Trying to Get a Prop Tank Set Up

jessiesgrrl · Aug 31, 2006

Ok, so this is the main tank:

This the the prop tank and refugium. I had two maxi jet 1200s going, one to pump into the skimmer/Phosban tank and one to pump it back into the refugium to be sent back into the main tank. But for some odd reason, the refugium empties in 5 seconds flat even though the pumps exchanging water are the exact same size.

If I had gotten to do it from scratch, I would have somehow had the Deltec skimmer sitting in the smaller tank, so I could have the big one strictly for propagation. But I got this set up used, so I have to merge it how it is I guess.

Any suggestions?

Laurie

jessiesgrrl · Aug 31, 2006

Ok, I moved the big tank over about 5 inches, and took the Deltec out and set it on the stand in between the tanks. I also moved the Phosban reactor over into the refugium (It is on it's own closed loop) and took out the 2 MJ 1200s that were supposed to be sharing water between the two lower tanks... I have a 2400 l/h Eheim ready to pump the water into the intake, and then it is supposed to have enough force to make it back up into the main tank through a output hose.

I was all ready to turn the Eheim on, and then I noticed that the top of the tube that is supposed to be the water outlet is open to air! Being that the water is going to take the path of least resistance I would imagine it would shoot out the top of the tube, not turn a corner with any force to go out. There are no extra parts... Am I missing something here? Anyone else have one like this???

I've been messing with this for 3 days straight. If I can just figure this last problem out, I will have it working... I am a little frustrated.

Laurie

jessiesgrrl · Aug 31, 2006

http://www.deltecusa.us/proteinskimmers/apf600.php

See the tube on the side??? That's he problem- the top is completely open above the water outlet shunt, no cap.

vetteman · Sep 15, 2006

http://www.deltecusa.us/docs/APSeries.pdf

read this

gflat65 · Sep 16, 2006

If that is adjustable, you can go the gate valve mod route. I haven't heard much about them on Deltecs, but they work fine on ASM's, so why not Deltec? gives you better control and can allow for relocation of the outlet.

jessiesgrrl · Sep 19, 2006

I read the whole darn thing. It reads like there will be no prob to it, but I think water is going to jet out the tube straight into the air...

I'm going to go to True Value tomorrow after work and ask them for a gate valve for that size pipe. I'm just mystified as to why it is built like this...

Laurie

JGoslee · Sep 19, 2006

Do you have the apf600? The tube in that diagram is a just a vent. The water wont shoot out the top. It will make the turn and flow out the return to the sump. I have the ap600. Heres how I did the plumbing.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=879674&highlight=ap600+plumbing

JGoslee · Sep 28, 2006

Laurie did you get everything hooked up ok?

surfn · Sep 28, 2006

if you have further problems, post it on the deltec site on RC. lots of helpful people and dealers will help you out.

just dont mention you pawned it off someone else. b/c that essentially voids your warantee if something is broken on it.

jessiesgrrl · Sep 28, 2006

No, not yet. It's still sitting there... We stare at each other a bit, it and I. I had almost decided to sell it.

When I went to True Value, I got a couple of band clamps, tubing, and and end cap for the tubing and put all that onto what I guess turned out to be the air intake :sheepish:. Obvisouly, after doing that it didn't work right still and I got frustrated and decided to take a break from it for a while.

I am thinking about trying again this week end with this new info... I am going to go get PVC piping like the guy in the thread drew, and a valve.

I just got a bunch of pipe thread tape and tried it out on the 7 Thermoses I just shipped out, and it seems to have worked well.

I'll post pictures of the upcoming weekend fiasco as it unfolds...

Pray for me... Chick doing PVC work...
<grin>
Laurie

jessiesgrrl · Sep 28, 2006

coralnutz said:
So is your skimmer recirculating like the one on page 3 of that pdf file that vetteman posted?

Nope, not yet, it's sitting outside the prop tank in the stand atm, doing nothing but looking back at me... You would have laughed your butt off to see that Eheim blow the top off that skimmer tho...

<giggle>
Laurie

JGoslee · Sep 28, 2006

Good luck. If you want I could take some pics of my AP600 and how I have it setup?

jessiesgrrl · Sep 29, 2006

That would be awesome! I read that thread up top, but he only drew the over flow part of the pvc.

I think I am going to give myself this weekend- if I can't get it going by then, I am going to put it up for adoption.

Laurie

jessiesgrrl · Oct 2, 2006

Ok, it's running. It is the butt ugliest thing I have ever seen, not all neat and pretty like Rev's <grin> but at least it is doing it's thing. I am pretty darn tired, so will take pics tomorrow night and post them.

Thanks guys- it WAS an air vent and I feel soooo dim...

Laurie