My dream tank is turning into a nightmare!

reefrottie · Mar 16, 2014

I just feel like getting out completely right now. I upgraded tanks and don't have the skills to plumb this thing, nor do I have the skills to run my apex. On top of the lack of skills, the place where I got the tank gave me the wrong sized bulkheads, so right now I have all my livestock including my purple tang and all my corals in a 48" sump with 2 MP40's creating lots of flow. What do I do? I'm just so discouraged right now it is taking all my effort to not list my thousands of $$ of equipment and livestock in the for sale section. Should I sell the livestock so nothing dies? How long will it be safe in the sump? I'll rig some lights over the sump tomorrow for the corals.

Uggghhhh, any advice is appreciated!

PS, the new tank is absolutely gorgeous, be better if the bulkheads fit

Frag freak · Mar 16, 2014

Take a step back... go get the new bulkheads...take picks of what ya got setup and talk with the lfs. Im sure they can walk you through plumbing of the sump.

Small triggers · Mar 16, 2014

And if all else fails...I'm SURE there have to be some other reefers in the area that can help with the plumbing...
But your LFS should give you the right bulkheads and atleast help you figure out how to route everything...

Reefing Madness · Mar 16, 2014

Frag freak said:
Take a step back... go get the new bulkheads...take picks of what ya got setup and talk with the lfs. Im sure they can walk you through plumbing of the sump.

boehm742 · Mar 16, 2014

I would ask them to replace the bulkheads with the proper fitting ones, and if they could not i would find somewhere else be it online or locally and get it shipped asap.... I mean what kind of place gives you the wrong size bulkheads when you buy a tank from them? :-/
Plumbing PVC and setting up a sump is really not all that diffucult at all. What is it your having issues with? Here is a very informative article on sumps, Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums
How are you programming your apex? Through your browser i hope, it is much easier then on the display of the apex itself. Heck if you get lucky Open beta on fusion just came out and your one step ahead of me

https://apexfusion.com/login

reefrottie · Mar 16, 2014

Thanks, just being a girl in this hobby is hard sometimes. My other half has not a single carpentry or plumbing skill at all. I'm just really worried about my livestock right now. Not only because they are living things but because I have thousands invested.

271reef · Mar 16, 2014

I agree with Frag Freak - take a step back and one step at a time....... return the live stock and take your time completing your build... Do not rush this !!!

DFWreefer · Mar 16, 2014

Sorry to hear that Michelle, I will text you right now to see what I can do to help.

Small triggers · Mar 16, 2014

Well, being another woman in this hobby you and your livestock will be fine...
They sit it bags and small tanks for days...they will be okay in your sump...
So, whati recommend is taking a piece of paper and place it ontop of your bulkhead holes and copy your holes...take it with you to the LFS or whatever plumbing store your going to...also, whatever plumbing you buy, buy 2 times as much as you think you'll need, this includes fittings....
That way,,, if you need something you will have it, and can always return the leftovers when you are done...
Draw a sketch, with measurements of how you want things...and always take it with you when you talk to the LFS people or plumbing people....

reefrottie · Mar 16, 2014

I actually got my sump from Marc. He's a good guy and lives about 20 min from me. Just saw him at our meeting yesterday in fact. I know he has bulkheads too for sale. The measuring and routing are hard for me. I have it all drawn out and know what I want but am just really unsure. There is a guy in our apartment building that is a plumber, maybe I'll have to see if he can help. I paid $75 for the bulkheads and return pipe so not really happy about doing it all over again.

mnat · Mar 16, 2014

You are down in Fort Worth, I know they have a pretty awesome local club with lots of local people that may be able to help you in person. Don't get discouraged, we have all been exactly where you are when we wanted to quit. You have to push through.

reefrottie · Mar 16, 2014

We do have an awesome reef club. I just hate asking for help and inconveniencing people. I'll keep pushing on I'm sure but sometimes it just ain't easy ya know?

boehm742 · Mar 16, 2014

reefrottie said:
We do have an awesome reef club. I just hate asking for help and inconveniencing people. I'll keep pushing on I'm sure but sometimes it just ain't easy ya know?

Im not in TX but i know when it comes to the several local clubs everyone is more then happy to help, so dont be afraid to ask! I know most of us have been there at one point in time

KoleTang · Mar 16, 2014

This may help with the bulkheads. Drill Bit size For Bulkhead Chart? - Reef Central Online Community

What are your questions on the plumbing? (pics will help)

reefrottie · Mar 16, 2014

As for the plumbing, I have it drawn out, just not sure how to measure it out to make sure it is right. Hard to fix PVC that isn't right. I'll try to make up some kind of picture on the computer tomorrow.

mnat · Mar 16, 2014

reefrottie said:
We do have an awesome reef club. I just hate asking for help and inconveniencing people. I'll keep pushing on I'm sure but sometimes it just ain't easy ya know?

We built our dream tank out last year, we had a big alk issue and basically killed about 75% of our corals including many pieces that we cannot replace. We fell out of love with the tank and let it go even further. We then decided enough was enough and it took months to get it under control, but now it is under control and we are rolling right along.

The whole point of local clubs is to get hands on help, sometimes you just have to ask and then in the future you pay it back to your community. We have been active member in our local community and have had a ton of help and given help.

boehm742 · Mar 16, 2014

reefrottie said:
As for the plumbing, I have it drawn out, just not sure how to measure it out to make sure it is right. Hard to fix PVC that isn't right. I'll try to make up some kind of picture on the computer tomorrow.

I would post this on your local forums and see if someone is willing to help you two. Measuring and glueing PVC is not diffucult, dry fit everything first and take your time measuring. It sounds like your on the right track drawing it out ahead of time!

KoleTang · Mar 16, 2014

reefrottie said:
As for the plumbing, I have it drawn out, just not sure how to measure it out to make sure it is right. Hard to fix PVC that isn't right. I'll try to make up some kind of picture on the computer tomorrow.

Take a pic or scan your drawing.

trido · Mar 16, 2014

Don't feel bad asking for help, that's one of the many reasons for being part of your local club. The worst case scenario is that someone will ask for money, or a good reefer will ask for future frags if you dont have any to offer now if they dont help for free all together. Be patient, you tank will come together and you will get your apex programmed too. It took me almost a month to get my Apex fully programmed and it is not the first one I set up.