8ft Reef Savvy Upgrade

[Fishman7]

lifting and placing : rent or buy several glass cups vacuum type two cups on each side w/ cross bracing : two jacks one on each side make several boxes out of 2x4 raise 6" place raise 6" place ect then slide the stand under and move in to place used that method many times placing very very large show tanks

 

[sirreal63]

Excellent equipment selection and an unbelievably awesome looking tank. I am in for the ride on this one.

 

[MstgKillr]

I can't seem to make up my mind on a return pump. I think I'm going to stay with an "in sump" setup, maybe (2) Eheim 1262's or one of the new 80W Red Dragon's when they are released. I'm still considering giving the Jebao DC12000 that I have on order a try.

Any opinions?

 

[hobbzz]

I just picked up a laguna 1500 for my 300 display. Very quiet. Don't think you'd hear one over all the other stuff. And they're the pumps that the red dragon skimmer pumps and airstar pumps are made from so very reliable. They have models that go up to 4200gph. http://www.lagunaponds.com/lagunaeng/maxflopumps/maxflo.php?link=141

How much are you trying to run through the sump? I'm guessing about 1800 before head loss?

 

[Oceanblu]

I showed my wife and she asked if I thought this tank was as sexy as she is... She got mad at my answer! I couldn't lie to her.

That's one of the funniest things I ever heard, LOL.

Beautiful tank BTW! Reef Savvy tanks are so well made, I'll probably go with them once I finally get the chance to do an in wall build. How was your experience with them?

 

[MstgKillr]

Well here is the first mishap! Leave it to FedEx!! Does anyone know if the element is glued or screwed to the PVC? It would be nice if I could just build a new PVC housing. BTW it's a 1hp Tradewind Chiller...

 

[h20poloman2]

I can't seem to make up my mind on a return pump. I think I'm going to stay with an "in sump" setup, maybe (2) Eheim 1262's or one of the new 80W Red Dragon's when they are released. I'm still considering giving the Jebao DC12000 that I have on order a try.

Any opinions?

I've currently got the Waterblaster 12500 on my 248g and it's too much flow - I bought a Diablo DC controllable 10500 that I haven't replumbed into it yet. I have it feeding several media reactors and my CA reactor. Overall though I've been very pleased with the quality of the waterblaster pumps for the price point. I wouldn't blame you for going with the Red Dragon, I'm just not sure when they are releasing that 80w version for their controllable DC Speedy and you know that you are going to pay a huge premium for it. If you don't care about having a DC pump you can probably also look at the WaterBlaster 10000. I'm not a fan of huge flow through my sump or returns - I just thought the head loss was going to quickly reduce the flow in my system more than it did. You can't beat the warranty on the WB either (3 years)

 

[quickfinger]

Jesus. That's a big tank.

 

[robert s b.]

Wow, that's a nice tank!! Cant wait to see it finished.

 

[h20poloman2]

How's the build coming along?

 

[Dashylock]

Here we go!

Killer dimensions!

 

[FDAWG]

Dream tank. Dream dims.

 

[zachhll]

did you drop the tank? no updates in far to long

 

[SPS_77493]

Any updates on this???

 

[MstgKillr]

So this build should have been called something like "The Longest Build Ever." Working 50-60 hours per week while pursuing my civil engineering degree at 9 credit hours per semester doesn't leave much time for anything else, including sleep. This is the first summer in 5 years that I don't have to take any classes! Since I only have work to deal with, I have time for the tank.

It's not much but I got the 3/4 birch plywood top cut and countersunk the stainless steel bolts. I notched out the bottom and even bought a new router for the job. The Epifanes marine spar varnish arrived also. Next up, 7 coats of varnish for both the top and bottom sheets of plywood. I'm still debating if I should stain the bottom or not.

 

[Giovanni216]

I think you should not stain it, I like the contrast in the colors between the dark metal and the wood color. I think 7 coats of varnish would look nice enough on its own.

 

[dave.m]

If you're going to enclose the base with cabinetry you really want the interior to be all white so you can see what you're doing when working in there.

Dave.M