210G Upgrade / Build (Lots of Pics)

[michael_in_nc]

Hello everyone,

I've had my 75G tank for >10yrs now, up and down over the years, but I've decided to take the plunge and go with a big tank (probably small in this crowd).

I'm just getting in most of the equipment now. Tank is on order, but will be several weeks out, so progress may be slow. I'm going to try and update as things progress and document well with lots of pics. I decided to start this thread early to get lots of inputs. I've already had some valuable inputs here and have changed some things because of the inputs.

Tank: 210G (72 Wide x 24 Deep x 28 Tall) Reef Savvy. Starphire glass on 3 sides and a smoked back glass & overflow. Two 1.5" drains in the overflow. Returns will be over the top to keep down on the overflow size.

Returns: Dual pumps for redundancy. Little Giant MDQ-3 & Iwaki 20RLXT.

Circulation: Vortechs (2x40mpw) May upgrade with more later...

Lights: 3 x 250W Metal Halide & 4 x 96W power compact actinic; Lunar lights.

Sump: 75G (good feedback from my prebuild thread here on RC). My old display tank! Refugium built in.

Skimmer: Reef Octopus Super Reef 3000 Internal skimmer.

Controller: Apex Lite. 2nd energy bar. (starting with temp & pH)

Stand: Custom built. ( I know someone who does woodworking as a hobby. )

Rock: ~120lbs from my 75G tank. 130 lbs dry rock.

Maintenance: Plumbed with RO/DI from a 40G reservoir in another room to supply top-off and water change. Plumbed with an exit line into house septic for water change (valve turn).



Let the fun begin. :dance:

 

[michael_in_nc]

The gear is all coming in...

The skimmer...

Dry rock... (free shipping is good)

Got some shelf pieces too, to help make some nice spots for the coral...

 

[michael_in_nc]

55G is too small for the sump. Skimmer barely squeezes in...

I'm changing now to the 75G. I'm just going to use my current display tank.

 

[michael_in_nc]

I picked up both the 55G & 40G breeder used at a good price, so not a big loss if I don't use the 55G. I'm sure I'll find a use for it. It'll definitely be nice to have for the big move.

I should get the lights in tomorrow.

 

[michael_in_nc]

Some diagrams of the stand / sump setup:

Top view of the stand bottom with sump & pumps:

The Canopy (side view):

Light holder & "sled". I'm trying to get a canopy setup that allows me to relatively easily slide the light fixture out. I think this will be a key feature for changing bulbs and increasing tank access at times.

 

[michael_in_nc]

Oops... didn't get the canopy shot in right:

 

[wakeboardgeek]

Can you get the sump in/out of the stand with the DT in place? My current setup, I didn't think of that and I wish I had.

 

[James404]

Looks good so far, one thing though... I would strongly recommend against using those marineland stealth heaters, they are known to split open at the seam and cause massive damage to tanks.

 

[michael_in_nc]

The end of the stand on the right is going to have a panel that can be removed with sufficient width to slide the sump tank in from the end. I was concerned about that and it's tight right now.

I always have a hard time with heaters. Seems like there aren't any really good heaters out there. Someone has always had issues. Do you have any recommendations?

 

[sasharotty]

Jager is the consensus around here.And what are you keeping, my setup will be close to volume to yours and i was told to go with the sro 5000.Im wondering if the 3000 would fit my needs as well.

 

[James404]

Yes heaters are known to fail, I always run mine on a controller. Many including myself use the jager heaters.

 

[James404]

I just noticed your tank is from Felix at Reef Savvy, I have my 225g on order with him as well (expected beginning of March). He is a great guy and really goes the extra mile, when ordering I must have been on the phone with him discussing the tank for more then 45 mins.

 

[michael_in_nc]

Yes. I really like Felix. He has been great. He gave me a 12-14week lead time. Should put it here around the end of March.

I will look at the Jager heaters. Thanks for the input. I do plan to have it on the Apex.

 

[ditka]

I have a question about your sump design...

In the pictures you posted it would appear that water leaves the display and flows directly into the refugium, then onto the skimmer, then back to the display. I think the skimmer and refugium should change places...

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1811725&highlight=skimmer&page=102

check out the posts maybe one page before and after this picture, particularly the ones by mr. wilson.

 

[michael_in_nc]

Thanks for the link. Nice pics of their sump.

My plan was to run the drains into the skimmer section and split off one of the drains to the refugium section with a valve to regulate the flow through the fuge. I was going for lower flow to the fuge with the ability to control the flow rate from a valve.

I am planning to do a bubble trap design in the drains. I'll post a picture of that once I get a chance.

 

[ditka]

will the fuge then overflow into the skimmer section?

 

[michael_in_nc]

Yes. fuge overflows into the skimmer section. I will update my drawings & show the water flow and plumbing a little better to get inputs on this. I definitely want to get this optimal before I start the sump work.

 

[michael_in_nc]

Here is an updated picture of the sump to try and show the water flow better. I also put a picture at the bottom of the drain plumbing into the sump. I was going to put a bubble trap there to try and keep the noise level and salt spray down. Saw someone doing it here on RC.

 

[Rockhead21564]

won't you need another valve on that drain line to build the slight pressure to flow into the refuge? Also I'd use a gate valve anywhere you're trying to regulate anything, been there and tried that, PITA!

 

[michael_in_nc]

I've been looking at the gate valves. I will probably put them in a few locations. Some will just be ball valves to I can remove equipment easily.

I was thinking about adding the valve that you mentioned. I think it will be needed, too.