New Build ~ 600 Gallon

[JK47]

The knock outs for the cabinet are on the bottom. I used a set of pvc couplings as legs to elevate the cabinet so the wires can go underneath.



Ammonia is slowly decreasing and the last pic is nitrate creep over 48 hours. Not much but the cycle is getting close. Looks like stock will be going in within the next few days

 

[JK47]

The Apex will not be hooked up until the cycle is complete. I don't want to throw off the calibrations. I need to finish the sump and backwash lines.

I ordered new matala in grey with smaller openings to accommodate for the K1 being micro. I will build a formufit frame for it as well. Lots left to do but we are close. All finishing work will be done with stock in the tank.

 

[JK47]

The tank is almost done cycling. Fish go in by the weekend so I have a lot of work ahead each weeknight.

The check valves arrived Saturday afternoon so I got to work late last night designing the backwash lines. I settled on this (test fitment). I need to pick up a couple elbows and unions on my lunch but will have them permanently installed tonight.

Tonights goal:
-Cement in the backwash lines
-Assemble the nursery stand and level it
-Get the nursery mounted on the stand as well as lighting mounted

 

[JK47]

Backwash lines are finished. The sight glass is mounted so I can clearly see if from the side of the nursery. There is an under cabinet LED that goes just above this on the stand. I also flipped the pressure gauges so I can see from the same angle.



The check valves are swing style (spring as fail safe). This will stop incoming flow from the back wash lines from going into any other filter or stressing the seals. This mean I can only backwash one filter at a time but it looks much cleaner around the room.

The 1.5" white line (on the ledge above the floor) is the exit line through the wall. I used a tee vs an elbow so it can be capped for now but can quickly connect other filters to it in the future as well. The line will remain pressurized or at least full for the most part.



The backwash and drip exit line are mostly assembled via rubber connections so it can be pulled apart and changed around the room in the future. The drip exit is the same 1.5" size but a separate line on the floor.

 

[Grinch]

Why did you coat your pool filters in plastic... trying to keep stains off of them?

It looks like you used flexible fittings on the backwash. Why? Vibration control?

Very jelly... awesome job

 

[JK47]

Why did you coat your pool filters in plastic... trying to keep stains off of them?

It looks like you used flexible fittings on the backwash. Why? Vibration control?

Very jelly... awesome job

Thank you. Yeah the trash bags are to keep any cement spills off of things.

The flexible fittings are just hose clamps and make it really easy to change things around. Options are nice to have in a room that is always changing.

 

[Grinch]

The flexible fittings are just hose clamps and make it really easy to change things around. Options are nice to have in a room that is always changing.

Do you plan on changing this area of the plumbing? Are you worried about this area and not ready to settle down on a plan?

Trying to wrap my head around your process because it looks great!

Another question that's been bugging me... how did you know what to order ahead of time? On my own recent builds I've driving myself nuts thinking about what I might or might not need. Now, this is partially driven by being poor, so if you've got bucks you can order whatever.... I'm just interested in what your approach to ordering is/was.

 

[JK47]

Do you plan on changing this area of the plumbing? Are you worried about this area and not ready to settle down on a plan?

Trying to wrap my head around your process because it looks great!

Another question that's been bugging me... how did you know what to order ahead of time? On my own recent builds I've driving myself nuts thinking about what I might or might not need. Now, this is partially driven by being poor, so if you've got bucks you can order whatever.... I'm just interested in what your approach to ordering is/was.

I don't plan to change it but like to assume I'll move a tank around or upgrade in the near future.

The planning is the fun part. OCD and not sleeping tend to help as well...

The approach:. plan the objective, proof of concept, parts list, budget, save up, build it. I break things into manageable chunks so I don't overlook something significant and can save up for the parts I need. Knowing which parts to get is really a matter of experience with setting up large tanks and the bits here or there that hang you up. For plumbing it can be tricky but I plan it in a linear format and get the pieces needed from there. Planning around fail safes and combining concepts is the hardest part. There are no 'how to' manuals for running a closed loop with a sump so I made them in here..

 

[fishguy306]

Wow, everything is so well thought out and assembled! I'm one of those that enjoys seeing the plumbing and equipment as much as the stock, yours is seriously beautiful. Nicely done!

 

[JK47]

Wow, everything is so well thought out and assembled! I'm one of those that enjoys seeing the plumbing and equipment as much as the stock, yours is seriously beautiful. Nicely done!

Thanks Matt!! I completely agree and enjoy the setup side as well. Planning and execution can be an art form IMO. The stock will finish this tank off nicely.