450 Cube tank build thread. Here I go!

[stlouisguy]

I am finally moving into the world of large tanks. I currently have a 175 bowfront and am moving into a 6ft by 4 ft 30 inch tall cube 450 gallon. I am going to install this inwall in my basement but have chosen probably the hardest area of the basement for it (basement is already finished so don't have a choice about location) The tank is going to be viewable from two side, front and left side. I am getting the tank from a fellow reefer who is downgrading in size. Here is where the tank will go, with two sides viewable. The wall where the door is now is just over 4ft so the tank will go the length of that wall
<img src=http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/wall1.jpg>
This is the wall between the bathroom and storage room where the door on the right is going to be moved to access the room
<img src=http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/wall2.jpg>
And this is the room that I cleaned out all day yesterday to make room for a dedicated fish room
<img src=http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/wall3.jpg>


So far I have discoverd a few hurdles to overcome. First one is there is no place to tap a pipe for my ro/di and no drains for the waste water. Right now it is across the basement in my other unfinished area. The only thing I can think of is off of my main there is a faucet that maybe can be set up to a ro/di in some way and drain the wastewater into the adjoining bathroom.

<img src=http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures004.jpg>

Here is the room almost cleaned out

<img src=http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures002.jpg>

Here is the tank when the owner was setting it up in his basement. Stand is included. Its 1 1/2" acrylic from envision, this is the short side of the cube. Should be fun getting the tank out of his basement (no walkout!)

<img src=http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/1/423Tank3-med.jpg>

And finally here is the sump that will be hooked up to it. Sump is 4ft by 4ft

<img src=http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/585/423Manifold_Side-med.jpg>

So thats it for now. I am getting about 350 lbs of rock also which I am going to try and pick up this weekend to start cooking it. I hope to get buildout done in the next month or so. I also need to move my low voltage and cable connections off the wall I am going to cut, install outlets that will handle the load, find a contractor to move the door, cut the hole, install doors above the viewable section of tank, and more stuff I havent even thought of yet. I'm lucky to have a HVAC guy who posts here living in St Louis to help me figure out how to vent this room (again nothing apparently easy so far come to mind)

More updates to come as I screw stuff up or get it right!

[46bfinGA]

for the ro/di why not tie into the copper line with a saddle valve?you could use the faucet fitting to feed a sink to wash things out.

and for the drain ,you could set up a sink in the room that drains into a tank of some kind with a pump in it that operates when it gets full and pump it into the bathroom or the unfinished area where the drain is.theres a name for that setup ,but my mind is going blank.

[drummereef]

SWEET! I'm another St. Louis boy. Can't wait for the updates!!!

[stlouisguy]

And so it continues.......

Today I picked up the rock from the current owner. Here is his tank before we broke it down. All we did today was get the rock out of it. Now the problem was he has battled bubble algae ever since he set this tank up and it was covered in it. As we took the rock out we pulled off as much bubble as we could, and we fulled a 5 gallon bucket over halfway with bubbles. This doesnt count the ones that popped or was left of the rock.

This rock though, after I got it out of the tank, is amazing in 1. size 2. shape 3. caves and overhangs. Pics below show the size and shape.

Now my plan was to try and keep the rock alive, yet clean it off so I decided to cook the rock in the dark for 4-6 weeks after I powerwashed it. I think I got the majority of the stuff off and still kept the bacteria alive. Last pic is the tub it is cooking in. Its 100 gallon tub and if there was another piece of rock it wouldnt have fit.

Here is the tank (stole the picture) before we tore it down
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/423Tank4-med.jpg

Here are some pieces before I powerwashed them on my driveway
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/b9a0554a.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/10bda3be.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/9ef1b9c7.jpg

Here is a little hitchhiker

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/e66add2f.jpg

Here is the three wheelbarrow loads I took around back


http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/68cac339.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/82585523.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/303907e3.jpg

and finally everything in the tub

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/28e1588f.jpg

Next on the hit parade is 1. ventilation of the room 2. Water supply and top off 3. Electric ran 4. Finding a carpenter

'til next time.........

[Lunchbucket]

dang that acrylic is THICK did he have it overbuilt?

i'm sure this will be a thread to watch for quite sometime!

Lunchbucket

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

that is one huge bristleworm, 'yikes'...

[chetm2]

Looks like great color and shaped rock. Keep the pics coming

[RocketSeason]

I love cubes! this will be an awsome tank!

[stlouisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7973984#post7973984 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lunchbucket
dang that acrylic is THICK did he have it overbuilt?

i'm sure this will be a thread to watch for quite sometime!

Lunchbucket
Envision tank with 1 1/4 inch acrylic. No bowing here!

[Lunchbucket]

OMG 1 1/4" no wonder!!! that is overbuilt right??

Lunchbucket

[stlouisguy]

Yeah its overbuilt a bit, but will provide with worry free peace of mind for years to come. The weight is probably the worst part of it and I am not looking forward to moving it LOL.

The tank is designed to handle a 5000 gph pump and I am going with the hammerhead along with duels 6100's and 6200's so the flow should be great.

Not sure how often work will progress in the next few weeks or so but as I make changes I will be updating.

Thanks for watching!

[RocketSeason]

Your avitar is one of my most favorite scenes from Spongebob

[Bax]

That is an incredible tank!

["Umm, fish?"]

theres a name for that setup ,but my mind is going blank.

You are looking for a macerating pump. Along the lines of these:

http://www.saniflo.com/products.asp

I plumbed my fishroom into my basement and had a plumber come out and deal with this stuff (cutting into a main sewer line ABOVE your head and having the plumber deal with it = priceless :) ). Basically, you have a pump in a bucket with a float valve. When the bucket fills, the pump kicks on. There's a heavy-duty check-valve between the bucket and the sewer line so sewage doesn't backflow. It's pretty noisy when the pump kicks on and even noisier when the check valve kicks in, but having a utility sink downstairs is worth it.

Good luck with your build!

Andy

[NexDog]

Can you explain a bit about how the sump works? Can't work out what all that does... :)

[46bfinGA]

thanks for posting the name "umm fish".i coudlnt remember what those were called.they work great though,had a friend use one for his bar in the basement.they are a bit loud,but not loud enough to drive you nuts.

[rossthefishman]

can you pressure wash the rock without any damage? it'd be a faster curing process.

[pitbullpooch]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8017734#post8017734 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rossthefishman
can you pressure wash the rock without any damage? it'd be a faster curing process.


he had stated that he already preasure washed it. to me i figured it would damage it but i guess not since hes already done it.

[stlouisguy]

Time to update progress

Today I moved the door. Now I know it sounds like a small job moving a door but it took me all day but was very rewarding. As I have never done any carpentry work before this was very cool when I got it right. I think I will have to replace some trim on one side that split out on me, but overall very happy. Wall tear down is next

Here are some pics


In Progress

[<img src=http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures054.jpg>

Done
[<img src=http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures055.jpg>

Additionally James from Envision sent me some background on the tank that I thought people would find interesting:

I thought I'd throw out a little background info on the tank for ya:
The previous owner of the tank wanted one that served all of his purposes (eurobraced, large overflow, lotsa flow) and also one that didn't have any discernable deflection and he would never have to worry about, so we came up with this one. I'm glad that the tank will continue to provide the same benefits in it's new home
Tank Specs::
The tank is 72 x 48 x 30", 1.25" material on the clear vertical panels, 1" black on the overflow end. Top & bottom are 1" acrylic. IIRC the overflow is roughly 24 x 8", made from 3/4" black acrylic and shoud be able to hande ~7000gph. All acrylic is Polycast cell cast acrylic.
The tank is eurobraced so no crossbracing and has hand polished corners to reduce the risk of crazing. Since it was to have no crossbracing, we upped the material thickness to reduce deflection and handle the added stress. We used NIJ Level I bullet resistant material for the 1.25" acrylic for it's increased ability to handle stress without failure and further reduce the risk of crazing.
I hope you enjoy the tank as much as we enjoyed building it and I look forward to following your thread as it progresses


More to follow



:rollface:

[stlouisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8016981#post8016981 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NexDog
Can you explain a bit about how the sump works? Can't work out what all that does... :)

Sure, the sump is just a simple sump but is 4ft by 4ft that can handle up to 7000 gph flow. It has 4 baffles to reduce bubbles and a 2ft by 4 ft chamber at the end for whatever. Has a build it float valve and the middle thing is a dosing station for charcoal with a small pump in the sump that drives water through three chambers.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8017810#post8017810 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pitbullpooch
he had stated that he already preasure washed it. to me i figured it would damage it but i guess not since hes already done it.

Actually I would suggest it. Its been skimming and cooking for a week and no color is lost, nice skimmate is coming off, didnt have that much crap come out of rock when I water changed today, very happy with the result of powerwashing. Really it just takes the outside stuff off and leave the bacteria inside the rock fine.

Thanks all!

[alien9168]

This should be an interesting project!

Good luck. :)
Im definatly going to follow this thread :)

[NexDog]

Did James build your sump too? I never thought about incorporated stuff like carbon (or phosphate) filters into the sump. Looks awesome. :)

[pitbullpooch]

that tanks almost the exact footprint i want but i got to get a new house first cause the wife dont want a tank taking up half the house lol. anways its looking good and cant i wait to see it filled.

[Acrylics]

Hi Laurence,

We just did the tank, someone else built the sump. I think maybe GEO but not certain of this.

James

[stlouisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8021157#post8021157 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NexDog
Did James build your sump too? I never thought about incorporated stuff like carbon (or phosphate) filters into the sump. Looks awesome. :)

Yeah the sump is by Geo.

[juststartingout]

Nice tank! Good luck with the build. What kind of equipment ie; skimmer & lighting?

[stlouisguy]

Tank move in three days so finished tearing out the wall

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/ca7e2c66.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures233.jpg
Need to deal with the electric soon but this was the main thing so we can get the bad boy in

More pics on Saturday!

[drummereef]

I love demolition! :D Get that bad-boy in there!

[jmh11788]

Incredible looking tank. Your going to have way too much fun...

[Paikuhan]

Tagging along, can't wait to see that big boy set up.

[stlouisguy]

Well yeasterday we moved the tank thanks to the great members of SLASH our reef club. I couldnt have done it without them.

The tank came out of a basement with no walkout and an 8ft ceiling. The tank filled the stairway with no room to spair, and we had to lift it over the stair runner just to get it on the stairs. It was a very difficult move out.

Tank moved off stand

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/tankmove043.jpg

the stairs it had to go up
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/tankmove066.jpg

Wrapping the tank which worked very well, moving pads with stretch wrap holding the pads on

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/tankmove062.jpg

Starting the move

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/tankmove075.jpg

Samll problem of not being able to tilt it

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/tankmove082.jpg

The stairs challenge

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/tankmove094.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/tankmove091.jpg

Onto the trailer

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/tankmove101.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures232.jpg

[stlouisguy]

Into the house

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures234.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures235.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures240.jpg

And finally done

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures001-1.jpg

Now to cleaning and starting the process of setting it up

More to come

[Bax]

AWESOME!!!!

[55semireef]

That is going to be a sweet tank.

[drummereef]

Looks ready to fill up! Just kidding. Looking great, though - i'm jealous! :D

[220gallon]

Looks like the move was fun. I had to move my 250 from 1st floor to 2nd floor and that just about killed me and all of my ex-friends(hehe) that helped move it so I can only imagine the back pain from yours.


Looks great though.

[stlouisguy]

Plumbing almost done! Pump should be here tomorrow and hopefully I can do a tank fill next week.

Looking for critics and ideas for the next part. What would be the best way to hook the skimmer into the system. The pump is sitting below the skimmer right now and it was suggested to drill into the side of the sump or could I take a feed from the end of the 4" pipe and drop it over the edge to the skimmer pump feed. Only thing I can think of is maybe not enough water would make it to the end to feed the pump. Dont like the idea of drilling the sump but may be the only way

Anyway, here is the plumbing I have done, pick it apart and I will make corrections or take ideas and work with them as I have no glued anything yet and wont until I am satisfied this is the best way to go

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures246.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures247.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures250.jpg

[matthew112687]

Looks great! I cant wait to see it stocked!

[Lunchbucket]

crazy day. glad it worked out ok for you.

keep posting pics as you go!

Lunchbucket

[alien9168]

Looks really great so far!!!

Keep up the good work!!

[fufi5]

Looks awsome! (can't wait to see it up and running).

[stlouisguy]

Everyone thanks for the comments and PM's. After I get all the new equipment together I will post details

Here is a shot of my current 175 Bowfront that is a tad bit full

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_4711.jpg

Again, thanks for reading and following this journey as I learn along the way

[sarmck]

stlouisguy

Looks like a nice project in progress with great equipment to start with, i.e. Envision and GEO products. Good to have friends when it comes time to move large items

Nice skimmer. I wonder who originally had that custom built by GEO.

Good luck and have fun with the new tank.

Ron

[Johan Susanto]

nice cube!!! good luck.. can't wait to see the set up.

[drummereef]

Ah, you've been holding out on us! So you're not a noob after all! :D Looks awesome! :thumbsup:

[alien9168]

Your current tank looks great :)

I can see why youy wanted somthing larger though ;)

It is definatlyly crouded in there...as gorgous and pleasing as it may be to the eye :)

[220gallon]

Looks great. I love the colors on your live rock.

[stlouisguy]

Update:

Where does the time go!! I can't believe its been 11 days since last update. have been working on boring stuff with the tank but its making progress

Finished installing the electric to the room yesterday. Added 16 outlets to the room with 20 amps per box (4 boxes) spread around the room after putting in a 100 amp sub-panel

Here is the two boxes near the end of the tank

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures044.jpg

Also I thought I would add a pic of my "cooking" the rock. I powerwashed the rock and there was NO stuff left on it when it went into the tank. When I drained it after 14 days it had about 3 inches of sludge at the bottom of the tank!! It was amazing how much has come from the tank.


http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures043.jpg

Right now the tank is running with hydrocloric acid at 2 gallons to 500 gallon ratio and it is as clean as new! I now have some of my older equipment soaking in the tank to get the grit and grim off.

Next comes some finish work hopefully then the lights rack, drill the sump for the skimmer and find some sand. I am hoping for 4 weeks to have water in it and going.

More to come later!!

[polywise]

stlouisguy,
Are you awake at the wheel? doe we need to send a 911 response to your house? (just kidding)

I just got 32 e-mails of the same post from you...... something is screwed up

[stlouisguy]

weird. Guess something at RC was screwed up. I got a ton of error messages last night as I was posting. Sorry bout that

[polywise]

just hoping that you were OK......

[juststartingout]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8244839#post8244839 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stlouisguy
weird. Guess something at RC was screwed up. I got a ton of error messages last night as I was posting. Sorry bout that

I have been subscribed for awhile now and I got like 30 e-mail notifications to reply's to this thread,yesterday.

Anyways, everything is coming along good. What is the main drain pipe dia 3" or 4" ?
Did you ever catch up w/sixxer?

Don

[stlouisguy]

Main pipe is 4" which is not having any trouble with flow. It was very loud when I first ran it, but I put a "dip" in the pipe about 22 degrees down that catches then gets pushed and the sound dropped about 75%.

Sixxers wife called me today and she is sending the stuff. Guess they didnt like the idea of me visiting them

[stlouisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8248417#post8248417 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by juststartingout
I have been subscribed for awhile now and I got like 30 e-mail notifications to reply's to this thread,yesterday.

Don

This might be the answer:

Email Phishing Warning (09/27/2006 until 10/27/2006)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We heard a number of reports last night of members receiving an unsolicited email message through the Reef Central email system from a newly registered member asking them to confirm their email address so that "we can talk".

This appears to be someone phishing for valid email addresses and likely is someone off-shore attempting to communicate with you for monetary gain (i.e. the Nigerian email scams). Since the only piece of information they would have received from you is an email address, the likely worst case anyone should expect would be some spam emails that should be ignored.

We have, of course, removed that user ID from Reef Central but we just want to remind all members to use common sense when you receive emails, even if they are through RC communication channels. Don't give out information unless you know exactly who you are dealing with.

Thanks.
RC Staff

[juststartingout]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8248552#post8248552 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stlouisguy
Main pipe is 4" which is not having any trouble with flow. It was very loud when I first ran it, but I put a "dip" in the pipe about 22 degrees down that catches then gets pushed and the sound dropped about 75%.

Sixxers wife called me today and she is sending the stuff. Guess they didnt like the idea of me visiting them

Glad the two of you got stuff worked out.

A "picture would be worth a thousand words" of that piping.:smokin:

[stlouisguy]

The slight dip in the piping is there on the right side. Working hard on the room so it is torn to pieces right now but I am running water through the tank and sump.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures328.jpg

[stlouisguy]

Thought I would bring people up to speed on what has been accomplished and what is on the list to do still.

Tank is finally done with the buffing done yesterday to remove the scratches in the acrylic. Job wasnt as bad as I thought it would be, but I gotta say if I wasnt able to sit inside the tank to do it it would have sucked.

Plumbing is also done with a great flow rate. I had a problem with a wave forming in the last chamber of my sump, but that was fixed by creating an air outlet from the 4" return pipe so the water wasn't being forced through but flowing through. At least I got it airtight!

I also received my air conditioning unit for the room, just need to put it in place and run the air vent out.

The tank is ready to go, just the room and stuff around it isnt.

What I have done so far is:

Cleaned and buffed tank.
Ran plumbing
Install 100 amp subpanel and 16 outlets in room
Put tank into place and leveled it out
Ran water line from current location and T'd it off into collection can and auto top off in sump
Cut wall to size
Arranged for finisher to build cabinet around tank
Collected almost all equipment just waiting on Geo reactor to arrive

Still on the list to do is:

Move refrigerator out of room and put in other unfinished area
Build frame for lights and attach
Drill sump and install skimmer
Install air exhaust for room air conditioner and run drain line
Build shelving for various equipment
Decide if I want to plumb the 100 gallon rubbermaid into system as fuge

So it continues. No real pics to post right now but maybe this weekend I will get up some equipment lists and pics

Thanks for reading!

[z28pwr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8249984#post8249984 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stlouisguy
The slight dip in the piping is there on the right side. Working hard on the room so it is torn to pieces right now but I am running water through the tank and sump.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures328.jpg

I would consider using some SPAflex (flexible PVC) where you connect into the bulkheads or somewhere in that piping just in case you bump into the pvc it won't crack the sump.

[stlouisguy]

Thought I would post a few pics

Here is the unit I bought for cooling air and taking humidity out of the air. Can cool 400 sq ft (room is only 100) and takes 96 pints from the air daily. Pretty reasonable also at about 450 shipped

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures005.jpg

Here is the tank while I try and space my lights. Tanks just need a vinegar bath and rinse now

Here are a few pics

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures001-2.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures002-1.jpg

This will be the view I have while I watch TV

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures003-1.jpg


More to come

[Waxxiemann]

"This will be the view I have while I watch TV"

LOL. Whenever I put somthing new in my house, I make sure there is a TV in sight or vice versa.

[Lunchbucket]

vinegar bath? looks like it is pretty clean to me. get it set up already :D

Lunchbucket

[law086]

I'm very interested to hear how well that AC unit works for you. I thought about a similar purchase. Did you try it out yet? I hear rumors that the portable units don't work very well.

Ron

[stlouisguy]

That may be they are trying to cool too large a room. My room is only about 80 sq ft and the unit is rated for 400 sq ft, so I figure 200 sq ft is more like it. I also have a air condirioner duct to tap into if needed. The most important thing to me is to take the water out of the air, and the unit is rated for 96 pints a day, so figure about 40

I will let you know how it works out. I wont have the tank up for a few weeks still.

[stlouisguy]

Okay here is the soon to be sump

Going to go another direction with the DSB later on. This will be filled with rubble rock and (grrrrrrrrrrr) macro algae. The 55 fits below the stand perfect and I drilled my first glass tank!! Idea here is for pod population and additional water and live rock with some of my critters I dont want in the display tank

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures002-2.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures001-3.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures003-2.jpg

[stlouisguy]

Last pics for tonight, filled the tank for a rinse and positioned the lights on boards above the tank for placement on the rack

Sarting to look like a tank

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures004-2.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures006.jpg

[ruiny]

looking good.
That 55 under the stand will be hard to work with.
Every time i have done something like that, I regret it. I would suggest a different location if possible.
But again, Looking really good.

[stlouisguy]

(shrug) Only place to put it. No differant that the sump three years under my stand in the other tank

Gotta stay there

[charlesjordanjr]

Wow! it is looking great! I can't wait to see it with livestock in it.
-Chuck

[drummereef]

Awesome! Looking real good now. :D

[Von_Rahvin]

nice looking tank. it's amazing the difference buffing and cleaning makes.
i love the corner idea.

[rp marine]

more pix

[gws294]

taggin along. really great tank... looks like your charges will enjoy the added room!!

More pix please

[stlouisguy]

Thanks for the comments. I had a chance to get a bit more so here is an update

I now have my water line ran over from the other side of the basement. The challenge was there was not a drain for the waste water nor a pipe to pierce in my tank room. In my finished basement I had two unfinished areas, on opposite sides of the basement. So I got 100 ft of tubing and ran it across my beams to the garage wall, put it in small pvc and brought it back into the fish room. I then drilled a trash can and have it on wheels for movement and to make water changes easy. Here are a few pics. Notice the nice sub panel in the one pic (thanks Steve!)

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures337.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures331.jpg

I think the 55 that is sitting there will be my QT.

I also got one BIG thing done which is hook up my room airconditioner and so far I LOVE it. In about 3 hours it has pulled 2 inches of water in a 55 bucket out of the air and the room isnt sealed nor the tank running. The air is ice cold and should be able to keep the room nice and cool. The exhaust that comes out is very hot. I ran the exhaust into the garage and will pipe it outside eventually, buy right now it is warming up the garage nicely as winter comes on

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures329.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures334.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures335.jpg

Sorry not much else on the tank. Had my cabinet guy just out and now I need to drain and move my tank a bit and level it out exactly. Going to finish around the tank with Mahogony to look like a huge cabinet.

Last pic is I figured out where to put my skimmer, which will drain down to my fuge

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures330.jpg

Thanks for watching. It should be more exciting soon becuase as soon as I can find my sand, Im going to start filling within the week!!!

[marino420td]

Did you just run 100' of tubing from your RO system into your fish room? If so, does it have any trouble pumping water that far?

Can you show how you are collecting the waste water from the room ac?

Great project.

[stlouisguy]

I am still gauging the amount of wastewater from the air system as they SAY the majority of it is taken into the exhaust air. If it isnt too bad I will just drain to a 5 gallon bucket and empty as needed, but it the bucket will fill too quickly for my lazy butt to deal with, I will drain it by drilling a small hole in the acrylic base of the shower stall in the bathroom on the other side of the wall. Time will tell of that one

The RO is pumping great after the 100 ft, but I have the RO system high up on the wall and there isnt much lift needed, then it drops down about 5 feet. I also have a small pressure tank that helps with it. The blue line is the pressure tank and the clear line is the water line that is about 80 ft total.

I didnt think it would be as strong either, but it filled a 45 gallon trash can in about 12 hours

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures336.jpg

[20 20]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8292078#post8292078 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stlouisguy
Thought I would post a few pics

Here is the unit I bought for cooling air and taking humidity out of the air. Can cool 400 sq ft (room is only 100) and takes 96 pints from the air daily. Pretty reasonable also at about 450 shipped

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures005.jpg


Where did you get the air conditioning unit, and how quiet/noisy is it? I'm setting up a 125 gallon in my finished basement, the room is about 400 square feet. I've currently got an old dehumidifier that spews out heat like nothing else, and is VERY noisy. If these portable units are quiet, I'd consider getting on, an punching a hole through the wall to vent it outside.

[stlouisguy]

If you send me a pm I can get the web site from my work email and send it to you.

It seems very quiet, and although its rated for 400 sq ft I would say probably 200 would be max

Seems to do the job well though.

Edit- Here it is

http://www.air-n-water.com/product/ALTL12000E.html

[20 20]

Great, thanks for the info!

["Umm, fish?"]

If I may ask, are there portable de-humidifiers without the air conditioning? My basement stays cool, but I'd like to suck out some water.

Thanks!

[juststartingout]

Yes there are. Just go to your local Home Depot/Menards/Lowes or whatever is in your area. They may not have them in stock because your area is naturally dry, but they should be able to order them in. BTW,my brother in law lives in Louisville.

[20 20]

The dehumidfiers put out a lot of heat, though, so keep that in mind.

[stlouisguy]

Started on the light rack tonight. About a week away from starting to fill the tank.

Going with Unistrut for the frame. Put extenders on the ends to install my acyntics. The frame will be attached to a unistrut on the ceiling tomorrow on a track, so I can slide the entire unit to the side of the tank to work inside. Will also make cleaning and replacing bulbs a snap. Will post a few pics when it is done

I plan on putting bulbs on either end and down the middle to help me get the blue. Nice things about this is I can expand or change at anytime

Here it is:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures339.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures338.jpg

[stlouisguy]

Double post

[stlouisguy]

I an concerned about possible rust. Has anyone ever used this before with success?

[scarletknight06]

wow great job. I love the cube tank, and the equipment and fish room is excellent to boot.

One suggestion pertaining to that portable A/C unit:
Don't extend the exhaust any further than the exhaust piping that it came with. The unit cannot exhaust the heat, and therefore cool the room as efficiently, nearly as well if the exhaust isn't extended.

In my old apartment (finished attic of a house with no central A/C) we had one of those portable units. We bought some extra dryer exhaust ducts to be able to move the unit further away from the window and more towards our bedroom, and were advised that this was actually not letting the unit cool as well as it could/should. Well we took off the exhaust extension and whadda ya know the unit was able to keep the attic 3-4 degrees cooler than before, with roughly the same outside temps.

[stlouisguy]

I have thought about that, but I think I have the answer for that. They sell fans that fit inside of piping to help move air along. If I find it is a problem I will get one and or two to move the air along to the outside. total length of my exhaust is 15 feet.

[Bax]

Maybe you could use the spray on auto undercoating to protect the light rack from rusting. I supose that the rolling track itself will just have to take a silcone or similar lubricant without a coating.

Great work so far!

[stlouisguy]

Got the light rack done. Here are a few pics and a video of the rack moving

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_6900.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_6905.jpg


Here it is over the tank and then moved to the side

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_6901.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_6902.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/th_100_6904.jpg (http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/?action=view&current=100_6904.flv)

[stlouisguy]

Did a final buff tonight. Wife snapped a few pics as she thought it was funny I was inside my tank

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_6910.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_6909.jpg

Bought sand today, plan on filling to begin mid next week. Hope to move the rock in the following weekend. Just waiting on my marine depot shipment for final bulkheads and icecap lights

More to come

[adddo]

Looking good, will be fun to follow the progress on this one.

[AVALover5498]

I can't wait to see this tank set up...i'm gonna watch this thread!!!!:)

[Lunchbucket]

how did the buff go? crystal clear?

all i could think of in the buffing pics is BIG GUY IN A LITTLE TANK :D

Lunchbucket

[stlouisguy]

Where does the time go!!!!!

Tank is finally ready, just going through a bit of rinsing. Will be putting sand in tomorrow and starting the fill from the ro/di unit. Thought I would update my lighting and skimmer since I have it done.

Lighting is 4 x 400 watt Ushio 10k in Luminarc III minis. Acentic is 4 x 95 watt VHO super acentic. All is mounted on a rack that slides to the side when I need access to tank.

Here is some pics of the lights on the rack and the tank with and without them

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_6927.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_6926.jpg


With and without acentics

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_6930.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_6929.jpg


Here is the skimmer finally hooked up, just changed for leaks as water comes out the air intake with fresh water in there but should perform great. Its a custom Geo

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_6931.jpg

And maybe the best upgrade so far, My old 61" TV which is 5 years old doesnt fit anymore with the tank going in, so the wife thought we should get a better TV that wouldnt be affected with the light from the tank

50" Pioneer Plasma that is just sick!

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_6928.jpg

More to come as the sand goes in and the tank fills and is aquascaped.

Rock has been cooking almost 3 months now so should be ready to go

Thanks for reading!

[Lunchbucket]

you have to be kidding me!! you get a huge new tank AND a huge new TV?? come on man.

that light rack looks nice. where you get the luminar mini's from?

keep us posted as things come along

Lunchbucket

[stlouisguy]

Best part was my wife thinks it was her idea. She mentioned it and I said no, I can cut into the wall to make our old one work, she thought about it and said she wanted it to look nice, the more I said I could do more deconstruction to make it work, the more she thought she wanted it.

Its a perfect world, the Cardinals Won the series and my new tank starts to fill tomorrow :)

[stlouisguy]

Got the minis from thereefstop dot come Mark found them for me and they work perfect for my space with the eurobrace

[scarletknight06]

looks good. how tall is your skimmer?

[cwegescheide]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8354120#post8354120 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stlouisguy
Started on the light rack tonight. About a week away from starting to fill the tank.

Going with Unistrut for the frame. Put extenders on the ends to install my acyntics. The frame will be attached to a unistrut on the ceiling tomorrow on a track, so I can slide the entire unit to the side of the tank to work inside. Will also make cleaning and replacing bulbs a snap. Will post a few pics when it is done

I plan on putting bulbs on either end and down the middle to help me get the blue. Nice things about this is I can expand or change at anytime

Here it is:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures339.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures338.jpg

So those are Luminarcs right? So the socket looks like it butts into the side of the reflector? Great setup btw. Looking great so far!

Chris :thumbsup:

[pogie]

I'm not trying to rain on your parade and I may have missed something earlier in the thread but......isn't it premature to fill the tank before your build is done. I'm refering to reframing the wall or a canopy or whatever the final product will be. Nice tank BTW.

[aztbs]

I didn't see it mentioned - is that a lot of rust on the stand? Was it powdercoated or spraypainted? With all of the careful details you have worked on, I am surprised you did not have it sandblasted and re-powdercoated.

I am jealous of your fish room, I wish my house that kind of extension. I think I would have painted the concrete in there because fish rooms can look so cool.

Your old tank is beautiful, I can't wait to see how this turns out. :)

[stlouisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8439555#post8439555 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aztbs
I didn't see it mentioned - is that a lot of rust on the stand? Was it powdercoated or spraypainted? With all of the careful details you have worked on, I am surprised you did not have it sandblasted and re-powdercoated.

I am jealous of your fish room, I wish my house that kind of extension. I think I would have painted the concrete in there because fish rooms can look so cool.

Your old tank is beautiful, I can't wait to see how this turns out. :)

Thanks for the nice words. I considered having the stand redone, but with a tank of this size, would have been hard to get it back onto the stand, so will be just sandpapering it and rustoleum on it before the wood finish goes on this week.

[stlouisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8439450#post8439450 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pogie
I'm not trying to rain on your parade and I may have missed something earlier in the thread but......isn't it premature to fill the tank before your build is done. I'm refering to reframing the wall or a canopy or whatever the final product will be. Nice tank BTW.

Actually the build is done, tank in proper location and leveled. There will be no hood as the tank is in a fish room with two sides visible, and I am having custom mahogony walls build to frame in the tank, and my guy said it didnt matter if the tank was full or empty, and that should be in 5-7 days.

I figure it will be at least a week of filling from the RODI unit, so I have that time to fiddle with details.

[stlouisguy]

And so it begins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Put sand in tonight and starting the fill, will take a while as you can see in the pics, filling it from my rodi unit

Sand is 150 lbs Oolite, 100 lbs .5-1mm and 100 lbs 1mm reef mix. Also put 100 lbs southdown in my sump

I figure 5-7 day to fill

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7069.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7070.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7072.jpg

[drgabe]

:thumbsup: Very cool- it will be a fun week getting water in that beast!

[Bax]

Yippie! Water! ... Very cool!!!

[Lunchbucket]

glad it is getting going. don't you wish you had a huge RO/DI now? 5-7days waht a drag. i'm sure you have lots of stuff to do till then

Lunchbucket

[cwegescheide]

It will probably take you a week to fill that bad boy up!!! :lol:

[stlouisguy]

Actually not that bad. While it fills I will be

1. Installing vent pipe for air unit to the outside
2. Going to my lake house for a few days this weekend
3. Cleaning the mess I have made in the basement before my wife finally kills me
4. Putting up soundproofing material before the Mahogony front goes on
5. Instal RDSB

And other stuff I havent thought of yet. I actually dont mind the wait at this point LOL

[JOSHUAB]

this is sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cwegescheide]

So how full is it now??? :lol:


Updates man!!! Updates!

[stlouisguy]

quick updates

First I got a new cleaning magnet, the magnavore 10 the largest made. This thing is a MONSTER with power. It has about 2" of styrofoam between the halves and I can barely get them apart. The warning on the box I read to my daugher and she is now scared of the thing (GOOD!). I guess if you order the biggest magnet you get a pen LOL

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7078.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7077.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7079.jpg

I also received my reflectors for my acentics

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7080.jpg

And here is the tank almost filled

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7074.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7073.jpg

[flatwormdie]

Man that acrylic is thick! Nice tank

[alien9168]

Nice lighting temp. :)

THat looks like one serious magnet! :) Do you think it will take up alot of tank space?...or do you think it will be unoticable...honestly, i dont know if that question is stupid or not ;)

W/e this tank is going to be great ...and i too live the thick acrylic :)

[alien9168]

Nice lighting temp. :)

THat looks like one serious magnet! :) Do you think it will take up alot of tank space?...or do you think it will be unoticable...honestly, i dont know if that question is stupid or not ;)

W/e this tank is going to be great ...and i too live the thick acrylic :)

[alien9168]

sorry...tripplepost... :rolleyes:

[ruiny]

Man, I have to admit that if my magnet said that the first things I'd do is put them togther and see if I could get them apart. I now it is stuid, but really that sounds like more of a dare than a warning to me.
Also, Do you find a big inprovement with the reflectors on the attinics?
Anyway tank is looking great. Keep up the good work

[charlesjordanjr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8490551#post8490551 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ruiny
Man, I have to admit that if my magnet said that the first things I'd do is put them togther and see if I could get them apart. I now it is stuid, but really that sounds like more of a dare than a warning to me.


Ha! Me too!
-Chuck

[stlouisguy]

I usually would, but if you felt the power when they were over 2 inches apart, you might think twice :D

[stlouisguy]

So tonight the pumps turned on and the salt went in!!!!

Still have microbubbles pretty bad, have sealed every joint in electric tape, going to keep fiddling with it

But this strange weird trip continues, hopefulle will have salt level correct in the next few days, then comes rock

More to come!

[woz9683]

Sand, then salt. Aren't you asking for fluctuations in mineral content down the road with all the salt that won't immediately suspend in the water, and settles into the sand? I hope you'll add it into the sump at least, or am I completely wrong here I'm still pretty new at this?

[stlouisguy]

The salt was added in a high flow area of the sump. You are correct in the way to do it

[stlouisguy]

Will post some pics tonight of the system up and running tonight.

Everything is a go!!!!

Getting a correct temp is ****ing me off, as I have three guages and they are all giving me differant temps (same spot in sump before you say that)

Salinity is a bit low, but i plan to add the rock, raise the water level, let it evaporate away, and my salinity should be near perfect (its 1.022 now although I am going to test my gear tonight to calibrate

Skimmer is a monster, works great, just may need to replace pump (that sucker is loud)

Rock goes in tonight through the weekend

[scarletknight06]

how tall is the skimmer and what pump are you using to run it?

[corivus]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8491940#post8491940 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by charlesjordanjr
Ha! Me too!
-Chuck

haha my ex roomate did that, took us 5 minutes to get the magnents apart and to keep him from flailing.... man I wish I took pictures of that *chuckles* but after that, he called it evil. every now and then we'll have a vistor or a guest that wants to play with them when they aren't on the tank. I just relate that story and they seem to run away from it hehe

[Lunchbucket]

no pics...come on!

[stlouisguy]

Okay I couldnt wait to get the rock in

I havent aquascaped yet but I wanted to get the cycle going if there is going to be one, so I went ahead and piled all the rock in the middle of the tank

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7091.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7093.jpg


http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7092.jpg


I also have the skimmer going getting rid of any gunk the rock has one it still.


http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7094.jpg

Here is the fuge (still need to light it) that my skimmer dumps into, the gravity drains into the sump

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7095.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7096.jpg

I will start aquascaping this weekend. I want to build a rack for my largest area of rock so I get flow in the middle of it, then stack the rock on top of it almost up to the overflow.

Going to go with a main valley down the middle of the tank with small valleys going off of it

More to come, thanks for reading!!!

[corivus]

oddly enough I like the layout of the rock just all piled in the middle, hehe I like that layout imho but its looking really good

[alien9168]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8514602#post8514602 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by corivus
oddly enough I like the layout of the rock just all piled in the middle, hehe I like that layout imho but its looking really good

my thoughts exactly :)


Great to see you've got the rock in :)

[cbeitel]

I agree!!! :thumbsup:

Looks great just thrown in, but your design sounds cool as well. Can't wait to see it.

Been silently tagging along. Nice project :hammer:

[CyclistMT]

I've been following this one too stlouisguy, I just love seeing these big cubes come together. Looks like it's gonna be awesome!

Couple of questions for you regarding the reflectors for your actinics. Have you installed them yet? If so, did you find it made any difference? How wide are they and where did you get them?

Thanks in advance.

[iansilv]

yeah- the rock looks great in the middle like that- it looks natural. BTW- why do people put rock on platforms for total circulation? Isn't it a good idea to allow a part of the tank not to circulate behind the rock so things can grow there taht don't like the current? (I am trying to learn as much as possible :)

[stlouisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8515985#post8515985 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CyclistMT

Couple of questions for you regarding the reflectors for your actinics. Have you installed them yet? If so, did you find it made any difference? How wide are they and where did you get them?

Thanks in advance.

Havent installed them yet, just havent had the time. Hope to get that done within the week. I found them at marine depot and they were like $12 or $14 each. They are about 3" wide

[Bax]

Rock on!!!

Fine pile'o rock you got there!

[cwegescheide]

I actually like the rocks the way they are!!! :lol:

[Evyllchyld]

I REALLY like the aquascaping just as it is lol. Gives fish room to swim out in the open for people to see, and plenty of space for coral...

[corivus]

yeah definitly a lot of hiding spots in there, I wish I could get something random that looked that cool while dropping it in hehe

[stlouisguy]

Okay first try at the sculpting. I still have rocks to replace from my old tank and will move some stuff around, but overall this is what I am trying for

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7098.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7100.jpg

here is looking through the rock pile on the right, I have the entire structure help up by pvc so no rocks are buried. Completely hollow inside

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7099.jpg



This shows the sloping reef I am trying to accomplish

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7103.jpg

[HotRod68Camaro]

Looks great. i am a big fan of split rock structures.

[Bax]

Nice, like the caves!

["Umm, fish?"]

First off, thanks! I've enjoyed watching your build.

Regarding your aquascaping, that canyon in the middle ... well, it's just too centered and too straight to the back of the tank. The idea is to pull visitors forward towards your tank with the mystery of where that canyon goes. If they can see the back of the tank, there's no mystery. Does that make sense? I learned that trick from landscape design. You never allow someone a clear view to the back of your yard. Breaking up the view draws people in and make them want to explore.

And that's really what we're trying for here, right? We want people who see our tanks to want to jump right in and explore. :)

Thanks again and good luck.

[stlouisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8523616#post8523616 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by "Umm, fish?"
First off, thanks! I've enjoyed watching your build.

Regarding your aquascaping, that canyon in the middle ... well, it's just too centered and too straight to the back of the tank. The idea is to pull visitors forward towards your tank with the mystery of where that canyon goes. If they can see the back of the tank, there's no mystery. Does that make sense? I learned that trick from landscape design. You never allow someone a clear view to the back of your yard. Breaking up the view draws people in and make them want to explore.

And that's really what we're trying for here, right? We want people who see our tanks to want to jump right in and explore. :)

Thanks again and good luck.

I agreee completely. As I said it is a work in progress. As I looked at it last night the canyon didnt accomplish what I wanted, which is what you alluded to. I am going to redo the canyon to go at a 35 degree angle or so from the ront right(big pile) to a gentle curve to the left, so when you look you see the canyon curve away from you, buy you dont get to see the end of it, with the rock lower in the front rising to the back along canyone wall

Hard to explain what I want, will just need to fiddle with the rocks and go from there

Thanks to everyone for the kind words. This has really been an adventure and I enjoy you all tagging along with someone who really has no clue what they are doing :D

[stlouisguy]

Okay a few updates tonight

First the blue piece of plastic I found for the back of the tank. It is held up with velcro and is easy to put up and take down

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7112.jpg

Also got the cabinet put on tonight. Few trip pieces didnt fit but overall it looks exactly as I wanted. I cant recommend Pat (the guy who did it) more. I have his card for anyone who is interested

Before install. He build everything at his shop and brought it over. Made of Mahogony
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7107.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7111.jpg

Finished

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7113.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7115.jpg

With doors open:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7116.jpg

It look just fantastic IMO. Rock formation pics next

[scarletknight06]

wow, that is incredible. One of the nicest setups I have ever seen. It will be stunning for years to come.

[stlouisguy]

Redid the rocks. I cant get the pictures to show how open it is. Hopefulle the design comes through

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7120.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7119.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7118.jpg

Now I just need to figure out how to stop the microbubbles. Going to get about 4 tubes of silicon and go to town on those damn joints!! :lol:

[marino420td]

August 14th- 1st post of this thread
November 13th- Corals in Tank

That is quick for a project of this magnitude!

The woodwork looks great. It gives the tank a whole new look. And I like the rockwork. I would love to check out this beast sometime when I'm in St. Louis.

A 450 gallon reef tank and a plasma screen TV all in one room. I would never leave the house.

[stlouisguy]

Your welcome anytime. I think I am going to be part of the SLASH tank tour in December.

Oh and dont forget the pool table on the other side of the room :D

[sarmck]

stlouisguy -

I've also been tagging along with the thread. The tank looks great with the new aquascape. And the cabinet work brings it all together as a fantastic display already.

I'll look for this one in the TOTM as it matures.

Great job.

Ron

[stlouisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8541350#post8541350 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sarmck
stlouisguy -

I've also been tagging along with the thread. The tank looks great with the new aquascape. And the cabinet work brings it all together as a fantastic display already.

I'll look for this one in the TOTM as it matures.

Great job.

Ron

thanks for the kind words, but that is a pipe dream. I still have much to learn before that would happen.

It has been a learning experience though, thats for sure!!

[clamdigr]

Awesome tank stlouisguy, LOVE the rock layout! A few thoughts about the micro bubbles, are they being generated in the sump or fuge or by the skimmer and being returned to the tank? Also, is the intake for your return pump big enough? Could be the culprit also.

[stlouisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8541536#post8541536 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clamdigr
Awesome tank stlouisguy, LOVE the rock layout! A few thoughts about the micro bubbles, are they being generated in the sump or fuge or by the skimmer and being returned to the tank? Also, is the intake for your return pump big enough? Could be the culprit also.

Thats the mystery. Being generated before the pump (know this by a filter sock made the pump pull more and bubbles increased) from the sump. Skimmer dumps to fuge, then to sump in seperate chamber. Pipe is recommended size for the hammerhead. Im at a loss. :mad:

[bradleyj]

1st off, let me say, I just spent the last hour reading thru all of your posts and you have done an incredible job in the amount of time taken. I just went thru this last April, buying a much larger tank then my other one and I know how overwhelming it can get, trying to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. Your aquascaping looks great. The problem with the microbubbles is one I had also, what I finally did was to place a large sponge under the baffle that divide my sump from my effluent from my skimmer to the section of the sump that my return is in. I had a hard time believing that those microbubbles could travel that far to get back to the return of my pump, but they were , and now that the sponge is in place, I have no more microbubbles.
If you can take a few pictures showing where your skimmer is dumping the water into your sump and where your return is, we might be able to give you more insight on your problem. Again, my hats off to you. Your tank is awesome.
Brad

[Bax]

Awesome wood work!!!

[Madhouse]

damn dood.. sick setup..!

["Umm, fish?"]

That looks really, really good!

[stlouisguy]

Wanted to give an update on the air system I got. For the last week it has kept the fish room at a nice 74 degrees, water temp hasnt gone over 79 degrees with the lights on for 12 hours and I am getting about 3-4 gallons of water out of the air daily, so overall I am pleased with the unit (shown a few pages back). Only concern is it if runs continuously how long will it last.

Ordering clean up crew today and put a few test corals in tank. Zoos opened up right away and the sps look happy.

Will hopefully add part of the old tank this weekend to the new tank (rock) and will update pics

[sonofgaladriel]

Absolutely beautiful. Top Notch! Gotta love those cubes! ;)

[Kyle12781]

Wow, this tank looks awesome. Someday when I have room I might be doing the same thing after reading this thread. Just read through the whole thing and I give you props on your set up. Nice Job.

[stlouisguy]

quick update -

Nothing but equipment problems. I got a pinpoint thermometer wireless because I thought it would be nice to not go into tank room to check temp. Today it was registering 147 degrees!! I think it may be malfunctioning LOL Called marine solutions and they took care of it right away.

Then tonight I got a big box dropped on my doorstep. It had Geo on the side of it YEAH!

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7126.jpg

Now although it took almost 2 months to arrive, I have heard the performance is the best. I opened the box from the top as stated and lifted it out of the box. It was wrapped in bubble wrap which I carefully took off. Here where I am confused

After taking it out I noticed the pump wasnt attached to base, but there were lots of gouges and scratches around the base where the pump sits. Then I noticed there had been one screw that must have been holding the pump on, and the top of that screw had been sheared off.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7129.jpg


Then right before I threw away the bubble wrap I noticed a black ring. Started looking and I found 4 of them. Not packed, nothing, just loose in the packaging. Have no idea what they are for (to go under the screws for the pump??) Then I found 2 white screws, Im guess to hold the pump on (it takes 4)

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7128.jpg


Frustrating to pay so much and not have the details taken care of. Oh well.

It looks like the beast I need. Hopefully it will perform

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7127.jpg

More later

[asnatlas]

Did you let GEO know ??

[stlouisguy]

Sent PM to him. Understand this is a build thread and all experiences, good or bad, will be posted.

[asnatlas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8555108#post8555108 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stlouisguy
Sent PM to him. Understand this is a build thread and all experiences, good or bad, will be posted.

I understand, mine is the same way, the good, the bad and the ugly ;)

[stlouisguy]

Geo taking care of it. Said it came loose in shipping. Now to find a place to put it!!

[alien9168]

Looks very nice...both the tank and the geo :)

[stlouisguy]

Well today was interesting. Its amazing what a drip can lead to. I saw a spot of water about the size of a dime this morning under the pipe that leads to the pump. So I figure I will just patch it before I go to work...........


3 hours later I have rebuilt the pipe from a 1 1/2" to a 2" with two 45 degree turns instead of 2 90 degree turns. It did help the micro bubbles some but I think the pump just has a design flaw in that it only have a 1 1/2" opening instead of a 2"

Piping turned out okay, best thing no leaks
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7137.jpg

Also got sand and a piece of LR into the fuge along with the lighting put up. Had to get it done as I got a shipment of cleaning crew from Hawaii and some from etropicals. Not real impressed with either

Here they are arrived and then floading in sump

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7135.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7136.jpg


Here is a shot of the fuge which is an old 55 I drilled and gravity feeds across to the sump

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7139.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7140.jpg



Now I need to get a very very clean hunk of cheato and let it begin to grow to get the pod population up. Put a few mollies in tonight to help the tank age. Got my first brown spots on the sand so was happy to see that.

So far my tests have had no ammonia nor nitrates which I think has to do with cooking the rock for three months with water changes. I do have a few aptasia showing back up but hopefully I will be able to stay on top of them

Here is a shot of today. More to come later

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7134.jpg

[Bax]

Nice to see some life in your tank looks great!

[stlouisguy]

Took a break from the tank today. Looked over and saw my daughter watching snails going up the sides.

This is why I do it........

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7144.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7146.jpg

[stlouisguy]

double

[stlouisguy]

Another step forward ;)

As space is at a premium in the equipment room (might help if I was a bit smaller) I was at the junction of figuring out where to put the new calcium reactor. My original place isnt goiing to work because of my water storage, so I came up with the idea of utilizing the sump area.

The sump is huge, 4 ft x 4 ft, and the area above it has no use, so........ I decided to cut a piece of acylic the size of the base of the Geo reactor and attach it to the far corner of the sump with a piece of PVC being the brace. That way I can have the reactor near the sump (actually over it) and not lose any more room

Here is the piece just attached

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7150.jpg

Here is a few shots of the reactor on the new base with the co2 tank and ph monitor hooked up

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7151.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7152.jpg

Put a few monitors up on the wall with a little velcro

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7153.jpg

Tank is humming along, got the brown film everywhere with little sprigs of algae springing up.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7154.jpg

More later

[drummereef]

Looking great! I hope you do a Seasl tank showing some day. :)

[Bax]

Great idea mounting the Ca reactor above the sump... and that is a huge sump!

[bradleyj]

You better get the cleanup crew in there, that hair algea grows like a wild fire. I one week, my rock was covered in hair algea, 1 inch long. I added 150 snails and 50 hermit crabs and they went to town.

[stlouisguy]

Cleanup is already in there, along with a few yellow tangs who are picking at it. Most will die off as the tank matures also, but they are on top of that.

[stlouisguy]

Enough pics of equipment..........

Here are a few. Just got the coral, I dont know if it will keep the color (not holding my breath) but it freakin glows.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7158.jpg

Here are the sailfins I picked up today also

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7159.jpg

[Fiziksgeek]

I love the school of sailfins!!!

I keep 4 yellows in mine. Nothing beats a school of tangs IMO.

[Lunchbucket]

dang that Ca Rx is HUGE. i'd be worried about bumping it and crashing it to the ground. can you strap it ot the wall for good measure?? would hate to see that pretty thing crash

nice sailfins. i keep forgetting how large your set up actually is.

Lunchbucket

[Bax]

A school of sail fins! That's cool!

[stlouisguy]

The sailfins are schooling great, all 4 swimming around the tank together picking at algae

I was lucky, LFS had them for $25 each. They are eating and very healthy

Going to move other fish from old tank down tonight

[stlouisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8596083#post8596083 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lunchbucket
dang that Ca Rx is HUGE. i'd be worried about bumping it and crashing it to the ground. can you strap it ot the wall for good measure?? would hate to see that pretty thing crash

nice sailfins. i keep forgetting how large your set up actually is.

Lunchbucket

No worry about that. It weighs full about 50 lbs (25 lbs is media) and it is supported completely

[Ironsheikh]

cubes are great for aquascaping -- I becoming a fan. I like the big chunks of rock which helps w/ the stacking no doubt

[Lunchbucket]

good that makes me feel better that it is supported completely. just checking :D

Lunchbucket

[stlouisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8597517#post8597517 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lunchbucket
good that makes me feel better that it is supported completely. just checking :D

Lunchbucket

Then my post was successful











:D :eek1: :D

[stlouisguy]

Quick post Thanksgiving update. Hope everyone had a good holiday.

Moved my old tank into the new one and everything made it fine. The rockwork worked out just like I wanted and all the fish seem to be very happy.

Here are a few pics. Stll have some back room stuff to do but overall very happy with the way the tank came out

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7161.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7162.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7163.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7167.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7165.jpg



http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7178.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7175.jpg

[Angeline]

Wow, that's beautiful.

[Lunchbucket]

looks A-FREAKING-MAZING!!! dang that is nice. i'm a sucker for cube tanks

Lunchbucket

[Chaloupa]

Holy! I just went through your entire thread and WOW just seems so small. This is amazing. Nice job and nice thread~ Well done!

["Umm, fish?"]

Very nice! Do you have the "It's finished!" let-down yet. I always wander around for a few days in a haze ... and then start planning the next tank. :)

[drummereef]

Now that is an update! What an outstanding display. Stunning to say the least! What's your next project? :D

[Bax]

Looks great!

Congratulations!!!

[master_wise]

I guess it is true that when you are upgrading you might as well, go all out.. Amazing tank... Would be great to sit back during the holiday season and just watch this tank progress...

[lovelylinda]

I love the rockwork- so pretty.

[gfk]

just read the entire thread, tank is amazing.

the cabinet work just really sets it off and makes it look great

[rafael13]

any updates?

[rmanecke]

I love your setup. Your aqua scape came out great! Cube tanks are the bomb, I love the depth.

[WangoTANGo]

very nice tank. cubes are great, fish actually look like they're going somewhere other that left to right. that maroon clown looks big!

[stlouisguy]

Thanks for the kind words

I will try and get some pics up tonight (at work right now). Yeah, thats maroon is huge and rules the tank but lucky for me doesnt nip or bite when I work in tank.

My corals are so happy. The colors are changing and shifting all the time. My one coral I have had for 2 years and always was brown has turned a purple hue with purple tip. Should be pretty. Also some of my other brown stuff has turned around 180 degrees

Than tank is working exactly as I planned with no problems yet. My skimmer is a ***** to dial in (duel beckett) as the level contines to fluxuate.

Been getting some eggs from my snails

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7315.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7231-1.jpg

I will try and get some coral pics up tonight

[stlouisguy]

Few pics from the tank. Trying to get a new camera for macro shots

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7332.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7338.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7337-1.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7335.jpg

[monacoplc]

Wow....just unbelievable :-))))

[thriceanangel]

What is that shrimp doing to your poor candy coral!?

Looks amazing, can't wait to get my cube started.

[stlouisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8793797#post8793797 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thriceanangel
What is that shrimp doing to your poor candy coral!?

Looks amazing, can't wait to get my cube started.

Nothing, just hanging out. Its funny, I have always been told that you can only have 1 coral banded, 2 if mated, but for the last month three have been co existing

Kinda cool

[Reet15]

beautiful tank!!

[rafael13]

really nice

[tk1360]

WOW. I just read the entire thread from start to finish. I just got started with saltwater after my girlfriend bought me a small 24 gal Aquapod. I really think it was her way of telling me to get it set up all pretty so she can sit and look at it. Little does she know but I have been reading through almost every single Large Reef Tank build thread and she may be in for more than she expected.
Good luck and I must say when the time comes for a TOTM I'll definitely be cheering for you.

[mrpet]

after an hour of reading just awsome great job im starting my cube in 2 weeks 60"x"48x"30 thanks for sharing great tank..

[Charlie97L]

is that CB in the picture with the candy cane missing it's claws?

great job, btw, excellent planning and execution! i'm jealous!

*time to upgrade that plasma to a projector!! :)*

[fiftyfive]

I dont think a "projector" TV near the metal halides, which were washing out his old TV picture and made the getting the smaller for size and brighter picture plazma needed is going to be on his list.


Nice job on the build! This thread helped out a quiet and boring day at work :)


*edit*
wow that grammer is a funjob. Im not going to bother changing it because I am laughing at my skills and think everyone else should.

Im sure you get the point anyways

[juststartingout]

stlouisguy,
I plan to incorporate the same drainage system that you have, from tank to sump. I see that your main line is 4" and you said earlier that was plenty big.
We have simular tank sizes (gallons) and I was thinking of using a 3" main line. According to the drain/overflow calculator here @ RC, a 3" line appears to be able to flow 5000'ish gph. I am only looking to turn my tank over 4-5 x an hour, say about 2200 gph flow through the sump. With your experience, do you think a 3" main would be ok?
Also, is your drain 'vented', like a drain for water in houses? To me it would seem beneficial, what are your thoughts.
Thanks:)

[stlouisguy]

A 3" drain should be fine. The only drawback I found was into the sump I split into 3 and the majority of the water does into there, which played havoc on my sump (made a wave) as it went through the baffles. Fixed it with some acrylic to redirect the water through a baffle

I did vent the line by drilling some holes at the end. I guess I could have T'd it off but wanted to control the amount of flow

Good luck with your build.

I need to update this thread, time just gets away from me

[juststartingout]

Thanks for the information, it's much appreciated. :beer:
Looking forward to the update!

[brett7768]

lets see an update

[TandN]

WOW simply amazing

[reefkoi]

I just came across this thread for the first time, Very nice job with the pictures and text. Great looking tank and everything. What is your water change schedule? Have you built a saltwater mixing reservior?
Do you have a chiller? and what is the tank temp?
Thanks, Chris

[stlouisguy]

sorry so long for the update, thought I would share what it looks like now. I am at about 6 months since I started this project

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7650.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7655.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7656.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7657.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7536.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7535.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7662.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7665.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7666.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7667.jpg

[Bax]

Very nice!!!!

[jun41]

Wow, I love this tank. I haven't posted in a long time but you had to get me out of lurk mode. I love how it's not just an ordinary inwall. It has the "fake" stand on the outside!!

[Dansin]

I just finished reading the thread. That is awsome. I am just starting to buy my pcs. for my 120 much smaller scale than yours. I'm not sure what protien skimmer you are using was it a geo and what do you think of it also what is your lighting system? I'm sure it's in the thread but i might have to read through it again. Thanks for sharing you thoughts and your build with the world. GREAT JOB.

[drummereef]

Looks incredible Clark! Maybe I can make it by sometime to check it out? Please, oh please.... :D

[stlouisguy]

You're welcome anytime!! Just shoot me a pm

[drummereef]

Will do. Thanks Clark!

[shullat]

Tank looks awesome, really makes me regret I didn't get my cube.

Nice job

[adddo]

Lovely!

[fishresponse]

Freakin awesome tank man!!!!

[xmen0075]

Congratulations on your set-up!!! It's awesome!

[stlouisguy]

Thanks for all the nice comments. I will post a few pics of equipment and the next build (remote sand bed and frag tank) back in equipment room

[makoJ]

wow looking good!!

[NewSchool04]

I love how you had the cabinet built around and the wood looks unbelievable. Great job.

How do you like the acrylic? I'm debating now between glass or acrylic for a larger tank and was wondering after 6 months what you think.

[stlouisguy]

I guess nothing is perfect. I LOVE the look, so clear especialy coming from glass. But it does scratch a bit and I must be SO careful.

We just spoke to the guy who build the cabinet and we are going to extend it all around the room with shelves, lights, etc which will really tie the tank into the room.

[NewSchool04]

Ha! I'm wondering if there is any way not to scatch it! Are the scratches noticible or just noticible to you!

The room is going to look great, I can really picture it with the wood, tank, plasma. . . I don't think I'd ever leave.

[stlouisguy]

Long time since update. I will get more pics up in a day or so. Am just in the process of adding a frag tank to the system (3 ft x 3 ft x 18 inches). Will update it.

Growth has been great but the system has been challenging for a bit. I will go into that in the days to come but as this is the anniversary of when I started this project (started thread 2 days later) I thought I would update.

Here are a few pics of the tank. More to come

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/101_0264.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/101_0265.jpg

Thanks for reading!!

[juststartingout]

looks great, looking forward to the scripted version of the update....

[workn4frags]

Beautiful tank, I am just now setting up my 4x4 cube as well. Finishing the plumbing today and adding the rock next week. I can't wait for it to look like yours.:bounce1: Very nicely done...

[stlouisguy]

working on some camera shots

Camera was only $179 (wife got it for travel and on the boat) but it has a good white balance so trying it out Camera is a Nikon coolpix p4



http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/DSCN0086.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/DSCN0091.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/DSCN0092.jpg

[ReefingBuddha]

wow... the tank is looking great. An inspiration for my build. Those corals seem to be growing in very nicely, Congrats!

Let me know if you have any advice on cube tanks for me.

[stlouisguy]

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/c.jpg

[LEPRECAUN]

Great tank!!!!


I have a question for you. I love the air conditioner you used, but I have a question about the exhaust pipe. I need to run the pipe about 15-20 feet. What did you use to extend your pipe and did you have to use a fan to help the exhaust?

Also could you please tell me where you bought the pipe extension and the fan.


Thanks for you help,


LEP

[stlouisguy]

Thanks for the question, I am surprised not more people use these units. I run my exhaust up about 5 ft through the wall into my garage, then about 15 feet to an exhaust out the wall. In the winter I let it exhaust into my garage which keeps it heated and nice to get into the cars. I just used large diameter PVC piping and attached that to the hose that came with the unit. Been going for about 10 months now and the air temp coming out of it is constant at 53 degrees but a more inportant aspect is I have absolutely NO rust on any metal in the fish room. I dont know how much moisture it sends into the garage pipe, but it fills a 55 gallon trash can about every 10 days from the units drain pipe!!! I cant imagine what it would be like if that moisture was allowed to build up in the house. I do plan in the next week or so to run the hose directly into the shower on the opposite side of the wall just havent got around to it yet.

[stlouisguy]

As I continue to bring the thread up to date, I thought I would post a bit about Bubble Algae. It is, umm, how to put this without being banned.

The spawn of satan. :mad2:

When I got the rock from the last owner it was infested with bubble algae. We took off enough to fill a 5 gallon bucket. I then powerwashed the rock and cooked it for 3 months.

3 months.

3 freaking months.

Changed the water every few weeks. Powerwashed it twice more. Didnt heat the water so it stayed in the 60's.

For the first 4 months not a sign of it. Then it started showing up, and the bad part was it wasnt growing on the surface of the rocks, but in the cracks and crevices of the rocks. I couldnt pick it off, couldnt even get at it. I got some emeralds, home made syphons, anything I could use to get the bubbles out. Some were over 2" across.

Here is a pic I just took. I have it kinda under control now with mainly old ones stuck in the rock, but I havent seen any new growth lately say in the last month or so.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/DSCN0134.jpg

I plan to keep just attacking it. I feel if I can just stay ahead of it, I will eventually get the best of it. Overall it doesnt make a negative look in the tank, its just a source of irritaion for me.

[Bax]

How are you harvesting it? I have some LR that I got from another reefer. Had it for over a year before bubbles showed up. Now, they are every where in my fuge and begining to show up in my display!

Your tank looks great!

[stlouisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10554903#post10554903 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bax
How are you harvesting it?

Since I cant get the globes out of the rock and its stuck in the holes, I came up a contraption where I put a pump in a bucket and have a hose hooked up to the water inlet. I then put a smaller tube on the end of that with a syringe that I push into the bubble, sucking all the spores and water out.

Best thing I could come up with *shrug*

[chetm2]

I also had some issues with it. I used all Reef Ceramics except for 2 pieces of live rock that had no signs of it, but some of the frags I got had little ones on the bottom. I cleaned them off and even broke some of the frags from the bases just to make sure they were gone... well after a few months it showed up only on the live rock. I added a few emeralds and luckily I have seen none for the last 3 months. I guess I got lucky, at least it's better than byropis (sp). Your tank looks great regardless, we need more pictures :)

[jgs107]

tank is absolutely amazing...cant wait to one day own a house so i can have an in wall tank.

[cbui2]

your corals are all growing like weeds? what the secrets?

[stlouisguy]

Thought it was time to expand the system a bit so I am adding a frag tank. I figured I could recoup some of my cost in frags (yeah, right LOL)

I found a tank for sale that was 3 ft by 3 ft (cube frag for a cube tank) by 18" tall. I am going to tier the levels at 6" 12" and 18" for differant growth levels. Not sure yet on what lights I am going to go with, would like MH but already dealing with heat issues, so will probably go with T5's, two 18" wide fixtures covering the tank

Here is the tank once I got it in the fish room.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures001-5.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures002-3.jpg

Here are a few plumbing pieces I will use to hook it up

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures005-1.jpg

Also thought I would put up a pic of my reactor
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/Pictures003-3.jpg

And just a quick pic I snapped on my way in to the equip room

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/DSCN0086.jpg


More to come later, going to hook it up

[Bax]

That frag tank is a nice addition!

[Lunchbucket]

nice who made your reactor? and how big is it??

Lunchbucket

[stlouisguy]

Here is a growth pic. First one is from Dec

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/100_7337.jpg

Here is today

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/DSCN0151.jpg

[stlouisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10605388#post10605388 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lunchbucket
nice who made your reactor? and how big is it??

Lunchbucket

Hey! thanks for dropping by again. Its a geo 818 I cant say enough good things about it.

[Chaloupa]

OMG nice growth picture!

[stlouisguy]

Got the thing plumbed. Small drip that that was easy to take care of.

Return has a scwd that should help with flow. Will get the shelves and lights in as soon as I decide on which ones I will go with

The white pipe is an emergency drain set just below edge of tank. In case durso ever gets clogged, the tank cant overflow as it will go out emergency drain back to sump

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/DSCN0164.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/ccreighton77/DSCN0162.jpg

[latazyo]

wow

[tk1360]

beautiful frag tank. Crap I'd even take that for a nice little display. It should turn out great. Nice job with the little project.