New Build ~ 600 Gallon

[jaws7777]

Thank you. Been enjoying your build from afar and decided to post mine as well. Thanks again for the back and forth in your thread, I've enjoyed it to this point.

Haha mine looks like a goldfish bowl compared to the beast !

The outlet to each pump is 1.5" reduced to 3/4" bulkhead fittings through a manifold. This enables the use of shortened loc-line.

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It is a REALLY tight fit next to this intake on the right hand side. There is a lot going on in that corner.

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You get the idea of what I am after here in this test fit.

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Manifolds all solvent welded and ready to install once the tank is drilled. The unions are just dry fit for now. I will not know the length of pipe needed for them until they are installed. Easy to do later

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Nice touch with the ball valves on the manifold. Really enjoying this thread.

 

[gangster]

Build out looks epic buddy!
I wish I was as ocd as you when installing a new tank!
Cant wait to see it filled!

 

[nzafi]

It's coming together. You can see the rough design below. The Ultima's are going to the left side of the tank. The pup nursery is mounted above the filters to not lose space.


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Now to switch to the tank plumbing..
x2 2" gravity fed, open channel drains for the sump
x2 2" intakes for the closed loop
x6 3/4 returns
x2 3/4" returns from the sump

I get the 2 2in drains for closed loop because you have two ultimas, but why are you doing 6 returns (3 each)? Is this to just distribute flow better? I think I also read that your intakes are designed to prevent your rays from getting stuck to them, how does that impact the efficiency for sucking up debris/waste?

Really curious as to how this comes out for you as I want to do a large tank with potentially dual ultimas minus the sump. Will the power usage be massive running dual ultimas?

 

[JK47]

I get the 2 2in drains for closed loop because you have two ultimas, but why are you doing 6 returns (3 each)? Is this to just distribute flow better? I think I also read that your intakes are designed to prevent your rays from getting stuck to them, how does that impact the efficiency for sucking up debris/waste?

Really curious as to how this comes out for you as I want to do a large tank with potentially dual ultimas minus the sump. Will the power usage be massive running dual ultimas?

The x3 returns on reach side are to distribute flow. I don't like taking my tanks down often so I like to build them for future "what if I want to" type scenarios. It's easier to turn them off than to not have them. Also since they are in the corner of the tank adding more takes up zero additional space.

The intakes will have very strong suction. Even with the basket intakes, these will be more efficient at removing mechanical than most overflow boxes etc... My comment about keeping rays from getting stuck is in regards to the placement and design more than the suction.

Power consumption is a huge consideration of the build. Reeflo pumps use less energy when valved back and extends the life of the pumps. I tried to find the most energy efficient and reliable external pumps. Reeflo is a trusted brand so they get my return business. I'm going for much more than I need in case of emergency. Normal operating flow should be valved back 1/3 or so. The point being everything is adjustable with this design. The main win from a power consumption standpoint is the heated drip system. That eliminates my heaters from running. I get more conservation there, than the pumps. I'm stretching the ongoing costs where I want them by spending up front.

As an example I can run one return on the bottom of the tank, full throttle to clean up/vacuum the floor then go right back to normal flow with the a single turn of a valve.

 

[JK47]

Build out looks epic buddy!
I wish I was as ocd as you when installing a new tank!
Cant wait to see it filled!

Hey brutha! I hope you're doing good. How are the cichla?

 

[nzafi]

The x3 returns on reach side are to distribute flow. I don't like taking my tanks down often so I like to build them for future "what if I want to" type scenarios. It's easier to turn them off than to not have them. Also since they are in the corner of the tank adding more takes up zero additional space.

The intakes will have very strong suction. Even with the basket intakes, these will be more efficient at removing mechanical than most overflow boxes etc... My comment about keeping rays from getting stuck is in regards to the placement and design more than the suction.

Power consumption is a huge consideration of the build. Reeflo pumps use less energy when valved back and extends the life of the pumps. I tried to find the most energy efficient and reliable external pumps. Reeflo is a trusted brand so they get my return business. I'm going for much more than I need in case of emergency. Normal operating flow should be valved back 1/3 or so. The point being everything is adjustable with this design. The main win from a power consumption standpoint is the heated drip system. That eliminates my heaters from running. I get more conservation there, than the pumps. I'm stretching the ongoing costs where I want them by spending up front.

As an example I can run one return on the bottom of the tank, full throttle to clean up/vacuum the floor then go right back to normal flow with the a single turn of a valve.

Awesome. Is there a reason you didn't use the low profile intake at the bottom and get rid of having the piping in your tank?

Also are you going to follow the guidance of max 2500gph through the ultima II or you going to go higher?

 

[JK47]

Awesome. Is there a reason you didn't use the low profile intake at the bottom and get rid of having the piping in your tank?

Also are you going to follow the guidance of max 2500gph through the ultima II or you going to go higher?

Stellar question. The max flow will be followed. That's how I settled on two pumps and two Ultima's. I think people overdo the flow then complain about mechanical performance. Only time will tell if I am correct in that or not.

The low profile strainers (I have two for the open channel pipes) were not used for the intakes because rays... They like to play with everything. They would block low profile strainers and that suction is much stronger than the gravity fed, open channel pipes. If the intakes were connected I would have done it. I didn't think of it until well after everything was solvent welded though.

 

[JK47]

I am pausing here for a moment while I transfer the template to the other side. What do you guys think/prefer?

Option #1 - x3 Loc-Line knuckles & nozzle
Option #2 - x1 Loc-Line knuckles & nozzle
Option #3 - x0 Loc-Line knuckles & nozzle
Option #4 - just bulkhead fitting

I have not planned out the interior of the tank details/aesthetics yet. I don't want anything intrusive and so far prefer the one knuckle and nozzle (option 2)

 

[jaws7777]

More loc line knuckles would allow for more movement/adjustability but also probably make it easier for your rays to move them around. I had the same choice and opted for just the nozzle connected to the locline threaded adapter. Still can direct flow but a little less maneuverable

 

[JK47]

More loc line knuckles would allow for more movement/adjustability but also probably make it easier for your rays to move them around. I had the same choice and opted for just the nozzle connected to the locline threaded adapter. Still can direct flow but a little less maneuverable

I like where your head is at. Maybe I should to the bottom ones as just the nozzle and add knuckles to the top to point the flow better if it becomes an issue.