375 g Reef/ 600 g System stuffed in my office
- Thread starter Bax
- Start date
Bax
Premium Member
I am taking my time and trying to get all the modifications to the stand and canopy done and done right. Once! My wife's biggest complaint about past tanks is that I haven't always finished the stands and canopies. She's right! 
So I am focused on building sump/fuge/frag stands and modifying the 375 stand to my final wishes before biting into anything else.
If you look back, the stand interior was raw & bare It has now been sealed with Kilz and a heavy porch paint.
These holes will be covered with a peices of 1/4 ply and siliconed to seal it, then painted to match the floor.
The square hole on the end was a exhausting vent fan. I plan to push air into the canopy here and exhaust on the other end.
This is the back. Eventually this will be closed in to allow the venting to function effectively. Humidity is an issue in my office with my current tank so I want all evap headed out the vent. The top of the canopy will be either mirrored or reflective Millar, haven't chosen yet.
These PFO SE 400 watt pendants & ballasts came with the system, but I'll not be using them. I have Lumenarc IIIs and minis to use as reflectors and I am looking at either Coral View, Galaxy or Ice Cap ballasts, maybe a light rail using only two reflectors. I don't know yet, still pondering the possibilities. But heat from my 400s has been an issue in my current system.
So I am focused on building sump/fuge/frag stands and modifying the 375 stand to my final wishes before biting into anything else.If you look back, the stand interior was raw & bare It has now been sealed with Kilz and a heavy porch paint.
These holes will be covered with a peices of 1/4 ply and siliconed to seal it, then painted to match the floor.
The square hole on the end was a exhausting vent fan. I plan to push air into the canopy here and exhaust on the other end.
This is the back. Eventually this will be closed in to allow the venting to function effectively. Humidity is an issue in my office with my current tank so I want all evap headed out the vent. The top of the canopy will be either mirrored or reflective Millar, haven't chosen yet.
These PFO SE 400 watt pendants & ballasts came with the system, but I'll not be using them. I have Lumenarc IIIs and minis to use as reflectors and I am looking at either Coral View, Galaxy or Ice Cap ballasts, maybe a light rail using only two reflectors. I don't know yet, still pondering the possibilities. But heat from my 400s has been an issue in my current system.
Bax
Premium Member
This is the frag tank & sump in the stand. I still have to skin it for strength.
This is the current outlet on the frag tank. It holds the tank too far off the wall so it's gatto go!
In this tiny overflow are two 1" drains I'll use instead. I may expand the overflow, IDK yet.
This is the left end of the sump which will feed the return pump and manifold that will feed the DT,Frag, Fuge(es), and UV/GFO/GAC circut.
The right end will serve as the drain. There will be filter socks, a feed pump for the MRC MR4 skimmer. I am considering running that only when the MHs are off to minimize heat. If I do, the center section of the sump would hold an ASM G4X with dual mesh modded Sicci pumps to run 24/7
:rollface:
This is the current outlet on the frag tank. It holds the tank too far off the wall so it's gatto go!
In this tiny overflow are two 1" drains I'll use instead. I may expand the overflow, IDK yet.
This is the left end of the sump which will feed the return pump and manifold that will feed the DT,Frag, Fuge(es), and UV/GFO/GAC circut.
The right end will serve as the drain. There will be filter socks, a feed pump for the MRC MR4 skimmer. I am considering running that only when the MHs are off to minimize heat. If I do, the center section of the sump would hold an ASM G4X with dual mesh modded Sicci pumps to run 24/7
:rollface:
Bax
Premium Member
I decided to put the tenetti in the display, he's just too cool to languish where I can't enjoy him! I posted these on my 120 thread, but wanted you big tank guys & gals, to see him again too. He still sports his juvi colors most of the time but occasionally lightens to near adult tones.
He's really tough, not at all agressive, but really holds his own against t he much larger tank mates.
He's learned to fend for himself at the nori clip. He'll even pull nori right out of the yellow's mouth! Another reason I wanted him with other fish is that he would not look at pellets & flakes in the QT. Four days with this mob and he's started eating flakes just today!
The convivt tang is still in QT and looking good. It sooooo timid though! That one will go to the frag to fatten up a bit more before meeting the mob. :rollface:
He's really tough, not at all agressive, but really holds his own against t he much larger tank mates.
He's learned to fend for himself at the nori clip. He'll even pull nori right out of the yellow's mouth! Another reason I wanted him with other fish is that he would not look at pellets & flakes in the QT. Four days with this mob and he's started eating flakes just today!
The convivt tang is still in QT and looking good. It sooooo timid though! That one will go to the frag to fatten up a bit more before meeting the mob. :rollface:
Bax
Premium Member
Well, it's decided. We are moving my shop to a new building. :mixed:
The sale of my current building should close in June sometime and I'll be out of here by then. The new buyers want me to sign a lease, but will only commit to a year and have already told my current landlord that they have plans for my space for their own use. I found a building cross town that will suit me well and as a bonus , is much less cost wise. It's also a center unit so my utility bills should be much much lower in the winter as I have always rented stand alone buildings in the past. I need to grab this new space while it's available as there are few suitable buildings this close to my home and there has not been an opening in this building in quite some time. I work 70+ hours a week on average, so traveling to go to work needs to be brief or I'll never see my kids!
My commute will go from 1 mile door to door to a whopping 2.6 miles! ..... Still not a bad commute!
The 375 could fit in the office, but I am really not sure I can maneuver it in there. A narrow doorway and tight turn into it may keep the 8' x 30 x 30 tank out in an entrance way.
If so, I may make it a light reef (i.e. easy, lower light corals) with fish. In that case, in my office and connected to the 375, I'll set up the 120 reef and a 100 propagation tank. These would have to serve as my immediate eye candy.
... But trust me, I'll make every effort to get the beast into my office!
In either event, it will completely change all my sump, fuge, filtration plans. Each option would result in a completely different set up. Back to the drawing board!
The tenetti tang is doing great in the 120 and is one of the gang. The convict tang was moved into my fuge as he wasn't eating enough, but now, between the LR to graze and a tang burrito each day he is packing on some meat to his bones. And! While doing some cleaning I found my MIA female orchid dottyback alive and well and living in the right side overflow! I looked in there about 100 times too!? :smokin:
I found some one who is willing to trade me some Mylar sheet that I'll use on the ceiling of the canopy. Other then that, lighting is up in the air until I can determine the ultimate location of the tank.
I should be able to get over to the new space and take some serious measurments with the tank in mind soon enough. Can you imagine? So far I've only been concerned with the buisness, but now it's time to focus on the important matters..... Reefing!
The sale of my current building should close in June sometime and I'll be out of here by then. The new buyers want me to sign a lease, but will only commit to a year and have already told my current landlord that they have plans for my space for their own use. I found a building cross town that will suit me well and as a bonus , is much less cost wise. It's also a center unit so my utility bills should be much much lower in the winter as I have always rented stand alone buildings in the past. I need to grab this new space while it's available as there are few suitable buildings this close to my home and there has not been an opening in this building in quite some time. I work 70+ hours a week on average, so traveling to go to work needs to be brief or I'll never see my kids!
My commute will go from 1 mile door to door to a whopping 2.6 miles! ..... Still not a bad commute!
The 375 could fit in the office, but I am really not sure I can maneuver it in there. A narrow doorway and tight turn into it may keep the 8' x 30 x 30 tank out in an entrance way.
If so, I may make it a light reef (i.e. easy, lower light corals) with fish. In that case, in my office and connected to the 375, I'll set up the 120 reef and a 100 propagation tank. These would have to serve as my immediate eye candy.
... But trust me, I'll make every effort to get the beast into my office!
In either event, it will completely change all my sump, fuge, filtration plans. Each option would result in a completely different set up. Back to the drawing board!
The tenetti tang is doing great in the 120 and is one of the gang. The convict tang was moved into my fuge as he wasn't eating enough, but now, between the LR to graze and a tang burrito each day he is packing on some meat to his bones. And! While doing some cleaning I found my MIA female orchid dottyback alive and well and living in the right side overflow! I looked in there about 100 times too!? :smokin:
I found some one who is willing to trade me some Mylar sheet that I'll use on the ceiling of the canopy. Other then that, lighting is up in the air until I can determine the ultimate location of the tank.
I should be able to get over to the new space and take some serious measurments with the tank in mind soon enough. Can you imagine? So far I've only been concerned with the buisness, but now it's time to focus on the important matters..... Reefing!
Pacific Reefs
New member
Hey looking good so far. I hope you can get it in the new office. If not maybe you can put it in the bedroom. 
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
Bax! Just found your new thread! Looking good. Will be tagging along.
Bax
Premium Member
Chad, xsquys, & Pacific Reefs
Thanks all for checking in.
I can tell you this, if I put this tank or any other in the bedroom, she'd be moving me out to make room for it! :lol:
I am out working all this week. I'll probably get in to do some tank specific measuring next week some time, and then, I can start reorganizing the plan. Long run, it'll actually make the up grade smoother as I can keep the 120 up and running until the last minute.
Thanks all for checking in.
I can tell you this, if I put this tank or any other in the bedroom, she'd be moving me out to make room for it! :lol:
I am out working all this week. I'll probably get in to do some tank specific measuring next week some time, and then, I can start reorganizing the plan. Long run, it'll actually make the up grade smoother as I can keep the 120 up and running until the last minute.
erics3000
Active member
Glad your taking time to care of all the details. Hopefully you want have the heat issues with the 400's and your new volume
. I think you have a waste collector for the MR4 if not you might want to check into it. The closed ones help the skimmer from over flowing. I just have mine going to a 5 gal bucket over my fuge. When I turn mine off and than back on sometimes the water will flacuate till it settles in. Hopefully you wont have this problem. Since mine has been pulling out so much gunk I really haven't checked into if I can resolve this. Never enough time for me...
Looking forward to your updates.
. I think you have a waste collector for the MR4 if not you might want to check into it. The closed ones help the skimmer from over flowing. I just have mine going to a 5 gal bucket over my fuge. When I turn mine off and than back on sometimes the water will flacuate till it settles in. Hopefully you wont have this problem. Since mine has been pulling out so much gunk I really haven't checked into if I can resolve this. Never enough time for me...
Looking forward to your updates.
Bax
Premium Member
eric
When I moved last time, and built my 120 I was in a real jam. I am over all happy with the 120/240 system, but there are many, many things I'd have done differently. I do not want to feel that way for years to come with this 375/600+ set up. I have lots of ideas and things I need, and things just I want for the new set up. Once I determine exactly where the tank must sit, I'll figure it out.
My MRC MR4R skims well a likes to run a bit wet and it takes very little back pressure to shut it down. It took me for ever to figure this out!
I can adjust it to run dry as a bone and it'll generate evil thick sludge too. I tend to go back and forth throughout a given month.
I actually have a very simple waste collector. I have a 1" PVC tube with a T bottom. This sits in a 2 gallon bucket. Into it I run the 1/2" ID silicon hose from my collection cup. I clip the end of the 1/2" ID hose where ever I want to skim to today and I can pull 1/2-2 gallons of skim each day as I like.
I dump this every day and I replace the SW and this is part of my WC regimen. I'll build a 5 gallon version with more built in safety and flip of the switch pump out/SW refill features for the the big system.
When I moved last time, and built my 120 I was in a real jam. I am over all happy with the 120/240 system, but there are many, many things I'd have done differently. I do not want to feel that way for years to come with this 375/600+ set up. I have lots of ideas and things I need, and things just I want for the new set up. Once I determine exactly where the tank must sit, I'll figure it out.
My MRC MR4R skims well a likes to run a bit wet and it takes very little back pressure to shut it down. It took me for ever to figure this out!
I can adjust it to run dry as a bone and it'll generate evil thick sludge too. I tend to go back and forth throughout a given month.
I actually have a very simple waste collector. I have a 1" PVC tube with a T bottom. This sits in a 2 gallon bucket. Into it I run the 1/2" ID silicon hose from my collection cup. I clip the end of the 1/2" ID hose where ever I want to skim to today and I can pull 1/2-2 gallons of skim each day as I like.
I dump this every day and I replace the SW and this is part of my WC regimen. I'll build a 5 gallon version with more built in safety and flip of the switch pump out/SW refill features for the the big system.
erics3000
Active member
Damm..I am going to do something like this when I get back home. HUMMM how does the clip work???I have another tube on the top of the skimmer that I also run into a bucket. Just need to figure how to get the back pressure? I assume that is what the clip does ..just trying to figure it out??
When I leave for trips I run mine dry too. When I am home I keep it more on the wet side too.
Did you ever do the recirc mod on yours? I never did just did want to add another pump. I have the marlin feeding mine.
When I leave for trips I run mine dry too. When I am home I keep it more on the wet side too.
Did you ever do the recirc mod on yours? I never did just did want to add another pump. I have the marlin feeding mine.
Bax
Premium Member
Mine came as a recirc set up.
And a MRC standard waste collector that it would fill in like 1/2 and hour!
Not good!
The 1/2" tube just hangs in the 1" PVC riser, the 1" T at the bottom lets the skimate out into the bucket. As the bucket fills, so does the 1" PVC riser. The clip just holds the tube at your preset elevation in the riser and bucket. I don't clip it to anything really.
What I have found, is that if you just clip the tube in the bucket and it floats up with the water, and it can overflow. But, in the PVC riser it can not and is eventually submerged cuasing back pressure. That shuts down the skimmer. Not as sophistcated as a waste collector with a ball check, but, on my MRC skimmer, it is very dependable.
I do find that after a good cleaning of all components, especially the, injectors, it may have enough pressure to keep on pushing, so I turn it down. But for the most part, works like a charm, even at about a combined 90 SCFH of air flow.
I'd be real careful about doing this with any skimmer without testing it extensively first it won't work on all skimmer set ups.
And a MRC standard waste collector that it would fill in like 1/2 and hour!
Not good!
The 1/2" tube just hangs in the 1" PVC riser, the 1" T at the bottom lets the skimate out into the bucket. As the bucket fills, so does the 1" PVC riser. The clip just holds the tube at your preset elevation in the riser and bucket. I don't clip it to anything really.
What I have found, is that if you just clip the tube in the bucket and it floats up with the water, and it can overflow. But, in the PVC riser it can not and is eventually submerged cuasing back pressure. That shuts down the skimmer. Not as sophistcated as a waste collector with a ball check, but, on my MRC skimmer, it is very dependable.
I do find that after a good cleaning of all components, especially the, injectors, it may have enough pressure to keep on pushing, so I turn it down. But for the most part, works like a charm, even at about a combined 90 SCFH of air flow.
I'd be real careful about doing this with any skimmer without testing it extensively first it won't work on all skimmer set ups.
erics3000
Active member
Got yeah now. I have my tubes going to the bottom of the bucket so it kinda of starts out with pressure. Duhh..If I have the exit higher and have its tunned for no pressure than when it reaches the height it should work.
I saw one of the MRC collector and it was only a gallon. That would fill in a day. I did see a 4 1/2 gallon but $$$$. I think I will give this a shoot. Now all we need to figure is a self cleaning setup with a little motor. haahhah.
Ok, I think we spoke on this a little but what is your game plan for kalk reactor and top off? Controller ???When I get home next month I wana get my new kalk reactor working.
I saw one of the MRC collector and it was only a gallon. That would fill in a day. I did see a 4 1/2 gallon but $$$$. I think I will give this a shoot. Now all we need to figure is a self cleaning setup with a little motor. haahhah.
Ok, I think we spoke on this a little but what is your game plan for kalk reactor and top off? Controller ???When I get home next month I wana get my new kalk reactor working.
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