Ross B Reef'n 170 Gallon & Fishroom Megabuild

[Ross B Reef'n]

I’ll never forget viewing the photos of how you got the tank hiked way up there! Lol.

And my wife was wondering why I made this blog! ;Shamefullyembarrased

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

Project note... I've used 2 cans of PVC glue on this project, and need a third!

 

[JumboShrimp]

I thought you decided to go with ‘old-school’ Elmer’s Glue?! (Ahahahahaha)

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

Hard plumbing..... COMPLETE!

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

Water anyone?

Unfortunately the float valve that came with the kit didn't have the spacer or the ferrule included. Hopefully BRS will rectify this when I call tomorrow. (BRS corrected this issue with zero hassle!)

 

[CL_]

Making progress! Love how intricate all of your wood framing has turned out!

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

Making progress! Love how intricate all of your wood framing has turned out!

Thank you!! If I had the patients, I would have 3D printed a lot of it. But it's been 3 months and it's not wet yet! It was so surreal to see water flowing through the RO/DI.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Three months and no water yet— so I’d say you have the “patience” part of the hobby hands down!

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

Three months and no water yet— so I’d say you have the “patience” part of the hobby hands down!

Touche my friend, touche! I'm at least ready for a cycle though! Be it a good month or two long cycle!

 

[JumboShrimp]

I hear that Bubble-Bath helps cycle a tank faster. (NOT!) Lol. We love everything you are doing, and the photos are great

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

I hear that Bubble-Bath helps cycle a tank faster. (NOT!) Lol. We love everything you are doing, and the photos are great

I'm totally cool with pet rocks in saltwater for awhile!

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

BRS corrected the issue with zero hassle! Thank you so much BRS!!!!

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

The remaining water change pumps arrived yesterday. Was told by the master of coin (my wife) that we will discuss ordering the rest of the remaining equipment this weekend.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Negotiate hard— explain to her that all of your ‘R2R adoring fans’ are depending on this build!

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

Negotiate hard— explain to her that all of your ‘R2R adoring fans’ are depending on this build!

I'm not so sure a ton of people are following, but I'm very happy to have those that are!

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

It's not all good in the neighborhood tonight. Connected the water changes pumps for the freshwater. No leaks, okay, great! Plugged a pump in for a test run. Works great! Awesome! Unplug the pump.... the water's not stopping. Awe man, it created a full siphon. Had to close the ball valve to get it to stop.

I'm thinking I have to add a vent stack, but the ceiling is lower than the max head height of the pump. Vacuum breakers are brass, so that wont work.... probably have to lower the pumps so I can add the vent stack.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Wow ;Meh. What’s the quote? ‘The best laid plans of mice and men sometimes go amiss’?

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

Wow ;Meh. What’s the quote? ‘The best laid plans of mice and men sometimes go amiss’?

Ain't that the truth and a bit wisdom. Can't always think of everything. On the bright side, a few Tee fittings and we'll be back in business! Going to try adding the vent stack without moving the pumps first. Didn't doing any calculations, but hoping the flow from the existing piping possibly reduces the max head height? If that doesn't work, I'll lower the pumps.

 

[Blutspitze]

It's not all good in the neighborhood tonight. Connected the water changes pumps for the freshwater. No leaks, okay, great! Plugged a pump in for a test run. Works great! Awesome! Unplug the pump.... the water's not stopping. Awe man, it created a full siphon. Had to close the ball valve to get it to stop.

I'm thinking I have to add a vent stack, but the ceiling is lower than the max head height of the pump. Vacuum breakers are brass, so that wont work.... probably have to lower the pumps so I can add the vent stack.

I'm probably unclear about how the flow is going, but would it help to change the 90/90 fittings to goose necks? Or would it be possible with how the system is set? Switching direction'll generally break a siphon.

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

I'm probably unclear about how the flow is going, but would it help to change the 90/90 fittings to goose necks? Or would it be possible with how the system is set? Switching direction'll generally break a siphon.

Even though I've plumbed the piping at the pump to go above the max water level of the water reservoir, the outlet is lower than the minimum water level. Without a air break, it creates a full siphon. I believe this will only be an issue for the reservoir stacked on top. The compounded issue is that the ceiling is lower than the max head height + max water level (which is a worse case scenario than initially though).

As of right now, I've thought a vacuum break mechanism to solve this issue. I'll post a sketch as time allows.