230G Rimless Starphire AquaForest (56K!)

[scolley]

Originally Posted by khoile

The reason I have them the way they are because I thought for UV to be most effective, contact time is the key. By having the UV in series I double the contact time. Heaters is probaly the same? I can heat the water more effectively if the heaters module are in series.

Not true. At least I don't think so. Assuming the dwell time is the same in two different water paths, having either heat or UV in series on a single path should have just the same effect as it being spread across two paths. But the assumes the same flow rate (dwell time) on both paths. And by spreading and given function across two paths, you reduce the negative impact of losing one path.

Originally Posted by khoile

I just afraid a plant piece or something can catch on the probe and cause it to give a false reading. Can any plant make it through the propeller in one piece?

No. But the little chunks can gum up a solenoid. And you and best plan on some sort of pre-filter before it gets to your pump. It would really be a drag to have a Sequence turn into toast because you let a piece of cabbage get sucked into the outflow!

Originally Posted by plantbrain

If OC or the Rainbow stuff does not do it for you, check out Aquaticeco.
They have larger systems with much better flow and pipe sizing.

Tom's talking about Aquaticecosystems.com. Great people! Anyone planning a tank your size should not do it without first spending an hour or three going over every page of their catalogue. They will have stuff that you never thought of, and upon seeing it, will wonder how you could have ever lived with out it. For myself, that includes cable harnesses, tubing connectors, and hard to find PVC pieces. And not to be discounted... they sell primo teflon tape.

Originally Posted by khoile

Yup I will plumb with an additional pump in mind, so if needed, I can just hook one up, no need to re-plumb.

Having two pumps now, I'm absolutely convinced that one pump, pushing parallel paths is better. Isn't Tom's like that?

Anyway, I can't do that now because my tubing/pipe diameter is too small. Hoover dam could not push water any faster through my 3/4" pipe than it's moving now. But you are using nice fat pipes! One pump should do. Plumbing so you can easily add a 2nd if required is ideal!


Keep up the good work!


PS - good decision to be ready to use OC's vs. the Pentairs.

[clwatkins10]

i like the plans, did you use sketch-up? must have taken forever, subscried

[intermediate_noob]

Originally Posted by khoile

Tom,

I already bought all the pentair modules, so I guess I'll try them out first, but I'm convinced that OC is better now. I just have to make sure I design the plumbing so that I could swap in the OC if needed.

I will tell you from personal experience that replacing plumbing after the tank goes in is the biggest pain in the butt I have had with any tank. I rushed and had to replace a sump (had to rehouse all fish and plants) because I did not test enough and now having to replace two pumps because they were "what I had". With that stand you are planning it will also be incredibly difficult to get in and out of if you need to replace all that stuff.

That is just my two cents on the subject. I know you have bought your stuff and want to use it, and I have never used it so take it for what its worth. I just hate it when people have to relive the nightmares I have had to go through.

This is a great thread and you are getting some awesome advice. Heck Mr. Barr himself stopped by!

Lastly. which mechanical modules did you get? I was at the Pentair site and they said the single modules are only good up to a 150 gallon tank or something.

Also, the AquaticEco site is horrid now, just had to mention that. Cannot find anything unless you know what you are searching for.

[fishscale]

How dare you post this, you should be banned. Making me all jealous, terrible.

[duzzy]

Hi there,

this is shaping into one hell of a cracking tank, will definitely keep this thread on the watching list. All the best with it. Also what is starphire glass?

Regards Darren

[scolley]

Originally Posted by intermediate_noob

Also, the AquaticEco site is horrid now, just had to mention that. Cannot find anything unless you know what you are searching for.

That is absolutely true. But their catalog weights a couple of pounds and is very well organized. It is spectacular. Which is why I mentioned it.

Everyone that has a planted tank should go onto their website to request the catalog.

Oh yeah, their prices tend to be high. But they are also the only place you will find a lot of really cool things. For example the really big filters Tom was referring to.

Sorry for the hijack khoile - but you do need to get your hands on that catalog before you finish this wonderful tank.

[scolley]

Originally Posted by intermediate_noob

With that stand you are planning it will also be incredibly difficult to get in and out of if you need to replace all that stuff.

As it is, yes. But if khoile puts a few more ball valves into his design, and puts a union in front of, and behind, every component it won't be nearly so hard.

khoile - if you do that, the unions I mean. Be sure that you always put every union pointing in the same direction with respect to water flow. For instance installing them all so that water flows in the little side and out the large side. That way when you replace a component, you install 1/2 a union (the little piece) on the inflow side of the component and the other 1/2 of that same union (the big piece) on the outflow side. If everything in the stand that way, switching components will be a simple matter of shutting off some ball valves (maybe a pump) and unscrewing the old component and screwing in the new.

[intermediate_noob]

Originally Posted by scolley

Everyone that has a planted tank should go onto their website to request the catalog.

Thanks for the idea, I appreciate it.
Edit 1:
FYI, you can download the whole catalog. All 128 megabytes of it.

http://www.aquaticeco.com/images/sta...008-hi-res.pdf

Edit 2:

And OMG it is SEARCHABLE!!! Will Wonders never cease! (I think I need to get out more!)

[khoile]

Thanks everyone, really helpful tips.

Ok I'll call them and get the catalog. I agreed, their website is almost useless, it like it's design to work if you have the catalog in hand and know exactly what part number you want, or else it's manually clicking through thousand of products.

intermediate_noob:
I bought the pentair double modules. They are rated for 200 gallon tank, whatever that mean . I got two mechanical, hopefully that will allow me to run 2 weeks without media change. I know I know, OC will run for a month, probaly more.

Steve:
Thanks for the plumbing tip, I need as much tip as I can because this is my first plumbing project.

[Raul-7]

Originally Posted by duzzy

Hi there,

this is shaping into one hell of a cracking tank, will definitely keep this thread on the watching list. All the best with it. Also what is starphire glass?

Regards Darren

Starphire is a brand of low-iron glass (glass without the green tinge).

[khoile]

Ok here she is:












Now I got lots of work to do .

Khoi

[scolley]

WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW!

That is SWEET! You've got my dream tank! You are going to have SO much fun!

[tropicalfish]

Wow!
What a really nice tank!

[SeaSerpant]

Can't wait to see it up with some water in it.

[giga]

Nice, some day I will own a 300 gallon tank much like your 230G i'm a little jealous