erics3000 - Yep, visiting with family. We spent the week fishing for yellow fin and black fin tuna, and we happened upon a nice wahoo and a dolphin (mahi mahi) as well. Great trip!
GMFett - Thanks, bro. I'll have some cold Tilburgs for the next time you come over.
Goongs - Welcome to the thread, and
To Reef Central
Now for a tank update. So I finished plumbing the closed loop. I'm no plumbing expert so please feel free to critique. Brian will probably cringe when he sees this, but it's the best I could do. I didn't waste any fittings in the process, and hopefully there will be no leaks. I'm a little concerned due to the fact that there's quite a bit of tension at a few of the joints, specifically at 2 of the connections onto the 4-way and at 1 of the elbows heading toward the left side of the tank. I guess I didn't cut the pipe at exactly the correct length, which forced me to torque the pipe a little at the unions. Should this concern me? Anyway, here's how it came out.
Here are 2 of the 4-way returns, heading to the left side of the tank.
I had to elevate 1 of the returns a little so that they'd both be able to pass behind the stand, offering a little more room inside the cabinet and avoiding the overflow drains.
Next came the 2 returns that were very close to the 4-way unit itself. The short distance and odd angles dictated that I use spa-flex, which if you haven't used it before, isn't as flexible as you'd think, or as I had hoped.
And here's the final photo, looking up from below the 4-way.
I realize that I need a photo, a "money shot," if you will, of the pump with all of the closed loop plumbing. I'll get that done tonight. Next step will be adding some water to the system to ensure there are no leaks and to check the flow generated by the 4-way. Wish me luck!