Tanglovers 520g Build

[tanglovers]

Well as a few of you know we have decided to upgrade. I am going to try to be good about a build thread this time.

The existing 220 gallon tank is down and the 520 gallon build has started. This tank will be inwall like the 220 was with a fishroom directly behind. The fish room was built and fully sealed off from the house with its own exhaust fan. So far 3 winters, around 1200g of saltwater running and no condensation anywhere in the house!!!

The new display tank will be a 520 Gallon Aquarium Obsessed glass tank that we picked up from a fellow hobbyist. Dimensions are 96" x 42" x 30" (L x W x H) with a center rear, external overflow box. Some of you know the tank, it was Tomasz' tank.

Tank will be an SPS reef tank with a fairly high fish bioload. Also hooked into the system will be a 6' 100g and a 6' 150g that are utilized for fish conditioning and also to house a few species I am working on breeding.

System Statisitics So Far:

Electrical: Five Dedicated 20 amp circuits, all GFCI protected.

Display Tank: 520g 96" x 42" x 30" AO Glass Tank, Starfire Front

Stand: 37" tall 2" Square Steel Construction with rear catwalk / platform, coated in white Herculiner Bed Liner

Sumps: Two 36" x 30" x 18" glass tanks plumbed together with four 2" bulkheads. This way I can still remove them if ever needed when the tank is in place. If a single large sump was gone with it could not be removed in one piece after the tank was in place.

Lighting: Three 400w Halides, 20k Radiums SE, in Luminarc LA III Reflectors. Four 48" Reef Brite LED Blue Strips.

Protein Skimmers: Bubble King Delux 300 Internal and Bubble King Supermarin 250. Total water volume will be between 800 and 900 gallons so I wanted strong skimming potential.

Water Flow: Two Reeflow Dart Closed Loops with Oceans Motions 4 Ways for background / general flow. Vortech MP40s (maybe 60s) will be added as needed.

Return Pumps: Three ATB Flow Star 1500s, one to feed the back 100g and 150g and two to the 520g. Returns in the 520 will be through 1" Sea-Swirls. Multiple pumps are run for redundancy, each on a different circuit.

UV / Ozone: I am planning on having two 40w Rainbow UVs plumbed into each return pump. This way if nedded, all return water will flow through the UVs. Planning on not running them all, all the time. Each set of two UVs has a Rainbow Mechanical fiter unit before it to remove any sediment or particles from the water so the UVs will be the most effective possible. I also have a 100mg Red Sea Ozone unit I was running on the current 220 but not planning on utilizing this on the new build.

Calcium / Alkalinity Control: Geo 818 Calcium Reactor, with Cole Parmer Dosing Pump and Reef Fanatic Solenoid and pH Controller. I also have a 6" Diameter GEO Kalk reactor I am considering using.

Water Changes: Litermeter Automatic Water Change Setup, changing 15 gallons daily.

Controller / Monitor: Apex setup to mostly monitor, will also be monitoring our 60g NPS and 520g Freshwater Stingray Tanks

Rock: I have around 400 lbs of Haitian Dry Rock here, will be seeded with some live rock.

Sand: 2" or so, Caribsea Special Sea Floor Grade Sand

I have been accumulating all the equipment the last few months and now that I have it all, the project can officially start I will get pics up tomorrow if I get a chance.

[tanglovers]

Few Pics:

Tank - backwards and not fully cleaned yet:
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0498.jpg

Old Wall Opening After 220 Removed -
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0503.jpg

Wall Modified Drywall Still In Progress -
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0525.jpg

Fish Holding System Until New Tank is Up -
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0508.jpg

Haitian Dryrock - Thanks to the Trop!!!
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0509.jpg

[tanglovers]

Update, sorry no pics. Will get some tomorrow.

I built a ramp and platform to aid in moving the tank. Basically the tank currently is on a cart I built, I have concrete all the way to my walkout. We are pulling the slider out, will roll the tank in, up a slight ramp and onto a platform that will make the tank sitting about 3" higher then the stand. This way we do not have to do any vertical lifting of the tank, just slide it off the cart onto the stand.

Got the drywall nearly 100% done, the mud took a little longer to dry then I expected, should have put a dehumidifier or fan in there to speed it up. I finished where the tank is going. I still have some finish sanding and likely one last coat to do on the outside of the wall.

Also drilled four holes in the eurobracing today in order to be closed loop returns. These are in the front for 1" bulkheads.

I also replaced a GFCI outlet in one of my circuits that was just not acting quite right so that is all resolved as well.

Other then that not much else to report today. Aquascaping is all done (outside of the tank), I really like how it came out. My wife did a great job with it, much nicer then I expected....this was I think attempt #3-4, this is the official one now.....she likes it as much as I do Before I liked it but she did not.

Looks like Monday my Hawaii fish will be arriving, well not all are Hawaiian but coming from there. If they acclimate well and these should be some nice additions. One for the 520 and one for our colder tank upstairs.

[tanglovers]

Well the tank is in place! The move went very easy, took maybe 20 minutes to move in the tank and stand.

Many thanks goes out to:

Invert
Masonite
Dagda
Dejavu
Pitbullguy
Wreckscuba
Lgerber
CK1
Planecrazy
Wingedwheel

I think that was everyone here, if I missed anyone no offense intended!!

I will get some pics up of the moving process (only got a few since it was over and done so quickly) and of it in place.

[tanglovers]

Alright update time. Made some decent progress.

Here is a quick pic of the stand before we moved it in, it is coated in white herculiner. The brackets on the left side of the pic is for the catwalk along the back of the tank.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0530.jpg

Here is a couple shots of the ramp and platform build to aid in the tank positioning, this worked perfectly! I also laid down plywood across my whole basement floor to protect the porcelein tile:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0526.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0529.jpg

Stand in position - no action shots here just the after, basically it was lifted through the wall into the fish room:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0531.jpg

Here is actual tank move pics, a couple anyhow:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0541.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0543.jpg

Break time, up on the platform:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0546.jpg

Push! Moving the tank off the cart it rested on and on the stand. This was easy, when we rolled the tank and cart onto the raised platform, it made the bottom of the tank about 3" higher then the top of the stand:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0549.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0554.jpg

Checking to ensure proper positioning:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0555.jpg

[tanglovers]

Here is a shot of the tank after I did a quick cleaning, still a little more to get cleaned up:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0556.jpg

My wife's hard work - aquascaping: I love the way it came out, exceeding any expections I had by far. Pics do not do it justice IMO.

Full Shot:
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0597.jpg

Right Side:
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0599.jpg

Left Side:
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0598.jpg

Back of the tank, shows some of the stand too:
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0600.jpg

[XSiVE]

Im really looking forward to seeing the progress on this build!!!

[ReeferRob]

That was quick LOL, glad you decided to come over here and share this amazing build with us!
Im not sure what's more impressive, the planning, the team work, the shear size of your system or your wife's participation. Aquascaping is one of my favorite parts about setting up a new tank and of the hobby and she did an amazing job.
Last week I got in a big fight with my wife about "this coral is new, how much was that".......It has been in the tank for months and the tank is right next to her beloved TV LOL.

[tanglovers]

You and me both :)

Will start working on the in tank, closed loop plumbing today. I also have to turn my nice new sumps into swiss cheese today. Between the two of them I have 11 holes to drill.

Also, today I will likely take apart the platform now (used it to aid in aquascaping) and finish the drywall on the outside of the fish room, then get it painted.

[ReeferRob]

Keep us posted on this beauty! Wish you lived closer would love to help put together a nice big system like this!

[tanglovers]

My wife enjoys the hobby, not as much as I think she use to but that is my fault. She loved it when we had around 150g of saltwater. Once we got over the 1000g mark she lost some interest. The upgrade, everything is going to be automatic (even looking at a robotic front algae scrubber).

Some of the most expensive aquatic animals we have were her pics.....not very many wife's would appreciate a clarion angel christmas present...

She is really enjoying the upstairs 60g rimless, non-photo, cold tank we set up a couple months ago the most. This tank needs its own build, it is coming along nicely - 65ish gallons of water, running at 65-69 degrees WITHOUT a chiller.....

[ReeferRob]

Which is the ELOS mini you grabbed from Austin.....or am I thinking of someone else?

[jimsflies]

Sweet! That think takes up the whole wall!

[Rabidgoose]

Looks good!! Keep us posted, I love the big tank build threads. Fish on the way? What? How about a list of
your stocking plans. Oh......and a pic of the twin BK's in action as well........:)

[tanglovers]

I did buy an elos mini from Austin but never set it up. When aquascaping just realized it would be too small. We sold it and ordered a Miracles 60g Rimless - 36" x 22" x 18" (L x W x H).

I will not be posting a stocking list until fish are added to the tank :) Have to have some surprise and suspense to the thread. It will include most all our existing fish with a fair number of additions and some very rare ones if they do well.

Won't be quite a while until there is a pic of the pair of BKs running side by side. My old one (BK 300) is not running currently, until the 520 has water in it. The new one (BK 250 SM) is running on the fish holding system.

Fish on the way...there are two boxes of fish (not that many just wanted them in lots of water to make a safe trip) coming tomorrow. It is really just targetted around 2 fish then some filler stuff to take up space in the boxes :)

[Rabidgoose]

Aw.........drat............:big_grin:

....I will not be posting a stocking list until fish are added to the tank :) Have to have some surprise and suspense to the thread. It will include most all our existing fish with a fair number of additions and some very rare ones if they do well....

I figured it would be a while for the BK's

[schminksbro]

Lookin great so far Scott! I look forward to the progress!

[Sir Patrick]

Gonne be a sight to see all full of fish!! Thats a HUGE tank!!

[tanglovers]

Thanks.

Well small update. I got the final mud coat on the outside wall of the tank today, should be able to sand tomorrow and get some paint on there. This means we can get the basement cleaned and re-assembled - our main TV we watch is right by the tank and it was just upgraded....I really want to try out the 3D on it!

Yesterday and today I did not get a whole lot done, lots of errands to run. As a side note, my fish from Hawaii came in VERY nice....they are all in QT and settling in. Once they are past the critical phase I will think about getting some pics.

Maybe I need Dejavu to stop on over to get some pics....I know he is dying to see some of the fish that came in anyhow....

[XSiVE]

question: I noticed that you have(had?) some space above the tank in the hole in the wall. Are you planning on putting doors up there for front access? My in-wall is completely boxed in and Im not so sure I like it that way.

[pjr]

...Some of the most expensive aquatic animals we have were her pics.....not very many wife's would appreciate a clarion angel christmas present...

She is really enjoying the upstairs 60g rimless, non-photo, cold tank we set up a couple months ago the most. This tank needs its own build, it is coming along nicely - 65ish gallons of water, running at 65-69 degrees WITHOUT a chiller.....

Keep us posted.... You have cool tanks... and a cool wife! Some spouses do nothing but complain about tanks...

[tanglovers]

question: I noticed that you have(had?) some space above the tank in the hole in the wall. Are you planning on putting doors up there for front access? My in-wall is completely boxed in and Im not so sure I like it that way.

I will have front access to the tank. This one will be set up just like my 220 was. I have large panels that hang on the wall made from Starboard that gives it a finish look. For front access, they slide to the slide or lift off for full access.

Here is an shot to give you an idea from the 220. Hopefully tomorrow evening, this area will be back to looking like this, right now while I am doing the drywall finishing the sectional and everything is piled in the corner on the other side of the basement.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/Basment001.jpg

[ReeferRob]

Now that's pretty trick. That's one reason I've alway not really loved in walls, but that is a creative solution that looks great.

[tanglovers]

It was modeled after RalphP's TOTM on RC from a few years ago. He hired a company to make his, this was my version of it. Works great. Making a couple small changes to them this time I install them but it will be virtually the same look.

[XSiVE]

If it's not too much trouble I would love some detailed pics of how you put that together. I was just talking to my wife tonight about possibly adding front access to mine and Im looking for ideas so it doesnt just look like a cabinet above my display :redneck:

[tanglovers]

It is a real simple design. It is basically to 45 degree angle pieces that sit on each other.

There is a strip that is mounted to the wall with a 45 angel outward:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/StarboardonWall.jpg

Then on the back of the panel is another strip with a 45 angel outward:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/starboardonpanel.jpg

As you can see very simple to work with. I used 3/8" thick starboard. They were expensive to buy in full sheets but it works great, holds up well against the water and lighting and cleans up very well.

[ReeferRob]

There's only one problem I see with this design.......the couch is facing the wrong way. Need to rotate 90 degrees left!

[tanglovers]

LOL, we just get a kink in our neck sometimes, esp if the TV show is not very good or lots of commercials. The TV in the pic got fried by lighting, the new one is a little bigger and sits closer to the wall.

[cg5071]

Nice build! yeah, I know all about the "When did you get that?" I dont really get the money questions though, good thing.

[tanglovers]

Update, pics to come tomorrow.

Aquascaping was modified slightly to add a little more character and to make the main viewing angle a little more pleasing (due to couch location).

Wall is all done and painted.

Intank plumbing is done, all dry fit. I need to glue and then paint it - going to rough it up with some 240 grit sandpaper and then paint with Krylon Fusion paint. Then let it set up until the tank is filled - at least a week out.

Big change was I made an access door / opening on wall next to the stand to allow me to get the sumps in place easier. I made roughly a 32" x 36" opening for this. Made sure it was beefed up as this was in a load bearing wall but it is all done and went great. Is stronger now then before This opening was not a huge deal because my fish room is on both sides of the wall, will look nice when done. There will be plywood doors held in place with magnets.

Tomorrow game plan:

- Order the baffles for the sumps
- Clean up old equipment (BK300, Geo 818, Geo Kalk, ATBs)
- Drill holes in sumps (11 holes total)

[Fordris]

Loveing this tank build. thanks for the great idea for front access cover panels

[tanglovers]

Been doing lots of dry fitting and playing with plumbing on the tank this week. Have not worked on it a ton, built an oak bookcase for the living room and wrapping up things getting ready for winter outside (getting turtles ready to hibernate, raking leaves, final fertilizer etc).

I have some black acrylic pieces I will be using as part of the background in the tank (removable), will be painted around the closed loop holes.

I have most of the my catwalk build and painted, I just have to add the Corian to it tomorrow and install it.

Baffles will be getting isntalled in the sumps tomorrow as well (at least started - do not think I can silicone them all in at the same time, have to let some setup before moving forward on the next ones).

[Sir Patrick]

A catwalk over top of the tank?!?!? Nice!!

[tanglovers]

Maybe I should not call it a catwalk. It is behind the tank, runs the full length of the tank and sits at the bottom edge of the tank. Makes getting in there a ton easier. This platform is a foot wide.

[Sir Patrick]

Ah- I see. Still a very good idea! I can see it in the pics, looking back now.

[ReeferRob]

Getting excited for you, keep us updated and hopefully with lots of pics!

[tanglovers]

Well it is update time finally :) I have gotten a fair amount done, though looking at the pics it may not look like it.

All the intank plumbing is done, painted and installed for the two dart closed loops. Each of these closed loops with have an ocean motions 4 way so there are a total of 2 intakes and 8 outputs. Each 2" intake was split into four 1.5" intakes with a manifold. This was all the 3000 gallons is not being drawn from one spot but spread out.

Paul for Oceans Motions gets credit for the overall water flow, he is a genius with water movement. The closed loop flow is going to be a rough "gyre" or dynamic flow which means the flow is all going in the same circular form and not being counter-productive. The flow will come down the back of the tank across the bottom to the front, up the front and across the top to the back. This is why there are four outputs along the back bottom (holes and plumbing redirected to accomodate this without drilling more holes) and four along the front top.

Back side view of the right side (as looking from the front of the tank) plumbing:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0607.jpg

Back side view of the left side (right side from front) plumbing:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0606.jpg

Plumbing was also done and routed to try and conceal as much as possible by the rockwork. The back of the tank will be black and the plumbing was all painted with black fusion paint (PVC sanded first to increase adhesion). I am very happy with the way this came out as the end product.

The background of the tank is going to bea mix of black acrylic and black paint. I wanted something to conceal the external overflow. So I added a piece of 1/8" black acrylic to the inside of the tank to hide this. There are then two large black panels on the outside of the tank in the lower corners. These are removable incase I need to inspect things back here (ie. sick fish, coral fell down etc). The rest (now clear in the below pic) will be painted black - basically around the holes in the back.

Covers in place:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0604.jpg

Covers removed:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0605.jpg

In those pics you can also see the corian covered platform I have behind the tank. This came out very well. The darts will sit on here and be a platform to stand on to work on the tank. The holes in the platform are for the two drains to go down and through.

Also the baffles are all added to the sumps. I have not cleaned up the messy silicone yet in areas I made a mess but you will get the point. It is two 90 extra wides (36" x 30" x 18" - L x W x H) that will be plumbed end to end with four 2" bulkheads.

Sump that will hold the dual skimmers:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0608.jpg

Second Sump - future plans unknown but it was needed for overflow of water in a power outage is the #1 purpose. It could house frags or something but no plans of this at this time:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0609.jpg

Current front tank shot - most of the plumbing concealed, back panels on, the clear areas wil be painted black. The sea swirls on the top rear corners will be the returns from the sump:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0603.jpg

[fishtal]

Looks Awesome man! Great job so far!

[XSiVE]

okay question.. are the CL intakes those 4 upward-facing PVC T's? If so, are they arranged like this to divide the suction so less sticks to them? Did you cover them with anything?

[tanglovers]

Yes the closed loop intakes are the manifolds with the four 1.5" (the actual top of the intake is a 2" to 1.5" reducer) inlets. I have not covered them yet but will be utilizing black egg crate sort of sitting down in the intake piece - part of why the 2" to 1.5" reducer was picked. A manifold was used to divide up the suction and spread it out a little more along the back of the tank. This was an idea from Paul at Oceans Motions and I am very curious to see how I like it.

[ReeferRob]

Very impressive and well thought out. It appears as though you will be able to skip using any other pumps for flow like the VT, but incase of a power outage what will be your fail safe?
The sea swirls in the corners are for return flow from the sump, what pump or pumps will you be using for the returns.
Do you find sea swirls to be dependable and reliable? I owned one once but it fried itself shortly after purchase. I've wanted to try another one but have been skeptical.
Also curious what you use to paint the PVC black? Is there any prep work involved such as sanding the pipe so that the paint stick better?

[tanglovers]

For painting the PVC I sanded it with 220grit sandpaper to rough it up then used Krylon Fusion paint. As long as you let it cure a miniumum of a week it is completely reef safe (at least that is what my research said). I am a little unsure of the long term results as I have heard mixed things about it chipping. Seems like if you prep it it does well. If this does not last, I will redo the pieces in schedule 80 grey.

For return pumps, I am using ATB FlowStar 1500s. Three of them total, 2 to feed the main tank and 1 to feed the back tanks that will eventually be plumbed together.

Sea swirls, I have never used them. I too have heard mixed results. From what I have gathered you need to make sure no XL snails or anything else block them. As long as they are unrestricted they can last for quite a while (been hearind 3-4 years). If I am not happy with these long term, they will be plumbed on unions and there will be a fixed 90 and bulkhead in the hole the sea swirl is currently using.

I am not planning on my closed loops being the only flow. It will be to start but I am planning on needing mroe flow as the corals mature. I am thinking either two MP60 vortechs or four MP40s on the ends. San jays 500 has a two dart closed loops and he has needed to add I think 4 or 5 MP40s to get enough flow to his mature coral colonies.

For a power outage, the tank will be monitored (not controlled) by an Apex to email / text me alerts. I currently have a generator here but it is not an autostart and would require running extension cords etc. In the spring, we are buying a larger generator and I am having an electrician wire in a transfer switch to make an easier generator hook up. It will be large enough to run all the fish tanks and the fridges/freezers. Not a whole house standby but something much easier to hook up and that anyone could do.

[tanglovers]

Update, pics to follow tomorrow if I get some time.

Closed loops are all done and plumbed in - two darts each with an Oceans Motions 4 ways. I used spa-flex for the longer runs and like the way it came out. I ran the long way around the tank and not across so there will not be any shadowing created.

Wendi has done some small changes to the aquascaping here and there, when I do not think it can get any better she seems to find a way to do so. I still can't beleive how awesome the aquascaping turned out.

I added the dry sand to the tank, it is about an inch and a half across the whole tank which so far equated to right about 400 lbs (dry). This was Carib Sea Special Sea Floor Grade.

Return plumbing is about 1/2 way done. The 1" sea swirls are mounted to the tank rim (drilled a 1.5" bulkhead hole to drop the nozzle down into the tank). I then removed all the plastic mounted hardware for the sea swirl and used some industrial velcro to hold it onto the euro-bracing. I also have all the UVs in place and the mechanical prefilters for each of them. This took quite a while to figure out a way that I could easily service them, remove them for cleaning and not have them take up a ton of room (there are 6 UVs and 3 mechanical filters). If all goes well the UVs will never even be turned on but I want them there incase needed.

All pressure lines (returns, closed loops) is plumbed in grey PVC and spaflex. The drain lines will all be in white PVC. Everything is also getting labeled when it is all done as well.

Tank background is all done, mix of paint (around the closed loop holes), acrylic on the outside of the aquarium (to allow me to look behind the rockwork) and the inside of the aquarium (to hide the external overflow box).

I think that is most of what I have accomplished, does not seem like much when I type it but I feel like I got a good amount done the last few days.

[Sir Patrick]

Pics!!!!!!!!!!!

[ReeferRob]

Sounds amazing, did you remember to scape away from the back wall so that you can service the plumbing and scrape the glass!?

[tanglovers]

There is no rock touching any of the side or back of the tank to allow for plumbing maintenance and algae cleaning. Behind the rockwork there is roughly 4" not touching anything, on the sides is 4-6" and across the front there is 8"+ for the most part. This is to give the illusion of the reef sitting back away from the tank and allow for lots of swim space for the numerous fish this tank will hold....

[tanglovers]

Well after much delay (from posting online), here is an update.

Tank is filled with saltwater, took I think 6 days (maybe 7 lost track), there are no leaks in the plumbing and the tank is cycling. I have the return pumps and the closed loop pumps running. Getting real nice flow in the tank, once corals are added and start to grow out I am sure more flow will be needed but I figured that from the start. The two dart closed loops were not designed to be the exclusive flow long term.

Rocks were all mortored while still dry using the mix from Marco Rocks, thi stuff worked great and I would highly recommend. There is about 350-400lbs of dry sand in the tank and comes out being around 1-1.5" thick.

All drain plumbing is done in white PCV while all feed and pressure lines are done in gray PVC (still schedule 40).

Here are some pics:

Right Side of Tank:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0621.jpg

Left Side of Tank:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0622.jpg

Back Shot of Closed Loop Pumps:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0617.jpg

Return Plumbing (bad shot but the best I can do until the fish holding system is moved):

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0618.jpg

Top Shot Of Closed Loop Plumbing:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0623.jpg

[tanglovers]

Still to do:

- Mount lighting over tank and figure out exact spacing
- Setup calcium reactor
- Setup auto top off and figure out which reservior I will be using
- Paint a set of 90s for the front closed loop returns (had to redo these - lower them down some - so gray ones are in short term)
- Dose Prodibio to hopefully speed up the cycle
- I am sore more I am forgetting at the moment

[Sir Patrick]

Nice and clean look! Very nice.

[ReeferRob]

Absolutely awesome stuff . I am truly jealous.

I've been wanting to play with the stuff from Marco for a while, does it dry and cure quickly?

[tanglovers]

Yeah it does, mix it in small batches, I had about 10 minutes of work time, hard in about 20 minutes (to the touch) and they say fully cured in 24 hours but I am sure much quicker. I just did not start adding water for 24 hours after I applied it. Stuff works very well, blends fairly well with the dry rock color as well, much better then any epoxy I have used in the past.

[HappyCoral]

Good job, well done!

[ReeferRob]

What is the texture and or consistency of the stuff? Is it going to look nature once everything is cured and growing coraline and corals? Or did you have to add texture, like stamping rubble rock into the mix?

[tanglovers]

It is very similar to any other mortar you would use or hydralyic cement. It is the light grey areas in the pictures with the rock. I did not do anything to texture it, you could but I felt with the texture of my other rock it matched very well. It is not smooth but not real textured as I did not do anything to stamp it.

[John]

Looks awesome. I think the two MP60s would be good.


For a power outage, the tank will be monitored (not controlled) by an Apex to email / text me alerts.

If you lose your power, how does the controller send an email? (Since the router would lose power, unless you have one with a battery backup.)

[tanglovers]

There will be a battery backup utilized because you are exactly correct, no power no email otherwise.

[cephalotus]

Were did you get the 90 extrawides and what was the cost on one?

Thanks,
Ryan

[tanglovers]

I ordered them from Great Lakes, unsure the cost per off the top of my head - 1 bought 4 tanks all at the same time. I think they were like $130ish each.

Update, the tank is drained....

I noticed an issue with the tank once I filled it, the back piece of euro-bracing was coming loose at the seam. I decided to address this issue and drained the tank. I will be redoing the silicone seams on the long pieces of euro-bracing (front and rear) and adding a whole second eurobrace all the way around. The original eurobracing sat down inside the top lip of the tank, looking back likely not the best method. All of this eurobracing will still be in place as well as a whole second set that will sit ontop of the exisiting and sides/front/rear. More of the standard method of eurobracing.

I have all the new eurobracing now in hand (had to special order it). I pulled out of the pieces that were loose and have the tank all cleaned up. I am planning on install the new bracing the next few days and hoping to start filling it (again) this weekend.

[ReeferRob]

Whoa good thing you noticed this now. Good luck man hope it all goes well for you. What a project. What silicone are you gonna use?

[tanglovers]

I am planning on using standard 100% silicone. Is there something better to use?

[ReeferRob]

I heard that this has the highest tensile strength available and is completely reef safe. 103 is supposed to be black.
http://www.skygeek.com/rtv108-12t.html

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Yikes. That could have been a serious flood. I'll second what Rob said about the silicone. The RTV is what tanks should be constructed with (the 100% stuff is designed for sealing not holding together). You might want to check with the tank manufacturer to ensure the main seams of the tank won't have the same issue as the bracing.

I was just thinking about your tank the other day and wondering if a 3-side fiberglass tank wouldn't be a good option for you. This would be a good time to consider it if you hadn't already. Especially if you can return or get a refund on the current tank (if it has a warranty). Just a thought.

Tom

[tanglovers]

Thanks for the info. After Rob posed the question I posted over on RC and was told the same thing about the silicone. As a result, I will have RTV 108 (clear) here tomorrow morning once our local Grainger gets it in for me.

I bought this tank used so there is no warentee. I believe the top piece of eurobracing started coming loose due to the move and setup of the tank combined with maybe less then par original design. The main center bracing on the tank is two wide center braces that connected the front panel, rear panel and the cooresponding eurobraces. This combined with the external overflow box meant that the center braces only actually bonded to the rear panel in two areas about 2" long each. This was the weakpoint. With standard eurobracing (ontop of the sides/front/rear) it is siliconed along the whole edge onto that spot.

The new bracing will be all the existing pieces (re-siliconed) in the current locations (sitting inside the top lip) and a full new set sitting ontop of the top lip. The resulting end product should be very strong. The center two braces will then go across as well.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Sounds like you have a good plan.

FYI- my understanding of the RTV is that it needs to cure for at least a week and can be difficult to work with. Sorry I don't have more info on it (I've never used it). Most of what I've read about it has been over on RC.

Tom

[tanglovers]

If all goes as planned I will be able to give you an update tomorrow evening on how it is to work with. I am unsure I will get all the bracing on tomorrow, might have to be tomorrow and the following depending on my work schedule but we shall see. It should have plenty of time to cure, the first time it took nearly a week to fill the tank. I kept the water when I drained it but have been using it as water change water so about 75% of it is gone anyhow.

[tanglovers]

Well I am about 1/2 way done adding the bracing back onto the tank. The RTV108 silicone (108 is the clear) is not too bad to work with. For sure not quite as easy as standard silicone but not hard either.

I am hoping to get the rest of the bracing on tomorrow. Looks like a 1 week cure time so no water back in by this weekend.

[tanglovers]

Well a long overdue update.

All the bracing work is done and silicone is cured. Tank has had water back in it for about a month now and doing great. It is done cycling, Prodibio aided greatly in the cycle.

The metal halides are all mounted above the tank, the spread / lack of shadows sure is nice due to the bracing being glass. All my previous setups have had plastic cross braces.

The mesh tops are made and installed over the tank.

The apex is not yet hooked up, playing around with it on the kitchen table and figuring out where I am planning on mounting all the pieces still.

I also added the first three fish to the tank today. A pair of long nosed butterflies (Forcipiger flavissimus) and a moorish idol (Zanclus cornutus). The idol I got from another hobbyist when I picked up a pair of bandit angels (Apolemichthys arcuatus) for my sub tropical non-photo tank and the long nosed butterflies I have had for a couple months now in QT.

I will try to get some pics up tomorrow!

[Sir Patrick]

Looking forward to seeing pics of the fish!

[tanglovers]

Here are a couple quick pics. Obviously the install is far from done.

Here is a full tank shot - only the end halides on. I am amazed by the spread and lack of shadows:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0347.jpg

The mesh tops:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0358.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0359.jpg

The idol:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0353-1.jpg

The long nose butterfly pair:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0362.jpg

If these three fish do fine then next week there will be a larger group of additions, my fairy wrasse harems and most of the smaller angels.

[Rook]

Looks great, can't wait to see it full.

[Sir Patrick]

Im a HUGE long nose butterfly fan! My Dad had some back in the 80's. One day, I plan on having one or 2 also!

Nice looking Idol! Looking forward to more fish pics!

[tanglovers]

Added the next group of fish to the tank today. No more will be added for a few weeks at the soonest now as they are still in QT or not purchased yet :)

Today I added:

4 Cirrhilabrus lineatus - 1 male and 3 females - Lineatus Fairy Wrasse
5 Cirrhilabrus jordani - 1 male and 4 females - Hawaiian Flame Wrasse
1 Pygoplites diacanthus - Yellow Bellied Version - Regal Angelfish
2 Centropyge loricula - Pair - TRUE Hawaiians - Flame Angelfish
2 Centropyge multicolor - Pair - Multicolor Angelfish
2 Genicanthus bellus - Pair - Bellus Angelfish

I will work on getting some pics this weekend of a few of these additions. Most of these fish I have had for years in my previous setup.

[tanglovers]

Well hopefully my dream tank :) No more upgrades after this build. I physically can not fit a larger tank and still be able to work on it....

I am sure my stock list will be others people dream list as well, trying to get some pretty high end butterflies lined up currently...

[tanglovers]

Few new pics...

Full Tank Shot - figuring out the exact framing around the tank yet -
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0389.jpg

Left Side:
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0394.jpg

Right Side:
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0403.jpg

Female Flame Angel:
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0398.jpg

Regal Angel - next month will be 6 years with this one!
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0399.jpg

[EMUreef]

lookin good dude!

[dejavu]

Looks good Scott!

[demonclownfish]

very nice scott :)

[Sir Patrick]

WOW!!!!!

Looks so much better with all the fish! Just noticed how cool the scape is! Didnt even realize it till ya added the fish. Very nice color combos ya got going on in there.

[tanglovers]

Well the back tanks are now plumbed in with the 520 so the total system is now together and all as one. Total water volume is around 850-900 gallons now. This means my space to work in is freed up a bit! The make shift 100g sump is out of the way as you see it in a couple of the pics.

The Apex is up and running, doing light and temperature control at this time. I do not have the port forwarding part done yet so I can not monitor it online yet.

Tomorrow planning on getting the second bubble king added to the system and start getting the calcium reactor hooked up.

My game plan is to have most of the equipment setup all done by the beginning of February so I can start on our room remodel in the basement and get started on the large freshwater build we are doing.

Will get some new pics up the next day or so!

[creefer]

Great build! Awesome fish selection! I love it.

[tanglovers]

Here is the backbone of the system...

On the left, BK Deluxe 300, on the right, BK Supermarin 250

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s103/tanglovers/IMG_0406.jpg

Between these two beasts and the automatic, daily water change system that is getting isntalled shortly, I should be able to handle almost any bioload while keeping the SPS corals happy.

[Heidi]

Dude! you keep one heck of a tank! Beautiful scape I love the "in wall" idea. I saw a possible future fish of yours friday, least I think it was you. Did you order some from Happy?