Camron's 220 Gallon Build

[Arc Drafter]

Hi everyone, I wanted to start this build thread to document and share my basement transformation.

A little about me. I am a GIS consultant in Kansas City MO. I just bought my first house and my realtor came across 2 large fish tanks. He gave me the 180. It is a standard dimension 6'x2'x2'.

I am currently in the process of redoing the floors and walls in the basement. I'll post pictures in a day or so. I am hoping to have the tank on the stand in position next week.

My current system is a 60g sps dominate with a 20g sump/fuge.
Hope some of you follow along and give me some advice along the way.

[david00061]

that's a nice size tank.

[ilikefish34]

Upgrades are fun... look forward to watching your progress!

Good Luck
Mike

[Arc Drafter]

Thanks David and Mike. I tried to put pictures up earlier but they didn't go for reason. I'll give it another shot in an hour or so.

[davidfrances]

I moved to the greater Kansas City area about 4 years ago. My tanks are in our finished basement, really helps with temperature control. Good luck with your build

[Arc Drafter]

I moved to the greater Kansas City area about 4 years ago. My tanks are in our finished basement, really helps with temperature control. Good luck with your build

I would like to see your tanks some time. Maybe steal a few ideas from you ;).

Tank spot
http://s821.photobucket.com/user/CamNHull/media/001_zps19eafa8a.jpg.html?sort=3&o=4

Current 60g
http://s821.photobucket.com/user/CamNHull/media/005_zps3fa47cd0.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

The new 180 w/ the Corallife mh t5 combo
http://s821.photobucket.com/user/CamNHull/media/004_zps353aba9d.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

[davidfrances]

Looks good, you can see my build thread at

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2226838

Happy to help with ideas. I also sent you a PM.

[Arc Drafter]

This is the intended layout
http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz140/CamNHull/ManCaveLayout_zps37aa4390.jpg

[davidfrances]

Camron - Good looking basic basement layout. Assuming it is to scale, it appears to give you plenty of room to access three sides of the tank, as well as allow room for expansion with the addition of other tanks or a refugium. Nice planning to have the tank sit on the tile. Makes accidental spills easier to clean/dry up, and also makes the spouse happy. When we finished my basement, we went for the stained concrete look on the floor knowing that the tanks would be down there and carpet was out of the question.



If it is not too late, I would make sure I ran at least two, maybe three, dedicated electrical lines protected by GFCI's. For my tanks, I ran three seperate lines; two (2) for the MH lights and one for the pumps. Since I switched over to LED's, I now have all the LED's plugged into one circuit, and the pumps & skimmer for each tank on their own seperate circuits. I had plenty of open spaces in my electrical box, and having dedicated circuits reduces the likelihood someone will plug a vacuum cleaner into the electrical line that supports your tank and overload a circuit or trip a breaker. Assuming your home is relatively new, adding additional circuits is relatively easy.

I would have also ran a product output water line from my RO unit to both of my auto top-off reservoirs. My ATO reservoirs are 25 gallons each, since each of my 250's lose about 2-3 gallons per day due to evaporation, I'm filling the reservoirs up about every week and a half. Now I have to string a length of hose along the floor to fill up the ATO reservoirs, and every so often one of my dogs manages to get tangled up in it. My ATO is pretty simple, and relies on me manually filling the reservoir, so the danger it runs amok and floods more than 25 gallons of fresh water into my tanks or on the floor is minimized.

If you ever think you will use a controller, you may want to run some CAT-5 cable into an outlet behind your tank. I haven't seen a truely wireless one (yet) that I like or want to afford, so this suggestion may not be helpful as the technology evolves.

Lastly, I'd buy a water alarm and a power outage alarm. The water alarm will alert you to floods as they happen (mine seem to have always occurred in the middle of the night). First Alert sells a 3 pack for $32.00. I also run a power outage alarm on my pump circuit - it's called a Failed Circuit Alarm and it's made by CSH Inc for $27.50. The Failed Circuit Alarm goes off if the power is cut (like when your GFCI is tripped). Both products are helpful for alerting you to failures as they happen - but are not so good if the failure happens while you're away from home.

These are just my suggestions, take them for what they're worth. Good luck. If you want more planning suggestion, please show where your utility room is on the plans. I ended up installing a slop sink in my basement utility room for the RO unit and to keep regular aquarium cleaning and maintenance out of the sink in my wetbar or the bathroom.

[Arc Drafter]

You bring up really good points. I'm still working out the details ultimately I need a smooth system for water changes trying to figure that one right now thinking of Building a wall of the back left corner of the tank to the bathroom to store mixing barrels so I can just valve on and valve off

[rfgonzo]

Hi everyone, I wanted to start this build thread to document and share my basement transformation.

A little about me. I am a GIS consultant in Kansas City MO. I just bought my first house and my realtor came across 2 large fish tanks. He gave me the 180. It is a standard dimension 6'x2'x2'.

I am currently in the process of redoing the floors and walls in the basement. I'll post pictures in a day or so. I am hoping to have the tank on the stand in position next week.

My current system is a 60g sps dominate with a 20g sump/fuge.
Hope some of you follow along and give me some advice along the way.

Consider yourself lucky, i've been in this hobby for over 20 years and no one has even given me a 10gal tank.:hammer:

[Arc Drafter]

O I know I'm lucky

[davidfrances]

You bring up really good points. I'm still working out the details ultimately I need a smooth system for water changes trying to figure that one right now thinking of Building a wall of the back left corner of the tank to the bathroom to store mixing barrels so I can just valve on and valve off

That's what I was thinking. You could build a "closet" that abuts the back of your powder room to store your mixing barrels. Plumbing a RO into existing waste and supply lines would be easy, since they're in close proximity.

If you go to plastic-mart dot com and consider the stackable storage tanks, I am sure you can get some great ideas for RO storage tanks and saltwater mixing tanks that could be stacked and would have a small footprint. There are be other tank suppliers out there, I bought my tanks from plastic-mart and was pleased with the price, selection and customer service.

Planning tank setup is fun, I did a lot of things right for my set-up, yet i still identified some things I would change or do differently. Hope this helps

[david00061]

I fixed your pics

[david00061]

I would like to see your tanks some time. Maybe steal a few ideas from you ;).

Tank spot
http://s821.photobucket.com/user/CamNHull/media/001_zps19eafa8a.jpg.html?sort=3&o=4

Current 60g
http://s821.photobucket.com/user/CamNHull/media/005_zps3fa47cd0.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

The new 180 w/ the Corallife mh t5 combo
http://s821.photobucket.com/user/CamNHull/media/004_zps353aba9d.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz140/CamNHull/001_zps19eafa8a.jpg

http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz140/CamNHull/005_zps3fa47cd0.jpg

http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz140/CamNHull/004_zps353aba9d.jpg

[david00061]

This is the intended layout
http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz140/CamNHull/ManCaveLayout_zps37aa4390.jpg

http://i821.photobucket.com/albums/zz140/CamNHull/ManCaveLayout_zps37aa4390.jpg

[Arc Drafter]

Thanks Dave! See you this weekend!

[david00061]

I'll be here

[cilyjr]

You bring up really good points. I'm still working out the details ultimately I need a smooth system for water changes trying to figure that one right now thinking of Building a wall of the back left corner of the tank to the bathroom to store mixing barrels so I can just valve on and valve off
you have a blank slate here. could you consider giving yourself some room behind the tank for a "fish room" and doing an in wall build?

and david's suggestions are good ones

i will be watching this thread. good luck

[david00061]

Fish rooms are convenient. I would consider a fish room. But in wall tanks are not convenient

[Arc Drafter]

The tank is going to be stand alone viewable from three sides behind the tank will be the fish and research room with 2 quarantine and Frag tanks I'll update with a design as sin as the tank is in the stand

[cilyjr]

Fish rooms are convenient. I would consider a fish room. But in wall tanks are not convenient
i would disagree if you have frontal access planned. i have cabinet doors over my tank.
but without frontal access they can be a pain i am sure

[Arc Drafter]

It's not going to be an In wall tank. I'll have access to the top on all 4 sides

[cilyjr]

3sides viewable is nice. Ya can get some really cool photos down the length from the sides

[Arc Drafter]

3sides viewable is nice. Ya can get some really cool photos down the length from the sides

That's what I'm going for! I like the long views

[Arc Drafter]

Updated photo got the hardie backer cement board put down and started laying tiles. Dog got sick a month ago and that put progress on hold, but I'm going to get tile finished and tank stand built this weekendhttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/07/any4uhud.jpg

[dave.m]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/07/any4uhud.jpg

Dave.M

[cilyjr]

Am I the only guy not named Dave/David following this thread. Lol

[Arc Drafter]

The Daves like me

[bdeibler]

Following along on this one. looks like its going to be good. love your current setup looks good.

[Arc Drafter]

Following along on this one. looks like its going to be good. love your current setup looks good.

Thanks glad to have you!

[dave.m]

Am I the only guy not named Dave/David following this thread. Lol
You could update your tagline to "The UnDave".

Dave.M

[davidfrances]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/07/any4uhud.jpg

Dave.M

Tile looks great, you won't regret setting it after your first leak.

[Arc Drafter]

I am going to finish the tile on Thursday and build the stand and set the tank this weekend Merry Christmas!

Btw I'm an idiot my tank measures 72x24x30 = 225 ish

[StevieD]

Hi everyone, I wanted to start this build thread to document and share my basement transformation.

A little about me. I am a GIS consultant in Kansas City MO. I just bought my first house and my realtor came across 2 large fish tanks. He gave me the 180. It is a standard dimension 6'x2'x2'.

I am currently in the process of redoing the floors and walls in the basement. I'll post pictures in a day or so. I am hoping to have the tank on the stand in position next week.

My current system is a 60g sps dominate with a 20g sump/fuge.
Hope some of you follow along and give me some advice along the way.

Does this happen to anyone else? Why cant someone just GIVE me a 180 gallon tank? LOL...lucky lucky lucky

[Arc Drafter]

Lol Steve. This is about the only thing lucky for me right now.

[Arc Drafter]

Ok I got the tile finished up and primer on the wall gonna try finish painting this week and builds the stand

[Arc Drafter]

A couple poor quality shots of my 60g263490263491

[Arc Drafter]

Got the stand done and stone on295341295341295341295341295341

[Arc Drafter]

295346295346

[david00061]

Looks great. Let me know when your going to plumb. I'll come down

[davidfrances]

Looks nice, ditto on if you need help

[Arc Drafter]

Thanks guys! I'm working on figuring out what I want to do as far as a sump and am going to start collecting everything real soon.

[Arc Drafter]

Ok plumbing done. Leak testing now. 296838296838296838296838

[Arc Drafter]

The leak test is going great. The tank and plumbing isn't leaking a drop. I've had tap water in it since Saturday going through the pumps and a power head running. I'm thinking about running some bleach through it do you guys think this is a good idea/necessary?

[davidfrances]

Bleach? Why?

I would just drain out the tap water and replace it with RODI

[Arc Drafter]

I didn't know if it had any bacteria in it thought it might be better safe than sorry

[davidfrances]

I forgot your tank was used. The bleach won't hurt anything, and if it gives you peace of mind, go for it. Just make sure you remove all of the bleach water and add a declorinator just to be safe.

Is your plan to have your cycle completed by Xmas?

[Arc Drafter]

The rock should be in this week if that's the case I'm going to start making water and aquascaping. We will see how long it takes. I'm getting all Marco rock so it should only take a few weeks for it to be ready since I'm using my current tank to seed.

[Arc Drafter]

I am wondering how long I should wait before putting anything in the tank? I'm getting 220lbs of marco rock so ther shouldn't be a cycle. I an going to seed the tank with live rock from my 60 and water too. Any thoughts?

[davidfrances]

I would be cautious and assume that some type of mini-cycle will occur. In fact you might want to add a minute amount of ammonia, and measure how quickly it is converted to nitrite and then nitrate before adding fish and inverts.

[Arc Drafter]

Yeah, I was thinking about Ghost feeding. For av week or so.

[Arc Drafter]

Got the tap water drained. Starting the aquascaping
Here's a preview298728298728

[Arc Drafter]

Anyone see any problems with me rinsing the rock with tap water?

[dave.m]

Anyone see any problems with me rinsing the rock with tap water?
That would depend on the quality of your tap water. Can you safely drink it?

The only thing I can think of that might possibly be a concern is if the pipes are brand new and made of copper. There may be some leachate which would be toxic to invertebrates. However, within a year most copper pipes are already lined with naturally occurring mineral salts and any copper amounts would be negligible.

Dave.M

[Arc Drafter]

That would depend on the quality of your tap water. Can you safely drink it?

The only thing I can think of that might possibly be a concern is if the pipes are brand new and made of copper. There may be some leachate which would be toxic to invertebrates. However, within a year most copper pipes are already lined with naturally occurring mineral salts and any copper amounts would be negligible.

Dave.M
Yes, I drink it fine. Tds out of the water softener is about 250(if they matters).

[Arc Drafter]

I'm starting to make my water. I'm going to clean the tank up now and finish plumbing the returns. I am hoping to have the tank going by the end of this weekend and fish and coral moved over in 2 weeks.

I bought a bucket and a box of IO Reef Crystals and 250 Lbs of sand a 450w heater last night.

[Arc Drafter]

Got 40g in the tank only 220 more to go. The return lines are all done. Kinda stinks adding water so slowly. I'll have it full on Christmas.

[davidfrances]

Cam - Looks good so far.

[Arc Drafter]

Thanks David
I added about 30 more gallons and some salt.

[Arc Drafter]

Ok I've got my water made and the thank full.
i think this is my final design for aquascaping
301722

[Arc Drafter]

I also finished the sump and painted the inside of the stand301723301723

[Arc Drafter]

Here it is rocks in the water waiting for the silicone to dry on the sump and I'll start cycling the rock. 301756

[Arc Drafter]

Rinsed 250 lbs of and and put it in the aquarium. The heaters are going about 10 more degrees and I'll add a couple piece of lr and some live sand.

[HowUDoin]

Looking good, man. Just remember, you're way ahead of all of us who haven't started, or didn't get water in the tank yet!

[Arc Drafter]

Looking good, man. Just remember, you're way ahead of all of us who haven't started, or didn't get water in the tank yet!

Thanks and believe me I know. It has taken me over a year to get to this point.

[Arc Drafter]

Full of water and seeded with a few pieces of live rock

[davidfrances]

coming along well

[Arc Drafter]

coming along well

I like to swoop by and check out your tank sometime David

[bazdar]

I like this.... very good so far.
Sorry friend
My English is not very good

[Arc Drafter]

I like this.... very good so far.
Sorry friend
My English is not very good

Thanks bazdar! Where are you from?

[Arc Drafter]

It's going. Overflows are overflowing and the returns are returning. It's really quiet. But i need to lower the height of my overflows but i think it will still be pretty quiet
Fts today
302137

[davidfrances]

That looks good. Remind me what kind of lights you were planning on installing?

BTW, if you haven't visited Fishtopia in NKC, you should. Decent prices and selection for a LFS.

[Arc Drafter]

That looks good. Remind me what kind of lights you were planning on installing?

BTW, if you haven't visited Fishtopia in NKC, you should. Decent prices and selection for a LFS.

I've got 3 250w Hamilton mh and 2 6' vho

Yeah I've been there. I got all my sand, pump, and rocks there.

[bazdar]

Thanks bazdar! Where are you from?
Im from Iran, Middle Eastern
I hope that your aquarium is very beautiful

[Arc Drafter]

Well my ammonia seems to be climbing. I threw a couple piece of rock into my 60g to see if it will seed. I was thinking it would be ready to go by now. Owell just need to wait a bit longer

[davidfrances]

Well my ammonia seems to be climbing. I threw a couple piece of rock into my 60g to see if it will seed. I was thinking it would be ready to go by now. Owell just need to wait a bit longer

I thought you might still experience a cycle. Patience is key.

[Arc Drafter]

I thought you might still experience a cycle. Patience is key.

You are right. I guess I'm in no real hurry. I want it done right. I still want to get over to Parkville and see your tank. I was in your neighborhood this morning working on a lawn clean up.

[Arc Drafter]

Got my brine shrimp hatchery in the mail today thought i would give it a shot. This will be used to keep my Mandy alive while the tank matures.303444

[davidfrances]

You are right. I guess I'm in no real hurry. I want it done right. I still want to get over to Parkville and see your tank. I was in your neighborhood this morning working on a lawn clean up.

Should have stopped by. I'll PM you my number for next time.

[Arc Drafter]

Cool i got to run by there tomorrow if you are free

[davidfrances]

I have a few errands to run, but give me a call when you think you will be in the area.

[Sn8kbyt]

Subscribed, currently building a 300gallon system with a 210 DT. I may want to steal some ideas from you :)

[Arc Drafter]

Subscribed, currently building a 300gallon system with a 210 DT. I may want to steal some ideas from you :)

Right on glad to have you
That will be a nice system.

[Arc Drafter]

Ok back from NY and all my parameters are good. Ammonia at 0 nitrates 0 nitrites at 0 dropped a few shrimp in there today 8 peppermint 2 fire and 1 skunk cleaner.

I was wondering if i should only add a few of my fish at a time from my 60 or if I could do all of them. Current stock list is 1 yellow tang, 1 green Mandy, 2 pj cardinal, 2 clown, 1 pink spot goby 3 urchins

[Arc Drafter]

I've got my brine shrimp hatchery setup and will be supplementing the food for the green mandarin