azreefgeek 100g Automated In-Wall Tank Build
 

It all started with a dream...A boys dream...A naive boy who saw the tank he had dreamed about on craigslist for $100.

http://mgstaging.com/reef/dream.png

Assuming it was the start of a quick and inexpensive tank build, he promptly drove to BFE for target recon and ultimately acquisition.

http://mgstaging.com/reef/acquisition.png

Upon return to the compound (remember this is my dream), a structure was quickly erected to house the magnificent tank that was acquired.

http://mgstaging.com/reef/compound.png

Staring at in the frame he thought, "hmm what am I missing?". That's when he woke up and realized he was in over his head... :spin1:

The Goal
My goal is to create a nearly fully automated aquarium setup that can sustain it self for up to 1 month at a time with most of my interaction remote. I will accomplish this through the use of a Control4 Home automation System and a Neptune Apex Controller. I tried working with a GHL Profilux III first, but had a slew of technical issues just getting it operational. I will be writing a Control4 driver to use in conjunction with the Apex to bring real time tank stats, trigger feedings or the lights via the touch screen displays throughout my house or remotely. I have purchased the water exchange module for automating water changes an additional dosing pump for topping off RODI from my 30gal storage tanks in the laundry room.

Current Parts List:
1 x 100 Gallon Dual View Acrylic Tank with Dual Side Overflows and drilled for a Closed Loop
1 x 55 Gallon Sump / Refugium
2 x Ecoxotic 12k White 50w Canons
2 x Ecoxotic 453nm Blue 50w Canons
1 x IceCap Blue 4ft LED Moonlight Strip
1 x IceCap White 4ft LED Moonlight Strip
1 x Clip On Full Spectrum 5100K CFL PAR38 Reflector (For the Refugium)
2 x Bluline 30HD X 1,110GPH Pumps (return / closed loop)
1 x ASM G3 Skimmer with Sedra 500 Pump
1 x Bulk Reef Supply Dual Reactor
1 x Neptune Systems Apex Aquarium Controller
2 x Neptune Systems Apex EnergyBar 8
1 x Oceans Motions OM Squirt 2 Way Wave Maker
1 x Emperor Aquatics 40 Watt Smart UV Sterilizer w/ Wiper
1 x Pinpoint Calcium Monitor
1 x Finnex TH-0800 800W Titanium Heater
1 x Finnex HC810M Controller
1 x SpectraPure MaxCap UHE-100 RODI
1 x SpectraPure LiterMeter 3 Peristaltic Dosing Pump
1 x SpectraPure LiterMeter Water eXchange Module
1 x SpectraPure LiterMeter Remote Pump Module
2 x 33 Gallon Clear/Natural Drums with Removable Lids (RODI/Saltwater Storage in Laundry Room)
1 x TripLite 1500 UPS Battery Backup


Current Status
Lighting is hung, and the controller is programmed and on the network. I will be starting to plumb this weekend and then drywall after that :-)

http://mgstaging.com/reef/current.png

I have 2 suggestions for you, ditch the calcium probe they are useless, they require frequent calibration. weekly or even more frequently if you plan to run it continuously. Also skip the g3, they are great little work horses but they are severely overrated, I run a g3 on my 57 gal and it just barley gets the job done. maybe look into the reef octopus xp-2000 it would be a great fit for your system.

Awesome. I like where this is going. Unfortunately your "dream sequence" style of writing cut out a little too early for my liking LOL. Looks good. Keep us updated.

haha sorry, I am a short story kind of guy... My patience for aquatics breaks a few rules :-)

Its hard to tell in the picture, but make sure that you have the tank sitting on a complete base. Acrylic tanks need to be supported on their entire bottom.

I do have support boards running in the cross sections between the closed loop bulkheads, spanning the depth of the tank. Where I did make a big change is by using a 4x4 on the cabinet side of the tank for support so that I would not need a vertical column between the cabinet doors. They will close in to each other and should allow me much greater access to the equipment below.

I would say the ASM G3 will do the job no prob, as long as you do the mesh mod. It kicks the G3's production almost double. I run a ASM G3 with a mesh mod no problem on my 120, and pull about a full cup of yummies a week.
Now.. To almost completely contradict myself. I do plan on upgrading to a Super Reef Octo XP-2000 Cone Skimmer later this year. The ASM G3 works, but that Bubble Blaster pump is one bad mama jama.. :dance:

I think we're all in over our head once we start on this hobby!! :fun2:

Nice setup, perfect spot for a see through!

Now get to the plumbing already.

+1

Just make sure you make it a SUPER Reef Octo. I went from a G3 to the SRO XP-2000. World of difference.....

Tank looks great so far, and that parts list is worth drooling over as well!

Spent the afternoon working on the water station in the laundry room. RODI unit is installed and the barrels are plumbed and in place. Just waiting on the LiterMeter so I can get the hoses that are run from here to the tank connected for auto top offs and auto water changes :-)

http://mgstaging.com/reef/water-station.png

Make sure you adjust the UHE for 1 to 1 water they dont set them at that level from the factory. Mine was near 1 good to 5 bad gallons from Spectrapure.

Glad you figured out what the problem was... I remember you telling me the waste water was way up there on yours when you first started it.

I will get on it! Thanks

I did the mesh mod and recirc mod on my g3 and the xp-2000 still kicks its butt. Im not saying the g3 isn't a good skimmer but its an outdated and inefficient design.

Automatic water changes. I'm jealous.

Are you gonna do continuous water changes or just periodic? I'm toying with the idea but not sure yet....

Because of the pump speed of the doser I am using for water changes, I am pretty much forced to go with a semi continuous schedule.

Those lights look really sweet! I'm looking forward to hear your review of them.

Looks like a cool build. Thats lights are sweet looking!

The PAR was pretty good on them as well. If I remember correctly they were at about 170 at the bottom of the tank.

I would beef up the framing. I don't see the 4x4 in the picture.

I did beef up the stand a bit more. The pressure treated 4x4 is on the living room side of the tank, supporting the coated MDF platform. The dining room side is supported by an array of 2x4's. I will post some pics.

I need to post a lot of pics of the tank this weekend. I put in water, sand and seed rock last week to get the cycle going...

Drywallers will be in on Monday to get things finished up :-)

Here is a PAR chart:
http://mgstaging.com/reef/tank-par.jpg

I have the cannons about 20" off the top of the water.

siiiick.

NICE JOB!!! I'm not that brave to do this kinda thing on my own... I can put stuff together but I'm not a very good planner. Cant wait to see it all finished. I too am jealouse about the automatic water changes! thats awesome!

That's looking so good, I can't wait to see it dry-walled and painted.

Very nice start to the tank. Congrats on making your dream come true.