NateG
Full Member
Posts: 222
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Post by NateG on Mar 30, 2014 10:46:52 GMT -5
+1 on the pocket screws and do use a good water based wood glue, over time you will have been glad you did. If its something you care about, using 1x 4 and 1x6 poplar boards are amazing for stand framing. In humid environments (us), they don't deform, shrink or swell, making them ideal. They are obviously more expensive than pine, but they are ideal. Some cheap paintable bathroom caulking on the seams, then paint with an oil based enamel and it will be rock solid.
I personally reeally dislike 55 gallon sumps. I've always found them to be a pain to work in, water moves through them too fast etc. You can always make an opening out the back of the stand to have a 40 breeder protrude out the back. No more than 2 inches. Protruded out the back of a 75 I did a few weeks ago only 1.5". A 3" trimmed 2x4 screwed to the back of the stand with some spray paint did the trick. You will also not have issue upgrading equipment etc if you choose to with a 40 breeder. Whereas you may be limited with the 55
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Post by maineultraclassic on Mar 30, 2014 12:30:40 GMT -5
That coast to coast overflow is hideous......takes up way too much space. 55 for a sump is way too tall and narrow, in my opinion. |
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Post by Syntax on Mar 30, 2014 12:56:18 GMT -5
That coast to coast overflow is hideous......takes up way too much space. 55 for a sump is way too tall and narrow, in my opinion. He built it too large... but the surface skimming is awesome and allows the skimmer to really go to work. I'm going to find a way to make the 40 breeder work... Sale starts Tuesday at Petco? |
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Post by Lance on Mar 30, 2014 13:33:20 GMT -5
I'm trying to understand the rationale for the coast to coast overflow. As I understand it, there are 3 stated benefits:
- Noise reduction
- Enhanced obstruction resistance, i.e. doesn't get plugged up preventing overflows
- Enhanced surface skimming, removing surface active proteins faster, feeding your protein skimmer faster
So, I get the noise reduction bit...if that's what you want. Personally I like hearing my overflow. I like the sound of running water AND NOT HEARING water running is a major clue if something were to go wrong. Re: enhanced obstruction resistance, I have NEVER seen a well designed overflow become obstructed in a reef tank where a properly sized pump was in use. If you're over-driving your drainage, you're on your own. Additionally, if the goal is to avoid leaks it seems that adding additional penetrations to your tank wall is adding to this risk. I've seen plenty of bulkheads fail and by my count this approach adds to that risk. Finally, enhanced surface skimming...this is one of those things that I can only see mattering in very specific cases, and mostly where you're running your tank on the edge of acceptable filtration. Think about your aquarium like a car. Sure, you can design it like a Ferrari, finely tuned, runs great when finely tuned, and easily goes out of tune. Or you can design your tank like a heavy duty pickup...more space and muscle than you typically need, but it's there if you need it. It can also go mud bogging, get dinged and dented, run on any cheap fuel, and still do its job without failure. I run my tank like the latter. My display is 75 gal and is overloaded with fish. I get away because I have an additional 120-150 gal of water in frag tanks and filtration that are NOT heavily loaded with fish. I also have a dramatically over-sized skimmer for a "75"; it's rated for 420 gal. I turn over the tank at a reasonable clip (7/hour) and I never see protein on the surface with my center back overflow. My main point on the surface skimming issue is one of cost. If budgetarily I had to choose between this type of overflow and a larger protein skimmer, I'd go with the protein skimmer every time. An overflow does not remove skimmate, a protein skimmer does. Feeding it faster is only relevant if you're unable to feed it fast enough, a condition I don't think exists if other parameters are correct in the first place. Thoughts? Am I missing something? Cheers! |
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Post by speedyron on Mar 30, 2014 13:45:02 GMT -5
i bet it sucks up the food b4 the fish get it. my overflow is on one side so I feed on the other so fish get it b4 the overflow and I try to make the food sink by pinching it under water b4 I let go
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Post by speedyron on Mar 30, 2014 13:45:55 GMT -5
IE Veggie flakes
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Post by Syntax on Mar 30, 2014 13:51:44 GMT -5
Good points... You guys are making me second guess myself.... and that's a very good thing!
I like the idea of having an emergency drain in case something does happen; however, I can accomplish that with a smaller internal overflow box of 12 to 24 inches.
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NateG
Full Member
Posts: 222
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Post by NateG on Mar 30, 2014 14:07:17 GMT -5
Very well said Lance! And is surface skimming SO important that you (people) are willing to risk their prized livestock going up and over the edge? I am of the belief that every fish is a jumper and every fish is capable of escape one way or another. At work we had a decent sized dragon wrasse (2.5") that made its way into the sump and the overflow has 3/16" spacing in the teeth. Boggles my mind but it does in fact happen. What if he get jammed in a drain valve. Dead.
I do like the stand he made in that build. It would appear to be well made. One little critique I have is how he didn't plug up any of the pocket screw holes. The plugs are cheap. And it would make it look much more finished as well as being more properly sealed.
Also see if a buddy has a biscuit cutter. They are great for long stretches like his 4 L shaped uprights. Put a biscuit every 5 or so inches and then wood glue and clamps and that will be stronger than how he used the pocket screws. The entire top (trim) of my cabinet is held down with biscuits. They are also great for areas where you just cant drill.
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Post by maineultraclassic on Mar 30, 2014 14:12:01 GMT -5
Sale starts Tuesday at Petco? I have read it started today on RC. I almost stopped by today when I went to Lowes, but I figured I could just throw my money out the window going down the pike instead of on a fish that will be dead in a day or two. |
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Post by speedyron on Mar 30, 2014 14:30:11 GMT -5
is surface skimming SO important that you (people) are willing to risk their prized livestock going up and over the edge if a buddy has a biscuit cutter. They are great for long stretches like his 4 L shaped uprights. Put a biscuit every 5 or so inches and then wood glue and clamps and that will be stronger than how he used the pocket screws. The entire top (trim) of my cabinet is held down with biscuits. They are also great for areas where you just cant drill. I had a lawnmower blennie used go into the overflow and eat the algae. had put plastic mesh over it keep him out. he'd still get unerneath mat and I'd find him there try fish him out. I was going to mention biscuit joiner I have one I use to make speaker cabinets, amplifier cabs and such. Didnt know if it would be as strong as the pocket screws tho since i dont own one them |
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Post by speedyron on Mar 30, 2014 14:34:06 GMT -5
last stand I built  |
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NateG
Full Member
Posts: 222
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Post by NateG on Mar 30, 2014 14:34:58 GMT -5
haha funny little critters aren't they
Yep fwiw i used the same pocket screw jig as in his build thread. It was the cheapest one I could find. I think I spent 45 on it. Pocket screws are so quick and easy to put in i would still put maybe 4 pairs of them in those uprights. Why the hell not right. Can't hurt.
Yeah you've just gotta use a good water based wood glue so that the bisquits swell up and don't budge. Just remember, when you think you have enough clamps, at one point you will wish you had like 5 more haha
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Post by speedyron on Mar 30, 2014 14:50:13 GMT -5
I make the clamps. take piece strapping longer then what u need and screw a block wood on one end as a cleat. take like 8" long or so strapping and cut diagonally corner to corner making to identical triangles and place them back together the same as b4 they were cut. now put the cleat on one side of the piece needing to be clamped and the triangle blocks on the other and screw another block behind triangle pieces. Then just tap one triangle blocks in against the other making it swell and clamp. Once u have a number triangles and blocks around you can use just bout anything for the strapping length. who needs bar clamps
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Post by Syntax on Mar 30, 2014 14:55:35 GMT -5
Sale starts Tuesday at Petco? I have read it started today on RC. I almost stopped by today when I went to Lowes, but I figured I could just throw my money out the window going down the pike instead of on a fish that will be dead in a day or two. I'm picking up my 40 breeder tomorrow.  |
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Post by Syntax on Mar 30, 2014 14:57:20 GMT -5
is surface skimming SO important that you (people) are willing to risk their prized livestock going up and over the edge if a buddy has a biscuit cutter. They are great for long stretches like his 4 L shaped uprights. Put a biscuit every 5 or so inches and then wood glue and clamps and that will be stronger than how he used the pocket screws. The entire top (trim) of my cabinet is held down with biscuits. They are also great for areas where you just cant drill. I had a lawnmower blennie used go into the overflow and eat the algae. had put plastic mesh over it keep him out. he'd still get unerneath mat and I'd find him there try fish him out. I was going to mention biscuit joiner I have one I use to make speaker cabinets, amplifier cabs and such. Didnt know if it would be as strong as the pocket screws tho since i dont own one them I read somewhere on RC that biscuits are not as strong as pockets.... who knows though... everyone's an expert, right? |
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