270 gallon reef / basement remodel has begun

skippyreef · 08/21/2005, 10:07 PM

Its been months in the planing but it came to life this weekend. We have started to finish the basement and also build the tank (in wall) this weekend.

The tank is 72*36*24 acylic (pics will be posted) and will be a dedicated acropora / montipora reef with a heavy focus on stags and tables.

I am using all reef ceramics from www.CaptiveOceans.com (thanks Garry) instead of live rock. The equipment line up will follow in a few days.

Here are a few pics of the begining. Nothing really exciting yet but the stand when its done will hold a Semi

It will be braced in the front just like a wall but 12" OC not 16" and will be incorparated into and supported by two walls. We are building a soffit of sorts around it to allow it to be viewed length wise on one end. There is a really good reason for this and you will see it as we progress and the tank is filled and running

and this is just a little area I am thinking os using for a fitness area or WiFi computer area.

Purple Haze · 08/21/2005, 10:55 PM

are those 400's? What color bulbs? Is that the only lighting you'll be running?

Nice choice on that width.

skippyreef · 08/22/2005, 06:58 AM

Those are 250 Hamilton 20K (german) bulbs on PFO PULSE start Ballast.

I am going to use VHO as well for the middle and also have an HQI pendant if I need it but I dont think I will. I am focusing on water quality and flow in this tank and I believe the lighing in the luminarcs will be adequate to get nice colors and growth woithout having the las vegas strip and the electric bill to support a bunch of 400's LOL

skippyreef · 08/22/2005, 05:30 PM

this is the top bracing that is under the OSB.

and this is the stand wrapped is the 1/2 inch exterior grade plywood.

skippyreef · 09/03/2005, 07:46 PM

some progress!

The stand is sealed with a mildew resistant paint.

Some of the doors for the basement for access to sump pump / and other storage areas. The French door is for the fish viewing room

Test fit today!! plus we needed to get it up off the floor so we could frame in the viewing room. I am doing built in book shelves and will adorn them with corals of the world by Vernon first!

From the back LOL

More to come later on this week as we finish it al up.

NexDog · 09/05/2005, 02:04 AM

Love seeing someone's dream materialise.

Who built your tank? And I'm going with Hamilton 14k moguls on those PFO pulse start ballasts. How are you digging those?

skippyreef · 09/06/2005, 07:09 PM

I like them (the 14k's) in the Luminarcs.

I worked a little more tonight on it and am going to bust out some more tommorow down there so I can start wiring this weekend I hope.

I have decided to use Zeovit on the tank also. I have a custom reactor coming for it.

I also ordered a custom sump with a large frag area. the sump is 48*30*18 acrylic. Will post pics when it comes in.

derrikd · 09/06/2005, 07:11 PM

nice start, cant wait to see more pics

skippyreef · 09/06/2005, 07:33 PM

thanks,

Will have more after the weekend. Going to really work tommorow and the Weekend to get it all framed in.

skippyreef · 09/09/2005, 06:54 PM

here are a few more updates. I will be working tommorow towards getting more of the framing done. But I am getting closer..

zemuron114 · 09/11/2005, 01:58 AM

Does that rock seed like live rock or dead base rock??? If so that is incredible. Save a ton of money. Keep up the good work!

skippyreef · 09/11/2005, 09:33 PM

It does seed the same way.

some more pics

Where did the wall go LOL

starting to frame in the maintenance room now.

skippyreef · 09/15/2005, 09:14 AM

new updates:

getting closer!

will be wiring tommorow

Put up fascia (OSB) to make drtwalling easier around the mechanicals in the ceiling.

skippyreef · 09/23/2005, 01:13 PM

I have things wired ane will be insulating this weekend are starting drywall.

Here is my sump. It is 48-30-18 (112 gallons) and is fed by 4 bulkheads on the top from the tank. The sump is really a 2 in 1 though with a common feed to the return chamber.

The only problem is the manufacturer has to do a mod on it

The forgot that the overflow baffles needed to be 13.5 inches and they made them 17.5! SO they are going to fix it.

exhaust fan

Sump

skippyreef · 09/23/2005, 10:13 PM

This is all but one piece that I ordered from Gary at www.captiveoceans.com

this stuff is amazing to say the least! We are waiting on the large outcroping (island) before he ships it to me but he was kind enough to snap a few shots and mail them to me.

The aquascape will be kept low in height so the corals can grow up more. Back wall will be use to attach corals to as will the side. This will be viewable down one long end so in reality there will be two pieces on one end then the three on the back wall of the tank.

enjoy these pics

NexDog · 09/24/2005, 03:05 AM

What is it made out of?

skippyreef · 09/27/2005, 10:48 AM

calcium and magnesium are two ingredients. The Germans use ot with great success. Go to www.captiveoceans.com for pics of tanks with this product in use.

here are a few more updated pics. Got teh insulation in and will be wiring the exhaust fan this this weekend. The wiring is essentially done with the exception of the recessed lights in the utility room behind the tank. I am doing those after I place the fan in final posistion.

October 7-9 will hang the greenboard down there.

skippyreef · 09/27/2005, 07:48 PM

few update pics. I am mounting the exhaust fan this week and because of that I am leaving a few areas open on the wall in the utility room. beyond that I am done insulating. Need to wrap a few areas though with a vwapor seal where I used unfaced insulation.

I also think I might set up this frag tank that I put between the chairs in the pic. tried to gauge space and I still have plenty to work if I set it up.

skippyreef · 10/08/2005, 06:56 PM

new pics.... hope to finish this area tommorow

drjrose · 10/09/2005, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by skippyreef
This is all but one piece that I ordered from Gary at www.captiveoceans.com

Impressive product. I was planning on making my own out of oystercrete, but this looks better than what I could make. Do you know what it weighs compared to real live rock? How tall is it compared vs your tank?

skippyreef · 10/09/2005, 09:54 PM

I don't expect to receive teh rock until late next week or the week after. I have been waiting for one last piece to come from Germany prior to receiving it.

More pics

Hope to finishing hanging this next weekend.

Computer / office nook

Living room viewed from computer nook

Ceiling area in living room

Living room viewed from the stairs

818 · 10/10/2005, 03:14 PM

keep em comin!

skippyreef · 10/10/2005, 06:54 PM

working on it

skippyreef · 10/15/2005, 10:26 PM

The big room is done with the exception of covering the stairs. Going to look at banisters post then we will finish that.

Started in the veiwing room tonight

the ceiling is started adn we think we can finish the=is area tommow (it more straight forward than th last part and smaller).

skippyreef · 10/16/2005, 09:27 PM

We finished most of the veiwing room minus a few soffit covers today

The fan is installed over the tank to exhaust to the outside as needed. Still need to cut in the cold air returns after we get all the drywall hung to help assist with the summer humidity in the basement.

The first pic is the exhaust mounted about a foot behind the tank

View into utility room. Soffit will be built as well a the last wall and doorway in a few weeks and covered. I might do a plastic pplantation shutter to allow front and side access into the tank also. So cut outs will be done for this in the siffit after it is dry walled.

[IMG]
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ach2005132.jpg[/IMG]

The viewing room. The two nooks are for book shelves for reefing books and periodicals (might do a turquoise glass series of shelves, ocean blue)

Last is the veiw from the door way leading into the veiwing room..

08/21/2005, 10:07 PM	#1
skippyreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: under the sea Posts: 1,079	270 gallon reef / basement remodel has begun Its been months in the planing but it came to life this weekend. We have started to finish the basement and also build the tank (in wall) this weekend. The tank is 723624 acylic (pics will be posted) and will be a dedicated acropora / montipora reef with a heavy focus on stags and tables. I am using all reef ceramics from www.CaptiveOceans.com (thanks Garry) instead of live rock. The equipment line up will follow in a few days. Here are a few pics of the begining. Nothing really exciting yet but the stand when its done will hold a Semi It will be braced in the front just like a wall but 12" OC not 16" and will be incorparated into and supported by two walls. We are building a soffit of sorts around it to allow it to be viewed length wise on one end. There is a really good reason for this and you will see it as we progress and the tank is filled and running and this is just a little area I am thinking os using for a fitness area or WiFi computer area.

09/05/2005, 02:04 AM	#6
NexDog Snail Killer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kyushu, Japan Posts: 4,804	Love seeing someone's dream materialise. Who built your tank? And I'm going with Hamilton 14k moguls on those PFO pulse start ballasts. How are you digging those? __________________ Laurence Flynn 340g In-Wall Envision Tank and 150g Sump. Current Tank Info: Deltec 902, PFO hood with 3x400w Radium 20k and 4x96w PC's. Hammerhead closed loop - and 2 x Tunze 6105 (and Vortech still sucks).

09/06/2005, 07:33 PM	#9
skippyreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: under the sea Posts: 1,079	thanks, Will have more after the weekend. Going to really work tommorow and the Weekend to get it all framed in. __________________ Anacroporamademepoora Current Tank Info: 270 gallon Reef

09/23/2005, 10:13 PM	#15
skippyreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: under the sea Posts: 1,079	reef ceramics preview This is all but one piece that I ordered from Gary at www.captiveoceans.com this stuff is amazing to say the least! We are waiting on the large outcroping (island) before he ships it to me but he was kind enough to snap a few shots and mail them to me. The aquascape will be kept low in height so the corals can grow up more. Back wall will be use to attach corals to as will the side. This will be viewable down one long end so in reality there will be two pieces on one end then the three on the back wall of the tank. enjoy these pics

09/24/2005, 03:05 AM	#16
NexDog Snail Killer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kyushu, Japan Posts: 4,804	What is it made out of? __________________ Laurence Flynn 340g In-Wall Envision Tank and 150g Sump. Current Tank Info: Deltec 902, PFO hood with 3x400w Radium 20k and 4x96w PC's. Hammerhead closed loop - and 2 x Tunze 6105 (and Vortech still sucks).

08/21/2005, 10:55 PM	#2
Purple Haze Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: TX Posts: 1,156	are those 400's? What color bulbs? Is that the only lighting you'll be running? Nice choice on that width.

08/22/2005, 06:58 AM	#3
skippyreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: under the sea Posts: 1,079	Those are 250 Hamilton 20K (german) bulbs on PFO PULSE start Ballast. I am going to use VHO as well for the middle and also have an HQI pendant if I need it but I dont think I will. I am focusing on water quality and flow in this tank and I believe the lighing in the luminarcs will be adequate to get nice colors and growth woithout having the las vegas strip and the electric bill to support a bunch of 400's LOL

08/22/2005, 05:30 PM	#4
skippyreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: under the sea Posts: 1,079	this is the top bracing that is under the OSB. and this is the stand wrapped is the 1/2 inch exterior grade plywood.

09/03/2005, 07:46 PM	#5
skippyreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: under the sea Posts: 1,079	some progress! The stand is sealed with a mildew resistant paint. Some of the doors for the basement for access to sump pump / and other storage areas. The French door is for the fish viewing room Test fit today!! plus we needed to get it up off the floor so we could frame in the viewing room. I am doing built in book shelves and will adorn them with corals of the world by Vernon first! From the back LOL More to come later on this week as we finish it al up.

09/06/2005, 07:09 PM	#7
skippyreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: under the sea Posts: 1,079	I like them (the 14k's) in the Luminarcs. I worked a little more tonight on it and am going to bust out some more tommorow down there so I can start wiring this weekend I hope. I have decided to use Zeovit on the tank also. I have a custom reactor coming for it. I also ordered a custom sump with a large frag area. the sump is 483018 acrylic. Will post pics when it comes in.

09/06/2005, 07:11 PM	#8
derrikd Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: New Braunfels, Texas Posts: 3,356	nice start, cant wait to see more pics

09/09/2005, 06:54 PM	#10
skippyreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: under the sea Posts: 1,079	here are a few more updates. I will be working tommorow towards getting more of the framing done. But I am getting closer..

09/11/2005, 01:58 AM	#11
zemuron114 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pilgrim State (Mass) Posts: 4,039	Does that rock seed like live rock or dead base rock??? If so that is incredible. Save a ton of money. Keep up the good work!

09/11/2005, 09:33 PM	#12
skippyreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: under the sea Posts: 1,079	It does seed the same way. some more pics Where did the wall go LOL starting to frame in the maintenance room now.

09/15/2005, 09:14 AM	#13
skippyreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: under the sea Posts: 1,079	new updates: getting closer! will be wiring tommorow Put up fascia (OSB) to make drtwalling easier around the mechanicals in the ceiling.

09/23/2005, 01:13 PM	#14
skippyreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: under the sea Posts: 1,079	I have things wired ane will be insulating this weekend are starting drywall. Here is my sump. It is 48-30-18 (112 gallons) and is fed by 4 bulkheads on the top from the tank. The sump is really a 2 in 1 though with a common feed to the return chamber. The only problem is the manufacturer has to do a mod on it The forgot that the overflow baffles needed to be 13.5 inches and they made them 17.5! SO they are going to fix it. exhaust fan Sump

09/27/2005, 10:48 AM	#17
skippyreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: under the sea Posts: 1,079	calcium and magnesium are two ingredients. The Germans use ot with great success. Go to www.captiveoceans.com for pics of tanks with this product in use. here are a few more updated pics. Got teh insulation in and will be wiring the exhaust fan this this weekend. The wiring is essentially done with the exception of the recessed lights in the utility room behind the tank. I am doing those after I place the fan in final posistion. October 7-9 will hang the greenboard down there.

09/27/2005, 07:48 PM	#18
skippyreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: under the sea Posts: 1,079	few update pics. I am mounting the exhaust fan this week and because of that I am leaving a few areas open on the wall in the utility room. beyond that I am done insulating. Need to wrap a few areas though with a vwapor seal where I used unfaced insulation. I also think I might set up this frag tank that I put between the chairs in the pic. tried to gauge space and I still have plenty to work if I set it up.

10/08/2005, 06:56 PM	#19
skippyreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: under the sea Posts: 1,079	new pics.... hope to finish this area tommorow

10/09/2005, 09:54 PM	#21
skippyreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: under the sea Posts: 1,079	I don't expect to receive teh rock until late next week or the week after. I have been waiting for one last piece to come from Germany prior to receiving it. More pics Hope to finishing hanging this next weekend. Computer / office nook Living room viewed from computer nook Ceiling area in living room Living room viewed from the stairs

10/10/2005, 03:14 PM	#22
818 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,759	keep em comin! __________________ I'll be back.

10/10/2005, 06:54 PM	#23
skippyreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: under the sea Posts: 1,079	working on it __________________ Anacroporamademepoora Current Tank Info: 270 gallon Reef

10/15/2005, 10:26 PM	#24
skippyreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: under the sea Posts: 1,079	The big room is done with the exception of covering the stairs. Going to look at banisters post then we will finish that. Started in the veiwing room tonight the ceiling is started adn we think we can finish the=is area tommow (it more straight forward than th last part and smaller).

10/16/2005, 09:27 PM	#25
skippyreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: under the sea Posts: 1,079	We finished most of the veiwing room minus a few soffit covers today The fan is installed over the tank to exhaust to the outside as needed. Still need to cut in the cold air returns after we get all the drywall hung to help assist with the summer humidity in the basement. The first pic is the exhaust mounted about a foot behind the tank View into utility room. Soffit will be built as well a the last wall and doorway in a few weeks and covered. I might do a plastic pplantation shutter to allow front and side access into the tank also. So cut outs will be done for this in the siffit after it is dry walled. [IMG] http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ach2005132.jpg[/IMG] The viewing room. The two nooks are for book shelves for reefing books and periodicals (might do a turquoise glass series of shelves, ocean blue) Last is the veiw from the door way leading into the veiwing room..