1,200 gallons of fun!

Mr.Biggs · 02/08/2009, 01:46 AM

So the time has finely come that I feel comfortable to start a thread on my new system.

I have been a member of RC for over 6 years and would like to thank all those who have taken the time to share their systems.

I have been dreaming, planning, saving up for, and acquiring parts for a 1000+ gal system for about 3-4 years.

I have an 11â€™ x 17â€™ room in the basement that will house the system.

I estimate that it will take 1 â€“ 2 years to put the system in place with a 6 -10 year life before itâ€™s taken down. So sorry it will not be a speed build thread.

I plan on posting lots of pics, videos, diagrams and other info. Most of the system will be DIY.

I look forward to your input, comments and feedback. If you need more information or details along the way feel free to ask.

One area that some reefers donâ€™t like to talk about or discuss is the cost of their systems or how they pay for them. This is not off limits with me. Reef keeping is my largest form of entertainment and relaxation; I drive an 11 year old vehicle with 170,000 + miles on it. So itâ€™s not hard for me to say my tank is worth more than my car. Some people drive Harley Davidsonâ€™s, ride atvs or have boats and fishing gear to play with, I have a fish tank.

I soon will be posting over all system specs.

Mr. Biggs

edandsandy · 02/08/2009, 08:08 AM

Congrats on your new system.

waynem · 02/08/2009, 09:32 AM

Cant wait..is that the display size alone?

You user ID oddly matches your tank.

TacoKing · 02/08/2009, 09:37 AM

I'm just wondering what you have planned to get the tank down in the basement. Will it be built on site?

Mr.Biggs · 02/08/2009, 10:55 AM

Tank, sump, and salt mixing will all be made in the basement.

All will be DIY Woody.

Main Display should hold about 900 gal.

Mr.Biggs · 02/08/2009, 11:00 AM

Fish Room 11â€™ x 17â€™ - will hold display and all supporting equipment

Main Display Tank
6â€™W x 8â€™L x 33â€H with about 30â€H of water about 900gal

Sump Tank
4â€™W x 8â€™L x 18â€H with about 15â€H of starting volume about 300gal

Salt Mixing
3â€™W x 4â€™L x 2â€™H with about 22â€ of mixing volume about 160gal

Return pump Dart

Closed Loop
Barracuda with Flow Accelerators, 3Phase motor and VFD drive

Lighting

Main Display
3 x 250W 10k or 14k MH Bulbs
3 x 250W MH IceCap Ballasts
3 x Lumenarc Mini Reflectors
Circular Light Mover
Linear Light Mover
4 x 110W URI Super Actinic R 48â€ VHO Bulbs
1 x IceCap 660 Ballast
4 x 48â€ Reflectors - 95% reflective aluminum
Blue LED Moon Lighting
Red LED Night Viewing

Sump Tank
2 x IceCap 660 Ballasts
2 x 32W 48â€ T-8 6.5K Bulbs
4-6 x 54W 48â€ HO T-5 Bulbs
6-8 x 48â€ Reflectors - 95% reflective aluminum

Skimmers
3 x MSX 300 Skimmers

Ca Reactor
DIY Reactor with auto PH control and metered output

Water Treatment and Preparation
10â€ 5 Micron Poly Sediment Filter
10â€ Carbon Cartridge Filter
DIY ION Exchange Canisters
TDS Monitoring
Two Flow Meters for Salt Mixing and ATO
DIY Lime Canister

Control System
Custom programmed PLC with touch screen

HVAC upgrades
Controlled by PLC with fresh air intake and booster fan

Water makeup (ATO)
Ultrasonic level sensor integrated to PLC to control and monitor water usage

Power Supply and Protection
30A subpanel
8-12 15A branch circuits
GFCI protection
Low amperage circuit breakers to protect individual equipment

Auto Glass Cleaner
?? This sounds like a neat idea just might have to do it.

Jflip2002 · 02/08/2009, 11:13 AM

250w halides arent going to cut it if you are going sps corals, neither will only 3 minis. Id imagine youd need at least 6 Full sized lumenarcs, running some 400ws.

Cant wait to see this, though. Thats going to be an awesome size tank.

sfsuphysics · 02/08/2009, 12:11 PM

I dunno, 250s are fine for 24" deep, I'm sure if you bumped up to lumenbrights (more focused than lumenarc) you could pull things off no problem. Not everyone needs SPS growing on the bottom of the tank

Besides it mentions light mover, so it's not a spread you really need, he's going get the most out of a minimum amount of equipment.

Jflip2002 · 02/08/2009, 04:01 PM

I dunno, I figured if I run a 400w on my 20", itd be necessary on a taller one.

erics3000 · 02/08/2009, 08:10 PM

Congrats on your dream tank...Just curious why you say tear down in about 6 years?

Elliott · 02/08/2009, 08:18 PM

all sounds good, can't wait to see your auto glass cleaner, you thinking of a magnet mover? btw, great display dimensions!

erics3000 · 02/08/2009, 08:19 PM

Congrats on your dream tank...Just curious why you say tear down in about 6 years?

huskerreef · 02/08/2009, 10:11 PM

I think you will be fine on the lighting with the movers. I'm running 2 400w mh over my 620 on a light bar with about 18" of travel. I'm 28" deep and 96x54.

Mr.Biggs · 02/09/2009, 04:52 AM

Jflip2002, I think you might be right without the light mover.
What type of reflector are you using with your Radiums?

Sfsuphysics, One of my goals with this system is to push the efficiency to the max.
I have thought about the lumenbrights, but had purchased the minis slightly used for $90 each shipped before the lumenbrights came out. I think I could grow SPS on the bed in the middle of the tank.

erics3000, Iâ€™m thinking of building a house with a bigger tank.

Elliott, the glass cleaner is probably a couple of years from being built, but yes Iâ€™m thinking of some form of magnet mover. Stay tunedâ€¦..

Huskerreef, do you have a link to a build thread for your system?

Mr.Biggs · 02/09/2009, 05:06 AM

Ok time for some pics......

This has been in my garage for about a year or two.

The floor would be the top of the sand bed.

I think it's about 200lb of rock about $1 a pound.

You can see the blue tape on the wood wall this is the location of the over flow.

All pic are with out a flash just the MH on the movers. You can see the light movement and shadows in the pics.

I'll be posting a video of the movers and more detail of them in the future.

Mr.Biggs · 02/09/2009, 05:11 AM

a look from the future glass.

[

Mr.Biggs · 02/09/2009, 05:21 AM

The side glass

Mr.Biggs · 02/09/2009, 05:26 AM

Looking back from on top the over flow.

Mr.Biggs · 02/09/2009, 05:29 AM

From over the back cardboard wall.

Chrisrush · 02/09/2009, 02:45 PM

Interested to see how you implement everything. I'm looking forward to your use of light movers and VFD. Any thoughts of using solar tubes?

erics3000 · 02/09/2009, 04:30 PM

great awnser...

Mr.Biggs · 02/10/2009, 01:28 AM

Chrisrush, I think solar tubes would be a excellent Idea to implement in to a reef tank. They look to be a very efficient use of $ spent. Unfortunately with my tanks location in the basement the tubes would end up in the middle of the kitchen, so it's not an option with this tank.

KRASHPD · 02/10/2009, 06:36 AM

That is a very intersting setup for how you are doing the closed loop. There should be a lot of flow. I can't wait to see the progress of this tank.

Mr.Biggs · 02/12/2009, 02:07 PM

Ok so I'm looking at getting some feedback on my proposed sump layout this is what I'm thinking.

This layout will give about 26' of water travel before returning to the main display.

stunreefer · 02/12/2009, 02:49 PM

Looks like an awesome build... and 8' x 6' footpritnt - WOW!

Regards to your sump, what's the purpose of the step down baffles after the skimmers? I'd think you can just put a bubble trap in there and keep it more simple.

02/08/2009, 01:46 AM	#1
Mr.Biggs Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: WY Posts: 374	1,200 gallons of fun! So the time has finely come that I feel comfortable to start a thread on my new system. I have been a member of RC for over 6 years and would like to thank all those who have taken the time to share their systems. I have been dreaming, planning, saving up for, and acquiring parts for a 1000+ gal system for about 3-4 years. I have an 11â€™ x 17â€™ room in the basement that will house the system. I estimate that it will take 1 â€“ 2 years to put the system in place with a 6 -10 year life before itâ€™s taken down. So sorry it will not be a speed build thread. I plan on posting lots of pics, videos, diagrams and other info. Most of the system will be DIY. I look forward to your input, comments and feedback. If you need more information or details along the way feel free to ask. One area that some reefers donâ€™t like to talk about or discuss is the cost of their systems or how they pay for them. This is not off limits with me. Reef keeping is my largest form of entertainment and relaxation; I drive an 11 year old vehicle with 170,000 + miles on it. So itâ€™s not hard for me to say my tank is worth more than my car. Some people drive Harley Davidsonâ€™s, ride atvs or have boats and fishing gear to play with, I have a fish tank. I soon will be posting over all system specs. Mr. Biggs

02/08/2009, 08:08 AM	#2
edandsandy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NE Florida Posts: 2,380 Blog Entries: 2	Congrats on your new system. __________________ Sandy ><((((º>`•.¸¸.•><((((º>´¯`•><((((º> .¸¸.><((((º>•.¸. , . .•><((((º>.¸¸. Current Tank Info: 375 Reef, 4) Radion LED lights X30 pro, Apex Fusion, Octo Regal 300 E Skimmer, GEO 618 Calcium Reactor 2) Reeflo Snapper pumps, 2)50g refugium, 2) MP 40's

02/08/2009, 10:55 AM	#5
Mr.Biggs Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: WY Posts: 374	Tank, sump, and salt mixing will all be made in the basement. All will be DIY Woody. Main Display should hold about 900 gal. __________________ Some people drive Harley Davidson’s, ride atvs or have boats and fishing gear to play with, I have a fish tank. Current Tank Info: Building a 1,200 gal system, See my Homepage.

02/08/2009, 11:00 AM	#6
Mr.Biggs Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: WY Posts: 374	System Specifications Fish Room 11â€™ x 17â€™ - will hold display and all supporting equipment Main Display Tank 6â€™W x 8â€™L x 33â€H with about 30â€H of water about 900gal Sump Tank 4â€™W x 8â€™L x 18â€H with about 15â€H of starting volume about 300gal Salt Mixing 3â€™W x 4â€™L x 2â€™H with about 22â€ of mixing volume about 160gal Return pump Dart Closed Loop Barracuda with Flow Accelerators, 3Phase motor and VFD drive Lighting Main Display 3 x 250W 10k or 14k MH Bulbs 3 x 250W MH IceCap Ballasts 3 x Lumenarc Mini Reflectors Circular Light Mover Linear Light Mover 4 x 110W URI Super Actinic R 48â€ VHO Bulbs 1 x IceCap 660 Ballast 4 x 48â€ Reflectors - 95% reflective aluminum Blue LED Moon Lighting Red LED Night Viewing Sump Tank 2 x IceCap 660 Ballasts 2 x 32W 48â€ T-8 6.5K Bulbs 4-6 x 54W 48â€ HO T-5 Bulbs 6-8 x 48â€ Reflectors - 95% reflective aluminum Skimmers 3 x MSX 300 Skimmers Ca Reactor DIY Reactor with auto PH control and metered output Water Treatment and Preparation 10â€ 5 Micron Poly Sediment Filter 10â€ Carbon Cartridge Filter DIY ION Exchange Canisters TDS Monitoring Two Flow Meters for Salt Mixing and ATO DIY Lime Canister Control System Custom programmed PLC with touch screen HVAC upgrades Controlled by PLC with fresh air intake and booster fan Water makeup (ATO) Ultrasonic level sensor integrated to PLC to control and monitor water usage Power Supply and Protection 30A subpanel 8-12 15A branch circuits GFCI protection Low amperage circuit breakers to protect individual equipment Auto Glass Cleaner ?? This sounds like a neat idea just might have to do it.

02/08/2009, 11:13 AM	#7
Jflip2002 Eagles & Tigers Fan Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,543	250w halides arent going to cut it if you are going sps corals, neither will only 3 minis. Id imagine youd need at least 6 Full sized lumenarcs, running some 400ws. Cant wait to see this, though. Thats going to be an awesome size tank. __________________ I hate cheap powerheads. Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder

02/08/2009, 09:32 AM	#3
waynem Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: What day? , what time? hmm I might have been. Posts: 435	Cant wait..is that the display size alone? You user ID oddly matches your tank.

02/08/2009, 09:37 AM	#4
TacoKing Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 2,051	I'm just wondering what you have planned to get the tank down in the basement. Will it be built on site?

02/08/2009, 12:11 PM	#8
sfsuphysics Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Francisco Posts: 9,103	I dunno, 250s are fine for 24" deep, I'm sure if you bumped up to lumenbrights (more focused than lumenarc) you could pull things off no problem. Not everyone needs SPS growing on the bottom of the tank Besides it mentions light mover, so it's not a spread you really need, he's going get the most out of a minimum amount of equipment. __________________ Mike

02/08/2009, 04:01 PM	#9
Jflip2002 Eagles & Tigers Fan Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,543	I dunno, I figured if I run a 400w on my 20", itd be necessary on a taller one. __________________ I hate cheap powerheads. Current Tank Info: 40g Breeder

02/08/2009, 08:10 PM	#10
erics3000 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Palm Bay FL Posts: 2,957	Congrats on your dream tank...Just curious why you say tear down in about 6 years? __________________ Eric (Red House for my 300 display 600 system) Current Tank Info: 600 gallon system with 300 display

02/08/2009, 08:18 PM	#11
Elliott Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 3,849	all sounds good, can't wait to see your auto glass cleaner, you thinking of a magnet mover? btw, great display dimensions! __________________ Rodney Dangerfield - "I worked in a pet store and people would ask how big I would get." TOTM, March 2015 Current Tank Info: tank video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va1dI7mdnGU ,900g in wall mixed reef, another 500g sumps, 19 AI Sol LED's, 2 CL's w/VFD's controlled pumps to 24 eductors, 2 Tunze WB's, 2 Barr 5220's and RK2 25PE and BK500, etc

02/08/2009, 08:19 PM	#12
erics3000 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Palm Bay FL Posts: 2,957	Congrats on your dream tank...Just curious why you say tear down in about 6 years? __________________ Eric (Red House for my 300 display 600 system) Current Tank Info: 600 gallon system with 300 display

02/08/2009, 10:11 PM	#13
huskerreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 1,169	I think you will be fine on the lighting with the movers. I'm running 2 400w mh over my 620 on a light bar with about 18" of travel. I'm 28" deep and 96x54. __________________ Jim G President of Nebraska's premiere reef club The Nebraska Reef Club Current Tank Info: 620 Mixed Reef, 240 Acan Lord, 90 Zoanthid...I think that plenty for now

02/09/2009, 04:52 AM	#14
Mr.Biggs Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: WY Posts: 374	Jflip2002, I think you might be right without the light mover. What type of reflector are you using with your Radiums? Sfsuphysics, One of my goals with this system is to push the efficiency to the max. I have thought about the lumenbrights, but had purchased the minis slightly used for $90 each shipped before the lumenbrights came out. I think I could grow SPS on the bed in the middle of the tank. erics3000, Iâ€™m thinking of building a house with a bigger tank. Elliott, the glass cleaner is probably a couple of years from being built, but yes Iâ€™m thinking of some form of magnet mover. Stay tunedâ€¦.. Huskerreef, do you have a link to a build thread for your system?

02/09/2009, 05:06 AM	#15
Mr.Biggs Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: WY Posts: 374	Ok time for some pics...... This has been in my garage for about a year or two. The floor would be the top of the sand bed. I think it's about 200lb of rock about $1 a pound. You can see the blue tape on the wood wall this is the location of the over flow. All pic are with out a flash just the MH on the movers. You can see the light movement and shadows in the pics. I'll be posting a video of the movers and more detail of them in the future. __________________ Some people drive Harley Davidson’s, ride atvs or have boats and fishing gear to play with, I have a fish tank. Current Tank Info: Building a 1,200 gal system, See my Homepage.

02/09/2009, 05:11 AM	#16
Mr.Biggs Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: WY Posts: 374	a look from the future glass. [

02/09/2009, 05:21 AM	#17
Mr.Biggs Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: WY Posts: 374	The side glass

02/09/2009, 05:26 AM	#18
Mr.Biggs Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: WY Posts: 374	Looking back from on top the over flow.

02/09/2009, 05:29 AM	#19
Mr.Biggs Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: WY Posts: 374	From over the back cardboard wall.

02/09/2009, 02:45 PM	#20
Chrisrush Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,754	Interested to see how you implement everything. I'm looking forward to your use of light movers and VFD. Any thoughts of using solar tubes? __________________ Thanks, Chris Current Tank Info: 2015 Reef Savvy Dream Tank Winner

02/09/2009, 04:30 PM	#21
erics3000 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Palm Bay FL Posts: 2,957	great awnser... __________________ Eric (Red House for my 300 display 600 system) Current Tank Info: 600 gallon system with 300 display

02/10/2009, 01:28 AM	#22
Mr.Biggs Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: WY Posts: 374	Chrisrush, I think solar tubes would be a excellent Idea to implement in to a reef tank. They look to be a very efficient use of $ spent. Unfortunately with my tanks location in the basement the tubes would end up in the middle of the kitchen, so it's not an option with this tank. __________________ Some people drive Harley Davidson’s, ride atvs or have boats and fishing gear to play with, I have a fish tank. Current Tank Info: Building a 1,200 gal system, See my Homepage.

02/10/2009, 06:36 AM	#23
KRASHPD Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Surprise, AZ Posts: 1,185	That is a very intersting setup for how you are doing the closed loop. There should be a lot of flow. I can't wait to see the progress of this tank. __________________ "Only when the tide goes out do you discover who's been swimming naked" - Warren Buffet

02/12/2009, 02:07 PM	#24
Mr.Biggs Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: WY Posts: 374	First Look at sump layout Ok so I'm looking at getting some feedback on my proposed sump layout this is what I'm thinking. This layout will give about 26' of water travel before returning to the main display.

02/12/2009, 02:49 PM	#25
stunreefer Reef Hugger Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Submerged Posts: 3,253	Looks like an awesome build... and 8' x 6' footpritnt - *WOW*! Regards to your sump, what's the purpose of the step down baffles after the skimmers? I'd think you can just put a bubble trap in there and keep it more simple. __________________ -Austin Make your animals Thrive, not just Survive.