Reef Central Online Community

Go Back   Reef Central Online Community > Special Interest Group (SIG) Forums > Large Reef Tanks
Blogs FAQ Calendar Mark Forums Read

Notices

User Tag List

Reply
Thread Tools
Unread 10/21/2013, 09:09 PM   #1
SPotter
Registered Member
 
SPotter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Posts: 5,691
A Low Country Reef Tank....one more final upgrade

So here I go again with another final upgrade build. For those of you that followed my last thread, thank you for joining in on this one and for those that are new to my threads I will give you a little history on my last system. I had set up 72x36x28 in March of 2012 that was running until June 2013 when my wife and I decided to sell our home in NJ and move to SC. At which point I sold the tank, stand, sump and lighting as well as all of my livestock. We are now in the process of building a house that should be done February/March 2014 and if I have it my way, the new tank will be delivered the day after the closing….I've been going nuts not having a tank to tinker with. Now onto the new system……

Display: 96"x36"x24"
Stand: Steel
Filtration: Rubbermaid Stock tanks…100g sump, 100g fuge and 150g live rock bin
Lighting: Going old school with 4 x 250w Metal Halides and VHO Super Actinic.
Circulation: My wife asked that on this tank there be none to as little as possible equipment in the tank so I am going to go with 2 closed loop systems powered by DC pumps. My goal on this tank will be to concentrate more on chaotic flow patterns than on overall turnover rates.
Return Pump: Not sure yet
Skimmer: I will be selling my ATB 10.5 because it won't be big enough and will be going with an external skimmer. Based on some recent reviews and feedback by some reefers that I really trust I will be going with a Skimz skimmer.
UV Sterilizer: 120w Emperor Aquatics HO UV
Fish Room: Since there are no basements in the Low Country and I am not a huge fan of having the equipment under the tank I will be running 6 pvc lines from where the tank is, thru my crawl space and into my garage where I will be building a fish room. I thought about not building the fish room but the summers are hot with daily temps that start at 85 for the low and reach high 90's so cooling would be an issue. Dimensions of the fish room have not been finalized yet but it will have its own cooling system thru the use of a mini split ac system.
Water Storage: 2 x 165g water storage tanks
Water Changes: I will be doing daily wc's with a LiterMeter3 that I picked up with the water storage tanks. I will do a bulk water change every 3 weeks to vacuum the sand and remove detritus
Dosing: Given the size of the system two part will be very expensive. I will probably start with two part and then switch over to my MTC ProCal reactor when the demand becomes too expensive for dosing.
Stocking Plans: I haven't gotten that far yet but it will be a mixed reef tank. My plan is to do something different from what I did on the last tank and thats take it really slow. While it will be tempting I will not add any of the more difficult sps until the tank reaches the 9-12 month mark from when it has completed cycling and I am able to show consistent and stable parameters for an extended period of time.

Im sure that some of the items listed above will change between now and the time I flip the power on for this system but we will have a lot of fun between now and then. This build will go slow but hopefully by late March we will have some water flowing in the tanks. I will post more information tomorrow about the flow diverters I ordered for the closed loop systems.


__________________
Steve

Am I really doing all of this for a fish tank??????

Current Tank Info: 360g Envision Acrylic Tank, Closed Loops, Vectra L1's, MP40QD's, 400w Radiums, Regal 300ext, Dastaco Ext3 CaRx, Controlled by GHL Profilux

Last edited by SPotter; 10/21/2013 at 10:00 PM.
SPotter is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/21/2013, 10:56 PM   #2
biecacka
Registered Member
 
biecacka's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 6,361
Steve I'm FOLLOWING buddy!


Corey


biecacka is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/22/2013, 06:25 AM   #3
SPotter
Registered Member
 
SPotter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Posts: 5,691
Derkroon Flowwolf V2.0

So here is my first major purchase of the next build and this is what I will be using for my flow diverter on my closed loop systems and I am really excited to test this out as soon as I can. I will be using two of these with DC12000 pumps on each one.

Product link.....

http://www.derkroon.com/store/produc...flow-diverters


Video of it in action....




__________________
Steve

Am I really doing all of this for a fish tank??????

Current Tank Info: 360g Envision Acrylic Tank, Closed Loops, Vectra L1's, MP40QD's, 400w Radiums, Regal 300ext, Dastaco Ext3 CaRx, Controlled by GHL Profilux
SPotter is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/22/2013, 06:36 AM   #4
Mark...
Registered Member
 
Mark...'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Jersey Shore
Posts: 617
I'll be watching...


__________________
The solution, to pollution, is dilution...

Current Tank Info: 180
Mark... is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/22/2013, 06:48 AM   #5
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
 
Newbie Aquarist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Clearwater, FL
Posts: 5,796
Man I am very glad for you and cant wait for the Feb/March timeframe. Looking forward to seeing this baby run run run.


Newbie Aquarist is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/22/2013, 08:26 AM   #6
SPotter
Registered Member
 
SPotter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Posts: 5,691
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark... View Post
I'll be watching...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Newbie Aquarist View Post
Man I am very glad for you and cant wait for the Feb/March timeframe. Looking forward to seeing this baby run run run.
Quote:
Originally Posted by biecacka View Post
Steve I'm FOLLOWING buddy!


Corey
Thanks guys! Your threads have kept me going while I have been without a tank.


__________________
Steve

Am I really doing all of this for a fish tank??????

Current Tank Info: 360g Envision Acrylic Tank, Closed Loops, Vectra L1's, MP40QD's, 400w Radiums, Regal 300ext, Dastaco Ext3 CaRx, Controlled by GHL Profilux
SPotter is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/22/2013, 08:58 AM   #7
NyteGTI
Registered Member
 
NyteGTI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: NJ
Posts: 187
Following along. your 280build was great.


NyteGTI is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/22/2013, 08:59 AM   #8
SPotter
Registered Member
 
SPotter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Posts: 5,691
Quote:
Originally Posted by NyteGTI View Post
Following along. your 280build was great.
Thanks! It was a lot of fun and I feel like I was just hitting my grove with it to. I learned a lot on that tank and hope to carry forward my experiences into this one.


__________________
Steve

Am I really doing all of this for a fish tank??????

Current Tank Info: 360g Envision Acrylic Tank, Closed Loops, Vectra L1's, MP40QD's, 400w Radiums, Regal 300ext, Dastaco Ext3 CaRx, Controlled by GHL Profilux
SPotter is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/22/2013, 09:03 AM   #9
NyteGTI
Registered Member
 
NyteGTI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: NJ
Posts: 187
Im surprised to see you're not going sunpower fixture again here. I know you couldn't dial in the the Hyperion because of the color & intensity but im wondering if the MH will be the same problem & you'll end up with T5 fixtures again lol.

Hey did you ever find a LFS, I know you were saying the closest one was like 100 miles or something over in NJ reefers.


NyteGTI is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/22/2013, 09:19 AM   #10
SPotter
Registered Member
 
SPotter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Posts: 5,691
I thought about t5's but on a 96" tank I would need to run 12-16 bulbs and felt that was just too much. I started looking around at some of the bigger tanks and still see a lot of guys running MH even though the available equipment to chose from is limited now. There's definitely no question that MH can grow corals and I am going to play with two different bulb possibilities. I will either run 250w 20k radiums and use the vho as dusk/dawn lighting or drop down to 175w 14k bulbs for higher par ratings and use the vho for more actinic supplementation when the mh's are on. This could save me some money on energy consumptions and reduce temps issues associated with mh's. I will be using the Hamilton Sun Cozumel reflectors and that should give me plenty of coverage.

As far as the LFS around here....there's one thats about 20 mins away from me. I wasnt really impressed with their systems or livestock. What they do offer is a good supply of equipment and dry goods. So if I am ever in a pinch and cant wait for a UPS truck to deliver parts I can make the ride over there. I did meet a local installer/designer who used to have an LFS down here that now has a small aquaculture and wholesale business that he uses to basically sell to the tanks he installs or services. So, outside of that I will be doing the majority of my ordering online.


__________________
Steve

Am I really doing all of this for a fish tank??????

Current Tank Info: 360g Envision Acrylic Tank, Closed Loops, Vectra L1's, MP40QD's, 400w Radiums, Regal 300ext, Dastaco Ext3 CaRx, Controlled by GHL Profilux
SPotter is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/22/2013, 09:48 AM   #11
SPotter
Registered Member
 
SPotter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Posts: 5,691
Here's one if the water storage tanks and the LM3 that has the water change module with it. I drove to Savannah, Ga for these. My wife really thinks I'm crazy!!!!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/22/a6yzyrup.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/22/3a8egumy.jpg

The tanks also came with plumbing and a pan world 100 pump.


__________________
Steve

Am I really doing all of this for a fish tank??????

Current Tank Info: 360g Envision Acrylic Tank, Closed Loops, Vectra L1's, MP40QD's, 400w Radiums, Regal 300ext, Dastaco Ext3 CaRx, Controlled by GHL Profilux
SPotter is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/22/2013, 12:46 PM   #12
milonedp
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Waxhaw, NC
Posts: 256
Glad to see this build getting started, I know it won't be in earnest till next year but getting your arms around it now will be really helpful.

When you get around to doing the stock tank sump I'm interested to see what you plan on doing as I've been getting some microbubbles that I just can't seem to track down, maybe I'll have solved it before then and can let you know!

Did you decide on a tank builder?


__________________
Doug

To see my 450g Display Tank / 600g System build thread click on my username and select "Visit milonedp's homepage!"

Current Tank Info: 450 Gallon Reef
milonedp is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/22/2013, 12:50 PM   #13
SPotter
Registered Member
 
SPotter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Posts: 5,691
Quote:
Originally Posted by milonedp View Post
Glad to see this build getting started, I know it won't be in earnest till next year but getting your arms around it now will be really helpful.

When you get around to doing the stock tank sump I'm interested to see what you plan on doing as I've been getting some microbubbles that I just can't seem to track down, maybe I'll have solved it before then and can let you know!

Did you decide on a tank builder?
Thanks for joining in Doug. I havent decided on a tank builder yet and will hopefully have that nailed down soon. I probably wont order the tank until late december or early January at this point. There's a chance the rubbermaids will be swapped out for something else and I am just waiting to hear the prices for what has been suggested. I will share more about that when I have more information.


__________________
Steve

Am I really doing all of this for a fish tank??????

Current Tank Info: 360g Envision Acrylic Tank, Closed Loops, Vectra L1's, MP40QD's, 400w Radiums, Regal 300ext, Dastaco Ext3 CaRx, Controlled by GHL Profilux
SPotter is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/22/2013, 12:52 PM   #14
milonedp
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Waxhaw, NC
Posts: 256
At times I wonder if I should toss my rubbermaid set up and go back to a custom built sump, so when you start thinking that through let us know and I can let you know what I liked / didn't...


__________________
Doug

To see my 450g Display Tank / 600g System build thread click on my username and select "Visit milonedp's homepage!"

Current Tank Info: 450 Gallon Reef
milonedp is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/22/2013, 03:02 PM   #15
biecacka
Registered Member
 
biecacka's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 6,361
Doug are you using filter socks? Are the drains and return line close? I ask because I am setting up a Rubbermaid stock tank for my sump too

Corey


biecacka is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/22/2013, 04:27 PM   #16
owenspackman
Registered Member
 
owenspackman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 835
I'm along for the ride Steve! Let me know where I can help!


owenspackman is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/22/2013, 06:14 PM   #17
SPotter
Registered Member
 
SPotter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Posts: 5,691
Quote:
Originally Posted by owenspackman View Post
I'm along for the ride Steve! Let me know where I can help!
Hey Owen....thanks for tagging along! I will definitely let you know if I need help.


__________________
Steve

Am I really doing all of this for a fish tank??????

Current Tank Info: 360g Envision Acrylic Tank, Closed Loops, Vectra L1's, MP40QD's, 400w Radiums, Regal 300ext, Dastaco Ext3 CaRx, Controlled by GHL Profilux
SPotter is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/22/2013, 06:17 PM   #18
owenspackman
Registered Member
 
owenspackman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 835
Also, i might be able to take your old skimmer off your hands! I will be needing to upgrade mine, it's junk.

although i just saw the price of it new.........ouch, maybe not!!

I'm very interested to see how you go about the Fish Room is our hot/humid garages!


owenspackman is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/22/2013, 06:19 PM   #19
SPotter
Registered Member
 
SPotter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Posts: 5,691
Quote:
Originally Posted by owenspackman View Post
Also, i might be able to take your old skimmer off your hands! I will be needing to upgrade mine, it's junk.

although i just saw the price of it new.........ouch, maybe not!!

I'm very interested to see how you go about the Fish Room is our hot/humid garages!
We can work something out if you're interested. Its a beast of a skimmer but it wont be big enough for the amount of water I am planning on running. I bought it during a black friday deal so I got 10% off of what they ask for them new.


__________________
Steve

Am I really doing all of this for a fish tank??????

Current Tank Info: 360g Envision Acrylic Tank, Closed Loops, Vectra L1's, MP40QD's, 400w Radiums, Regal 300ext, Dastaco Ext3 CaRx, Controlled by GHL Profilux
SPotter is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/22/2013, 06:26 PM   #20
owenspackman
Registered Member
 
owenspackman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 835
Quote:
Originally Posted by SPotter View Post
We can work something out if you're interested. Its a beast of a skimmer but it wont be big enough for the amount of water I am planning on running. I bought it during a black friday deal so I got 10% off of what they ask for them new.
we'll talk offline so not to derail the thread.

The rubbermaids always appear to be a great option for sumps. The size / price ratio compared to glass tanks cannot be beaten and some are just HUGE. Amazon have the best prices i've seen for them, plus free shipping which just astounds me, i don't know how they're making any money.


owenspackman is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/22/2013, 06:35 PM   #21
SPotter
Registered Member
 
SPotter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Posts: 5,691
Quote:
Originally Posted by owenspackman View Post
we'll talk offline so not to derail the thread.

The rubbermaids always appear to be a great option for sumps. The size / price ratio compared to glass tanks cannot be beaten and some are just HUGE. Amazon have the best prices i've seen for them, plus free shipping which just astounds me, i don't know how they're making any money.
yeah you cant beat the prices on them. I was thinking about taking a ride up to tractor supply in Awendaw just so I can see how big they really are and get a better feel for them. If my other option works out, it will hopefully only cost a little more than the stock tanks and be easier to set up.


__________________
Steve

Am I really doing all of this for a fish tank??????

Current Tank Info: 360g Envision Acrylic Tank, Closed Loops, Vectra L1's, MP40QD's, 400w Radiums, Regal 300ext, Dastaco Ext3 CaRx, Controlled by GHL Profilux
SPotter is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/22/2013, 07:47 PM   #22
roni
Premium Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: stafford, va
Posts: 513
Good to see you're back in action. Following along.


roni is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/22/2013, 07:50 PM   #23
SPotter
Registered Member
 
SPotter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Posts: 5,691
Quote:
Originally Posted by roni View Post
Good to see you're back in action. Following along.
Thanks Roni! I held off starting the build thread as long as I could since I really didnt have much to discuss. But now that I am making some purchases like the flow diverters which I am really excited about I figured what the heck.


__________________
Steve

Am I really doing all of this for a fish tank??????

Current Tank Info: 360g Envision Acrylic Tank, Closed Loops, Vectra L1's, MP40QD's, 400w Radiums, Regal 300ext, Dastaco Ext3 CaRx, Controlled by GHL Profilux
SPotter is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/23/2013, 09:29 AM   #24
Oceanblu
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 12
It is hard to live without a reef tank isn't it? lol


Oceanblu is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 10/23/2013, 09:33 AM   #25
SPotter
Registered Member
 
SPotter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC
Posts: 5,691
Quote:
Originally Posted by Oceanblu View Post
It is hard to live without a reef tank isn't it? lol
Oh man, I never had an addiction to anything until now! I will say that for the first few weeks after the tank was gone it felt good but then it hit me. No auto delivery for my bucket of salt, no running to the lfs for pe mysis and I wasnt checking divers den every night to see what was being posted. I cant wait to get my tank up again!!!!


__________________
Steve

Am I really doing all of this for a fish tank??????

Current Tank Info: 360g Envision Acrylic Tank, Closed Loops, Vectra L1's, MP40QD's, 400w Radiums, Regal 300ext, Dastaco Ext3 CaRx, Controlled by GHL Profilux
SPotter is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:43 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Use of this web site is subject to the terms and conditions described in the user agreement.
Reef CentralTM Reef Central, LLC. Copyright ©1999-2022
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging v3.3.0 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.