BTW - the plants are just "in there" - for anybody who has planted a tall tank in the dark you know exactly what I mean. Replanting, moving, etc still to come - again, just more of the fun!!
150 Gallon Build Thread ... From the Start
- Thread starter WaywardSon
- Start date
WATER!
Yes, my faithful viewer - WATER!!!!! Thanks for checking it out and following through the build!
WATER!!!
WATER - Life's Elixir - It's HERE! :dance: :headbang2::dance2:
- I'm a little excited for you! I have to live vicariously through you until I can afford a tank this size.
-Can't wait to do a thread like this for myself - excellent work cfsinc!
WATER - Life's Elixir - It's HERE! :dance: :headbang2::dance2:
- I'm a little excited for you! I have to live vicariously through you until I can afford a tank this size.
-Can't wait to do a thread like this for myself - excellent work cfsinc!
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Just finished my water change in Asia and what do I see?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abcgpn2UTV8
Water.... :headbang2:
Regardless of any additional tweaking with plant placement etc. the scape already looks awesome Coy! Should really have nice balance once the plants take off.
Dude, there is ALWAYS a pain in the ____ to deal with any tank of this size (especially a high tech one...)
A little bit of trouble shooting is clearly necessary on the reactor:
1) First, was the UV sterilizer's install water tight (or could you not evaluate)?
2) I am almost positive the seal that is "leaking" is the black screw cap on top and bottom of the reactor. Note these screw lids are in place to allow for replacement and filling of the the bioballs in the reactor. My guess is that those screw lids are not tight. Take a plumbing wrench, wrap the stem of the lid in a towel, etc. and crank down on the lids to make sure are actually seated tightly. I had to do the exact same thing with mine as during the install, all the tweaking and torquing on the reactor stem caused it to unscrew slightly. I think you will find that after this simple step, the entire unit will be water-tight.
The entire unit should otherwise be water tight; if this doesn't solve the problem you may have a faulty unit or if you're seeing a leak from the clear plastic housing itself.
Keep me updated and I'll try to help you troubleshoot...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abcgpn2UTV8
Water.... :headbang2:
Regardless of any additional tweaking with plant placement etc. the scape already looks awesome Coy! Should really have nice balance once the plants take off.
Dude, there is ALWAYS a pain in the ____ to deal with any tank of this size (especially a high tech one...)
A little bit of trouble shooting is clearly necessary on the reactor:
1) First, was the UV sterilizer's install water tight (or could you not evaluate)?
2) I am almost positive the seal that is "leaking" is the black screw cap on top and bottom of the reactor. Note these screw lids are in place to allow for replacement and filling of the the bioballs in the reactor. My guess is that those screw lids are not tight. Take a plumbing wrench, wrap the stem of the lid in a towel, etc. and crank down on the lids to make sure are actually seated tightly. I had to do the exact same thing with mine as during the install, all the tweaking and torquing on the reactor stem caused it to unscrew slightly. I think you will find that after this simple step, the entire unit will be water-tight.
The entire unit should otherwise be water tight; if this doesn't solve the problem you may have a faulty unit or if you're seeing a leak from the clear plastic housing itself.
Keep me updated and I'll try to help you troubleshoot...
Almost forgot... yes having a canopy is a mixed blessing. It makes the setup look professional, hides unsightly wires and units and otherwise allows a tank to look like a piece of room furniture. It can also mean a PITA when, among other things, placing items in or taking them out of the tank. Case in point... my triceratops skull driftwood:
I occasionally remove this from the tank to perform a good scrub down (usually once every 3-4 weeks). To get it out, I lift the canopy up and over my head like a military press and then lower it to the floor :headshake2: You addtionally have the benefit of mounted lights; mine sit on the tank top and are a PITA to reposition/replace when removing the hood in this fashion.
Yes indeed, it is part of the sacrifice for owning a showpiece tank that doesn't sit in the basement or garage...
I occasionally remove this from the tank to perform a good scrub down (usually once every 3-4 weeks). To get it out, I lift the canopy up and over my head like a military press and then lower it to the floor :headshake2: You addtionally have the benefit of mounted lights; mine sit on the tank top and are a PITA to reposition/replace when removing the hood in this fashion.
Yes indeed, it is part of the sacrifice for owning a showpiece tank that doesn't sit in the basement or garage...
Thanks for the compliments and support!
I think you hit the nail on the head - when torking down the UV connections, the "lid" on the bottom of the reactor worked itself loose. I could kick myself for not checking. I will likely re-plumb the setup; but, as you can well imagine, my confidence is a bit shaky. And, no, we didn't get a chance to check the seals of the sterilizer - the water never made it that far - the sprinkler (I mean reactor) took care of that!
Thanks again Vader for all your insight ...
I hear you man - fitting those wood sculptures around the cross-braces on the top of the tank was a treat!
I double hear you man on the canopy! Definitely a mixed blessing. I have to have my son come over any time I want to take it off - too heavy for the Mrs.
Anyway, enough whining - I'll be able to "jam" this 150 with plants. It's actually staggering how much it can hold ... now, the fun part begins!!!
