300 gallon SA/CE community build thread!!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
How do the standpipes connect? Surely just a press fit would leak with the pressure of a 30 inch high water column. if you just PVC glue them in, they can't be removed. If you put a male threaded adapter on the end of the standpipe, and a female threaded fitting in the hole in the tank, does it leak? Does it have to be done at the factory before they seal the overflow towers in place inside the tank? If I ever had to change the bulkhead fitting on the drain holes, it starts leaking, I'd have to drain the tank, and then remove the overflow tower box thing, then change the fitting, then replace the overflow box?

Standpipes are attached to threaded adapters and threaded into the bulkheads ......just hand tightened for easy removal. They leak a little but it's into the sump (down the drain)


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I might have missed it but how are the aqua controllers working out for you? Think you said you had the neptune ones...what have you all done with them so far? I'm looking into these for my build as well.

I really like the apex but it's not doing a ton except for lighting right now. Will be digging into its programming soon as I setup the drip finally.


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I really like the apex but it's not doing a ton except for lighting right now. Will be digging into its programming soon as I setup the drip finally.


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Glad you like them...I am really looking into them for my build which hopefully will get started this fall sometime...would like to have the day night cycle setup with the light dimmers and an auto topoff system as well...when you get that setup and let me know how you like it.
 
Glad you like them...I am really looking into them for my build which hopefully will get started this fall sometime...would like to have the day night cycle setup with the light dimmers and an auto topoff system as well...when you get that setup and let me know how you like it.

Auto top off is next on my list. Really want to do more of a drip but location is tough. Gonna need floats and pumps to pull it off.


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Auto top off is next on my list. Really want to do more of a drip but location is tough. Gonna need floats and pumps to pull it off.


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Yeah I'm just waiting to see what house we buy this spring so I can figure out how everything is going to come together...I'll probably do an in-wall setup if the basement is unfinished then I can run all the pipes I want in a room behind the tank and setup a drip and nothing will be seen...debating either going with your same tank dimensions or going with a 96x36x30...we'll see what the tank fund looks like haha. Hope you don't mind but I think i'm gonna steal your sump idea...love the simplicity in it!
 
Yeah I'm just waiting to see what house we buy this spring so I can figure out how everything is going to come together...I'll probably do an in-wall setup if the basement is unfinished then I can run all the pipes I want in a room behind the tank and setup a drip and nothing will be seen...debating either going with your same tank dimensions or going with a 96x36x30...we'll see what the tank fund looks like haha. Hope you don't mind but I think i'm gonna steal your sump idea...love the simplicity in it!

Have at it! Design is there to share. Ironically, this one is the most advanced of the sumps I've built over the part few years. It's still the quietest of the bunch though, even besting the mighty Beananimal.




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Have at it! Design is there to share. Ironically, this one is the most advanced of the sumps I've built over the part few years. It's still the quietest of the bunch though, even besting the mighty Beananimal.




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Yeah after hearing how quiet you said it ran that was a big plus...I really like the pond box idea as well with the water getting pulled through the media and the boxes...anything you would change on it if you could do it again or are you pretty happy with the design overall?
 
Yeah after hearing how quiet you said it ran that was a big plus...I really like the pond box idea as well with the water getting pulled through the media and the boxes...anything you would change on it if you could do it again or are you pretty happy with the design overall?

Overall I wouldn't change much. The hangers for the socks are a little awkward at first but it's tough funding something to fit over a 75 glass trim. The trim is pretty wide so it was a compromise.

The pumps would be the only thing. The Q1's are great, but compared to all the new dc pumps, they aren't the most efficient. Really liking the new dc5500 diablos for roughly the same water volume. 2 Q16000's consume around 280watts. 2 dc5500's consume 110watts.


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Overall I wouldn't change much. The hangers for the socks are a little awkward at first but it's tough funding something to fit over a 75 glass trim. The trim is pretty wide so it was a compromise.

The pumps would be the only thing. The Q1's are great, but compared to all the new dc pumps, they aren't the most efficient. Really liking the new dc5500 diablos for roughly the same water volume. 2 Q16000's consume around 280watts. 2 dc5500's consume 110watts.


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Thanks for the info...I'll have to take a look at those pumps then over the Q1's. I'm looking at a 75 gallon sump as well because I already have an empty 75 in the basement to use but if I go with the 96x36x30 I might step up a little bigger possibly or maybe just ad add a canister filter if need be. I'm going to start looking around and start piecing together equipment that I know I'm going to need and slowly start picking some stuff up...figure it'll look a little better to my wife if I get everyting in small doses haha! Thanks again for the help and advice...appreciate it!

Oh and forgot to ask and sorry if I missed it but what are you running for heaters?
 
Thanks for the info...I'll have to take a look at those pumps then over the Q1's. I'm looking at a 75 gallon sump as well because I already have an empty 75 in the basement to use but if I go with the 96x36x30 I might step up a little bigger possibly or maybe just ad add a canister filter if need be. I'm going to start looking around and start piecing together equipment that I know I'm going to need and slowly start picking some stuff up...figure it'll look a little better to my wife if I get everyting in small doses haha! Thanks again for the help and advice...appreciate it!

Oh and forgot to ask and sorry if I missed it but what are you running for heaters?

No worries! My pleasure and no heaters here in Orlando. My fans kick on during the summer and if the Beani end up in here, I'll be running a chiller.


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