10' Pond Build

That is much less than I would have expected and would be well worth the initial investment long term! My family has a mechanical contracting business (mostly industrial/commercial) but I can probably still get a decent rate on residential equipment from our suppliers.

I'm in Michigan now (Relocated here to help with the family business) but lived in South Florida (Boca Raton) for just short of a decade after college. Used to get to the Keys every other weekend while I was living there, but have to settle for a half-dozen times or so per year as of now. My wife and I actually got married in Key West this past June, and have another trip down in the works for this winter. I actually prefer Key Largo and the Middle Keys to Key West (can't beat camping at Bahia Honda) while my wife prefers the latter, so we try to divide our time and get to both while we are down there.
 
Yea, but also might depend on your area of course. I know they charge a lot to install so that can be killer and could make the difference. But if you feel confident with that I would recommend it, just make sure to get everything you need. Can't slack on electrical materials.

And awesome, congrats!
Yea I'm not into key west, it's too crazy and just a different atmosphere. Plus it's too far from the mainland and do a lot of business and miami and it's better for mostly everything anyways.
 
moriarty said:
Started on a refugium tub to grow macroalgae. I currently have macro growing in the sump but would prefer a dedicated, more shallow container. May use the shelfs below it to add a DSB and/or some sort of sponge culture tub for the angels.

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Wow! So much progress since I last checked in on this thread, way to go! Looking sweet, school of tangs and that's just a very small area of your system.

Speaking of which, I am really interested in how you have set up your 'fuge. Would you be so kind as to post some more info as to how you have this plumbed? I am looking at setting up multi-tank system after the Xmas holiday, and I have been looking at stock tanks as one option for use as sumps and live rock + water volume, so any info you can impart would be very helpful.
 
HowUDoin said:
Wow! So much progress since I last checked in on this thread, way to go! Looking sweet, school of tangs and that's just a very small area of your system.

Speaking of which, I am really interested in how you have set up your 'fuge. Would you be so kind as to post some more info as to how you have this plumbed? I am looking at setting up multi-tank system after the Xmas holiday, and I have been looking at stock tanks as one option for use as sumps and live rock + water volume, so any info you can impart would be very helpful.
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I appreciate the compliment! I haven't made any progress on the fuge since posting this pic (not sure if I'm going to keep it where it is or move it behind the sump, and wanted to be sure I like it where it is before filing/plumbing it). Either way, I want to cut down on the number of pumps in use, so I'm planning on plumbing a 3/4" or 1" reducing tee into the horizontal part of the line that supplies the sump (the one to the trash can) along with a ball valve so that I can control/stop the flow to the refugium if needed. Water will flow from the tee into the fuge, back to the sump through 2 1" bulkheads cut into the side of the refugium tub, and back to the pool. Hope that made sense. I'll post some pics after I get it plumbed.
 
Just a quick update and some more pics. Added a few more fish from my 120 and 240 DTs. I was kind of surprised to find out that the magnets from Koralia pumps are strong enough to go through 3 liners plus a layer of insulation. I attached 2 Evolution 1500s to the side of the pond opposite the filter/sump and aimed them in the direction of the gyre. This should add a little more flow. Have 3 more on order which should be here this week.

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First nori feeding of the day with a photobomb from my Humu.

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The bare patches on the bottom of the pond are from my maroon clowns, who have been relentlessly clearing away patches, likely looking for a suitable spawning site.

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Found it! Female maroon guarding a new clutch of eggs.
 
First of all, AWESOME setup. I have thoroughly enjoyed this thread.

Second, I have to ask the OP and any others who have giant systems... what do you guys do for a living? The reason I'm so curious is that while I'm sure it is very expensive I'm also sure it takes a ton of your time. Most of the guys I know who can afford a set up like this work hours that wouldn't allow them to take care of it. Maybe you're retired? Don't mean to be rude or anything... if anything I want to be like you 👍
 
moriarty said:
Just a quick update and some more pics. Added a few more fish from my 120 and 240 DTs. I was kind of surprised to find out that the magnets from Koralia pumps are strong enough to go through 3 liners plus a layer of insulation. I attached 2 Evolution 1500s to the side of the pond opposite the filter/sump and aimed them in the direction of the gyre. This should add a little more flow. Have 3 more on order which should be here this week.

Very cool build! Why not go with the more powerful Koralia Magnum 8's?
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edinphilly said:
First of all, AWESOME setup. I have thoroughly enjoyed this thread.

Second, I have to ask the OP and any others who have giant systems... what do you guys do for a living? The reason I'm so curious is that while I'm sure it is very expensive I'm also sure it takes a ton of your time. Most of the guys I know who can afford a set up like this work hours that wouldn't allow them to take care of it. Maybe you're retired? Don't mean to be rude or anything... if anything I want to be like you ��
Click to expand...

Don't think it's really that much of a difference in price between a pond like this and a large tank (200-300g) system with stand and everything. Now with equipment like lights and skimmers, of course it's bigger and more of them so that part will be more but if you shop it and go to multiple places to get prices it wont be that bad.
It's basically just a big DIY project, if you have some time to spare. But if you pay other people and businesses to do everything for you, like the guys from "Tanked" (horrible example because they are ridiculously expensive), this build would be the price of a house...
You are correct though, the time is what doesn't allow some people to do bigger builds like this. I'm doing a 75 build right now and don't have that much time for it lol little by little though, slow and steady wins the race in this hobby anyways.
 
edinphilly said:
Second, I have to ask the OP and any others who have giant systems... what do you guys do for a living? The reason I'm so curious is that while I'm sure it is very expensive I'm also sure it takes a ton of your time. Most of the guys I know who can afford a set up like this work hours that wouldn't allow them to take care of it. Maybe you're retired? Don't mean to be rude or anything... if anything I want to be like you 👍
Click to expand...

As posted, it's often times cheaper to go this route than a tank. When people approach me about wanting sharks, the first thing I do is explain why a pool like this is the better way verse a glass/acrylic tank in most cases.

When people ask me how big my biggest personal tank is, I tell them 1,200 gallons. They instantly assume I spent tens of thousands. I think I have less than a grand into the set up.
 
edinphilly said:
First of all, AWESOME setup. I have thoroughly enjoyed this thread.

Second, I have to ask the OP and any others who have giant systems... what do you guys do for a living? The reason I'm so curious is that while I'm sure it is very expensive I'm also sure it takes a ton of your time. Most of the guys I know who can afford a set up like this work hours that wouldn't allow them to take care of it. Maybe you're retired? Don't mean to be rude or anything... if anything I want to be like you 👍
Click to expand...

Thank you! Yeah, this system really wasn't too spendy at all. I think the biggest single expense (aside from the fish, the majority of which I have had for quite a while) was the salt mix. As for time, I actually spend less with the pond than I do with my reef/smaller systems as the larger volume adds stability. The initial set up took a while, but I did it a little at a time over the course of several weeks. :)
 
jdm1114 said:
moriarty said:
Just a quick update and some more pics. Added a few more fish from my 120 and 240 DTs. I was kind of surprised to find out that the magnets from Koralia pumps are strong enough to go through 3 liners plus a layer of insulation. I attached 2 Evolution 1500s to the side of the pond opposite the filter/sump and aimed them in the direction of the gyre. This should add a little more flow. Have 3 more on order which should be here this week.

Very cool build! Why not go with the more powerful Koralia Magnum 8's?
Click to expand...

Yep, the 3 new pumps that I ordered are Magnum 8's! Forgot to specify in my last post. I had considered going with a single VorTech MP60w but I'm not planning on using the wave feature (thought that all of the water sloshing around may not be the best thing for the frame/liner). Can always add a few more down the road if the flow still isn't where I would like it to be.
Click to expand...
 
LMAO about the koralia magnets. I just recently got a 7 from a friend and I had to pry the thing apart with a putty knife. So frustrating. They put out some serious flow for a good price tho.
Nice setup, keep the pics comin.
 
Wow !! Love the idea !!! And really I like how did you buld it. I think it will be better if you plan to hide the filter by putting plants or cover it with wood or convert it to a waterfall same as koi pond ,, it is just an idea:)
 
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