210G Upgrade / Build (Lots of Pics)

[michael_in_nc]

Canopy is started and making progress...

There will be two doors in the top for daily feeding and such, then the canopy lift will be used for better access to the tank and lights. The doors will be partially recessed to match the doors in the stand.

 

[kdrof]

Coming along man! Looks nice. I just installed my canopy today. You should get your tank this week right?

 

[michael_in_nc]

My builder bought them, but based on what we talked about I think he got some neodymium magnets. I'll ask where he bought them...

He said he got them at the local Woodcraft store. They are neodymium magnets. You can get them online for cheaper but you have to pay shipping, but if you're ordering anyway, that'd be the way to go...

 

[James404]

Canopy is looking great so far, I wish I had that type of carpentry skill.

 

[michael_in_nc]

Canopy is looking great so far, I wish I had that type of carpentry skill.

Me too! Fortunately, I know someone who does...

 

[reeftanknewbie]

That's what I was going to try and do. I was thinking about running a PVC elbow to vent it through the main cabinet area to the back. Maybe 1 for ventilation and 1 for wiring. I didn't want to put it in the back of the electrical cabinet b/c that is one of the main supports, so I don't want to put any significant holes in it.

makes sense. maybe you could put a vent cover similar to the registers in your house on the back side of the stand that would allow cooled air into that space using a fan.

 

[D5HP]

what type of magnets did you use??? looking for a set..

www.kjmagnetics.com

Used them a number of times and their tables are really nice for showing B fields at different distances instead of having to sit there and compute it yourself.

Reasonable prices and the ones coated in rubber are perfect for salty applications.

 

[michael_in_nc]

www.kjmagnetics.com

Used them a number of times and their tables are really nice for showing B fields at different distances instead of having to sit there and compute it yourself.

Reasonable prices and the ones coated in rubber are perfect for salty applications.

"B fields". You must be an engineer...

 

[D5HP]

"B fields". You must be an engineer...

Busted. Avatar must have given it away! Boilermakers...great school.

How heavy is that canopy? The furniture looks fantastic.

 

[michael_in_nc]

Busted. Avatar must have given it away! Boilermakers...great school.

How heavy is that canopy? The furniture looks fantastic.

Thanks. I'm not sure yet on the canopy weight. We were guessing around 60 - 70lbs, plus the weight of the light fixture, maybe another 30 - 40lbs. The canopy lift system will have a "backoff" and rest on a metal mount attached to the base of the stand. This will keep both the glass tank and actuators from having to support the weight of the lift system.

I'm sure the lift system will be a great addition, but it's going to take some 'tweaking' to get it right....

 

[James404]

I was checking out the pics of your sump being built, looks SWEET!

 

[michael_in_nc]

I was checking out the pics of your sump being built, looks SWEET!

Thanks! I told Felix it looked better than my current display tank! It'll be a shame to put it under the stand. It's going to be big under there. Won't have much room left over, but it'll be nice to have a big sump. Room to upgrade the skimmer if I need to later.

Some pics:

 

[michael_in_nc]

Tank shipped Thursday and online tracking shows it being deliver on Monday.

A few pics of the canopy coming together:

 

[michael_in_nc]

Tank is here! I left the main display in the crate for extra protection until setup day, but definitely took a good peek at everything. Looks great! Felix @ Reef Savvy did a great job. Even called to see if everything was there and looked good while I was opening the box...

Shipping worked out great, too. Driver was really helpful getting it positioned and setup on the movers dolleys.

Rolling up in front of the house:

Main display crate:

The sump crate:

The sump already in the stand:

 

[janey]

WOW Nice tank..
and stand and everything . Keep them pics comin...

 

[James404]

wohoo grats Michael! Everything is looking great, hurry up and get that beauty filled

It's funny, when my tank was delivered Felix was more worried about it than I was. I was at work when it was delivered, my fiancee had the driver just drop it in the driveway. Felix was calling me all worried if it was ok. It's nice to know that he cares even after the sale and completion of the build.

 

[Esardog]

Man I enjoyed the woodwork -- you done good. Thanks for the efforts to put out this build I thought I subscribed a few days ago but I am now -- this is going to be good

 

[aquaph8]

Michael, that sump looks awesome. Now hurry up with the display pics.LOL

 

[reeftanknewbie]

Man this is a great looking tank build.....have you had thoughts to the plumbing yet?

 

[michael_in_nc]

Thanks everyone! I'm getting excited about setup day now. I've got a few things to do to pull it all together.

- Going to do a dry run on the plumbing and electrical in the garage (minus the display tank, just the stuff under the stand).
- Need to get the canopy finished up (including the metal work for the lift system). I'll test that before move day, too.
- Move the 75G tank and clear out the new home.

So, I'm trying to decide exactly how to do my plumbing. It has evolved throughout this process. I was planning on 3 pumps. (1) for the 75G which will stay up and on the main sump, and 2 (for redundancy) to the main display. The pumps I have are Little Giant MDQX-3. After checking out the Glass Holes overflow box that is custom for Reef Savvy, I really want all my return flow back through that if possible. It would prevent any over the tank plumbing work and overall be much cleaner. That overflow is so nice, I'd like to take full advantage of it. Here's what I see as my options:

- I could plumb the two pumps into one at the overflow box entrance, but that seems like it could be a problem with any backflow issues. Potentially an accident waiting to happen?

- I could upgrade to a single larger pump like a Reeflo Dart (or Snapper). The problem with this is the sump holes. The dart takes 2" inlets and I have two 1" ports for this pump. Reeflo tech support says it would be fine if I immediately T them together and increase to 2" ASAP.

- I could live with what I have and stick with two independent pumps with one plumbed into the Glass Holes overflow box and one plumbed over the top of the tank.

The other reason I'd like to avoid the over the tank plumbing is my canopy and it's lift system. If I'm raising and lowering it, it'd be nice not to have to deal with a 'notch' in the back of the canopy or risking sitting it back down on the return line (very bad).

Let's hear some opinions! I'd love some input on this. I've got a few days to make the decision and I'd like to get it right, because I'm going to have to live with it for awhile...

I could get some pics of the overflow box if that would help...