240g Mixed Reef Tank Build

Finally picked up my set of MP40WES, so I am just about ready to go. Last night I picked up a few goodies as well as some fish to put into the tank. I was able to plumb the return pipes last night and will test them today. I am a little nervous about one connection that was a 6' horizontal pipe I put to one end of the tank from the return. I hope I was able to seat the PVC together well enough.
 
Now, here is a question for everyone...

I purchased a Panworld 250PS pump that outputs 1900GPH with the intention of plumbing the return to the tank as well as the feed for the refugium/frag room and the Plumbing Manifold to supply water to my UV Sterilizer, GFO, Carbon, and possibly a Calcium reactor in the future. But now I am second guessing having one single pump run all this because I want at least 1000GPH from the DT, 300 GPH into refugium and frag tank, 200GPH UV Sterilizer, 100GPH Carbon, 200GPH GFO (=1800GPH, so I have 100GPH to spare in a perfect world). So here are the options I am considering:

1. Installing a QuietOne 4000 in the main section of the sump to supply water to everything except the return from the sump to the tank (refugium/frag tanks and manifold). Then have everything return to the main section in the sump.

2. Plumbing the refugium and frag tanks from the main return pump and installing the QuietOne 4000 Pump to supply ONLY the Manifold. This way all the tank supplies are on the same line. My hope is to set up an automatic feeding system in the future and this would allow me to set up the feeder into the return section of the sump and supply food to all the tanks.

3. Just use one pump and supply everything and control it with valves.
 
Next update and about 90% ready. I acquired a set of Vortech MP 40wes, some livestock, spare lights, and a few other things last week. I was able to bring about 1/4 of my live rock and coral from my 55g and 20g to put in the tank before one final big move.

I was able to get my plumbing to the refugium completed and all my return and input plumbing complete. One modification I plan to do before completing the system is to put a Ball Valve on each branch of the return piping because the flow into the left side of the tank is much stronger than the right and I have added my refugium/frag piping. So this way I can better control the plumbing to the left and right side to even it out. But I believe I have all that piping done.

I found a small leak in my used downdraft skimmer so I had to tear it apart and redo the bulkhead gasket to place it on the inside. Then I placed a bead of silicon around the outside to have just a little more security. I had acquired some acrylic weld and put it on every seam of the skimmer to make sure it was fully sealed.

I have some of that livestock I bought from a tank breakdown this week, but I haven't got the system running through the sump and skimmer quite yet. The tank is fully cycled and there are 2 mp40wes and 2 hydor koralia in the tank for circulation until I have time to turn on the system and check for a few hours for leaks.


249C2C0C-3386-4B85-995F-F325A32448EA-1091-00000150C0CD4C82_zps9c6e0b8b.jpg


68ED13C7-248F-4360-845A-4B232138F189-1091-0000015104550A3D_zpsa3a3b800.jpg


E20E528D-9734-4CE2-98FC-9C2BD3720839-1091-0000015164E2CA1B_zps45278a34.jpg
 
Here is the routing of the plumbing into the laundry.

I just placed the piping on the front for measurements. I will get an updated photo of the system with all of it connected next week.

86C460B3-3067-4C23-849B-4B4514FA7A3A-1091-0000015175B6A898_zpse87fbb9b.jpg


749BCC19-38DB-4E9F-918A-578C6022D972-1091-000001518D502A6D_zpsb8d6a863.jpg
 
I have also put together my manifold for the sterilizer, carbon reactor and phosban reactor which overhangs the sump right in the center of the stand. Then I mounted the dual BRS Reactors to either side and suspends the sterilizer to the plywood between the stand and tank. When completed the manifold, I only have 4 feeds and plan for the last one to be for the future Calcium Reactor. I originally laid it out for 5outputs valves but I don't think I will ever use that 5th one so I took it out. I am using a QuietOne 4000 in the sump to feed it.

F300B02B-2FC5-429D-8DBA-073E7DE2ACCD-1091-0000015199247ADE_zps8b522a0f.jpg
 
Here is the idea I have for my stand and canopy. The color will be white and not this cream color but I hope to do the same style.

IMG_0643-Copy_zps33e4f4f8.jpg
 
I like that!! But the table seems to be in the way. (hahaha)

The design looks nice. I think a red cherry stain would look nice in it too.
 
Here is an update as I am skinning the aquarium stand and canopy. I am building the doors as we speak and hope to have the first coat of paint on it tonight.

IMG_0742_zps44bc39ca.jpg


IMG_0739_zps34183538.jpg


IMG_0725_zps247f0662.jpg
 
And here is an update with some new livestock additions and coral colonies. Thank you H@rry for the awesome pieces!

IMG_0721_zpsb5911f06.jpg


IMG_0722_zps300f5e47.jpg
 
ORA Birds of Paradise
IMG_0732_zps41307b44.jpg


Blue Digitata
IMG_0731_zpsc3b87590.jpg


Green Spongodes
IMG_0730_zps1dd08923.jpg


Greensleeves digitata There is also a rock directly behind this digi encrusted with Tyree Jedi Mindtrick.
IMG_0729_zpsa58ecd90.jpg


Pink Lace Birdnest (Tyree Jedi Mind Trick is to the right)
IMG_0728_zps561af6f4.jpg


Ponape Birdnest
IMG_0726_zpsd45e31db.jpg



I also got a rock encrusted with Pokerstar encrusting Monti, but I forgot to take a snapshot of it. Plus the polyps haven't come out fully quite yet.
 
Tank looks great,I finally have my 240 filled and testing the plumbing.How are the 2 mp40s working on a long tank.

There isn't much flow in the middle but I put some leathers and softies in there that way they don't get blown around. I am afraid to go to an MP60, but I may get another MP40 for each side and run 4 of them. I haven't decide though because it is either sell my pair of MP40 and get a pair of MP60s, or just get 2 more MP40s.
 
Here is the completed stand. I was going to put on some molding and trim work, but I think I like it just as it is for now. I noticed my temperature rose about 1 degree yesterday, so I definitely need a cooling fan under the tank.

image_zpsf541661d.jpeg


photo_zps034041de.jpg
 
Your tank build came out amazing and definitely loving the rock work. How did you get the purple color tint in your water? I also have the 120 watt lighting in my tank and at first i had just the white and blues, then i added some purple, reds and greens. So far my lighting doesn't look as purple as yours or is it just the camera?
 
Back
Top