500 gallon project photos

[Norm R]

Following is a photographic progress log of the upgrade of my reef to a 500 gallon show tank. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching the progress of others’ projects here so I’ll attempt to maintain this until complete. This project has been in the works for a while and is beginning to materialize into something I can share. My goal is to have water in the tank by Thanksgiving, at the latest. :D

My current system is a 300 gallon acrylic tank with a 150 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. The new set-up will leverage the current sump, refugium and equipment remotely located below the tank, in my basement.

The tank is currently being crafted by James and his crew at Envision Acrylics (www.envisionacrylics.com). As many of you have read in other threads here on RC, or experienced, James is simply incredible to work with and produces nothing short of a piece of art. While I don’t yet have the tank, my experience to this point has far exceeded my expectations, and I tend to be a PIA. The tank is scheduled to ship 11/11.

Here are a few particulars-

• viewable on 3 sides (peninsula), dividing two rooms
• Dimensions - 30” high x 90” long
• Dimensions – 36” wide on one end, tapering to 44” wide on the opposite end
---> front face has a subtle angle (left to right)
• actual volume is closer to 470 gallons
• 1” acrylic
• single overflow on the end adjacent to a wall
• DIY stand and canopy
• mixed reef, primarily softies, LPS, anemones and fish
• closed loop with OceansMotions 4-way
• open loop to refugium and sump in basement

Now for the good stuff. Following are pictures as of yesterday.


http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/PICT0320.JPG

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/PICT0321.JPG

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/PICT0323.JPG

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/PICT0324.JPG

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/PICT0325.JPG

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/PICT0327.JPG

[Norm R]

Here are a few of the stand in progress.

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/500%20stand%20construction%20bot%202.jpg

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/500%20standconstruction%20bot%201.jpg

A lot of cross-bracing, screws and 1/2" x 8" carriage bolts later, here is where it stands today. I hope to finalize the cherry face this weekend.

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/500stand.jpg

[Fliger]

That is really beautiful. I must be a little dense, or the pictures are deceiving. Is that the same tank? The pix with the top look perfectly rectangular. But the first on obviously shows the tapering.

Or are those 2 tanks. Either way - those dimensions are awesome.

OK, just looked again. It's just a visual effect, it's the same tank. But it really does look rectangular.

Please keep the pix coming! I just filled my tank from James and couldn't be more happy with it. It is a piece of art.

[Norm R]

Fliger, the photos are all of the same tank. I've done more than one double-take as well when looking at them. Optical illusion, I guess.

I've followed your posts about your new tank - glad to hear it's working out well. I'm jealous, I can't wait to hear that first splash. It was feedback from people like you that made it an easy decision for me to go with Envision. Thanks.

[Chris777]

I wish i could have one that big. I cant wait to see it up and running. If it looks anything like how your 300 looked im gonna want it even more.

[Norm R]

Thanks Chris.

[Chris777]

I got this post saved bookmarked so i can see the future pictures :-)

[marcusbigdady]

Norm, the tank is going to look great,if its anytihing like the 300,all i can say is wow.......Thanks to you and your 300 my wife is going to let me get a large in wall tank !!!!! Thanks Norm!!!Marcus PS,sorry i can't help with the new tank,Sandi has drill and is getting ready to go back to Iraq again......

[hollback]

Norm,
The project is coming along amazing. You're right, that tank is a piece of art. I love the work over the overflow on the top bracing. I can't wait to see it in person. Keep us posted.
~Jason

[fletchman]

Looks Great Norm... I Finally just got my 400's Stand Covering finished... Looks a bit diff.. than when u saw it last.... cant wait to see yours up and running

Ryan

[Ryan M]

THAT IS ONE NICE TANK!

[Razoreqx]

Norm having seen your current setup In person, I cant wait to see the 500!

[Mantis]

I'm looking foward to finally seeing this beast in person, can't wait.

[aquajohn]

TAG

[szwab]

once that baby is done and up the club meeting following has to be at your place!!!

[Norm R]

Thanks guys. I'm beginning to get anxious.

[rock455]

tag

[LIReefer]

Nice tank design!!! James does excellent work - doesn't he? I like that tapered design. What's your plan on plumbing the OM 4-way?

Ed

[Norm R]

LIReefer,

The OM 4-way version 2 will be used on a closed loop powered by a Dart. The diagram below is my likely set-up for the returns from the sump and the 4-way. There will be 2-2”drains feeding the Dart. One will project through the overflow box and the other in the bottom at the opposing end. I opted to go with 2 drains in an attempt to lessen the draw and minimize sucking in small fish and critters.

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/500%20OM.gif

[mmgm]

Looks like a great project.... Keep the pictures coming..... Threads like this are very informative......

Are you going with OceansMotions (4 or 8 way?)

[Norm R]

Here are a few more pictures of the tank and stand in progress.



http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/PICT0331.jpg

Down the overflow-

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/PICT0328.jpg

Holes in bottom-

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/PICT0329.jpg


Now the stand. Aside from a couple more coats of varnish, I plan to stop here until it's moved in place. At that point, I'll make the doors and shelves on the end.

The front-

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/500%20stand%20construction%20bot%204.jpg

The back-

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/500%20stand%20construction%20bot%205.jpg

[derrikd]

neat keep them commig

[gumbybc]

awesome tank, can't wait to see more pics!

[knpjdad]

Still just a pipe dream for me, but I'll tag along, just so I can dream!!

[TacoKing]

Ughhh! You really are going to have your tank done before me! I'm so close, yet still so far away!

My stand is about 80% finished. I need to build the cabinet doors still, stain the two long sides and put a ton of poly on it. Tomorrow I buy the tile for the floor and this weekend hopefully I start tileing the room. Once that's done hopefully I can get the tank in place, start running plumbing and everything else. Maybe by New Years I'll be done? So much work for such a stupid fish tank :)

Btw, I can't wait to see this in action.
-Rob

[Mantis]

Rob, I'm going to have my tank done before you and I haven't even ordered mine yet. :)

[steve68]

why did u have it taperd on one end? is it to match something in ur house?
it looks sweet

[Norm R]

steve68,

Two reasons really. First, since it is a peninsula seperating two rooms we were concerned about it being to wide on the "point" you walk around. That "point" sticks out in the middle of the room so keeping it a bit narrower and pushing some of the water volume towards the wall at the left seemed to make sense.

Second, the angle will slightly swivel the primary viewing surface towards the seating in the room. We have two chairs right in front of it but this will make it easier to view from the other seating situated primarily to the right of the tank as you're facing it.

[steve68]

Nice !
cant wait to see it all in place
:)

[SHOmuchFUN]

Originally posted by Norm R

Second, the angle will slightly swivel the primary viewing surface towards the seating in the room. We have two chairs right in front of it but this will make it easier to view from the other seating situated primarily to the right of the tank as you're facing it.

I'm setting up my own chair to check this tank out :bum:

[Julio]

nice tank!!!

[Norm R]

The tank is headed East....

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/500crated.jpg

[Fliger]

That is so unique. Hey just wait until you try to take that crate apart. James tends to overbuild EVERYTHING. ;-) I stripped lots of bits and screws before I just took a jigsaw to it.

[vapovick]

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nice work !!!

[billzie]

Personal question:
Cost of tank, cost of shipping, did it cost more for the odd shape?
Did you ever consider both sides tapered, trapezoidal?
I'm still a few years away from needing my BIG tank but helps to know folks in central Ohio who are doing so. I thinking 96 to 120" in length x 36" w x 24 to 36" h,as a room divider, with drains on one end like yours.
Anyone else want to share you big tank build cost?
Thanks, Bill.

[Norm R]

Bill,

There are many factors that drive the price of a tank. When I went through this, I found it hard to "ballpark" it based on what others had paid. There are too many decisions that aren't necessarily evident in a picture that drive price. The best thing to do IMO is to get a quote.

The "odd shape" added about an additional 15% to the cost. Very reasonable IMO. Just based on the location, we didn't consider a trapezoidal shape.

Norm

[lovetoreef]

wow - great job - keep up the great work and thanks for sharing!

[mc-cro]

Heavy, very heavy tank. any updated pictures of it in place Norm?

[Norm R]

Thanks to significant help from the CORA group here in Columbus, the tank is in place. Here are some photos from the move. Believe it or not, I don't actually have one of the tank in place. I'll get one up soon.

I started the OM 4-way up today (wow), 500 lbs. of live rock in last night (wow), Dursos plumbed today, return line tomorrow and hopefully fish back in tomorrow or Friday. Then comes the canopy...

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/500%20in%201.jpg

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/500%20in%202.jpg

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/500%20in%203.jpg

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/500%20in%204.jpg

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/500%20in%205.jpg

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/500%20in%206.jpg

[gumbybc]

looking good. can't wait to see the pics of that beast in place. how much does the tank weigh? I bet you are glad you had the help!

[DerekW]

Hey! I have the same Hard Rock Cafe t-shirt as that guy!

Soory, I'll go away now :)

[slave-of-rock]

lol, well its thanks giving, is it filled with water yet :D

[Norm R]

Yep, filled to the brim. Water has been in since Sunday/Monday, rock on Tuesday night and fish as of today. I still have to make the canopy so no lights yet (and no corals). I'll post some pics tomorrow. ;)

[slave-of-rock]

nice! you owe me pics now :D

[kentrob11]

jumping aboard...Looks nice!

[Norm R]

Here are a few photos of the tank in place, complete with temporary plumbing and a couple pc fixtures laying on top. Starting the canopy today.

Front

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/500%20in%209.jpg

Front/End

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/500%20in%207.jpg

Back

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/500%20in%2010.jpg

End

http://www.a-d-web.com/300sell/500%20in%2011.jpg

[tony13]

Looks great so far.
I'm in the planning stages of a 300g or 375g. The difference would be the height being either 24" or 30". I would rather go 30" on the height but am afraid of having to stick half my body into the tank to get to the bottom. Have you had this problem or is 30" not an issue.
Thanks,
Tony

[Norm R]

I'm a pretty big fan of a 30" deep tank. My last tank was a 30"er and I loved it. I can reach the bottom but I have relatively long arms. If I'm going to spend a long time in the tank, I just wear a sleeveless shirt and it's not a big deal. I also use aqua tongs if I'm just moving a few items. To me, the extra 6" in height makes a significant visual impact vs. a 24" deep tank, and is well worth the extra effort, if there is any. Just my .02

[derrikd]

wow getting nicer everytime i see it..

[Gerard Alba]

Why the angle?

[Gerard Alba]

Why the angle?

[Gerard Alba]

Why the angle?

[slave-of-rock]

little jumpy with the sumbmit reply?
little jumpy with the sumbmit reply?
little jumpy with the sumbmit reply?

[Fursphere]

Originally posted by slave-of-rock
little jumpy with the sumbmit reply?
little jumpy with the sumbmit reply?
little jumpy with the sumbmit reply?

You misspelled "submit" not once, but three times.

I'm not sure who is more of a fool here. :lol:

[slave-of-rock]

im a special little boy, at least thats what my mommy and teachers say

[tony13]

Do you have the website for the 0M 4 wavemaker?

[Fursphere]

www.oceansmotions.com

[A Reef Scene]

The tank looks great

[Norm R]

Originally posted by Gerard Alba
Why the angle?

See the posts on 11/9 & 11/10 above for the "angle" explanation

[Fursphere]

I think I missed seeing your tank by a day or two. That weekend (13th - 14th), I was up at Envision Acrylics picking up my own 325 gallon tank.

James does awesome work, doesn't he? :)

[Norm R]

Originally posted by Fursphere
I think I missed seeing your tank by a day or two. That weekend (13th - 14th), I was up at Envision Acrylics picking up my own 325 gallon tank.

James does awesome work, doesn't he? :)

I would agree. I couldn't be more pleased. I initially went through the big glass vs. acrylic debate and eventually decided to go with acrylic again. When the tank arrived I was thrilled and am so glad I went with acrylic and, of course, with James.

[sde219]

How's the tank looking, Norm?

Been following your project for a while. Looks like a great setup. I noticed the stand doesn't seem to follow the exact taper of the tank - any particular reason?

Any progress on a canopy?

Would you mind tossing up some pics of the sump system you are linking this tank to?

Thanks and best of luck,
Steve

[Norm R]

I'll try to get some more photos up this weekend. It may take me longer on the sump as I have a temporary set-up housing my corals sitting in front of it.

Actually the tank and stand angles are equal. Pictures of this tank are incredibly deceiving. There is an 8" differential in width between the ends but the angles and perspective seem to eliminate each other. If you think about it, a "normal" tank with 90 degree corners actually looks tapered in a photo (perspective) so it sort of evens out on mine.

I started the canopy last weekend. Hope to have it up this weekend (without doors). First coat of varnish goes on tonight.:rollface:

[JazzMan]

Any updates?

[CPT. MURPHY]

looking good! :)

[bulldogfish]

Hey

I agree with Jazzman. Any updates? Been 3 months. You have to have more pictures by now.

[Fursphere]

Pst... maybe he has a life away from the internet? :p

[Norm R]

ok, it only took me a year, LOL. I obviously did a terrible job of keeping this thread alive. Here are some pictures I posted in our local club forum.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=820834

[juststartingout]

Norm, better late than never. Nice Job!
What are the watt rating on your bulbs? Do you feel your setup offers enough light coverage? I ask because I am going to try and run 3 L3's on a 96x36x 30 tank with a 400 wt bulb.

[Norm R]

I have 4 L3s with 400 watt single end bulbs and actinic supplementation. The light is quite adequate for my mixed reef. If I had all acros, certainly I'd need more. You could probably get away with 3 but my guess is you'll have some shaded areas which could be good or bad depending what you keep.