New 600 Gallon Aggressive

[chicken]

Ok, finally starting to get a little time between business trips to start working on this beast. My current 200g is getting way to small for my fish, so it is time to upgrade and give them a bigger home. After that I will convert the current 200g to a SPS dominated reef setup.

New Tank. Custom Acrylic by a local builder 120x30x36x1"

http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1166.sized.jpg

Stand was custom built by a local metal fabrication company. It is all 2x2" tubular steel. I am sure it is extremely over engineered, but I did not want to take any chance with an earthquake since I leave near San Francisco.

H & S Custom Skimmer with 5 Pumps

http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1156.sized.jpg

In order to support all of this, I am going to be building a 9'x12' shed on the side of my house to support all the filtration equipment. Here is the current sketch of that layout.

http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/shed.sized.gif

On top of that I just got 1400#s of live rock from Tonga. This will be used to aquascape the new tank, filtration in the sump/fuge and to add to re-aquascape the existing 200g tank. So that’s pretty much it. I'll try and keep this thread up to date as we build the system.

[sfsuphysics]

Hmmm I've seen that skimmer before! I think someone referenced it in the BAR club forum just to show how flippin big it was.. :)

Nice tank though, going to interconnect all the tanks to that beast of a skimmer though?

And btw where does the 600 gallon tank fit in your drawing? Is it another room? I would hazard a guess so for the size of it :)

[Mrbeachbum2]

WoW Cheers to your new tank

[lilbuddy]

awesome!!!!

[JazzMan]

This looks great. I can't wait to see it filled.

[Mr.Lloyd]

I see you had to take down the picture of naked people and the hockey table will likely move to enjoy the view.Looks like quite a project.I wish the best with that monster of a tank.What kind of floor do you have and who made the tank?Are they called Custom Acrylic?

[chicken]

Yah the picture is on of my roomates and it had to go :( As for the tank it is made by TruVu. As for the foosball and dome hockey tables I am trying to figure out what to do with them right now. I want to keep them but also want a better view of the tank. Might move them to the other side of the room and put a couch near the tank for viewing. I'll post a bunch more pics in the next few days.

[chicken]

BTW the floor is a 14" pretensioned steel reinforced slab foundation, so it should have no issues with holding the tank. :)

[Mr.Lloyd]

Gee with a 14" slab why did you not go for a really big one?Is not that about as thick as Interstate Highways?You have a lot of work ahead and I hope you enjoy it.We are looking forward to seeing it as you progress.

[Fliger]

Fantastic tank and fantastic skimmer. Please continue to post pictures. Man, 5 recirculating pumps, that thing is awesome. My skimmer has only 2 and it's pretty awesome. Adds a lot of heat, though.

[willra]

I was looking at this crazy tank website that someone pointed out on the reef discussion forum and it looks like they have a similar looking skimmer to yours chicken. Its not the exact same, cause its a deltec, but it reminded me of yours. Its big, with 5 recirculating pumps. Near the bottom of the page:

http://www.ultimatereef.net/TOTM/Aug04.htm

[chicken]

Ok, time for some updates. I am finally home for a few weeks so I could put some time into the tank. With the help of a friend, we were able to get the sand in the tank, the drains plumbed outside, water in the tank and the rock work done.

Here is the combination of my two RO units and my friends. With this we were able to make about 30 or so gallons an hour.

http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1267.sized.jpg

Here is the 640#s of Sand we put in. Even though I don't believe that Live BS about the sand, I love the grain size and color of the sand. My triggers and puffers love digging and playing in it and it does not leave a dust cloud at all.

http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1269.sized.jpg

Here is a shot of the tank with some Salt Water in it.

http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1270.sized.jpg

Here it is with the sand in it. That's the one thing I hate about the live sand (besides the price) is the twigs and junk that is in it.

http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1271.sized.jpg

[chicken]

Quick shot of the return lines.

http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1292.sized.jpg

The return lines running through the wall to the outside where I am going to build a shed to run all the filtration from.

http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1293.sized.jpg
http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1294.sized.jpg

This is a picture of the 3" ABS pipe I ran partially under the sand and behind/under the rockwork for my Hawaiian Dragon Moray Ell

http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1297.sized.jpg

Pictures of most of the 1400#s of Tonga Rock. I ended up putting about 800# in the tank and the rest is going to be split between reaquascaping my current 200g tank and the fuge of this system.

http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1306.sized.jpg
http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1307.sized.jpg
http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1308.sized.jpg

And finally a shot of the tank after it is aquascaped. The T5s are from my 200g tank's fuge just so I could see how it looked.

http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1311.sized.jpg

And one more shot of the plumbing. Currently I ran some vinyl from the sump outside through the window as I did not feel like drilling anymore stucco for the day.

http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1312.sized.jpg

[aragongod]

very nice tank. can't wait to see more pics!!
tony.
uk

[Julio]

nice setup, love yoru diagram for your filter room, what i like most is the volume of water that you are using in the tank!!

[sixxer]

Very nice. Love the Tonga Rock!!!!!

[yoink326]

Jesus man. When I'm back at home in Pleasanton for Winter break, I'm coming over.

[chicken]

thanks for the comments. You are more than welcome to stop on by yoink, just let me know.

Later,
Chris

[sfsuphysics]

Oh wow, didn't realize this was a local tank!

Sweet. Guess you could save some money on lighting since it's going to be primarily fish though right?

[chicken]

Yah hopefully :) My goal is to run 4 x 48" T5 bulbs on a daily basis. I have two on one side right now and it lights it up pretty well. The overall lighting is going to be 8 x 48" T5 and 4 x 175MH. The MH are mostly for show when people come over as nothing can compare to them.

[paulfromero]

hi,

Then again....you could have saved that money and put it in a savings account...but thats not the American way...

GL,

Paul

[Soltaker]

That is the biggest f-ing skimmer I have ever seen (that was for a private tank) :eek:

I can't wait to see the completed set-up.

BTW.....I have space at my house for the bubble hockey ;)

[paulfromero]

Hi,

I'm the guy behind the girl in the picture! Yep thats me!! hehe


Paul

[T-T-Trigger]

Two thumbs way up! Looks very well thought out - what kind of fishies are you putting in there?

[vapovick]

super cool, keep them pics coming:please

[chicken]

Triggers and puffers primarly.

Current livestocked being moved.

5" Huma Huma
7" Clown Trigger
6" Niger Trigger
9" Golden Dogface Puffer
9" Porcupine Puffer
4" Kole Tang
20"+ Hawaiian Dragon Moray Eel
5 Misc Damsels

Plans to add:
Crosshatch Trigger
Emperor Angel
Few misc small tangs

[chicken]

Update shot from tonight with a pair of 175MH Ushio 10ks on the tank. I really like these bulbs for a FOWLR system. Really brings out the colors of the fish. I also like the shadows the low wattage puts in the tank.

http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1314.sized.jpg

[KJMiller]

how much was that eel?

[chicken]

~$1000. I paid a premium as I have never seen an eel with these bright of colors. Most the Dragons I have seen are decent color, this guy is just so much brighter. I'll try and get some recent pics of him up soon.

[brad_dolick]

im liking the shadows from the lights too. that is a cool look

[sixxer]

Awesome list of fish.

You have any better photos of the eel to share???

[Fliger]

You are really, really making me want to convert my new tank into a FOWLR tank. I love the corals, but boy do I love the fish. Couple quick questions -

What fish are you planning?

How much was that skimmer, and where are they available (I have a ER CS 12-2 Ext but I think I might need something bigger).

You're not planning on using any other mechanical filtration? Or only the LR & the Skimmer?

Are there ANY corals you can keep in a primarily fish tank?

Thanks!

David

[Purple Haze]

Very nice. Can't wait to see the finished product.

One question- Just how do you safely capture a 20" eel?

[qwuintus]

more pics!!!!

[RedEyeReef]

Very nice... I miss my FOWLR.

[willra]

Any updates?

[KJMiller]

we the people need pictures we live off of them

[spanker]

Chicken is out of town this weekend, but when he gets back he should have some pics of the trenching in the back yard for his geothermal setup. I've been bugging him for a week to post something. You all just need to egg him on a bit.

[KJMiller]

he is back tell him to post some pics

[aquajohn]

pics please!

[spanker]

Well, you're right. He's back. I'm headed his way either Friday or Saturday to solder all of the copper for the geothermal setup in his back yard. I'll make sure we grab some pics and post up the progress.

[JazzMan]

Originally posted by chicken
Triggers and puffers primarly.

Current livestocked being moved.

5" Huma Huma
7" Clown Trigger
6" Niger Trigger
9" Golden Dogface Puffer
9" Porcupine Puffer
4" Kole Tang
20"+ Hawaiian Dragon Moray Eel
5 Misc Damsels

Plans to add:
Crosshatch Trigger
Emperor Angel
Few misc small tangs

That's going to be one hell of an angry tank!!!1 :D

[Gerard Alba]

OK now I am full of envy...

[crzy_pig]

Great lookin' setup!

Any details on the Geothermal Setup?

[qwuintus]

pix

[willra]

600 gallons is a lot of room to keep almost any thing you want, you ever consider a sohal? It may be too much to add in addition to what you are already planning, but just a thought because I think sohals are sweet. What kind of flow do you have going? Also, you mind telling us a bit about this geotheremal sump? Thanks.

Oh yeah, now I am supposed to egg you on for new pics.

PICS please! :D

[Skyetone]

you brought up earthquakes. the stand is well built, but i don't see a lip on the top. What will keep the tank from shifting on the stand?

[RedEyeReef]

Originally posted by Skyetone
you brought up earthquakes. the stand is well built, but i don't see a lip on the top. What will keep the tank from shifting on the stand?

Don't you just pick it up and move it over? :rolleyes:

Sorry, I couldn't resist.:D

[capt. insano]

while they are gorgeous, sohals become more and more aggressive with age. I just picked myself up a Dussemeiri tang (eystripe tang), relatively docile, unbelievable coloring, and hardy as can be.

That would be my suggestion to add:

http://www.members.cox.net/dave.schroeder/eyestripe%20tang.jpg

[spanker]

Originally posted by capt. insano
while they are gorgeous, sohals become more and more aggressive with age. I just picked myself up a Dussemeiri tang (eystripe tang), relatively docile, unbelievable coloring, and hardy as can be.

That would be my suggestion to add:

http://www.members.cox.net/dave.schroeder/eyestripe%20tang.jpg

I love these fish, and had one myself. Chicken has seen them and I am not sure his feeling on them, but I always thought they were very beautiful. Not only that, they're an incredibly smart fish too and become rather personable once they've settled into a tank.

[capt. insano]

Originally posted by spanker
. Not only that, they're an incredibly smart fish too and become rather personable once they've settled into a tank.

I agree 100%!! Besides my S&S puffer, this is one of the smarter fish I have ever owned. Anytime I come towards his quarantine tank, he races to the front of the tank and "wags" like a puppy begging to be fed. I know other fish do this, but he seems to have more affect while doing so. The guy I have in Quarantine is 10" and is eating anything and everything that we put in there.

[RedEyeReef]

Beautiful fish, what is there max size and min tank?

[spanker]

Originally posted by RedEyeReef
Beautiful fish, what is there max size and min tank?

There lies the problem. They get quite large. When you consider that triggers get pretty huge though, I think it's pretty comparable. Click here (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=1256&genusname=Acanthurus&speciesname=dussumieri) for the fishbase entry.

Their max size according to fishbase is 54cm which is just under 22 inches.

[Toledofishguy]

I have one question: what size harpoon gun will it take to get your dragon eel out of the tank. I assume you hope to get him out while he is in the piping. I would just buy a small cat and let the eel come up for it and snag his mean arssss with a net. Just my 2 cents.

[chicken]

The dragon is currently in my 100g Fuge on my 220 FOWLR system. There is no piping in it, just rockwork for him to hide in, so I figured I am going to have to take out all the rock to get him out. It is not going to be fun. I will be wearing gloves when I try that. It was fun putting him in there in the first place :(

[KJMiller]

PIX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[chicken]

Spanker is my official photographer :) He was over here for a few hours today helping me with the geothermal setup. I suspect he should home soon and I suspect he will post them tonight.

Thanks
Chris

[KJMiller]

why do you call yourself chicken?

[chicken]

Its a long story. Just a screen name I have used for gaming for a long time. Just shortened by a word :D

[spanker]

Originally posted by KJMiller
why do you call yourself chicken?

ROFLMAO!!!!! I knew you would have to explain that one day.

[sixxer]

PIX?????:D

[Bugger]

chicken you make my tank look like a two bit operation.
I laught when I saw all those RO did you buy all those.
I like your everything but your stand.

[chicken]

Bugger the stand is just a steel tubular stand to hold the tank up. I am going to build oak cabinets around it and an oak hood above, so you will not see any of the steel stand unless you open up the doors on it.

[chicken]

I am just walking out the door. I'll post some more tonight.

http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/PICT1449.sized.jpg
http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/PICT1477.sized.jpg
http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/PICT1478.sized.jpg

[Illusion]

Can I ask why the copper pipe? I thought copper was bad??? Im confused

James

[KJMiller]

Chicken man I am confused too I just want to see 5 pics of the tank and 5 pics of the filter and I wont bother you for a day or two .

[maxxII]

This is to be an FO tank, copper wont be a problem unless he's planning on keeping rays or small sharks of some sort. I'm kinda surpirsed mysaelf about the copper pipes since that prevents things from being ever switched over to a reef type set up should he decide to go that route....but there may be more to this system than we know. I would imagine that copper is a much better heat conductor than PVC, that might have something to do with his decision.....
okay, I'm done talking about you like you dont read this....lol
feel free to jump in and answer....
Nick

[H20ENG]

I'm sure he's going to use a heat exchanger with the geo loop, not run tank water through it.

[maxxII]

Thats what I suspected.....
Nick

[spanker]

Yes. Here is the plan guys, and actually, it's a pretty simple one with just a lot of labor. Bury a loop of copper underneath the surface and run water through it. This will allow the cold ground to chill the water running through it. Compared to how warm your tank is, think about how cold the water is coming out of your faucet. Same principal. We're burying 200 feet or so of 1" copper and then running water through it at a slow rate to let it chill. The end of this copper will have a connection to a titanium heat exchanger (which is nothing more than a loop of titanium that we can run this water though). This head exchanger will be set in the sump in a high flow area so that water will pour over it and be chilled when it comes in contact with it. The exhaust water of this heat exchanger will then dump into the sump of this closed copper loop system, and be circulated back underground to be chilled again. We really hope that this will save on the cost of chilling the tank.

Keep in mind, that even if this were a fish only system, putting this copper underground with all the solderjoints and connecting it right to the system would still not be an option because of the flux and solder required to join the pipes and elbows together.

[paulfromero]

Hi,

That copper piping is a good idea! I"ve seen the abs plastic systems used for residential heat/cool, and it takes a couple hundred feet of 6' trenches to cool/heat the water to what...like 55 degrees?!? Anyways the copper sure helps the heat transfer!

Good luck,

Paul

[KJMiller]

Hey chicken ive got a question is this tank set up yet or set up with no fish or what ??????

[KJMiller]

Hey chicken ive got a question is this tank set up yet or set up with no fish or what ??????

[KJMiller]

Hey chicken ive got a question is this tank set up yet or set up with no fish or what ??????

[KJMiller]

Hey chicken ive got a question is this tank set up yet or set up with no fish or what ??????

[maxxII]

Hey KJ, are you impatient?








Hey KJ, are you impatient?









Hey KJ, are you impatient?









Hey KJ, are you impatient?








JK.......:D
Nick

[KJMiller]

do i am just a dumb a$$ and hit the button 5 times because it wasent working and then boom all theese posts come up

[KJMiller]

I almost did it again

[AJP]

I am gonna tag along can't wait to see what a 600 gallon will look like when done. I am hoping to get a 240 soon. Just wnat to see how you do it.

[KJMiller]

come on chicken whare are the pics ??????????

[chicken]

Sorry I have been in DC on businesss. Just got back today. I'll try and get some pics in the next couple of days. Thanks

[KJMiller]

chicken r u there ???

[chicken]

I got shipped off to NYC and then to Norfolk VA right after I got home. :( I'll be back late next week and can try to post some updates.

[slave-of-rock]

taggin along, nice dragon!

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

Chicken Of The Sea, Where Did Ya Go? ;O)

[spanker]

ChAoTiCrEeFeR4U, that is a hella sweet looking misbarred clown..

[plankton]

Hey Chicken,

Are you giving tours of your tank to local folks when completed?

<grin>

Plankton

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

thanx for the kind words spanker.........;O)

[paulfromero]

Originally posted by chicken
Its a long story. Just a screen name I have used for gaming for a long time. Just shortened by a word :D

Hi,

Did you ever play homeworld online? If so, I'm postal-omo-

GL,

Paul

[AJP]

Hey chaotic, i love that clown, where did you get it, would love to have one like that

[billpa]

Aquadesignz sells interesting misbars from time to time

http://www.aquadesignz.com/fish.htm

[AJP]

Hey thanks

[billpa]

np....if you are into zoanthids, you definitely want to check out their livestock.

billpa

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

thanx for the kind words adamjonpeterson, i have aquantices in the wholesale industry here in northern california..........;O)

[reeftechie]

PICS????? Man you have been out for a long time! :D

[nyoneway]

Chicken come back...

[chicken]

Hey no real updates here. I have been traveling yet to the east coast and socal for work. Hopefully I'll work on making some progress this weekend and through T-Day.

Thanks

[UnderwaterExotic]

tag

[gumbybc]

the copper geo therm would be great for a freshwater tank, ya there is solder and flux, but we pump our drinkin water right through it with out problem, it would just have to be run to clear it out. It should work like a charm though. is the sump going to be underground as well? About how many feet of piping are in the system?

[nyoneway]

Hey Chicken,

If you haven't gotten one, here's a good titanium heat exchanger from Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42910&item=3854607787&rd=1

[reeftechie]

Originally posted by nyoneway
Hey Chicken,

If you haven't gotten one, here's a good titanium heat exchanger from Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42910&item=3854607787&rd=1


So lets say you get that what else do you need to build a chiller?

[Typhon]

That i a beautiful tang!!!! Where can you find more info?? Where can you purchase one??

Originally posted by capt. insano
while they are gorgeous, sohals become more and more aggressive with age. I just picked myself up a Dussemeiri tang (eystripe tang), relatively docile, unbelievable coloring, and hardy as can be.

That would be my suggestion to add:

http://www.members.cox.net/dave.schroeder/eyestripe%20tang.jpg

[nyoneway]

Originally posted by reeftechie
So lets say you get that what else do you need to build a chiller?

Sorry to get off topic.. but to answer your question, I'm building a DIY chiller of my own design. It's very simple really... I'm running a 200w peltier stuck onto a titanium cold plate. I plan to get a 1-2" thick acrylic and carve a cave/channels into it using a dremel and stick it right onto the titanium plate. The tank water will be pumped into the acrylic cave and it will make contact with titanium plate chilled by a peltier. I hope I make some sense it. I will create a thread on it later when I'm done with the project.

[paulfromero]

hi,

NY, thats a sure bet! however, the commercial units I've seen are only rated up to 40 gallon tanks or so. Could they actually go much bigger?

thx,

Paul

[nyoneway]

Well the iceprobe chiller uses 48watts each and rated for a 10 gallon. Mine uses a monster heatsink, fan, 24DVC power drawing 8amps (200watts). I'm sure my design with active cooling plate /heat exchanger using titanium and a 160gph pump is much more efficient than a Iceprobe going cooling thru a ceramic plate.

[RedEyeReef]

Typhon,

Be careful with that beauty. Search Acanthurus dussumieri. Found Indo-Pafic, Africa to Hawaii and get 50cm. You'll need a few hundered gallons for that baby.

[capt. insano]

I have one in my 240......he is about 8" long

Awesome fish!! Assertive, but not territorial or aggressive. Eats everything I put in the tank. Colors are beautiful (pics don't do them justice) Blues, yellows, greens. Also commonly called an "Eyestripe tang"

http://members.cox.net/dave.schroeder/eyestripe2.jpg

[UnderwaterExotic]

how are they as far as hardiness? Any other problems. Pros/Cons? Also where did you get your tang at?

[RedEyeReef]

capt. insano, Very nice. I have never seen one in a tank before. How long have you had it and are there any other tangs in your tank?

[capt. insano]

really, he has been a model citizen. Not aggressive, but won't take guff from the triggers in the tank, either. We do have a yellow tang in the tank that tried to assert himself when the Eyestripe was first introduced, but then he must have realized he was out-matched.

Very hardy fish. Eats everything (krill, pellet, flake, nori, frozen, silversides, spirulina, etc)

The only fish that he will tussle with is the Black Hawaiian Trigger (just a little nip here and there, nothing serious)

Absolutely stunning fish when you see him in person. Not shy at all, always out. We have had him for about six months, but we knew the person who raised him from a 3" fish b4. He grew to 8"+ in about a year.

[slave-of-rock]

how much did he cost if you dont mind my asking?

[capt. insano]

I got a steal on him.....$120, for an 8" fish

[slave-of-rock]

not bad, what size tank do you think they need min?

[RedEyeReef]

IMO 200 gallon. I hate to see a beauty fish crammed into a small tank.

[slave-of-rock]

i wouldnt buy one lol, i wouldnt want to have a large tang like that in a little 90g tank. i guess ill just have to buy another tank, o well :D

[hwynboy]

Those fish are native of Hawaii and are called Palani. They are great eating fish over a hibatchi. I also have one in my 300 gallon reef tank.

[Tristan]

any updates? new pics?

[Tristan]

been a while..

[chicken]

Yah it's been a while :( Still doing the traveling thing for work and some crazy hours as business is insane right now. The big thing holding me up right now is getting the concrete pad poured in the back yard for the shed that will become the fish room. Currently it is just to muddy for me to finish up all the plumbing back there. We did though manage to get the geothermal setup in the ground before our last big rain storm. I'll try posting some pics in the next few days. Thanks

[Carl_in_Florida]

When you said you would get pics up by t-day we thuoght you meant 2004 but you did not actually say that.

Carl

[paulfromero]

hey Capt. and Hawaiian boy,

I was very fortunate to get a Palani tang a couple of weeks ago. I had seen your posts and photo, and although I didnt make the connection when I purchased it, the Palani is really great, just like your photo shows!

Since my trip to Hawaii about a month ago, I always wanted a native Hawaii fish!

Paul

[bassman57]

any updates??

[chicken]

We finally made some progress. The weather has been bad and it has stopped us from working in the back yard as everything has turned to mud. It finally dried out enough for us to finish off the plumbing for the tank and to get ready to pour the concrete for the fish room shed. I'll work on getting some pictures after work today. Hopefully have the slab poured by next week and then we can start to frame up the shed.

[paulfromero]

Hi Chick,

I am really in awe about the underground heat exchange system your doing. Thats alot of work to save kilowatts!. I have a 300 gal that after one year, is reduced to: MH lights, LR, PC lights, two fluval 404s, a semi-big pump with 4 outlets, and no sump/skimmer. I put in 4 replacement Chemi-pures every two months in the fluvals, clean the acrylic, pour in replacment water. The livestock has never been more healthy, i think.

Paul

[BermyBoi]

any updates on this great project?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? :rollface:

[dynamixone]

taggin along, well thought out! cheers!

[chicken]

Unfortunatly I cannot seem to find my digital camera :( I'll try looking again tomorrow. As for updates, the weather finally started to cooperate a little. The concrete guys were able to work between the storms and have finished off the forms, gravel bed and rebar for the shed foundation. They are planning on pouring Saturday, so hopefully within a few weeks I can start working on building the shed. The problem is it looks like I am going to be gone for almost 25 days in June mostly due to work, so I think progress is going to be pretty slow. Hopefully be able to get a lot done quick, but I am not holding my breath. On a side note, I was able to pretty much finish the woodshop up, so I am ready to start building the cabinet for the tank.

[OldmillXxX]

I love the idea of the drain pipe for the eel. Great idea! I look forward to seeing him in there.

[chicken]

Ok, finally found the digital camera and card reader. That was not fun :( Anyways, here are a few updates. I'll try getting some more details up soon.

Here is the pad where the filtration shed is going
http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1356.sized.jpg

Here are the 2 x 2" drains, 2" primary pump return, 1 1/4 secondary pump return and spare 1 1/4 pipe for future use.
http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1357.sized.jpg

Close up of some of the plumbing for the shed
http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1358.sized.jpg

New 400g water container to mix up salt water in
http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1359.sized.jpg

The produce bin with 400#s of left over live rock. I am going to use some of this to redo my current 200g tank
http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1360.sized.jpg

One of the two 300g rubbermaid containers for the sump and fuge
http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1361.sized.jpg

New 200g cold water storage tank for the geothermal cooling system
http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1362.sized.jpg

[qwuintus]

now thats what iim talking about..

shots of the house and spot of the tank?

[reefboy1]

WOW!!! Awesome!!!

Very nice work and very well thought out. I can't wait to see it in person.

How do you plan to implement that cold water geothermal vat?

Art

[Herbert T. Kornfeld]

I wouldnt use that copper on the tank for many reasons. It will corrode so fast I doubt it will last more than a year with saltwater running through it. The idea of 'never being able to convert to a reef' is also true, but it will also cause problems with what you want right now. The LR and LS will have a large amount of their bacteria killed off, and long-term exposure to copper has its own side-effects that hurt a fish's immune system (how would you like to take tylenol all the time even when you dont need it?). If anything, I have a buddy that does the same thing with thin wall flexible hose...about 100'...works fine. That copper will most likely end up spreading your tank's water into the yard when it corrodes through. You would be shocked if you watched how fast copper corrodes in saltwater...its why they use it as 'sacfiricial anodes' on ships...copper's conductivity contributes to its quick corrosion. Cast Iron would last longer. Or, you could simply bury a large poly tank in the ground and run water back&forth. A large tank will keep things cool pretty well.

Or, if the day ever comes where you want to sell anything from your setup...skimmer...pump...LR...you wont be able too without disclosing its copper exposure.

[chicken]

If you look earlier in the thread I plan on using a Titanium heat exchanger so I will only have fresh water running in the copper pipes. The problem I see with most all these geothermal setups people have been doing is that they keep using PVC or other plastic pipes that suck on transfering heat. Copper is a great conductor compared to plastic so I expect I will get many times the cooling capacity that a similar PVC setup would.
Thanks

[chicken]

Here is how I am currently working on setting up the Geothermal cooling system. I have about 250' of 1" copper tubing buried in the ground. This will be run by a pump that will be connected to a thermostat to control when the pump kicks on and off. It will circulate water from a 200g water storage container that will house a reservoir of cold water. From there I will have two additional loops of water on their own thermostat controlled pumps. One will feed to a titanium heat exchanger that is on my 600g fish system (total of 1200g of water) and the other will feed to a titanium heat exchange that is on my 200g Reef tank (total of 350g of water).

I suspect I am not going to have to cool the 600g system to much as the drains and pump returns are run underground to the filter shed and I am only going to have 3 x 175MH on the tank for light. So hopefully between water capacity and minimal amount of heat being added to the tank by the lights I should not have to cool this system that much. On the other hand my 200g system has 2x400MH and 2x250MH bulbs on it and constantly has the chiller running. This is the system I hope on helping out the most, thus cutting my power bill. See the drawing below for more details.

http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/Geothermal_Cooling_Overview.gif

[Bryan89]

Based on everything you will need to do to make the geothermal closed loop for the two tanks, wouldn't it be easier and cheaper in the long run to use a chiller? 250' of copper plus fitting is not cheap. Also, even with wefreshwater flowing through it, for optimal heat transfer you will have to add chemicals to the freshwater loop to minimize/prevent copper corrosion. Finally, bare copper in the ground will corrode rather quickly. I'm not trying to minimize your idea, just wanted to give my .02 on your rather ambitious project. Looks like a great setup overall.

Bryan

[chicken]

Out here in California it costs about 25 cents per KW/H after 300% over baseline which is very low. I estimate I pay at least $75 a month in electricity to just run the chiller on my 200g tank during the summer months. So I will have a ROI of around a year if my estimates are correct and that does not even take the 600g tank into consideration. On top of this I am being environmentally friendly by saving electricity.

As for corroding of the copper pipe, I am not sure what you are talking about. Pretty much everywhere in at least California uses copper pipes to feed water from the utility into the house. This is the exact same stuff I am using and it is buried in the ground just like the utility is doing. So I am not sure what you are thinking here… Yes, the copper will get a nice green color to it pretty quickly, but that’s it. It will last for many decades buried with out any problem.

[Achilles1882]

Great looking plan and tank so far, sweet idea with the geothermal cooling.... can't wait to see more pics as this project continues... don't want to sound like an echo but some people keep asking and I included would like to know where those lucky individuals got their Dussemeiri Tangs ( eyestripe or palani ) ?

[Herbert T. Kornfeld]

I was going to mention an idea like what you have as well...but I automatically dismissed it because I figured..."whats the point of having a relay because then you are defeating the purpose of the copper piping and making the relay res the weakest link". Which is true. If you make this cooling system a relay, then to be effective, you would have to have a similar amount of copper running exposed inside the relay tub. But that would expose copper directly to saltwater on the outside then...no big change. Or, are you talking running the relay section in a safer pipe...like plastic or titanium? You would need very long amounts to make it effective. I suppose what I am trying to say is...it came across my mind but I dismissed it and didnt say it cuz I didnt want to come off dumb...if you are not going to pump the saltwater through the round directly...but use a relay tub...that becomes your weakest link. And sure, you will be using chillers to keep it cool...but now youve removed direct cooling from the tank...In my head it just doesnt add up. My background is in EE with a focus on thermaldynamics...I just dont see an advantage here...in fact I see a couple disadvantages as now you have to cool a tub as well...and the pumps to run the extra loops as well.

[chicken]

Herbert, Not sure where the confusion is here... What I am trying to do is build a reservoir of cool water so that during the day I will have more capacity to cool the fish tanks. I figured that during the day the geothermal loop might not be able to keep up with the cooling demands that I need. So I figured at night when cooling demands are minimal I would be able to cool that reservoir back down so it will be able to handle the heat load the following day. As for the two additional loops all those are going to be is pumps hooked to the reservoir to pump cool water though a titanium heat exchanger that has the salt water from the tank going through the other side of the exchanger, thus cooling the tank. There will be no salt water ever getting near copper or the water that touches copper will never get into any of the tanks due to the heat exchangers.

Thanks

[chicken]

FYI, I am also still going to have chillers on both systems as backups (just set at a higher temperature) just incase of a failure in the geothermal setup as there are many pumps and thermostats that could fail or that the heat demand is so high that the geothermal system cannot keep up with the demand.

[Herbert T. Kornfeld]

Oh, so the tub itself will have a divider going through the middle? is that what you are saying? The wall in the middle seperates the chiller loops, saltwater, etc...from the cooler freshwater and copper loop on the right?

[chicken]

No, there will be no divider. Only fresh water will be in cooper geothermal loop, the reservoir and the chiller loops. The only contact salt water will have with the system via titanium heat exchanger. It is the same concept as a chiller except instead of pumping Freon through the heat exchanger I am going to be pumping chilled fresh water through it.

[NewMariner]

Chicken, do you have any links to who sells those titanium heat exchangers?

[Herbert T. Kornfeld]

OIC, no chiller at all...the Ti ex-er is circulating with water in the tank....geeez, that thing is going to have to be big...or your water will have to be really cool. Ti isnt one of the best heat exchangers until your delta is large...

Would you consider Al for the actual heat ex?

[barebottoms]

NewMariner:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=42910&item=7515130275&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

[pclausen]

Lookin' good! Are you going to A/C the filtration shed to keep temps in there down? What type of roof are you going with and will it be insulated? Also, I'd paint it white to help reflect light as that will also help with the heat issue. You could also insulate/encapsulate the cold water holding tank (or bury it) to keep in cool as opposed to cooling down the entire shed as that would likely cost as much in electricity as running a large chiller.

[chicken]

For you guys that keep asking for pics, here you go.. Here are a few Pics of the Dragon. He was moved to the 600g tank about 3 months ago. Right now all I have is a few pumps just circulating water in there and about 800# of LR for filtration. Water Quality though seems to be doing ok.

Art, I'll be around on Sunday if you want to swing on by and take a look at the progress. Give me a call or PM Me.


http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1366.sized.jpg
http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1373.sized.jpg

[NewMariner]

Thats a beautiful Dragon....makes me want one:)

[RedEyeReef]

chicken,
awesome eel. How long do they get and how big of a tank do they need?

[chicken]

From my understanding they only get up to about 36" so you should be able to fit it in a tank smaller than 600g, but not sure how small you could go down to. The problem with Dragon's is that they are very hard to find and once you do find one you typically pay and arm and a leg and a leg :(

[RedEyeReef]

Thanks Chicken, your eel is worth maybe one leg, I don't know about two. lol. I don't mind paying for one I just want the right setup for one first.

[TheCoralReef731]

cool

[TheCoralReef731]

I like the eel

[cseeton]

Very cool eel!!

I think that 250' is a little on the short side, but perhaps you will get by with your storage tank (think "thermal" capacitor if your reference is EE) since it will have a 24 hour charge with only a 4-8 hour discharge (depending on light cycle).

The reason most people use polyethylene tubing for the ground loop is due to the limiting thermal resistance being the ground itself - not the tubing. You can only conduct, as fast as the weakest link and since that is nearly always the ground ... then why use copper? That said - don't dig up your current loop, use it, enjoy it, and when you figure out that it is not long enough add 2 more 250' lengths of polyethylene in parallel to the copper loop.

I look forward to seeing this tank develop!

[mferrufino]

More Pics of the tank and the dragon eel. Thanks and love the idea

[Carl_in_Florida]

[welcome]
mferrufino

[lawngnome]

me likses ta eel too ehehehehe

[lawngnome]

sry ill go away now

[SERVO]

Hey chicken, got any full tank shots?

Ever think of getting an emperor or queen trigger? Now thats agressive. MEAN sons of *****es they are.

[chicken]

Here are a few recent tank shots. I need to work on cleaning the tank as the coriline is starting to take over. Sorry for the poor quality. My digital camera sucks. Going to buy a new one this weekend and I'll get some better pics.

http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1384.sized.jpg

http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1385.sized.jpg

Some of the plumbing running outside. Final plumbing will be 2 x 2" drains, one 2" primary pump return and one 1 1/4" secondary pump return.

http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1387.sized.jpg

Another shot of the dragon chilling in the tank...

http://gallery.aggressivereef.com/albums/600gAggressive/DSCN1389.sized.jpg

[graff71884]

That eel is this the $hiot!!!

[paulfromero]

Hi,

What do you plan on using to clean off the coraline. I used some of that Reed DNA, and it took off on my tank, too. I'm resigned to chipping away at it using a Kent scraper with plastic blade.

Paul

[chicken]

The problem is that I have not been keeping up on cleaning the tank, so it goes for a month or two at a time before I wipe it down. By that time the coraline has taken off. I figured I am going to have to scrape and scrub it carefully. From there I am going to just keep up using the magnets to keep it away. If I do it every 2 or so days it seems to stay in check.

[Fliger]

(Homer Simpson) Mmmmmmmmmm .... Tornaaaaado Taaaaaable ...

For effect you even have a red keg cup up on your tank. ;-)

Looks great.

[chicken]

haha.... I use the red keg cup to defrost the food for all my tanks. It was funny the first time we had a party at the house all the triggers in my other tank were flipping out. They just kept swimming around and going nuts. Finally figured out they kept seeing all the red cups and thought people were going to feed them.

[Fliger]

That's hilarous. Whenever we have parties (that always includes kegs) we buy a stash of the famous keg cup. My wife also buys these clear plastic ones for liquor drinks. We always have a bunch left over, then when the next party rolls around my wife always asks, "Hey, what happened to all the drink cups?". I use them for the same thing.

Man, foosball, tank, time to put this together, parties, San Ramon. **jealous** I left The Marina District 3.5 years ago. I miss it every day.

[gfk]

chicken, im a marketing major from chico state, graduating in a year, your company hiring?

please :D

that is pretty sweet, and for the record my parents house is all copper as well so i know what youre talking about.

my aunt married this contractor, they did thermal heating and air for their entire house its 200 feet below the ground, this is in walnut creek

[gfk]

double post

[fishox]

chicken, what are you using to make the coralline take off like that? I try and try and seem to only get minimal results. I use B-Ionic and supplement with Kent Strontium/Molybdenum. Any advice?

[gfk]

any updates?

[gfk]

any updates?

[moebiius]

where'd the pictures go?

[toddlaco]

Sounds like an awesome tank. Unfortunately I can't see any of the pictures. It keeps timing out. Not sure what the problem is, I can see other peoples pictures. Guess I will see them in a couple months when I get home.

[paulfromero]

Hi,

The pictures were taken out because of some sort of time limit imposed on photos by the website me thinks.

Paul

[chicken]

How do links to outside hosting sites cause performance problems for the forums. thats not right.

[paulfromero]

hi again,

I 'm not sure about what I said....it could besomeyhing else.

Paul

[matt_morton]

I want that eel!

[sschafer]

What's up with the pics? I'm planning a big predatory tank and I need to see me some pics! :)

-Steve

Originally posted by chicken
How do links to outside hosting sites cause performance problems for the forums. thats not right.

[chicken]

Ok, got the framing of the shed built. Trying to post some pics but my host is down right now. I'll try getting them up soon.

[Haab]

:thumbsup:

[surg_xero]

where are the pics?

[Lord Voldemort]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=5519643#post5519643 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chicken
Ok, got the framing of the shed built. Trying to post some pics but my host is down right now. I'll try getting them up soon.
Well it's been six months :D

[chicken]

Well, I have racked up like 50k+ miles on United since then so work has been winning :( Hopefully in the next few months things are going to calm down a little and I'll have some time to get the shed and filtration finished. Believe me I want to get this done. Tired of having a half setup tank

[reefboy1]

Dude,

I know how you feel - I started mine in Jan 05 and it's still not completely done. Let me know if I can lend a hand...

Art

[Lord Voldemort]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6941962#post6941962 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chicken
Well, I have racked up like 50k+ miles on United since then so work has been winning :( Hopefully in the next few months things are going to calm down a little and I'll have some time to get the shed and filtration finished. Believe me I want to get this done. Tired of having a half setup tank
Hope you get the tank done real soon. Would love to see the pics :D (Well who wouldn't)

[chicken]

Art, thanks for the offer. Same thing goes for you. If you need anything let me know. I dropped by and put down a deposit for a pair of crosshatches tonight. Going to pick them up Sunday and keep them in a 75g QT tank for the next month. Hopefully by then the 600g will be ready to move them into.

Later

[chicken]

Wow is this taking forever.... As I enter year 3 of working on setting up this tank I am finally starting to make progress on finishing up the shed that will house the filtration. I managed to get most of the outside sided and finished all the insulation on the walls and am now working on the ceiling. Hopefully I should have the system running in <30 days now. A few months ago I managed to pick up a 750g tank that I am going to use as a fuge. So now I'll have the 600g tank, 300g sump and 750g fuge. Should hopefully help with the water quality..... Here are a few pics of the progress I have made.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/26349shed_outside.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/26349shed_inside.JPG

[H20ENG]

Get busy, Chicken! I want to hear how your geo-loop works out! :D

[Bax]

Great to see so much progress, 750 g sump is SICK!

[zemuron114]

how much were the crosshatches? (if you dont mind me asking.)
I love CH's. Im dedicating a tank to a TRIO or small harem (yes harem :)) in the future.
Looking good though.. 750 gallon fuge is GIGANTIC!!! how do you just stumble onto something that big... lol

[reefboy1]

Now that's real progress. It must feel good to be getting closer to it after all this time.

Good job and I can't wait to see it.

Art

[binaryterror]

Can you re-post some pics or post new pics of your whole tank? None of the pics work but the ones that you just posted.

[chicken]

Not sure what happened to all the pictures. I am working on getting my gallery server fixed and I'll try to repost them again.

[chicken]

It’s a miracle!! There is water in the 300g sump and it is plumbed!! Even though it is only tap water. I have made a bunch of progress on the tank over the last 4 weeks. The shed is nearly complete on the inside minus a little bit of trim. The Sheetrock is done, painted and textured. The electrical sub panel is finished and all the circuits (with GFCI) are wired and tested. I even epoxy painted the floor. I’ll try to get up some new pictures tomorrow. As for the pictures in the beginning of the thread that are now missing for some reason, I think I found most of them and will repost them for those that have not been following. Next steps are to finish the return plumbing in the house and to check for leaks. After that it is on to designing the stand for the 750g Fuge and pluming up the skimmer. Thanks

Here is the tank on the stand as we are filling it with RO water
<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=555&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

The massive RO setup of 9 x 75gpd Membranes
<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=547&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

And the Sand... Alot of it. I don't think this live sand really makes a difference from a bio point of view but I love the grain size of it and my Triggers love digging in it and it does not create a sand storm in the tank

<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=551&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

Shot of the tank right after we put the sand in it
<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=559&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

Here is the 3" ABS I ran throughout the tank for my Dragon Eel. It has multiple outlets so he can have some place to hide from the fish
<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=499&g2_serialNumber=2></img>
<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=503&g2_serialNumber=2></img>


And the rock. All 1400#s of it. I figured we put about 700-800# in and the rest will be in the fuge
<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=511&g2_serialNumber=2></img>
<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=507&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

[chicken]

A shot of the tank right after we aquascaped it. I want to go back and do some updating to make it look a little better
<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=463&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

And the start of the plumbing. The tank has 2 x 2" drains and will have 2 (1x2" and 1x1.5") returns on two pumps for redundancy

<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=487&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

Since the filtration will be outside I had to drill through the wall to plumb the tank
<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=495&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=491&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=519&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

And a shot of the plumbing stubbed up through the slab for the shed

<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=515&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=523&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

[chicken]

Shot of the 300g Rubbermaid sump

<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=531&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

My 400g water change mixup tank
<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=527&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

My 200g cold water reservoir for the geothermal cooling setup
<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=535&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

My small Skimmer :) Its a H&S A450-5x1260.
<img src=http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/26349H_S_Skimmer_1.jpg></img>

The initial framing of the Shed
<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=539&g2_serialNumber=2></img>
<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=543&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

The shed almost complete
<img src=http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/26349shed_outside.JPG></img>
<img src=http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/26349shed_inside.JPG></img>

<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=479&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

[Bax]

YES! I can't wait to see live stock in this baby! I been following this build for a long time!

[46bfinGA]

very nice.hows the dragon eel doing?any pics of him?you planning on getting another one?

[chicken]

The dragon is doing good. He looks to be a few inchs over 2' now and growing. At this point I dont plan on getting another one as I am concerned on trying to get two of them get along. That could be an expensive test. I'll try to get a few shots of him later this week. Thanks

[bbrantley]

Chicken,

Great looking setup you've got underway there!

One dumb question: those two grey 90-degree sweeps under your tank... are those rigid PVC or are they some kind of flexible tubing?

Ben

[chopsuey]

Very Very nice setup! :eek1:

I love the 'sump/filter' outside idea. Very cool post some new pics soon.

[46bfinGA]

bbrantley,those pvc 90's you can find at home depot in the electrical section.there intended use is for underground electric.

[bbrantley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8031879#post8031879 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 46bfinGA
bbrantley,those pvc 90's you can find at home depot in the electrical section.there intended use is for underground electric.

Interesting! So, are they "safe" to use on tanks?

Ben

[46bfinGA]

yeh i dont see why not.

[chicken]

Yah they are just pvc electrical conduit. It is the exact same as normal white PVC except it has UV protection added thus the gray color. I have been using them on tanks for a while. It really helps quiet things down since you don't have the hard 90 at the end of the stand pipe. You could also use Flex PVC but it is more costly and can be a challenge to glue unless you use the right glue.

[RedEyeReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8032710#post8032710 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chicken
Yah they are just pvc electrical conduit. It is the exact same as normal white PVC except it has UV protection added thus the gray color. I have been using them on tanks for a while. It really helps quiet things down since you don't have the hard 90 at the end of the stand pipe. You could also use Flex PVC but it is more costly and can be a challenge to glue unless you use the right glue.

Which is the right glue for flex PVC? I used the same glue as I did on the rest of my PVC?

Very nice, can't wait to see more pics.

[chicken]

Most PVC glues will glue flex but you should really let it dry a good part of the day before you start trying to put any real strain on it. I have had flex pop out of a glue joint before by using the wrong glue. Look on the labeling of the glue to make sure it says it can be used on flex. I just bought some of the "Red Hot Blue" stuff and Home Depot and it works fine for the flex. The other glues Home Depot had were not good for Flex.

[chicken]

Ok, here are some updated Pics. I hope to have the plumbing and the skimmer installed by this weekend. Since the pipes in the ground have been sitting for well over a year I decided to fill the sump up with tap water and just plumb the return from the pump right into the overflow boxes so I could circulate tap water to clean the system. Seems to be working and no leaks that I can see. Next step is the drain the sump tomorrow and fill it back up with tap water for one more flush. After that its time for Salt Water!!!

Here is a picture of the Sump from the front door to the shed.

<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=567&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

Here is a shot of the main return pump. A sequence 1000 series, model 4300.

<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=571&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

And another shot of the shed from the back doors

<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=575&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

[chicken]

Quick update....

Been a little slow the last few weeks on progress. I managed to WC the tank today and hopefully will have the water flowing tonight or tomorrow night between the tank and the sump. In preparation for that I finished building one of two redundant Ranco heater controllers I'll be using. I plan on using 2x 1000w and 2x 500 watt heaters for the tank. One 1000w and one 500w will be on each redundant controller. Each controller will then be on redundant circuits in case a circuit trips. I am tried of having crappy heater controllers die so I decided to go with the Ranco controllers for everything. But just in case one has an issue, they will be wired in series so there is no chance I cook the tank.

The completed controller
<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=604&g2_serialNumber=2></img>
The inside wiring of the controller
<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=596&g2_serialNumber=2></img>
Almost complete
<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=600&g2_serialNumber=2></img>
Another shot of the finished controller
<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=608&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

[chicken]

Made some more progress this week. Finished plumbing the tank and the shed together and water is finally flowing!! I was also finally able to get Big Burtha up and running. What a beast.... H&S A450-5x1260

<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=612&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

[Bax]

That's great, I 've been following this build for a long time looking forward to seeing it in action!

[chicken]

8 Weeks and counting till fish in the system :) I moved the rest of my fish that were in my 200g system to a QT system in my garage last night. I was planing on moving the fish in two groups but the 200g developed a crack in the back seam of the tank. I was scared it was going to split so I completely tore down the tank last night. I am going to treat all the fish for Ich before they are moved to the 600g as I have had a few small cases of Ich in the 200g and do not want to risk that in the big tank.

As for updates on the 600g I moved my Rose BTA to the tank from the 200g and it is doing well. I am also moving forward on building a natural gas boiler setup to heat this tank. By my calculations I should be able to save about $100 a month in electricity by switching to gas. Finally I am going to start designing the stand, book cases and wine rack that will surround the tank. I'll post the drawings when I get them finished up.

[Chrisrush]

Where do all the gate valves behind the tank lead?

[chicken]

All the gate valves are going to be used for a few different things. One is to feed the skimmer, one is to feed the fuge, one is to feed a carbon and GFO filter, one is going to feed a calcium reactor and the others are spares for things down the road. I'll get some new pics up this weekend before I head out of town.

I ended up having to tear down my 200g tank the other week due to a crack in the top of the tank from the MH lights. :( So all my fish are now in a 180g and 75g QT tank in the garage waiting to be moved to the 600g. Hopefully move them later this month.

I also just picked up a new 220g tank to replace the 200g so I'll start up a new thread on that tank soon. It is going to be a dedicated SPS system. This one will not take as long to build as this system since pretty much everything from a filtration point of view is already done. Just need to get the steel stand (which is being built as we speak) and plumb the tank in.

Thanks

[maxxII]

Please post a link to that thread here.

Nick

[clekchau]

chicken can you post your stocking list or proposed one?

[chicken]

I'll make sure to post the URL for the new SPS system once I start it up. I'll try to post some pictures later this weekend before I head to the east coast for work on Monday.

As for my stock lists here is what I am thinking.


Currently in 600g tank:

28" Hawaian Moray Dragon Eel


Currently in two QT tanks (180g and 75g) since my 200g tank cracked. Hopefully I will be able to move these guys in the next month or so:


12"+ Golden Dogface Puffer
10" Clown Trigger
10" Niger Trigger
9" Male Crosshatch Trigger
7" Female Crosshatch Trigger
6" Huma Huma Trigger
5" Yellow Eye Kole Tang
5" Sargent Major Damsel
3.5" Female Gold Bar Maroon Clown
3.5" Domino Damsel
2.5" Male Gold Bar Maroon Clown
4 x 2"+ 4 Strip Damsels


Proposed:

Large Porcupine Puffer
Large Christmas Island Imperator Angel
Tinkeri Butterfly


I want to add 2 more Tangs Also. Here is the short list I am thinking of picking from
Sohal Tang
Chevron Tang
Achilles Tang

Not sure if I want to add any more fish past this. I think I want to see how they get along and how stocked the tank actually is.

[clekchau]

that is going to be awesome

[marcrothschild]

Wow....this system is awesome!! Thought out very well!

[MammothReefer]

[i]
<img src=http://gallery.missingpacket.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=555&g2_serialNumber=2></img>

SUPER SLAPSHOT!!! BEST GAME EVER!!! I broke my dome on mine when I moved :(

[nyvp]

used to love that game

[chicken]

I love it to and Foosball. Except they are getting evicted for a dining room table the fiance wants. :) Going to move them to the spare bedroom so I can still keep them around.

[Bax]

Once you give up your Foosball table, they ( and we all know who they are) never let it back in the house! I'd be happy with one in a spare room, that's a good fiance you have there.