JapanReef - 450 gallon In-Wall system

[NexDog]

Background:
It's always been a dream of mine to keep marine fish and this interest has naturally evolved into wanting to keep a full coral reef. Now I'm truly settled in Japan I decided it was time to stop thinking and start actually doing it. Towards the end of last year I bought a 20 gallon tank, some LR and some fish and started to learn about this fascinating hobby. Around 5 months ago I upgraded to a 50 gallon and acquired more fish, soft coral, anemones and a few LPS and the bug had bitten me very deeply - I was hooked.

As fate would have it and certainly a year or two earlier than I'd anticipated the opportunity of designing and building a house presented itself. I work out of home so there would need to be an office and as I spend a considerable amount of time in the office I needed to have a serene environment and what better environment than a monster in-wall tank. (I say to my wife) :D

And the project is born. :thumbsup:

The Tank:
As the months of planning went on the tank kept getting bigger and bigger and I've now settled on a 340 gallon main display (72"x30"x36" - 30" tall). The sump is 48"x24"x30 (150g). The tank and sump are being made by the great guys at Envision Acrylics (http://envisionacrylics.com). James said they'll start building around October 1st and ship out 3 weeks later so I'll have them at the end of October. But I intend to acquire all the equipment before then and I'm well on way.

Equipment:
Being in southern Japan and faced with a technical language barrier (even though I speak the language well), I knew I wasn't going to get the system I wanted by shopping at Japanese vendors. Members here at ReefCentral have given me 100% of my knowledge (as little as it still is) and part of that knowledge has been great online vendors. Through RC I found MarineDepot, Envision Acrylics, Premium Aquatics, OceanMotions, DeltecUSA, Vivid Aquariums and Savko. I can't speak highly enough of all these vendors who have had to put up with barrages of stupid questions from me. :D

So the main equipment:

Deltec 902 Skimmer
PFO hood (3 x 400k Hamilton 14k moguls with 4 x 140w VHO)
3 Sequence Darts (closed loops)
1 PanWorld 100PX-X (return)
2 Iwaki 30RLXT (chiller and skimmer)
2 OM 4-Way units
1 OM Super Squirt
Arctica 1/2hp Chiller
Aquatronica
Korallin Calcium Reactor 3002
AquaMedic Kalk Reactor

There's also various miscellaneous stuff like auto top-off kits, water change pumps etc but outlined above is the core hardware.

Concept:
I think I've read just about every thread on SSB vs DSB vs BB and it was tough coming to a solution on this. I like the look of sand but didn't want a DSB but I also wanted the benefits of a BB tank which is quite a tall order I thought. The answer came from Steve Weast's inspirational set up at OregonReef. I'm going to design 2 rock racks out of 1.5" pvc pipe and plumb them into a closed loop powered by one Dart with outlets on the bottom of the tank. The rack will output to many 3/4" locline nozzles that will keep the rocks and area beneath free of detritus. I have designed a "sand barrier" which I'll show in a bit that should ensure the flow from the racks does not cause any sand dispersal so I can put in a small SSB at the front of the tank that I can siphon and stir regular. Best of both tank worlds I hope!

Flow:
So there's 2 more closed loops on the tank but these are run through OM 4-Ways. One CL will have 4 outlets on the back of the tank and the other CL will run 2 outlets on each side of the tank. I'll put the back 4 and the rack loops on the Aquatronica so I can turn those off at night. I decided on modest flow through the sump with a PanWorld rated at 1270gph. Total flow rate is over 12,000GPH or 35 times tank turnover which should allow me to keep any SPS I want. :)

Sump:
The sump is fairly large so I wanted to incorporate a coral grow-out into it. This proposes a bit of a headache as the Caulerpa I grow needs to be lit 24/7. I put this forward to James at Envision:

http://japanreef.com/images/build/sump8.gif

However, he has a better idea to minimise the light spill which I'll go into later. The chiller will be plumbed off the prop section and return via a Super Squirt. This will give the corals there some nice flow.

So still 2 months away from T-Day (Tank Day, heh) but I'll be very busy getting the equipment together. I'll post photos as the fish room take shape but this is what it looks like now:

http://japanreef.com/images/build/slab8.jpg

My office is to the right in the corner and you can see where the tank will be in-wall. At the end where the pipe is sticking out will be a sink and the whole room is going to insulated with soundproof foam and finished like a bathroom (plastic walls).

I should be getting all the plumbing parts from Savko (http://www.savko.com) this month and the PFO hood from Premium Aquatics (http://premiumaquatics.com) and I already have the Deltec 902, 2 Darts and the 4-Ways and Super Squirt from OceanMotions (http://oceansmotions.com) so full steam ahead. :thumbsup:

[brianemone]

can't wait, looks like its going to be a great setup.

[rulesmith]

you are building a tank very close in size to mine. I also plan on getting it from James. I will be following your progress with anticipation :)

[dougchambers]

NexDog -

Saddle up buddy! It's going to be a great ride....

Let us know what you need,

Doug

[NexDog]

Hey rulesmith - when you getting yous and is it going to be in-wall?

Doug - it's threads like yours that have schooled me and given me the knowledge. If I'd never have found RC this would never have been possible. :)

[dougchambers]

Reef Central is the best source for spending other peoples money I ever found...

Glad I could be of some assistance,

Doug

[moonpod]

Are you building a whole house from scratch with the tank being an integral part of the plan? COOL!

[Hop]

Yeah, Another thread to watch unfold. You know NexDog this is not going to get me any closer to getting mine done:D

Looks like your starting off right... The house built around the tank!!!

[asnatlas]

Originally posted by Hop
Yeah, Another thread to watch unfold. You know NexDog this is not going to get me any closer to getting mine done:D

Looks like your starting off right... The house built around the tank!!!

That is what I am talking about... Tank first, house second, LOL... When I have my next house built, I will be taking into consideration my 600gal, and maybe even another large tank...

Shawn

[rulesmith]

Yes, mine is mostly in wall. about 12inches will show on one side when it is all done. I am going with 77inches cause my girlfriend insists that it is worth the extra money to make it match the spot we have for it. 4 inches for $500 seems crazy though, lets see if I can use her argument when it comes time for the skimmer. :)

I decided to go with the tunze streams for flow, not doing the Cl's. I will add two tunze wave boxes down the road if I need to.

I am leaning towards an ASM skimmer, but size under tank is a bit of a proplem. The deltecs are sooooo expensive. I bet you will love it though.

I decided to go with James when I read the thread on the 340 front hex. That tread was one of the reasons I am going with the tunzes too.

I hope to have my tank in November so you will be leading the way :)

[NexDog]

Well. my wife thinks the tank is going in the house but we are know that the house is going around the tank. :D

But seriously, when we got the go-ahead on the house and I could actually design it, the opportunity to finally realise a dream was there and I wasn't going to pass it up. The builders, my wife and in-laws look at me like I've gone insane when I explain the 2 million yen budget for the tank. But when it's up and running and in its full glory I know they'll be amazed as there's no such thing as an awesome reef tank down here.

The cost of land and housing at here is astronomical. I've seen such beautiful houses here on RC and would love something so spacious but the economics of the situation cannot warrant it. However, the house I'm building is consider large by Japanese standards. It has a lounge, dining room, kitchen, guest room, office, fish room, bathroom and utility room downstairs with the lounge having a vaulted ceiling. Upstairs are 4 bedrooms which I need as I have 3 kids. If anyone is interested there's a plan here:

http://senlacsamurai.com/house/

It's envolved somewhat since then and the siding and roof will look nothing like that. The dining room extends out an extra metre or so. I'm happy with it and will be comfortable for my family. The office with in-wall tank is real central feature though (for me). :thumbsup:

Hop - been following your setup from day one and have stolen some of your ideas. ;)

Shawn, looking forward to your 600g monster!

Going to post some more pics tomorrow. :)

[NexDog]

rulesmith, I read that thread too. I came across a few threads that had Envision tanks and they were all amazing setups. Plus he built the 800g at OregonReef. Just so many awesome setups coming out of Envision tanks and everyone loves the customer service so it was an easy choice. Looking forward to your thread - is it going to be 77x30x36? Gotta love that 36" depth. :)

[The Escaped Ape]

Watching with interest! Keep the updates coming. ;)

[Hop]

How much is a yen again... 2 million sounds really cool. JJ

This is great NexDog!!! I hope you get that "Christmas eve as a child" feeling I get while building this thing!

Nice home design by the way!

[NexDog]

I checked on XE (http://www.xe.com/ucc) and 2 million yen is just over $18k USD. One doller is about 110 yen at the moment. That budget is about right considering the cost of shipping the tanks to Japan (almost 3 grand there).

[Psyire]

Wow, this will be impressive.

I really like how you are realistically budgeting for this tank, many people have no clue when they start a project this big.

Keep up the great research, it'll make your $$ go a lot further as you will spend it more wisely. Plus you'll have the added bonus of being happy with your end result. (if there is such a thing as an end result, lol)

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

can't wait to watch this monster develop....still dreaming of my BIG tank days ahead!

Good Luck!

[NexDog]

Thanks E-A-G-L-E-S. Keep dreaming and it will happen sooner than you think. :)

Psyire - it can be done cheaper, absolutely no doubt about that. The shipping costs for me automatically added 35% to the cost of everything. Normally the shipping works out to be about 20% but the shipping on the tank is like 40% of the price of the tanks due to the sheer weight. The $1800 Deltec skimmer cost $450 to ship. I'm averaging it all out at 35% in the end.

There's an interesting thread in the main forum about the costs of setting up a reef tank and I remember Jeff with his 250g saying he'd spent 13k so far and has yet to introduce a fish. I think $13,000-$15,000 is a realistic figure for a system around 300 gallons.

When I see such crazy numbers flying around I think we must seem like exorbitant a$$holes. :D

[wangster]

wow..sounds like it's going to be a crazy setup! a friend of mine put Deltec 902 to his 150G tank which have around 20 fish in there. Deltec 902 is a BIG skimmer.. I wonder if I can visit you when I do goto Japan?

[NexDog]

Wow, a Deltec 902 on a 150 is maximum overkill. Full respect to your friend! I've decided that being an equpment junkie I absolutely must have one of those dual becket Barr Aquatic skimmers (the SK5220 (http://www.barraquatic.com/super_skimmers.php)). I plan on stocking heavy as I can without aggression problem so I might need another skimmer.

The 902 is BIG though, but will fit under the tank nicely as the fish room just sits on the slab and the floor level is half a meter above it. The tank will start at about the 1 metre mark above floor level so I have a full 1.5 metres under the tank. And as it's surrounded by the concrete footings and has a drain at the end, if catastrophy strikes and the tank pops, the water can get in the house at all.

Framing madly right now. First floor framing was done today and second floor tomorrorw and the roof goes on the day after tomorrow. You might think that's crazy fast but it's only the basic framing and wood slats on the root and then they fill the rest in later. Pretty unique way of building out here. Not at all like the UK or even Australia. It's a big rush to get the roof on and then they have this tradition where you get on the roof, spill salt in all 4 corners and then you throw money, candy and rice cakes onto the crowd below. Pretty trippy culture but I love it. :)

[wangster]

bless the house maybe?

[NexDog]

Yep, the land had to be blessed first. The shinto priest came around and shook his tassled stick and we all chanted and drnak Saki. :D

http://senlacsamurai.com/albums/House/10_G.sized.jpg

That's me in orange, my wife next to me and then her parents.

[mmd]

i notice alot of vegetation right next to the recently poured foundation...appears the japanese take care in not destroying everything within site of the foundation like we do in america. must be nice tio be environmentally conscious....cant wait to see more pics

[Bax]

NexDog

This is going to be a great system! Good luck and keep the posts coming!

[rulesmith]

I am interested on your choice on the skimmer. Before you were saying that you would be going with the Deltec, now the Barr, what was your thought process? I am trying to figure out what skimmer to go with and am very interested on how you came to this choice? What other skimmers have you considered?

[MickyB]

You will be very happy with a Tank from James, talked to him a few times. I've been to Japan once and went to Tokyo and then Osaka and took the bullet train to Kyushu. The people i met in Japan where very nice to me.

[NexDog]

rulesmith - I already have the Deltec 902. When I got it I thought I was oversizing nicely but back then my tank was going to be 60x30x30 and now it's decided on 72x30x36. The Deletec site says:Capacity:
Normal Stocking: 660g
Heavy Stocking: 480g
My 150g sump will hold around 115 gallons of water so the system volume is around 450g so I'm within range of their heaving stocking capacity. But I'm not oversizing like I want to do. The 902 was $1800 and if you go any bigger on the Deltecs the price hike is huge. The 1003 is $3100.

So depending on how much I stock I might need another skimmer and thinking on BarrAquatics. The BA skimmers are becketts and I learned that the style of skimmer is very different from the asperating skimmers like Deltec (and Euroreef etc). So if I do get another skimmer, I'd like to try a different method. The becketts need huge flow and I don't want to put huge flow through the sump so I'd have to work out another system. The tank has dual overflows so I can restrict one that goes into the sump and have the other one fully open, I guess. Anyhow, I getting waaaay ahead of myself there. That's a project for this time next year. :)

Micky - I love Japan. I've been here 7 years with one year out when I had to go to Australia. My brother lives in Tokyo and I like to go up there once a year but I couldn't live there. I need countryside and greeness, lol. The town where I live is in a valley with hills on one side and volcanoes on the other. It's quite beautiful. :)

[Shawnts106]

I like the look of sand but didn't want a DSB but I also wanted the benefits of a BB tank which is quite a tall order I thought.

JUST a SUGGESTION...

do the thing in the back with the LR and whatever to keep the Detritus out of the back...

for the front, to get maximum filtration through your sand bed

Put a 1.5inch or 2.5 or 2 inch deep sandbed in the front... the sand being SUGAR SIZED ARAGONITE....

best for MAX bacterial colonization.... best stuff in the word...
You could also, to up the cycle a bit is put in some Live Sand mixed in with the sugar sized.... live sand being from Carib Sea... Its the FINNEST sand they make... very nice, very natural looking, and chock-a-block full of bacteria to jump start that cycle!!!

this would be a good decision IMO... hope you decide to do this :)

good luck on your project... looks like your tanks is going to be BEAUTIFUL!



oh, and

Konichiwa!.. sorry I didnt say it sooner... was kinda busy with that whole sand bed issue... huh!... hahaha


well...
Oyasuminasai!

[NexDog]

I don't really have a lot of choice on the sand. There is some find argonite and an even finer white sand - I usually mix them up. Good idea on helping the cycle with the sand. I'll be sure to do that. :)

Oyasuminasai - going to bed already? :D

[The Escaped Ape]

Originally posted by mmd
i notice alot of vegetation right next to the recently poured foundation...appears the japanese take care in not destroying everything within site of the foundation like we do in america. must be nice tio be environmentally conscious....cant wait to see more pics

Hmm, I'm assuming that's because that's a neighbor's land. People build right up to the edge of their land here, given how expensive it is. You often see houses only a foot apart!

I'm in Tokyo, so NexDog's definitely got the better deal when it comes to greenery, living in Kyushu!

[NexDog]

Some of the land is the neighbours and some is ours. As Tom said, these days most people buy land that is only slightly bigger than their house due to the price. It's not as bad down here and people normally have a small front garden. We're lucky to have land that is a bit bigger than that.

I ordered my lighting setup today from Premium Aquatics. It's a PFO hood with 3 x 400w Hamilton 14k SE bulbs and 4 x 96w PC's on PFO Pulse Start ballasts. I'm pretty sure it will cover the 3ft wide tank if I suspend it high enough.

Full steam ahead on the house. Building had to be halted due to a major typhoon we had here the last 2 days. This is what it looked like on Tuesday:

http://japanreef.com/images/build/footer1.jpg

Here's the fish room outline:

http://japanreef.com/images/build/footer.jpg

They framed the bottom floor yesterday:

http://japanreef.com/images/build/frame1.jpg

And the top floor today:

http://japanreef.com/images/build/frame2.jpg

Here's looking at the tank room from my office:

http://japanreef.com/images/build/wetroom1.jpg

The tank room is not huge but as it's sunken in it has alot space under the tank - all the equipment will fit under there nicely. Has a sink at the end with cabinet above. Will have space either side of the tank too. Has an exhast fan, a vent and I'll whack an AC unit in there for good measure. Plus it has the drain under the sink. :thumbsup:

[majesticangelfish]

Two words...
Japanese Spotlights!!!!!!!

;) Looks Great mate.

[NexDog]

You read my mind. :D

I'm going to have lots of space on either side of the hood for spolights. I remember seeing some crazy colouration on some acros in a thread about Japanese tanks. They seemed to use red spotlights alot so I'm going to see if I can get some. Not sure what I'm looking for though - any ideas?

[majesticangelfish]

http://www.lamp-network.co.jp/sc115_aqua/aqua_top.html

:D

[majesticangelfish]

Also http://www.kuramata.co.jp/

[majesticangelfish]

And... the thread...
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=91458&highlight=yasuhiro

And one more
http://www.reef-kuki.com/Equip-meta1.html

Cheers Josh

[NexDog]

Thanks Josh, lots of good info there. The lighting setup in that thread is just insanity gone mad. :D

[invincible569]

Awesome thread NexDog! Keep us updated. Im anxious to see the outcome. I also love how its more than just the tank. Very good information! At least now if I ever visit Japan, I know who I can visit. ;)

[massman]

Nextdog,
D not pay to have individual items sent over, it will cost a fortune.
Have them all sent to your tank builder(or someone else), then get him to place them into the container as one.
Shipping charge should be volume based not weight. I cannot see the volume being more than 1/3 of a 40' sea container. This should cost no more than $1000-$1500 for everything to be shipped.
A family member had 3 cars fully stripped into 4 boxes each (body and all) and shipped over to Australia and that cost me about $6000 us.
Ring around for a shipper. It will save you $$:bum:

ps looking good though:D

[NexDog]

massman, well, have to do everything in stages really. Can't really fork out all this cash in one go if you know what I mean. :D

[paulpp187]

just taggin

[The Escaped Ape]

Nexdog,

Just a quick post to say I hope you've not been hit by Typhoon 14 too bad. Been watching all the pictures of landslides/houses washed away etc and hoping it's not you!

Kyushu's beautiful, but dangerous in August/September!

Tom

[rulesmith]

so at this pointe and time if you had to go for just one skimmer which one would it be?

[The Escaped Ape]

Originally posted by majesticangelfish
http://www.lamp-network.co.jp/sc115_aqua/aqua_top.html

:D

Eeek. Now you see why NexDog is importing all his stuff. That first spotlight is over $600...:eek:

[Lostmind]

Hehe, I am going to japan in the next few months. Want me to bring some reef stuff over on the plane and then the train? hehe.

Seriously, that's a big house for japan.

I've never been down south in Japan, only Yokohama/Tokyo and up to Hokkaido.... you should set up a b&b for reefers when the tank is setup. (ryokan?)

[majesticangelfish]

Originally posted by burntom
Eeek. Now you see why NexDog is importing all his stuff. That first spotlight is over $600...:eek:

worth every cent.

[chainsaw5vent]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by NexDog
[b]Background:
And the project is born. :thumbsup:



So the main equipment:

Deltec 902 Skimmer
PFO hood (3 x 400k Hamilton 14k moguls with 4 x 140w VHO)
3 Sequence Darts (closed loops)
1 PanWorld 100PX-X (return)
2 Iwaki 30RLXT (chiller and skimmer)
2 OM 4-Way units
1 OM Super Squirt
Arctica 1/2hp Chiller
Aquatronica
Korallin Calcium Reactor 3002
AquaMedic Kalk Reactor

wow. looks like a good setup.

btw. how much does land cost in that area of japan, anyway?:eek2: :confused:

[NexDog]

Nursing a monster sized hangover today. This country is so steeped in tradition and alot of them involve drinking copius amounts of alcohol. :D

When the roof goes on they have this ceremony called "Mune Age" (mu-ne a-ge - 'raising the roof'). They put this huge sign on top of the roof that signals to the neighbourhood that the ceremony is going to be that day. When everyone gathered, I climbed on the roof with the carpenters, some guys from the building company and my father-in-law and we threw candy, rice cakes and coins down onto the crowd below after drinking half a bottle of saki. Kids love this ceremony for obvious reasons. :)

We put boards down over the floor joists and in the evening about 40 people came over and we all got drunk as hell inside the house. I'll post some pics later and I have some updates on the tank and my concept of half sand half BB method that I'll be using.

[massman]

Originally posted by NexDog
When the roof goes on they have this ceremony called "Mune Age" (mu-ne a-ge - 'raising the roof'). They put this huge sign on top of the roof that signals to the neighbourhood that the ceremony is going to be that day. When everyone gathered, I climbed on the roof with the carpenters, some guys from the building company and my father-in-law and we threw candy, rice cakes and coins down onto the crowd below after drinking half a bottle of saki. Kids love this ceremony for obvious reasons. :)


We have something similar over here but a bit more simplified, and it comes about quicker in the building process too!
It's called a slab party. Basically, once the concrete slab has been poured. (and dried!).
Simply gather friends, a few slabs of beer, park yourself on the pad and consume!:D

Mine's in about 2 weeks:thumbsup: :dance:

[NexDog]

Tom, we did okay in the typhhon. It hit hard on Monday night but it was pretty much here on Monday morning to Tuesday evening because it didn't move fast. Lots of people lost electricity, cable and there was bad flooding in Miyazaki city. My sister-in-law lives closer to Miyazaki and they lost water too. We got off lucky and I didn't even lose my cable connection. :)

rulesmith - tough question on the skimmer! I'd say the Deltec 1003 (http://www.deltecusa.us/proteinskimmers/ap1003.php) but at $3,119.00 I doubt I would have bought it even if I knew my system volume was going to end up at 450 gallons. The BarrAquatic SK5220 (http://www.barraquatic.com/super_skimmers.php) at a modest $749 looks awesome but these dual beckett monsters need monster flow like a Sequence Hammerhead. As I opted for low flow through the sump, putting a Hammerhead on a skimmer would result in major overskimming (same water would go through 4 or 5 times on each pass through the sump). An asperating skimmer is the way to go on systems that don't have huge flow through the sump and the Bubble King is probably the king of asperating skimmers and the Bubble King 300 is rated for 800g at $2239 (AquariumObsessed).

I did give alot of thought to EuroReef recirculating skimmer and the CS12-5-RC rated for 700g at $1897.95 (MarineDepot) looks good. I'm just going to see how the Deltec 902 performs when I've stocked heavy and if I'm not satisfied, I'll get the BK or the EuroReef, install and compare.

[NexDog]

massman - yep, sounds very similar. Drink a few slabs on the slab. :D

Are you building a fish room into your design?

[NexDog]

Originally posted by chainsaw5vent
btw. how much does land cost in that area of japan, anyway?:eek2: :confused: [/B]
Land over here is measured in something caled "tsu-wo". One tsu-wo is 3.3m2 and 1 tsuwo costs around $750 USD down here. In urban areas the price is way higher and in Tokyo...forget about it. :p

Most people get land that is around 80 to 100 tsuwo and that doesn't leave much space - maybe a tiny patch of grass and a car port next to it - all for $75,000, lol. I think we have near 200 tsuwo which would cost $150,00 USD but we were given it as a gift from my wife's parents. That's why I can build something a little bigger than would be considered normal.

[massman]

NexDog,
Yes I am mate.
Mines on the top floor and will be utilising natural sunlight as we have more sunny days per year than anywhere in the tropics.

It took a fair bit of engineering but its all good:D

[NexDog]

So I thought I'd try and explain a bit about my concept for this tank. The whole BB thing has exploded lately and the case for BB over DSB is certainly logical. However, pristine white sand just looks great and the bottom of BB tanks can look a bit dirty in my opinion. The faux sandbed looks great but after six months it won't look like sand. It will be purple or brown which kind of defeats the purpose of making a bottom that looks lik sand. So I know I wanted sand but I also wanted BB. The system I decided on is not new and as I worked on it I found the OregonReef employed a similar method.

The idea is to have sand in only the viewable parts of the tank (in front of the rock). The area which houses the rock is BB and makes up at least 2/3 of the tank. I'm going to plumb in a closed loop on the bottom with two 1.5" bulkhead outlets on each side where I'll build the rock structure. I'm going to make rock racks out of PVC pipe and fix them into the bulkheads. Each rack will have about 10 3/4" locline nozzles and the flow through these will keep the area under the rack and between the rocks free of detritus build up. Here is a picture of one of the racks that Steve uses on OregonReef:

http://japanreef.com/images/build/rack.jpg

One thing that concerns me is potential sandstorms from the flow out of these racks. I decided to create a sand barrier that winds around the length of the tank where the rock will go. I may not have to implement this solution if I can just build up rock to make the barrier but no harm in being prepared.

The Mold:

What I did first was build the tank out of plywood and 2 by 4 and filled it with earth. I then sculpted out the shape of the rock structure that I had in mind. When I did this I still thought I was going 60" long but have since decided on 72". Anyhow, I can widen this barrier thing no problem.

http://japanreef.com/images/build/arag2.jpg

Aragocrete:

I learned about aragocrete on Garf.org so tried to mimic their aragocrete recipe. Basically works out to be a 5:1 ratio of media to cement. I used:

1 x crushed shells (collected from the beach)
1 x crush coral and plastic shavings
3 x sand

http://japanreef.com/images/build/arag1.jpg

I poured it in and didn't make enough!:

http://japanreef.com/images/build/arag3.jpg

So another trip to the beach later:

http://japanreef.com/images/build/arag4.jpg

The last pic has the back of the tank at the bottom and the racks will sit in the square area behind the barrier. The sand will be placed around the front (about 1"). The aragocrete came out a bit more grey and concrete like than I hope. Like I said, I might not use it if I can get the same effect with just live rock. If I do use it, it will soon colour up with coraline. I have it soaking in water now where it needs to stay for 2 months. I broke it up into pieces too to help the leach cure process.

[asnatlas]

Laurence, that is AWESOME... You have just give me so many new / different idea's... Thank you :)

Shawn

[Zephrant]

Very nice- I like your mold/dirt work. I don't quite follow how this will work though- You will add the racks then place the concrete in the middle- Do you then fill sand from there to the front of the tank?

Zeph

[nbd13]

what pumps do you plan on using? i have darts running anf trust me you will never get 10 outputs per pump... i am using 1 dart and 4 pieces of loc-line and one one closed loop i decided to cut it down to 2 to get more flow... you will need a HUGE pump to get alot of water though 10 outputs... and each has to be identical or you wont get even flow.... just a thought.

Nick

[jsteidl]

Don't want to get to off topic, but nbd13, how much head do you have on the Dart? I have a Dart currently running on my tank that has about 4ft of head and a 30 ft run to tank and flow out of 2 loclines is pretty good. Plan on having another dart run my CL on my new 280 with 4 outputs, but head will only be 2ft and will have 6 outputs. I would think I will get good flow out of the 6.

[arconom]

NexDog

I'm trying to visualize this. The S shape is the BB section?and the big dirt mounds were there just to help shape the valley where the Garf material was placed? It's confusing since the dirt looks like a beautiful landscape area that I thought you might be putting the argocrete over to help form the mold.

[nbd13]

Hey the dart is right under the bulkhead so maybe like a foot max....

Nick

[Heinz]

my guess is, that pice of congrete, or whatever it is, is used belowe the LR, as perimeter, to keep the sand out and does not blow below the LR,

[NexDog]

Originally posted by Zephrant
Very nice- I like your mold/dirt work. I don't quite follow how this will work though- You will add the racks then place the concrete in the middle- Do you then fill sand from there to the front of the tank?

Zeph
The 'crete will be in the same position as this pic:

FRONT
http://japanreef.com/images/build/arag4.jpg
BACK

If you look at the shape, I'm going to do 2 islands with a canyon in the middle. I'm hoping to bring out the depth in the 3' deep tank by having the midlde and sides open almost to the back. There will be one rack per "island" - you can see a square behind the 'crete that juts out to the left (that's one) and there's earth in the pic where the other will go.

And then I'll put sand in the front section and the plan is that I can have nice flow through the racks without displacing that sand. So 2/3 of the tank will be BB and 1/3 will be 1" SSB which I'll stir and siphon regularly.

[NexDog]

Originally posted by nbd13
what pumps do you plan on using? i have darts running anf trust me you will never get 10 outputs per pump... i am using 1 dart and 4 pieces of loc-line and one one closed loop i decided to cut it down to 2 to get more flow... you will need a HUGE pump to get alot of water though 10 outputs... and each has to be identical or you wont get even flow.... just a thought.

Nick
I have two Darts for teh main closed loops and was thinking about getting another for these racks. Maybe I should just get a Hammerhead? I don't need huge flow here, just enough to keep the detritus suspended in the water column....

[NexDog]

arconom - Heinz is right. The earth was just there for the mold. You can see I removed half in the last pic I post so imagine it with no earth, the 2 racks on either side, sand in the front and rocks stacked up on the barrier and racks behind.

When I build the racks I'll but it all together in the box again and will be easier to visualise.

[NexDog]

My Deltec 902:

http://japanreef.com/images/build/skimmer.gif

[Bax]

Now that's a skimmer!

[simonmr]

how high is that thing

[TheCoralReef731]

Cool.

[NexDog]

Originally posted by simonmr
how high is that thing
It's about a metre tall. Deltec site says it' s 39" tall so it's a beast. :)

[asmodeus]

lookng good cant wait to see water in there ,.....


mike

[jumboshrimp18]

hey NexDog,
I have never fully understood Steve Weast's returns through the bottom of the tank. That's just me. Find it difficult to conceptualize. He invited me to an open house last month but I was unable to attend. I guess it might be somewhat similiar to David Saxby's setup. Did Steve give you a detailed diagram or did you work it out from his website? The returns set-up in this way almost seem to me to be an extended spray bar, the virtues and drawbacks of which are extensively discussed on this site. How do you get equal pressure along the loc-line I wonder. Clearly the plumbing through the bottom of a tank presents a greater risk than not so undertake it carefully and plan for the worst. Like the OM a lot but I would opt for Tunze streams on this tank, since the CL reurn from the bottom. The streams would give you more surface flow where your SPS is going to be than the CL with the OM.
Plan on the eventuality of swappping out some of your equipment, especially the pumps. You may have gotten it all right but you never know until it's set-up.
I think you got the sand bed just right for this tank.
Where is the sump in relation to the tank? Do you have the space for a water change tank? Give us some details on the fish room if you have them. I'm not sure of the reliability of your electricity there but with a tank this big you may want to plan now for a backup generator, something on the lines of a Generac.

Exciting project, not to mention a whole new house in the works.

[NexDog]

Steve never gave me any detailed diagram (but did exchange a few emails). While working out my system I found it easy to conceptualise and visualise from Steve had done and AFAIK it's the only to maintain a "clean" system with sand. I think I'll put a Hammerhead down there and if it's too much and I can put a Dart. Having bulkheads on the bottom of the tank does not scare me at all especially with 3/4" acrylic. I guess I could ask the guys at Envision to put 1" even. If a bulkhead were to start leaking it would be a huge pita to fix but if it's just a few drips, I'd just let it drip onto the concrete floor and down the drain.

I'm totally prepared to swap out my closed loops for Tunze Streams in the future. I want to build something that is crazy SPS dominated and the 8 pulsing outlets on the 4-Ways is going to give the most chaotic flow. I know I'm going to eat it in electricity consumption but I'm looking for perfection here and as long as life is good, I'll go with it. Maybe in the future if things get tight financially I might have to reconsider but for now I'm planning on the here and now whilst having eyes fully open on the future possibilities.

The sump is directly below the tank. I have a full 3 metres wide space there and the room is sunk down half a metre below floor level so I have enough height for the skimmer and water change containers and auto top-off containers. I'm only going to use one water change container rather than 2 (seems like a waste of space). I'll just mark the tank at the point I need to drain too and open a valve on a T on a drain line and drain directly to drain in the floor and then pump the new water in.

I have a few generators at my disposal. My father-in-law has a gardening business and has a few. It's not like a UPS but if power goes out I can hook a generator up and run extension cords in. Electricity here is very reliable. I didn't even lose power in the last hurricane but some people did for 10 hours so I'm prepared for that.

[jumboshrimp18]

All sounds good and well thought out. You have the best idea yet on RC: build the house around the tank! One small thought: when you place the OM's, make sure that they are accessible so thay you can open them up--by unscrewing the top screws--if need be.
Looking forward to following this thread.

[NexDog]

Yah, I'm ging to put 2 pumps either side of the sump with the darts running the 4-Ways at the front (with the hammerhead and pan-world return behind them).

I'm looking forward to updating this thread and getting the tank up and running. Tank is still 6 weeks away but I'll have plenty of equipment updates and will post pics as the fish room takes shape. :)

[grallster]

You'd better make sure there is enough room between the bottom of your rock rack and the top of your sand barrier so that the detritus has room to escape and doesn't just blow around down there.

[rulesmith]

I really want to know how the half sand bed turns out. I am worried about having enough flow and not scratching my tank up. Are you worried that some sand will get knocked over to the rock side and become little projectiles?

[NexDog]

I don't think flying sand will cause scratches but I am a little apprehensive on sandstorms. Flow is adjustable so I can tweak it until it's right.

[rulesmith]

but how do you find out what is right before you have the storm?

[NexDog]

Throttle back the pumps and direct the flow from the bulkheads etc with nozzles.

[Bax]

I just don't see blowing sand as being a scratching issue.
At one point I had almost 750 gph going through my 26 g. It was too much, like a toilet flushing, but, it did not scratch my tank.

My concern would be sand infiltrating the "no sand zone"

[rulesmith]

glad to hear about he sand. People use the sand argument sometimes as one against acrylic tanks.

[curtisvill]

Well thought out tank. I look forward to following your journey!

[NexDog]

Thanks Curtis. :)

Not a huge amount of progress tank side this last week. I should be finalising the details on the tank drilling and sump design in this next week and hopefully James can start the build on October 1st so I can have it at the end of October. :)

Hopefully my light hood from PFO has shipped (PremiumAquatics said it could have been last week but need to chase that up). I ordered all my plumbing supplies from Savko.com. As the tank and all the pumps and equipment have US dimensions it made sense to get the plumbing from a US vendor (even ordered 100ft of pipe, lol). Again, I ate it big time on shipping but oh well....Hopefully that shipped last week but I also need to check on that. I'm paying James for the tanks and shipping over 3 months to ease the pain so with all that my budget was truly devoured for September. On next month's budget is assorted supplies that I'm getting from MarineDepot which includes a Hammerhead, 2 Iwaki's, a PanWorld, 2 Aqua Lifters, Tunze Osmolator, Float Valve kit, some locline stuff and a new refractometer to replace my busted one. Also on the budget for October is an Aquatronica controller. Just your average equipment junky's average day. :thumbsup:

Work on the house is speeding along. The main framing is just about done. Roof tiling is being done this week and siding maybe next weekend. Some shots taken yesterday:

http://japanreef.com/images/build/house2.jpg

http://japanreef.com/images/build/house1.jpg

[gone feral]

That's a great looking place. Is wood framing common in Japan? I would have guessed lumber would be really expensive there, assuming it had to imported.
I don't remember if you have been asked this already, but what if any measures to you have to protect the tank against earthquakes?

[NexDog]

Wood framing is normal here using local Cedar wood ( I think it's cedar anyway - "sugi" in Japanese". Cedar grows everywhere here and is the most common tree.

We get alot of earthquakes but I've been here 7 years and felt nothing about magnitude 5 or so. The tank will be acrylic which does have some flex compared to glass and the whole house is built on rubber "pads" that go between the footer and bottom wood frame so the house has some flex too. I think it would have to be a pretty big quake to knock the tank out and if such a quake was to strike then I think the tank would be the least of my worries. :D

[grallster]

If you're planning on using alot of loc-line, this place might save you alot of money modularhose.com
Ships from Chicago.

[gone feral]

thanks grallster, good website!

[grallster]

No problem.

[yellowtruck75]

Tank plans sound great

[vest0830]

I assume you are on mainland. I am in Okinawa.

What an amazing project you have going there. I wish I could see it.

To what others have said about the quakes and typhoons...this place (okinawa anyway) is unbelievable when it comes to how it is built. We get quakes, typhoons, 100 degree weather for months on end, high humidity, and there isnt one crack in anything. I wouldnt be worried about the tank.

[The Escaped Ape]

They're used to dealing with typhoons and earthquakes! Wooden houses are actually very good at flexing with the shocks.

The old Japanese saying has it that the most frightening things in life are, typhoons, earthquakes and your father (traditionally a scary authority figure in Japan)!

[Hop]

Hey hey, the house is coming along nicely! I'm getting pretty eager to start seeing this take shape!

[NexDog]

Yea, it's moving along really fast now and as there are a few more typhoons headed this way the rush is on to get the siding on by the weekend and glass in the windows.

vest0830 - I'm in Miyazaki, south Kyushu.

I got my first box of plumbing supplies from Savko today. 35 union ball valves - 16 x 1.5", 10 x 1" and 9 x 2". Savko made up most to be thread x slip for me so I can screw them straight onto pump and 4-Way outlets and then glue the pipe in the other side. I love the union ball valves because you can turn off the flow at the union and undo it - so much neater.

Still waiting on the nipples, bushings, elbows etc and the 100ft of pipe I ordered. :)

[rulesmith]

Have you drawn up any plans for the plumbing, this is one area I have not given enough thought to.

[NexDog]

I worked it all out in my head really. I worked out what valves, I'd need, what fittings etc and ordered accordingly. Plumbing mystifies me so I've planned to the best of my abilities but I know I'll be short on some stuff. Looking forward to putting it together and I'll post more about that when I do it. :)

[Cody Ray]

Can I come live with you?!?! :D

[rulesmith]

lol, I am so glad you are going first on this. I hope to learn a lot from what you do right and wrong. I really admire what you are doing with this. Lots of obstacles you are not letting get in the way. Like ummm building a house, huge project in of itself, and the entire having to ship everything. I like being spoiled and able to run around and get things if I have to. So if you can get this done so can I. :)

[paulpp187]

any updates

[NexDog]

Slowly but surely. Been working to get the siding on the house so we can start on the inside.

Savko sent me another box of plumbing fitting and James at Envision sent me a long email with info he needs to start the tank build on October 1st. I'll post some more pics next week when I have more to show and in October I'm going to get most of the other equipment. Once everything comes together things should move quickly. :)

[talksalt]

Laurence,
What a surprise to see you here. (DavidL from WHT :D )
Allthough I have only been an RC member for a couple days I see that you have quite a rep here.
WOW, Looking good so far. Not only do you know how to run a great hosting company but also know great deal about SWFT's.
I noticed this thread and browsed because I am getting ready to do a 350G myself.
Good luck!

-Dave

[NexDog]

Damn, I've been found. :D

I actually only have a fraction of the knowledge of some of the guys (and girls) here. I only have a pitiful 50g setup at the moment but even with that I've learned a lot over the last year. And when I start putting it all together I'm going to be leaning on the members here for assistance.

This place is great and a welcome change from WHT. Just lots of people helping and sharing experience. Hardly any attitude and zero BS. This is my internet haven. :)

[Hop]

Ditto... I stand next to you sir.

[NexDog]

Hop, I got questions for you - later. :D

[Hop]

Originally posted by NexDog
Hop, I got questions for you - later. :D

LOL. I'll do all I can, but still insist that I hold a thimble full of knowledge in the sea of salt water know-how:rollface:

[Carman34L]

Now I was just reading back a few pages and you said that you are ordering all US Standard sized pipe fittings and pipe, and I had a thought. What happens if you crack a fitting or have something crack? Are you ordering extras? Just a thought. I have has a pump that seized on me and cracked a PVC pipe on me and I know it may never happen, but what if? You may be out of luck try to get a fitting in a hurry...

[rulesmith]

probably a good idea to have a few extra on hand, the plumbing parts that is.

[NexDog]

Good point there. Once I have everything I'll order another box for spares. Please remind me in November. :D

Playing a waiting game at the moment. Waiting for the house, waiting for equipment, waiting for the tank. Few shots for you.

35 Union Ball Valves from the guys at Savko:

http://japanreef.com/images/build/valves.jpg

[NexDog]

House is coming along. Siding almost done:

http://japanreef.com/images/build/siding.jpg

Ceilings and floors later this week and next week then the electric then the inside walls. The speed these guys work at is incredible.

[Hop]

Originally posted by NexDog
Playing a waiting game at the moment. Waiting for the house, waiting for equipment, waiting for the tank. Few shots for you.



It will come before you know it. Then at a few points along the way I'm sure some crazy notion will enter your head... What am I doing... -or- Why am I doing this...

But then you will be filling that thing and remember why:D

[revclyburn]

I think it'as time for me to move to Japan,

your house is very nice. I can't wait to see what your tank will look like once you have it set it. Will be watching this thread very closely

Rev.

[NexDog]

Hop, those thoughts come into my head every month the credit card bill burns the flesh off my fingers. :D

Rev, I'll be learning alot and making lots of mistakes so it should be an interesting adventure. The house is a real challenge though. I always get the thoughts of "Damn, I wish I'd done that" or I wish I hadn't done that" but you just need to keep the bigger picture in mind. The house is not huge by American standards and not strong and sturdy by English standards but for Japan it's pretty big and pretty strong. I built a few HUGE timber frame houses in Breckenridge, Colorado and Whistler, Canada (in my snowboarding days) so the frame and siding concept is not alien to me. Back in the UK everything is brick and block and those house last forever. I mean, a tornado could pass over a house in England and it would lose a few tiles and panes of glass. But over here houses do need to flex as we get a tremor every 3 months at least. A brick house would crack over time (not much time) and over here it's only cold for about 10 weeks at winter so there's no need for the huge amounts of insulation you see in a brick house.

I will say that house constuction over here in Japan has only really developed in the last 10 years or so. If you pass by a house made 25 or 35 years ago it looks like a shack from a shanty town. For a society that embraces western culture so much, they are considerably stuck in their ways. My father-in-law built his house in the traditional Japanese way about 20 years ago and in another 20 years I'm sure it will suffering. I drove our builders crazy with the design of our house but I know that in 40 years it will be as strong as ever and they also learned a thing or too I'm sure. :p

[gone feral]

Do they not have PVC fittings in Japan? I know the right fittings, valves, etc can be hard to come by locally in the US but it surprises me that you resorted to international mailorder.
I love the pics of newly arrived parts all laid out perty. I'm curious to see how the fish room(s) is looking now - the before shot.

[NexDog]

Everything here is metric. Getting valves and fittings in inches would be a true nightmare....

The inside of the house hasn't changed much as the focus has been on the outside (roof, windows and siding). Some flooring is down and the outside wall is done but apart from that, not much change.

http://japanreef.com/images/build/wetroom1.jpg

Ceings and floors go in next week and then the sheetrock so will have more updates on the fishroom then.

[MarkS]

NexDog, question about Japanese home construction...

Do they not use indoor plumbing? I think their foundation construction method is amazing, but where is the plumbing? :confused:

[rulesmith]

did you ever think of buying things from Europe, and going metric? What is your goal date for getting water and salt in the tank?

[NexDog]

MarkS, the plumbing is all in there, you just can't see it. You can see lots of pipes in the crawlspace now though. If you look closely on the left side of the foundation on the following pic you can see the circles where all the valves are.

http://japanreef.com/images/build/footer1.jpg

rulesmith, as I'm getting the tank built in the US and all the equipment is from the US, getting plumbing fittings from the US was teh only option really. Hopefully I should have the tank by the end of October and water in there a few days after. ;) :D :p

Nah, will probably take about 3 weeks to get it all up and running....

I just received another package from Savko and I have to say that I'm a bit disappointed. As I posted before, all the union ball valves are black. And now all the fittings I've been sent are white. So I'm going to have some hardcore Zebra plumbing. :(

[MarkS]

Originally posted by NexDog
MarkS, the plumbing is all in there, you just can't see it. You can see lots of pipes in the crawlspace now though. If you look closely on the left side of the foundation on the following pic you can see the circles where all the valves are.

Thanks! It is a very unusual (by US standards) construction method. I did not know what I was looking at. :o

Originally posted by NexDog
I just received another package from Savko and I have to say that I'm a bit disappointed. As I posted before, all the union ball valves are black. And now all the fittings I've been sent are white. So I'm going to have some hardcore Zebra plumbing. :(

You ordered Schedule 40 fittings. The Schedule 80 fittings are dark grey. A little too late, but...

[NexDog]

Yep, Schedule 40. Gutted. Oh well, the end result will be the same but I did want pretty plumbing. I'm a very meticulous person and I know it's going to annoy me. :p

[gregmoeck]

i'm not sure how far you are from Yokohama but I was there last year and visited a very nice reef store. The first floor was massive fresh water and salt was upstairs. I couldn't believe the amount and quality of fish. What a fab collection of fish they had up there. I wish I knew the name for you.

My wifes family lives outside of Tokyo city in Tokorozawa and her sister in Yokohama. We plan to come back this time next year so I hope your reef is ready by then, perhaps I could stop by :)

[NexDog]

This time next year the reef should be truly spectacular. :D

I'm going to get my livestock from this place in Kanagawa:

http://www.splash-sea.co.jp/zukan/index.html

And this shop in Tokyo:

http://natyu.ne.jp/seitai/listin2.html

And maybe Reef-Kuki in Tokyo:

http://reef-kuki.com/acropora1.html

If the name of that Yokohama shop comes back to you, let me know. :thumbsup:

[revclyburn]

Hey nexdog

I am still waiting for info on the import of fish from Japan. That can take about 10 days, why, I just don't know, but I'll wait. In the mean time, does any of those stores carry that Angel?


Rev

[NexDog]

Yep, splash-sea is the one:

http://www.splash-sea.co.jp/zukan/zukan05.html

http://www.splash-sea.co.jp/zukan/image/281.jpg

[revclyburn]

Simply a perfect Angel,

I got to get me one of those. Dang, come on customs, let me know somethin!

Thanks for posting that pic NexDog, I saw it on their site before, couldn't figure of the price, I don't understand Japanese.

Rev

[NexDog]

Yea, prices don't seem to be listed. Get the word from Customs and then I'll ring them for ya. :)

[MDP]

Tokyo Sun Marine had one a little while back. Priced at 1.2 million yen. That's 7.5000 GBP (sorry, no idea in USD).

Matt

[majesticangelfish]

:eek2:
1.2mil is about $10,645 USD

Hey, not to hijack, but MDP or NexDog, Know any Japanese Reefing forums? Also Shops that you trust, that do ship overseas. Im looking at Japanese lighting.



Cheers.

[MDP]

www.natyu.ne.jp

is where you want to look. If you pm me with what you are after then I can get you some prices from the online catalogue. They offer the heaviest discount on eqpt I have yet found in Japan (and I've pretty much been to every LFS worth going to and many not in the Tokyo/Kanto area thanks to this compulsive disorder called reefing!)

Just let me know MH (DE, or circular, 70, 150, 250 or 400W, Plasma, T8, PC or T5 and size and I'll get you the prices.

Matt

[majesticangelfish]

Awesome! Thanks! I found that site Before, good to know they are the best!

Their Display at the 2005 Jap. Aquarium Fair

http://www.taka-tech.net/archives/aquariumfair1.jpg

Cheers

[NexDog]

Matt, that's insane. That's $10,600 USD!!!!

[MDP]

Exactly Lawrence.

Thats one hell of a worry for a DOA if shipping. They are not the easiest fish to begin with.

BTW Banggai carrying babies at this mo!

Majesticangelfis, Do you have the link to the Japan aquarium fair, I went along, but my pics are not as good as that one. Natural weren't the overall winners, this was their 90cm display tank, however, of all the tanks there, this was certainly the most real in terms of sustainability, some had so many fish I thought the tanks would burst. Splash had a good one, some of them were plain ridiculous.

Matt

[majesticangelfish]

http://www2.odn.ne.jp/nmc/af20051.jpg (http://www.h-i-d.co.jp/2005aquariumfair/index.html)

:) I wish i could have gone!

[majesticangelfish]

Originally posted by MDP
some had so many fish I thought the tanks would burst.
Matt

http://www2.odn.ne.jp/nmc/DSC004701.jpg
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/nmc/DSC004613.jpg
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/nmc/DSC005031.jpg
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/nmc/DSC004961.jpg
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/nmc/DSC004941.jpg
:eek2:

[MDP]

That's the one.

It was bloody awful.

THe shop is in Tochigi Prefecture and had a good crit, but not sure I want to bother going up there now.

However, not to forget that this is an Industry affair to drum up interest in aquarium keeping, these tanks were only up for two weeks. The place was mobbed on the Sunday, my daughter won the finding Kingyo (not nemo) game:) with a little help from dad;)

Unfortunately I now have to home 2 red and white Ryukin amongst my pedigree Ranchu:mad2:

Matt

[MDP]

Hmmmm. It may be the beer (really crap day at work!) but I cannot get to the pics you are posting Majestic Angelfish.

I speak Japanese, but I'm clicking on the participating companies and getting an entirely different set of pics up.

Most annoying.

Nexdog, forgot to ask. How you going to cool that monster? Natural are having a sale on chillers at the mo if you need one (actually they do this every summer so no hurry!)

Matt

[majesticangelfish]

those pics came from this site:

http://www2.odn.ne.jp/nmc/2005af.html
Cheers

[NexDog]

Originally posted by MDP
Nexdog, forgot to ask. How you going to cool that monster? Natural are having a sale on chillers at the mo if you need one (actually they do this every summer so no hurry!)

Matt
Yea, was going to get a 1/2hp Arctica chiller (shipped from the US). But I'm open to suggestions if they have the power and quality for a good price.

[NexDog]

My PFO light hood arrived today after it had been smashed in shipping impounded at customs for over a week. I had to pay $350 in tax, administration, holding fees, inspection fees and local delivery. Yep, that was after $450 in shipping fees too. So $800 to get the thing down to me.....in pieces, nice. :rolleyes:

Actually it's not so bad. It's only the glass cover that smashed and that is easily replaced via a quick trip to a local glazier. The corner of the hood needs to straightened out with some pliers because it's pretty damn evident how that cover smashed. It must have been thrown or fallen from quite a few meters to make such a dent in a box that was so well padded. I'm gutted about the extra $350 but oh well, got it now - my new $2,300 hood. :bum:

The good news is that it all works! I tested all the bulbs, ballasts and fans and they all fired up. I was sure that some of the bulbs would be smashed or have broken filaments but they all came through. It's a PFO hood with one single and one dual pulse-start ballasts (only a slight hum on them, pretty quiet. Three Hamilton 14k 400w Metal Halides and 4 PC Actinic 03 96 watters.

I'm getting the rest of the equipment this month including 2 Iwaki's Water change and skimmer pumps), a PanWorld (return pump), Tunze Osmolator, 3 Phosban reactors, TDS meter, ground probe, new MaxiJets to feed the reactors and other assorted stuff.

All I need now is the tank. Build should have started - yay!

[revclyburn]

Nexdog

that's a lot of loot to be dropping for lights. Your tank is going to be off the wall, so to say. Care to take out some insurance on it?

RevClyburn

[NeilsReef]

NexDog,

Your house is quite beautiful!

I am looking forward to watching your thread/tank grow. You have the start of an amazing system.

You seem to be handling the "slight" handicap of having to ship everything internationally, quite well.

[NexDog]

Update! James at Envision sent me some build photos. The top, sides and overflow boxes are on and the bottom is going on Monday.

http://japanreef.com/images/build/tank_build1.JPG

http://japanreef.com/images/build/tank_build2.JPG

http://japanreef.com/images/build/tank_build3.JPG

http://japanreef.com/images/build/tank_build4.JPG

The two holes in the back corners are for the return lines going into OM OmniFlex nozzles and you can see 2 holes in each end for one closed loop that will be on a 4-Way. That CL will be on 24/7 and the other two will be on timers and go off at night.

[Bax]

Very nice NextDog, that's exciting!

[dougchambers]

You've got to LOVE off the back overflows!

http://dougc3.home.mindspring.com/Reefpage/Graphics/135gtank/overflow.jpg

-Doug

[revclyburn]

That tanks is goin to be ssssooowweeeeettt,

dang I want one of those.

Rev

[Hop]

Looks great. That thing will be at your door before you know it!

[NexDog]

Yah, gotta have those external overflows to maximise space inside. Also I want a spotless black back which is totally flush so no internal overflow boxes. Can't see the back piece in the photos but that should have 4 holes for the back CL and the 3 CL drains below that.

Can't wait to get my grubby paws on it!

Lots more toys arrived today too. I think I have almost everything now except the chiller and the Aquatronica. I've decided to let the cards cool off a bit before splashing out more cash on stuff that I don't really need immediately. I got three timer power bars that look really sweet and I'm going to plug lights and two CL pumps and one 4-Way into those and as it's winter approaching I'm going to see if I can get away without the chiller for a few months.

Rather spend some cash on acro colonies. :D

[simonmr]

How long is that thing going to get stuck in customs after the light prolem.:rollface:

[NexDog]

I'm hoping there won't be too much of an issue. For one thing I'm going to fork out and Fedex it. I never have problems when stuff is FedEx'd. Plus it's just a plastic box, you'd think it wouldn't take a genius to work out what it's for. :)

[jumboshrimp18]

The two holes on each side--are they returns for the CL?

[bulldogfish]

He posted that earliear with the pictures. They are for a closed loop that will be on a 4 way that will be on all the time. HTH

[NexDog]

jumboshrimp18 - bulldog is right. Basicall I'lly have 3 closed loops on this system.

CL1 is on the sides with 4 outlets on a 4-Way. Original plan was to run on a Dart.
CL2 is 4 outlets on the back on a 4-Way also on a Dart.
CL3 is on the bottom. I'm building 2 PVC racks with locline outlets to keep the bottom and rocks clean. I bought a Hammerhead for this but since have learned that it probably won't give the flow I need. So it looks like I'll be getting one more pump on the Sequence 1000 Series - probably the 5800GPH model.

I'm very lucky to have RC as a sounding board for these ideas and also Steve Weast (who has a similar rack setup) explained to me about his system. He uses the Sequence 1000's and says they are pretty quiet. So I have a spare Hammerhead so I'm thinking about putting that on the back 4 or the side 4. But I'm also worried about battering my fish with all this flow. :D

[NexDog]

Here's a few pics I took of the damage that presented itself when unpacking the PFO hood. As you can see, it was packed well with a foam cushion top and bottom.

http://japanreef.com/images/build/broke1.jpg

What was left of the glass cover:

http://japanreef.com/images/build/broke2.jpg

[NexDog]

NexDog paces down the bustling corridors of the RC manor anxious to get to his destination. He passes familiar rooms as he traverses deeper into the compound, He hears the laughter in the "Reef Discussion" hall and the chatter in the "Large Reef Tanks" room but he pays them no heed. His hands are visibly shaking when he turns the knob of an unfamiliar door but he steels himslf and peers inside. He's pleasantly suprised to find that many of the faces are not unfamiliar and immediately starts to relax. He takes a seat among his fellow members but is soon motioned to stand up and introduce himself. He does so....

"My name is NexDog and I am an Equiptoholic"

http://japanreef.com/images/build/stuff.jpg

This is my latest shipment from MarineDepot. Going from top left down and across:

Return Pump: PanWorld 100PX-X (1270gph) (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=JW1145). Under that we have 2 Iwaki MD30RLXT (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=IK1135) - one will serve as the skimmer pump and the other will be the chiller pump. On the floor in front of those we have 3 NewTek 8 Outlet Powerstrip & 24hr Digital Timers (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=SE1171) that will control lights and CL pumps until I get an Aquatronica (which I fell is not ready yet but looks promising).

So middle bottom behind the timers is the Sequence HammerHead (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=MM1158). Behind that we have a new Refractomer (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=CP2113) and the TDS Meter (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=RO1351) on top. Then we have 2 Kent Marine Phos Reactors (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=KM9331) and 2 Maxi-Jet 600's (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=AS1113) to feed the phos reactors.

Top right at the top we have a Grounding Probe (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=UL1711) and below that the Kent Marine Float Valve Kit (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=KM1651). Then we have the Tunze Osmolator (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=TZ4111) with 2 Aqua Lifter (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=KTALP) pumps beside that. Under that we have 2 Two Little Fishies Phosban Reactors (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=TL4311) and to the side and below that we have 2 Finnex 500w heaters and Finnex controllers that I got from Premium Aquatics. Lastly you can't really see but there's babs of 3/4" locline stuff for the PVC racks.

With all this I think I have just about everything.

[simonmr]

Nice collection of stuff. did they throw in free shipping ;)

[CAreefer]

Normally they would, but overseas, I seriously doubt it. Been lurking on you for awhile Laurence, any updated shots of the house/tank?

[Bax]

NexDog

Nice pile of stuff!

[NexDog]

CAreefer - Nice to have you aboard. :) I'll take some more shots this week but most of the outside is done now. Few mouldings and paint left to do there. We fell a bit behind schedule because I decided to get an attic built in but I'm glad I did because you can never have enough closet space. We had to cut in more joists and stuff which took the time. We built the attic 5m x 8m - it's pretty huge and we'll never be short on space now. :)

The upstairs ceilings have gone in and this week we're doing the downstairs and should be able to start on the hardwood floors on Friday. I need to put another layer of concrete down in the tank room this week to tidy things up and improve the level. Preliminary wiring is going in the tank room tomorrow. I decided against one big control box for everything because I'm worried everything won't reach. So I'm putting in 4 boxes in total. One on the left of the sump containing 8 sockets for skimmer and 3 pumps plus a 4-Way, another above the sump in the middle for sump lights and pumps and powerheads feeding reactors. A few sockets above the tank to the right where I'll plug in the in the timer powerstrips for the ballastsand a few pumps that I want to turn off at night and the last on the far right a few more sockets for other stuff like the osmolator and anything else.

Well, I'm putting the sockets in boxes where they are below tank level. I'm hoping that by dispersing the sockets I'll make the wiring more convenient and less of a mess.

Starting the end of next week there should be daily hardcore updates as the room gets finished and hopefully the tank should be here not long after that. :)

Bax - Before I assemble it all I want a shot of all the equipment including lights, ballasts, skimmer, other pumps and 4-Ways and plumbing stuff. Just need to find a spare room. :D

[Bax]

It'll look like a booth at an aquarium trade show :)

[jumboshrimp18]

God I love this tank. Just the picture of all the new stuff reminds me of christmas when I was a kid.
About battering your fish around, perhaps one or two of the CL could be run on timers that would turn off at night. Do you know if Steve W. turned off his bottom returns at night? It would seem to me a good idea to let te fish find their spots and sleep.
Two phospate reactors? Are you going to run some other media in the second? Careful with these when using Rowaphos or Phosbane: better to use a good deal less than the recommended dosage on a slow GPH--one full would already be too much.
Save me from reading trhough the thread for the 4th time. Did you already plan your power center & what is your primary computer control? With a system like this you have to have a killer electrical panel and there are some great ones here on RC.

[ranran]

Hey Laurence, am jealous that james is sending you pics. My tank is due from him by Oct 28th. Mine of couse is the same size except my over flows will be in 1 foot from each side were yours look almost to the edge.

I also got some goodies in the mail for my new tank.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/ranran/tank%20pics/Tankpics.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/ranran/tank%20pics/Tankpics010.jpg



Randy

[ranran]

I also just pick up three sunlight supply lume max reflectors today. For my canopy. There susposed to spread the light out over a three foot area. That of course would be perfect for our tanks.
Randy

[NexDog]

Randy, I chickened out on building a canopy for now. To get up and running quickly I got that PFO canopy that has all the lights and actinics in it. It will be more than enough for a year while I get my sea legs. Next summer I plan on building a canopy with good reflectors and better HQI ballasts. If you ask James, he will send you some pics. He doesn't check his email very often so it's best to call him (but catching him is hard too).

Nice collection of toys by the way. I think I see a Finnex heater in there? I'm kind of thinking the overflows would have been better a little more in but I don't think it will matter too much because I have lots of options and lots of flow. If I whack a Hammerhead on one the loops I'll have a spare Dart and can always put that on the return if I feel not enough crap is getting to the skimmer. But the PanWorld is rated 1200GPH and with all the flow the detritus should be suspended long enough to get to the overflows even if they are in the corner. I kind of like having the big space in the middle for the back closed loops as that is where all the acros are going to be.

[NexDog]

Originally posted by jumboshrimp18
God I love this tank. Just the picture of all the new stuff reminds me of christmas when I was a kid.
About battering your fish around, perhaps one or two of the CL could be run on timers that would turn off at night. Do you know if Steve W. turned off his bottom returns at night? It would seem to me a good idea to let te fish find their spots and sleep.
Two phospate reactors? Are you going to run some other media in the second? Careful with these when using Rowaphos or Phosbane: better to use a good deal less than the recommended dosage on a slow GPH--one full would already be too much.
Save me from reading trhough the thread for the 4th time. Did you already plan your power center & what is your primary computer control? With a system like this you have to have a killer electrical panel and there are some great ones here on RC.

You got it on the closed loops. I'm putting the bottom CL and either the back 4 or side 4 on a timer and turning off at night. I'm not sure if Steve does this but it is logical. It will probably be the side 4 that I leave on 24/7 as those streams have the biggest area to flow and teh biggest dispersal.

I have 4 reactors in total. Two for Phosban and 2 for carbon. I'll just put one in to start and add the other if needed but I have high phosphate levels so if the system can handle it, I do foresee using 2 reactors for phosphate removal.

I talked about the power center a few posts above.

I decided against one big control box for everything because I'm worried everything won't reach. So I'm putting in 4 boxes in total. One on the left of the sump containing 8 sockets for skimmer and 3 pumps plus a 4-Way, another above the sump in the middle for sump lights and pumps and powerheads feeding reactors. A few sockets above the tank to the right where I'll plug in the in the timer powerstrips for the ballastsand a few pumps that I want to turn off at night and the last on the far right a few more sockets for other stuff like the osmolator and anything else.

No computer controller for now. I'll get the Aquatronica when it has all the feature but I don't think it's really ready yet. I'd only use it for PH control and I'm only going to dose Kalk at first and also I'd use it for timers. So I just bought those Timer Powerbars for now.

I really don't want all my wiring in one box. Having a few boxes will make sure the wiring can be kept neat and that everything reaches. I think it's going to work out well. :)

[G_cuvier]

Nex: I did similar with my electrickery... ;)

Since my tank is an "evolving thing" my electrics may or may not be finished... I suspect not.

I pulled 2 20A circuits to switches on the wall outside my fishroom and from there ran them to two junction boxes in the roof. The two junction boxes power two banks of switch sets. This way I have 2 master switches, one powering one "panel" and the other powering the other "panel". This way I can kill the entire power to the fish room or be selective yet I don't have to actually enter there to power it all down in case of an emergency.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/99914DSCN1789-small.jpg

I pulled wires to different locations in the fish room and made sure that not all the lights or pumps are powered by the same panel, (therefore 20A circuit), so that should a breaker blow the tank will still be lit and receive circulation.

Some of my outlets are there solely to power my timers that, in turn power banks of four outlets for lights and other systems I want to put on timers.

All my switches are the type with lights in them to show when power is applied to the circuit. They are a bit more expensive but it means that I can take a passing glance at the panel and see that everything is powered that should be.

It's a work in progress but it works nicely and makes routine tasks easier and quicker.

[NexDog]

Yah, I remember reading about your electricity setup. Unfortunately mine won't be so pretty. I love your setup though - that's perfect in my opinion. :)

[NexDog]

Tank is finished and the sump will be finished today. All shipped out on Tuesday - awesome. More pics courtesy of James:

Tank from the front:

http://japanreef.com/images/build/tank_build6.JPG

From the back:
http://japanreef.com/images/build/tank_build5.JPG

Notice the back four 1.5" holes for the back closed loop and the three 2" CL drains below.

James has built me an amazing sump. 150g (48x30x24) that can do absolutely everything!

http://japanreef.com/images/build/sump_build1.JPG

Flow goes top left (overflow intake chamber), exits out the toothed bottom to the skimmer section. Iwaki pumps to the skimmer and I'll return the skimmer to the next section which is the fuge. Notice the black walls of the refuge section. This is due to the fact that I can only get Grape Caulerpa which is very unstable unless it's lit 24 hours a day. Black walls and a black shadow box that will go on top and house a light fixture will minimise light spill into the next section which is the propagation section.

I'm getting a PFO HQI Mini-Pendant with a 150w DE XM 10k for the prop section which I hope will grow frags quickly and keep some decent colour. Refuge to Prop section is toothed to control the algae. I'll feed the chiller from this section and it will have 5 1" holes drilled (2 in one side and 3 in the other). My idea is to pump the water into the chiller and return via a super-squirt from OM (good flow for the frags). Not sure how that will work out but I will work it out I hope.

The return section is pretty large as this is where the evaporation occurs. Will have the powerheads here feeding the phos and carbon reactors (which will sit on a shelf above). This is where I'll feed the Ca reactor from when I get around to that.

Put the final layer of concrete down in the fish room today and got it dead level. Going to build the stand next week (out of steel I think). Builders have all that worked out. Also, it's a full 5ft from the floor to the bottom of the tank so we are going to make a kind of swing-arm table that is attached to the wall behind the tank and swings down and clips into the stand so I can jump on that and work in the tank. Should be pretty cool.

[BrianPlankis]

Wow! That sump is awesome! I've read your whole thread and will be watching things develop. My next house will be built to house a large tank, currently i'm very happy with my 75. Keep the pics coming!

Brian

[Bax]

Very nice tank and sump ... bet'cha just can't wait to get your hands on that baby!

Good luck with shipping handling & customs, hope it works out better than the light did for ya.

[jumboshrimp18]

A picture of the bottom of the tank?
Really, no computer control--any reason?

[NexDog]

Didn't get a pic of the bottom but I can tell you it has a 1.5" hole 5" from the back and 20" in from side (one on each side) for the bottom PVC racks to be plumbed into.

I don't feel there is any software out there that does all that needs to be done and does so reliably. My whole life revolves around computers and servers so I know what it's like to deal with software that does half a job. I was thinking about the AquaController from Neptune but that X-10 technology - seriously, it's so unstable. The Aquatronica looks promising but kind of feels like a "beta" release. No point in having computer control if your computer can't alert you to problems. There is no way in hell I'll turn over any system to a computer that won't alert me if a problem arises.

[Petie]

Just tagging along, do you have any ideas for stocking your new toy yet?

[NexDog]

Well, I'd like:

(3 or 4 tangs out of these):
Clown Tang
Powder Blue Tang
Naso Tang
Hippo Tang (already got one)
Yellow Tang (already got one)

(2 Angels - risky I know but just have to have them)
Koran or Imperator Angel
Regal Angel

2 Clarkii Clowns (already have these)
10 blue/green Chromis
2 Mandarins
Copperband Butterfly (maybe)
Coral Beauty (already got)
Pair of Banggai Cardinals
6-Line Wrasse (maybe)
Some Cleaner Wrasses

Might not be able to do all but those are my favourite fish.

I also have a Yellow Watchman and Diamond Six Spot goby but but not sure if I'm going to keep the 6 spot as I don't wan't sand scattered everywhere.

[NexDog]

Originally posted by NexDog


James has built me an amazing sump. 150g (48x30x24) that can do absolutely everything!

http://japanreef.com/images/build/sump_build1.JPG

Flow goes top left (overflow intake chamber), exits out the toothed bottom to the skimmer section. Iwaki pumps to the skimmer and I'll return the skimmer to the next section which is the fuge. Notice the black walls of the refuge section. This is due to the fact that I can only get Grape Caulerpa which is very unstable unless it's lit 24 hours a day. Black walls and a black shadow box that will go on top and house a light fixture will minimise light spill into the next section which is the propagation section.

I'm getting a PFO HQI Mini-Pendant with a 150w DE XM 10k for the prop section which I hope will grow frags quickly and keep some decent colour. Refuge to Prop section is toothed to control the algae. I'll feed the chiller from this section and it will have 5 1" holes drilled (2 in one side and 3 in the other). My idea is to pump the water into the chiller and return via a super-squirt from OM (good flow for the frags). Not sure how that will work out but I will work it out I hope.

The return section is pretty large as this is where the evaporation occurs. Will have the powerheads here feeding the phos and carbon reactors (which will sit on a shelf above). This is where I'll feed the Ca reactor from when I get around to that.

Have some pics of the completed sump and it is a monster. James has really done me proud on this one.

Here's a shot from the front with the shadow box on top. I have two light fixtures that will be inserted and sit on the flange of that section and the water level is 4" below that. I'm only using four 17" flourescents to light the fuge so the 4" space will be fine. Box is open at the top for ventilation. Right front corner is the Prop section and you can see the 5 holes drilled for the SuperSquirt...

http://japanreef.com/images/build/sump_build3.JPG

Next shot is looking from the back. You can see the return 1" hole there....

http://japanreef.com/images/build/sump_build4.JPG

Last shot is showing the fuge area and how the shadow box sits on the flange...

http://japanreef.com/images/build/sump_build5.JPG

There is no doubt about it, James at Envision has some skills. :D

Now just need to get it all to me in one piece!

[parks]

Hello all,
I have been watching this thread and your tank looks great. Is it being made in Japan? How close are you to tokyo? I have been in Japan for about 2 years and I was curious where you get your fish and corals. It can be an expensive hobby here...as you know. Looks great so far...

[Bebo77]

So thats what james is building now... He starts on my 300 gal second week of November... cant wait

He really does awesome work

nice set up Nexdog

[NeilsReef]

Originally posted by parks
Hello all,
I have been watching this thread and your tank looks great. Is it being made in Japan? How close are you to tokyo? I have been in Japan for about 2 years and I was curious where you get your fish and corals. It can be an expensive hobby here...as you know. Looks great so far...


"Envision Acrylics, Inc. is located in beautiful Portland Oregon."

I hope this helps you with one of your questions.

[NexDog]

Hi parks. As Neil pointed out the tanks are being built by Envision Acrylics which is located in Oregon. Check out:

http://envisionacrylics.com

James does outstanding work. He built the 800g OregonReef (http://oregonreef.com) and check out Hop's thread (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=623983) for another Envision tank. Hop went a bit longer than me I think and ended up with a 375g display compared to my 340g.

I'm in Kyushu - Miyazaki Prefecture to be exact which is the farthest south you can go on mainland Japan. I just couldn't find anyone to build a large acrylic tank and even if I did the language barrier would have been tough even though I can get by pretty well over here. Also I was quoted about $5,000 on a glass 240g without any holes drilled and no external overflows and no shipping included. I think the total cost with shipping from the US would only be slightly more expensive than getting it here and certainly alot les hassle.

In Tokyo check out:

http://natyu.ne.jp/
http://www.marine-blue.co.jp/frame.html
http://www.splash-sea.co.jp/zukan/index.html

Alot of my stuff will be coming from those places.

[NexDog]

Originally posted by Bebo77
So thats what james is building now... He starts on my 300 gal second week of November... cant wait

He really does awesome work

nice set up Nexdog
Thanks Bebo. If you do a build thread be sure to let me know know the URL. :)

[Bebo77]

I will.. i am doing prep work around the house now should start a threat first of next month...

I am jealous that you have 40 more gallons than me though im only going 98L x 30W x 26T 300 true gallons.

[NexDog]

Yea, but you got the length. 8ft is sweeet. 6ft was the largest I could really go so I made up in the 3ft width and 30" tall. :)

[NexDog]

I have a few spare pumps now. I was planning on using a PanWorld for the return but I looked at it and it has somewhere near 3000RPMs which could mean it's noisy. The Darts are like 1700rpm by comparison. My overflows will only handle 2000gph though. But the sump > return pump bulkhead is 1" and I know that 3200gph won't get through a 1" bulkhead but does anyone know the exact flow rate. I'm hoping to use that as the method to dial back the Dart. Any thoughts?

[Bax]

NexDog

You ought to test that PanWorld before you discount it as loud, I have a PX55 X on one of my CLs on the 75 and it is very quiet. I am planning to buy a second one for the other CL, the Mag 9 I am running there is just too hot & loud for me. This tank sits in my office and pump noise gets distracting. Anyway you may want to set up a test tub and run them both before making any final calls.

[NexDog]

Well I have both pumps so I will test before I decide. Would be interesting to know how much flow a 1" bulkhead can handle though.

[NexDog]

Tank should be arriving this week I hope. Sucks not having any tracking info and a bit scary but hopefully I'll get a call from customs in Osaka tomorrow or Tuesday. :)

So started work on the tank room on Friday. The concrete floor was finished over and now we've put up the waterproofing and soundproofing. Forget greenboard, I'm building it like a fitted bathroom. :D

http://japanreef.com/images/build/tankroom1.jpg

On that pic above you can see the concrete foundation which come up about 2ft so there is no way water can escape from this room. Plus there's a drain at the end and the right half is on a small gradient down to that drain. They'll be a sink at the end and a cupboard above that. Ballasts will go on a shelf above the window which is where the exhaust fan will also go. As you can see it'll be about 5ft up to the bottom of the tank so lots of space down there for equipment.

Next pic is the view from my home office. Haven't done that wall yet but should be done tomorrow or the next day. Tank fits snug between those two large studs.

http://japanreef.com/images/build/tankroom2.jpg

Over the top of that felting is a kind of plastic sheathing - exactly the same as used in fitted bathrooms. With a timber frame house I'm doubly paranoid about the humidity but with all this up there I'll sleep easy. Not that hard to do either. I often read threads about tanks in the basement with humidity issues but if you just framed around it with this waterproofing stuff and plastic walls, would never be an issue.

[Hop]

Looking great nexdog. Going much faster than I had anticipated!

[MarkS]

One of your paper dolls is on the loose! :D

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b106/mspeir/tankroom2.jpg

[akirasan]

Yeah.... what is that?! Scary!

[NexDog]

LOL, I think that is some of the wiring.

[dgasmd]

Although I have been following fromt he begining, maybe I missed it if someone asked it. Why are you getting all american equipment when I presume the japanese use a lot fo equipment made there that likely don't even know about? What do the guys over there use for pumps? Progress looks good. You are going to love the 3' front to back!

[NexDog]

I have no idea what reefers use over here. I have a few reasons for getting all the equipment in the US. Firstly the tank is being built in the US so all the bulkheads are in inch measurements so best to get equipment that matches up to that (metric here). Secondly it's so much easier. I can order everything online and with a phone call sometimes and it's done. Equipment is cheaper but I'm not saving due to the shipping costs.

[dgasmd]

Interesting. I would have thought that ordering online from japanese places would be easier. Same goes for the tank itself. Plumbing would be a nightmare I preume because I remember having to go to home depot or lowes like 3-4 times per day when I was doing a certain section. It seems that despite getting all the parts and then some mor extra just in case you end up going back. For you it would mean ordeirng again and again. If you say it is easier, I take your word for it.

[NexDog]

Maybe not easier logistically but easier on the communication. I can get by in normal conversation but explaining how I want a tank built and even more difficult, a custom sump with 5 sections, intake chamber, baffles, shadow box etc......not easy.

As for the plumbing, I sketched it all out, ordered, pieced together, ordered more, got more equipment, pieced together, sketched out and ordered some more. I think I've just about got it all worked out and took 3 orders from Savko.

[tibbs2]

Looks like it will be a nice house and tank. After reading your building plans I now know what the purpose of the tatami room is for. I slept in my inlaw's tatami room when we visited them last year and they are pretty neat. Would love to see that tank next time I'm in japan. Her parent's are from Kofu Shi in Yamanashi prefecture. Kyushu must be south of there.

[NexDog]

Thanks tibbs2. Kyushu is as far south as you can go on mainland Japan (which is 4 islands really).

I phoned James at Envision yesterday and left a message because still no word on the tank. He got back to me and said that apparently there was some kind of mixup and the shipping company didn't send the crates out on time. They still think the boxes will be in Osaka by the end of the week and say they'll do all they can to get it through customs quickly.

I was going to wait till the tanks got here but as I'm now on a bit of a tight schedule I told the metal fabricators to go ahead and start the frame. I gave them a decent diagram and hopefully I got the sizes correct. Should be done by next Monday/Tuesday. :)

The tank room is all but done. The plastic covering on the walls and ceiling was done and it looks great. This really is the best solution for humidity and I'm very happy with the way it's turned out. I'll post some more pics of that tomorrow. Meanwhile James sent me a pic of the sump crated up:

http://japanreef.com/images/build/crate.JPG

[surg_xero]

Sump is looking very professional. Props

[Bax]

Looking Good NexDog

[Motohead]

Originally posted by majesticangelfish
http://www2.odn.ne.jp/nmc/DSC004961.jpg[/IMG]
:eek2:




what is that in the middle? i see in the sec pic its not there? sry newby here..


amazeing setup!!



Your house is comeing along nicely, cant wait to see the finished product, and of corse the tank.. and im sure you will be at ease when it arives..

:D Joe

[simonmr]

triple post:lol:

[simonmr]

it is an angel fish

[simonmr]

it is an angel fish

[i2ik]

Annularis Angelfish, thats a REALLY HUGE one!

[boxer85]

actually, that one still has its juvenile coloration, so it'll get bigger than that

[NexDog]

Happy day! Got a call from the customs clearance house at Osaka Airport. They said the crates have arrived and they'll be sending them down here over the weekend. They wanted to set Tuesday as the date but that's not possible for me so they are going to try for Monday and if not then, Wednesday. The stand will be done by then, floor painted so I'll be able to start right away on the plumbing. :bounce2:

Few pics of the pretty much finished tank room. Check out the nice shiny plastic walls. :bum:

Left side where the stand and tank will go.

http://japanreef.com/images/build/tankroom4.jpg

The right side which will be open and will have the sink at the end.

http://japanreef.com/images/build/tankroom5.jpg

View from my office. You can see two big access points above the tank. The swing doors will go in last.

http://japanreef.com/images/build/tankroom3.jpg

This is the material we put up on the walls over the water/soundproofing felt:

http://japanreef.com/images/build/wall.jpg

Just going to order the last few things from PA and MarineDepot and I should be all set!

[steve68]

i cant believe how fast ur house is getting done thats AWESOME!!!
looking forward to seen the tank up & runing.
SWEET!!!!

[Bax]

Very very nice NexDog

Great progress on the room!

The only thing to slow you down now is making RODI water! :)

[jgagel]

NexDog ... I was looking around in Reef Central and ran across your thread. The thread is absolutely awesome and you don't even have the tank yet! I guess I am really interested because I will be moving to Japan for a year with my wife for work (Toyota). We will be living in the Aichi Prefecture around Toyota City. I have some full SPS tanks right now, but will have to tear them down when we leave next June. For the year while I am in Japan I want to see as many reef stores, and perosonal tanks as I can to get ideas. I plan on designing my dream tank and setup so it I can begin construction when I return to the states. I will keep following your post and would like to see it next year if possible! Toyota is putting a new plant in Kyushu ... just a side note.

[NexDog]

Thanks for the kind comments. :)

I'll definitely try and make the tank worthy of a visit hopefully by next June/July. :)

[cmhollis]

Nice tank and house dude, I am very jealous. What did you finally decide on a for a camera?

[NexDog]

I think the Rebel XT with the extra lenses and the tripod so thanks for the help there. Now just need a decent but cheap P&S. :)

[cmhollis]

I haven't bothered with a P&S. I just take the DSLR whenever I feel the need.

[simonmr]

good to see the place is comming together.

[Snookums]

i can't wait to see the finished project! this was an exciting thread to follow, have you figured out where to get your livestock from? good luck with everything :P

[simonmr]

japan has got some sweet livestock from what i understand. plus the fish don't matter if they are measured by IN or CM ;)

[NexDog]

I'm just going to order over the phone from a few places in Tokyo and have the livestock shipped down same day. I'm going to get the LR next week and cure it well before I stick it in the tank. But I'm going to go ahead and get plenty of corals as soon as the tank is setup I'll just put them in the main tank and in the grow-out area of the fuge until the LR is ready.

[NexDog]

Just got the call - tank has arrived here in my town! :dance: :bounce2: :celeb1: :thumbsup: :bounce3:

The guy asked if I had a forklift because it was so heavy..... :eek1:

Should be here in 90 minutes so need to rush over the house and clear the wallpaper machines out my office as that's where I'll put it for a few days. Still haven't painted the floor and the stand has been built yet but that will be done in a few days. I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning. :D

[yoboyjdizz]

get a picture of that bad boy when it arrives...

[NexDog]

The tanks are now sitting on the floor of what will be my office. We had to take the window and flowerbox apart in order for it to fit. I'll develop the photos in a few days as my digital camera isn't working too good and photos were taken with a normal camera. The crates were crazy heavy but we managed to get them off the truck. Six of us lifted it through the window.

Painting the floor tomorrow and the stand has already been cut and will be assembled on site at the house on Wednesday or Thursday. Looks like I'll be plumbing at the weekend. :D

[Bax]

Awesome NexDog!

Congratulations on getting your tank! :)

[sixxer]

Great Job so far, been following the thread for awhile now.

Congrats.

[NexDog]

Here's some pics from the other day.....

First order of business, getting the crates off the truck. The big one was HEAVY!!

http://japanreef.com/images/build/move.jpg

Damn, James screwed this down TIGHT!

http://japanreef.com/images/build/move1.jpg

Very well packed, arrived in pristine condition.

http://japanreef.com/images/build/move4.jpg

Smaller crate holding the sump comes off. The delivery guy is dying to leave by this point, heh.

http://japanreef.com/images/build/move2.jpg

Even the sump was heavy. Took quite a few of us to get through the house. All the builders obviously paranoid about scratching up the walls. :)

http://japanreef.com/images/build/move5.jpg

How many people does it take to dismantle a window and flowerbox - 5 :p

http://japanreef.com/images/build/move3.jpg

Didn't get a pic of the tank going through the window because even my wife was lending a hand at that point. Five people outside and 4 people inside and she's in

http://japanreef.com/images/build/move6.jpg

[NexDog]

Tough to get pics as it's cramped in the office now but James delivered an awesome product - just plug and play. Notice the care package taped to the back - contained polish, scratch remover, soft cloths and some acrylic scrapers!

Bulkheads installed on the back. Bottom row is the 2" drains for the closed loops and top 4 are the 1.5" outlets for one of the closed loops.

http://japanreef.com/images/build/bulkheads.jpg

Same from the inside. James even hooked me up with some strainers. :)

http://japanreef.com/images/build/bulkheads2.jpg

How far does this guy go to please? Pre-installed flow modifying Durso standpipes - he's out of control! :D

http://japanreef.com/images/build/durso.jpg

Floor got painted yesterday and second coat today.

http://japanreef.com/images/build/floor.jpg

I'm not going to be plumbing this weekend afterall as the stand isn't ready. They are going to town on it though and showed me a schematic of it and came around to double check the measurements of the tank and room. They'll be building it this weekend and screwing it together. Then they are taking it apart, bringing it round and welding it together on site. Will be great because they can weld it nice and level (I hope!).

I've almost decided that the stand top will be 3/4" acrylic just like the tank. Anyone have any thoughts on that? They were going to do it out of sheet metal at first but I nixed that idea. Maybe MRP would be a better material for the stand top?

[Hop]

Very Nice!!! Are you excited yet? There was almost a look of panic on your face in that pic:) I think I had a similar expression when mine was delivered. I spent about five hours just looking at the thing on that first night!

[NexDog]

On that first pic I was in a state of panic. That crate weighed half a ton easy and we could slide it out but then what? So the guy backed the truck up so the bumper was up against the slope and then using pieces of wood as braces and pivots and some rope and we managed to lower it down.

Excited? Hell YEAHHH!!!

[Bax]

That is very exciting NexDog!

[simonmr]

so cool I love the first day toy get your tank.

[Shawnts106]

You see people... ... This is what happens when reefers go toooo far!!!


haha!...

Geeze Ive missed alot... sounds like some more kinda' project!

Cant wait to see the tank in its finnal resting place!

You may have already answered this but Ill ask again anyway..

what are you useing for FLOW in the tank?.. Wavebox? Tunze? what exactly?

[pwhitby]

Hey NexDog, now you know how I felt when I saw mine for the first time...I walked past it first thinking it was a work bench.....

Looks good....keep the pictures coming.

Paul.

[NexDog]

Thanks Paul. Love your tank, man. One day..one day.... :)

Hey Shawn, I've decided on closed loops for flow. The CL vs Tunze argument is almost like BB vs DSB, heh. Tunze streams are great and maybe one day I'll switch but I thought it be easier to build for closed loops first because it's easier this way round. Alot easier to add a few streams rather than drill for CL's later....

So system is going to be hardcore SPS so I'm going for maximum flow. Three closed loops:

Closed Loop 1: I've had the bottom drilled in 2 places (5" in from the back and 20" in from each side). I'm plumbing these into a Sequence 1000 (5800GPH) which I ordered yesterday at PA. And in teh tank I'm building some racks out of 1.5" PVC with outlets to 3/4" loclines. So two rock racks plumbed into that monster pump will keep the area below and around the racks free of detritus build up and add some overall flow.

As the tank is deep (36") I'm aquascaping with accentuating the depth in mind. This centers on 2 main islands (above the rack racks). The rock structure will come out of each back corner, sweep around each island and end up in a central valley. Hopefully will look good. :)

Closed Loop 2: As you can see in the pics above the back of the tank is drilled extensively at the back. The bottom row are the drains for the 3 closed loops. One feeds the Sequence 1000 and goes into the racks. One will feed a Sequence Dart on a 4-Way and return to the 4 outlets you see above the drains.

Closed Loop 3:The last closed loop is on the sides of the tank - 2 on each end - also on a 4-Way. You can see one side in this pic:

http://japanreef.com/images/build/move6.jpg

I have a spare Hammerhead so I might but that on this loop but my original plan was another Dart. I think I'll actually start with the Dart and can crank up to Hammerhead if I feel it is needed. There will be mostly LPS near the front so I'm now think the HH will be too much. The system is versatile though so I might change it completely and have the hammerhead on 2 of the 4 back outlets and the rear 2 outlets on each side. And have the Dart feeding 2 on the back and the front 2 on each side. So I think I can get the best flow by playing with the system.

The back 4 CL and the CL on the sides will be on timers that turn off at night to give the fish some rest from the high flow in the daytime.

You can also see the top flange around teh tank drilled in each back corner. This is where the sump returns via 1.5" omniflex nozzles. However, Paul at OM is going through some major changes at the moment and can't get me the nozzles yet. I want to put them on many of the CL returns too because they are really short and direct the flow well. For now standard bulkhead will be fine.

[Bax]

Nice planning, very versatile with all those drilled holes.

It's gona be like a crazy reef break in there! :)

Just asking, but would the HammerHead handle all the CL duty for the back and side inlets/outlets if split to the two OM 4 ways? Or is that not enough flow for your plans?

[NexDog]

Maybe in the future I could do that - good idea!

[dgasmd]

Just as piece of advice, an dplease be free to take it with a grain of salt. I saw the strainers in your bulkheads installed. I know these are the ones most hobbiest use, me included in the past, but they are a huge PITA. They clog too easily requiring too much maintenance. Even worst if they are located in a not so easily accessible place. Below is what I replaced all mine with and it has proven to be sooooooo much better.

Strainer (http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/8566/cid/2098)

They come with a threaded female end and since your bulkheads have the same you have to find a male threaded "nipple". What I did was I took a same diameter threaded cap for PVC and took a dremmel tool to cut the top off it leaving only the threaded section. Then, I threaded it in 2/3 of the way and left enough thread out to just give it 1 1/2 turns into the bulkhead. The suction from the pumps was more than enought to keep it in place, but I did not want it to get loose. There really is no need whatsoever to thread it in several times.

These strainers are so nice too because they spread the suction from the bulkhead so much more that it is safer on the fish too. I had lost a couple of fish that got sucked into the old ones. Also, they don't decrease your suction by causing a ton of resistance like the other did.

[NexDog]

I've seen those strainers before - probably in your thread and actually noted the link down. It's such a small order though I'm not sure they'll send them international. I like them because they are nice and short too. Would a standard nipple be fine for screwing them into the bulkheads? I have bags of nipples from Savko. Do I need the 1-1/2" FNPT, 1/4" x 1" for my 1.5" bulkheads?

[dgasmd]

For these strainers, if the strainer is 2" you need a 2" nipple unless you want to upsize it at the nipple by putting a 2" strainer on a 1.5 bulkhead, so you would need the 2"x1.5" nipple. You can use the nipples (I looked into it), but they are kind of long for what you really need here. The cap option I proposed above i the simplest, clean, and neatest way to do it.

As far as the order being smal from them, they will still ship it out. You may want to spend a few minutes browsing through their entire web catalog to see if there are other things you may need to tag on the order. I am sure, just like me, you will find 10 other things to order at the same time LOL............

[NexDog]

Actually those drains are 2". The 2" nipples are kind of long but I think it would be easier to but then down to size. :D

But I'll also try your suggestion and get some 2" screw-in caps and get the hack saw on them. :)

So I guess I need the TSS25 Strainers, 2" FNPT, 1/4" x 1"?

[Carman34L]

Hey NexDog, I think I was to remind you to order lots of extra US Standard sized fittings, incase one cracked or something.

[Carman34L]

Originally posted by NexDog
Good point there. Once I have everything I'll order another box for spares. Please remind me in November. :D

Playing a waiting game at the moment. Waiting for the house, waiting for equipment, waiting for the tank. Few shots for you.

35 Union Ball Valves from the guys at Savko:

http://japanreef.com/images/build/valves.jpg

[NexDog]

Yep, will be doing that after I put everything together - thanks. I've been contemplating what a huge task it actually is - quite daunting actually.

I'm at a loss for what to use as the stand top. Was thinking about FRP but heard many bad things about it disintegrating. Maybe an acrylic top wouldn't be such a bad idea after all (and would look pretty cool).

[cseeton]

For a stand top - self-leveling concrete.....

Put a ¾ plywood bottom and tack some side rails to it, then pour the concrete and let it level and cure. Afterwards, add a layer of foam insulation for support and cushioning for the tank.

If you have bottom holes in the tank, either drill a hole through the cured concrete or place pvc tubes in those locations before the pour.

[NexDog]

Thought about it but really don't want to have go that route....

[dgasmd]

Originally posted by NexDog
Actually those drains are 2". The 2" nipples are kind of long but I think it would be easier to but then down to size. :D

But I'll also try your suggestion and get some 2" screw-in caps and get the hack saw on them. :)

So I guess I need the TSS25 Strainers, 2" FNPT, 1/4" x 1"?

Do not down size the screen or plumbing to it at all. The one screen you ahve above is the right one for 2" bulkheads as it is the same size I have also. Don't use a hack saw on the caps or you will ruin the thread and it will be very hard to use it. Take a dremmel tool with a cutting tip (looks like a drill bit) and from the inside of the cap go to the edge and cut going around the entire edge. That way you never touch the thread outside.

[NexDog]

Thanks for the tip - will do. I had a think of what else I need at this stage (apart from the obvious Calcium Reactor, Chiller and Controller which I'll get in a few months). Sean's tank death thread inspired to research temperature alarms and I found thee two:

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/1060/cid/214

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.detail/iid/1158/cid/246

Any thoughts on those?

[dgasmd]

No experience with them, but my guess is that based on the price they are crappy. If you are going to get a controller, which is just a WASTE OF MONEY by the way and something completely UNNECESSARY, I would just get an aquacontroller and get an alarm module for it. However, redundancy is goo and for the investment of the ones above I don't see why not triple up.

[NexDog]

There's no decent controller on the market yet. Hard to believe but everything I've seen so far is based on flaky technology and I'm not willing to spend that kind of cash on something that will often fail. AC with its X-10's over my 100v mains is asking for trouble. Aquatronica with its lack of alerting abilities, waste of time. I can think of cheaper ways to turn me lights on and off, lol.

Only other thing they really do is control temperature which is great but it's not an exact science by the looks of it. I'll get the Aquatronica when the email facility is unveiled. Just need something to tide me over the winter. The room air-con might be enough to keep things cool.

[Bax]

NexDog

FWIW, I just started using a Digital Aquatics ReefKeeper on my 75g. It uses a temp probe and controls my lights, backs up my in tank heaters, controls my fans (both in hood and over sump) and my CLs so I can shut off for feeding (they automatically start back up). It has 8 channels and each can be individually set for time and or temperature. For just over $200 shipped, I think it does a lot. I have spent that in Intermatic timers already without the temp input on control. I'll be using one on my big system to control fans, lights, heaters and CLs in the display as well. I don't know what I use to control the equipment in the fish room as yet, but I have lots more time than you do to decide on that one. You have a tank to get up and running! :)

[Fliger]

Wow, fantastic set-up. James work is unreal, glad to see its worldwide. ;-)

No way would I consider a controller a waste of money on a large system. It cleans things up, logs and graphs your temp/ph/salinity/orp, gets rid of ugly timers, shuts things down in a logical fashion if things go wrong (temp gets high, first step turn on fans, next step turn on chiller, next step turn off one light, second light .... ph gets too low, shuts down reactor ... orp gets too high, shuts down ozone .... and so on). I have used one quite a while and will never be without one. I hated having my lights on $10 timers while my tank was in transition.

I have the AQT and my biggest reservation was the alerting abilities. I decided to get it anyway, learn it - have it control the system - and wait for the SMS, page, email, etc. and I am VERY glad I did. It is a fantastic system, so easy to change things on the fly opposed to the AQ2 I had.

Good luck and can't wait for updates!

[NexDog]

I doubt the Reefkeeper can email you if something goes wrong. My problem is that I just don't trust technology enough to keep everything running smoothly even with multiple layers of redundancy. If I use a controller it's so I can lay back and not have to worry about checking parameters all the time. But I'd rather do that than risk the system to a controller that might fail and then won't tell me it's screwed up. The AquaController does this but I've read too many nightmare threads about them. If a few can fail, they can fail.

Technologically the Aquatronica is more logical with its power bars (vs the X-10's) but as I've said before, turning over control to something that won't tell you there's a problem wouldn't serve to give me peace of mind. The whole controller concept needs more work but when a system comes out that is reliable and does it all I will remortgage my new house for one. :)

[NexDog]

Hey Fliger, I agree that the Aquatronica appears to be the best yet but I simply have to wait for the alerting modules to come out. When I'm back in the UK I want to know what my tank is doing without having to hook up a webcam ( :D ). And if something is going wrong I want AQT to tell me so I can phone a friend or my father-in-law and have him check out the problem and fix it. If I'm back in the UK no-one is looking after the tank except for feeding time so until AQT releases that module I ain't going anywhere. Sucks. Have you heard from Will regarding a release date?

[dgasmd]

Originally posted by Fliger
No way would I consider a controller a waste of money on a large system. It cleans things up, logs and graphs your temp/ph/salinity/orp, gets rid of ugly timers, shuts things down in a logical fashion if things go wrong (temp gets high, first step turn on fans, next step turn on chiller, next step turn off one light, second light .... ph gets too low, shuts down reactor ... orp gets too high, shuts down ozone .... and so on). I have used one quite a while and will never be without one. I hated having my lights on $10 timers while my tank was in transition.

I will agree in that it will give you the ability of graphing and such, which I do. However, I am yet to figure out what to do with the data! Maybe what you refer to a controller and what I refer to is different.

pH and ORP controllers are worthless. I have been running a Ca reactor and a kalk reactor first independent of each other and now together for years. My pH has been exactly the same once they were dialed in within 3-5 days into use. I can't possibly find a single reason why I would want to spend the money to control something that has no variables in how it works. Same can be said for ORP. In 99.9% of the cases/tanks, ORP is not likely to continue to go up past a certain point achieved with a certain amount of ozone, which you should dial to that point slowly anyway. Once there, just about everything possible will drop it, but not raise it further. Again, worthless there in my opinion too. Temperature: most definately it is a necessity and not a choice. However, I would use a single controller for the heat and a separate one for the cool side simply for the redundancy.

I used for years the $7 appliance mechanical timers from HD. NEver had a single failure. Can't say the same for my AC that has been "working" for the past few months. :mixed:

Nexdog:

You should not ever expect or look at the controllers as a substitute for human intervention. I love automation, gadgets, and hands off, but I have learned over time that the best controller, monitor, and cleaning crew (credit to Steve Weast for this one) my tank has is me. I will add a controller for automation of simple tasks like lights and for the safety feature of turning them off in case the temp goes kaka, but I will not allow it to "run" the system as it is begin for disaster.

I travel from time to time and have also learned the hard way that in addition to the controller you should have a "better" method for problem diagnosis and solving. I've come up with a simple one and I can email it to you later if you want not to derail your thread any further. :D :D

[Fliger]

Yeah I've had two AQ2's and learned how to program it long ago. After I moved, I never set up the X-10's again because I hated them. They were cumbersome and ugly to me. Its definitely a luxury item, mostly I like it for temp control. I hate the $7 timers, think they're ugly, just personal preference I guess. That was the seller on the AQT for me since I like to tinker - if I need to change something, anything - from lights to whatever, I don't have to play with the little timers, I just do some key punching.

I travel a lot and it's piece of mind, plus it allows you to see what happened while you were gone.

I guess when you have this much money and time into your system (as you well know ;-) a grand doesn't make me flinch any more. Just makes this job ... er um ... hobby a little easier.

[BrianPlankis]

Laurence,

I've been following your thread for a long time now, not sure if I've chimed in before :) But I'm with you on the controllers, I just don't trust any yet, well except for my Ranco dual temp controller. It has two outlets for fans and two outlets for heaters. I have it set to cool at 82 and heat at 78. It has been running flawlessly for 9 months and retains the settings when power is lost.

Until I see a more bulletproof controller, everything else, except for lights on timers, is manual.

Brian

PS Great tank, can't wait to see it started!

[NexDog]

dgasmd - no problem with the derailing. This thread can go anywhere it wants and controllers is a good subject. If you want to share anymore ideas, I'm listening with open ears. :)

Fliger, I hear ya loud and clear. After this system is setup I'm sure I'll completely redesign it in about 6 months anyway. I'm after perfection and no matter how much you read, trial and error probably teaches us the most. I'm sure I'll be redoing the plumbing, the electricity and making a new hood by next June, lol. So I'm happy to wait for the AQT to be truly complete and then I'll add one.

I don't know how the CL's will work out and I might be running Tunze streams later - just have to wait and see.

Also, I want a nice electrical panel but I can figure out how people with tank rooms and spiffy electrical cabinets get their plugs to reach? If each piece of equipment had a 20ft cable then fine but.....

So I'm splitting my room into 4-5 zones. I'll have 8 plugs on the left which will power the return pump, skimmer pumps and one 24/7 CL and the skimmer feed pump. Then under the tank in the middle I have 10 sockets split into 2 groups of 5. One powers the return section of the sump - the powerheads feeding the phos/carbon reactors and aqualifter to the CA reactor (in the future) and the other powers the fuge area - lights and powerheads.

To the side of the tank I'll have a few sockets where the night/day timers will plug into. The lights and 2 pumps/4-Ways will plug into those. On the end a few extra sockets for auto top-off stuff, powerheads in salt-mixing container etc.

All groups of sockets will be in boxes to protect from any splashing...

It's not as elegant as these wondering electrical panels we see people here making but at the moment I don't know how else to do it. I've counted that I need about 30 plugs on this system. That is quite scary really.