280G+ Starphire In-Wall Build by ReefArtist

[chrismhaase]

Carol, I was wondering if you have glass drilling tips? I am looking to make a 20 gallon tank a fuge. I want to have 2 3/4" bulkheads for the supply and gravity drain. Do you have the appropriate drill bits? I am thinking I need a 1 7/16" tip. Can you verify this?

Also, if you do have them, can I bring the tank to the meeting tomorrow if you are planning on going?

 

[ReefArtist]

Chis,
For the 3/4 inch bulkheads I used a 38mm bit which comes out to about 1-1/2 inch dia. (38.10mm). Yes I do have them and you can use it but I'll be working on my plumbing tomorrow - so no party for me.

 

[chrismhaase]

Carol, where exactly do you live? Maybe after the meeting I can re route myself your way, PM me if you don't want this info known. Also, are you helping on Sunday at the Clearwater aquarium project? If you are I am planning on going out there, which will be past your place if you are in the largo area like your profile says.

 

[ReefArtist]

Whoops - sorry Chris I didn't see your post, I hope you got it taken care of and if not you can come by any time.

I've been a little busy this weekend - lots of plumbing and here are a few photos: The room is now FULL!!!

This is the far end of the fish room - with Skimmer and grasses tank on top shelf.

Little under the tank plumbing - big overflow

This is the only way to place to pumps but now I can add a cover over them and use it as a step.

These is my frag tank - left is for LPS/Softies and the right is for SPS corals.

This is my PVC Manifold, the left gate valve is for the skimmer and all the others will be used for reactors.

This is the sump, all the pipes are on temporary hangers. Once I get the returns completed everything will be cleaned and put on proper hangers.

 

[chrismhaase]

Carol, all I can say is wow! I am totally impressed. I hope you have an upcoming meeting at your house once everything is up an running.

On a side note, I got my tank drilled and awaiting to set it up.

 

[poknsnok]

I have to see it to believe it AND.. it doesnt look like you had to raise your frag tank like you thought.. looks great

 

[ReefArtist]

Hey Joe,
Yeah like you haven't seen it - LOL - never seen someone's eyes as big as yours were when you first walked into the room - "WOW :eek1:" I think was the look I got - LOL.

Eric - got a email that you posted but I have a feeling they used the wrong backup or something????

Today I hope the have the remaining plumbing finished (Returns) but I need to get a few more parts to finish it first.

 

[SVTour]

Very impressive array of tanks ReefArtist. I bet the plumbing for that is a blast

 

[ReefArtist]

chrismhaase - Thank you and sorry we didn't meet up maybe some other time (Once I get this beast together).

SVTour - To tell you the truth I had to work up the courage to start. Then I just broke to down in sections. The hardest part of course is getting every thing to flow down hill with this amount of tanks. So far no backing up into other tanks, but more testing is scheduled today. I'd like to keep only the two pumps for returns and other than the re-circulating pumps on some of the reactors - I'm hoping that will be it.

 

[Elliott]

very nicely done, can't wait to see it up and running

 

[NewNanoDude]

WOW that looks alot differnt from when I was there. NICE!!!

How long before you get it all running??

 

[ReefArtist]

Elliott - thank you for your kind words, I can't wait to get some water in it.

NewNanoDude - Hey how have you been? Yes, it is changing everyday (except yesterday). I was hoping to have a good water test yesterday but I had to get the clay to make my rocks - didn't make it back until late. This AM I'm going to give it a try with one of the pumps! My other pump will not be on line for a few days because I had to order a few more gate valves (I really wish they would carry them locally)! Sooooo, I can plumb up to that point but I needed three other valves and so I'm hoping Monday delivery will do it. I have plenty to do between now and Monday!!!!

 

[Felix1021]

good stuff man...good luck

 

[plc001]

Wow, great progress, you are keeping busy!!!

My light rack went up last weekend. Thanks for getting the aluminum.

 

[ReefArtist]

Felix1021 - Thanks I needed it

Pedro - That is great to hear - we need to see photos and you are welcome! I'm just about ready to order my sliders for the light rack. I'm going to use pocket door rails and hangers. Most of it is made of aluminium but the parts that aren't I'll coat with a protective paint.

 

[ReefArtist]

OK - here we go, the water is in and it's running off one pump right now! Of course I had a few floods, forgot to tighten the pump after moving it . It's amazing how far water can spray through a tiny hole when under lots of presser! I had to also tighten the bulkheads in the sump and 280 just a little more to stop some little dripping - everything looks good and tight - for now.

Tap water filling the frag tanks.

Tap water filling the Sea Horse tank.

Tap water filling the 280g tank - just move that bare electric wires out of the way :eek1:.

Sump almost full of tap water - I filled this a few times before all the other tanks were full.

This is the sea horse tank and it's full!

This is the 280g and it is full.

I now have the first pump running and everything so far looks great and seems to be running smoothly - I'm going to let it run for a few days and work out any kinks that might come up.

FINALLY WATER!

 

[AussieSurfGirl]

Hey ReefArtist. Geat thread.

 

[ReefArtist]

Thanks AussieSurfGirl - it's been a long time coming! I'm keeping my eyes open for any problems but so far - looking good!

 

[NewNanoDude]

Ive been lurking around. Just have been working. ALOT! About to go back again. At least they give me a break in the middle of the day.

That room is looking awesome. I need to come check it out... What are you doing saturday? Maybe I can come check it out and help you with whatever. Hehe I really want to see this system running.

Let me know if you need help with anything.

 

[ReefArtist]

NewNanoDude - you know you are more than welcome to come by. Saturday is a manual labor day for me - breaking up tile and laying new. That's the reason the Infinity isn't up and running - need to lay the new tile first. It will be nice to get that in place and running.