500 Gallon SPS Reef System

[tobes3]

We are starting an in-wall 354 gallon, 170x110x80 cm tank with a starphire front. It will have a 100 gallon sump/refugium, 25 gallon external overflow and a 34 gallon (RSM) quarantine tank which all together makes 506 gallons.

The tank will be dominated by SPS corals and I'll be trying to have, like everyone else, a unique rockscape with lots of caves and tunnels. The live rock is collected fresh from the great barrier reef and is currently curing while we're waiting for everything:

This is the tank room:

And from the outside (with the opening done):

Tess is excited too :lol::

And there's nothing like a big pile of equipment (I'll be returning 4 of the vortechs) :

Custom LifeReef Sump with refugium in the middle:

Filter Cylinder Rack tapped off return pump:

 

[abell]

oks to be a really good start. Will be following for sure!

 

[theshiver]

Got my attention:bigeyes:

 

[Crazy One]

HOLY VORTECH'S , this should be an awsome build can't wait.

 

[tobes3]

I was thinking of sticking some encrusting montipora frags to the back glass of the new tank so it would spread all over it so algae wouldn't grow and it would look more interesting than a painted background. Would this work?

 

[kourt11234]

i think the algae would out grow the montipora.......But that would look so sweet if it work!! good luck with the build.can't wait to see the finish product.

 

[tobes3]

An Update

As you can see the stand is held up by the walls. Don't worry, the room will be painted white :lol:.

And some pics of the fresh Great Barrier live rock:

 

[elijaher]

Tagged alone.

 

[tobes3]

Some pictures of the sump/refugium (taken by Lifereef):

Refugium:

Refugium overflow with removable eggcrate:

Sump inputs:

Filter Cylinders:

Sump Outputs:

 

[Bax]

Now that's a stand!

Lifreef makes awesome acrylics. Can you explain the filter cylinders a bit. How they are fed and discharge?

 

[BWIPlumbing]

can you explain how the stand is supported? its not just wedged in there right?

 

[rking77573]

Looking good so far.

 

[GDAVIDSON7285]

Looks like it going to be a great looking tank. What are you going to have in it

 

[erics3000]

Looks like fun.

 

[tobes3]

Now that's a stand!

Lifreef makes awesome acrylics. Can you explain the filter cylinders a bit. How they are fed and discharge?

They are tapped off the return pump, same as the refugium

 

[tobes3]

can you explain how the stand is supported? its not just wedged in there right?

The big blue pieces of steel actually go right in the walls, the structural engineer said it's able to hold up to 5 tonnes!

 

[tobes3]

Looks like it going to be a great looking tank. What are you going to have in it

Mainly SPS

 

[luvdiving]

Can't wait to see the finished product..ill be tagging along..

 

[woowoodengy]

so are you collecting yourself or buying from a local fish store

 

[tobes3]

LFS and online stores