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 12/29/2015, 10:24 AM   #1
CrazyDiamond
Registered Member
 
CrazyDiamond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: North NJ
Posts: 69
Tall 485 gallon in-wall build

Hi All -

I have been recreationally keeping saltwater fish and corals (off and on) for about 15 years and finally the time has come to do a fairly large in-wall tank build in my home. I be setting up a 96x24x42 glass aquarium in the wall of an addition we are building on the back of the house. I have made a lot of progress so far with planning and will post some pics.


__________________
-Shine On-

485 gallon Build Picture Album:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=10539

Current Tank Info: 485 gallon in wall - 96"x24"x42" - December 2015 New Build
CrazyDiamond is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 12/29/2015, 10:37 AM   #2
CrazyDiamond
Registered Member
 
CrazyDiamond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: North NJ
Posts: 69
Smile

Here is the aquarium.


Attached Images
File Type: jpg image.jpg (57.1 KB, 576 views)
__________________
-Shine On-

485 gallon Build Picture Album:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=10539

Current Tank Info: 485 gallon in wall - 96"x24"x42" - December 2015 New Build
CrazyDiamond is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 12/29/2015, 11:32 AM   #3
CrazyDiamond
Registered Member
 
CrazyDiamond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: North NJ
Posts: 69
Smile Construction to add addition to home

Here are some pics of the construction to build the addition onto the house. The addition is where the aquarium will be located.


Attached Images
File Type: jpg image.jpg (103.6 KB, 391 views)
__________________
-Shine On-

485 gallon Build Picture Album:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=10539

Current Tank Info: 485 gallon in wall - 96"x24"x42" - December 2015 New Build
CrazyDiamond is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 12/29/2015, 12:20 PM   #4
CrazyDiamond
Registered Member
 
CrazyDiamond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: North NJ
Posts: 69
Construction - continued

Room is framed


Attached Images
File Type: jpg image.jpg (95.8 KB, 343 views)
__________________
-Shine On-

485 gallon Build Picture Album:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=10539

Current Tank Info: 485 gallon in wall - 96"x24"x42" - December 2015 New Build
CrazyDiamond is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 12/29/2015, 01:13 PM   #5
chimmike
oxygen abuser
 
chimmike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Parrish, FL
Posts: 5,089
Blog Entries: 2
Cool! Tall tank, hope you have some good grabbers!


__________________
-Mike
Tankless wonder
Geaux Noles!
chimmike is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 12/29/2015, 02:06 PM   #6
dave.m
Registered Member
 
dave.m's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Canadia
Posts: 4,276
A tall thin tank like this is better suited to fish than corals. Are you aiming for a FOWLR?

Dave.M


__________________
My Gawd! It's full of corals!

Current Tank Info: None. Nil. Zip. Nada.
dave.m is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 12/29/2015, 02:32 PM   #7
Zacktosterone
Registered Member
 
Zacktosterone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Sault Ste Marie Ont
Posts: 2,475
If you havt purchased it I would fit sure go at least 36 front to back for that size of tank for corals



Last edited by Zacktosterone; 12/29/2015 at 02:39 PM.
Zacktosterone is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 12/29/2015, 02:53 PM   #8
CrazyDiamond
Registered Member
 
CrazyDiamond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: North NJ
Posts: 69
Quote:
Originally Posted by chimmike View Post
Cool! Tall tank, hope you have some good grabbers!
yes - my arms only take me about half way down. I will need to find some long grabbers to reach the bottom.


__________________
-Shine On-

485 gallon Build Picture Album:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=10539

Current Tank Info: 485 gallon in wall - 96"x24"x42" - December 2015 New Build
CrazyDiamond is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 12/29/2015, 03:06 PM   #9
CrazyDiamond
Registered Member
 
CrazyDiamond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: North NJ
Posts: 69
Quote:
Originally Posted by dave.m View Post
A tall thin tank like this is better suited to fish than corals. Are you aiming for a FOWLR?

Dave.M
Dave- I am not quite sure yet. Part of me wants to do some big show fish with 2 or 3 tall rock structures (lots of open space) for them to swim around. The other part of me wants to explore the possibilities of building some sort of a tall reef design.

I have always had corals- so, I will probably keep going back and forth on this until it is time to place the rock in the tank.


__________________
-Shine On-

485 gallon Build Picture Album:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=10539

Current Tank Info: 485 gallon in wall - 96"x24"x42" - December 2015 New Build
CrazyDiamond is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 12/29/2015, 03:36 PM   #10
CrazyDiamond
Registered Member
 
CrazyDiamond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: North NJ
Posts: 69
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zacktosterone View Post
If you havt purchased it I would fit sure go at least 36 front to back for that size of tank for corals
Zacktosterone- Yes, perhaps if I had the aquarium special made, I may have gone deeper. However, I was able to get this tank from a buddy. So, the plan for this aquarium is to be flush in the wall with front access.


__________________
-Shine On-

485 gallon Build Picture Album:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=10539

Current Tank Info: 485 gallon in wall - 96"x24"x42" - December 2015 New Build
CrazyDiamond is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 12/29/2015, 05:28 PM   #11
CrazyDiamond
Registered Member
 
CrazyDiamond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: North NJ
Posts: 69
Addition is all closed up

Construction moving along...


Attached Images
File Type: jpg image.jpg (53.8 KB, 216 views)
__________________
-Shine On-

485 gallon Build Picture Album:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=10539

Current Tank Info: 485 gallon in wall - 96"x24"x42" - December 2015 New Build
CrazyDiamond is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 12/30/2015, 09:48 PM   #12
CrazyDiamond
Registered Member
 
CrazyDiamond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: North NJ
Posts: 69
Sheet rocked room

Getting there - sheetrock is in and the aquarium is going in next. More pics coming.


Attached Images
File Type: jpg image.jpg (68.2 KB, 192 views)
CrazyDiamond is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 12/30/2015, 09:51 PM   #13
CrazyDiamond
Registered Member
 
CrazyDiamond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: North NJ
Posts: 69
Walls are painted

Making progress


Attached Images
File Type: jpg image.jpg (53.1 KB, 227 views)
CrazyDiamond is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 12/30/2015, 10:16 PM   #14
CrazyDiamond
Registered Member
 
CrazyDiamond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: North NJ
Posts: 69
And....she is in !

Rented a lift. It took me, the contractor, the plumber plus his helper ALL to get the aquarium onto the stand and into the wall. Whew.... It looks great ! Looking forward to completing the plumbing and getting the sump into place. Ordered a custom acrylic MRC 72" x 20" x 18". Gonna try to run a reeflo snapper / dart as the primary return pump and the new Ecotech Vectra L1 for the closed loop. I have 2 internal overflows in the L and R rear corners and 2 pre drilled holes on the bottom glass for the closed loop.


Attached Images
File Type: jpg image.jpg (56.5 KB, 358 views)
__________________
-Shine On-

485 gallon Build Picture Album:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=10539

Current Tank Info: 485 gallon in wall - 96"x24"x42" - December 2015 New Build
CrazyDiamond is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 12/31/2015, 08:11 AM   #15
CrazyDiamond
Registered Member
 
CrazyDiamond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: North NJ
Posts: 69
MRC custom sump

This sump is gonna be magnificent.

I asked MRC make the front out of clear acrylic and the back, bottom and sides out of white acrylic so I can more clearly see into the chambers of the sump. The sump deaign is basically a 72" long veraion of their bio chamber model sump. If I have the clearance under the tank, to get in there, I will look to place some equiptment in the sump. (Reactors, heators, etc.). There is a chamber for bio media. I think i will have to get an external skimmer due to height limitations under the tank and run it to one of the closets on the left or right of the tank.


There will be four 1.5" drain lines to allow me to use all 4 of my predrilled holes in the overflow configuration for drainage. The fifth predrilled hole will be plumbed as the intake for the closed loop running to the Vectra. With two 1.5" main drains and two emergency's, I should be able to get some fierce flow through the sump and filtration if I want. I am gonna install valves on the main drain lines and on the return, so I can tune the drains to match the return flow back from the snapper/dart pump and get the flow where I want it.

Return line will come up the side of the tank (in the closet) and over the top of the aquarium with a few lock line returns pointing in various directions. Still figuring out how to construct the closed loop returns. I may build them with 1" pvc through the sand / rock with T's pointing the flow all around to ensure no dead spots.....not sure if there is a better methodology on directing closed loop flow.... ?

If anyone has any ideas on how to design the closed loop flow on this tall boy, please share some ideas.


Let the plumbing begin !


Attached Images
File Type: jpg image.jpg (86.3 KB, 229 views)
__________________
-Shine On-

485 gallon Build Picture Album:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=10539

Current Tank Info: 485 gallon in wall - 96"x24"x42" - December 2015 New Build
CrazyDiamond is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 12/31/2015, 08:22 AM   #16
d-man
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: San Diego, ca
Posts: 2,732
Nice. Mine is 43"t but 32" d. It's a mixed reef. I love my dimensions, yes I have long grippers and can easily reach the bottom. The toughest part is applying the corals when I feel it is time to secure them. Since applying pressure is a challenge. Other than that my fish free swimming space is great and so is my aquascape for most corals. I even have clams at the bottom that granted only been 1.5months they've been in, are doing great.
Have fun and enjoy


d-man is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/01/2016, 09:39 AM   #17
CrazyDiamond
Registered Member
 
CrazyDiamond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: North NJ
Posts: 69
Thanks d-man. Your tank sounds sweet. I am looking forward to getting this one up and running very soon. Cheers


CrazyDiamond is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/01/2016, 09:44 AM   #18
CrazyDiamond
Registered Member
 
CrazyDiamond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: North NJ
Posts: 69
Another shot of the tank in the wall before the plumbing goes in.


Attached Images
File Type: jpg image.jpg (52.0 KB, 326 views)
CrazyDiamond is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/01/2016, 09:46 AM   #19
CrazyDiamond
Registered Member
 
CrazyDiamond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: North NJ
Posts: 69
Painting the inside of the stand with moisture resistant paint before the sump and plumbing goes in.


CrazyDiamond is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/01/2016, 09:54 AM   #20
CrazyDiamond
Registered Member
 
CrazyDiamond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: North NJ
Posts: 69
I'm Kinda like a modern day Abe Lincoln working by 'candlelight' during the wee hours. Good thing My contractor left his extension cord and portable light. I really should get my electrician back up here to 'juice up' the room with some lights !


Attached Images
File Type: jpg image.jpg (34.2 KB, 208 views)
CrazyDiamond is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/01/2016, 10:50 AM   #21
dsailf28r
Registered Member
 
dsailf28r's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Salinas, Ca
Posts: 3
Tank manufacturer

Hey im looking for a similar tank. Where did you buy it?


__________________
DK

Current Tank Info: 180 reef
dsailf28r is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/01/2016, 11:48 AM   #22
CrazyDiamond
Registered Member
 
CrazyDiamond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: North NJ
Posts: 69
Dsailf28r-

Sorry; I did not buy it directly from a manufacturer; So I have no idea who made it. I got it from a buddy of mine. But, whoever built it is my hero. This aquarium is built like a TANK. The front glass is low iron & the glass that was used is super thick all the way around (commercial grade).

If you find someone who will make one out of glass like this (this size) for you, make sure it is commercial grade.


CrazyDiamond is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/02/2016, 09:41 PM   #23
CrazyDiamond
Registered Member
 
CrazyDiamond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: North NJ
Posts: 69
Sump is in...

Sump fits like a glove.


Attached Images
File Type: jpg image.jpg (51.4 KB, 259 views)
__________________
-Shine On-

485 gallon Build Picture Album:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=10539

Current Tank Info: 485 gallon in wall - 96"x24"x42" - December 2015 New Build
CrazyDiamond is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/02/2016, 09:54 PM   #24
CrazyDiamond
Registered Member
 
CrazyDiamond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: North NJ
Posts: 69
Plumbing aint easy....

Geeze Louise - Some tight working space underneath the aquarium, but I got all the major drain line plumbing worked out. Kinda felt like a mechanic working underneath a cadillac eldorado on my back for 4 hours. Nothing like a little pvc cement dripping straight onto the forehead.

Anyway, glad that phase is completed. (Or so I hope) I am filling it up tonight with fresh H20 and I'm gonna let the water sit for a few days ; hoping all my bulkheads and fittings are well sealed. Will probably wake up every 30 minutes thru the night to go check on it.

Fingers (and toes) crossed.


Attached Images
File Type: jpg image.jpg (50.2 KB, 172 views)
__________________
-Shine On-

485 gallon Build Picture Album:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=10539

Current Tank Info: 485 gallon in wall - 96"x24"x42" - December 2015 New Build
CrazyDiamond is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01/02/2016, 10:00 PM   #25
CrazyDiamond
Registered Member
 
CrazyDiamond's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: North NJ
Posts: 69
Pvc all cemented

Close up Pic with drain fittings cemented into sump


Attached Images
File Type: jpg image.jpg (60.2 KB, 128 views)
CrazyDiamond 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 04:23 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.