Klutch's 365

[Klutch]

Well I've been doing this build for about 6 months now. This is my first saltwater tank so I've had a few ups and downs, more downs than ups lol. But I'm getting close to adding water. I'll post some pics of the journey and the major mistakes along the way.
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/th_38acc45c.jpg (http://s402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/?action=view&current=38acc45c.jpg)
This is the beginning, I replaced my freshwater 280 with the new/used saltwater 365.

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/th_DB95EA70-276F-4F29-A838-EE29D4A24B83-3714-000003A23632E95B.jpg (http://s402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/?action=view&current=DB95EA70-276F-4F29-A838-EE29D4A24B83-3714-000003A23632E95B.jpg)
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/th_573B3500-9F51-4B62-9909-7768203A77A0-3714-000003A23ABD10C1.jpg (http://s402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/?action=view&current=573B3500-9F51-4B62-9909-7768203A77A0-3714-000003A23ABD10C1.jpg)
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/th_71EF1224-7C93-40BE-B837-200EB8CE7D1D-3714-000003A245944FB9.jpg (http://s402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/?action=view&current=71EF1224-7C93-40BE-B837-200EB8CE7D1D-3714-000003A245944FB9.jpg)
Then the plumbing, the second huge mistake (the first was building a stand, wrong three times.)

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/th_6EDC0A5C-6E2C-46FE-85F9-9EEF9F944347-3714-000003A2951752E9.jpg (http://s402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/?action=view&current=6EDC0A5C-6E2C-46FE-85F9-9EEF9F944347-3714-000003A2951752E9.jpg)
480 lbs of base rock

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/th_1866E4C7-B5C3-4195-96D4-7332D92EA75B-5740-000004625311B981.jpg (http://s402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/?action=view&current=1866E4C7-B5C3-4195-96D4-7332D92EA75B-5740-000004625311B981.jpg)
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/th_0149BF19-24F2-41A6-A5F2-D6E8ECC2D57B-5740-0000046257038447.jpg (http://s402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/?action=view&current=0149BF19-24F2-41A6-A5F2-D6E8ECC2D57B-5740-0000046257038447.jpg)
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/th_6587273A-A534-4E7F-8ACF-87F8B0482834-5740-000004625A35AB85.jpg (http://s402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/?action=view&current=6587273A-A534-4E7F-8ACF-87F8B0482834-5740-000004625A35AB85.jpg)
Then I redid the plumbing a final time.

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/th_DA40A72B-8D1C-4460-83C6-53EB27AA207C-5740-000004625DC9C237.jpg (http://s402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/?action=view&current=DA40A72B-8D1C-4460-83C6-53EB27AA207C-5740-000004625DC9C237.jpg)
The holding tanks.

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/th_4646518A-8771-464E-A87A-5E59E7E61A7C-7142-000004F872D2B600.jpg (http://s402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/?action=view&current=4646518A-8771-464E-A87A-5E59E7E61A7C-7142-000004F872D2B600.jpg)
Transfer pump plumbing.

There y'all go!!! This is a shortened story. I have more pics and plans if anyone is interested.

[Snakebyt]

"I have more pics and plans if anyone is interested"

did you forget you were at RC..lol Of course we love pics.. the more the merrier

looks good man

[Klutch]

"I have more pics and plans if anyone is interested"

did you forget you were at RC..lol Of course we love pics.. the more the merrier

looks good man
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/6F7505C8-46F2-41DB-AE6D-5025C5ED0F86-7728-00000538A0DC132D.jpg
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/91DD34ED-560A-4C35-940D-2A633527E6C8-7728-00000538AA72C120.jpg
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/7228BEDB-48E2-465B-8759-F0E602CBCFF5-7728-00000538B05C8BE4.jpg
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/3105F113-C375-410B-8914-86E8284E7CF0-7728-00000538B633BBAA.jpg
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/F9EA1642-0DF1-4FF2-9EB4-E0E7A4B1307A-7728-00000538BBFEF5A5.jpg
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/853EB347-C34E-43D9-B8BB-8F8C3B8E9F77-7728-00000538C231B7D5.jpg
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/94C0BFF9-25C7-4EB6-B5DE-5FB121A69527-7728-00000538C93BEB51.jpg
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/4CD9876D-A19B-40A5-8161-8CBBEAC7308A-7728-0000053895057ABA.jpg
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/46441BDA-62D9-4CB7-9837-313131946E4B-7728-000005389B444753.jpg

[naterealbig]

Klutch,

I almost had an aneurysm when I saw the first pics of the plumbing, I'm glad you tidy'd it up.

Also, JUST SAY NO to the rock wall :)

What are your stocking plans for the tank?

[Klutch]

Klutch,

I almost had an aneurysm when I saw the first pics of the plumbing, I'm glad you tidy'd it up.

Also, JUST SAY NO to the rock wall :)

What are your stocking plans for the tank?

Lmao it was crazy right? I had my own personal octopus in plumbing.
As for the wall, idk what else to do with it. As I stated this is my first tank so I can't get to creative. Ideas?
As for stocking.... NO IDEA AT ALL. I was gonna build it, then decide on stock and ask for opinions along the way.

[naterealbig]

Lmao it was crazy right? I had my own personal octopus in plumbing.

Uh, yes. My eyes started bleeding when I saw the mess of pipes and fittings :)



As for the wall, idk what else to do with it. As I stated this is my first tank so I can't get to creative. Ideas?

Often times, simple is the best way to do things, however the 'wall' is simply too simple. If it were my tank, (and I'm sure you will get a lot of opinions regarding this) I would make 2 piles of rocks. One pile in the back left, and one pile in the front right. Have the rocks on the back touching the wall and extending from it, but make the pile in front such that it is not near the front or side panes - think island. Perhaps stack the rock in the island just a little higher than the rock in the back. doing this will make the tank appear much deeper from front to back. Keep in mind if you are going to grow corals, it will be the shape and size of the corals that determine the dynamics of this display. The small piles will provide lots of realestate for frags, and the empty space will provide lots of growing room for the corals and swimming room for the fish.

If you are not planning on keeping corals, then you may have to get creative with the rock work, as that is all there will be, aside from the fish. Drilling some holes through the rock and inserting some 3/4" acrylic rod can really give you some cool shapes. It's a lot of work, but you will be able to get much more out of your liverock that way.

I would recommend setting up this aquarium assuming that you will be keeping SPS corals. If you decide that's what you want to do, there will be a lot less work and modifying later down the road. If all you are planning is fish, then a tank that is set up for corals will be extremely easy to clean and maintain, and both you and the fish will reap these benefits. Good luck, and if you need any specific ideas about anything, let me know.

[Zsmendenhall]

You might want to change the aquascape to allow more water flow through the rocks.

[naterealbig]

Just whipped this up. You are looking down from the top.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r225/naterealbig/wadfhsdfgjehsdfghsdfgsdfgsfdgsddfghshtgswerhgsdf.png

[Klutch]

Just whipped this up. You are looking down from the top.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r225/naterealbig/wadfhsdfgjehsdfghsdfgsdfgsfdgsddfghshtgswerhgsdf.png

Ahhhhhh I gotcha!!! Seems like a great idea. I h e to pull all the rock back out anyway so when I go back in with it I'll do something like this. And yes I do plan to do it SPS eventually. I just need to get the basics down before I start killing SPS... Lol. But I surely appreciate the help and idea.

[Klutch]

You might want to change the aquascape to allow more water flow through the rocks.

Yea naterealbig has a solid idea, think I'm gonna go with it. Thx for the input!!!

[naterealbig]

Good luck Klutch, I'm sure you will do great. Make sure you read everything you can. I'd start with the stickies in the "new to the hobby forum". Start with the first, even if you think you know it. Don't be bashful either, I occasionally will read through them and learn something new, and I have been doing saltwater for over 15 years!

Once you have a handle on the basics, read through some of the stickies in the Chemistry forums. There are some incredibly knowledgeable members that frequent it, and understanding the chemistry of a reef is as important as understanding the biology.

Read, read, read, read, read. Also check out the DIY forum for great cheap ideas on cleaning things up, and making equipment.

As for the rock; the tank will look empty even after re-arranging the rock - the tank is just so big. Don't lose sight of the end result however. Too many people get caught up with "what the tank looks like now" instead of what it will look like with grown out coral colonies. I see too often aquariums that are aquascaped with this philosophy, and after a year or so, there is very little room left for fish to swim and corals to grow.

Keep up the good work.

[naterealbig]

Here are some of my favorite tanks of all times. Perhaps this will give you some inspiration :). Notice the relatively small amount of live rock that is in the display. This is "The Iwugami Reef" by the member yano.

Before:

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab65/yanoreef/IMG_1843_redimensionar.jpg

After:

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab65/yanoreef/IMG_1065_redimensionar.jpg

[Klutch]

Thanks for the input, one thing I'm trying not to do as fail... I know the tank will look empty for a year or do and I'm ok with that. It's been sitting in my living completely empty for 6 months now. Trust me I'm in no rush. I do plan to read up on the stickies, I just wanna get the building part out of the way. One step at a time. I do have a 35 gallon tank set up. It's nothing fancy, but it's teaching me to check the salinity levels and such. I've had fw tanks for over 15 years. I know about the water parameters as far as nitrite nitrates ammonia ph. But that's about it, so trust I don't assume I know anything about saltwater lol. I know I'm ignorant on the subject so I never assume I know what I'm doing. I do like to attempt my way first then post it on the forums and everyone tell me it's wrong and redo it. I'm more of a learn from my own mistakes type of person I guess. But I don't want to do that when it comes to fish and corals. So I'll be reading up on that stuff!!!! Thx again for the info, I love it when people reply to my topics with constructive criticism.

[naterealbig]

This is Denadai's reef tank.

Before:

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/518/lateralesquerda.jpg

After:

http://denadaireef.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/01.jpg?w=1400&h=

[Klutch]

Here are some of my favorite tanks of all times. Perhaps this will give you some inspiration :). Notice the relatively small amount of live rock that is in the display. This is "The Iwugami Reef" by the member yano.

Before:

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab65/yanoreef/IMG_1843_redimensionar.jpg

After:

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab65/yanoreef/IMG_1065_redimensionar.jpg

Wow that is pretty. So do I just simply have to much rock or do I just rearrange what I have? Or just start laying it out and see where it gets me?

[naterealbig]

apinun

Before:

http://www.siamreefclub.com/forums/uploads/monthly_10_2007/post-66-1193328569.jpg

After:

http://www.siamreefclub.com/forums/uploads/monthly_03_2009/post-3431-1237008641.jpg


If these aren't inspiration, I don't know what is :)

Oh, and here is a "before" pic of my latest tank......It's not ready for the "after" yet :) You can see I atleast practice what I preach....

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r225/naterealbig/2012-06-24113912.jpg

[Klutch]

This is Denadai's reef tank.

Before:

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/518/lateralesquerda.jpg

After:

http://denadaireef.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/01.jpg?w=1400&h=

I like it cuz it looks clean. I see what u mean about mine. It's like cluttered up in there

[naterealbig]

I think you have a good amount of live rock, so I would use what ever you can there. Just play around with it until you have something you like. I don't think you have too much, I'm just pointing out, you don't need to fill the tank to the brim like a lot of folks will say.

It will take a few times of stacking and rearranging, but you will find something that looks perfect for you.

Your tank is off to a good start!

[Klutch]

I occasionally will read through them and learn something newhttp://www.yono.info/f.jpghttp://www.yono.info/d.jpg

Ur pics won't load :-(

[Klutch]

Also need some opinions on closed loop pump. I was thinking about putting another reeflo hammerhead gold on it. That's what I have As my sump pump. What y'all think?

[naterealbig]

The Reeflo line of pumps are excellent. Have you considered powerheads at all?

[Klutch]

The Reeflo line of pumps are excellent. Have you considered powerheads at all?

Not really considering power heads. I have 8 inlets to the tank. I think that will be more than enough flow. BUT I could be wrong so plz fill me in if so

[naterealbig]

Well, the Hammerhead will likely push around 5000 gph (being generous) when considering head loss on the piping. So divide 5000/365 and you about 14. Let's say with head loss that the return is also pushing 5000 gph with 100% of the output going to the return piping, divide by 365 and again, you get 14.

Add the 14 and 14 together for about 28x tank turnover per hour....which will be OK....but really just OK.

Realistically, the return pump will be powering other devices; chillers, reactors, etc.....So let's say 3500 gph is really what is going to the return piping....then your total turnover is about 24x per hour.....which is what I would consider the very low end of water movement for an SPS tank of that size.

You will have to add more flow as the corals grow (not for water velocity, but for direction and turbulence). At which point, adding a 2nd pump to existing closed loop would be pretty tough. To supplement flow, you will likely add powerheads :)

Also keep in mind, the hammerhead will run about 250 watts which will use the same amount of electricity as a 250watt halide - except it's running 24/7.

If you aren't running a whole bunch of stuff off the return pump, then you should be OK for a while. Are you going to run a diverter?

[Klutch]

Well, the Hammerhead will likely push around 5000 gph (being generous) when considering head loss on the piping. So divide 5000/365 and you about 14. Let's say with head loss that the return is also pushing 5000 gph with 100% of the output going to the return piping, divide by 365 and again, you get 14.

Add the 14 and 14 together for about 28x tank turnover per hour....which will be OK....but really just OK.

Realistically, the return pump will be powering other devices; chillers, reactors, etc.....So let's say 3500 gph is really what is going to the return piping....then your total turnover is about 24x per hour.....which is what I would consider the very low end of water movement for an SPS tank of that size.

You will have to add more flow as the corals grow (not for water velocity, but for direction and turbulence). At which point, adding a 2nd pump to existing closed loop would be pretty tough. To supplement flow, you will likely add powerheads :)

Also keep in mind, the hammerhead will run about 250 watts which will use the same amount of electricity as a 250watt halide - except it's running 24/7.

If you aren't running a whole bunch of stuff off the return pump, then you should be OK for a while. Are you going to run a diverter?

Just a skimmer and reactor.
As for the wattage It's not that big of a deal.
I'm unsure what a diverter is?

Trust me I'm not arguing with u. I'm completely new to this.

[naterealbig]

It's OK. There are a million and one ways to do a reef, and I'm surprised that more people haven't chimed in here.

What skimmer will the return pump be running?

By diverter I mean a mechanical device that ports water through different pipes at different times. Usually it's placed on an outlet of a return pump, and then pipes are connected to it. For instance, only two pipes in the closed loop will have water running through them. As the diverter rotates, water is pushed through different sets of pipes. It is a 'wavemaker' of sorts. Do a search for "sqwd" - this is one type of diverter.

If you are not concerned about the electric your a lucky man! :) I am running a 150 gallon tank, a 40 breeder coral QT, and a 30 gallon fish QT. I live by myself in a small 2 bedroom apartment and my electric has been over $250 for the past 2 months.

Do a search for closed loop systems in the DIY forums, some of the guys have awesome setups there. I would utilize all of the holes you have in the tank. Like I said, the Hammerhead closed loop should get you by for a while. Get some more opinions.

[naterealbig]

What's with all the bots lately?

[Klutch]

Oh ok, yea I looked in to a wave maker. I think it would be a nice addition... As for the skimmer goes, idk yet. Not really close to buying one. I say the wattage doesn't matter cuz i wouldn't notice a $50 a month increase on my $350 +/- light bill. If I was being conservative I wouldn't be building a 365 gallon saltwater tank. Sry if I missed any questions, driving so I can only type when at red lights lol. Oh I don't see any bots?

[naterealbig]

True. Everything sounds good for now. Keep us updated.

[Klutch]

Well if anyone is following this thread I scraped this build. I bought a brand new 300 gallon planet aquariums tank and turn the 365 into a sump... The 300 is almost rdy, adding saltwater to it tonight. Ill post a few pics for u guys. I wasn't able to access my participated post so I could never update!!!

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/29CA07E9-AF01-4F11-BA55-F0B542C1265B-12116-00000AF0DF3C5DEB_zps365de21c.jpg
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/CB8FC43B-92B6-40F3-99EB-908CA3A7869B-12116-00000AF0D844FB12_zps41f78938.jpg
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/57C24E6F-399B-48B1-AEB9-FB87EEAA210A-12130-000006F6624BBBE5_zpsc1d89591.jpg
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/FBDF64C5-878C-40BF-B3DF-9DC3F2ED9DEE-12130-000006F65DBBEE71_zps8a005156.jpg
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/3EBDF121-6433-4CDB-B502-DA437B27CD61-7441-000004F2D73967DA_zps28fdac63.jpg
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp102/klutch-/E60A4608-C10A-4D21-87E6-C3DE3CD50CBC-10780-000007676FE3BCF6_zps2910cda8.jpg

[Klutch]

http://youtu.be/Or3p9IGUwjo

[SaltwaterSensei]

great start so far. I'm going to be watching this intently. ALso never assume you have posted enough pictures :D

[Klutch]

Ty, ill prolly ditch this topic and make a new one.