150G Build By PMG
- Thread starter PMG
- Start date
BrunstuckyJoe
Active member
I'd like to see this tank once you get it going....you put mine to shame...
BrunstuckyJoe
Active member
Im sure it will be.....and don't forget the corals....then we could trade some stuff...
Paul:
I can only repeat the previous kudos for a well designed and beautiful set up. I particularly like the Ohio State trim in the room. It appears this tank will be true Buckeye quality.
One little suggestion is to not place the quarantine / hospital tanks on the side as by the nature of the beast, they should be easily sanitizeable. Mine are "aquascaped" with PVC pipe and sponge filters. However, you may be able to come up with better and prettier ideas (You certainly have a much prettier set up than mine).
Stan
I can only repeat the previous kudos for a well designed and beautiful set up. I particularly like the Ohio State trim in the room. It appears this tank will be true Buckeye quality.
One little suggestion is to not place the quarantine / hospital tanks on the side as by the nature of the beast, they should be easily sanitizeable. Mine are "aquascaped" with PVC pipe and sponge filters. However, you may be able to come up with better and prettier ideas (You certainly have a much prettier set up than mine).
Stan
serpentman
part time superhero
Rarely am I in awe over an empty tank but all I can say is wow. Excellent work. Keep the pics coming!
PMG
New member
Stan,
I can't agree with you more.
In fact it was just this morning I was debating on doing just as you have suggested. I have about 5' of wall space close to the fish room and sink that I could utilize for a QT setup.
However, I keep tossing this back and forth. I think if I get a couple 29G starter kits and build a decorative lightweight hood that compliments my display and can be removed easily, and keep all of my components within the system itself I should be able to break them down relatively easy and quickly. Although I think I would benefit more from a QT tank with a higher volume of water.
So, once again I just changed my plan.
Go Buckeyes!
PMG
New member
Thanks Mike,<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14079235#post14079235 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mike660r
Your setup is coming along very well Paul. I'm wondering how long it will take for you to convert your utility room into a full blown fish room.
I'm almost out of space in the utility room. I have about enough room for a refrigerator/freezer and a few buckets of salt, That's it. looks like I'm going to have to take over another section of the basement, or just do it right and wall off a 16' x 16' corner and make it an in-wall display. My wife would probably kill me at this point if I even suggested that. I'll just get this one going first.
PMG
New member
Time for water
Time for water
This weekend I got my set-up to the point of being able to begin filling the tank and sump to test equipment and for leaks. So far so good on the leaks anyway. Tanks a little more then 1/2 way full, and surprisingly enough none of my plumbing has leaked thus far. I still need to test the two drains, but I'll have to wait till tomorrow when I have enough water made to make it to the top.
As for the equipment, I wasn't so lucky. I purchased my Blueline 70HD external pump used, and planned on running the Bullet III skimmer with it. Before I installed the pump I disassembled the unit to clean and check for damage. What I found was an impeller that spun a little stiff. I worked with it a little bit and was able to get it to spin much better, but not as well I would like. I went ahead and plumbed the pump up with hopes that once water was to it, and after a few hours of run time the impeller would wear itself back in. After the sump was filled with water, I fired up the skimmer pump and it appeared to be fine, but when I went to start it again this morning it was locked up. So with that said, I will be purchasing a new pump this week. I could just buy a new impeller, but I will feel more comfortable knowing I have a totally new pump that shouldn't burn up any time soon. When I get some extra money after the tanks up and running I will pick up another impeller for the used pump to keep as a spare.
I've also tested my return pump (Blueline 100HD, 1950gph) and return plumbing to also find no leaks. Last week I was convinced that this pump was way to big for my system, But after using the Reef Central head loss calculator, I was surprised to see that with all the plumbing, UV sterilizer, and four 3/4" returns that the pump would be reduced to 1103gph. I found that hard to believe, but I went ahead and gave it a shot. The good part is, I think it is going to be O.K., The bad part is, I was kind of hoping it was to big so I could replace it with a smaller more efficient pump that wasn't going to cost so much to run. I will probably due a little experimenting with the RC calculator to possibly find a smaller pump that will still give me enough flow and again keep the big pump for a spare. I think the big pumps GPH is reduced severely once it is reduced from a 1" pipe to 3/4" pipe and I am just wasting electricity compared to a smaller pump that would give me close to the same GPH more efficiently, but I am definitely no expert.
I should come home from work tomorrow to find 150 pounds of dry rock on the front porch. I ordered the rock from Bulk Reef Supply after patiently waiting months for them to get some back in stock. My plan is to let the rock soak in a few Brute trash cans with RO/DI, and a few Maxi-Jets to get some of the dirt and dead dried up life forms off before adding it to my tank. I'll probably let it soak until next weekend as I will be not be getting any sand until Friday. After a few weeks of heavy skimming in the tank I will locate a few good pieces of Live Rock to seed the tank and wait for it to cycle.
If I'm lucky, hopefully my system will be ready for some frags from the frag swap on April 4th.
I still need to pick-up a lot of the little things throughout the next month or so, and the big things like a pair of Vortech MP40's if I can squeeze it in the budget.
All of this is assuming I don't come home from work tomorrow to an empty tank, a soaked basement, and a wife that won't even look at me let alone speak to me.
Time for water
This weekend I got my set-up to the point of being able to begin filling the tank and sump to test equipment and for leaks. So far so good on the leaks anyway. Tanks a little more then 1/2 way full, and surprisingly enough none of my plumbing has leaked thus far. I still need to test the two drains, but I'll have to wait till tomorrow when I have enough water made to make it to the top.
As for the equipment, I wasn't so lucky. I purchased my Blueline 70HD external pump used, and planned on running the Bullet III skimmer with it. Before I installed the pump I disassembled the unit to clean and check for damage. What I found was an impeller that spun a little stiff. I worked with it a little bit and was able to get it to spin much better, but not as well I would like. I went ahead and plumbed the pump up with hopes that once water was to it, and after a few hours of run time the impeller would wear itself back in. After the sump was filled with water, I fired up the skimmer pump and it appeared to be fine, but when I went to start it again this morning it was locked up. So with that said, I will be purchasing a new pump this week. I could just buy a new impeller, but I will feel more comfortable knowing I have a totally new pump that shouldn't burn up any time soon. When I get some extra money after the tanks up and running I will pick up another impeller for the used pump to keep as a spare.
I've also tested my return pump (Blueline 100HD, 1950gph) and return plumbing to also find no leaks. Last week I was convinced that this pump was way to big for my system, But after using the Reef Central head loss calculator, I was surprised to see that with all the plumbing, UV sterilizer, and four 3/4" returns that the pump would be reduced to 1103gph. I found that hard to believe, but I went ahead and gave it a shot. The good part is, I think it is going to be O.K., The bad part is, I was kind of hoping it was to big so I could replace it with a smaller more efficient pump that wasn't going to cost so much to run. I will probably due a little experimenting with the RC calculator to possibly find a smaller pump that will still give me enough flow and again keep the big pump for a spare. I think the big pumps GPH is reduced severely once it is reduced from a 1" pipe to 3/4" pipe and I am just wasting electricity compared to a smaller pump that would give me close to the same GPH more efficiently, but I am definitely no expert.
I should come home from work tomorrow to find 150 pounds of dry rock on the front porch. I ordered the rock from Bulk Reef Supply after patiently waiting months for them to get some back in stock. My plan is to let the rock soak in a few Brute trash cans with RO/DI, and a few Maxi-Jets to get some of the dirt and dead dried up life forms off before adding it to my tank. I'll probably let it soak until next weekend as I will be not be getting any sand until Friday. After a few weeks of heavy skimming in the tank I will locate a few good pieces of Live Rock to seed the tank and wait for it to cycle.
If I'm lucky, hopefully my system will be ready for some frags from the frag swap on April 4th.
I still need to pick-up a lot of the little things throughout the next month or so, and the big things like a pair of Vortech MP40's if I can squeeze it in the budget.
All of this is assuming I don't come home from work tomorrow to an empty tank, a soaked basement, and a wife that won't even look at me let alone speak to me.
PMG
New member
Updates:
Updates:
I'm finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel for this build.
Earlier in the week I received my dry rock from BRS and began the process of soaking and cleaning the rock for my weekend aquascaping. I spent most of Saturday adding rock and sand trying to replicate what I had mocked up on the floor. Of coarse it turned out nowhere like what was set up on the floor, but I'm happy with the final result.
Special thanks go out to Mike660r for helping me locate some sand in a pinch. Thanks again Mike.
I spent most of today making a basic program for the ACIII to automate the basic systems while my tank starts its cycle. I added a few pounds of live rock, and am now continuing to wait for the murky water to clear so I can get a good look at the finished aquascaping.
Here's a few pics of the aquascaping. I will post some better shots later in the week as the water clears.
Updates:
I'm finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel for this build.
Earlier in the week I received my dry rock from BRS and began the process of soaking and cleaning the rock for my weekend aquascaping. I spent most of Saturday adding rock and sand trying to replicate what I had mocked up on the floor. Of coarse it turned out nowhere like what was set up on the floor, but I'm happy with the final result.
Special thanks go out to Mike660r for helping me locate some sand in a pinch. Thanks again Mike.
I spent most of today making a basic program for the ACIII to automate the basic systems while my tank starts its cycle. I added a few pounds of live rock, and am now continuing to wait for the murky water to clear so I can get a good look at the finished aquascaping.
Here's a few pics of the aquascaping. I will post some better shots later in the week as the water clears.
PMG
New member
I didn't make a whole lot of progress this week, but the sand silt finally settled and I'm now able to get a good look at the aquascaping.
I made the decision to switch out my two large external pumps with a pair of new Pan World 150PS's (1100gph). The new pumps will be more efficient, and in my opinion are better suited for my system.
I have also finished the power center/storage rack next to the water storage. The power center controls the powerheads and heaters in the storage tanks.
Just a few more small projects to complete while the tank cycles and I'll be ready to add a few hardy fish.
I made the decision to switch out my two large external pumps with a pair of new Pan World 150PS's (1100gph). The new pumps will be more efficient, and in my opinion are better suited for my system.
I have also finished the power center/storage rack next to the water storage. The power center controls the powerheads and heaters in the storage tanks.
Just a few more small projects to complete while the tank cycles and I'll be ready to add a few hardy fish.
PMG
New member
It's been almost two months since my last post and my tank has gone through some significant changes along the way including the addition of a few nice pieces of equipment.
As you can see below the tank has gone through it's initial cycle including a three week long diatom algae bloom that blanketed the entire tank.
Over the last month I have added the following livestock:
As for the system itself, I have completed the Auto Top Off system, and finished plumbing the calcium reactor. I have also installed two Vortech MP40W's with battery back-up, and purchased a GEO Kalk Reactor that still needs installed.
I plan on using two solenoids controlled by the ACIII to determine whether Kalk or fresh RO/DI is used for top off based on PH, and am hoping to complete this project within the next few weekends.
I am also starting to gear up for the upcoming Frag Swap. I have already requested a few frags, and with out a doubt will be looking for a few more to help stock this coral less tank. Below is a picture of my temporary coral QT tank.
As you can see below the tank has gone through it's initial cycle including a three week long diatom algae bloom that blanketed the entire tank.
Over the last month I have added the following livestock:
- Large clean up crew
- 5 Blue/Green Chromis
- 2 TR Clowns
- 2 Pajama Cardinals
- 1 Tomini Tang
- 1 Naso Tang
- 1 Cleaner Shrimp
As for the system itself, I have completed the Auto Top Off system, and finished plumbing the calcium reactor. I have also installed two Vortech MP40W's with battery back-up, and purchased a GEO Kalk Reactor that still needs installed.
I plan on using two solenoids controlled by the ACIII to determine whether Kalk or fresh RO/DI is used for top off based on PH, and am hoping to complete this project within the next few weekends.
I am also starting to gear up for the upcoming Frag Swap. I have already requested a few frags, and with out a doubt will be looking for a few more to help stock this coral less tank. Below is a picture of my temporary coral QT tank.
BrunstuckyJoe
Active member
I'm jealous...this would be my ultimate set up...
PMG
New member
Update With Pics
Update With Pics
It's been almost 2-1/2 months since I last posted in this thread, so I figured I better give some updates and recent pics.
Since the last post I have almost fully stocked the tank with about thirty or so frags, and added a yellow tang. Most of the frags have adapted to the tank environment, and are starting to show steady growth and coloration.
I would have posted a few pictures earlier in the month, but my six year old Fuji point & shoot decided to take it"it's last picture
. I have since then replaced it with a nice DSLR, but have not had the time to figure out all the settings. I haven't been able to get a decent picture yet that shows the true appearance of the tank, but I have plenty of books and a lot of good links to learn when I find the time and motivation.
So, with that said, here are a few tank shots. I'll post some more shoots when I figure out this new camera.
I have also put together a 75G QT.
The GEO Kalk reactor has been installed although I am not currently running it as my frags don't deplete my levels fast enough yet.
I'll try to update this thread more often as I plan to add a few more fish, and a few more nice frags to fill in a few gaps in the next few months.
Update With Pics
It's been almost 2-1/2 months since I last posted in this thread, so I figured I better give some updates and recent pics.
Since the last post I have almost fully stocked the tank with about thirty or so frags, and added a yellow tang. Most of the frags have adapted to the tank environment, and are starting to show steady growth and coloration.
I would have posted a few pictures earlier in the month, but my six year old Fuji point & shoot decided to take it"it's last picture
. I have since then replaced it with a nice DSLR, but have not had the time to figure out all the settings. I haven't been able to get a decent picture yet that shows the true appearance of the tank, but I have plenty of books and a lot of good links to learn when I find the time and motivation. So, with that said, here are a few tank shots. I'll post some more shoots when I figure out this new camera.
I have also put together a 75G QT.
The GEO Kalk reactor has been installed although I am not currently running it as my frags don't deplete my levels fast enough yet.
I'll try to update this thread more often as I plan to add a few more fish, and a few more nice frags to fill in a few gaps in the next few months.
BigTuna321
New member
looks great :thumbsup:
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