Snodgrass 300gal Evolving Build (1 Viewer)

[RSnodgrass]

Hopefully you're not easily motion sick because I have two more gifs! (o:

Got a lot done today yet seemingly did nothing... this evening I finished up some plumbing. Cutting in some valves I previously thought I'd go without and installed my custom filter "sock".

This is showing the three full time returns and one (red) emergency return that should run at a trickle at all times. The horizontal orange pipe is one I fashioned to swap out my UV with when I'm not using or have it on my QT.


This is my filter sock panel wrapped around several hinged sections of egg create, double sided and sloped to lessen any waterfall effect.

I can spot a few problems and places to ease usability.
1) It's good for sediment but not chunks so it needs a flap at the bottom to catch stuff when pulling out of the sump. Unless you have a better idea.
2) I need plastic rivets or those long plastic binders used in fancy high-school reports to clamp the edges. Other suggestions needed if you have them. A type of clamp would be better then using lots of zip ties.

*Another idea I had was to sew in small removable rods for rigidity and possibly removing the need for clamps and egg create in the middle.

 

[RSnodgrass]

Pressure test failed... camera rolling so I'll get that posted tonight or in the next couple of days.

I checked all the fittings multiple times and apparently there was this one 1.25" which didn't move... until it completely broke free.

Two lessons, never touch a leak until it's fully assessed and if you dry fit really firmly they can appear glued!

 

[RSnodgrass]

Friggin bulkheads... perfect hole cut and still leaking.

 

[marty9876]

Two lessons, never touch a leak until it's fully assessed and if you dry fit really firmly they can appear glued!

Yea, I learnt me them there lessons alsos. When I first setup a 180g where my 450g is I didn't glue one of the returns, that made a big mess!

 

[RSnodgrass]

*edited*
Well the tank holds water but not much else just yet.

I had two leaky bulkheads, one stopped the other won't. Probably going to just silicone it. There is no torque on the bulkhead and perfectly aligned with the pump (unions match when disconnected).

I had a fitting that wasn't glued, now it is but it didn't matter because the grade A coupling it's connected to leaks so I'm debating cutting it out and replacing it without a coupling. There is no torque on the pipe and weight is fully supported.

The two VarioS 8's... loaded with features to prevent the pump from running. Does anyone use these successfully on a return? I could use some tips, particularly getting them to push water after a back siphon has started. Maybe I'm just too use to pumps that simply run and just need to wait a few minutes each time I shut it down to get out air out of the line.

 

[Jonty]

do you have check valves on your return pumps?

 

[RSnodgrass]

do you have check valves on your return pumps?

No, I've never used them... however, I see where you're going I think... it seems that would greatly benefit a pump like this being used in my configuration as they don't seem to perform well when any air is present.

I set everything up in my sump to allow back siphoning which aids in my method of water changes. It fills with ~30gal and I use the pump to pump it out.

 

[RSnodgrass]

I might look at cutting one in on my longer run where there is room for it. I'd still have the siphon I need but know one pump will likely run right away while the other sits in safe mode.

 

[Jonty]

or "T" after the check valve with another valve so you can drain when you need two, also you can combine the two outlets into one after the check valves

 

[RSnodgrass]

or "T" after the check valve with another valve so you can drain when you need two, also you can combine the two outlets into one after the check valves

OH if I only had the wall space for that (o:
But I do like the way you think... I'll have to kick it around as it's a good idea just tough to do with the space I have.

On a good note my filter wall is working pretty well. Once the bulkhead is fixed I'll be able to run both pumps on full and see for sure.

 

[acharpenter]

Half way into the office, was able to use a dolly after a short break. View attachment 32392

OMG - no freaking way!!!

 

[RSnodgrass]

Replaced a gasket and believe I found out why the bulkhead leaked... there are two slight but distinct ridges where the halves were fuzed. Solution of the moment was to apply some silicone to the gasket as I couldn't find anything saying that as a problem. Since it's between the gasket and bulkhead I figure I can still easily remove it if necessary.

 

[RSnodgrass]

These arrived today... fair bit bigger then a normal 3/4ths lock-line section. Very shiny, possibly coated to try and seal the porous structure from 3d printing. The narrowest point is just big enough for my pinky tip to fit in.

 

[RSnodgrass]

Pressure test update.
- no leaks

Overflow update.
- only using 2 of the 4 drain pipes because they drain so fast the pumps cannot max them out. Could easily have a third pump because the two I'm using are partially restricted.

Pump update.
- There is a really annoying higher pitch hum coming from them and I'm hoping an additional rubber mat under them will help. I have to believe something is vibrating as I didn't hear this on my temporary tank before. Alternatively I'll need to make a Styrofoam box around them with a computer fan for cooling because it's a rather unpleasant sound.

 

[RSnodgrass]

Salt tornado as the mixing has begun.

Filled the sump with two buckets of salt.

Sump test for how much back siphon it can handle and I've got room to spare, very happy about this.

 

[RSnodgrass]

The new nozzles for my lock-line work exceedingly well. It's a very obvious increase in flow and the amount of water moving upward behind the heads is meaningfully better.

The randomness is also quite evident... I hope they hold up in salt water but it's probably more a question of how long they will. I have a video if the site lets me load it.

Full tank from the front and back.

 

[RSnodgrass]

Thanks to my brother I got a free tablet to mount for my Apex! This was actually the easiest thing to do on my Apex so far... someone must be making good money remotely programming these things for people.

It's retractable so it can be hidden but also extends up and out enough to stand and look at it.

 

[H2OHOH]

Very cool build

 

[RSnodgrass]

I got my webcam using one of my old cell phones. Turns out this HTC had significantly better low light capabilities then my other one. To keep it simple I'm just using an app called Alfred which is free but not high def. Anyone know where DG's old thread is for the how to set this up as a private IP camera? This would allow me to use it in HD I believe.

I've got a second phone I'll set up on a table mount to see the actual tank when I'm gone for an extended period of time.

 

[David Grigor]

I got my webcam using one of my old cell phones. Turns out this HTC had significantly better low light capabilities then my other one. To keep it simple I'm just using an app called Alfred which is free but not high def. Anyone know where DG's old thread is for the how to set this up as a private IP camera? This would allow me to use it in HD I believe.

I've got a second phone I'll set up on a table mount to see the actual tank when I'm gone for an extended period of time.
View attachment 32636

It was Ben Nichols post.


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