The Begining! 300DD build in-wall and basement fish room.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

OK sooooooo, finally diving in to, what is in my mind a huge tank. 300 gallon DD. I'm moving to a new house, and decided now is the time to upgrade. I'm planning on building it right into the wall in my office and have it viewed from both sides. Here are some of the things I want to incorporate.

I want to build the tank into the wall, be viewable from both inside and out side of the room.
Have all the equipment downstairs in the basement, and perhaps make a dedicated room for it.

I'm upgrading from a 125 and most of my equipment is already over rated but there are new items that I'm going to need if most of the equipment is one floor below it.
Ive been looking through a lot of builds but there are not a lot of in-wall builds for a tank this size with a basement setup. So I'm looking for any and all input as too what equipment I will need to do this (pumps, valves, size of plumming, heater, chiller, ect). What type is recommended right down to the hose clamp if possible. I want to get a lot of the planning out of the way now before it becomes a mad rush.

Oh, and thanks in advance.

Will

[RubberFrog]

this should be fun to follow

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Here are a few pictures of the new tank in the back of my truck. This is where it will sit until I can find a couple of really strong men to get it out!!! This thing is heavy and huge! I should have it out Wednesday; ill take better pictures then.


<a href="http://imgur.com/yuw3J"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/yuw3Jl.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="" /></a>
Table ?? lol
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<a href="http://imgur.com/2NQ8n"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/2NQ8nl.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="" /></a>

Decided starphire just was not that important to me.
<a href="http://imgur.com/To3Oq"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/To3Oql.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="" /></a>
<a href="http://imgur.com/qezcH"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/qezcHl.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="" /></a>

[RobE]

Congrats on the new house and tank. I just helped my friend set up his 300dd and man you don't realize how heavy they really are until you have to bring one through a doorway. Good luck on the build.

[sullyfish]

nice tank. I like those dimensions.If I ever upgrade that is the one I want to go with. I currently have a 180 in wall so that would fit in the space nicely.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Congrats on the new house and tank. I just helped my friend set up his 300dd and man you don't realize how heavy they really are until you have to bring one through a doorway. Good luck on the build.

Thanks, Ive been reading a lot of 300DD builds. One that scared the hell out of me today with a bottom seal failure.
The tank is still in my truck until i can find help to get it out until its ready to go in the new house.

nice tank. I like those dimensions.If I ever upgrade that is the one I want to go with. I currently have a 180 in wall so that would fit in the space nicely.

I love the dimensions, and have to be honest. I knew the size was huge but until you see it in person you have no idea. lol

[cubsare1]

Just brought mine (300dd) in the house. You will need at least 6 people total, more if possible.

[Jamie9169]

Definitely tagging along. Like you, I have not seen one this large built into the wall. Gonna be a great ride.

[skidder84]

Some day I will also

[scarface70706]

daaaaaaamn!!!!!! thats such a big tank. i know im going to buy a 210 gallon tank but another 90 gallons on top of that?!? idk about that lol. im def. sticking around to watch this build

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Just brought mine (300dd) in the house. You will need at least 6 people total, more if possible.

Its still on the pallet I picked it up on from the wholesaler. I'm going to have to lure everyone with beer to get this thing moved!

Definitely tagging along. Like you, I have not seen one this large built into the wall. Gonna be a great ride.

The great thing about this tank is its width, the problem with finding a place for it is its width. The house I just bought was build in 1905, one of the walls in the to be office is thick because of the closet that will be removed(at least thats the plan). I want to be able to view it from both sides some how. I need to get back in the place to start drawing up ideas of exactly what will work.

Some day I will also

I started this hobby with a 20 gallon long tank lol. I just love the length and width associated with the 300g.

daaaaaaamn!!!!!! thats such a big tank. i know im going to buy a 210 gallon tank but another 90 gallons on top of that?!? idk about that lol. im def. sticking around to watch this build

Yeah, lol Believe me I know. I use to think my 125 was huge, but this is a whole nother animal!!

[usatennisfan]

Totally tagging along!

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Well were being delayed by title searches, lawyers, and construction so the tank had to be put in storage unti the house is ready. I did not want to move this thing once, now I have to move it twice. Took 4 guys to lift it out of the truck and onto a dolly to get it in.

At least this gives me more time to research how I should plumb the drains and returns, and find what pumps are going to work best for me.


<a href="http://imgur.com/1leeU"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/1leeUl.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="" /></a>

[Paul B]

This will be a nice job, I also put my 100 gallon tank in the wall of my basement also in Long Island. I also did it as soon as I bought this house about 35 years ago and it is still in that place. I only would have changed a couple of things but so far it has worked out well.
Have fun

[ridetheducati]

While the tank is resting, take the opportunity to add a bead of silicone to the inside of the overflow boxes. You will find that there is not a bead of silicone on the inside. Also, you probably already did this, but inspect each panel to ensure there are no scratches, cracks, or blemishes. Complete the inspect before you add water.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

While the tank is resting, take the opportunity to add a bead of silicone to the inside of the overflow boxes. You will find that there is not a bead of silicone on the inside. Also, you probably already did this, but inspect each panel to ensure there are no scratches, cracks, or blemishes. Complete the inspect before you add water.

Yeah Ive been reading about the lack of silicone on the inside of the overflows. I also keep seeing mention about modifying the teeth so you get better water flow. Do you know anything about that? Pictures, and why exactly? I also want to do a Herbie style overflow to keep it silent, but doesn't it require 2 lines? I have 4 holes total, so does that mean I should have two more drilled?

This will be a nice job, I also put my 100 gallon tank in the wall of my basement also in Long Island. I also did it as soon as I bought this house about 35 years ago and it is still in that place. I only would have changed a couple of things but so far it has worked out well.
Have fun

I'm planing on putting it on the first floor, and right below it in the basement a room dedicated to all things fish. Still debating on using my current 125 as a sump/refrigum, or the 55 I was going to use on my 125.
What are the things you would change? I would love to avoid any and all changes if possible.

[gmate]

Tank is going to be beautiful. Following along, can't wait to see the developments. Best of luck!

[Paul B]

There are only three things I would tweek on mine if I did it all over again. The stand which I built out of heavy guage galvanized Kindorf has rusted where the skimmer is bolted to. One leg was fairly bad and I had to replace it and one I scraped and coated with epoxy paint. I would have coated it with epoxy before I put the tank on it although I am not sure it was even available then. Galvanizing is great but with salt water it does not last forever.
I also would not have set the tank almost up against the back wooden wall. I water proofed that wall but there is now salt all over it and I can't clean behind the tank in that area. I know you will not have that problem being your's will be viaable from both sides.
I also would have installed an exhaust fan over the tank at the time of the installation. I added one a few years ago and it has helped greatly in reducing the moisture in my basement. It exhausts outside the house about 30' from the tank.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh270/urchsearch/IMG_0206.jpg

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh270/urchsearch/IMG_0204.jpg

Here with the front open you can see my tank is in a closet and there is a staircase behind it. I should have left an inch of space from the wood as it has warped and gotten a little rotten.
The left side of the tank is an open space in a closet.
You can also see the exhaust fan above it.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh270/urchsearch/IMG_1178.jpg

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Tank is going to be beautiful. Following along, can't wait to see the developments. Best of luck!

Thanks! I hope it goes as smooth as it possibly can.

[QUOTE=Paul B;19611474]There are only three things I would tweek on mine if I did it all over again. The stand which I built out of heavy guage galvanized Kindorf has rusted where the skimmer is bolted to. One leg was fairly bad and I had to replace it and one I scraped and coated with epoxy paint. I would have coated it with epoxy before I put the tank on it although I am not sure it was even available then. Galvanizing is great but with salt water it does not last forever.
I also would not have set the tank almost up against the back wooden wall. I water proofed that wall but there is now salt all over it and I can't clean behind the tank in that area. I know you will not have that problem being your's will be viaable from both sides.
I also would have installed an exhaust fan over the tank at the time of the installation. I added one a few years ago and it has helped greatly in reducing the moisture in my basement. It exhausts outside the house about 30' from the tank.


An exhaust fan is probably a good idea, keep some of the moisture out of both the wall the tank will be in, and in the fish room. As for the stand I'm planning on framing it right into the house with wood. I'm much better with steel but I think in my situation wood will be better adapted for the build.

[Paul B]

There is a huge problem with wood. As the years go by, it drys and warps, your tank will not warp but will stand a chance to leak. Wood never stays straight as it ages.
No matter what coating you use, it will change shape. You could use 4X4 wood legs and get some heavy galvanized steel for the frame the tank will sit on but if your set on wood, good luck.
Either way get some good rubber to sit the tank on. I used 3/8" rubber and it is still good.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Paul B you bring up a good point. I would most likely use fresh lumber so its going to shrink. I may have to re-think this stand. I plan to keep the tank up for many many years so i would like no issues with the tank. lol Bad enough I had a close call with my 125 when it decided to go through the sub floor. The steel stand cut right through carpet and began going through the plywood. I had to carefully jack it up from the basement and reinforce the area.

[Paul B]

Some new lumber turns into Bow and arrows it warps so much. If you want to go for teak or some other hardwood for the top that may help, but steel will be a lot cheaper.
I think you will be sorry using new wood.
You can even get some aluminum I beams for the top but you would have to support the center.

[jmurr8484]

Subcribed.

[chiton]

I just finished a 260 build in-wall viewable from both long sides. The thing I did not anticipate or plan for was over heating issues. If viewable from both sides you may be totally enclosing the lighting, which is what I did. It's like an oven! Even with 2x 8" fans running 24/7 there was initially a 10 degree water temp rise during the 12 hr photo period until I installed a chiller. If totally enclosing the lighting definitely go with LED and plan for a chiller.
Chiton

[reefnut2012]

I just finished a 260 build in-wall viewable from both long sides. The thing I did not anticipate or plan for was over heating issues. If viewable from both sides you may be totally enclosing the lighting, which is what I did. It's like an oven! Even with 2x 8" fans running 24/7 there was initially a 10 degree water temp rise during the 12 hr photo period until I installed a chiller. If totally enclosing the lighting definitely go with LED and plan for a chiller.
Chiton

Nonsence. Its all in how you ventilate , pumps are a huge factor also. Pumps mean friction, friction means heat. Provided the ambient air temperature is moderate you should not NEED a chiller. If you need a chiller you are doing something wrong.

[thereeftank]

I have to agree to an extent. I have an enclosed in wall setup with halides and only have a 4-5 degree rise in temp during the photo period. Previously I had a water cooled external pump that produced a lot of heat, but was silent. Now I have a dart that's in a closet behind and less heat issues. I also installed a 6" exhaust fan that turns on for 5min every hour and small computer fan to draw in room air into the space where the tank is 24/7. Anyways, can't wait to see your setup!

Nonsence. Its all in how you ventilate , pumps are a huge factor also. Pumps mean friction, friction means heat. Provided the ambient air temperature is moderate you should not NEED a chiller. If you need a chiller you are doing something wrong.

[rogermccray]

Yeah Ive been reading about the lack of silicone on the inside of the overflows. I also keep seeing mention about modifying the teeth so you get better water flow. Do you know anything about that? Pictures, and why exactly? I also want to do a Herbie style overflow to keep it silent, but doesn't it require 2 lines? I have 4 holes total, so does that mean I should have two more drilled?



I'm planing on putting it on the first floor, and right below it in the basement a room dedicated to all things fish. Still debating on using my current 125 as a sump/refrigum, or the 55 I was going to use on my 125.
What are the things you would change? I would love to avoid any and all changes if possible.

I believe that most people do with this style over flow, is just run the return lines outside of the tank. Then you don't need to worry about drilling two more holes, and since you doing this in wall you can just hide the lines in the walls.

What I am envisioning that you are doing, and correct me if I am wrong, is to have two viewable sides to the tank with neither side being a fish room. Then plumbing down into the basement and hiding everything there. My question is what are you going to do about access to the lights and the plumbing? Some sort of access panel?

I can't really help on equipment but do you have a list of what you currently have that way you can get suggestions on what should and should not be upgraded?

[chiton]

Nonsence. Its all in how you ventilate , pumps are a huge factor also. Pumps mean friction, friction means heat. Provided the ambient air temperature is moderate you should not NEED a chiller. If you need a chiller you are doing something wrong.

Silliness, pumps having next to nothing to do with it! If I leave my lights off there is no temp rise and I have 5 different pumps running. In fact the temp decreases in my setup because my basement is usually at 64 degrees or lower.

Ventilation is the key here, and having an open side in the hood is the ultimate ventilation, which most designs have. If you don't, I'm just saying it's chiller time.

Chiton

[reefnut2012]

Ignorance is bliss!

[danderso]

Can't wait to see this get going. Subscribed!

[rogermccray]

Silliness, pumps having next to nothing to do with it! If I leave my lights off there is no temp rise and I have 5 different pumps running. In fact the temp decreases in my setup because my basement is usually at 64 degrees or lower.

Ventilation is the key here, and having an open side in the hood is the ultimate ventilation, which most designs have. If you don't, I'm just saying it's chiller time.

Chiton

+1

Also, keeping the basement itself cooler will help too.

[Curl58]

Looking forward to this one.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

I just finished a 260 build in-wall viewable from both long sides. The thing I did not anticipate or plan for was over heating issues. If viewable from both sides you may be totally enclosing the lighting, which is what I did. It's like an oven! Even with 2x 8" fans running 24/7 there was initially a 10 degree water temp rise during the 12 hr photo period until I installed a chiller. If totally enclosing the lighting definitely go with LED and plan for a chiller.
Chiton

Nonsence. Its all in how you ventilate , pumps are a huge factor also. Pumps mean friction, friction means heat. Provided the ambient air temperature is moderate you should not NEED a chiller. If you need a chiller you are doing something wrong.


I know I have not brought many of you up to date in a while. Truth of the matter is I'm still in the middle of trying to get the final approval from the bank so I can go to closing on the new house. Looks like Monday might finally be the day. ( Fingers crossed) I'm dieing to get this tank out of storage and get the thing set up in the wall. Considering my commitment runs out Monday at 5PM hopefully you will slowly begin to see updates and more pictures.

Unless the wedding in march gets in the way :p

Chiton I considered your concern as well but even as reefnut suggest most of my equipment is going in the basement. The lighting I'm now considering is the sun! I have a nice straight shot right down to the tank to use solar tubes. I think I will supplement them with LED's eventually but meantime alternating with my MH.

I

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Looks like plans are changing fast! lol Its amazing the things that put huge dampers into a build. Ive been non-stop painting, removing wall paper, ect... It seams that at the moment the tank is going to go in the same room, difference is its not going into the wall and will most likely have a custom bookshelf/ wall unit looking stand. There is a closet behind it so I can make access to it from there. I still plan on running all the equipment to the basement still.
Part of the change of location is the house is 107 years old, the wall I wanted to install it on is 3' wide. There is a coat closet on one side and service stairs for the maid. I don't want to eliminate the stairs. I feel as if it is part of the history of the house.

Well I just wanted to bring everyone up to speed. The tank is out of storage and I will begin building the stand in prob a few days.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Here is the latest rendering of the 300 DD. Its taken a lot of compromise with the wife to even get this. I have to build this stand soon so I can get my
125g out my grandparents house. I'm open to tips an suggestions.

BTW, I know many of you maybe concerned with the tank under the windows. I'm still planing on running solar tubes to light the tank so the little bit of spill over is not a concern for me.

Oh, and the drawing is still a work in progress, forgive the crudeness of the drawing.

http://i.imgur.com/A9XnFl.gif

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Is there a size limit to sump/refrigum? I currently run a 30g refrigum under my 125, but with the 300DD underway I was thinking of using the 125 as my sump/refrigum. Its 6' long and could make a nice size one out of it. The filtration and equipment is all going to be in the basement. The display tank is the only thing that will be upstairs. Anyone see any problems with this?

Any sugestions or warnings?

[rogermccray]

Is there a size limit to sump/refrigum? I currently run a 30g refrigum under my 125, but with the 300DD underway I was thinking of using the 125 as my sump/refrigum. Its 6' long and could make a nice size one out of it. The filtration and equipment is all going to be in the basement. The display tank is the only thing that will be upstairs. Anyone see any problems with this?Any sugestions or warnings?

No reason you cant use a 125 gallon tank for a sump.


Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk 2

[blazzent]

One question I have is, will your floor support a tank that size? Sounds like your are in an older home...

[DeepSeaBeauti]

One question I have is, will your floor support a tank that size? Sounds like your are in an older home...

I don't think any modern house has a chance holding this up. lol My house was build in 1905 out of rough cut true 2x12's the sub-floor is 5/8 tung and grove and the hard wood is 3/4" thick. I surprised in a house this out it makes no creaks and has no sags in the floors. But even with that said, one of the other reasons the equipment is going in the basement is so that it can be put in a room. The walls of the room are going to be used as support to keep the tank upstairs. I'm not even a little bit concerned with the tank being of there.

[blazzent]

How are things going, any pics of progress?

[KBear]

I'm (hopefully) going to need this bookmark in a few years when I move.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

The wife has me building other things at the moment, and my contractor best friend had a preme babe that has had some major set backs. So right now im working on gathering equipment. I will fur sure post progress as soon as I start.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Ok, I know its been a really long time since I've updated this but here it goes. My wife and I finally decided that building the tank into the 3' wall we originally wanted to would take away the old maids stairs and the character of our 107 year old house. So the compromise is building the stand into a desk and making that room our office. The plan is to make a portion of the stand slide out just under the tank. This would become the desk. On either side I will build some base cabinets for storage. Perhaps to keep files, some books, maybe a printer. Then under the tank more storage since all the equipment will be in the basement.
I'm hoping to get the tank up on the stand this weekend, level it out and then work on building the fish room in the basement. This is critical since it will be the main support to carry the load of this already heavy tank down to the foundation. I'm hoping to get most of this done rather quickly since school is starting in about another month.
Here are a few pictures of the stand as it is right now. I have to install the rails for the desk pullout and then I can place the tank on the stand to really get an idea of how this is going to look. Enjoy!

A shot of the tank and the stand in its location. Its hard to take pictures in this room because of the curved wall.

http://i.imgur.com/pa40vl.jpg

Here's a front shot of the stand.

http://i.imgur.com/RVFPil.jpg

Here is a view from the side. That radiator is being removed and replaced with one of a more period correct type. It will be on the other side of the room.

http://i.imgur.com/yH9mZl.jpg

A view from the other side. Both sides as I described will have base cabinets. The idea is to give it a built in look without actually taring up the wall.

http://i.imgur.com/2j74ll.jpg

[Sharkdog22]

Looks great so far I just found this post but feel I will be returning to see the updates.

So what was your final decision on the refrigum and your old 120g tank? I am currently setting up my 300DD as well, mine in not in a wall but I put a 8 inch riser under it. But that tank will have a 150g rubbermaid horse trough thing and a 30g frag tank all plumed into it. So if you have not made the jump on the refrigum then Im in agreeance with everyone here saying you are good to go with the 120g or if you want to go bigger go for it lol.
Forget the house and what the wife wants just make the whole house thing nothing but tanks lol. You guys are newlyish wedds right? She will get mad at you and then just start to let you do what you want after time anyways so just get all that other stuff out of the way now lol. JK and if my wife reads this someone else hacked my account and wrote all of this and I am denying my knowing of any of your guys or this site lol.

[Sharkdog22]

By the way my wife had about less than 3 mins to ok me getting a 300DD but it was not hard to talk her into it on the deal I got, but me drilling hole into the wall to plum the tank to my sump that in another room was a different story, and im still not hearing the end of it on am I going to fill in the extra space between the pipes going threw the walls lol. So I completely understand where you are coming from on the wife's input on the tank and in all honest you need to take and use her ideas of what she say to survive the night I mean umm umm have a happy marriage lol.

[Sharkdog22]

Just to tag along with on reefnut2012 and chiton are fighting about. Reefnut is right about the pumps creating heat, but no one mentioned yet that lets say the pump is adding % degrees of heat to your tank. ok well that pump is running all the time with lights on and lights off so that 5 degree is not going anywhere. But when lights on the tank temp goes up and lights off the tank temp goes down the pump's 5 degrees is still there. With that being said Chiton how do you have your vents setup on your tank? with the basement at 64ish degrees and your vents set up to where one is blowing in cool air and one is blowing hot air out I would say you should not have to have a chiller inside a house

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Looks great so far I just found this post but feel I will be returning to see the updates.

So what was your final decision on the refrigum and your old 120g tank? I am currently setting up my 300DD as well, mine in not in a wall but I put a 8 inch riser under it. But that tank will have a 150g rubbermaid horse trough thing and a 30g frag tank all plumed into it. So if you have not made the jump on the refrigum then Im in agreeance with everyone here saying you are good to go with the 120g or if you want to go bigger go for it lol.
Forget the house and what the wife wants just make the whole house thing nothing but tanks lol. You guys are newlyish wedds right? She will get mad at you and then just start to let you do what you want after time anyways so just get all that other stuff out of the way now lol. JK and if my wife reads this someone else hacked my account and wrote all of this and I am denying my knowing of any of your guys or this site lol.

I think in the interim i will be running my old 55 as my refrigum until the 300 is up and running. Then will mostly use the 125 as a sump and leave the 55 as just a refrigum. I will use the 30gal I have as my sump/refrigum now as a QT tank. At least that's the plan for now.
As for the wife, we are newly wedds, but believe me she has already been conditioned to accept my decisions and choices. Keeping the stairs was mostly my decision. I imagined myself as a kid again and remember how cool it was running around and playing hide an sneak. These stairs are a sneaky way to get up stairs with out being seen. lol

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Just to tag along with on reefnut2012 and chiton are fighting about. Reefnut is right about the pumps creating heat, but no one mentioned yet that lets say the pump is adding % degrees of heat to your tank. ok well that pump is running all the time with lights on and lights off so that 5 degree is not going anywhere. But when lights on the tank temp goes up and lights off the tank temp goes down the pump's 5 degrees is still there. With that being said Chiton how do you have your vents setup on your tank? with the basement at 64ish degrees and your vents set up to where one is blowing in cool air and one is blowing hot air out I would say you should not have to have a chiller inside a house

Speaking of pumps, Have you figured out what pump your going to use? I plan on modifying the overflow drains in the tank to a Herbi style and routing the water back to the tank over the top hidden in the stand and canopy. This should not increase my drain rate but I figure the drop of about 9' will drain quick as it is. So im going to need a pump that has a high enough head pressure and flow rate to get a matched setup without having to valve anything back.

[sawcreatives]

Here is the latest rendering of the 300 DD. Its taken a lot of compromise with the wife to even get this. I have to build this stand soon so I can get my
125g out my grandparents house. I'm open to tips an suggestions.

BTW, I know many of you maybe concerned with the tank under the windows. I'm still planing on running solar tubes to light the tank so the little bit of spill over is not a concern for me.

Oh, and the drawing is still a work in progress, forgive the crudeness of the drawing.

http://i.imgur.com/A9XnFl.gif

I love this idea. 300gallons is a whole lot of swimming room! :)

[DeepSeaBeauti]

I love this idea. 300gallons is a whole lot of swimming room! :)

Yes it is. My contractor and I were joking around yesterday since I started this hobby about 18years ago out of a 20L tank. I remember begging my dad to rebuild a 55g we got used. Needed to be resealed. Well I still have that tank, and it is now going to be my refrigum for a bit. Its really funny how big enough go be just a bit bigger still.

[Vinny Kreyling]

I would look into a Reeflo Dart for a return pump.
Coming from the basement is going to cut the flow down with head pressure.
From what I read they are reliable and energy efficient.
I seriuosly doubt you will get a pump with "just the right flow" and adding a valve usually reduces wattage anyway.
It is always nice to have the extra capacity for "add ons" in the future.

[Sharkdog22]

Deepsea for the drains I used both overflow return and drain as drains so I got 4 drains I guess. And for the pump I have a Sicce Syncra 12.0 witch does 3200gph, but im running the other 30g tank off of it and am looking at getting a NextReef Reactor (most likely the Monster one) that I have pumped for but dont have just yet. For the 9' you got to go I know they have a Sicce Syncra 16.0 witch does 4200gph.

what is the Herbi style system? Im not familiar with it.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Deepsea for the drains I used both overflow return and drain as drains so I got 4 drains I guess. And for the pump I have a Sicce Syncra 12.0 witch does 3200gph, but im running the other 30g tank off of it and am looking at getting a NextReef Reactor (most likely the Monster one) that I have pumped for but dont have just yet. For the 9' you got to go I know they have a Sicce Syncra 16.0 witch does 4200gph.

what is the Herbi style system? Im not familiar with it.

Ill have to look into these two pumps you guys both suggested. I still have some time yet before I get to that point but its good to keep my eyes open for god sales and to see what everyone else is running.

As for the Herbi style overflow. Its a method to drain the tank in a silent fashion. Here is a post for the Beananimal style. Its the same idea but with a fail safe.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1310585

[vito is hooked]

Im kinda curios about the double drain since Im at that point right now with my 300.http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq36/vitoishooked/300tank-standbuild112.jpg.......I used a 180 for my sump/ref...http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq36/vitoishooked/300tank-standbuild052.jpg and was wondering if my 2- 1" 1/2 drains gunna be enough for the 3200 gph pump...

[ridetheducati]

Im kinda curios about the double drain since Im at that point right now with my 300. and was wondering if my 2- 1" 1/2 drains gunna be enough for the 3200 gph pump...

How much head pressure on the 3200gph pump?

[vito is hooked]

dont know...the pump was given to me.Im gunna have to start a new thread...I have lots of question's and dont want to highjak.....

[Sharkdog22]

Vito - with a 3200gph pump you will be movin some goooood water if the pump is right under the tank, I would make sure you have a ball value on it to turn it down if needed. Will that pump just be running the tank or are you going to tap off of it and run some other stuff like a reactor?

When you start that other thread post the link on this one so I can follow that one, if thats ok with Deepsea?

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Here are some updated pic's. This first one is the stand with the desk drawing I made a few months back. Its what I used to negotiate with the wife. Haha

<a href="http://imgur.com/zKFin"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/zKFinl.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="" /></a>

Here is a shot of the desk installed just before the tank went up.

<a href="http://imgur.com/3NIox"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/3NIoxl.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="" /></a>

Pic of the desk pulled out

<a href="http://imgur.com/GUcbP"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/GUcbPl.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="" /></a>

My contractor father and brother getting ready to lift this beast!

<a href="http://imgur.com/zWka3"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/zWka3l.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="" /></a>

<a href="http://imgur.com/4DRrw"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/4DRrwl.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="" /></a>

<a href="http://imgur.com/x7hJp"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/x7hJpl.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="" /></a>

<a href="http://imgur.com/sOUF9"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/sOUF9l.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="" /></a>

Trust in the stand?
<a href="http://imgur.com/nWikh"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/nWikhl.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="" /></a>

Sitting up on the stand. Looking good

<a href="http://imgur.com/UG7eJ"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/UG7eJl.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="" /></a>

Tank installed and desk pulled out. I'm loving the way this is turning out.
<a href="http://imgur.com/LBbqB"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/LBbqBl.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="" /></a>

[Sharkdog22]

Holy hell that beast is cooler than SH*****T. IM freakin loving that thing. I wont my desk like that lol. Now you just got to get your computer monitors in there without getting shocked lol and that would be great haha.

[rogermccray]

So the front edge of this tank is unsupported? other than the corners... Is that going to be a problem?

[Reeftanks6]

Looking really good will definitely be following your thread!

[DeepSeaBeauti]

So the front edge of this tank is unsupported? other than the corners... Is that going to be a problem?

Ive been studying stands now for at least 2 years. Now first off I'm not a structural engineer so I cant give definite facts here but, Here are what I based my decisions on.

1. My 125g long has been supported by a steel stand for 5 years now. The stand is 1/4 angle iron. I'ts only supported in the corners. If you look at the middle of the stand it has a gap of at least 1/8th".

2. With wood I did not want to run the risk of a middle brace for whatever reason putting pressure on the middle and causing it to fail. With it in the corners if something sagged or grew it would do the to to sides from the corner.

3. The glass itself is made to support itself. Have you ever been able to flex a piece of glass from the edge? It would be like trying to tare the glass in half.

4. The frame is doing a decent amount to support the tank.


I know I'm going to hear a mouth full from a bunch of ppl about how the stand is not going to be sufficient, but believe me. Less wood holds up the room around this tank lol, and it weights much more then the 3,000-3,500 lbs I imagine will be held up. The tank will be supported from the basement to carry the load to the ground and prevent the tank from moving threw the floor.
A lot of DIY stands are way over built. After looking at the factory stand for this tank I feel completely confident in the design here.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Holy hell that beast is cooler than SH*****T. IM freakin loving that thing. I wont my desk like that lol. Now you just got to get your computer monitors in there without getting shocked lol and that would be great haha.

Yeah the desk Idea is turning out better then I could have imagined. Luckily I use mostly a laptop now so having a monitor in the tank will not be an issues, lol. There was an episode on TV where they mounted TV's into a display tank. I don't want to look in my tank and see a bunch of couch potato fish watching TV rather than swimming around. haha

[DeepSeaBeauti]

I'm starting to lay out a plan for the basement room. I'm working on a sketch to plan where I need to put walls that will also serve as support for the tank above.

Here are a couple of scary views of the basement as it is today. Within the week I will begin taring down the plaster celing, cleaning the floor and starting to frame the walls up. This is going to be a lot of work.....

View towards the back left wall. The oil tanks are to the left just under the tank. Fortunatly the floor joist run the length of the room so the wall I'm planing to build ~6' 6" off the wall to turn the oil tank section into the boiler room/section.

http://i.imgur.com/X1PZgl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/W08r5l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/sjKOHl.jpg

This is the view back from the wall where the oil tanks are.

http://i.imgur.com/7bP45l.jpg


I hoping by the winter to have my boiler and hot water heater converted to gas. I'm installing a HE unit that will go in place of the oil tanks. With it so close I plan to use that system to warm my tank water in the cold winter months. At least that's the plan so far...

[DeepSeaBeauti]

OK so I think I picked my return pump. Reeflo Hammerhead/barracuda hybrid. This should more than handle the head I'm going to need and still be able to run other equipment off of it.
Next question is what size should I run my drain/overflows. I'm going to modify my corner overflows for either a Herbie or the beananimal and run the return over the back. The tank comes with two 2 inch dorsal style pipes but is reduced to 1" to go through the bulk head. Should I run a larger style drain pipe? What do you guys recommend for drain pipe size with the mod running a full siphon?

[Sharkdog22]

I don't want to look in my tank and see a bunch of couch potato fish watching TV rather than swimming around. haha
hahahaha thats awsome

[Sharkdog22]

How many return lines are you going to have from your tank is the first question? I got 4-1" drains on mine, with that 3200gph pump running it. Right now it is just running that and nothing else yet and the drains are keeping up with it.

I'm guessing the system will be hard pipped? make sure make sure make sure you put glue on both ends of the pipe and give them a little twist when putting them together. I thought I was generous with my glue but I did not twist them to make sure the glue was solid all around and I have little pinhole leaks that I'm dealing with right now where the pipes connect. It will put you in a bad mood real fast when you think your tank is ready to go and be up and running then you got to go back and fix things like that, and possibly replum some of it.

[Sharkdog22]

I don't remember if you answered it already or not but what lights are you/have you gone with?

[DeepSeaBeauti]

I don't remember if you answered it already or not but what lights are you/have you gone with?

Right now the plan is to use solar tubes and supplement with LED's since here in Ny the sun is not very intense during the winter months.

Just and update for others:
So once again the tank build has been delayed due to major amounts of water getting into my basement. The fix so far has been to install gutters on two sides of my house, put in window wells and add drainage to get the water away from the foundation. After several weeks of drying the basement up, cleaning mold the room is almost ready to be built to hold up the tank and keep a clean room to house all the equipment.
In other exciting news my return pump came in yesterday but I missed the Mail Man and will be going this afternoon to pick it up. I think things will progress much faster once the room is built in the basement.

[Sharkdog22]

ahh thats right I remember you saying that before. I just did not feel like going back and reading past comments. That is diffide ntly the cheaper way to go on the energy front. Im looking at the kessil 350s lights but not to sure, none of my LFS have any of them running on any tanks so that does not help me. And I'm not about to go on a 400 humm maybe ill like them kick.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Heres the pump!! I cant wait to see this thing in action. "Baracuda/Hammerhead" Reeflo

<a href="http://imgur.com/zcCqq"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/zcCqql.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="" /></a>

I'm hopping to get this build back on track this weekend.

[SSprince]

Your desk has got me thinking!! Just when I thought the plans in my head were complete!!

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Your desk has got me thinking!! Just when I thought the plans in my head were complete!!

Good to see even my simple build has inspired! Yeah I think it will be a great setup. I probably wont be able to get any work done but it will be nice. lol

[DeepSeaBeauti]

...

[DeepSeaBeauti]

I'm finally back on the built. Ive got the support wall built into the basement not. I have to re level the tank upstairs since I moved the floor back up to level. My task now for the next few days is too move all of the electrical spider-webs that come with adding electric to a house that's over 100 years old. And then move radiator pipes up into the ceiling and the radiator in the office/Display tank room to the other wall.

Ill take some pictures tonight. I have to try and plan my layout of how to plumb everything down to the filter room, where to put outlets, where to place my sumps and pumps.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Here is the latest rendering of the layout. Im trying to figure out where to run electric and plumbing runs.


<a href="http://imgur.com/7lG30"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/7lG30l.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="" /></a>

[DeepSeaBeauti]

I know I have not updated this much in a while, and whats a build without progress. But ive been laying low around here lately and looking at everyones great builds trying to get an idea of layout and to better plan things so this only has to be done once. So without further ado here are some pictures of the sump room in the basement.

This is the room the houses the oil tanks that eventually will be removed once my heat is converted to gas. Everything will be relocated to this room.
http://i.imgur.com/BiUu8l.jpg

This is a bad picture of what I started with
http://i.imgur.com/A4nEil.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/jObjGl.jpg

This shows some of the electrical nightmares I had to deal with. My house is still 89% nob and post!
http://i.imgur.com/nof1sl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/GkyH3l.jpg

The framed door opening
http://i.imgur.com/bk6hkl.jpg

Added a light the the future boiler room
http://i.imgur.com/uu9z4l.jpg

The wall opposite of the chimney. I will put shelving here for the washer dryer
http://i.imgur.com/ioZWwl.jpg

[DeepSeaBeauti]

The heating system was added to my house long after it was built in 1905 so all the pipes run under the ceiling. Ive spent the last few nights moving them up into the floor joist bays.
http://i.imgur.com/w230Xl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/rcrL6l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Zzdqjl.jpg

Here is the one pipe relocated up and out of the way. I could not believe how expensive 1-1/4" copper fittings were!!!!

http://i.imgur.com/Wv5qfl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/kXvDsl.jpg

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Now I need to figure out what everyone thinks is better before I put drywall up.

Should I run the electric outside of the drywall and in just receptacle boxes and conduit? Or should I run it in the wall and hope that's where I want it and make it work if anything is moved? Any help in the area would be great since as soon as im done with the heat pipe and radiator move im going back to finishing the electric and then drywall!

Its finally coming together!!

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Now I need to figure out what everyone thinks is better before I put drywall up.

Should I run the electric outside of the drywall and in just receptacle boxes and conduit? Or should I run it in the wall and hope that's where I want it and make it work if anything is moved? Any help in the area would be great since as soon as im done with the heat pipe and radiator move im going back to finishing the electric and then drywall!

Its finally coming together!!

[frogspawn74]

dbl post

[frogspawn74]

nice start! I have almost the same setup. 300dd(main floor) sump in the basement. and that pump is beast. I have it feeding the 300dd, a 200 gallon growout, biopellet reactor and an xp 5000 skimmer. All have plenty of flow!

No clue to your electrical question:(
Im a strong believer in extension cords , remember the movie Christmas Story!

[DeepSeaBeauti]

nice start! I have almost the same setup. 300dd(main floor) sump in the basement. and that pump is beast. I have it feeding the 300dd, a 200 gallon growout, biopellet reactor and an xp 5000 skimmer. All have plenty of flow!

No clue to your electrical question:(
Im a strong believer in extension cords , remember the movie Christmas Story!

It took me weeks to finally settle on the pump!. but from what everyone keeps telling me it will do more then I expect. What impeller are you running?

lol I'm trying to avoid the "Griswold" electrical system.
Bethany: Is your house on fire, Clark?
Clark: No, Aunt Bethany, those are the Christmas lights.

But after looking at everyone's builds here on RC there are a lot of ppl that go into great detail with there plumbing and layout and always seam to come back to running extension cords all over. Nature of the beast I guess.
I think what i'm going to do is drywall the walls built my sump, QT, and Refrigum stands and move stuff around till I find the perfect spots and just run the electric in the wall and not in conduit.

What style over flow did you go with? And what size pluming are you running down to the basement? did you join the duel drains to one larger pipe? Sorry for all the questions. lol If you can take some pictures of the plumbing would be great.

Will

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Im bringing this back from the dead. lol I'm finally done with school at least till next semester. So I'm back on finishing this project. Here is a recent sketch to plan out my plumbing to the basement sump. I'm open to all changes and suggestions. So please let me know what changes need to be made now.
http://i.imgur.com/OK9PD0nl.jpg?1

I'm working with a beananimal style over flow minus the emergency overflow. The sump will be designed so that if all 4 drains or either mane drains get blocked the pump will only pump a small volume of water before it runs its section dry and the pump cavatates.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

wow.. lots and lots going on here.. good luck!!!

Yeah, a few things for sure. I just hope I can get it together sooner than later.

[Mysticalknight]

i thought you couldn't do beananimal with two seperate overflow weirs without bridging them somehow? i know two herbies are possible tho

[DeepSeaBeauti]

So I'm still working on figuring out my plumbing. After spending the weekend painting the basement walls with waterproof paint to stop the water seepage. I began to run all the electric for the outlets for the sump equipment and for the washer and dryer. I also got most of the pluming done for the waste pump for the washer and sink.
I then began to dig into figuring out more of the plumbing sizes for the tank drain and return. As you know from my posts I'm running a modified beananimal overflow system and the return will come up over the sides of the tank. I'm thinking to use of a spray bar in the center to get a flow from the middle to the sides. The tank is set up for 1" bulk heads, so I figured if I keep with my rough sketch and merge 2 of the 1" into 1-1/2 and down to the sump for the full siphon and the same for the emergency. The return pump is a Reeflow hammerhead/barracuda and has a 1-1/2 intake/discharge. What size should I run for the return. Keep in mind the pump is at least 12-14' below the tank. I plan to run most of the equipment from the drain pressure from above. Stuff like the skimmer, gfo and carbon reactor, and my refugium.

So Anyone have and suggestions or recommendations based on what they are using as to the plumbing sizes I should use. Thanks in advance.

[Newbie Aquarist]

I would personally merge them into two 2" drains. Then run the returns all the way to the tank and right at the tank reduce them to 1" Hope that helps. How is school coming along?

[DeepSeaBeauti]

I would personally merge them into two 2" drains. Then run the returns all the way to the tank and right at the tank reduce them to 1" Hope that helps. How is school coming along?

Two 2" drains, You think? That would be a lot of water don't you think? Granted only one should have most of the water flow coming down. The water is going to be falling about 14'min I figure thats a lot. (P=pgh sorry just got done with a long put off intro physics course, Granted this does not factor friction Pressure=(10^3kg/m^3) * (9.81 m/s^2)* (~4.26m)= 6.06PSI , to figure out flow is a bit more difficult Q= (p*r^4*DeltaP)/(8*n*L) but its a lot. lol ~2300 gph )

What size do you think for the return from the pump? I'm thinking of using the output size of the pump and reducing at the tank as you said.


School is going along. Takes a while doing school while working full time. But one more semester done about another year left.

[Newbie Aquarist]

Your drains are determined on the size pump you're using. Two 2" drains can handle about 2000-3000 gallons each. Doesn't mean that'll be flowing through them. I am using four on mine, two drains and two emergencies, and max flow going through the sump is maybe 3000-4000 GPH. Hope that clears it up.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Your drains are determined on the size pump you're using. Two 2" drains can handle about 2000-3000 gallons each. Doesn't mean that'll be flowing through them. I am using four on mine, two drains and two emergencies, and max flow going through the sump is maybe 3000-4000 GPH. Hope that clears it up.

A little, my DD being a stock tank is drilled for only 1" bulkheads so I have to reduce it to 1" through the tank. I was originally thinking of going with the 2" drains I just thought it would be way more then the return pump is going to be able to keep up with from the basement sump room.

So what your thinking is merge the two 1" drains to a 2" main and down. And the two 1" emergency drains to a 2" down to the basement as well.

What do you think of the rough sketch of connections? Do you think I should ad anything or remove anything. Obviously I would increase the pipe size.

Thanks for all your help.

[Newbie Aquarist]

A little, my DD being a stock tank is drilled for only 1" bulkheads so I have to reduce it to 1" through the tank. I was originally thinking of going with the 2" drains I just thought it would be way more then the return pump is going to be able to keep up with from the basement sump room.



So what your thinking is merge the two 1" drains to a 2" main and down. And the two 1" emergency drains to a 2" down to the basement as well.



What do you think of the rough sketch of connections? Do you think I should ad anything or remove anything. Obviously I would increase the pipe size.



Thanks for all your help.


Yes. That would be perfect. But that's my opinion.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Made some good progress the past few days. Got the electric finished, and hung a few boards of sheetrock. Should start working on getting the plumbing down to the basement from the display tank after I get back from my birthday cruise.

Ill post some pictures of how its looking tomorrow. Hope everyone had a great new years.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Picture of the fixed hole in the slab floor.
http://i.imgur.com/iSlu1mPl.jpg

sideways shot of the wall going up and the equipment stand
http://i.imgur.com/EGoO8BBl.jpg

View from the entry way door.
http://i.imgur.com/XgKCvR7l.jpg

I had to move about 6 circuits that all went under the beam. Had to move them to get the drywall up
http://i.imgur.com/FGWs5aZl.jpg

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Spent all weekend working on the plumbing here and there. Started from the top building my beananimal overflows.

http://i.imgur.com/nzF3M1il.jpg

I still have to silicone the inside of the overflow boxes since they only do the outside. But I was able to get the plumbing made up from the bulkheads down into the basement.

http://i.imgur.com/v7QPef0l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/uAlG4jJl.jpg

The pipes coming down from the drains upstairs,

http://i.imgur.com/BpFpqMIl.jpg

Manifold to run skimmer and reactor with the water falling from upstairs, hopefully should save me from using the two pumps I need right now to run them now.

http://i.imgur.com/7Is4777l.jpg

Over all view showing the layout in the basement. Looks pretty close to my rendering. I still have to finish the stand and get the tank drilled for the return pump but I finally feel like I'm making headway

http://i.imgur.com/qTn68MMl.jpg

[zachhll]

Just a thought if your going to put a boiler in the room next to the fish room. How are you going to get the fuel oil tanks out with out removing all of your fish stuff. Also i don't see many unions so that wont be easy.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Just a thought if your going to put a boiler in the room next to the fish room. How are you going to get the fuel oil tanks out with out removing all of your fish stuff. Also i don't see many unions so that wont be easy.
\

Those tanks both before and now will only ever be removed by cutting them out of there. So for that reason I'm not too worried. As for unions the return section is only mocked up and will have unions on both ends of the pump. The drains into the sump are made so that the PVC is only friction fit after the valve so that they can be removed for maintenance.

[dlondono]

i hope you are adding an exhaust above that sump, if that tank is running for a couple of years you are going to rust up that electrical panel

[DeepSeaBeauti]

i hope you are adding an exhaust above that sump, if that tank is running for a couple of years you are going to rust up that electrical panel

Tell me about it. Ive gone through great lengths to start moving all the wiring that is currently going to that panel. See most of my house is still nob and post and 90% of the wiring will be replaced probably when my kitchen is finally remodeled. Till then It will be closely monitored.

[stevefl]

very nice tank i just ordered my 280 i'll tag along and start a thread soon

[Newbie Aquarist]

Great update and progress man. Congrats on completing the semester of school. What are you majoring in?

[agcneves]

Keep up the great work!
Good luck!

[DeepSeaBeauti]

very nice tank i just ordered my 280 i'll tag along and start a thread soon

Congratulations, I hope your build goes much faster then mine has. It has taking much more time and money then expected, especially trying to get it so that it will make sense now and down the road for upgrades.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Great update and progress man. Congrats on completing the semester of school. What are you majoring in?

Thanks, Its nice to finally see actual progress. And today with this big snow fall we got up here over night I have the day off so I think I'm going to pull the tank away from the wall and paint the back.

Any tips on painting the back glass?


I'm pre-med and a biology major, School starts again monday so I'm in over drive trying to get things done. lol

[DeepSeaBeauti]

So Since I found out that it may not be possible to drill my 55gall tank because its probably tempered I had to re configure the return pump for suction lift. I mounted a shelf above the tank and used some scrap pieces of composite decking for a base then bolted it down. I installed the check valve according to the installation instructions and hopefully this will solve that issue.
I'm also going to use the 29gall refugium I have on my 125 now and tie it into the system using one of the valve on the manifold and the Rio pump I have now to run the return into the sump and back to the display.

Here are a few pictures from yesterdays snow day finishing up the top of the stand and getting the pump mocked up then mounted.

http://i.imgur.com/X9IFlqBl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Q1wHmYvl.jpg

[Newbie Aquarist]

Thanks, Its nice to finally see actual progress. And today with this big snow fall we got up here over night I have the day off so I think I'm going to pull the tank away from the wall and paint the back.

Any tips on painting the back glass?


I'm pre-med and a biology major, School starts again monday so I'm in over drive trying to get things done. lol

Tape it off and use Rustoleum. That's what i used on the back of my tanks. Or get a paint that's good on glass.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Tape it off and use Rustoleum. That's what i used on the back of my tanks. Or get a paint that's good on glass.

Ok cool. Figured it was not all that hard. You recommend spray or roller?

I guess the next thing to figure out is what color. I know I don't want black so I was thinking of a shade of blue. I'm going to have to check out the options at the store.

[Vinny Kreyling]

Don't know if I would be comfortable with that pump so close to the electric panel.
Never used that model but they will eventually need a seal right?
If it "sprays" there could be trouble in River City.
I think I would also have a baffle by the return line in case of bubbles.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Don't know if I would be comfortable with that pump so close to the electric panel.
Never used that model but they will eventually need a seal right?
If it "sprays" there could be trouble in River City.
I think I would also have a baffle by the return line in case of bubbles.

Yeah, I was not so thrilled about it either but my plan is to build both a bottom to stop or at least prevent and splash from under the pump coming up and a front shield around the side of the tank close to the panel, I was also looking into building an enclosure around the panel to try and keep as much splash off as possible

[dave.m]

I agree with boxing the panel, but I would also move that tank to the table on the left (in the photo). You are desperately wanting to keep the humidity in that room as low as possible with the electrical panel enclosed in such a small room with so much water, so plan on a fan driven by a humidistat.

Dave.M

[DeepSeaBeauti]

I agree with boxing the panel, but I would also move that tank to the table on the left (in the photo). You are desperately wanting to keep the humidity in that room as low as possible with the electrical panel enclosed in such a small room with so much water, so plan on a fan driven by a humidistat.

Dave.M

That's a great idea, Is there a particular model or type of fan you would recommend?

On the left side I plan to put the refugium that is currently under my 125set up upstairs. Eventually the panel is going to be moved out of the room entirely but Id figure that wont happen for at least another year.

[dave.m]

Any bathroom fan run by humidistat will do since you have no appreciable distance to run it. Check some of the other threads near this one as others are already doing the same thing.

Dave.M

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Any bathroom fan run by humidistat will do since you have no appreciable distance to run it. Check some of the other threads near this one as others are already doing the same thing.

Dave.M

Great, Thanks Dave. Im gonna check them out. I have a window right above it so it should be easy enough to mount and run it.

So Ive been working on my Labview program to monitor and control parts of the tank. Hes a picture of the front panel so far. Really just trying to get things to work at the moment and will clean up and refine the look later. Still lots to add.

http://i.imgur.com/lSKwH23l.jpg

[DeepSeaBeauti]

So yesterday I was finishing up some of the return plumbing to the tank. Looking for some input on the placement of the returns. Is there anything you would change? A better method to return the water. I have 3 mp40s to get flow around the tank, Not sure if I'm going to use the mp10s I have as well. So let me know what you guys think.

http://i.imgur.com/kvIp5ljl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ul5fIuxl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/spU5nq0l.jpg










Also I was thinking about the return pump, It said something in the instructions to use a valve to restrict flow. It then says that It should just be closed and not bypassed to reduce the flow and this can make it more efficient. I always thought that it was best to t off the return and bypass it back to the sump. Can someone clarifies this for me please.

[Vinny Kreyling]

Restricting the return has been shown to reduce the electricity used.
Not an electrician so I don't know the reasoning for this.
Can't tell the size of the return nozzles but I would think with a Hammerhead pump they are going to "spray like crazy".
I like Sea Swirls personally.
They come in 3 sizes -1/2" 3/4" & 1". The new model does all 3 with the same unit.

[ca1ore]

Restricting the return has been shown to reduce the electricity used.

I had always heard the opposite, that restricting the flow increases head pressure and the pump 'thinks' it has to work harder. I am not an electrical engineer either, so who really knows.

To the OP .... I would be reluctant to mount a pump above the water level in my sump. Check valves generally don't work all that well, invariably fail to do what it is you need them to do, and you may find your pump will be unprimed in event of a power failure/resumption. I had an undrilled sump a few years ago, and ended up plumbing my pump with a U shaped PVC pipe over the side of the tank. That way the pump always stays primed.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

I had always heard the opposite, that restricting the flow increases head pressure and the pump 'thinks' it has to work harder. I am not an electrical engineer either, so who really knows.

To the OP .... I would be reluctant to mount a pump above the water level in my sump. Check valves generally don't work all that well, invariably fail to do what it is you need them to do, and you may find your pump will be unprimed in event of a power failure/resumption. I had an undrilled sump a few years ago, and ended up plumbing my pump with a U shaped PVC pipe over the side of the tank. That way the pump always stays primed.

I was thinking that a u-pipe but not sure how to get it down to it. Do you still need a check valve? Do you prime it the same way as a suction lift?

I know I'm going to be very annoyed at it not being drilled though the side and plumbed out for now, but I've been working up plans for a DIY acrylic sump. But that's all going to be dependent on time and money. And with school starting Monday I don't have either of those. lol

[ridetheducati]

Where is the siphon break on the return plumbing?

[ca1ore]

I was thinking that a u-pipe but not sure how to get it down to it. Do you still need a check valve? Do you prime it the same way as a suction lift?

It's really just a run of PVC with two elbows to get you over the rim of the tank, with one end near the bottom of the sump and the other with a third elbow into the suction side of the pump. Looks like you'd have enough room next to your sump to do this. Personally I never sue check valves as I am not diligent enough abut keeping them clean, so they clog up. Your return nozzles are close enough to the surface of the tank that I'd think back siphon would be minimal. Priming the U tube is a pain, no question. I used to thread an air hose up into the U and just suck out the air.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Where is the siphon break on the return plumbing?

Like ca1ore said the returns are high enough that I wont have much issue, the other thing is there is a check valve down by the pump so that if it stops so does the back flow of water ( at least slow down the back flow)

It's really just a run of PVC with two elbows to get you over the rim of the tank, with one end near the bottom of the sump and the other with a third elbow into the suction side of the pump. Looks like you'd have enough room next to your sump to do this. Personally I never sue check valves as I am not diligent enough abut keeping them clean, so they clog up. Your return nozzles are close enough to the surface of the tank that I'd think back siphon would be minimal. Priming the U tube is a pain, no question. I used to thread an air hose up into the U and just suck out the air.

Yeah that seams like a pain. I currently have a CPR over-flow on my 125 and its a pain when the lifter pump fails to pull out the air, but for the most part works well and might work in this instance as well. I may do that, cause honestly the more I look at it the less I like the idea of having the pump above the sump. The whole idea of having it in the basement in its own room was to be able to access stuff easier.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

So here it is finally full of water!!!!! Took a bit to get the over flows ballanced but they are quiet as can be. The one problem I must address is modify the over flows to get a bit more flow into them. More pictures to come, but here is one of it full of water after a week of filling with RO/DI. lol

http://i.imgur.com/aa9JD4ml.jpg

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Since getting the tank filled with water I have found some places that needed to be addressed. For instance, since I now have two 1.5" drains in each overflow instead of one in each as designed from the factory, I needed to modify the overflow teeth. What I did was cut every other tooth out. http://i.imgur.com/mTQmgMUl.jpg

Here is a picture of the sump. I know its a mess but I just needed to get it set up quick to cycle the tank. As soon as the 125 is broken down I'm going to have the refugium from it connected to the system.

http://i.imgur.com/UWAFDlYl.jpg

Here is what the tank looked like after adding 200lbs of sand, Even after rinsing the sand several times.

http://i.imgur.com/Rqtph4vl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/bNHrknzl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/IrPalWWl.jpg

Here is a picture from this morning

http://i.imgur.com/f7o4WwVl.jpg

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Started putting together my other MH fixture. This time I sprayed the inside with high temp clear and the out side with high temp flat black. Maybe this will keep the mirror finish shiny longer and easier to maintain.

http://i.imgur.com/gdtCKnkl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/3GZtKtBl.jpg



Here's a shot of the 125, Half the aqua-scape is now removed. I'm doing it very slow so that I don't shock everyone too much or stir up the bottom too much.

http://i.imgur.com/de6UJdul.jpg


Here's a shot of it moved to the 300. I may tweak it a bit more, I want to get the rest in first. I'm glad I was able to get the rock wall to work in here still.
http://i.imgur.com/c7tqoUkl.jpg

[Newbie Aquarist]

Great pics and congrats on getting the tank filled.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Great pics and congrats on getting the tank filled.

Thanks,
This is a long time coming. I'm so happy to finally see my dream come together and to work properly. Good planing goes a long way with large systems. I hope to get the rest of the rock work in within a few days. Tonight I think I'm going to catch all the fish and move them over. Its a lot of work to keep two tanks going. That's over 500gal of water to keep clean. lol

[dave.m]

This time I sprayed the inside with high temp clear
Could you expand on this: name? brand? where found? Do you have any previous experience with this product to know whether it works or not?

Thx

Dave.M

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Could you expand on this: name? brand? where found? Do you have any previous experience with this product to know whether it works or not?

Thx

Dave.M

Hey Dave,
So Its just a high temp Clear Coat used for engine's. Ive used it plenty of times on cars I have built. Works great and is very durable. Its good to over 500deg F. You can buy it just about anywhere now a days ( auto parts store home depot, Lowes).
I don't know if it is going to last forever, but I do know that my other fixture was over the tank and was very badly corroded. I cleaned it up and replaced some of the panels and then cleared it. The other fixture I just assembled as you can see from the pictures.
The whole idea is to keep the metal sealed from the evaporation of the water. Sure once the bulb turns on it will dry it up and leave a salt residue, but it should be very easy to just wipe clean with mild soap during regular maintenance.

Ill take a few pictures of the two fixtures when I get home this evening so you can see the difference.

[dave.m]

"Automotive stuff" - okay, I don't know Automotive, so I will have to look into further. Thx

Dave.M

[DeepSeaBeauti]

"Automotive stuff" - okay, I don't know Automotive, so I will have to look into further. Thx

Dave.M

lol, Ok So think shinny "BBQ" You know BBQ's right? As a matter of fact the black I used was called BBQ black. Has a picture of a Weber grill on the can.

Here's a link to the clear http://www.tcpglobal.com/SprayPaintDepot/ItemDetail.aspx?ItemNo=VHT+SP145&gclid=CPvf8bqi2LwCFY1QOgodXCUAYw

Here's a similar can for the black http://www.idealtruevalue.com/servlet/the-81601/Detail?gclid=COOgmoSj2LwCFURnOgodYX4AXg

Well as promised here are some pictures of the old light fixture that has been on my tank for about 2 years. was getting so bad I replaced 3 of the corner pieces, then scrubbed it down and cleared the inside and flat black painted the outside. They were un protected for those two years and as you can see it shows. its still not perfect but its much much better then it was (sorry I did not take a before picture.

http://i.imgur.com/R5MOOXnl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/OfJQXFYl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SIPaEz3l.jpg


Now these pictures show the fixture I just assembled. It is brand new, never used. I clear painted the inside and the same black to the outside. I'm hoping that this will keep it from looking like the other. And now that it has a nice coat on it that I will be able to wipe it clean once in a while to get the salt off from evaporation.

http://i.imgur.com/ZilIOd4l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/AeG4o1Kl.jpg


Here's a quick shot of the tank this morning. I was able to get all the fish moved last night without any problems, and I was able to get all the rock except for the other half of the rock wall. Maybe after Bio class tonight Ill move it. I don't have the halides over the tank yet because I need to move the ballast still. Currently there's only a t5 fixture with 10K and blue atinic's. Should have the halides in a day or two.

http://i.imgur.com/vdmb7Vil.jpg

[DeepSeaBeauti]

After looking at the new fixture compared to the old one I decided to make another. Two others actually, One I may use to try some different light set ups. Ill post more pictures as it progresses. I'm also using a thicker material. The other fixtures were made from solar tubes that I uncoiled and laid out flat. These are made from one side polished sheets of aluminum 1/16th thick.

Here's the printed template ready to be cut out.

http://i.imgur.com/f1yXVdBl.jpg

[Vinny Kreyling]

Are those fixtures supposed to have a glass shield?
I had the minis and they had a channel for glass.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Are those fixtures supposed to have a glass shield?
I had the minis and they had a channel for glass.

I'm not too sure, Ive never actually seen a real set in person. I built mine from scratch with the use of CAD software to make a print. I imagine if I was to use plate glass so it did not have any Uv filters it would work fine.

My main problem was the one that is heavily corroded was sitting right on top of the Light diffuser (egg crate) panels and the return from the refugium would splash on it constantly. The new tank does not have this problem because the fixtures are going to be hung. Sure I should still get condensation, but that's where the clear paint should help.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

So i noticed my tank seams to need a lot of top off water. As i was filling it from the sump in the basement i noticed the lower trim was all wet. I dried it off and checked again later and it was wet again. This was two days ago (been busy with midterms). This morning i checked and found water on the floor, i hope it holds together until i get a chance to get my 30gal online and break down the 55 sump to either reseal it or replace it.

[Pife]

Great idea on the lights. I'm interested in how well the clear holds up. Let us know how it looks in a month. I'm going to paint my back of mine now too.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Great idea on the lights. I'm interested in how well the clear holds up. Let us know how it looks in a month. I'm going to paint my back of mine now too.

So far there holding up great. I tell you, I can really see the difference in the two lights. The corroded one is much more defused and dull looking.

I'm currently working on two more fixtures I made out of a much thicker polished aluminum. Ill post pictures of them tomorrow.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

So after a far too long school semester I was finally able to get my 55 sump back in order( new silicone and moved the baffles for better bubble trap). Now have my sump room in a much better state and now can probably start to tidy up a bit better.

I also was able to get my 30gal refugium tank plumbed in and return to the 55 all being fed from the manifold off of the display. The biggest issue I had with this was the event of a power failure. The 30 gal would not have enough overflow room . So my solution, use a float valve to shut the the drain from the manifold therefore preventing the flood.

http://i.imgur.com/bAlfYkfl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/XhAoBOOl.jpg

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Got a chance to do my water test today seams everything is a bit low. Only thing spot on was my mag levels.
Alk 1.9
Ca 340
Mag 1350
Ph 8.2
temp 76F
PO .03ppm

I'm going to do a big water change tonight and retest in the morning after things have stabilized. I know somethings were stirred up after swapping the tanks in the basement. I'm thinking my PO levels are far larger then my test kit are showing.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

So everything is running well with my sump room back in order. Now I want to tackle the return lines going into the tank. I used the stock returns of the DD just had them come over the back of the tank instead of the overflow boxes. The problem is I get a vortex at times and then a slurping sound.
I was wondering what everyone else is doing for there returns on large tanks. I have two mp 40s for circulation but figured it maybe good to randomize the returns from the sump. Also how I should maybe try to return them.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Took a couple pictures of the reflectors after a year being over my tank. As you can see the Clear coat heat paint has stood up very well!

http://i.imgur.com/ZY23z0jl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/IRQ47IAl.jpg

[worm5406]

Very good. It has been a while, do you have a new FTS? Full tank shot.

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Very good. It has been a while, do you have a new FTS? Full tank shot.

I was just talking about that in the club forum. I will take one tonight. I'm currently getting ready to dive into SPS territory I think. So hopefully bring some color to the tank.

Will

[worm5406]

Very nice! Look forward to that adventure!

[DeepSeaBeauti]

As many of you know I have a 300DD tank. I have a modified herbi like overflow in both corners. In order to get the volume of water I wanted to drain down to the basement I needed to modify the stock corner over flow. What I did was cut out every other tooth so that more water would over flow. This leaves the teeth about 1/2" openings. My issue is small fish, and my cleaner shrimp seam to always get into the over flow box and down the 1-1/2 tube they go. If there lucky they make it past the flow control gate valves, then down either the main drain into the sump, or towards the manifold where they encounter more valves and into the refugium ( where I have found a chromas, and cleaner shrimp).

My question is what does everyone do to prevent this from happening in the first place? Is there a method to cover the large pvc dorso overflows that will not mean I need to clean it everyday because its loaded up with crud? Was thinking to use some egg crate but not sure if that's small enough, and how to attach it.

Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Will

[dave.m]

You can cover the top of the entire overflow box with that 1/4" plastic netting called gutter guard. You can get plastic window screening material and use a cable tie to strap it on over just the tops of your open stand pipes. These are just a couple of pretty common solutions.

Dave.M

[bmullikin1]

black gutter guard, opening are about 1/4 in a honey comb pattern at home depot or lowes

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Thats a great idea, I think what Ill do is cut a tray like device to go over the entire over flow as Dave suggested but I'm thinking of using some of the light diffusion grid I have laying around then putting the gutter guard over, that way its easy to just grab and rinse off as needed. Thanks for the input.

Also, what is everyone using for tank tops? Im currently using the light diffusion panels since my tank is very deep and long, but my recent addition of Zebra Barred Dartfish keep jumping through the 1/2" grid and onto the floor. Any suggestions?

Will

[dave.m]

You can use aluminum screen door framing and use a 1/4" plastic grid material instead of window screen (you don't want to block out too much light). There are several types of plastic screen sold as bird netting for gardeners that may also be of use. Best is to wander around your local hardware store and see what they have available.

Dave.M

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Here are some quick photos of the screen on the left side of the tank. I still need to add the locline to the other side return before I cut up and mount the screed mesh frame.

http://i.imgur.com/nontfCPl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/On0Hkz9l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/jYIXx4ol.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/INvP5Sql.jpg

Then here are some poorly taken photos of the tank both left and right side. I just added some more rock to fill in the wall a bit better.

http://i.imgur.com/dRWypbHl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/EMcVt2pl.jpg


And finally here are some pictures of the baby Ocellaris Clowns I raised as well as a new pair of baby Blackice snowflakes I got from the gentlemen that helped teach me how to raise the Ocellaris babies.

http://i.imgur.com/VDBXkuxl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/TXCKozRl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/4QKekXnl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Dii3PHBl.jpg



Will

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Im bring back the old post. Im finally back in the house full time and I am ready to get the basement set up a bit more in order. I've always been trying to run as much equipment as possible from the water falling from the tank upstairs. I'm not rethinking some things that I have the 100Gal stock tank to use as my sump and a 40 gal breeder I am going to use as my refugium and small frag setup.

Im still using my Reflo barracuda hammerhead as my main return. Im now thinking of using an old submersible pump I have to run my skimmer,my gfo/carbon reactors and my Ca reactor. What does everyone think of that? I want the Main pump to be able to return as much water as possible and don't want to use it to redirect the water.
Do you think I could still use some of the redirected drain water to run anything? Or is it just not worth the trouble and risk of flood.

Ill post pictures in a few days as I get things gathered up.

[ssscuz]

After looking at the new fixture compared to the old one I decided to make another. Two others actually, One I may use to try some different light set ups. Ill post more pictures as it progresses. I'm also using a thicker material. The other fixtures were made from solar tubes that I uncoiled and laid out flat. These are made from one side polished sheets of aluminum 1/16th thick.

Here's the printed template ready to be cut out.

http://i.imgur.com/f1yXVdBl.jpg

Great DIY initiative, do you have the CAD template for these reflectors?
reflectors in Australia are so expensive, wouldn't mid having a go at building my own.
Love the sump room build!

cheers

[DeepSeaBeauti]

Great DIY initiative, do you have the CAD template for these reflectors?
reflectors in Australia are so expensive, wouldn't mid having a go at building my own.
Love the sump room build!

cheers

Ill take a look today when I arrive at work. I believe there on that computer. Will have to scale them to whatever size works best for you. Then make the appropriate changes so that the bulb you use is perfectly centered.

[savvybuckeye7]

How about some shots of the tank since its been 2 years? lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Brunzy]

I love your mechanical room! Do you have anymore pics of it by chance?

[DeepSeaBeauti]

How about some shots of the tank since its been 2 years? lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well I could, but after a whole house renovation the tank suffered a huge loss. I lost 90% of my corals and 5 fish. I'm still trying to slowly recover the tank. Hence the reason I'm trying to resort out my basement plumbing.

Will