Office Reef - Help Me Spend My Boss's $$$

chull13 · 03/22/2018, 12:10 PM

So I have convinced my boss to convert this ugly display case in our office lobby to a reef tank.We will remove all the glass and the base at the bottom. Add a steel stand and wrap it with millwork. The 2 outer columns will need to stay put due to supporting the stairs above. So the tank will be visible from 3 sides with a black back. The tank will be 55"x36"x27" with starphire on the 3 viewing panes with an external overflow.

Here is my preliminary equipment list:

230ish gallon tank described above
(1) 48"x20" TideLine Sump
(1) EcoTech Vectra L1 Dc return pump
(3) EcoTech XR30W G4 Pro LEDs with hanging kits
(2) EcoTech MP60wQD
(1) Tunze Osmolator ATO
(1) 20 Gallon ATO RODI reservoir
(1) Apex controller
(1) Vertex Alpha 200 Skimmer
(2) 300 watt heaters
250 Lbs Live Rock
120 Lbs live sand
Misc. Plumbing

We are looking at around $16K for the equipment above plus another $2K for installation. The boss has signed off on this without blinking an eye.

Let me know what you think on the equipment list. Is there anything you would change or add?

It's always fun to spend someone else's money! Help me spend it!!

RCS82 · 03/22/2018, 12:39 PM

Looks like a nice list, no expense spared lol.
But why not go with 3 or 4 mp40s instead of 2 mp60s. Since the tank is viewable on 3 sides I would put 3 mp40s all on the back wall.

Smokey Stover · 03/22/2018, 12:50 PM

Is there room under the stairs for a mixing station? You'll need a RO/DI unit also.
Who gets the NASCAR collection?

chull13 · 03/22/2018, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCS82

Looks like a nice list, no expense spared lol.
But why not go with 3 or 4 mp40s instead of 2 mp60s. Since the tank is viewable on 3 sides I would put 3 mp40s all on the back wall.

We may look into the (4) MP40s. Good thought.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokey Stover

Is there room under the stairs for a mixing station? You'll need a RO/DI unit also.
Who gets the NASCAR collection?

I have salt and RODI water at home to top off RODI reservoir and for emergency situations. We have a bi-weekly maintenance agreement with a local vendor for cleaning and water changes. I'll handle all the minor cleaning in between.

The NASCARS will move to one of our VP's office. He's the bid NASCAR fan.

Scythanith · 03/22/2018, 01:53 PM

For the black back get your tank maker to build it out of black/dark smoke glass, and not just put black plastic over clear glass. Way easier to clean than the plastic overlay. And it's not your cash so who cares if it costs more, it will look better in the long run! A good builder can CNC the overflow teeth into the glass or make a small section where a plastic weir can go in and be removed for cleaning.

chull13 · 04/09/2018, 12:12 PM

Alright, the tank is ordered and with about a 5 week lead time so it will be a little quiet on this build for the next few weeks.

chull13 · 05/16/2018, 02:06 PM

Finally..... Progress in the last week. We demoed out the old display and set the tank in place. Steel stand is a beast!! We have a millwork company working on the wrapping for the tank and bulkhead. The remaining equipment and plumbing are going to be installed on Tuesday and then maybe another week before water/sand/rock.

Sisterlimonpot · 05/20/2018, 10:20 PM

I can see the transformation begin, this is a special moment to see the demo out of the way and the tanks foundation in place.. following along. What did you decide with the MP's? 2 60s or 4 40s?

McPuff · 05/22/2018, 07:40 AM

Looks like it'll be a nice system. Lots of progress already!

Editour2 · 05/22/2018, 03:28 PM

It would be beneficial if you could have access from the back of the tank, (if possible), especially since the tank is 36" deep.

Sisterlimonpot · 05/22/2018, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Editour2

It would be beneficial if you could have access from the back of the tank, (if possible), especially since the tank is 36" deep.

It would be a tight fit, behind it is a set of stairs.

Daddyrawg · 05/24/2018, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chull13

We may look into the (4) MP40s. Good thought.

I have salt and RODI water at home to top off RODI reservoir and for emergency situations. We have a bi-weekly maintenance agreement with a local vendor for cleaning and water changes. I'll handle all the minor cleaning in between.

The NASCARS will move to one of our VP's office. He's the bid NASCAR fan.

whats the vendor charge for maintanance?

chull13 · 05/29/2018, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Editour2

It would be beneficial if you could have access from the back of the tank, (if possible), especially since the tank is 36" deep.

We did install an access panel around the corner so that we can access the back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot

I can see the transformation begin, this is a special moment to see the demo out of the way and the tanks foundation in place.. following along. What did you decide with the MP's? 2 60s or 4 40s?

We ended up going with (4) MP40s

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daddyrawg

whats the vendor charge for maintanance?

He charges by the hour.

chull13 · 05/29/2018, 06:53 AM

Dry install complete! Nearly a full days work to get everything plumbed and get all of the EcoTech equipment programmed. Wet install scheduled for Thursday! Can't wait!!

Sam2832 · 05/29/2018, 05:07 PM

Nice setup!
Have you protected the plywood under the sump for the upcoming splashs/spills?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

sdweller · 05/30/2018, 12:52 PM

Looks like a great set up ! Much better use of space .
The Nascar collection will look better on a desk .
Good Luck and can't wait to see the final product !
Sea Dwellers

03/22/2018, 12:39 PM	#2
RCS82 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Sherwood Park, AB, Canada Posts: 273	Looks like a nice list, no expense spared lol. But why not go with 3 or 4 mp40s instead of 2 mp60s. Since the tank is viewable on 3 sides I would put 3 mp40s all on the back wall. __________________ After about a 16 year break from fish keeping, Wow, how things have changed. Current Tank Info: 90g, mixed reef, I hope haha

03/22/2018, 01:53 PM	#5
Scythanith Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Saskatoon Posts: 1,350	For the black back get your tank maker to build it out of black/dark smoke glass, and not just put black plastic over clear glass. Way easier to clean than the plastic overlay. And it's not your cash so who cares if it costs more, it will look better in the long run! A good builder can CNC the overflow teeth into the glass or make a small section where a plastic weir can go in and be removed for cleaning. __________________ 72x36x24 w/ Starfire viewing panes \| 2x 40g sump \| Profilux 3.1ex N \| 3x Mitras 6100HV & T5 \| RE DC250 + RD3 \| 2x Abyzz A200 \| 4x VorTech MP40 \| RK2 300MG Ozone \| Avast Marine Rx \|

05/20/2018, 10:20 PM	#8
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	I can see the transformation begin, this is a special moment to see the demo out of the way and the tanks foundation in place.. following along. What did you decide with the MP's? 2 60s or 4 40s? __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

05/22/2018, 03:28 PM	#10
Editour2 Frank Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Suffolk County, NY Posts: 1,907	It would be beneficial if you could have access from the back of the tank, (if possible), especially since the tank is 36" deep. __________________ Frank Current Tank Info: 215 gal DT, 125 gal sump, 40 gal refugium w/ATS, 20 gal frag tank, reeflo orca skimmer, Knop HD calc reac w/2nd chamber, BRS dual reac, dart rtn pump, 2x tunze 6105's on seasweeps, 2x jebao PP20's, 30gal QT, LED/T5 Ltg, 1/2 hp aqualogic chiller.

03/22/2018, 12:50 PM	#3
Smokey Stover Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Largo, Florida Posts: 361	Is there room under the stairs for a mixing station? You'll need a RO/DI unit also. Who gets the NASCAR collection?

04/09/2018, 12:12 PM	#6
chull13 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 60	Alright, the tank is ordered and with about a 5 week lead time so it will be a little quiet on this build for the next few weeks.

05/22/2018, 07:40 AM	#9
McPuff Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,735	Looks like it'll be a nice system. Lots of progress already!

05/29/2018, 05:07 PM	#15
Sam2832 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Montréal Posts: 79	Nice setup! Have you protected the plywood under the sump for the upcoming splashs/spills? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

05/30/2018, 12:52 PM	#16
sdweller Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Key Largo, Florida Posts: 51	Looks like a great set up ! Much better use of space . The Nascar collection will look better on a desk . Good Luck and can't wait to see the final product ! Sea Dwellers