500G Reef Tank in Puerto Rico

[JanVelazquez]

Jan I read that you are considering runing the skimmer for 20 hours. I think that it is not a good idea to turn off the skimmer. The reason is that for four hour you will have water without movement inside the skimmer. That water sitting there without oxigen I think is not a good idea. I like the skimmer on 24/7.

Thats a good point Luis

I'll have to think of some options for that. I was thinking of getting a skimmer that handles up to 2000gal but having that on 24/7 may kill all the bacteria.

I do plan in having a heavy stock of fish, corals and inverts

More researsh to do

Hey.... Didn't see you at the last AMEPR meeting. You gotta drop by my house when you get a chance to give me some advise.

Take care

Jan

 

[JanVelazquez]

Ram

Thanks again for all the advise. I'll try to keep everythong as simple as possible but I think that the skimmer will have to be a must.

One thing I've got going for me is that I am pretty patient so I expect to minimize mistakes that way.

You gave me a good idea of making a monthly video update to show the progress so thanks.

Saludos

Jan

 

[ruidos99]

hi

one is an orca proII and the other an orca pro III ill run them both 24/7

i will make my tank sps only with tangs with led lighting only

 

[JanVelazquez]

hi

one is an orca proII and the other an orca pro III ill run them both 24/7

i will make my tank sps only with tangs with led lighting only

Ruidos99

That skimmer is a beast!!!

LED's only? is that for any particular reason?

 

[ruidos99]

well i have been using led for a few months now and i can say the RULE!!

I used to run 4 400w radiums and the heat was imposible ( i have no intent on runing a chiller! Bogota is at a max of 14C temp! )

colors are perfect and growth is good too!

also i dont have to change bulbs every 10 months.... give them a try! email Bill of www.reefledlights.com he will help you on your lights!

 

[JanVelazquez]

Hi everyone

Just wanted to update you on the progress of the tank.

1. Due to space limitations I decided against the EcoSystem 7222 filter and had a custom one made. It will be ready by next week.

2. I am making custom cabinetry inder the aquarium to hold the filter. (In progress)

3. I have all the MH lapms ready to be installed (4 x 250w) (3 x 400w)

4. Two 1/2hp chillers ready to go.

5. The rock is cleaned and ready to be mounted on the tank.

Next steps:

1. Create a cutom return system for water flow (I cannot drill the tank)

2. Finish the cabinetry and wall around aquarium

3. Install filter

4. Do all the plumbing to/from pumps

5. Install lamps

6. Get some live sand

7. Put it all together

8. Enjoy

 

[JanVelazquez]

Very exited.. just got my filter in

I was going to purchase an EcoSystem 7222 model but the dimensions were just a little bit too big (by less than an inch) so I decided to order a custom filter improving the 7222 model.


EcoSystem 7222 72 l x 22 w x 20 h
My Custom sump 72 l x 18 w x 18 h

I had a removable tray built for filter socks and a large opening in case these ever get cloughed up or if I just want to add any other intakes.

This is the tray as it fits in the sump.

I also had two 2" fittings and two 1" fittings drilled on the end 4" from the bottom (more on this later)

Full view

The protective film still has to be removed and I am hoping to have installed this weekend.

I will take some pictures of the process and update next week.

Regards to all

Jan

 

[Paolo Piccinell]

I love that filter!

 

[JanVelazquez]

I love that filter!

Thanks Paolo

I havent's been able to fill it up yet because I have to finish some details on the cabinet but it looks great. I think it turned out better than the EcoSystem 7222

Regards

Jan

 

[JanVelazquez]

I was thinking of getting two of these pumps.

One for all the filtration and another flor a closed loop.

Any advise is welcome..

This a draft of the closed loop design I was thinking of doing. I just can't find the fittings.

Regards

Jan

 

[janey]

Hi Jan , I'm watchin every move you make.. LOLOLO.
Great Job.. and Yes love that sump...



Janet

 

[JanVelazquez]

Hi Jan , I'm watchin every move you make.. LOLOLO.
Great Job.. and Yes love that sump...



Janet

Thanks for following along Janet

Progress has been kind of slow lately but I'm almost about to finish up. I just need to get the pumps, do all the plumbing and fill it up.

The rest I will keep on doing on the go.

How's your project going?

Take care

Jan

 

[Tank2379]

Any Updates on this Build?

 

[temper76]

Que paso,se callo el building!! Lol j/j any updates on this old thread

 

[Madmak]

I use the Barracuda with a 1-1/2" inlet and 8 1/2" outlets plumbed trough a spa manifold and it works well.

 

[henrystyle]

Is this reef tank up and running yet? I'm leaving for San Juan, Puerto Rico this morning. Are there any nice reef tanks in Puerto Rico I can check out while I'm there.

Ant Henry

 

[worm5406]

OK.. Where are the updates??

 

[dirk_brijs]

I was thinking of getting two of these pumps.

One for all the filtration and another flor a closed loop.

Any advise is welcome..

This a draft of the closed loop design I was thinking of doing. I just can't find the fittings.

Regards

Jan

with this design and only one pump feeding it (even a heavy pump like a Barracuda) wont be giving a lot of flow to the last few outlets.
A Barracuda (depending already how much flow loss from how far pump is installed from tank) would give maybe enough flow to about 5 or 6 outlets if more it is most likely a waist of an expensive pump. Better install internal flow pumps.

 

[theReefKing]

Looks like another 15th floor 500 gal tank build thread gone stale....
His last post was about adding water soon... I wonder if the prediction in the second post of the thread that the tank would end up on the 14th floor came true.

 

[JanVelazquez]

Hi everyone

I'm about to start up again updating this thread. It's been a while.

Had a kid so that had priority over the build.

Tank should be running before the end of the year.

Regards

Jan