300 gallon reef tank sump and plumbing

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Most popular comments
for 300 gallon reef tank sump and plumbing

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laijust98 lai - 9 years ago

How did you add the extra pump into your skimmer?

watchinvidz3333 - 9 years ago

Aren,t you paying an insane amount of hydro every month?

Jonathan Huse - 9 years ago

How has the long tern success of this tank been?

Richard Naue - 9 years ago

Wanted to know what type of acoustic material you used.

Angel Dumancela - 9 years ago

Awesome set up on your sump. Question how did you hard plumb your two little fishes reactor. I couldn't find any videos on how to get it done. Also what type of piping do you used for it.

Rad Ster - 9 years ago

Insane piping! Are your overflow pipes running at full syphons? If so, do you regulate the outflow w flow valves? I have 2 overflowpipes going into my sump, one is running at a perfect syphon, but the other one is producing bubbles, I assume there's more volume draining, than being returned. Will a flow valve help the bubbling by restricting a bit of outflow?.. or how do I get both pipes to full syphon? Thanks!

jeff mays - 9 years ago

Why the calcium reactor? I've seen the healthiest corals in reefs with a simple dosing unit.

Richard Kerr - 9 years ago

It's an amazing set up but it must of cost as much as a small house. It is great but it's the sort of tank I would expect to find in a sea life centre and even then I would still be saying woh

tanguyen70 - 10 years ago

Hi Barney Lee, first, it's great setup, I have a question for you, where did you get the dual CO2 output? thanks in advance

reinaldo bravo - 9 years ago

+Barney Lee

Barney Lee - 10 years ago

Hey, thanks. i actually made that output using parts at home depot. You can also get the parts from most gas stores (where you fill up your co2).

10. comment for 300 gallon reef tank sump and plumbing

WSA ReefZone - 10 years ago

Nice work!

915Mang - 10 years ago

Nice setup

Willy d. aquatics - 10 years ago

Clean...you still in the game?

Barney Lee - 10 years ago

yup been busy setting up the whole sale business :)

Jordan Glassman - 11 years ago

I'd love to have as clean a plumbing job as this on my sump. Mine just looks like a PVC scrap yard made love with a used aquarium retailer.

DiepBlueC - 11 years ago

Your sump is terrific! Bryan of course it is noisy when the microphone is right beside the pumps, I bet it is pretty quiet in the room. My only question is why 2 CA reactors? Great setup, keep up the good work!

Barney Lee - 10 years ago

sorry for the late reply. The calcium reactors are now controlled by a neptune controller so they turn off when ph is too low :)

Boxboymike - 11 years ago

Very nice looking setup!

Bryan Houston - 11 years ago

Noisy as hell to me. I'd have to put that in the garage.

mhunter90 - 11 years ago

Super clean, organized & extremely well thought out, I'm thoroughly impressed.

Rob Smithson - 11 years ago

Very frightening set up for a beginner to view. Is it really necessary or just endulgence? Either way, I have to admire your thought process and knowledge.

Jon71586 - 11 years ago

87 degrees :/

20. comment for 300 gallon reef tank sump and plumbing

Bernie Chong - 11 years ago

Is the video for the top part of the plumbing still around? If not could you upload it? I just could't find it.

love2skiutah - 11 years ago

So when you have to adjust one valve, does it affect the pressure on everything else? Meaning, let's say you want more flow into your refugium, or whatever, do you have to go around and re-adjust all your other valves?

Patrick toccata - 11 years ago

Dude, did you make that sump? if not what it is? Thanks

Thomas Sheeleigh - 11 years ago

Where did you get your tank and also about how much did it all cost

Bobby DeMay - 11 years ago

I think you will understand if you go on bulkreef's website. they have pretty much any hard plumbing part in SCH80 you could imagine at a pretty competitive price. I've never had much luck with the regular SCH40 valves such as ball valves. They get stuck easily or are fairly hard to turn after awhile vs the SCH80 cepek ball valves which work flawlessly time and time again and have a union built in and ends that can be changed from threaded to slip. again I love SCH80

TerraReef Aquariums - 11 years ago

I like grey. Perhaps your HomeDepot's are different, but SCH40 is a LOT easier to find then SCH80. None of the stores around here carry Grey 40 and usually not 80 either. 80 connects to 40 easily, so they both could be used together if you can not find one. S80 allows less water to travel through. Some things are worth spending money on, but other things like metal check valves(that fail) & pipes designed to withstand being buried in concrete... don't really make a lot of sense, just cost more.

Bobby DeMay - 11 years ago

happy reefing!

Bobby DeMay - 11 years ago

Theres nothing really to understand about a color...you either like it or you don't. Most of my aquariums have been hard plumbed and though it can be challenging at times I believe this is why most hobbyist enjoy it. SCH80 "from experience" is VERY durable when designed right one will enjoy for years. I prefer SCH80 over SCH40 grey because it's easier to get (home depot etc.) and assortments to choose. You are very right my friend it is quite expensive but so is most anything worth buying.

TerraReef Aquariums - 11 years ago

Never really understood the "SCH80 look". You can get sch40 in grey for a LOT less per part and it won't require extremely heavy duty brackets to keep it in place. Especially when it comes to connecting to bulkheads in a glass tank. Picture a heavy lead pipe attached to glass wall. It's like a giant heavy lever screaming(touch me to break glass). To each his own, but just not for us.

TerraReef Aquariums - 11 years ago

Cool looking setup. Heads up, we used many of the "CO2 Brass Check Valves". They fail really quickly while cheaper plastic ones by Reef Fanatic have lasted a lot longer. Not really understanding your need to adjust where the exit of your Phosban reactor goes. Or how rigid PVC piping is easier to aim then flexible vinyl tubing...

30. comment for 300 gallon reef tank sump and plumbing

iCONICAACINOCi - 11 years ago

Ok, firstly; you are the one posting big argumentative comments. Secondly; you talk about literacy so much, maybe you should go study your grammar in a little more depth. "lesser literate's minds" - Here we go, Mr. Literacy... You said "minds", that's plural, so the preceding "literate's" is wrong, it should be "literates' " as the possessive apostrophe is after the plural. The way you've written that implies that one "lesser literate" person has more than one mind. Go figure...

J. Gona - 11 years ago

Literacy has everything to do with understanding ANYTHING. I have been engineering, building, and installing filtration and lighting systems for zoological and research institutions for years. My comment simply implied that this is a fairly simple plumbing arrangement. You know what REALLY implies limited literacy? Attempting to start arguments with people on the internet.

iCONICAACINOCi - 11 years ago

Lesser literate minds? Since when does literacy have anything to do with being able to understand complex sump plumbing? You tit.

Rolando Vargas - 11 years ago

i like wat i see, it inspires me to built sumtin' unique and awsome like yours!

paul gallimore - 11 years ago

well good mate

J. Gona - 11 years ago

How on earth is this overly-complicated? I think that the plumbing of a tank just scrambles some lesser literate's minds. This is a BIG tank; hence BIG bio-load. This sump is actually very simple in actual function and plumbing, and is very straight-forward. Not all species can be maintained with hang-on canister filters! Once you step up the life, you also have to step up the life-SUPPORT !

peusdeus - 11 years ago

cool! I was wondering. I want to find a reputable place to buy a 400 plus gallon glass tank reef ready with starfire glass.

Bobby DeMay - 11 years ago

Very well thought out system! I personally love the SCH80 look. I subbed

Barney Lee - 11 years ago

thanks. it's actually extremely simple because the whole thing is run by one pump. but it does increase the complexity of the plumbing hehe

Barney Lee - 11 years ago

it's doing great but my camera died. I'm getting a new one in a week or so and will post an update vid :)

Barney Lee - 11 years ago

hi, I'm in santa clara ca :)

Barney Lee - 11 years ago

yup and also promotes the growth of pods

peusdeus - 11 years ago

Wow amazing setup! Do you live in cali? I am going to setup a 300 gal pretty soon. Currently running a 135 gal. I would love to have the same plumbing setup! message me back.

gonereefing654 - 11 years ago

Love the attention to detail. How's the tank doing? Update video?

tomek21979 - 11 years ago

One of the neatest setups iv seen so far...great job!

Dylan Battaglia - 11 years ago

thats friggin an awesome setup!

jonnyfish76 - 11 years ago

over-complicated, but nice.

AaronRodriguezTV - 11 years ago

sounds so confusing lol.

LEOPAZZO TV - 12 years ago

Nice Check out my set up! Similar to yours Well done Leopazzoinyourmouth That's my channel Latest video is Nov 2012 the 125gallon upgrade

fknali - 12 years ago

/watch?v=IOQ-Kry-ik4&feature=g-crec

50. comment for 300 gallon reef tank sump and plumbing

Kurt Harris - 12 years ago

Great job! Looking forward to watching the progress and hopefully give an idea of your routine cleaning and supplement/dosing/feeding schedules. And would be great to see what kind of numbers your setup is giving you , max daytime PH - min lights off PH , calcium level , nitrate and phosphate. Awesome setup and thanks for sharing! ( btw , the LED's are truly the way to go now )

2019freddie - 12 years ago

Nice set up, well done.

Jon Oliver - 12 years ago

Thanks!! Definitely helps. Can't wait to see the next plumbing video!!

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

All of those things will happen from time to another.. it's quite normal. However, with this set up, I haven't had much problems at all. I did have an issue with my MH light bulbs shifting color into ultra violet and burning some of my corals but that was quickly corrected by change the lighting system to 9 Ai Sol units.

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

I don't have a diagram for that yet. It's basically like this: 1 x 1.5" pipe from the sump comes up and splits 3 ways. 2 go to 1" sea swirls the 3rd goes to the center of the tank and splits into 2 x 3/4". The pipe is valved so it acts as a bleed for the other 2. The closed loop is 3/4" and comes up into the swcid which outlets over the tank into the front 2 that you see in the video. i hope this helps.

Jon Oliver - 12 years ago

Sorry another quick question... Have you had any problems with your tank as far as outbreaks of algae, deaths, faulty equipment and/or tweaking that needed to be done due to something going wrong? Thanks!

Jon Oliver - 12 years ago

I like that diagram but was wondering if you could explain the plumbing on the TOP of your tank. Where the squid is... Again this setup is amazing!

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

Hi, thanks for the praise. check out the link in the description. I posted a diagram of the plumbing. It's been updated since but most of it is still accurate. i hope this helps. :)

Jon Oliver - 12 years ago

Amazing!!! Could you explain a little more in detail how you have all the plumbing and return pipes on top of main tank set up? The way you set up your tank is inspirational

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

agreed. that's why i changed it about 5 months ago :) new vids to follow hehe

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

i'll be doing another vid soon. I have the tank fully stocked up now :)

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

it really depends on what's going on in the tank. I recently had a flat worm outbreak so i changed the media right after i treated. if nothing bad is going on, i usually change it once a month or so. hope this helps :)

Neal Fernandez - 12 years ago

how often do you change your carbon media?

Lafot Aurélien - 12 years ago

Hey ! I just saw your tank and i found it amazing ! Special mention for your refugium :-) Nice for the eyes. Just a question, Which plant do you use inside? Especially this terra-aqua algua? Thanks ! A good luck for the rest ! :-)

chista83 - 12 years ago

do u have a chiller? is it necessary to have one Wen growing sps m lps corals my temps right now go up and down from 73 to 78

MonopolyBag - 12 years ago

Nice dude, good solid set-up and a nice video. very well done on both.

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

Hi, think of them like reverse durso pipes. The pipes from the over flow angle down into 2 duros. The top of them have been drilled, tapped and valves installed. The opening and closing of these values control the noise and bubbles. You will need to tune these valves to what works best for your flow situation. Also, there are 2 standard duros in the overflow itself. this also reduces the bubbles and the noise level. Let me know if you need more info. Hope this helps. :)

fridmani1 - 12 years ago

I'd like to know more about the returns to the sump. You indicate that they reduce the bubbles. I'm having a lot of trouble with bubbles on my return lines. Can you provide any details about how you made them and if they are still working good for you. Thanks!

Nigel Carter - 12 years ago

I hate to keep bugging you with questions, but I had planned on getting a 300 gallon tank and well your sump refugium is awsome. Is there any way you could put up some dimensions so I could try to make something similar? I promise I wont ask any more questions haha.

Nigel Carter - 12 years ago

Thanks so much for your help. I appreciate it.

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

np :) let me know if you have any questions

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

For cutting, use a table saw with a blade that has very fine teeth. Even then, I suggest you getting 2500 grit sand paper and sand down all the glue surfaces. For glue, I use this stuff: TAP Acrylic Cement from taps plastics. that stuff bonds quick and clean. After you use that, i would put a bead of acrylic gel glue to sell the edges one last time. i hope this helps :) Hope this helps

Nigel Carter - 12 years ago

Got it. Thanks. Also, any tips on how to make your own sump refugium as far as cutting and/or gluing the acrylic?

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

I placed the returns from the reactors in the 3rd chamber because that chamber leads directly back into the main tank. They could also go into the second chamber but if you put them in the first chamber, you might have some of the dissolved calcium get skimmed out by the skimmer. I also have a new nitrate bio reactor that is returned into the 1st chamber. The skimmer aerates the output water from bioreaction. hope this helps :)

Nigel Carter - 12 years ago

How do you decide where in the sump your returns from the reactors go? Or does it not really matter? Also, what kind of bonding glue did you use on the sump?

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

I believe in sharing knowledge in this hobby. Education is extremely important. It's the only we can grow this hobby and keep it sustainable globally :)

Nick Pol - 12 years ago

Thanks! I looked at the diagram ! great job thanks it it nice that you share your knowledge

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

thanks :) i have a diagram of my plumbing hosted on my personal site. the link is in the vid description if you want to view it :)

Nick Pol - 12 years ago

It just mind bugling ! I would give you PhD in aquarium plumbing and aquarium chemistry I just started my 65galon Red SEA MAX and ... looking at your system is just jaw dropping for me I consider myself very handy person but to create such system would be very difficult for me you done a great job

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

You can go without all of the reactors. However, the kalk and calcium reactors reduce the need for systematic dosing. The phosban and nitrate reactors reduce the need for frequent water changes. People have been keeping reef tanks successfully way before these technologies even existed. They just make life easier. :) I'm currently building and installing a ozone reactor to the system. I'll post an update when it's in and tuned. :)

chista83 - 12 years ago

For a tank of that size do u need the kalk and calcium reactors or can it be fine with just a refugium n phosban reactor?

Mowen Assistant - 12 years ago

great job! one day ill have one like this...

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

thanks :) it took 20 years of messing up to get to this point haha

Hayabusa2049 - 12 years ago

I think this is one of the most awesome custom sumps iv seen!! (◠‿ ◕)✌

iczerone2000 - 12 years ago

Your welcome! I can see from all of that, you spent a shit load of money!! Nice job!

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

thanks :)

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

hi, The foam is 3/4" acoustic audio foam. It has a adhesive backing that you peal away to expose. it works really well. In some place I also put a layer of dynomat. That's a vibration dampener for car audio. I would put that under your main and/or loudest pumps. hope this helps :)

iczerone2000 - 12 years ago

Wow!! Now that's a work of art!! Awesome!!

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

thanks :)

Stephan Lind-Orjala - 12 years ago

your setup is a work of art! haha

Thomas Baker - 12 years ago

Good work. Im doing a 320 with similar ideas but yours it pretty sweet.

1992pattrow - 12 years ago

very true lol. I have enough tanks to make a sump but they are all in use lol

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

i still love fresh water. If i had to the room, I'd have a african cichlid tank and a fresh water predator tank. As you already know, the principals are the same: a whole lot of patience and dedication :) As for the sump, all you need is acrylic, a nice flat surface, acrylic solvent, a lot of clamps and a table saw :)

1992pattrow - 12 years ago

just guna say that this is AMAZING! I a guna be making a sump for my fish wall(10 galls-40 galls) but it will be fresh water and no where near as nice as this.

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

Hi, thanks for the praise. As noted in my video, I built my own sump from scratch. The materials cost about $175 USD. Purchased, it would probably cost at least $500 USD because I have a large center post in my cabinet. I built the sump to go around that post. As for filtration, here's a list: reef dynamimcs INS250 skimmer, two little fishies phosban reactor (L), Korallin BioDenitrator (L), modified PM fluidized bed reactor with RD pellets, PM fluidized bed reactor with carbon.

Sunny D - 12 years ago

DUDE your setup is Awesome, please could you send me the list of your complete filtration as I too am building a 285 Gallon reef marine system for my living room. What sump did you go with? It would help me out greatly. thanks in advance.

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

i automate the light cycle and fresh water top off. i havent gotten a controller yet. I wanted to get everything nice cycled through before I do that :)

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

thanks :) it took a couple of months to plan, design and purchase all the parts.. it's running really nicely now I just took another vid and will post it shortly :)

Peter Simonelli - 12 years ago

wow thats such a clean set up.....musta toook some long nights and lots of patience to get that setup....loooks great...planned that out excellently

shardinio - 12 years ago

Beautiful plumbing! Do you automate things on your tank?

100. comment for 300 gallon reef tank sump and plumbing

Craig Babineaux - 12 years ago

Very nice...

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

@1knightstand007 thank you sir and good luck on your system set up. we all know how much time and effort is put into setting up a new system. but... it's a labor of love.. or insanity if you ask my wife :)

1knightstand007 - 12 years ago

Man,that is one if not THE most cleanest and organized plumbing i have ever seen...an excellent and well thought out plan.i am currently in the process of building my 75 gallon reef,just currently waiting for my two Ecoxotic 24'' panorama pro fixtures.again,a beautiful system!

lacrymist1976 - 12 years ago

@barnfroggy Yup that helps. If I wanted to start a reef aquarium, besides a sump with a refugium and protein skimmer what else what I absolutly have to have? If I wanted to do an ATO do i need to put a RO in front of it? If I do not do an ATO could i just not use a bucket with some prime for the same effect?

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

@lacrymist1976 Welcome to the hobby, life style, and/or addition :) Reactors aren't 100% necessary. Reef keepers have been keeping extensive aquariums successful for years before they even existed. They do however, make conditions a lot easier to manage. Calcium and kalk reactors can replace some of the need for dosing (calcium, magnesium, strontium) depending on your bio-load. Carbon, phosban and bio pellets reduce the need for nutrient export (water changes). Hope this helps.

lacrymist1976 - 12 years ago

Jesus man... can only imagine how much money and time you have into this. I am a fresh water enthusiast just recently researching salt water and sumps. I understand what the protien skimmer and refugium are for but unsure about what all the reactors do? Are they needed for a reef tank?

1jaedon - 12 years ago

Great setup! I hope to see more videos

Barney Lee - 12 years ago

hehe thanks. the sound proofing was done so my wife wouldn't complain :). I actually put a layer of dynomat (car stereo dampening material) on the bottom first. That stuff works really well but it's a bit expensive.