4' X 4' tank
- Thread starter SoFloReefer
- Start date
A.T.T.R
Active member
2nd fyi
id just go to hd and buy some and put it inside the tank ... i really am worried about using just resins and fiberglass in thin layers.. but the stuff is uv resistant and bright white for light reflection...
anyways
we want picts as you water test this thing ( along with you preying in the background)
id just go to hd and buy some and put it inside the tank ... i really am worried about using just resins and fiberglass in thin layers.. but the stuff is uv resistant and bright white for light reflection...
anyways
we want picts as you water test this thing ( along with you preying in the background)
SoFloReefer
New member
When I fill this for the first time it will be to test flow and temperature stability. Leaks will be the last thing on my mind.
SoFloReefer
New member
The last coat of epoxy I added two weeks ago was bad. It was more like rubber than epoxy. I returned the gallon yesterday and got a new one. It took me a few hours but I used a belt sander to strip the coat off. I then used an orbital sander. After cleaning up the dust I added a new coat over the entire tank. I also added another overflow and two more returns. I used silicone on the holes drilled for the pipes and added silicone to the pipes before I inserted them. Painters tape made the job clean.
It is hard to tell from the picture but the two returns added yesterday are lower than the others. They will be below the egg crate and will add a circular motion to the water as well as keep detritus off the bottom. The two other returns will be above the egg crate and will move the water from one side of the tank to the other. I think the flow will be random and powerful with the Reeflo Dart (3600 GPH/4 = 900 per return) and eductors .
The epoxy from last night was dry so I sanded it and added another layer.
It is hard to tell from the picture but the two returns added yesterday are lower than the others. They will be below the egg crate and will add a circular motion to the water as well as keep detritus off the bottom. The two other returns will be above the egg crate and will move the water from one side of the tank to the other. I think the flow will be random and powerful with the Reeflo Dart (3600 GPH/4 = 900 per return) and eductors .
The epoxy from last night was dry so I sanded it and added another layer.
SoFloReefer
New member
I finished working on the electrical. I installed a Nema 4x fiberglass box containing 6 GFCI outlets. They are wired to a breaker box with 2 15 amp breakers. 3 outlets are wired to each breaker. 3 of the outlets are wired to a Kill-a-watt meter as well. I also have two timers and a Ranco two stage installed. Each breaker is wired to a 14 gauge extension cord for now.
If you look closely you can see that 3 GFIs use 2 watts of power.
If you look closely you can see that 3 GFIs use 2 watts of power.
SoFloReefer
New member
I added the last two layers of epoxy today. Does that make layer 15 or 25, I lost count. I added a lot of dye to these last two layers to block UV penetration. I added the overflow screens and epoxied the PVC to blend in. I also took a pic of my soon to be installed Dart pump.
hamburglar
New member
Ummmmm......how much power are you flowing through that tiny wire going to the kilowatt meter? That meter is a pass-thru meter unless you altered it.
Just curious because it looks like you have something fancy going on with it.
Just curious because it looks like you have something fancy going on with it.
MinibowMatt
Active member
Cool thread. That tank is seriously overbuilt, but awesome none the less!
SoFloReefer
New member
Good question. The picture looks like it has two wires but it actually has four that I soldered in. The meter is rated for 15 amps so I used 14 gauge wire which is also rated for 15 amps.
hamburglar
New member
Oh ok.....and you are just bypassing the built in plug and socket.
I liked using a kilowatt meter on my outside rig for keeping up with KW hours used. The only problem is the stinking thing resets if the power flickers. Otherwise it is really cool.
I liked using a kilowatt meter on my outside rig for keeping up with KW hours used. The only problem is the stinking thing resets if the power flickers. Otherwise it is really cool.
SoFloReefer
New member
Ya Im going to use it to make sure everything pulls the rated watts. Last thing I need is a defective Ballast or Heater pulling 1000 watts.
SoFloReefer
New member
The box that the electrical is in is Nema 4x rated which means its rated to be sprayed down with water. The timers are outdoor water resistant and the Ranco is water resistant also. That was the most convenient place for me to mount the stuff.
SoFloReefer
New member
I purchased my sump, a 50 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank. I put the tank on blocks and put the sump underneath. I also put together the PVC rack that supports the egg crate and painted it black to match. I am about to order my PVC to plumb the setup from flexpvc.com. I want to get the lights too but I am conflicted on which combo to go with. Now I am considering:
400 watt Radium on HQI ballast
400 watt XM 20k on Lumatek ballast
400 watt reeflux 12k on Coralvue 400 watt dimable ballast.
400 watt Radium on HQI ballast
400 watt XM 20k on Lumatek ballast
400 watt reeflux 12k on Coralvue 400 watt dimable ballast.
glennr1978
New member
cool build, I'm considering doing something similar. Btw, where did you get the black egg crate?
SoFloReefer
New member
Ridout plastics. They sell it for 13.50 a sheet. it came out to 40.00 with shipping for 2 sheets.
SoFloReefer
New member
Thats what Im thinking. I hear the XM 10ks put out killer Par.
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