Hey Matt,

 Yeah I'm starting small - 4 10's on the top side by side.  Bulkheads in the side with standpipes. Vinyl tubes from PVC to run into 2" PVC drains. That flows into sump, with 3/4" return lines from pump.  Once I get the hang of that down I can expand as I need to - extra racks aren't more than about 50-60$ to add another 4'.  I'll eventually have a grow out one built out once I get up and running.

I'll post some pics tomorrow night, should have the basics done.

So I got a little more done the past couple days - until I ran out of 3/4" return line.  I'm home sick today so not really doing much with it.  I'll pick up another 5' pole of return line and figure out how to open the darn can of pvc cement (or return it for one I can open!) tomorrow morning before work.

I've got everything just about ready to be glued then I can run a water test through it.  Hoping for a sunday evening / monday test run.

Woo-hoo!  Return line is plumbed!  Just waiting for silicone to dry so I can give it the old water test tomorrow.  Only downside I screwed up on is when I glued the pvc together the return lines ended up straight down into the broodstock tanks (and the ballvalves will be submerged because of this) but other than that, its looks like everything fits.

I'm not super worried about the ball valves tho - it will be a pita to get them balanced, but once done should be fine.  If anything the direction will help keep the crap floating up and out into the drainlines.

Pics when I've got water in the morning!

If you decide you want to rotate the return lines you can just cut the pipe where it angles from the vertical up-flowing pipe. Sounds like you're making good progress though.

Save a Reef... Frag Your Own! Save a Fish... Breed Your Own! www.fishtalpropagations.com

Ugh, so much for thorough planning!  I've got no way how to attach the drain line I retardedly made from 2" PVC... I think its going to be ghetto zipties for now.  In the future, I'll be using flex tube to run everything into the sump - much easier!

Pics up tonight when I can make sure the ties hold!


On the positive side, looks like I got the angles for the drain correct

If you didn't already, there is no need to cement the stand pipes inside the tanks. That way you can adjust them/water level as needed and remove them to drain the tank if you need to. 

Save a Reef... Frag Your Own! Save a Fish... Breed Your Own! www.fishtalpropagations.com

Hey Tal - yeah those I didn't glue in - I remember you telling me that last fall about not cementing those when I was thinking about my breeding closet!

So I think I'll be set temporarily with the zip ties for now - I think my next weekend (Im off mon/tues from work) I'll come up with a better solution to make it more durable (and why in God's green earth did I ever use 2" pvc on 4 10G tanks is beyond me).  Making ties now and filling up buckets.  Once that gets done, its a matter of figuring out flow rates.  Thank goodness I have a 50G sump to catch my mistakes!

Cheers

Whew! I can't picture what you're talking about zip-tieing...

Save a Reef... Frag Your Own! Save a Fish... Breed Your Own! www.fishtalpropagations.com

Well the zip ties won't work thanks to the angle of the 3/4" plywood.  Sigh so darn close.  Short of just starting over on the return line, I really can't think of anything else to do.  I tried rope, brackets to hold it up, even making a wooden frame to attach to the bottom.  I'm sure there would have been an easier way of doing this had I not used the 2x2 3/4" ply for a base.

We need one of those "This thread needs pics" smilies, lol.

Save a Reef... Frag Your Own! Save a Fish... Breed Your Own! www.fishtalpropagations.com

I think I got it! Filling the sump now, crossing fingers it works.  I think I'll have a leak from one of the outlets from the bulkhead - its loose (only used silicone) so if thats so its not too bad.

Pics soon!

Fine - here they are (the ones that came out anyway!)













First is the ghetto drain shelf (its actually supported by hooks, the rope just helps "in case"!


Second is the drain actually working


Third is filling the tanks.


Complete pics later this evening - making sure no leaks!