Check Out My New Tank: Helen's 105 Rimless Build

looking really good - a completely new palate! Can't wait to see what you do with this tank. Those lights are the bomb!

 

Thanks! The lights do rock, but I wish I had been smarter with some of my other purchases. I think I got a return pump that is too small. A Sicce 4.0. Kicking myself for not going to the 5.0. Did not realize just how much head loss I would have. Well I'll just have to deal with the overflow waterfall noise for a couple of months.

Can't wait to start moving the 60! Out of DI resin, arriving tommorow. New, bigger heater will be here on Tuesday.

I'm going to have to make up a bunch of SW for lots of changes to the 60 while I remove and scrub the rocks one-by-one. I'm thinking of using my big porter cable multi-tool to chisel off all the monti cap.

 

Argh! The reason my tank is too noisy is that I bought an underpowered pump, and it does not raise the water level high enough. It's like living under Niagra falls. This build is making my savings account scream in pain.

 

Hehe. Hang in there with the growing pains. Looks great. Are you sure it is the pump making it gurgle and not the overflow?

 

The water level won't raise high enough in the overflow box, so there is quite a watererfall effect. The pump is almost big enough, but not quite.

Another problem today... I've got a leak! I did not glue my standpipes. I left them push-fit because in my mind I though I should be able to take it apart easily if needed. Well I guess that was dumb. Now I have to drain the overflow and glue. At this rate the rocks will go in around June . Wish I had more time to work on it!

 

Sorry to hear about all of your tank problems Is it possible to use threaded piping and teflon tape? That way you can take it apart if needed.

 

Thanks. I'm trying to have a sense of humor about this! Between work, the tank build and fixing up my money-pit house I've got my hands full. But full hands are better than bored, empty ones!

 

The waterfall effect is not an artifact of your pump. It's entirely depend upon your standpipe and it's intake level.

You'll need a taller standpipe to lessen the height of the waterfall.

 

I have a very loud sound in my overflow as well. The water level is low in there and thus it creates a pretty loud noise. How do you raise the water level in the overflow? I'm sorry - not trying to hijack but your problem sounds similar to mine.....The drain pipe is pretty low in there but I don't think it would help if it was taller, the water level seems to be the culprit.

 

Oldfishkeeper, that's not a hijack at all. It's a question I'd like to explore also.

Btw I solved my plumbing problem. I hadn't tightened the nuts on the bulkheads enough.