Terry's 180 Peninsula Reef build.

[terry4505]

http://vid1354.photobucket.com/album...psl9f9vso3.mp4

[Neoz]

Nice video. Your setup is very quiet and you don't even have the sump covered up. Great job!

[Conesus_Kid]

Wow, that's crazy-quiet!

Nicely done!

[terry4505]

I adjusted the height of the drains in the external box and it is now DEAD quiet.

[terry4505]

Tank has been up and running with tap water since Saturday with no issues. I am going to drain it either today or tomorrow (any suggestions on how best to do this?) then I have to:

-Move the rock over from my sump on the current tank and aquascape
-Add sand
-Get this baby up and running

[Conesus_Kid]

Do you have a python or water bed drain/fill kit?

Here's a Wally World link for what you'll need: http://www.walmart.com/ip/RPS-Produc...N-KIT/38470461

[Henry Colf]

Good luck with the build. If this tank turns out anything like your last tank its gonna be amazing!!!

[terry4505]

Thanks Henry. I was running an old Bubble Magus NAC6 I picked up from you a few years ago. I drew a lot of inspiration from you.

[Henry Colf]

Wow, thanks. Didn't think my tank would inspire anyone.

[terry4505]

Water test has been a complete success. The tank has been full and running on tap water since Saturday with no issues. When they say "Silent and safe overflow" they are not kidding. This thing is dead SILENT. I have to extend the full siphon line under the water level in the sump and raise the partial siphon line. I just stuck whatever scrap I had laying around on the end of the bulkhead:

http://vid1354.photobucket.com/album...psh7juuijy.mp4

I officially sold my tank, its inhabitants, and everything else (test kits, food, everything) to the guy buying my house. I am now in the position of having to start from absolute scratch. Which is both daunting and exciting.

I am using the funds from the sale to begin purchasing components. First up is a Neptune WAV for circulation, but on the short list for purchase in the next week or so (I'm looking at you BRS Blackfriday door busters) are:

Skimmer: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-o...n-skimmer.html
RO/DI: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-6-...em-150gpd.html
And an Apex

For lights, I am picking up a used T5/Halide system and retrofitting it with either Radions or Kessil A360s. Possibly a mix of both. One Radion in the middle and a Kessil on either side, with T5s on the outside.

The next immediate step is to drain and clean this thing.

The view from the couch before the TV went above the fire place:

[Capt_Cully]

It'll be tough to watch the TV. Our old house was like that. I was always staring at the tank....

[terry4505]

There is also a mirror on the wall to the left of the fireplace. So no matter which way I turn my head, tank...

[Capt_Cully]

Well played

[Conesus_Kid]

What are your plans for your salt water mixing station? Are you going to have to haul buckets, or are you working out some remote plumbing scenario for water changes?

[jacksonpt]

Great work so far... I'm definitely interested to watch things progress.

The overflow box/sump also look great, make me want to redo my setup away from the gl*******s boxes I'm using (reliable, but certainly not quiet).

[terry4505]

The long-term plan is to move the sump the the basement and create a full fish room down there. The basement is wide open and is basically a blank canvas.

For now, the RO/DI system is going near the laundry, and I have brute cans on wheels that I can roll around from salt water and RO/DI. I am going to have to make do, until I can get a sink and drain plumbed up in the basement.

[terry4505]

I made a snap decision today...

I wasn't crazy about the noise level from the Jebao DCS9000. Anything above 1 on the controller and there was a noticeable hum. The tank is in the living room, and noise level is a huge concern for me.

So... I picked up this guy:



It took a bit of figuring out to get it plumbed up. I am running 1" flexible hose for the return, split to 3/4". The outlet is 1-1/4", which I reduced down to 1" and screwed in a 1" barbed fitting.

I am filling the tank with RO/DI as I type this. I'll be transferring over my rock and getting the cycle going this week.

[mrpergo]

I must say that is a beautiful looking pump.
I mean it just looks like a Cadillac. You need to display that little fella not hide it.....lol

[terry4505]

I've strongly considered keeping the stand open

[Capt_Cully]

Ok, I'm going from memory and don't have any intimate physics knowledge... But I believe you'll get more efficiency out of your pump (she's a beauty!) if you can allow it to run as far as possible with its outlet sized plumbing (1.25") then reduce it down as far down the line as you can. This will put less stress on the pump and give you less head loss.

Please, some of the smart guys chime in and correct me if I'm wrong???? These build threads are my favorite and this one is shaping up into a real good'un! I may be splitting hairs, and you may have considered this already. Just throwing it out there.

[terry4505]

I thought about that exact thing. My return line is 1" for about 3' then split into two 3/4" lines up to the returns. Everything is plumbed with flex hose and barbed fittings, so I could hypothetically run the 1-1/4 up two feet, then reduce down. I'm just not sure how much difference it will make.

I will have to dial the pump down some anyway. It is rated for about 1600 GPH at 4 feet of head, which is more than my overflow is rated for (1500). I am not one to run crazy flow through the sump or use the return pump for in-tank flow.

But It is def. something to consider. The barbed fitting does reduce it down quite a way.

[Capt_Cully]

Roger that. I figured I'd bring it up for anyone new who might be following along. I love my DC pump. Dead quiet. I think it's the Waveline???

[terry4505]

More fun updates while we continue to wait for the tank to fill with RO/DI:

I decided it was time to hang the temporary light fixture. I drilled holes in the ceiling, and found that unfortunately, there was not a joist where I needed it. I picked up some of these: http://www.toggler.com/products/snaptoggle/overview.php

and hung the light:





The view from the kitchen island:



I also got adventurous and hung our floating mantle that came from my parent's barn:





The tank is about 1/3 the way full with RO/DI. I'll be adding my rock and sand this week. Neptune WAVs should be here tomorrow (of course, I don't have the Apex to run them yet) and I bought a used Gen 3 Radion and a Kessil A360We. Not sure exactly what combo of LEDs I am going to go with. I think 1 Radion in the middle with two Kessils on the end, but I may end up going with 3 Radions and forgo the Kessils. We'll see how I feel once I get one of each over the tank.

Still need:

Skimmer
Heaters
Apex

[terry4505]

I don't have a pic, but I am concerned...

There is a gap on the long side of the tank in the middle between the trim and the stand. The stand is made of steel tube and is flat and level. It looks like the bottom trim bows up. All 4 corners are in contact. I thought about putting some composite shims every 6 inches or so to support the trim. The tank is 90% full and the gap persists. Should I be panicking?

[Conesus_Kid]

Is this a brand new aquarium?

If so, I'd snap a pic and contact the manufacturer.

I would be really hesitant to place shims directly under the aquarium.