240Gal Reef of its own kind

bnumair · 01/17/2012, 09:29 PM

A little history:
i been keeping reefs for over 10 yrs. Like most others i also started into aquariums with a small freshwater tank years ago. Once u get in this hobby then small is just a first step towards years long journey. After keeping/upgrading several freshwater tanks appetite was not satisfied. Eventually thanks to a 4 hrs trip to Dallas and ebay and $500 later i got my first deepsea 120 gal reef tank.
keeping that reef for yrs and a rollercoaster of balancing an eco system and failing several times in playing God i turned to Reef Centeral.
Reading hours and hours of sticky's and talking to wonderful people (special thanks to Sk8tr and Randi Holmes) i started to keep better reefs.
Eventually with all the reading talking and learning and yrs of experiments and experiences i mastered the art of reef keeping. so i thaught. It is ever changing hobby and so i still seek answers on Reef Central.
After keeping a great reef 120gal in wall 48x24x25 for over 6 yrs i decided i need to throw more money in this saltwater well.
So after gathering and painfully spending and collecting all the items i need over 10 months and thousands of dollars later i finally started work on my new addiction.Addiction is old and same but tank is new.
The new Tank:
Work started last week. I got the inwall hole cut open wider and bigger to support a 240gal 96x24x25. Got a wood stand built for it made out of 2x4 studs.
Tanks itself is a 240g 96x24x25 starphire glass made by glasscages.
It has 2 overflows built in each corner on the back wall with 2" drains and 1" returns on both sides.
Sump is a 48x24x18 90g Acrylic also made by glasscages.
Tank got delivered to me viz a freight company and it was fun getting it home. With help of few great customers (from my business where tank was delivered) we managed to get the tank home. Its weight according to the freight company is 550lbs empty.

elFloyd · 01/17/2012, 09:43 PM

Looks like the beginnings of a nice set up!

Any problems with the GC tank... Sloppy silicon...? Are the corners and glass straight?

Thanks!

bnumair · 01/17/2012, 09:49 PM

So this is the tank resting on a massive 12 feet pallet in my garage.

bnumair · 01/17/2012, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elFloyd

Looks like the beginnings of a nice set up!

Any problems with the GC tank... Sloppy silicon...? Are the corners and glass straight?

Thanks!

Honestly i have been through 2 previous tanks custom made by Glasscages and they were kinda sloppy but to my surprise this 240g tank looks like they took their time to make. it is not as nice like some name brands but is very good compared to previous experience and some sloppy silicone tanks made by GC in the past.

bnumair · 01/17/2012, 09:56 PM

Sump:

bnumair · 01/17/2012, 09:57 PM

The old setup (48x24)

bnumair · 01/17/2012, 09:58 PM

The new setup (96x24)

bnumair · 01/17/2012, 10:07 PM

After calculating all the energy requirements i decided to get a separate breaker box just for the tank. We ran a direct line across the garage to a 100Amp breaker box with 20 circuits.
That means i will have 18 independent GFI receptacles each on its separate 20amp breakers. I needed to do this so i can distribute all the load on independent breakers and receptacles. This was i will be placing 4x 300watts titanium heaters on their own independent breakers and 1.5hp chiller that pulls 11amps on its own. 6 AI blue Sols and cooling fans (yes garage gets hot in summer and AI Sols go into limp mode if they get hot) so to control that i have gotten few small 8" clip on fans placed directly on top to keep LEDs run cooler, all on their own breaker and receptacles.
Here is that work in progress.

bnumair · 01/17/2012, 10:08 PM

Here is all the old tank stuff along with some new items and all the mess boys make in this hobby lol.

bnumair · 01/17/2012, 10:09 PM

Got the rock from ReefRock.net and they sent me exactly what i wanted.

bnumair · 01/17/2012, 10:12 PM

Skimmer was my personal choice as per previous experience with Reef Octopus products.
I went with a Dual flow Reef Octopus 6 recirculating skimmer that is capable of handling 300 gals of water.

bnumair · 01/17/2012, 10:14 PM

Aquascape i have in mind is as such:

TheFishTeen · 01/17/2012, 11:00 PM

Nice build. Did you put in the breaker box or did an electrician install it?

bnumair · 01/17/2012, 11:08 PM

i have known this electrician for over 9 yrs, infact i utilize his efforts at work and for some odd jobs i also bring him to my house. He put the breaker box in for me.

bnumair · 01/17/2012, 11:11 PM

This is what it looks inside:

dave.m · 01/18/2012, 05:29 AM

If I may, I would strongly suggest you reconsider having top access to the front. At 25" depth you are going to have problems reaching anything at the bottom of the front glass in future.

Dave.M

strout · 01/18/2012, 06:32 AM

Very Nice

mattsilvester · 01/21/2012, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave.m

If I may, I would strongly suggest you reconsider having top access to the front. At 25" depth you are going to have problems reaching anything at the bottom of the front glass in future.

Dave.M

x2

with front access on the same size tank, I find it hard to reach the "back". Thats not so important when view from the front only..... but when viewing from both sides it'll be a nightmare maintaining the both sides from 1 side only.

bnumair · 01/22/2012, 11:57 AM

ok thanks for the advice for a front access. i a going to look into that to see how i can add it in at this later point. but i have a new question.
are the supports i have right now good enough to hold the weight of a full tank?
there are about 6 double stud legs and the plywood board behind the sump vertical on the wall is also holding the weight up attached into the studs in the wall.

bnumair · 01/22/2012, 11:57 AM

ok thanks for the advice for a front access. i a going to look into that to see how i can add it in at this later point. but i have a new question.
are the supports i have right now good enough to hold the weight of a full tank?
there are about 6 double stud legs and the plywood board behind the sump vertical on the wall is also holding the weight up attached into the studs in the wall.

mattsilvester · 01/23/2012, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnumair

ok thanks for the advice for a front access. i a going to look into that to see how i can add it in at this later point. but i have a new question.
are the supports i have right now good enough to hold the weight of a full tank?
there are about 6 double stud legs and the plywood board behind the sump vertical on the wall is also holding the weight up attached into the studs in the wall.

I'll be brutally honest - don't interpret that as derogatory. There are a number of flaws with your stand design:

1. There is no leg at the right corner. Supports should be on corners.
2. The legs touch the ground at a point - nomrally, the leg would stand on a horizontal "beam" which would distribute the weight across the floor.
3. The cross member on the top of the stand is 2 peices of timber - this should be one continuous piece to reduce deflection and distribute and uneveness evenly.

Timber is cheap, and easily worked. Personally I would build a new stand from 2x4's. Search the DIY forum - there are lots of good examples. Whilst you probably will get away with the current stand - and people both underestimate the strength of timber (and glass) and over estimate the weight of water - I could not verify that design with a calculation and it just "feels" wrong - considering the value of your tank when running, and te safety issues of it collapsing for both human and animal life, then I would re-do it.

Sorry to be so negative

unhandleable · 01/23/2012, 10:08 AM

Looking forward to seeing this thread continue to grow, especially with photos!

bnumair · 01/23/2012, 02:51 PM

after Matts comments i have decided to reinforce the whole stand structure with more added legs and horizontal beam to distribute the weight out and also put a leg on the corner where there isnt one.
thanks for all the comments and safety concerns. please do update me with more comments so i can make sure it doesnt end up in a disaster.
thanking all in advance

bmullikin1 · 01/23/2012, 02:57 PM

Agree w above statement, go to dyi section and look up rocketengineer's thread. Here's mine from that design.

MarlinDreams · 01/23/2012, 03:58 PM

Following, as I live in the same area. Also on the stand design, the DIY one is very simple and VERY strong. I built mine with no problems whatsoever and it is strong as can be. Also check your 2X4's that are in the wall and make sure they are not supporting something other than the sheetrock. I can't tell but they may be 2X6. I would also suggest a header in the front of the wall for added support. All in all it would be a great peace of mind and very little work to add the strength as the above posters said.

01/17/2012, 09:29 PM	#1
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	240Gal Reef of its own kind A little history: i been keeping reefs for over 10 yrs. Like most others i also started into aquariums with a small freshwater tank years ago. Once u get in this hobby then small is just a first step towards years long journey. After keeping/upgrading several freshwater tanks appetite was not satisfied. Eventually thanks to a 4 hrs trip to Dallas and ebay and $500 later i got my first deepsea 120 gal reef tank. keeping that reef for yrs and a rollercoaster of balancing an eco system and failing several times in playing God i turned to Reef Centeral. Reading hours and hours of sticky's and talking to wonderful people (special thanks to Sk8tr and Randi Holmes) i started to keep better reefs. Eventually with all the reading talking and learning and yrs of experiments and experiences i mastered the art of reef keeping. so i thaught. It is ever changing hobby and so i still seek answers on Reef Central. After keeping a great reef 120gal in wall 48x24x25 for over 6 yrs i decided i need to throw more money in this saltwater well. So after gathering and painfully spending and collecting all the items i need over 10 months and thousands of dollars later i finally started work on my new addiction.Addiction is old and same but tank is new. The new Tank: Work started last week. I got the inwall hole cut open wider and bigger to support a 240gal 96x24x25. Got a wood stand built for it made out of 2x4 studs. Tanks itself is a 240g 96x24x25 starphire glass made by glasscages. It has 2 overflows built in each corner on the back wall with 2" drains and 1" returns on both sides. Sump is a 48x24x18 90g Acrylic also made by glasscages. Tank got delivered to me viz a freight company and it was fun getting it home. With help of few great customers (from my business where tank was delivered) we managed to get the tank home. Its weight according to the freight company is 550lbs empty. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

01/17/2012, 09:49 PM	#3
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	So this is the tank resting on a massive 12 feet pallet in my garage. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

01/17/2012, 09:56 PM	#5
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	Sump: __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

01/17/2012, 09:57 PM	#6
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	The old setup (48x24) __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

01/17/2012, 09:58 PM	#7
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	The new setup (96x24) __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

01/17/2012, 09:43 PM	#2
elFloyd Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 421	Looks like the beginnings of a nice set up! Any problems with the GC tank... Sloppy silicon...? Are the corners and glass straight? Thanks!

01/17/2012, 10:07 PM	#8
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	After calculating all the energy requirements i decided to get a separate breaker box just for the tank. We ran a direct line across the garage to a 100Amp breaker box with 20 circuits. That means i will have 18 independent GFI receptacles each on its separate 20amp breakers. I needed to do this so i can distribute all the load on independent breakers and receptacles. This was i will be placing 4x 300watts titanium heaters on their own independent breakers and 1.5hp chiller that pulls 11amps on its own. 6 AI blue Sols and cooling fans (yes garage gets hot in summer and AI Sols go into limp mode if they get hot) so to control that i have gotten few small 8" clip on fans placed directly on top to keep LEDs run cooler, all on their own breaker and receptacles. Here is that work in progress. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

01/17/2012, 10:08 PM	#9
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	Here is all the old tank stuff along with some new items and all the mess boys make in this hobby lol. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

01/17/2012, 10:09 PM	#10
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	Got the rock from ReefRock.net and they sent me exactly what i wanted. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

01/17/2012, 10:12 PM	#11
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	Skimmer was my personal choice as per previous experience with Reef Octopus products. I went with a Dual flow Reef Octopus 6 recirculating skimmer that is capable of handling 300 gals of water. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

01/17/2012, 10:14 PM	#12
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	Aquascape i have in mind is as such: __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

01/17/2012, 11:00 PM	#13
TheFishTeen Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,677	Nice build. Did you put in the breaker box or did an electrician install it?

01/17/2012, 11:08 PM	#14
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	i have known this electrician for over 9 yrs, infact i utilize his efforts at work and for some odd jobs i also bring him to my house. He put the breaker box in for me. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

01/17/2012, 11:11 PM	#15
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	This is what it looks inside: __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

01/18/2012, 05:29 AM	#16
dave.m Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canadia Posts: 4,276	If I may, I would strongly suggest you reconsider having top access to the front. At 25" depth you are going to have problems reaching anything at the bottom of the front glass in future. Dave.M __________________ My Gawd! It's full of corals! Current Tank Info: None. Nil. Zip. Nada.

01/18/2012, 06:32 AM	#17
strout Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Biloxi Mississippi Posts: 767	Very Nice

01/22/2012, 11:57 AM	#19
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	ok thanks for the advice for a front access. i a going to look into that to see how i can add it in at this later point. but i have a new question. are the supports i have right now good enough to hold the weight of a full tank? there are about 6 double stud legs and the plywood board behind the sump vertical on the wall is also holding the weight up attached into the studs in the wall. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

01/23/2012, 10:08 AM	#22
unhandleable Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: 33155 Posts: 196	Looking forward to seeing this thread continue to grow, especially with photos!

01/23/2012, 02:51 PM	#23
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	after Matts comments i have decided to reinforce the whole stand structure with more added legs and horizontal beam to distribute the weight out and also put a leg on the corner where there isnt one. thanks for all the comments and safety concerns. please do update me with more comments so i can make sure it doesnt end up in a disaster. thanking all in advance __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

01/23/2012, 02:57 PM	#24
bmullikin1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: seminole florida Posts: 1,797	Agree w above statement, go to dyi section and look up rocketengineer's thread. Here's mine from that design.

01/23/2012, 03:58 PM	#25
MarlinDreams Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Tulsa, Ok Posts: 214	Following, as I live in the same area. Also on the stand design, the DIY one is very simple and VERY strong. I built mine with no problems whatsoever and it is strong as can be. Also check your 2X4's that are in the wall and make sure they are not supporting something other than the sheetrock. I can't tell but they may be 2X6. I would also suggest a header in the front of the wall for added support. All in all it would be a great peace of mind and very little work to add the strength as the above posters said.