I finally pulled the trigger on my 220ish in-wall Display with basement equipment room

[Ironwill723]

It uses some juice for sure... According to Fusion, at wide open pumping 1235gph, it averages 275.5W for a monthly cost of $51.40. If I restrict flow with the ball valve to 800gph which is what I will run after I get rid of the green hair algae, power actually decreases to 265W... which baffles me. I have 13'-ish feet of head, with a 30'ft run from the basement sump to the tank. I have the version of the pump with the made in USA Baldor motor. I think I got it at Aquacave.

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I believe the more you restrict with the ball valve the less wattage is used. Looks like you are pretty close to their chart.

I'm guessing since you used the 1" returns that is why the GPH is lower than the estimate on the chart but you definitely don't need 3000+ gph for the return pump.

I'm looking at 15-16ft head from my basement to the tank. I'm shooting for around 1200-1500gph from the return pump. The Sicce Syncra ADV 10.0 is 90 watts max. / 23ft head / 2700gph. I may end up going with that one to save some on electricity costs. Great build thread...I also just got a tank from Glasscages.

 

[Jimbo327]

Wow, that turned out so nice. Built-in always looks so custom and high end. And you did it all by yourself is impressive on your carpentry skills.

 

[Rappa]

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I believe the more you restrict with the ball valve the less wattage is used. Looks like you are pretty close to their chart.

I'm guessing since you used the 1" returns that is why the GPH is lower than the estimate on the chart but you definitely don't need 3000+ gph for the return pump.

I'm looking at 15-16ft head from my basement to the tank. I'm shooting for around 1200-1500gph from the return pump. The Sicce Syncra ADV 10.0 is 90 watts max. / 23ft head / 2700gph. I may end up going with that one to save some on electricity costs. Great build thread...I also just got a tank from Glasscages.

I almost tried the Sicce myself. I was talked out of it by a friend of a friend that told me it wouldn't be powerful enough. Let me know how you make out, I really want to know. I am using the full 1-1/2" output and my run is all 1-1/2" pipe to the bottom of the stand where it tee's off into two 1" returns. There is some, but not too much restriction or pressure loss going into two 1" pipes. I think the long run and a few elbows gives me around 16'-18' total head. I was shooting for exactly 1200-1500 myself! Sounds like we are in pretty similar situations. Good luck and please keep me updated if it works for you. I wouldn't mind trying a DC pump to save some electricity costs, but the only one I think will work is the Italian super-pump.

 

[Rappa]

Wow, that turned out so nice. Built-in always looks so custom and high end. And you did it all by yourself is impressive on your carpentry skills.

Thanks Jimbo I appreciate the feedback! I just looked at your build thread and it is awesome! Same size tank pretty much... I wish I had the room for external overflow but I would have had to bring my tank further out another 2", which I didn't have unfortunately. I like your setup it's really clean.

 

[Ironwill723]

I almost tried the Sicce myself. I was talked out of it by a friend of a friend that told me it wouldn't be powerful enough. Let me know how you make out, I really want to know. I am using the full 1-1/2" output and my run is all 1-1/2" pipe to the bottom of the stand where it tee's off into two 1" returns. There is some, but not too much restriction or pressure loss going into two 1" pipes. I think the long run and a few elbows gives me around 16'-18' total head. I was shooting for exactly 1200-1500 myself! Sounds like we are in pretty similar situations. Good luck and please keep me updated if it works for you. I wouldn't mind trying a DC pump to save some electricity costs, but the only one I think will work is the Italian super-pump.

Definitely I will let you know. I actually already have both pumps on hand so I have been able to do some testing with the Sicce ADV 10.0 already. The Syncra ADV line pump that I have are actually the AC version of their DC line pumps. I didn't want a DC power brick on my return pump. I've had too many go bad on other equipment. Same exact pump as the Syncra SDC's but no controller or power brick. I'm actually probably going to do two of them. One dedicated to just the return line and one for my sump manifold.

 

[Tuna Melt]

Finishing the stand, trim, doors, cont.... Made a new chair rail around the bottom of the tank. First one was too narrow and I couldn't rest my elbows on it when doing the close-up stare/gazing. Now I can put my phone on it, or a bottle, etc... I also decided to hide the armored seems with a top chair rail. I am happy with the way it came out, nothing bothers me about it. The large top door lifts up great, and stays up great. I forgot to mention earlier that I had to move the light switches up, and reinstalled the wall outlet at the bottom of the stand side-panel.

I am LOVING!

 

[Rappa]

I am LOVING!

Thank you!!!!!!!! I am loving it as well! Appreciate the love...

 

[Rappa]

First Disaster: After firing the system up, I had several leaks that needed to be worked on. Nothing crazy, for example the Neptune flow meter didn't come with any Teflon thread tape on it. It didn't state anywhere in the instructions that you had to pull it apart and seal the threads. Seemed like every time I had to work on the return line, I was getting water all over the place... due to the check valve on the pump, the return line holds a LOT of water. I needed a way to empty the return line for maintenance, so I didn't spill 5 gallons of water all over the place every time I took a union apart. I cut in this tee, and installed a brass hose spigot. It actually has 2 functions... I can save the water in a bucket, or put the hose right into the drain if ever need to do a quick water change. The first tee ended in disaster. I must have put too much teflon tape on it, and it cracked while I was at work. Sprayed water everywhere! Thank God I used GFI outlets. I came home to everything shut off, and the entire filter room soaked with water. It sprayed water directly into the Neptune power bar. One power bar down! Odered a new one. I need to install leak sensors ASAP!

What a mess!

 

[Rappa]

Disaster #2 -

For some reason, I didn't glue this return elbow. I believe my thinking was, "I may want to take this apart before gluing in permanently..." Well, I forgot to glue it. So I'm standing there after fixing the tee with my phone in my hand. I slide the button on Fusion to turn the return pump on. BOOOOM! Elbow comes flying apart, and water shoots directly into my face at a rate of about 60 gallons per minute. My phone was soaked and I couldn't even see to shut the pump off. My phone was too wet to slide the button to off. Again, GFI outlets are your friend! I cannot stress how important they are. Within 10-15 seconds the GFI tripped and pump shut off. Effffe-Me... I think I was up until 4am cleaning up water and repairing the pipe. Now I'm scared to even leave this thing running when I'm not there. I canceled my work for the next day and babysat the system to ensure sure it didn't leak or blow apart again... This one was just my bad, going too fast, too excited, thinking about too much, forgetting things...

 

[Raptor72]

I’m getting ready to test out my WB 330 next week and this has made me double check my plumbing before then.

 

[Dierks]

Just... Wow... So nice man. Great work! I just caught back up and it has come together really quickly!! I also appreciate your feedback on that you have been working and saving for 10+ years and yet you still feel a bit guilty spending your hard-earned money on things you love. That my friend is when you know you are doing it right, you want to give to your family first. But they also want YOU to have the things you so deserve.

Congrats, the tank looks fantastic and so does your handiwork. You earned it!

 

[Rappa]

I’m getting ready to test out my WB 330 next week and this has made me double check my plumbing before then.

Oh yeah dude! Defintely double check! I used clear primer and glue for this plumbing, which I never use... so it's real easy to forget if you glued it or not. I had a lot of pipe though, with going downstairs and back up... Then I read a disclaimer from the "Furniture grade" pipe company that stated, "Not for plumbing use" which also scared me. But everyone uses it so it has to be fine... Mine has been running for many months now and no other issues so that's good.

 

[Rappa]

Just... Wow... So nice man. Great work! I just caught back up and it has come together really quickly!! I also appreciate your feedback on that you have been working and saving for 10+ years and yet you still feel a bit guilty spending your hard-earned money on things you love. That my friend is when you know you are doing it right, you want to give to your family first. But they also want YOU to have the things you so deserve.

Congrats, the tank looks fantastic and so does your handiwork. You earned it!

Dang man, your comment made my eyes well up... That is exactly how I feel you nailed it. And my wife said those exact words... "You deserve it". Thank you for the nice comment and I really do appreciate it. That made my day more than you know.

 

[Ironwill723]

Great job. Just an fyi..the brass fitting is a no-no in saltwater systems. Brass contains copper.

 

[Rappa]

Great job. Just an fyi..the brass fitting is a no-no in saltwater systems. Brass contains copper.

Thanks and I appreciate the comment. The only brass fittings are the spigot for that drain, and two spigots to drain my salt mixing tanks, which are true brass, not brass coated, and are 'mostly' used for draining waste water. I could always replace them with stainless I suppose... ICP test had zero copper. I did have low levels of tin though?

 

[Ironwill723]

Thanks and I appreciate the comment. The only brass fittings are the spigot for that drain, and two spigots to drain my salt mixing tanks, which are true brass, not brass coated, and are 'mostly' used for draining waste water. I could always replace them with stainless I suppose... ICP test had zero copper. I did have low levels of tin though?

I would maybe ask around in the chemistry forum. I just know anywhere brass is touching saltwater is usually no good.

 

[Rappa]

Fish going in! My 15 year old Clown's that were in my old tank had gone to stay with Domenic @OnPointCorals during the build of the new system. Finally got them back and into their new home. They are super happy and I'm glad to have these two fish from my old tank in this new one. They are part of our family and can live out their remaining years in luxury. I also got a baby Hippo Tang, some Anthias, Yellow Watchman, a Yasha Goby, Tobacco Basslet (FYI - not a god decision), a few Purple Firefish, a gorgeous clam, and some misc coral frags from @OnPointCorals to get me started.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Looking at the date of the 1st post to today, that was some serious motivation!

Having a basement and being able to sprawl out is priceless!

One thing that caught my eye is how you finished this section.

I'm curious how you tied that all in. Can you snap a close up from a different angle?

 

[Rappa]

Looking at the date of the 1st post to today, that was some serious motivation!

Having a basement and being able to sprawl out is priceless!

One thing that caught my eye is how you finished this section.

I'm curious how you tied that all in. Can you snap a close up from a different angle?

Yes I was seriously motivated... once I started working it became an addiction. I get extremely "into" a project when I am enjoying it. This thread makes it look faster than reality, because I didn't start the thread until I was done with construction and had time to focus on the build thread. I really wanted an on-line diary/journal so I could look back on the project myself. It's amazing how quickly you can forget about how much work you actually put into a project! The majority of the work/construction took me from mid-February 2023 to May/June 2023. I am still tinkering with it though, as it is a never-ending project... which is what makes it fun for me. And YES the basement is awesome!!! I love it so much I spend a lot of time down there tinkering.

Here are a few more shots of the stand and trim for you... It's not exactly how I wanted to finish the Crown and some of the trim under the tank. I wanted the bottom crown to match the ceiling crown end-point. But to be honest with you, I ran short on the bottom crown molding, so I just did my best with what I had left. It ended up looking fine for my taste. I am picky, so if it bothered me, I would have redone it. Also, by that point, I was pretty much out of money and the crown molding was like $10/ft or something ridiculous like that lol

I still have to paint the crack in the ceiling, and do some touch-ups to the doors, as the wood has shrunk a little since I built everything, and the joints are starting to show a little bit... No biggie though.

 

[Glowurm]

Man this is precisely what i am planning for a few years time, we gonna remodel the house and i'm planning on a 4 sided lagoon style tank, bit like a kitchen island as a room divider. I've yet to bring this up with the other half though..