220 Inwall - Plan

[ribs]

....And, the one a little further away (1hr) has their next meeting this Sat! So, I may hit that one this weekend.

I hope you made plans for this today, it'd be nice to see you out there (hour for me, too). Steve Bentz, VP of MASNA will be chatting about MACNA for those of us who didn't go, plus there's 20%! off anything in the store for us today.
Also, we'd get to meet "The Typist" (very descriptive thread you've got here!)

Looking good, btw :thumbsup:
-Rob

 

[rdmpe]

Great thread! I'm curious, what made you chose the tunze's over doing a closed loop? Also, did you decide on lights yet? I also struggled with the choice between T5's and MH/T5 combo. I liked the look of MH/T5 combo but was _really_ concerned about heat. I don't plan on a chiller. But since my tank is open top, I'm hoping the MH will not heat my water up so much.

If you have time, keep an eye on the for sale forums here, ebay, and any local club web sites. I ended up buying a $1500 72" maristar fixture http://www.reefgeek.com/products/categories/lighting/104474.html that was 8 months old, for only $700. I wanted a good looking fixture since it's going to hang over an open top tank, so I was very happy with this find.

 

[simonmr]

I just got 2 250 MH from my place of business. They changed their outside lighting from 250W to 400W soo i got the old 250's work great. best thing (free)

 

[bheron]

Hey all. Sorry for the delay. Things got so busy this weekend....

Melev -

Did someone say Fondue?

- Thats it!


Ribs -

I hope you made plans for this today, it'd be nice to see you out there (hour for me, too). Steve Bentz, VP of MASNA will be chatting about MACNA for those of us who didn't go, plus there's 20%! off anything in the store for us today.

- Hey Rob, thanks for the note! Things piled up so quickly this wekeend that I didnt even get close to making it out. Sounded awesome! I visted the PARC website and got the details. 20% off wouldve been great too. How was it?
Lets see, details, details, you want more details I gues??
Thanks for following along! Maybe I'll make it to future mtg!

rdmpe -

Great thread! I'm curious, what made you chose the tunze's over doing a closed loop? Also, did you decide on lights yet? I also struggled with the choice between T5's and MH/T5 combo. I liked the look of MH/T5 combo but was _really_ concerned about heat. I don't plan on a chiller. But since my tank is open top, I'm hoping the MH will not heat my water up so much.

- Thanks. Ah, yes, the Tunzes. This was easy for me. First, I dont mind the look of them in the tank - alot of people hate them sticking out. Also, b/c I have such a big tank, they'll be asy to hide (just have to come up with something creative that will allow me to hide and also have easy access to them. Second, it was just for simplicity and cost reasons. A tank drilled with extra holes wasnt easy to find. Then the new pump. But really, I knew it would be extra work and headache I didnt need. I wont have an SPS/LPS type tank that'll demand alot of creative flow either. Each of the Tunzes puts out 2250gph, I beleive. I can also go lower and get the one's with a controller, but I wont. If I wanna get fancy, I can put one on an hourly electrical timer. How's DAT for details?

- Also, thanks for the comments about the lights. You were in the same boat as me. That's a REALLY cool setup you got hold of, and great move on your part to get it so cheap. I would like to do that but I'm a little leary getting it from someone I dont know. It would have to be from someone I could trust. Anyway, good move on your part. I'm gonna keep looking!

Simonmr -

I just got 2 250 MH from my place of business. They changed their outside lighting from 250W to 400W soo i got the old 250's work great. best thing (free)

- Tell more? I'm hoping you dont mean standard outdoor MH lighting for buildings and such? Was it aquarium lighting? I once thought maybe I could buy those big MH lights from home depot that were meant for industrial or home outdoor lighting usage. I quickly was put in my place - something about spectrum I think.


I think thats all the comments.

Update: I did manage, however, to finish filling the tank!! Mission accomplished. 210 Gallons in the display, about 50 in the sump. I figured out what took it so long, I think. I tried out that tip with warming the incoming source water, before it goes through the 5 stages of filtering. I attached 25' of tubing and submersed it ina 5 gallon bucket of heated water. I could only get the temp to like 71 degrees. The idea is that the warmer water would pass through the 5 stages quicker. Well, that part was probably true, but I think I created so much head for the whole system that it actually slowed it down. See, I also had another 25' section of tubing going from the RODI outlet and into the display tank. So, that 50' of head right there, I think, slowed it down. Once I removed it, the tank filled alot quicker.

Up next today: I need to drain the sump and install the three glass baffles I bought on Friday. If I can do that today, it will be dry tomorrow sometime and I'll be able to start the whole system up with a heater, the sea salt and.....I THINK....I'LL BE READY TO START THE CYCLE!!!???

 

[melev]

Hallelujah.

 

[bheron]

:rollface: :rollface: :rollface: :rollface:

 

[simonmr]

yes the ones for outdoor lighting but they take the lights I use. give it a shot it is for my sup/ refrugium. (free=worth a shot)

 

[melev]

Bryan, if you are still following the swiss tank thread, you may find Iwan's comments on T5's noteworthy. Apparently at least some of the Europeans don't believe in the 18 month to 36 month rule, and he changes his bulbs out at 8 to 10 months.

 

[bheron]

Hey marc, havent checked it in a few days. I'll have to read that -- interesting. Just as you said. Also, I believe another trick with flourescents is that they dont just burn out (like MHs) rather they more gradually lose their effectivenesss? its a bit harder to tell when they need to be replaced?


UPDATE: finished putting in the three glass baffles in the sumo last night. Not a professional job, but who cares! They'll hold and do their job fine. Should be done curing tonight when I fire up the system and add the salt! I'll also upload pics of my fine silicone work as well.

 

[melev]

Correct. Put a new bulb next to the old one and you'll immediately see the difference.

 

[bheron]

Thanks. Thats what I thought - but never thought about the idea of putting them side by side. Hmmm. good one.

On that same topic, I've decided to stick with the T5s for my setup. It will be an interesting ride that I'm sure I'll learn alot from, and share alot with everyone!

 

[melev]

So let it be written.

So let it be done.

 

[conda]

So let it be written.

So let it be done.

Self Improvement and Motivation statement?

 

[tgunn]

Hey marc, havent checked it in a few days. I'll have to read that -- interesting. Just as you said. Also, I believe another trick with flourescents is that they dont just burn out (like MHs) rather they more gradually lose their effectivenesss? its a bit harder to tell when they need to be replaced?


UPDATE: finished putting in the three glass baffles in the sumo last night. Not a professional job, but who cares! They'll hold and do their job fine. Should be done curing tonight when I fire up the system and add the salt! I'll also upload pics of my fine silicone work as well.

Glad you're sticking with the T5s; I can't wait to see another big tank started up with them!

Don't worry about the sump baffles; nobody will see 'em but you. My sump baffle install was pretty ghetto but it does hold water. I have a profound respect for tank builders after installing my baffles! :lol:

Tyler

 

[bheron]

Tyler, Conda, Melev - thanks for the words of encouragement!

Update coming in a few mins....

 

[bheron]

WE'VE GOT SALT WATER!

WE'VE GOT SALT WATER!

Alright! We're officially up an running. I've got an update as well as some nice pics in this post....


Two nights ago I finished a few loose ends with the plumbing, glued the sump baffles, and stuck in a heater to get a head start on things (thanks to tyler who gave me a heads up on how long it takes these things to heat up).

Here's a shot of the glass I used for the baffles:

I used GE II Silicone for the gluing:

As mentioned, it wasnt pretty, but way back Melev helped me build these into my first 20g sump so I am way experienced here
I wasnt as precise with my measurements as I was with the first one, but kept the general rules of thumb:

- baffles approx 1.5 apart.
- middle baffle approx 1.5 inches from the bottom of the tank

Also, the sump is 19.5 inches tall. I made the middle baffle 16" tall so that, when extended 1.5" off the bottom of the tank, will allow plenty of room for a pump failure.

I used some foam from the packaging of my Euroreef Skimmer to act as a "baffle" for the baffles while curing:

And here's a shot of it finished:

Some specs on the sump:

- 75 gallon tank
- 48x19x17.5 approximately

Here's how its partitioned:

Chamber #1:
- Return section of all water from the tank, fuge, and QT.
- Will also house the skimmer
- Size: 17.5(h) x20(l) x17.5(d)
- approx 27 gallons

Chamber #2:
- Will house return pump and heater
- Room for future items
- Size: 17.5(h) x 28(l) x 17.5(d)
- approx 37 gallons

Overflow area:
- This is the area that will be leftover for when the pump shuts off and water backflows in. I've tested this several times and ave plenty of room.
- Size: 2.5 x 48 x 17.5 = 9 gallons. While this seems kinda low, in reality I'll never have the water level in the other two chambers running all the way up to 17.5. So, in reality, when I've tested it its been more like 20 gallons of room for overflow.

Thanks to all for their input, and especially Marc for all of his detailed designs and help on Sump Design 101, 201, and 400.

(dont worry, I still have more ques - see end).

Here's the Wan Pro Digital Heater. Its actually 350W.

And here's the Crystal Sea Salt I got at a nice bargain:

As you can see its in boxes. The place I get it from (The Hidden Reef in Phila) already sells it at a huge markdown. Normally, LFSs will sell 150 gallong buckets for $39.99 each. THR sells them for $19.99!!! But, if you buy it in the box, its $17.99. My first budget saving event so far. I bought 3 boxes.

So, last night, I started up the pump and the plumbing and baffles system worked like a charm!

Threw in an extra heater to get things moving and finally added the salt. Got a huge salt storm as a result, and also stirred up the sand a bit, so no good pics of the tank.

Here's where the water's coming into the sump from the display:

Ok, thats the update. Going out today to buy some shrimp to start the cycle! SHould I use two for such a large volume tank?

Also, have a question about the sump which I'll post a bit later.

 

[tgunn]

Bryan,
Looking good so far!

You could always throw in a couple pieces of your cured/cooked live rock to help the cycle.

I actually didn't get a detectable cycle at all when I started up my tank; the cured rock and cooked rock I used were already cycled.

Tyler

 

[bheron]

Wow! I thought about that but still thought I needed some kind of ammonia spike to get a base of bacteria started.

On that thought, with 100lbs of cured live rock, will I have a cycle or need a cycle??

Tyler, this would be awesome! My goal of thanksgiving was looking a little bleak. We're hosting 16 people that day and I would love to be able to show this sucker off!

Who votes for No Cycle??!!!

 

[tgunn]

Wow! I thought about that but still thought I needed some kind of ammonia spike to get a base of bacteria started.

On that thought, with 100lbs of cured live rock, will I have a cycle or need a cycle??

Tyler, this would be awesome! My goal of thanksgiving was looking a little bleak. We're hosting 16 people that day and I would love to be able to show this sucker off!

Who votes for No Cycle??!!!

Theoretically your live rock is already seeded with plenty of bacteria at this point, so there really wouldn't be much of a cycle at this point.

I would probably refrain from re-stocking the tank all at once and do it a little more slowly (perhaps start with a few of your more handy fish). I'm thinking that the bioload while cooking is probably less than a tank fully stocked with fish so the rock may need a bit of time to "catch up".

Later,
Tyler

 

[conda]

Originally posted by bheron The place I get it from (The Hidden Reef in Phila) already sells it at a huge markdown.

Can you PM me info about them. I may have to take a trip there.

Originally posted by bheron Who votes for No Cycle??!!!

I think you should cycle, even with the rock. When I setup my 55 a year ago, I used all LR and never got a cycle, later I got a spike which caused me all sorts of problems. Just my opinion. But I'm a paranoid, safe, no 14-day setup person.

Everything looks awesome. Do you have a full shot of the back of your tank? I'm interested in seeing your full plumbing.