dcmartinpc's 225 In Wall Deep Dimension Build

[dcmartinpc]

I am finally getting another big tank! I used to run a 180 in my basement before it was finished, but it never got the love or attention it deserved. I only saw the tank when I fed the fish... I am currently running a 60 Cube and a 35 "Corner Hex" in my living room on the main level. Once this new aquarium is setup, I will be taking down and selling the 60 cube.

New (Used) Tank is a 225 Gallon Miracles 5x3x2 (60x36x24) - Front Panel Starfire - All 1/2" Glass.

I absolutely LOVE the dimensions. I have always wanted a deep tank!

I will be picking up the tank this Saturday. I went ahead and got some glass vacuum suction cups to make the move as easy as possible.

The tank will be lit by a pair of 400 watt Radiums on a dual PFO HQI ballast likely in LumenBright Mini pendants to start. I will be adding 4 - 48" T5's once I get everything up and running and shutdown the 60 cube.

Everything will drain into my existing 150 gallon Rubbermaid Sump. I am using an ETSS 1400XR skimmer driven by an Iwaki 100 and I will continue running bio-pellets in this system with my Reef Dynamics BPR500e reactor.

I will be utilizing a combination of types of flow on this aquarium. I will be running a full siphon on 1 of the 1.5" drain lines in the overflow with the other available for an emergency drain and using a Super Dart Gold as the return pump. I also plan on a closed loop for this system. I will be starting with a RLSS Waveline DC-12000 on the closed loop. I will also be running a pair of Vortech MP40wES on each end of the aquarium.

Other than the 2 holes in the bottom of the overflow, the aquarium has 3 other holes already drilled for 3/4" bulkheads in the back of the tank. I will be enlarging 2 of those holes and putting a valve on the 3rd to keep for possible future use, maybe a drain...

The following diagram lays out my drilling plan.

Orange (Return) - Existing holes that will be enlarged.
Gray - New holes for Closed Loop.
Blue - Existing hole to be closed with a valve.

http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-mnNQfdp/0/L/220%20Aquarium%20Drilling%20Back%20-%20Final-L.jpg (http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-mnNQfdp/A)

Any thoughts on the drilling plan are appreciated. Am I far enough away from all edges? Are each of the holes far enough away from each other to maintain tank integrity? Should I forget enlarging the 2 holes for the return and just drill a hole on the back center of the overflow and bring the return in there?

I will be running all Schedule 80 HD Bulkheads.

If I keep the orange holes, I know they are a little low and I would be using a pair of 90s to get the water closer to the surface to prevent too much drain back into the sump.

Don

[jimsflies]

Sweet! Looking forward to the build!

[dcmartinpc]

The tank is home!!! This build is going to take a while. I want to make sure I get every detail as close to right as possible! I am contemplating dropping the closed loop and running 4- MP40wES instead. I have been able to trade for 2 additional MP40s and I think that might be the better long term solution. Thoughts?

http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-J2NZCLz/0/L/220_Home-L.jpg (http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-J2NZCLz/A)

Don

[binford4000]

I agree. My last tank had a closed loop. I quickly came to the conclusion that the MP 40's made it a complete waist of time and energy. I would never do a loop again!

[Poseidon]

I'll second the MP40's, great pumps, and far simpler to install.

Can't wait to see it wet, I like the dimensions too, maybe someday I'll be able to do a big (near) cube. :D

[dcmartinpc]

Hey Poseidon! Thanks for the feedback. That's enough for me. No more closed loop!!!

I think I have your old calcium reactor!

9543

[Poseidon]

Yes YES you do!

That thing is a BEAST! I was running a solid stream of effluent at 32dKh to keep up with the demand in my tank, it worked GREAT!

[Tankster]

I also had a closed loop and would go with mp40s next time too.

[dcmartinpc]

Yes YES you do!

That thing is a BEAST! I was running a solid stream of effluent at 32dKh to keep up with the demand in my tank, it worked GREAT!

Holy !%#$ I won't be running that heavy of a load to need that much calcium..... I think it will do the job, it could just do a much larger tank if needed :D

[dcmartinpc]

So... Since I am switching away from a closed loop, does it even make sense to enlarge the holes on the rear of the aquarium to accommodate my dart return, or do I just plug them and run the dart return over the back?

I will say, it would be nice for the return to come through the back so I can just make one large rectangle mesh top for the tank and call it a day!!! No cutouts, nothing weird, just a rectangle. Actually, now that I type it, I like that idea.

My only problem is, Derek from Miracles was less than supportive when it came to drilling the back of the tank at all, even though it is already drilled... He was pretty insistent that after they drill any panes of glass, they temper them, even on the back.


Any thoughts as to just drilling out the top holes to accommodate larger bulkheads? Here is an updated diagram...

http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-XwTWgx6/0/L/220%20Aquarium%20Drilling%20Back%20-%20Final%20-%20No%20Closed%20Loop-L.jpg (http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-XwTWgx6/A)


Thanks!

Don

[Poseidon]

If it has been tempered after the drilling, no go on making the holes bigger.

[dcmartinpc]

If it has been tempered after the drilling, no go on making the holes bigger.

Thats the thing... It was not drilled during manufacture. It was drilled by the previous owner. So I know it isn't tempered. At least, I can't imagine it would be, otherwise it would have shattered, even with small holes, right?

Don

[dcmartinpc]

One other thing I am struggling with.... Bare bottom with some sort of HDPE bottom, or sand? I used Corian for my 60 cube bare bottom in a color called "sahara" and it looks great! I have about 5 - 5 gallon buckets of dry sand lying around I could rinse and reuse.

Thoughts on reusing sand?

If I go bare bottom, should I just get a piece of Corian the size of the inside of the eurobracing? It would lay down nice and flat inside the bracing and would actually line right up with it if I got 1/2".

Decisions... decisions...

Don

[Poseidon]

If the previous owner is the one who drilled it, then I say go for it.

As for the bottom, I like the look of sand, I'd go with a shallow sand bed, less than 2" though. As for reusing the sand, if it is the least bit stinky, I'd toss it. No sense adding headache for such a small part of the budget.

[lmccluer]

I would be hesitant in re-drilling the holes. The problem is if that bit is been a fraction off, it could catch and splinter it out. Plus, the smaller the diameter, the more pressure you get, although you can counteract that with more gph. I know with tank that large, more expanse, so more ability yo flex, even with 1/2" glass, if it was my tank, I would not redrill. Looks like an awesome tank, and yeah I'm jealous!!!!

[dcmartinpc]

I may not have been clear. The current holes are 1" in diameter. The new holes will be 2 5/8" diameter. And I will be drilling with a drill guide. Does that make more sense?

Don

[dcmartinpc]

I also think I have settled on sand. (4) 40 lb. bags of CaribSea Seaflor special grade sand should give me about a 2" layer of sand. Maybe a little less. But I don't plan on having jawfish. The last blue dot I had was a holy terror and always had sand kicked up all over the tank. :) I might keep some burrowing wrasses, but they should be able to find a spot deep enough to sleep.

Honestly, the burrowing wrasses is what did it for me. There are a couple species I have wanted to keep but can't with a bare bottom tank!

Don

[lmccluer]

Yes it does a little. Still, even with a guide, you are drilling an area that has already been weakened per se, and your drilling it almost an extra 1 3/4". Even though that sounds small compared to a 6' piece if glass 1/2" thick, I myself would me leery. I think I would rather have the pressure vs the volume. I would locline it at the 1", and y it out to two separate lines. Either way it sounds awesome.

[dcmartinpc]

So I just found out this tank was SunnyX old tank! I have quite the shoes to fill!!! He was TOTM with this tank on RC back in July, 2006!!!

Tank of the Month - July 2006 - Reefkeeping.com (http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/totm/index.php)

This tank definitely has potential!!!

Don

[dcmartinpc]

We are definitely in the boring phase of the build! I am working on moving some shelves to the other side of the unfinished part of my basement that are in the way of where the tank will be in the wall. That should be finished tonight or tomorrow. Tomorrow morning I make a trip to Lansing to finish a trade and pickup the last of the 4 MP40wES!!! I am hoping to being construction on the stand the last weekend of May.

[Poseidon]

Progress is progress, even if it isn't fancy.

[Poseidon]

Reading that TOTM thread, it is amazing the change that has happened in the hobby, from 10K halides and VHO's to LED's and in my case, back to 20K halide and LED's.

Also, it was fun to read Sunny using a Ca and Kalk reactor, as opposed to all the stuff he ended up with in later tanks, with all the supplements. ;) I am going to add the Ca and Kalk reactors myself, they are simple, and work. :D

[dcmartinpc]

You definitely can't argue with the growth he had in this 225!!! That's basically the setup I will have, calcium reactor with kalk.

Once I save up the dough for the aquarium plants regulator ;)

Don

[dcmartinpc]

I am planning out the stand and front door layout and design. Here are some drawings of what I am thinking. I will be topping the stand with 3/4" plywood and then 1" foam. Let me know your thoughts! I made all these in Google SketchUp if you are interested in the 3D file.

Thanks!

http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-CRmZWVX/0/L/Stand%20-%20With%20Trim%20and%20Doors%20-%20Front-L.jpg (http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-CRmZWVX/A)

http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-Kg77W4s/0/L/Stand%20-%20With%20Trim%20and%20Doors%20-%20Back%20Left%20Angle-L.jpg (http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-Kg77W4s/A)

http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-S4wJGvv/0/L/Stand%20-%20With%20Trim%20and%20Doors%20-%20Back%20Angle-L.jpg (http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-S4wJGvv/A)

http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-CDbRNjC/0/L/Stand%20-%20With%20Trim%20and%20Doors%20-%20Back-L.jpg (http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-CDbRNjC/A)

http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-pXWzRRP/0/L/Stand%20Only%20-%20Front%20Angle-L.jpg (http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-pXWzRRP/A)

[Poseidon]

What size lumber are you using? That long span, if the dimensional lumber can run that length on one side without a center support, it can on the other. That middle brace will just get in the way on the back, if it doesn't need to be there.

Also that board on the floor would no longer need to be there in the back middle. Is there a nailing strip on the inside corners?

[dcmartinpc]

The top frame is 2x8. The front frame will be supported by existing studs in the wall. I will update the drawing with some changes I made this morning.

[Poseidon]

Ahhh! Ok, that makes sense. I used the existing studs to support the front on my 135. I didn't know any better at the time, so I used 4x4 treated lumber for the frame that the tank sat on, and added 2 4x4 posts to the rear corners and called it good. 6 foot span open on the back of the tank, with only a 4x4. :hypnotized:

I found this method of corners to be very easy to do, and very strong:
http://splitsecond.smugmug.com/Aquariums/My-Aquarium-May-2012/i-5SZMsGR/0/L/1D2N5284-L.jpg (http://splitsecond.smugmug.com/Aquariums/My-Aquarium-May-2012/i-5SZMsGR/A)
Looks like you have a similar plan in your drawings.

When I took this picture, the stand was standing on its own, no screws, no glue yet. :D

[dcmartinpc]

I have made some changes to design. I figured I probably shouldn't have a support directly underneath the bulkheads! I changed the door design to make it simpler to build and conceal more light.

I also added the plywood, foam, and aquarium.

Don

http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-zWmRVzv/0/L/Stand%20-%20With%20Drywall%20%28Solid%29%20and%20Aquarium-L.jpg (http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-zWmRVzv/A)

http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-9pFDxxR/0/L/Stand%20-%20With%20Drywall%20%28Translucent%29%20and%20Aqua rium-L.jpg (http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-9pFDxxR/A)

http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-sgqx8cM/0/L/Stand%20-%20With%20Drywall%20and%20Aquarium%20-%20Final%20-%20Back-L.jpg (http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-sgqx8cM/A)

http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-xvgghTk/0/L/Stand%20-%20Final%202-L.jpg (http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-xvgghTk/A)

http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-PRSG49K/0/L/Stand%20-%20Final-L.jpg (http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-PRSG49K/A)

[dknuckles]

You definitely can't argue with the growth he had in this 225!!! That's basically the setup I will have, calcium reactor with kalk.

Once I save up the dough for the aquarium plants regulator ;)

Don

Don, when the time comes I have an extra AP elect reg you are welcome to use til you can get another

[dcmartinpc]

Don, when the time comes I have an extra AP elect reg you are welcome to use til you can get another

David, thank you so very much!!! I might have to take you up on that offer... I will follow up with a PM.

Thanks again!

Don

[dcmartinpc]

The images above have been updated. I needed to make cutouts in the rear support to accomodate the plumbing. It would not have made it over the top edge of the sump otherwise and I didn't want my drain plumbing making an uphill turn.

Here are 2 additional images as I also updated the aquarium to add the holes and bottom bulkheads.

http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-c6scL6b/0/L/Stand%20-%20With%20Drywall%20and%20Aquarium%20-%20Final%20-%20Top%20Left-L.jpg (http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-c6scL6b/A)

http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-8VzJCFr/0/L/Bottom%20Bulkheads%20with%20cutaway-L.jpg (http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-8VzJCFr/A)

[dcmartinpc]

Long overdue update! I have been busy :) The stand is completed and I cut the wholes in the wall and got the tank on the stand tonight! It still needs a little cleaning, but it is on the stand! I also enlarged the return holes in the rear of aquarium to accomodate the larger 1.5" bulkheads for my return.

I will hopefully be getting water, sand, dry rock, and seed rock in it within the next couple days so I can start cycling it before tying it into the rest of the system.

I finally feel like I am getting somewhere :D

Don

http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-nPS5fbS/0/L/photo%201-L.jpg (http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-nPS5fbS/A)

http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-zrCCxmb/0/L/photo%202-L.jpg (http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-zrCCxmb/A)

http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-XkbMnRw/0/L/photo%203-L.jpg (http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-XkbMnRw/A)

[dcmartinpc]

Well, time for an update! It has taken some time, but I have been busy and just finished the plumbing today! It has been cycling for the last 3 weeks and everything is at zero, so I plumbed it into the rest of the system and fired everything up. I had quit a bit of work to do to get it here. I had to turn the sump 180 degrees and drill out an existing hole to support the 2" bulkhead for the dart return for the new tank. I moved my skimmer pump and return pump for the upstairs tanks and the frag tank over to the side of the sump. Once the pumps were moved, I could finally move my skimmer closer to my sump!

The main 1.5" drain for the 225 is a full siphon and the other is a durso standpipe. I keep the water level just below the durso so if the siphon slows down, the durso will take the overflow.

Tomorrow I will get the mesh top made and HOPEFULLY the light rack so I can get the lights hung and if I have time, move everything from my 60 cube into the 225.

Let me know what you guys think and please excuse the mess, it has been a VERY busy couple of weeks working on this and I was too tired to clean up :-P

http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-W3q3mPD/0/L/225%20Plumbing%20Done-L.jpg (http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-W3q3mPD/A)

http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-c8kRjmD/0/L/225%20Tank%20Running-L.jpg (http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-c8kRjmD/A)

[MizTanks]

Wow just looking at all the work makes me dizzy-lol. You've done an awesome job! I've really enjoyed watching your build :)
Now let the fun begin! :)

[dcmartinpc]

Here it is! I moved the contents of the 60 cube over last night, pulled the Yellow Belly Hippo Tang from my sump, and had a delivery from Live Aquaria Divers Den today :)

So far here is the stock list

Orchid Dottyback
Midas Blenny
Flame Wrasse Male
Lineatus Wrasse Male
Fathead Sunburst Anthias Pair
One spot Foxface
Yellow Belly Hippo Tang
Purple Tang
Desjardini Sailfin Tang (Juvenille)

So far everyone is getting along well, the next few days will be telling as far as aggression goes, but so far so good. The Purple Tang has been very well behaved so far.

Right now the only other fish I am thinking about is a Achilles Tang or possibly a Powder Blue. I like the Achilles, the wife the powder blue... but I hear the Powder Blue is a particularly aggressive Acanthurus.

1 pic and a quick video below from my phone. I will take some better pics later. Let me know what you think!

Don

http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-q8m36W6/0/L/225_08_12_2014_1-L.jpg (http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-q8m36W6/A)

225 Video (http://the-martins.smugmug.com/Aquariums/220-Aquarium-Build/i-6nvxBcf/A)

[Poseidon]

Yay!! You need to put more pics, you know this right? :p

[dcmartinpc]

Yay!! You need to put more pics, you know this right? :p

I know... I have to pull out the real camera and take some pics. This new tank setup stuff is hard work!

Don

[binford4000]

Achilles Tangs have such a low survival rate in captivety they should not even offer the fish. I personally looked into getting one and was told cash up front and no guarantee that it would even arrive alive. Go with the Naso or powder is my recommendation . Even if the Achilles does arrive alive they get ich so easily it's not worth it. My personal favorite is the white cheek tang. Fairly hardy and very colorful and gets along well with others.Nice job on the tank!!