DIY projects

Well, I planned my work and worked my plan...until my brain got in the way, then I revised my plan and made things way more complicated.
Anyway, the plumbing is done...mostly.

How we got there:

Time to plumb a pump.

I started with a 3/4" to 1 1/2" adaptor threaded to a 1 1/2" union. I screwed these 2 fittings together prior to putting them on the pump to avoid cracking the pump housing.


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I want to start by thanking melev (Marc) for a great plumbing article and the follow up comments as well for helping me plan and begin the plumbing on my tank (finally).

Marc's article can be found here: http://www.reefaddicts.com/content.p...o-it-correctly

Here's the tank and sump on the stand (yeah).


Here's most of the plumbing parts. Some of you will notice there's a single union ball valve in ...

I want to keep my project moving forward, but as I said in my last post the oil base floor and utility enamel is taking a long time to dry. Fortunately, I learned my lesson and started painting without thinning first. When I painted the remainder of the stand, it dried much faster and I've been able to get two good coats on the top and sides. I plan on moving ahead with the plumbing this week prior to putting the second coat on the underside of the stand.

For tonight, I decided to move ...

A very busy work week and cooler temperatures have slowed progress to a crawl this week.

On Monday I got the top on the stand frame and lifted the tank into place for a trial. I wanted to confirm the height would be about what I'd thought and get the wife's approval. Here's a picture of the tank on the frame with my wife (5'2") standing next to it. I thought I'd also gotten a picture with the sump in place once I'd completed the lower platform, but I can't find it now.
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First let's take care of some house keeping. I ordered some more parts Friday (Mag 12 for return, (2) 150 watt heaters, and the biopellet reactor). I was a little disappointed because the Vertex reactors were out of stock, so I ordered the slightly more expensive Reef Octopus. Both reactors seem to get good reviews so I don't think I necessarily settled for a lesser version and I was into free shipping so I didn't want to wait for the Vertex reactors to be restocked. Everything should arrive by ...