Elliott's Reef: 900g DT , 400g sumps

Elliott · 10/30/2012, 07:01 PM

Well, it's about time I post my build thread. This system has been up and running for about 9 months. Build out took about 3 months. I had a 300g mixed reef that this system replaced.

I've been in this hobby since I was a kid and went through the typical fresh water systems, salt water systems and on to reefs. In fact I think I may be one of the first RC subscribers in the 90's but lost my ID/password and started a new one in 2001. RC has been a favorite past time for me. Without it I really don't think my interest would have been sustained nor culminated in this system. I want to thank all the reefers on this forum for all the valuable information I have received through the years. You deserve the true credit for this system.

So lets get to it. First, here is a video tour that will give you a good feel for the system. I will then follow it with some build pictures and details for your review. It's 9.5 minutes in length. Hope you enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oIRZsjAkZI

WaterSkiier · 10/30/2012, 07:08 PM

The video is private, so we can't watch it.

Elliott · 10/30/2012, 07:19 PM

I recommend using headphones and watching in HD if you can

Elliott · 10/30/2012, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaterSkiier

The video is private, so we can't watch it.

ahh, sorry, should be set to public now

Elliott · 10/30/2012, 07:33 PM

so here is the room in the garage being built to house the display tank, that will be recessed in the wall...

we had to jack hammer the cement floor to run the pluming for the sink...

here is the overflow plumbing on the ground going to the remote filtration room 50' away, also in the garage, you'll notice the PVC runs inside a metal sleeve so the parked cars won't crush the pipes, we also kept the 300g reef up and running which is what's running through the pipes you see ...

Elliott · 10/30/2012, 07:41 PM

here is a look from the side inside this long but narrow room ...

here is the tank sitting in it's final resting place ....

Green drywall going up, storage tanks in place here ...

Aquatron · 10/30/2012, 07:44 PM

Well done my hats off to you, enjoyed the music too

Looking forward to your postings about you build.

Elliott · 10/30/2012, 07:47 PM

here is the 300g reef which this system replaced, it was up and running during the build which took place right behind it ...

Drywall going up ...

polishing the QT tanks before installation ...

Elliott · 10/30/2012, 07:58 PM

still work to do on the facial, it took some experienced drywall to get it flush with the front panel of the tank, so the panel is just recessed the width of the drywall with a hard plastic insert, very clean look ...

1500 lbs of LR was used for the aquascape, building large vertical walls with deep valleys and plateaus, I used peroxide on the rock and then let it dry out for weeks before cementing together, a big mistake I made was not using Lanthanum Chloride in the buckets to leach out the phosphate, which greatly delayed my start since I had to do it after installation and filling the tank!

Elliott · 10/30/2012, 08:05 PM

I decided to run 2 closed loops, each with 12 eductors, each loop powered by 3 HP 220v Iwaki pumps, controlled with VFD's. I had used a similar but smaller setup with the 300g reef and really liked the reliability of no moving parts inside the tank and not having to service the eductors, which are all buried deep in the rock work and out of sight. Having no visible plumbing was one big criteria of mine, even the waveboxes are not visible...

Elliott · 10/30/2012, 08:10 PM

Rock work now going in place over the eductor plumbing, I used epo putty, a strong expoxy putty that Sean used on Peter's tank, really good stuff ...

justadivebum · 10/30/2012, 08:11 PM

Very nice. One day I will have a huge system like this. I appreciate the details, it helps those that take on these projects later have a visual reference.

Elliott · 10/30/2012, 08:22 PM

next I built the automatic feeder, I used a grey brute trash can to cut out my plastic, pvc pipe and a pool timer as follows...

here is the individual frozen food dispensers glued to the round tray...

here is the base to hold the tray, which I glued down inside the freezer ...

here is the pool timer used to rotate the feeding tray ...

and this is how it looks installed, a hair dryer turns on for a minute to ensure the food falls through to the sump below, as you can see I drilled a hole from the freezer to the cooler, where the liquid foods are located. Everything is controlled by the Apex controller, I can feed 31 frozen portions anytime without a time limit and dispense liquid food at will. I currently feed liquid food at night three times a week, the skimmers, UV and Ozone turn off automatically for 8 hours after feeding, I now use 3 different foods: Reef Nutrtion's Phyto, Oyster and Roti on separate peristaltic pumps

Elliott · 10/30/2012, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justadivebum

Very nice. One day I will have a huge system like this. I appreciate the details, it helps those that take on these projects later have a visual reference.

thank you justadivebum

Elliott · 10/30/2012, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquatron

Well done my hats off to you, enjoyed the music too

Looking forward to your postings about you build.

thank you Aquatron, I had fun making the movie

d3hree · 10/30/2012, 08:55 PM

this is a great system, I am so glad you posted the pics and video. Ever since I saw your pics of the frozen food feeder on Peters thread it has been one Ive been looking forward to seeing more of.
Great video of an awesome tank!!

Elliott · 10/30/2012, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d3hree

this is a great system, I am so glad you posted the pics and video. Ever since I saw your pics of the frozen food feeder on Peters thread it has been one Ive been looking forward to seeing more of.
Great video of an awesome tank!!

many thanks d3hree, I finally found the time to post it! life seems to always get in the way, I really had fun making the video though, was a bit of a challenge too, like the reef, all the best

brizhound · 10/30/2012, 09:02 PM

Wow!! Incredible. I'm tagging along. For all the updates.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

reefstew · 10/30/2012, 09:03 PM

I was able to see it being built & it is attention to detail. The same goes for the video.

Elliott · 10/30/2012, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brizhound

Wow!! Incredible. I'm tagging along. For all the updates.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

thank you brizhound, glad you are subscribed

Elliott · 10/30/2012, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefstew

I was able to see it being built & it is attention to detail. The same goes for the video.

hey thanks Bob, much appreciated

for those that don't know Bob, he makes the very best Reef Stew here in phoenix, and breeds primarily clown fish and others, has a very impressive operation that he can describe better than me

glad you are subscribed Bob!

Nibrown9 · 10/30/2012, 09:21 PM

Your are my hero! Def looking forward too seeing more

Nibrown9 · 10/30/2012, 09:23 PM

Damn can't view the video on my iPad. Guess ill fire up the old pc

Weyrman · 10/30/2012, 09:28 PM

Impressive build!

I specially am intrigued with the feeding system. What did you design to transport the food to the tank from the holding tray? Looks like it drops from the tray into the refridgerator and then into a larger PVC tube connected to..., or is that a container that the pumps draw from...? You say there's a sump in the refridgerator or did I missread that?

Nicely thought out and executed Elliott!

Subscribed!

Elliott · 10/30/2012, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nibrown9

Your are my hero! Def looking forward too seeing more

thanks Nibrown9, glad you are on board

10/30/2012, 07:01 PM	#1
Elliott Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 3,849	Elliott's Reef: 900g DT , 400g sumps Well, it's about time I post my build thread. This system has been up and running for about 9 months. Build out took about 3 months. I had a 300g mixed reef that this system replaced. I've been in this hobby since I was a kid and went through the typical fresh water systems, salt water systems and on to reefs. In fact I think I may be one of the first RC subscribers in the 90's but lost my ID/password and started a new one in 2001. RC has been a favorite past time for me. Without it I really don't think my interest would have been sustained nor culminated in this system. I want to thank all the reefers on this forum for all the valuable information I have received through the years. You deserve the true credit for this system. So lets get to it. First, here is a video tour that will give you a good feel for the system. I will then follow it with some build pictures and details for your review. It's 9.5 minutes in length. Hope you enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oIRZsjAkZI __________________ 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

10/30/2012, 07:19 PM	#3
Elliott Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 3,849	I recommend using headphones and watching in HD if you can __________________ 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

10/30/2012, 07:33 PM	#5
Elliott Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 3,849	so here is the room in the garage being built to house the display tank, that will be recessed in the wall... we had to jack hammer the cement floor to run the pluming for the sink... here is the overflow plumbing on the ground going to the remote filtration room 50' away, also in the garage, you'll notice the PVC runs inside a metal sleeve so the parked cars won't crush the pipes, we also kept the 300g reef up and running which is what's running through the pipes you see ... __________________ 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

10/30/2012, 07:41 PM	#6
Elliott Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 3,849	here is a look from the side inside this long but narrow room ... here is the tank sitting in it's final resting place .... Green drywall going up, storage tanks in place here ... __________________ 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

10/30/2012, 07:44 PM	#7
Aquatron Refugium pat.#D414,242 Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 844	Well done my hats off to you, enjoyed the music too Looking forward to your postings about you build. __________________ Doctor "Aquatron" Mister "Spinner" 300 gallon TRUVU AquaSystem "Mod" w/ 150 gallon control center....... Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2276765&highlight=300+dt+

10/30/2012, 07:08 PM	#2
WaterSkiier Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 76	The video is private, so we can't watch it.

10/30/2012, 07:47 PM	#8
Elliott Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 3,849	here is the 300g reef which this system replaced, it was up and running during the build which took place right behind it ... Drywall going up ... polishing the QT tanks before installation ... __________________ 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

10/30/2012, 07:58 PM	#9
Elliott Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 3,849	still work to do on the facial, it took some experienced drywall to get it flush with the front panel of the tank, so the panel is just recessed the width of the drywall with a hard plastic insert, very clean look ... 1500 lbs of LR was used for the aquascape, building large vertical walls with deep valleys and plateaus, I used peroxide on the rock and then let it dry out for weeks before cementing together, a big mistake I made was not using Lanthanum Chloride in the buckets to leach out the phosphate, which greatly delayed my start since I had to do it after installation and filling the tank! __________________ 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

10/30/2012, 08:05 PM	#10
Elliott Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 3,849	I decided to run 2 closed loops, each with 12 eductors, each loop powered by 3 HP 220v Iwaki pumps, controlled with VFD's. I had used a similar but smaller setup with the 300g reef and really liked the reliability of no moving parts inside the tank and not having to service the eductors, which are all buried deep in the rock work and out of sight. Having no visible plumbing was one big criteria of mine, even the waveboxes are not visible... __________________ 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

10/30/2012, 08:10 PM	#11
Elliott Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 3,849	Rock work now going in place over the eductor plumbing, I used epo putty, a strong expoxy putty that Sean used on Peter's tank, really good stuff ... __________________ 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

10/30/2012, 08:11 PM	#12
justadivebum Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 28	Very nice. One day I will have a huge system like this. I appreciate the details, it helps those that take on these projects later have a visual reference.

10/30/2012, 08:22 PM	#13
Elliott Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 3,849	next I built the automatic feeder, I used a grey brute trash can to cut out my plastic, pvc pipe and a pool timer as follows... here is the individual frozen food dispensers glued to the round tray... here is the base to hold the tray, which I glued down inside the freezer ... here is the pool timer used to rotate the feeding tray ... and this is how it looks installed, a hair dryer turns on for a minute to ensure the food falls through to the sump below, as you can see I drilled a hole from the freezer to the cooler, where the liquid foods are located. Everything is controlled by the Apex controller, I can feed 31 frozen portions anytime without a time limit and dispense liquid food at will. I currently feed liquid food at night three times a week, the skimmers, UV and Ozone turn off automatically for 8 hours after feeding, I now use 3 different foods: Reef Nutrtion's Phyto, Oyster and Roti on separate peristaltic pumps __________________ 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 Last edited by Elliott; 10/30/2012 at 08:30 PM.

10/30/2012, 08:55 PM	#16
d3hree Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 773	this is a great system, I am so glad you posted the pics and video. Ever since I saw your pics of the frozen food feeder on Peters thread it has been one Ive been looking forward to seeing more of. Great video of an awesome tank!!

10/30/2012, 09:02 PM	#18
brizhound Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 92	Wow!! Incredible. I'm tagging along. For all the updates. Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

10/30/2012, 09:03 PM	#19
reefstew Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Phoenix ,Az Posts: 1,608	I was able to see it being built & it is attention to detail. The same goes for the video.

10/30/2012, 09:21 PM	#22
Nibrown9 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Dalhart TX Posts: 1,062	Your are my hero! Def looking forward too seeing more __________________ The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will. ~Vince Lombardi Current Tank Info: 150g pinensula 40gb sump vertex in-280 back to mh from led

10/30/2012, 09:23 PM	#23
Nibrown9 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Dalhart TX Posts: 1,062	Damn can't view the video on my iPad. Guess ill fire up the old pc __________________ The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will. ~Vince Lombardi Current Tank Info: 150g pinensula 40gb sump vertex in-280 back to mh from led

10/30/2012, 09:28 PM	#24
Weyrman Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: South Valley Posts: 1,132	Impressive build! I specially am intrigued with the feeding system. What did you design to transport the food to the tank from the holding tray? Looks like it drops from the tray into the refridgerator and then into a larger PVC tube connected to..., or is that a container that the pumps draw from...? You say there's a sump in the refridgerator or did I missread that? Nicely thought out and executed Elliott! Subscribed! __________________ "The Grand Canyon of Colorado is a chasm that slices through the plateau country of northern Arizona like a gigantic and impossible desert crevasse." Colin Fletcher, "The Man Who Walked Through Time" Current Tank Info: 150g Mixed Reef, 30g sump, ASM2 & 3, Koralia & MP40, 3 Radions, Spectrapure Litermeter III ATO, Kalk dosing, Auto water change - 4 Tangs, 2 Rabbit Fish, 2 Dragonets, 12 Chromis, Hawkfish, Clown, Pajama Cardinals Last edited by Weyrman; 10/30/2012 at 09:34 PM.