold in the J brackets for support. I had to lift up on the manifold, well the manifold is connected to the return line, and I didn't have a clamp on the hose that was connected to the return pump. YES!!!! the pump slipped out and water went everywhere. I was trying to unplug the pump, but I felt a bit of a shock so yelled at my wife to come and turn it off while kept my hand over the pump. Needless to say, she was not happy...oops! sorry babe...Once I got the trusty wet/dry vac out and about 15 towels (again wife not happy), I think I had the mess cleaned up. Next day I went and purchased a hose clamp. Issue #1 solved. Not 100% though, I think I'm going to need to redo the return. It has a check valve inline but water still syphon into the sump when the pump is shut off. I know its going to drain with the herbie, but the return line is syphoning and not sure how. Issue#2 I ran into. The Herbie overflow, I can't seem to get it to stay consistant at one level. When i first installed the emergency pipe, I followed the recommended height of .5" below the overflow teeth and the drain should be 6" below that (gmacreef.com) The water would drain into the overflow and the trickling sound was pretty noticeable. Once I adjusted the gate valve, it would quiet down but after 5 mins the water level would drop again and start making the trickling sound. Not sure how to keep the water level consistant right below the emergency drain, any thoughs or advise would be greatly appreciated. Issue#2 still a problem. Issue #3 ATO, I have a Tunze Osmolator for the top off. Awesome!!!! The issue is, when ever I have to turn the return pump off the Osmolator's alarm goes off. I think I know how to solve this issue but would like to run it by you all. I can connect it to my Apex and program it to turn off when feed mode or maintenance mode is on. Any thoughts on that? Issue #3 is a tabled item for now. I know this post is getting loooonnnnggg so I will end it here. I have another issue that I would like to share but I will put in another post . I will add pics also. Stay tuned and please comment. Give your thoughts, inputs, advice.
