280G+ Starphire In-Wall Build by ReefArtist

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Well I tried to move the skimmer to the other end but it would be very hard to get to for maintenance. The AC unit vents can be moved so the air will not be blowing directly on the skimmer. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt it if it did but I can change the flow. As far as bumping into it, it will be on a stand and it's as big as I am, so if I bumped into it I shouldn't be in the fish room because I'll most likely end up in the tank (I think I would already be tanked Æ'º ).

The plumbing should not be around the door at all and I'm keeping that in mind. The QT is completely isolated from the rest of the system (Only water that is). Of course that is by design. I am thinking about having an auto top off system connected to it. I really don't want to have to worry about pumps sucking air in the middle of the night. The frag tank will be connected to the system and one of the pumps will deliver water to it (From the sump) and I want the output by gravity. This is my biggest concern about the smaller tanks, will gravity work. Everything will have ball valves to control the water going in and out so I should be okay.

I do plan on adding a table, actually it's a must have for me. It will most likely be on the left side of the door as you walk into the fish room. I was thinking about putting my ATO system on the bottom and making my table top on the top of it. My number one location for the ATO is under the tank but with the plumbing there I'm not sure if it will fit.

Thank you for all the comments.
 
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I'm combining my local build thread (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1145859&perpage=20&pagenumber=1) to this thread.

Here are some of the discussions we have been having on it:
AquaController III and the new Tunze Pump controller they are coming out with:

ReefArtist: Nothing beats the Tunze for flow, adjustability and reliability. I'm waiting on the controller, I'd like the ACIII to control these but I also want to make sure they have the same controls as the Tunze controller, otherwise I'll purchase the controller that goes with it.

chrismhaase: I would go with the controller. One because it was made for them. And two, it increases the flow and lastly makes a bunch of different pulses of waves. I don't think that the AC 3 can't control it the same. I have the Jr. and I know it can not replicate the same wave patterns. Also, with the controller you get a moonlight and it can control up to 8 powerheads. That is pretty cool if you ask me.

ReefArtist:Chris I'm talking about the ACIII, it has a new controller just for the Tunze pumps. This is a new unit for the AquaController - isn't really out yet but I believe you can preorder now. Me - I'm waiting to see what people say about it before I purchase - way to new and I believe it's going to go for about 140 - 175 something like that. What you have now doesn't control the Tunze/pumps it just turns them on/off to give the pulsing action.

cjgalante: It's called aquasurf and hits the street 9/10/2007 I'm wanting to get it as part of the group buy(If it ever happens).

chrismhaase: Looking good. As for the AC 3 that controls the Tunzes, I think I would go with the Tunze 7095 and wait for a year or so for all the "bugs" to get worked out. Plus, everyone always is looking for Tunze equipment so I don't think you will have an issue selling it.

ReefArtist: I'm leaning toward the Tunze controller that is part of the pump equipment. From what I understand the price for the ACIII controller is less but I also have a feeling it's not going to do as much. I've been burned before by purchasing something new on the market - lots of hype but no substance. I agree Laz and Chris - let others find all the problems.

Also, I'm not sure what all the hype is about really. Do you really mess with the pumps that much that you have to have the controller right there - I really don't know because I've never had one. I figured that once I get them setup (flow, location etc) the only thing I will be doing is turning them off for feeding time.

Now my question is - do I have to use the Tunze controller to turn off the pumps during feeding? The reason I'm asking is because I can feed from the front of the tank or the back. If I can only control the pumps with the controller I will have to have it so I can get to it from either side - that will be tough. I'll need to check if I can use X10 and the control? More research to be done here!
 
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Ok - things are getting closer -yeah!!!

Plumbing question - would it be OK if I located my pumps like in the drawing below? I purchased a 75g tank which is longer than my 40 so now I don't have enough room to place the pumps near the floor. So, I figured I'd just place them above the sump about 24 - 30 inches from the ground. This would give me room to work on them when needed and it would fit right where I need them. I know this wouldn't be as efficient -it will have to draw the water up into the pump. They are large pumps and I mainly have Horizontal space and not vertical, so head lost shouldn't be that much. So, what do you think?

132223Pumplocation1.jpg

NOTE - This will not work so don't try it :D.

====================================
mflamb - responded to this question and set me straight - "Carol, the Barracuda is a low speed pump, and will not self prime above water level, according to Reeflo."
 
Carol, with the ACIII you should be able to control it from your computer. That way the controller can be in the tank room and computer somewhere in the house. You will just have to set up the web based part of the controller.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10690900#post10690900 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by boydx6
Carol, with the ACIII you should be able to control it from your computer. That way the controller can be in the tank room and computer somewhere in the house. You will just have to set up the web based part of the controller.
Click to expand...
That's what I'm going to do. I know you're plenty smart enough to make great use of that function. Are you getting Reef Notes with your AC3?
 
Yep, that's the reason I'm going with the ACIII and not the Jr. All the web features are completely worth the extra bucks. Just think - being able to check on your tank when your two thousand miles away - priceless :D. I might also get the extra unit (1000) so I can have a pH/temp etc for my QT - all the tanks will then be accounted for and monitored.

Mike - definitely Reef notes and not the reef notes lite.
 
Just because I'm a QT freak, I don't even wires connecting the QT to the display...now is that wierd...like an AEFW can hike down a wire to my display!!!
 
I plan on mounting mine in my fishroom (dining room) LOL. Maybe we should all get together and figure out how to set up the web part of the controller.
 
A note on the AC III v the AC III pro: The Pro can handle a lot more devices and a lot more lines of code. I don't know if that is a huge factor for you but it is something to consider. With all the auxiiary tanks, and the devices for them, it may be worth a look at the Pro.
 
That sounds like a great idea. Once I get it I'll start configuring it, once I get it configured and working I can write up a configuration sheet. Each person will have different problems - wireless, LAN, WAN etc but together we can work out all the network problems.

Mike - you're as bad as the government - you know those bits can jump the cable and infect the other network - if the cables are ran side by side - LOL!
 
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Hi Eric - yes the group buy will save us a lot and with my build, that is a good thing!

lazaro torres - Welcome aboard, and yes it's going to be a great purchase and I really think everyone will be satisfied with the unit.

normanfine - Thank you and they are doing great. I just sit and watch them float around, they are fascinating creatures.

Tank update - This weekend we got the inside of the fish room sanded down. Now that was a mess! It's a little rough but I can work with it, a little textured paint will do the job.

My next step is putting a primer on the walls, I might fit it in this week of I'm lucky. I have a few obligations for other reefers I'm working on, so we'll see.

One thing I know I'll be starting this week is the electrical - Yeah!!!! I have a friend coming over tonight to help me get it all started. Remember the Kiln - well I have to put a 70 amp breaker in for it and run three 4 gauge wire over to it. Now that wire is expensive!!!! 30 ft/3 wires was well over a hundred bucks and then I had to purchase a breaker box for it (This is to ensure it is off and not rely on the controller) just extra safety. I had to get an extra breaker box for my main power panel also. I have room (it would be full) but we figured it would be best to have the fish off on it's own. This way when we add anything for the house we can add it in the main breaker panel.
 
I haven't updated in some time so here it is. Just finished wiring the fish room and I'd say it's about 95% done as far as pulling all the cable. We are talking over 300 ft! I had gone to HD to purchase more once I ran out of the 250' @ 68 bucks and their 100' was 52 bucks. I can tell you now that I went for the second roll of 250' cable. Anyone needing any that is local - I'll have some left over I'm sure.

Here's my electrical layout and later tonight I'll post some photos of the work in process now.

132223FishroomElectrical.jpg

On the right side of the tank I'm thinking of adding an additional outlet. I think it would help when I plug items in that are in the tank.
I have 4 circuits going into the fish room.
Circuit 1 - 15 amp AC Unit (GFCI)
Circuit 2 - 20 amp (QT, Frag tank, Protein Skimmer (Dart) - all GFCI)
Circuit 3 - 20 amp (Main tank lights GFCI/1 pump Non-GFCI)
Circuit 4 - 20 amp (Refuge, sump, grasses GFCI/1 pump Non-GFCI)
 
Gotta love engineers! Carol maybe you could supplement the cost of the tanks with a tank designing and diagram consultation! This would be a great idea for people who just don't completely understand how everything comes together, are new to the hobby or would like to have diagrams of their system. If so I take a 10% manager's fees. JK.
 
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