Tank room upgrade

[Shawn Blevins]

Have been working on my fish room for about 8 months now getting close to pumping water through sumps. Will post journey and progress pictures hopefully this week with my plans on display tank changes.

 

[JoshO]

Looking forward to the pictures!

 

[Shawn Blevins]

Pictures of 11x13 room under my display tank after I gutted and cut in rough opening for door

 

[Shawn Blevins]

If you noticed above picture cut floors and floor drains with sump. Sistered joist and installed header for my future tank. Concrete is cured in images below

 

[Shawn Blevins]

Frp walls installed. Floors painted with epoxy. Sump plumbed into existing drain.

 

[Shawn Blevins]

Had to redo my leach field for my septic last summer. While I was digging went ahead and installed a gray water line to back of my property to try to keep saltwater out of my septic. It’s the light blue pipe in pictures.

 

[JBKReef]

Had to redo my leach field for my septic last summer. While I was digging went ahead and installed a gray water line to back of my property to try to keep saltwater out of my septic. It’s the light blue pipe in pictures.

the wife and I are planning on purchasing a new home and salt water into septic systems is scaring me. Can you provide some Additional details as to why you did your setup this way?

 

[Shawn Blevins]

the wife and I are planning on purchasing a new home and salt water into septic systems is scaring me. Can you provide some Additional details as to why you did your setup this way?

Saltwater basically turns to chlorine when added to your septic system. Depending on the size of your septic tank and water change you could destroy all the beneficial bacteria living in your septic. My average water change prior to me adding grey water line was maybe 20-30 gallons occasionally 50 at a time going down drain. When I redid leach field had my septic pumped for the first time in 10+ years and it was in excellent shape bacteria doing its job. Also have teenagers who take overly long showers which could have been beneficial as well.

 

[Shawn Blevins]

I believe you have to dump an excessive amount of saltwater (100s of gallons) to destroy all your bacteria. My septic tank is 3000 gallons rated for 3 bedrooms. I believe the code in Georgia is a 1000 gallons per bedroom. Codes may vary in your state. I really did the grey water to help with leach field dissipation and the chance that I could dump a couple hundred gallons into septic at once. My final system volume if I continue as I have planned will total close to 800 gallons.

 

[JBKReef]

I believe you have to dump an excessive amount of saltwater (100s of gallons) to destroy all your bacteria. My septic tank is 3000 gallons rated for 3 bedrooms. I believe the code in Georgia is a 1000 gallons per bedroom. Codes may vary in your state. I really did the grey water to help with leach field dissipation and the chance that I could dump a couple hundred gallons into septic at once. My final system volume if I continue as I have planned will total close to 800 gallons.

This is my range as well. (Reef, FOWLR, frag system, sump) we’re trying to find homes that fit our joint hobby but it’s difficult in our area so finding a home with a basement is tough enough let alone one on city water/sewer.

your build is looking great!

 

[ScottW]

I am about to do the same floor brace as you, did you just use a couple 2x6's or 2x8's screwed together then a 2x4 on the base for the legs to attach to?

 

[Shawn Blevins]

I am about to do the same floor brace as you, did you just use a couple 2x6's or 2x8's screwed together then a 2x4 on the base for the legs to attach to?

2x8 sandwich between a 2x4 on the bottom and a 2x6 on top had to remove kicker joist in between joist used 2x6 to keep joist from twisting. 1/2 inch plywood in between 2x8 to keep flush with 2x4.

 

[Shawn Blevins]

Water storage, RODI, and shelves started. Used 2x4 painted with marine grade paint for verticals support, but everything else is pvc boards.

 

[Shawn Blevins]

Tried to keep everything at 5” off the ground to make cleanup easier (squeegee and mop). Also siliconed all the floors to pvc baseboards to try to keep water from seeping under walls. It’s awesome to be able to use a water hose inside the house to clean up.

 

[Eric R.]

@Shawn Blevins, how's the fish room looking? I saw pics of your sump in another thread and wanted to see more. I like the bones of the fishroom, well done so far!

 

[Shawn Blevins]

@Shawn Blevins, how's the fish room looking? I saw pics of your sump in another thread and wanted to see more. I like the bones of the fishroom, well done so far!

Will work on putting up some pictures and posting about the struggles. Was thinking that I wouldn’t have to go through new tank syndrome. But that was wrong.