Cold Weather Tips

[jrossjr79]

Ok, seems I am about to come to a big dilemma here in the next week or so. As many of yall know, I am getting a 120 display with 55 sump. Got me a RO/DI unit, and will soon be picking up a 55G drum for mixing water. Now the problem comes to this. I dont have space inside my home to mix water of this size, so it will be outside. However cold weather is upon us now. I have an extra heater, that is no problem. But I am wondering if the heater will work properly being outside. I am open to any other tips on how this can be a smooth transition of tearing down my 55G and setting up the 120 with 55, with out having a major effect on the livestock I have now.

Also need some sort of long term goal for keeping mixed water outside during cold weather.

Thanks

[BBQHILLBILLY]

are you removing the 55 and putting 120 in its same place?
or I allways try to have 2 tanks running, but thats me:bigsmile:

[jrossjr79]

yes, dont have room to set up the new tank anywhere else but where the current 55 is at

[BBQHILLBILLY]

If you dont wanna do it outside
yep then your gonna have some fun, but its ok, I would run 2 tanks at the same time temporarily,
You get some large containers to store your current sw, lr, coral . . . to transfer it
If you drain large amount sw and remove LR might be surprised to men could slide it out the 55 out of the way
if the seals are good in the 120 you may be able to do plumbing last and bring the sw into it, just my thoughts
safety first

[BBQHILLBILLY]

if you do wanna do it outside you will need to insulate your drum
there some members here that awesome man caves
outside their house that could chime in if they see this

[rrasco]

You could always bury it. Not really serious, but kind of.

[jrossjr79]

I would rather run at same time temporary, but due to size of house, no way I can. I was on the line of thinking of putting live rock and livestock in several other containers while I get the 120 set up. The seals look good on photo, but have yet seen it in person. I will have the tank a week before I will be ready to set it up, during that time I will be checking for leaks, and getting the plumbing started.

Would be difficult to just slide the 55 out of the way due to it being on carpet. There was alot of things I did wrong when I set this tank up. One being directly on carpet, two I know for a fact it is not level. Surprisingly it has held its water. Wont be taking those same chances with the 120 though.

To be clear, I am fine of mixing the water outside, I am just worried if the heater will sustain temperature with out failing.

[jrossjr79]

Thats a thought, but cant do that at this house, very small backyard, barely big enough for the dog I am trying to get rid of, all concrete.

[rrasco]

Heh...sounds like my backyard. Previous owners were concrete-crazy. In all reality I think they thought pouring concrete around the foundation would prevent settling. Wrong.

You'd be surprised how some smaller tanks can have no adverse affects while not level. My 125 was at least 1" off left to right for 2 years (because of said foundation settling). Get any bigger than that and you are asking for a catastrophe (I know all about that too). Ultimately, plumb level is absolutely best practice.