Incoming Plumbing Parts

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Mr. ReefDVMs

“Incoming parts” was the story of today.  While working our other three jobs we managed to get deliveries via UPS, Fed Ex and USPS today.  The shipments from Bulk Reef Supply and Digital aquatics came today.  The planning phase has officially ended and now we begin the first part of the construction phase…ie plumbing.

4-25-13 (4)

We decided due to the large head height of the system and the large sized sump and pumps that it would be best to use the schedule 80 PVC with Gate valves and Cetex valves and for the simple fact that we like the gray pipe look better.  We went with all true unions and have planned for hopefully enough redundant parts and pathways to over come the major possible flooding issues between the floors.  We will keep the videos and pics coming as the project takes place.

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Good Coral Overview Video

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Mr. ReefDVMs

 Videos like this are very good for beginner reefers, they quickly show the types and basic needs of the corals available.  We like these videos for they can be watched at home on one’s own time and convenience.

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New sump stand in progress

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Mr. ReefDVMs

4-23-13 update:

The new sump is coming and hence we need to plan for its stand.  We discussed a metal stand, but we have to place it in the basement area on concrete.  Since in Minnesota the basement is a cool damp location that might not be the best with saltwater and rust.  Also flat panel steel is very expensive to rest the sump on.  The idea then was to do a wood stand.  

Sump Space Making

Removed a few existing shelves for the new stand to sit right where this older 55 gallon is

The plans were made with wood and when we realized the weight of the 60″ by 16″ by 15″ sump plus the water, live rock, skimmer and all the supplies places about 1/2 ton of weight on the stand.  This caused us to start over the plans for building the wood stand.  This dramatically increased cost and size and soon it was apparent we needed to consider a hybrid option.

Sump Shelving

New 72 long sump shelving after powder coating black

The hybrid plan then developed as follows: take a commercial steel stand for the infrastructure have it powder coated and make sure its rated a ton per shelf.  Then take the wire steel shelves on the commercial stand and replace them with 1 inch MDF Wood and 1/2 inch foam to rest the sump on.  Also then use the rest of the shelves to help redistribute the weight of the pumps and supplies.  We will use four poly rubber pieces to isolate the steel via the concrete to help the legs from rusting also.  We hope to have this ready for install in two weeks and we will keep the pictures coming.

replacing the shelves

Replacing the steel wire shelves with wood

 

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Frozen water on the windows

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Mr. ReefDVMs

Sometimes its hard to not resist the fun of photographing the elements we love.  In this case the water.  Here in Minnesota we get spring snowstorms and this one left some really cool droplets on the windows as it froze.  Water is really the life blood of our hobby and its so cool we thought we share this great shot.

water droplets

water droplets

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Planning stage for the new sump

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Mr. ReefDVMs

Well after five years of work on the new system and raising the funds for it we are actually moving ahead on our end.  The sump is now scheduled to be made and arrive by June 1st to Minnesota here.  We are very excited as we start the plumbing phase of the project.  We have here the CAD design of the sump being made.  

sump drawnings

Sump cad drawing

The flow sheet containing most of the sump fitting and rough plumbing ideas is below.

sump plumbing plan

Sump idea

 The planning phase is also most done; the plumbing supplies will start arriving late next week also.  We will try to keep posts coming so it’s easier to follow the build.

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How to pickout the right fish food

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Mrs. ReefDVMs

A great way for a beginner to know which fish food to feed is by watching videos like this.

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Marine Club in Japan posted a very cool creature to see, great video and excellent music.

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Mr. ReefDVMs

This octopus in No. 7 in the second movement is a paper nautilus by the Marine Club in Japan, just a very cool creature to see, great video and excellent music.  Check it out.

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Great Hair Algae Remover

Posted on April 13, 2013 by Mr. ReefDVMs

A great way to get rid of Hair Algae is to have a fish that loves it.  We have had many foxface and the one spot foxface has been the best at it, probably even better then the yellow tang.

 

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Very cool video of a AI Sols at work

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Mrs. ReefDVMs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mG2cT1ZYX8Q#!ReefDVMs on You Tube

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Good video on fish stocking for beginners

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Mr. ReefDVMs

Clown

Sometimes on the web you really can find great knowledge.  This video by BRS really is easy to understand and does a pretty good job of discussing the ins and outs of stocking your tank.  Overall a good beginner video.

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