220 gallon build

[FreshReefer]

So, I bought Toms old tank and I have been working on setting it up. Fabbed a steel stand and doing some wood work on the removable wood skin for the base.

Currently working on a custom sump and then plumbing. The mission is to get the plumbing in so I can fill the tank to start the cycle. I am going to try to cycle with dead rock. I have the rock in bleach mix now. Then muriatic acid bath for 30 mins then baking soda mix to get pH back to 7 or so.

I will cycle with a dead shrimp and add Tigger pods from reef nutrition before fish. Hopefully I can seed well.

To do:

Skimmer... Thinking aquamaxx co-2 or 3
Lights.... Thinking either d120, it2040, or diy bridgelux.
Aquasurf module for ac3

Tom thanks for everything and the pics are coming. I am working on resizing them...

The summer has been busy. I have the camaro going again with a megasquirt computer controller. I tune the 1967 car with a laptop now... Lol. If anyone needs to diagnose electronics I have an oscilloscope now.

 

[northbay-reefer]

Nice, I can't wait to see how it is turning out. I still have the VHO (new bulbs) and the hinges that you can have and can pick up whenever you are ready.

 

[cbrennan4]

Cant wait to see pics of this tank!

 

[FreshReefer]

pics

 

[FreshReefer]

pics 2

Please ignore my messy garage. I have had a ton of projects lately and have neglected cleaning up after myself in the garage in an effort to keep the house clean on the inside.

Girls don't seem to care about a messy garage

 

[northbay-reefer]

Awesome Owen

 

[FreshReefer]

Wow. Found an amazing place to buy Bridgelux LEDS. $.79 for white and $1.39 for RB...

I speced 120 LEDS with 60 degree optics for $175. You would need to add drivers which I would buy meanwell 60-48D or similar. Stellar deal. I will likely follow the evergrow D120 patterns in the main thread to get the color and intensity right.

Tons of other colors too. I think I may order from them when the time comes.

http://www.ledfedy.com

 

[zeroinverse]

Did you make your own metal stand? You weld?

 

[cbrennan4]

That stand looks amazing!

 

[Dragonvale]

Nice Owen, great job on the stand!

 

[FreshReefer]

Yes I weld. I have what most people would call an obsession with tools.

Miller XMT 304 350 amp mig welder
Miller hf-p ac/dc tig welder
therrmal dynamics plasma cutter
lagun manual milling machine
manual metal lathe with inch and metric threading
tubing bender up to 2.5" DOM
horizontal band saw
all your typical wood working stuff table saw, compound sliding miter...
Most electronics test equipment as stated above...

I did the acrylic outside of the sump today 18.5"W x 48"L x 16.5" Tall. I glued the outside shell together after swapping in the second batch of rock into the bleach bath.

Tomorrow will be dunking each rock in the acid mix for 30 mins to eat the outside layer off ridding me of any possible phosphates. Then gluing in some baffles to separate the sump into Chambers... First 2 filter socks (5.5x18.5), second refugium (16x18.5), third skimmer (14x18.5), and lastly return (6.5x18.5).

The return is a bit small, but I will have to let the tank drain back and overflow the fuge. The longest piece of acrylic I had lying around was 48" and this project is on a tight budget... Mostly stuff I have sitting around.

I can't wait for this sump to be done so I can start putting water in the tank. I am afraid that may not happen until I return from Germany and Spain September 21st. I dont think it is wise to fill the tank and leave for 17 days....

I am sure this europe trip will mean I miss another meeting. Soon enough I will get in to hang with you all. In the mean time if you need to build some cool SH17 write me a om and I will try to help out.

 

[FreshReefer]

This post and thread has been a great read. I am posting it here so I remember what I was intending to do.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=21234156&postcount=2473

 

[Dapg8gt]

That's some nice work on the stand.. Even more impressive tool list =)..

For your drivers jameco in burlingame (or milbrae) sells them pretty cheap and might have exactly the ones your looking for.. They are close to me and when I was searching seemed to have some decent prices.. They sell almost any equivalent power supply also an FYI to any of the others reading this thread like Vortec, ATI etc.. Most likely can find any small electrical component there.. Going to go in and pick up some things( green led) for my diy Drews dosers prob next weekend after the pumps arrive..

Great progress can't wait to be close enough to filling mine to start a build thread =)..

 

[FreshReefer]

Last nights sump build...

Last nights sump build...

Putting baffles in and dipping rocks tonight hopefully.

 

[FreshReefer]

updates

updates

I am filling the tank and sump. The Iwaki wmd40 is way too loud. I will likely buy a laguna 1500 to replace it.

I also purchased a aquamaxx cones CO-2 skimmer for the system as well. I opted for the smaller one for less wattage and noise. I hope it is enough.

This weekend I will move the rock into the tank, Fill the rest of the way, and build a filter sock holder for the sump before I start cycling water. These pics are from a few days ago so the tank is 2/3 full right now.

 

[cbrennan4]

I really like the rock work layout!

 

[NeonFish]

Very, Very nice! However, will your wood floor handle pressure over time from the six struts?

 

[d_carloo]

nice rock work

 

[FreshReefer]

LOL!

Can't take credit for that. It was the old rock work from the tank. It looked so good I spent the time to "nuke" it and cure it.

Steo 1: 24 hrs in 10:1 water to bleach solution
Step 2: 30 mins in 10:1 muriatic acid solution
Step 3: 24 hrs in RO and add baking soda to get PH stable near 7-8
Step 4: Curing in saltwater for 72 hrs minimum.

Seems to have worked great. Rock is nuked and clean as a whistle.

Tank is full.

Rock goes in today then fill to top off sump and the system will begin cycling.

I am working on specing out chomaticity groups of bridgelux and epistar LED's to get from LEDFEDY.

I ordered a Aquamaxx ConeS CO-2. Do you guys think that is a big enough skimmer?
I wanted to save power and be quieter so I didn't opt for the CO-3. The cost isn't that much more... Did I make a mistake?

Owen

 

[northbay-reefer]

the CO-2 is not big enough, you need the diameter of the skimmer to be at least 8" for a tank that size.