Reef plumbing disaster!!

needbiggertanks · Jun 17, 2017

Sounds fine to me, i mean everybody has thier own preferences. For instance i dont use socks anymore (i keep a clean up crew in there, and syphon it once a month) have never used mud and put a bubble trap before the return pump so the bubbles dont go into the display.

I dont start my refugiums until after the cycle and fish go in.

I think the most important thing about the baffles (which others have addressed) is that the sump chambers are small enough to handle any back flow if your check valve fails.

For fuge light i use that 38par bulb off amazon.

And i dont think you need to add a "slot" for media. You can just throw the bags of media inbetween your bubble trap baffles

justingraham · Jun 17, 2017

I do not think u have enough room to do all of that in a 29 gallon tank I barely had enough to do it on a 40 breeder.

U might be better off scratching the refugium because of the size and getting a algea scrubber or whatever they call them.

Unless I am completly wrong about the size of a 29 gallon tank I don't see you handing more then a three inch refugium which isn't even worth the hassle.

And if that was my lfs I'd be so ticked off. First they didn't do the job second they gave u horrible info in my opinion or better yet didn't give you all the information to make it the way you wanted the made u choose the way they can get the most money and three the one thing he plumbed he did it wrong you svhould never glue the dorso or return pump lines inside the tank ah man I would never buy anything from them again.

If ur ever in jersey I'll gladly show u the one and outs of plumbing. It's easy but when looking at it I understand how it can be confusing and a daunting task.

O lay thing I would tell ur lfs u want the money back for the check valve and make them set it up so it doesn't need one. That is a problem waiting to happen also taking away precious gph from your pump.

CenlaReefer · Jun 17, 2017

I did not get to read if anyone else replied in this fashion- it would make sense to have absolutely EVERYTHING you needed sent to the house before the LFS people did their plumbing service. It was impossible for them to do the plumbing at the onset if you did not have everything at the home when they came to do the service. It may have been better for you to pick-up the aquarium yourself and wait for the plumbing help once it can all be done all at once and then pay last. Paying for a service before it is finished is always a bad idea.

needbiggertanks · Jun 17, 2017

Eye Candy Corals said:
I did not get to read if anyone else replied in this fashion- it would make sense to have absolutely EVERYTHING you needed sent to the house before the LFS people did their plumbing service. It was impossible for them to do the plumbing at the onset if you did not have everything at the home when they came to do the service. It may have been better for you to pick-up the aquarium yourself and wait for the plumbing help once it can all be done all at once and then pay last. Paying for a service before it is finished is always a bad idea.

I think in this case the lfs should have bought pvc, cutters, cement, etc... with them on the delivery to install since that was thier offer. She paid for them to do the delivery AND install. She should not have to order everything in advance from a store when she paid for them to handle the complete delivery, and install.

My point i guess is she should have a system set up regardless of her providing anything other than payment.

(I hope this didnt sound rude, i re-read it a few times hoping it did not.)

NakiFantaki · Jun 17, 2017

Eye Candy Corals said:
I did not get to read if anyone else replied in this fashion- it would make sense to have absolutely EVERYTHING you needed sent to the house before the LFS people did their plumbing service. It was impossible for them to do the plumbing at the onset if you did not have everything at the home when they came to do the service. It may have been better for you to pick-up the aquarium yourself and wait for the plumbing help once it can all be done all at once and then pay last. Paying for a service before it is finished is always a bad idea.

I have measured it all out. 29 gallon is 30inches across. I need 7 inches for the skimmer and 7 inches for the return. That leaves 16 inches. Factor in the bubble trap and the other baffle. I should have around 8-10 inches for a fuge.

NakiFantaki · Jun 17, 2017

Eye Candy Corals said:
I did not get to read if anyone else replied in this fashion- it would make sense to have absolutely EVERYTHING you needed sent to the house before the LFS people did their plumbing service. It was impossible for them to do the plumbing at the onset if you did not have everything at the home when they came to do the service. It may have been better for you to pick-up the aquarium yourself and wait for the plumbing help once it can all be done all at once and then pay last. Paying for a service before it is finished is always a bad idea.

I was told the $150 was for delivery and plumbing. Since speaking to the owner of the store he said that the guy who dropped off the tank was misinformed. They will be supplying all of the tubing and labor and giving me store credit. I just need to buy the connection for the pump.
Looking back I should of taken the tank home myself and had the plumbing done by someone on the reef group in my area.

NakiFantaki · Jun 17, 2017

needbiggertanks said:
I think in this case the lfs should have bought pvc, cutters, cement, etc... with them on the delivery to install since that was thier offer. She paid for them to do the delivery AND install. She should not have to order everything in advance from a store when she paid for them to handle the complete delivery, and install.

My point i guess is she should have a system set up regardless of her providing anything other than payment.

(I hope this didnt sound rude, i re-read it a few times hoping it did not.)

Thank you. It didn't sound rude.

Like I was saying before... I felt like this was a "cute girl in a car repair shop" I have NO idea how plumb things or what it costs and I got the feeling they took advantage of that.

Everything has been righted now.

needbiggertanks · Jun 17, 2017

Thats awesome news. Im glad to hear that. My wife thought of the same analogy and was rooting for you! Glad to hear and hope to see pictures soon

saltyfilmfolks · Jun 17, 2017

NakiFantaki said:
Thank you. It didn't sound rude.

Like I was saying before... I felt like this was a "cute girl in a car repair shop" I have NO idea how plumb things or what it costs and I got the feeling they took advantage of that.

Everything has been righted now.

Pretty stoked for you.

It the funniest thing about reefing. We get in to learn. But what we learn isn't always what we expected.

NakiFantaki · Jun 17, 2017

needbiggertanks said:
Thats awesome news. Im glad to hear that. My wife thought of the same analogy and was rooting for you! Glad to hear and hope to see pictures soon

Thank you!!

justingraham · Jun 17, 2017

NakiFantaki said:
I have measured it all out. 29 gallon is 30inches across. I need 7 inches for the skimmer and 7 inches for the return. That leaves 16 inches. Factor in the bubble trap and the other baffle. I should have around 8-10 inches for a fuge.

I think u meant to tag me in this

The skimmer and return might both be 7 inches but ur going to need more room close to ten if you ever want to take them ou and if they are to run properly which brings u down to 5-7 inches which is hardly any room.

Even at ten inches that's not a lot of room but u can do as you please just giving u what I would do.

U don't want to cramp ur sump as in this hobby and in life if things tend to be hard we don't do them as often if it's hard for you to take out the skimmer and return pump there is less chance you will clean them

NakiFantaki · Jun 17, 2017

Ahhh.... well no diy sump.. at least for now. The glass I had cut was a little too short for the width of the tank! I'm blame my wife.. cuz she talked me into making it that tiny amount shorter. I'm sure if i used GOBS of silicone it might work but then in 6 months or less I'm sure I would be dealing with a broken baffle. Sigh. All part of the hobby I suppose. I went ahead and tried to silicone in one of the baffles and there just no way. At least this tank was free! And I only paid $50 for the glass to be cut.

Not sure where to go from here. I have about $200 bucks that I could spend on a pre-made sump but I'm not sure that's enough and I really want a refugium section.
Back to the drawing board! [emoji31]

justingraham · Jun 17, 2017

NakiFantaki said:
Ahhh.... well no diy sump.. at least for now. The glass I had cut was a little too short for the width of the tank! I'm blame my wife.. cuz she talked me into making it that tiny amount shorter. I'm sure if i used GOBS of silicone it might work but then in 6 months or less I'm sure I would be dealing with a broken baffle. Sigh. All part of the hobby I suppose. I went ahead and tried to silicone in one of the baffles and there just no way. At least this tank was free! And I only paid $50 for the glass to be cut.

Not sure where to go from here. I have about $200 bucks that I could spend on a pre-made sump but I'm not sure that's enough and I really want a refugium section.
Back to the drawing board! [emoji31]

Forty breeder when petco does dollar a gallon sale then order from exotic marine they sell a baffle kit for 125ish that puts u under the 200 dollar mark.

Look at my 90gallon build as that's what I did if you want to see how it turned out

saltyfilmfolks · Jun 17, 2017

NakiFantaki said:
Ahhh.... well no diy sump.. at least for now. The glass I had cut was a little too short for the width of the tank! I'm blame my wife.. cuz she talked me into making it that tiny amount shorter. I'm sure if i used GOBS of silicone it might work but then in 6 months or less I'm sure I would be dealing with a broken baffle. Sigh. All part of the hobby I suppose. I went ahead and tried to silicone in one of the baffles and there just no way. At least this tank was free! And I only paid $50 for the glass to be cut.

Not sure where to go from here. I have about $200 bucks that I could spend on a pre-made sump but I'm not sure that's enough and I really want a refugium section.
Back to the drawing board! [emoji31]

You can use acrylic. You need to leave a gap and fill with silicone for expansion.

JWalk3r · Jun 17, 2017

Where are you located?

NakiFantaki · Jun 17, 2017

Las Vegas. [emoji4]

NakiFantaki · Jun 17, 2017

justingraham said:
Forty breeder when petco does dollar a gallon sale then order from exotic marine they sell a baffle kit for 125ish that puts u under the 200 dollar mark.

Look at my 90gallon build as that's what I did if you want to see how it turned out

I might do that. I'm not the best DYIer in the first place. I may just buy a pre made one..

JWalk3r · Jun 17, 2017

Oh ok well I'm in Ohio so I'm out lol but I'm sure a local on the forums would help you

justingraham · Jun 18, 2017

NakiFantaki said:
I might do that. I'm not the best DYIer in the first place. I may just buy a pre made one..

Well it honesty wasn't that hard and you were going to do it anyway with the 29 gallon tank so yea.

The pre made ones are nice no doubt about it but I find it's not made for you its made for everyone whatever you do remember to have fun this is a hobby not a job

imustbenuts · Jun 18, 2017

NakiFantaki said:
Ahhh.... well no diy sump.. at least for now. The glass I had cut was a little too short for the width of the tank! I'm blame my wife.. cuz she talked me into making it that tiny amount shorter. I'm sure if i used GOBS of silicone it might work but then in 6 months or less I'm sure I would be dealing with a broken baffle. Sigh. All part of the hobby I suppose. I went ahead and tried to silicone in one of the baffles and there just no way. At least this tank was free! And I only paid $50 for the glass to be cut.

Not sure where to go from here. I have about $200 bucks that I could spend on a pre-made sump but I'm not sure that's enough and I really want a refugium section.
Back to the drawing board! [emoji31]

Look up your local acrylic shop. They will probably have a scrap pile you can rummage through. Ours sells scrap for a $1 a pound. They always have pieces big enough for baffles. They will even cut to size if I ask at no charge. Where there's a will there's a way.