Reef Central Online Community

Go Back   Reef Central Online Community > Special Interest Group (SIG) Forums > Large Reef Tanks
Blogs FAQ Calendar Mark Forums Read

Notices

User Tag List

Reply
Thread Tools
Unread 05/09/2016, 01:12 AM   #1
tkeracer619
Registered Member
 
tkeracer619's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 17,289
Build Thread: TKERacer619's 600gal SPS Tank

Hey everyone , I finally took the plunge and bought the largest tank I can fit into the house without knocking down a wall! It is a 8'x4'x31"H glass tank made by Miracles. This thread will document the setup and routines of my new system which will primarily be stocked with SPS corals, Angelfish, Tangs, Anthias, and a few Butterflies. Some other hard corals will likely find their way into the aquarium but my plan is to create a non traditional scape of large coral colonies. I find many tanks are loaded with many wonderful corals but they don't have room to grow. I will give them the room they deserve by limiting my selection to a handful of my favorites.

For those who may not know me my name is Mark and I am a Saltwater Aquarium addict... In November of 2012 I was voted Reefer of the Month! I also have a build thread for a 360 gallon reef.

If you want to see what is going on right now in and around the aquarium take a look at the live stream! It's active between 10:30am and 1:00am MST. Camera is an Axis P1365.




__________________
Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers.
Current Tank:
Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

Last edited by tkeracer619; 05/13/2018 at 01:27 PM.
tkeracer619 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/09/2016, 01:45 AM   #2
tkeracer619
Registered Member
 
tkeracer619's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 17,289
Lets Talk About the Setup in General.

The aquarium will be in a room that measures roughly 30 by 18 feet, it has a decorative concrete slab floor. The display room will feature couches, TVs, a pool table, and a wet bar among other things.

The display will be finished in laminate wood paneling and surrounded on both sides by matching cabinetry. The aquarium has two large corner overflows which will determine the depth of the cabinets and they will form a false wall creating the appearance that the display is 8'x3'x31". Lighting and powerheads will have two electrical circuits (20a & 15a) located away from moisture in the top left cabinet.

Currently I have tanks all over the place in the display room but the ones I am keeping will end up in the basement one level down. The basement room will also serve as a dedicated filtration room. I will be using the Berlin method of reef keeping, it works for me. The display will remain somewhat minimalist while close to 2000lbs of live rock will live in the filtration room. Metal Halide, T5 Flourescent, LEDs, Biopellets, a Masterflex Calcium Reactor Setup, a GFO/Carbon Reactor, and a massive skimmer will be utilized. The filtration room will have use of three 20a circuits. All circuits will eventually be backed up by a whole house automatic start natural gas generator.

Here is a scale pic of the tank sitting as I imagine it. This is still an early rendering.



__________________
Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers.
Current Tank:
Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

Last edited by tkeracer619; 05/09/2016 at 02:38 AM.
tkeracer619 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/09/2016, 01:56 AM   #3
tkeracer619
Registered Member
 
tkeracer619's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 17,289
Lets Talk About Flow

I have run this through my head a few times and have settled on a dual island rockscape. I hope to be able to create a massive amount of flow around these two islands by using Vortech MP60QD and MP40QD pumps. Since this display had large corner overflows I plan on using dry boxes inside the overflows that allow me to keep all of the Vortech dry sides out of view.

The current plan is to use 4 MP60QD and 2 MP40QD pumps. In the following image you can see the current paths I hope to create. The pumps will be set to alternate once ever 5 or so minutes between pump set 1(purple flow pattern)and 2(cyan flow pattern). Once per hour all pumps will come on.




__________________
Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers.
Current Tank:
Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

Last edited by tkeracer619; 05/09/2016 at 02:40 AM.
tkeracer619 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/09/2016, 02:18 AM   #4
tkeracer619
Registered Member
 
tkeracer619's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 17,289
The Tank in its Original Home and Prep for Removal.

The tank was purchased fully stocked and running. Some livestock will find a new home. In an effort to minimize losses coral and fish were put into buckets and sent to either be re-homed or held for later.

I brought a 15' Uhaul, two 5'x9' trailers, 20 buckets, 20 27gal totes, two 150gal rubbermaid stock tanks, 11 suction cups, a 8x4x1 pallet, and 4 1000lb hydraulic lift carts to move this tank. Moving a tank this size, especially one made of glass and stocked is not an easy job.





My girlfriends commentary... It's a gentle foot and a half long Snowflake.


There was a lot of sand in this tank! I am super tired of scooping by this point!!! ...there was like 2000lbs of it.


HAH! Done!


Anyone think this guy is reef safe?






The struggle is real!



__________________
Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers.
Current Tank:
Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.
tkeracer619 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/09/2016, 02:29 AM   #5
tkeracer619
Registered Member
 
tkeracer619's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 17,289
It's Time to Move!

Stuff is ready, tank is ready, time to move! Notice there isn't video or pics of the hard part (everyone was occupied). The tank weighs about 1600lbs empty.


Here is most of the "other" stuff. There is a nice sump, a 150gal stock tank full of rock, and a few other misc stuff missing from the image.


I had to remove this thing. It was in my way.


Here we are at my house. Fence gone: Check, Deck railing cut off: Check, huge tank on a trailer that needs to be lifted up: check.


Secured and lifted!


This is why I needed to take off the trailer gate...


Straight shot onto the carts (onto a 8x4 sheet of ply ), lift to stand height that is already in place, on 3 take the door down and PUUUUUUUSH.


Easy as pie.


My buddy Shane, he also make an appearance in my last build thread about this time. How on earth is his luck this good!



__________________
Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers.
Current Tank:
Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

Last edited by Misled; 05/09/2016 at 06:52 PM.
tkeracer619 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/09/2016, 02:32 AM   #6
tkeracer619
Registered Member
 
tkeracer619's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 17,289
Home Sweet Home!

Home sweet home! She's on the stand square but not in the final resting place. That is for another day


Easy enough, it only took 26 hours of intense labor


__________________
Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers.
Current Tank:
Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.
tkeracer619 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/09/2016, 03:55 AM   #7
benihana
Registered Member
 
benihana's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Prior Lake, Minnesota
Posts: 1,230
Impressive! This will be a fun build to follow



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


__________________
Currently tankless, but have a few things in the works
benihana is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/09/2016, 09:31 AM   #8
phk36
Registered Member
 
phk36's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Long Island N.Y.
Posts: 304
I am guessing the tank is on a slab ? That's one huge move looking forward to the future


__________________
PHK

Current Tank Info: 204 mixed Two Radion pro 3 one Kessil 360 Bubble King Supermarin 250 Apex 114 watt UV
phk36 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/09/2016, 10:58 AM   #9
L8Braker
Registered Member
 
L8Braker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 143
Keep us updated that is a cool tank.


L8Braker is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/09/2016, 04:21 PM   #10
Uncle Luke
Registered Member
 
Uncle Luke's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: South Florida
Posts: 1,011
dis gon be good


Uncle Luke is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/10/2016, 12:33 PM   #11
tkeracer619
Registered Member
 
tkeracer619's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 17,289
Quote:
Originally Posted by benihana View Post
Impressive! This will be a fun build to follow
Thanks, It should be a fun project and I hope to be able to share it with RC. I'm hoping to start adding livestock within about 2-3 months. Hoping to get water in it by next week sometime. I won't get plumbing done for a while though, it's going to be a challenge as you guys will soon see . I love a good challenge!

Quote:
Originally Posted by phk36 View Post
I am guessing the tank is on a slab ? That's one huge move looking forward to the future
Yup, it's on a decorative finished concrete slab. Not sure how thick but it should be at least 4". On the other side of the room I have had about 1000 gallons and 1500lbs of rock on it without breaking a sweat for about 2.5 years. This tank will be less than that since the rock and filtration will be in the basement.

Quote:
Originally Posted by L8Braker View Post
Keep us updated that is a cool tank.
Thanks, I will!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Luke View Post
dis gon be good
Thanks , I'll do my best! This one is for the long haul. No corner cutting!


__________________
Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers.
Current Tank:
Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.
tkeracer619 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/11/2016, 07:37 AM   #12
McPuff
Registered Member
 
McPuff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,735
Wow, I've never had to move anything that big! Definitely a huge feat. What did you do with all the livestock, rock, sand, etc.? And how do you plan to move the tank to its final spot? This should be a cool build for sure!


McPuff is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/11/2016, 07:45 AM   #13
CafeReef
Registered Member
 
CafeReef's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Elkhorn, NE
Posts: 1,405
dat skimmer tho... looking forward to this one. I applaud your drive sir!


__________________
50 Gallon cube
CafeReef is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/11/2016, 11:58 AM   #14
tkeracer619
Registered Member
 
tkeracer619's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 17,289
Quote:
Originally Posted by McPuff View Post
Wow, I've never had to move anything that big! Definitely a huge feat. What did you do with all the livestock, rock, sand, etc.? And how do you plan to move the tank to its final spot? This should be a cool build for sure!
The tank and stand were a beast to move, the tank weighs something like 1,600lbs. The stand probably weighs in around 900.

The sand is in 27gal totes with water on my back porch. The rock is in a 150gal stock tank with a powerhead and skimmer. The livestock went one of 3 places. I filled my invert and coral QT with hard corals and my 100gal holding tank with a few fish. Two others are keeping the other livestock, the corals and livestock that isn't compatible with my future plans will be re-homed.

I will be using the hydraulic carts and I-Beams to move the tank into its final position. Some of the stuff I want to do is just easier if it isn't up against the wall. Getting it into the house was the easiest part of the move but it did take a lot of thought and prep to make it happen smoothly.


Quote:
Originally Posted by CafeReef View Post
dat skimmer tho... looking forward to this one. I applaud your drive sir!
I was wondering when someone would notice! It is a RK2 Systems skimmer. It's 80 inches tall, is powered by a venturi, has automatic wash down, and is supposedly rated for 1000 gallons. The model number is RK2-1000 which is an old part number. The current equivalent is the RK2-10AC. It is designed to take about 10 gallons a minute, I plan on feeding it with a large Biopellet Reactor. At 10gpm it has a dwell time of 2 minutes. I have used them before and they do work though I am not sure the rating is completely accurate. Time will tell.

I plan on using my current skimmer which is a Precision Marine Bullet XL-1 with an Askoll 1500 until bioload has increased beyond it's capacity. I feel like the RK2 skimmers needs some serious bioload to be stable.


__________________
Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers.
Current Tank:
Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

Last edited by tkeracer619; 05/11/2016 at 12:08 PM.
tkeracer619 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/11/2016, 12:27 PM   #15
sfsuphysics
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 9,103
whoo boy looks like it weighs a few pounds, doesn't look like the suction cups on there would allow enough people to hold it


__________________
Mike
sfsuphysics is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/11/2016, 01:02 PM   #16
tkeracer619
Registered Member
 
tkeracer619's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 17,289
Quote:
Originally Posted by sfsuphysics View Post
whoo boy looks like it weighs a few pounds, doesn't look like the suction cups on there would allow enough people to hold it
Yeah, normally I would avoid Harbor Freight like the plague but in this case there was no way to lift the tank so it didn't matter if the cups were junk. All we had to do was slide the tank, the hydraulic carts did the lifting. Cris at Aquatic Art Inc was nice enough to lend me two heavy duty suction cups and I bought 9 junkers from HF (3 of which broke during the move). This cost a lot less than renting enough cups for people to push. Even if you had enough people and cups to physically lift the tank it wouldn't be safe, the momentum would push right through you and someone would likely get seriously hurt or killed!

I built the 10'x4'x1' pallet with a 3/4" ply top so we could safely slide the tank onto it, the carts didn't lift high enough on their own. Once lifted to the exact height we strapped the pallet to the stand in such a way it wouldn't move when we slid the tank onto it. Once the tank was in place we moved the stand away and lowered the carts slowly, one side at a time.

We then slid the tank and pallet together onto the trailer. I had made two 8' wood angles out of 1x3 lumber so the pressure from straps holding the tank down would be distributed and then wrapped the tank in 3/4 insulation.

Once at my house we used my neighbors driveway (that he just installed) to back up to my deck (which I had to cut the railing off), and through the fence (which we were in process of replacing). The trailer barely fit but we were able to muscle it all into place. The trailer needed to be raised up which I did one block at a time. I secured the trailer to the deck with 4 straps and supported the trailer with a railroad tie under the back, 2x12 squares under the tires, jack stands under a cross member, and my floor jack under the tongue for backup. It was solid as a rock.

Once lined up it went onto the carts that had a layer of 3/4 ply across them for easy sliding (the tank also has a 3/4 ply layer on the bottom). We used the carts to lift the tank to the height of the stand and slid it in through the doors.

We had 10 people for the push into the house which made it super easy.


__________________
Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers.
Current Tank:
Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.
tkeracer619 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/11/2016, 01:05 PM   #17
Psirex
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 1,934
My back hurts just at the thought of having to move it.....

posted using electrical charges


__________________
SALINITY NOW....
Psirex is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/11/2016, 01:08 PM   #18
tkeracer619
Registered Member
 
tkeracer619's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 17,289
Fortunately my back already hurt so I'm no worse off!

Saturday night my entire body felt like a sprained ankle. Getting up Sunday morning wasn't fun.


__________________
Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers.
Current Tank:
Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

Last edited by tkeracer619; 05/11/2016 at 01:23 PM.
tkeracer619 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/11/2016, 10:56 PM   #19
BigBlueTang
Registered Member
 
BigBlueTang's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Posts: 1,430
Quote:
Originally Posted by tkeracer619 View Post


Look!
It's me!
Can't wait to help you out some more if you need it
Had a blast moving it, especially with you chasing me with that crab....


__________________
75 gal, 20 L using as sump, MP40Qd , Eheim 1260 Return,Royal Exclusiv Bubble King Mini 160,Kamoer FX-STP Calcium Reactor Setup, ATI Sunpower 6x54W
BigBlueTang is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/11/2016, 11:09 PM   #20
tkeracer619
Registered Member
 
tkeracer619's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 17,289
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBlueTang View Post
Look!
It's me!
Can't wait to help you out some more if you need it
Had a blast moving it, especially with you chasing me with that crab....
I'm sure there are a few things you can help out with in the future, thanks for the help, it was major!

So... Eric (the guy who owned the tank before, thanks for selling me the tank dude!) was giving Atul crap for a good hour about this huge crab that lived in the sump. Jokingly reminding him ever 3 minutes it was in there as he cleaned it out. I had actually seen it 2 weeks prior when I came to check the tank out but played along. By the end of it Atul was sure we were messing with him and was no longer nervous that there was a rather large crab ready for a little pinch. We simply didn't find it until I emptied all the sand from the sump. I said "Hey Atul, check this out!", picked the crab up by the backside, and chased him around for a little bit. Of course the crab had two fully extended pinchers out. It was a good laugh.

The crab (and Atul) were unharmed. Again, thanks for the help bud, I appreciate it!

Kalgra was another RC member that helped me out. He was in charge of driving the livestock around to various places while the rest of us prepped the tank for moving off its stand. He also pulled a pro move by getting my Jeep under a parking deck when it started to hail! Many thanks to you as well Kris!


__________________
Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers.
Current Tank:
Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

Last edited by tkeracer619; 05/11/2016 at 11:22 PM.
tkeracer619 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/12/2016, 12:33 AM   #21
truffle22
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 48
Dam u got my dream tank right there. Beautiful beautiful beautiful. I bet that was a pretty penny and some change. But well wear the it. I'm jealous what did the tank cost. Let alone all ur equipment and hard work. Once I get a permanent place I'm so geting 600 gal + giant tank. U inspire me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


truffle22 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/12/2016, 01:19 AM   #22
tkeracer619
Registered Member
 
tkeracer619's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 17,289
Quote:
Originally Posted by truffle22 View Post
Dam u got my dream tank right there. Beautiful beautiful beautiful. I bet that was a pretty penny and some change. But well wear the it. I'm jealous what did the tank cost. Let alone all ur equipment and hard work. Once I get a permanent place I'm so geting 600 gal + giant tank. U inspire me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks, yeah you definitely want a permanent home with a solid foundation before attempting something like this. Don't want to move it twice. The equipment to transport it cost roughly $1600. I'm not sure I want to divulge what I paid for the system, gadgets, and livestock but let's just say you could buy a decent used car instead. Dream big, work hard, and it will happen.


__________________
Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers.
Current Tank:
Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.
tkeracer619 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/24/2016, 12:23 PM   #23
whyamisofly
Registered Member
 
whyamisofly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 1,241
Never made it over to see your other tanks.....now I HAVE to!


__________________
"An aquarium is a hole between sheets of glass that the aquarist fills with money."

Current Tank Info: 93g Cube
whyamisofly is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/25/2016, 12:37 AM   #24
EagleI
Registered Member
 
EagleI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: So-Cal
Posts: 54
Inspirational. The tank move could have been a thread of its own.


EagleI is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 05/25/2016, 08:45 PM   #25
tkeracer619
Registered Member
 
tkeracer619's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 17,289
Quote:
Originally Posted by whyamisofly View Post
Never made it over to see your other tanks.....now I HAVE to!
Come have a

Quote:
Originally Posted by EagleI View Post
Inspirational. The tank move could have been a thread of its own.
Thanks! I'm feeling recovered from the move, that was some serious work! Acrylic would have been lighter but I feel like it's worth it if you can go glass!

Hoping for a good update this weekend! I've been working out of state and was unable to convince my roommates to finish the build for me while I was gone


__________________
Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers.
Current Tank:
Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

Last edited by tkeracer619; 05/25/2016 at 08:55 PM.
tkeracer619 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:12 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Use of this web site is subject to the terms and conditions described in the user agreement.
Reef CentralTM Reef Central, LLC. Copyright ©1999-2022
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging v3.3.0 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.