journal Getting onto the rack

[newbreed]

So, after much procrastination and time wasting, I am finally getting my rack together!

Many Thanks to Jay, Marcus, Dean, Serkan for sharing their setups and how-to's. I am not handy and would not have known where to start without you guys. Jay, thanks for answering the multitude of questions, you are a legend.

So this was the base I had to work with (mess warning)

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I am not confident cutting glass, so had five 24x12x18 tanks made and drilled (lazy option)

I have just silicone in the substrate divider/feeding area.(Thanks Jay & Dean)

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Have many plumbing pieces to measure, cut & assemble (It's like lego for adults!!)

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[newbreed]

Following Jay's thread, http://www.shrimpkeepersforum.com/forum/showthread.php/5983-Fixing-a-3ft-tank-amp-making-it-a-sump-filter ,I put together the following sump.

[ATTACH]6632[/ATTACH]

It looks a lot nicer with the gutter guard and egg crate in.

Now have sump running and cycling. So far 12L of K1, filter wool, sponges and 5L MarinePure Spheres. Total system will be around 450 Litres, so will get some more media in soon. Just wanted to get this started so the cycle passes sooner.

[newbreed]

More to come......

[OzShrimp]

I have just silicone in the substrate divider/feeding area.(Thanks Jay & Dean)

Is the idea of this to keep a small area substrate free to prevent food getting into the substrate?

looks like its all coming together nicely

[newbreed]

Is the idea of this to keep a small area substrate free to prevent food getting into the substrate?

looks like its all coming together nicely

That and when the shrimp come down to feed they are easier to see and photograph. Also, Squiggle mentions in his thread, it makes it easier to siphon out excess food without disturbing substrate. Best idea, had to put them in.

[Squiggle]

Wow dude, that looks stunning & it's coming along very nicely, well done dude! :beer:

[KillieOrCory]

Nice! :wave:

And what do you mean "(It's like lego for adults!!)" ??? LEGO is for adults!

[Squiggle]

Hahaha, totally dude! Stinging to see the Lego movie too! :victorious:

[newbreed]

Nice! :wave:

And what do you mean "(It's like lego for adults!!)" ??? LEGO is for adults!

Sorry didn't mean to offend. I meant to say it's like Lego for grown ups!! hehe

The movie does look cool!!

[newbreed]

So, finally got over my procrastination today and decided the plumbing needed to measured and cut. Think it works out right, still need to fine tune prior to cementing together but am pretty pleased with how it's coming along.

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Am aiming to be getting the substrate in before the end of Easter Sunday. Hopefully on a roll now!!

[Squiggle]

Looks freakin amazing dude, very cool indeed! :victorious:

[newbreed]

Inspired by the best!! :wave:

Forgot to mention in this thread, changed out the standard 15mm MDF base boards for 18mm Marine Ply as suggested. Extra stability long term, best to be safe!!

[HJ V6]

did someone say lego moive

[keego]

Look great mate

[BlueBolts]

Looking awesome....all the hard work is done now. Looking fwd to further updates.

[Shrimp Aqua]

Looks good newbreed, very neat and tidy, sure your not a plumber?:clap:

[newbreed]

Thanks guys! Definitely not a plumber!! Just lucky that Squiggs and Deans threads spelt out clearly how to set up the plumbing, I would have been lost otherwise.

[ineke]

You lost me at rack. :worried: looking good and that's why my tanks are individual I DON'T understand the plumbing.

[Shrimp Aqua]

Well then Newbreed i congratulate you on a very tidy job, don't spoil it now by getting glue everywhere!! make sure you use Green Solvent with clear cleaning fluid, best for this kind of installation.

[newbreed]

Oh no! Got red solvent with green cement. No major issue, no one else will see.

Planning on cementing 95% in another area, paranoid about spilling any but will give it a good go!

[Squiggle]

Just put a sheet or towel down, spills are no problem then! Definitely better to glue in situ so you get the angles & lengths just right, the glue will make the pipes slide in further than you can slide them in while dry. :encouragement:

[newbreed]

Just put a sheet or towel down' date=' spills are no problem then! Definitely better to glue in situ so you get the angles & lengths just right, the glue will make the pipes slide in further than you can slide them in while dry. :encouragement:[/quote']Amazing the difference in movement you get when using the PVC cement. Also found I got a better result screwing together poly pieces once the tape was on too!Well, definitely not a plumber, and should have followed your advice on clear primer. When I put the rain bars together there was red and green everywhere. Don't expect to see these in photos!! The plumbing has been completed, water test tomorrow afternoon, after soil in and tanks filled!woohoo!! Home straight! Fingers crossed I did the plumbing right.

[HJ V6]

do you have a pic of the whole rack ? what size is it

[newbreed]

do you have a pic of the whole rack ? what size is it

Old pic in first post of thread. Not posting new full shot until setup!

It's 1800(l) x 600(d) x 1800(h) - its a rack it setup from bunnings.

[HJ V6]

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Old pic in first post of thread. Not posting new full shot until setup! It's 1800(l) x 600(d) x 1800(h) - its a rack it setup from bunnings.

ok sweet ...also I was looking at the plumbing and was wondering with the flow of the first couple of taps are fully open no water would get to the end tanks ??