715 Gallon Reef Tank Build (1300 gallon system)
- Thread starter saltwatershark
- Start date
muttley000
MTS Sufferer!
Tagging along to see what develops here. What procedure are you using to cure your rock?
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
I am doing better thanks.
saltwatershark
New member
Hello everyone! Thank you for your interest in my build, and thank you for your advice as I build this behemoth! I have to once again apologize for the issues with my pics: I purchased the new iPhone thinking that would fix everything but apparently it has not. I post this blog via the tapatalk app and I'm going to post a couple more pics below using photobucket. Hopefully that will help.
The display tank will have ecoxotic flood cannons-- 7 of them lined up straight through the middle of the tank using 60 degree optics. They really look amazing and are capable of penetrating quite deep while keeping high PAR values.
The pictures above from post 34 show my frag/quarantine tank (29 gallons) with 2 kessil LED fixtures-- one is 10K and the other is the actinic (~465nm). They aren't big lights but they closely replicate the ecoxotics on a much smaller scale, which I thought would help transition both corals and fish from the frag/quarantine tank to the main display.
The sump (240 gallons) has 2 additional Kessil LEDs but these are 6700K, which is a white light with more yellow/green spectrum than the ones over the frag/quarantine tank. They hang over the Refugium area of the sump and are well suited to grow macro algae.
Al tanks were custom built by glass cages in Tennessee. I live in the Saint Louis area but they shipped the tanks via freight. I have found them to be helpful, reasonable priced, and very solid build quality. Not the best silicone job but it's quite difficult to notice these minor imperfections.
The display tank will be made using starphire low lead glass on three sides, while the others are standard grade glass but of commercial thickness (3/8" and 3/4" respectively).
I hooked up the protein skimmer and it is nothing short of amazing. The guys at MyReefCreation built a masterpiece. Heck, I could probably toss my kids' dirty diapers in that thing with zero Increase in nutrient levels! I know...that's gross but it's also true. I'll post pics detailing the skimmer soon. It's really an outstanding product.
I installed a 2000 watt inline titatinum heater with built in flow sensor and temperature controller. I triple safe guarded this thing against malfunctioning by plugging it into a Ranco temperature controller (protection level 2) which is plugged into a Neptune apex controller (protection level 3) that uses a temperature probe separate from the Ranco and the heater's own internal thermostat. These Ranco controllers are really heavy duty and I plan to put another one on my UV sterilizer (it heats the water up big time) and also the little jbj titanium heater that's in the frag/qt tank. I'll post pics of the ranco in another post. Btw: the Tradewinds chillers all have ranco controllers hard wired in, which speaks plumes about the high quality that Tradewinds provides. Anyhow, here's a pic of the heater (using the photobucket app this time hope it works):
Also, I wanted to share with you a really cool product that I intend to use on my closed loop. It's called an "Oceans Motions" and it essentially has a rotating drum within the master cylinder that diverts flow to various outputs and continuously changing velocities. Basically it helps increase greater glow variations within the tank. In the pics below you'll notice that I added cepex true union ball valves to the input (bottom) and each of the 4 outputs (sides). I think it looks pretty cool:
The display tank will have ecoxotic flood cannons-- 7 of them lined up straight through the middle of the tank using 60 degree optics. They really look amazing and are capable of penetrating quite deep while keeping high PAR values.
The pictures above from post 34 show my frag/quarantine tank (29 gallons) with 2 kessil LED fixtures-- one is 10K and the other is the actinic (~465nm). They aren't big lights but they closely replicate the ecoxotics on a much smaller scale, which I thought would help transition both corals and fish from the frag/quarantine tank to the main display.
The sump (240 gallons) has 2 additional Kessil LEDs but these are 6700K, which is a white light with more yellow/green spectrum than the ones over the frag/quarantine tank. They hang over the Refugium area of the sump and are well suited to grow macro algae.
Al tanks were custom built by glass cages in Tennessee. I live in the Saint Louis area but they shipped the tanks via freight. I have found them to be helpful, reasonable priced, and very solid build quality. Not the best silicone job but it's quite difficult to notice these minor imperfections.
The display tank will be made using starphire low lead glass on three sides, while the others are standard grade glass but of commercial thickness (3/8" and 3/4" respectively).
I hooked up the protein skimmer and it is nothing short of amazing. The guys at MyReefCreation built a masterpiece. Heck, I could probably toss my kids' dirty diapers in that thing with zero Increase in nutrient levels! I know...that's gross but it's also true. I'll post pics detailing the skimmer soon. It's really an outstanding product.
I installed a 2000 watt inline titatinum heater with built in flow sensor and temperature controller. I triple safe guarded this thing against malfunctioning by plugging it into a Ranco temperature controller (protection level 2) which is plugged into a Neptune apex controller (protection level 3) that uses a temperature probe separate from the Ranco and the heater's own internal thermostat. These Ranco controllers are really heavy duty and I plan to put another one on my UV sterilizer (it heats the water up big time) and also the little jbj titanium heater that's in the frag/qt tank. I'll post pics of the ranco in another post. Btw: the Tradewinds chillers all have ranco controllers hard wired in, which speaks plumes about the high quality that Tradewinds provides. Anyhow, here's a pic of the heater (using the photobucket app this time hope it works):
Also, I wanted to share with you a really cool product that I intend to use on my closed loop. It's called an "Oceans Motions" and it essentially has a rotating drum within the master cylinder that diverts flow to various outputs and continuously changing velocities. Basically it helps increase greater glow variations within the tank. In the pics below you'll notice that I added cepex true union ball valves to the input (bottom) and each of the 4 outputs (sides). I think it looks pretty cool:
saltwatershark
New member
I forgot to respond to your question muttley000 re: live rock curing process. My process is rudimentary and maybe not the best but here's what I've done:
1. Obtained 500 lbs pukani dry rock (formerly live rock) from BRS.
2. Used needle nose pliers to remove dead sponges, seaweed, etc.
3. Rinsed rock in RODI water for a day.
4. Placed rock in those black Rubbermaid tubs which I connected together using 1.5" uniseals and basic schedule 40 pvc from Home Depot.
5. Filled tubs with saltwater from my sump (about 75 gallons)
6. Put heater in to maintain 75 degree temp.
7. Threw in 1 raw table shrimp per week for first 3 weeks.
8. Added one bottle of biospira bacteria from BRS
9. Been circulating water 24/7 on a closed loop at about 600-700 gph using a mag 7 pump.
10. Performed 20% water change weekly for 6 weeks.
The rocks are fully cured now (been in the tubs since December) but I'll keep them in there until the display tank is ready. Also I plan to get a couple hundred more pounds of flat "table" rock and I'd like to reuse the cycled water.
I hope this post is responsive!
1. Obtained 500 lbs pukani dry rock (formerly live rock) from BRS.
2. Used needle nose pliers to remove dead sponges, seaweed, etc.
3. Rinsed rock in RODI water for a day.
4. Placed rock in those black Rubbermaid tubs which I connected together using 1.5" uniseals and basic schedule 40 pvc from Home Depot.
5. Filled tubs with saltwater from my sump (about 75 gallons)
6. Put heater in to maintain 75 degree temp.
7. Threw in 1 raw table shrimp per week for first 3 weeks.
8. Added one bottle of biospira bacteria from BRS
9. Been circulating water 24/7 on a closed loop at about 600-700 gph using a mag 7 pump.
10. Performed 20% water change weekly for 6 weeks.
The rocks are fully cured now (been in the tubs since December) but I'll keep them in there until the display tank is ready. Also I plan to get a couple hundred more pounds of flat "table" rock and I'd like to reuse the cycled water.
I hope this post is responsive!
saltwatershark
New member
Mike, count me in! I've been meaning to link up with SLASH and will do so soon. Thank you for the invitation!
muttley000
MTS Sufferer!
Thanks for the response! Have you taken any po4 readings? I really like the look of the pukani, but here of problems with leaching.
frogspawn74
New member
I'd love to see the tanks made by glass cages (never seen one in person). I want a 72"x24"x17"ish frag tank. Not acrylic. Most places want stupid money.
saltwatershark
New member
Regarding po4, it's really not an issue if you properly cure the rock over a 6-8 week timeframe. From my research, I have found that it's not the rock that leeches phosphate but rather the dead "crap" that decays if not properly cured. That's one reason why you want to visually inspect the rock and pull off dead bio-material (eg, sponges).
Regarding glass cages they get mixed reviews online with a lot of criticism but I think some of those nay-Sayers are false positives with unrealistic expectations, or people with bad experienced are more likely to trash others while satisfied customers are less vocal. My experiences have very favorable and I'm having them do my display tank (after having them build a highly customized 240 gallon and a 29 gallon quarantine/frag tank). Repeat business is a solid indicator of a satisfied customer.
Regarding glass cages they get mixed reviews online with a lot of criticism but I think some of those nay-Sayers are false positives with unrealistic expectations, or people with bad experienced are more likely to trash others while satisfied customers are less vocal. My experiences have very favorable and I'm having them do my display tank (after having them build a highly customized 240 gallon and a 29 gallon quarantine/frag tank). Repeat business is a solid indicator of a satisfied customer.
frankabagnale
New member
Nice build! Those Genesis water change systems look pretty awesome!
Maybe you'll invite some Missouri people over to check it out sometime.....haha
I'm over in Columbia!
Maybe you'll invite some Missouri people over to check it out sometime.....haha
I'm over in Columbia!
saltwatershark
New member
Thank you! I will tell you this about the Genesis Renew and Storm systems-- the only thing better about the products is the owner (Kevin) who is so helpful and stands behind his products. I recommend Genesis Reef to anyone looking for high end automation.
I took a few more pics of the glass tops to the sump, which I drilled again to add a 2" portal for adding supplements:
I also installed the protein skimmer. It's a beast!
More write-up to follow, but now it's dinner time!
I took a few more pics of the glass tops to the sump, which I drilled again to add a 2" portal for adding supplements:
I also installed the protein skimmer. It's a beast!
More write-up to follow, but now it's dinner time!
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
Thank you! I will tell you this about the Genesis Renew and Storm systems-- the only thing better about the products is the owner (Kevin) who is so helpful and stands behind his products. I recommend Genesis Reef to anyone looking for high end automation.
I took a few more pics of the glass tops to the sump, which I drilled again to add a 2" portal for adding supplements:
I also installed the protein skimmer. It's a beast!
Being modest will get you great reefing points. That is a very beastly protein skimmer.
saltwatershark
New member
Thank you for reporting these pics for me (again). For the life of me I cannot figure out why my originals don't post properly. Anyhow, I appreciate you helping!
Regarding this protein skimmer, I wanted to share a lesson I learned about "wet skimming": be really careful when dialing in a new skimmer: within a couple hours I drained about 50 gallons of saltwater due to over-skimming (or "wet" skimming)-- which is basically when the skimmer's outlet prevent enough water from leaving the skimmer, which means it gets bubbled out into the collection cup and effectively drained from the system. Fortunately, no damage was done to my pumps, but it was enough of a wake up call for me to order float switches which I will connect to the return pumps. This way, if the sump water levels drop too low, the float switch will disable the rerun pumps so that they don't burn out. It was a close call, but a good lesson learned early on in my reeding tenure!
Regarding this protein skimmer, I wanted to share a lesson I learned about "wet skimming": be really careful when dialing in a new skimmer: within a couple hours I drained about 50 gallons of saltwater due to over-skimming (or "wet" skimming)-- which is basically when the skimmer's outlet prevent enough water from leaving the skimmer, which means it gets bubbled out into the collection cup and effectively drained from the system. Fortunately, no damage was done to my pumps, but it was enough of a wake up call for me to order float switches which I will connect to the return pumps. This way, if the sump water levels drop too low, the float switch will disable the rerun pumps so that they don't burn out. It was a close call, but a good lesson learned early on in my reeding tenure!
mpcart
New member
You need to get a skimmate reservoir that will turn off your skimmer pumps when it is full. For my external skimmer I got the large Avast Marine Skimmate Locker and it has saved me a number of times when my skimmer went crazy. That will prevent you from skimming out all your water.
-Mike
-Mike
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
No problem. I did it because my eyes are bad and beastly protein skimmers aren't beastly when the images are small. J/K they didn't show up on the site so I redid them.
saltwatershark
New member
I have big news: construction of the display tank has begun! Here are some fun facts:
- It will weigh around 1,400 lbs empty.
-It has 9 holes drilled in various locations
- starphire glass in 3 viewing panels (regular glass on the back)
- black silicone corners
- takes 3-4 weeks of build/rest time, then another month to cure
- It will weigh around 1,400 lbs empty.
-It has 9 holes drilled in various locations
- starphire glass in 3 viewing panels (regular glass on the back)
- black silicone corners
- takes 3-4 weeks of build/rest time, then another month to cure
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