A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build

[laugh]

Nevermind. I see you already posted in the steel stands thread.

[Newbie Aquarist]

Originally Posted by Dustin1300

I need to do some prep work on the stand before moving to the basement. That being said, I need to 1) determine if gussets are needed, 2) prep metal for paint, and 3) paint with several coats of hercu-liner.

Does everyone think I need gussets? If so, should they be the 2" square tube or just steel plates cut in triangles? Any recommendations on prepping the metal as it has surface rust from bad paint job after being set up....I'd prefer not to have to sandblast but looking for another good recommendation.

Tanks stand. Can get better pics if needed and specifics on dimensions. Welds seem to be really good.


Before I purchased tank was never set up and only has surface rust from sitting in garage. I did water test before handing over money on the tank and stand was very secure in my garage

Man you have been holding out on me. When did you get that tank. What are the dimensions on it? I re read your build and couldn't find it. Looks like a nice steal of a deal.

[Dustin1300]

Originally Posted by laugh

Nevermind. I see you already posted in the steel stands thread.

I've polled a few different places. I also sent off my sketches and specifics to an architect and an engineer. On RC, I love getting opinions but I don't know everyone's credentials.

My final revision I earlier outlined I am not wanting to go with because of the bad access. To prevent deflection and have the design below approved with a program will put my mind to ease. He'll be doing the calculations and use of a program to ensure that what I've designed is up to snuff.

Backside:


Underside:

[Dustin1300]

Originally Posted by Newbie Aquarist

Man you have been holding out on me. When did you get that tank. What are the dimensions on it? I re read your build and couldn't find it. Looks like a nice steal of a deal.

It's in here somewhere I bought it a couple months ago and it's been sitting in my garage while I've been busy on other things. It's a 600 gallon tank and dimensions are 96"X48"X30" with 3/4" acrylic. Tank is 'brand new' as it's only been water tested, never seen water, and is in mint condition

[Floyd R Turbo]

That's the way to buy them. And IMO the only way. If an acrylic tank is not properly set up and it gets broken in, then you set it up right, it can fail. If you buy a used tank and not the stand, you're rolling the dice because the stresses can change and pop goes the weasel.

[Dustin1300]

Originally Posted by Floyd R Turbo

That's the way to buy them. And IMO the only way. If an acrylic tank is not properly set up and it gets broken in, then you set it up right, it can fail. If you buy a used tank and not the stand, you're rolling the dice because the stresses can change and pop goes the weasel.

I've never looked at "Pop goes the weasel" in such a bad way. I don't even want to think about that!

[Dustin1300]

Sorry for the lack of updates lately guys but a new role at work has been keeping me really busy. Not a lot has been going on....I was starting to get algae growth on rock and losing color in my coral and my Hanna Checker was reading 0.00 ppm and all other params were in check. Decided to pick up a Hanna Ultra Low Phosphorous checker and found the number to be 28 ppb (.0797 ppm) and have since cut that in half. Just put an order in for four more pounds of GFO and some more reagents for my Hanna Checker.

I just had a friend (architect) come over and look at my wall and see if he believes it was load bearing and he thinks it is. Going to see if anyone in my club is contractor or has been one in past and can give me a recommendation so I can get walls torn out before moving tank downstairs.

On the stand, I've decided to build up a wood platform to help displace the weight on the slab rather than on the 2 inches of steel. I've also added gussets and additional horizontal tubing to ensure I don't have any deflection. I've had an architect and a couple structural engineers, tank builder, and several other forums/RC to ensure I'm good and I feel comfortable moving forward with design. Just sent off the cuts to have the steel cut, not sure on the turnaround but I have plenty things and money to be spent elsewhere

All red pieces are additional steel I'm adding.

[Dustin1300]

I said earlier that I was going to post a full review of what my thoughts are on the Apollo fixture. Please see following link for a full synopsis of it

Apollo Reef LED SolarBlast Dimable Review

[Dustin1300]

Tank is ready to be moved to temporary platform while stand is welded and painted in the next few weeks. After that hopefully I can move the tank/stand to the basement and start working on getting our basement remodeled so I can enjoy the fish tank from a comfortable seat



On furniture movers.

[SPotter]

how much does the tank weigh empty again?

[Dustin1300]

Originally Posted by SPotter

how much does the tank weigh empty again?

I'd say 400-500 pounds. Three of us did it and I honestly only did about part of the lifting because I was guiding it into place. Much lighter than a glass tank would be!

Update:

- Tank is in place
- Phosphates tested are finally down to 6 ppb phosphorous (.018 ppm phosphate) and I'm starting to see coral color slowly coming back and algae fading
- Got a new LED light, an Orphek PR-156 to test on frag tank and replace the Orphek DIF-50 which did not suit my application. I will likely post a review much like the Apollo as it's a comparable fixture offering 120 watts worth of lighting with a mixture of whites, blues, and UVs but with wider optics, 120s. More to come when I have a chance

[Dustin1300]

Before I move the tank down to the basement, I've got some basement remodeling to do before the tank goes into it's final resting place.

Phase 1: Tear out stairwell walls
Phase 2: Trim out and drywall stairwell walls
Phase 3: Tear out window for tank
Phase 4: Put Tank in place downstairs (Currently stand needs to be finished first)
Phase 5: Trim out window for tank

Phase 1 started on demo in the basement....Hoping to finish this off in the next week or so when I have the spare time to do so.

Before:




After:

[Sisterlimonpot]

Well,
that's one way to get the tank down there. I would have never thought about doing that, I bet it would have made moving those ellipticals down there easier too.

[.Marshall]

Just want to say thank you for taking 2 hours from me, just went through your entire build thread.. nothing short of perfection, LOVE IT! Keep it up!!

[Dustin1300]

Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot

Well,
that's one way to get the tank down there. I would have never thought about doing that, I bet it would have made moving those ellipticals down there easier too.

Yes it would have but before getting the tank finished we decided we should do some work to basement first. Glad we are doing this as it will make tank move easier and will open up two sides of the basement to each other more!

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

[Dustin1300]

Originally Posted by .Marshall

Just want to say thank you for taking 2 hours from me, just went through your entire build thread.. nothing short of perfection, LOVE IT! Keep it up!!

Thanks and glad I could waste some of your day and hope to have you following along I'm taking my time but enjoy the build too!

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

[rogermccray]

Originally Posted by Dustin1300

Yes it would have but before getting the tank finished we decided we should do some work to basement first. Glad we are doing this as it will make tank move easier and will open up two sides of the basement to each other more!

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

I definitely like the more open floor plan in the basement, I think it will make your basement look much bigger, that is until you put a monstrous fish tank down there

[david00061]

I like the open look too

[Dustin1300]

It's that time of the year.....$1 a gallon sale at Petco. I grabbed a couple 40Bs that I'll be making use of. Think one will serve as Mangrove garden on top tier of stand....Have not yet decided what I'll do with other...

[david00061]

I need to set up a quarantine tank. I think I will head down there.

[MattyO]

It's that time of the year.....$1 a gallon sale at Petco. I grabbed a couple 40Bs that I'll be making use of. Think one will serve as Mangrove garden on top tier of stand....Have not yet decided what I'll do with other...

maybe a low flow cryptic zone full of live rock? I have always wanted to do this as a natural way of helping out the filters.

[Dustin1300]

Originally Posted by MattyO

maybe a low flow cryptic zone full of live rock? I have always wanted to do this as a natural way of helping out the filters.

It's possible, just would have to do some research on the topic as I've not read on them a lot....Have just seen them often. Too many topics in this hobby to know em all!

[Newbie Aquarist]

How do you plan to incorporate the mangrove system to your tank?


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[Dustin1300]

Originally Posted by Newbie Aquarist

How do you plan to incorporate the mangrove system to your tank?


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Not something I've put a lot of thought into but considered putting on the top tier of my stand, then just drilling a hole and putting overflow into sump. I'd then just branch a leg off my manifold and send it up to the tank so not a lot of thought has went into it yet They'd be out of the way being on the top tier of stand but not something I'd need access to often.

[kahkah]

How is the basement remodel going? Any progress