A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build
- Thread starter Dustin1300
- Start date
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Skimmers - Waiting on some quotes and have a long list based on recommendations and have been going through them one by one try to see if I can find some descent reviews.
Aquascaping - Figuring out where I'll buy the rock, how much I'll need, and how I'll hold the structures together. As it stands now I think I'm going to use Marco Rocks from Premium Aquatics, likely around 400 pounds and whatever excess I have I'll just throw into sump/system to give some more area for beneficial bacteria to collect. For structure of rock I think I'm going to use nylon threaded rods/nuts to build some arches and other interesting shadows/caves.
I can't make myself go barebottom because it does not look natural. I think I'll just be using ~3 inches of Tropic Edens Mini-Flakes and Reef-Flakes so I don't have a sandstorm due to water movement
Sand sizes on PA.
Aquascaping - Figuring out where I'll buy the rock, how much I'll need, and how I'll hold the structures together. As it stands now I think I'm going to use Marco Rocks from Premium Aquatics, likely around 400 pounds and whatever excess I have I'll just throw into sump/system to give some more area for beneficial bacteria to collect. For structure of rock I think I'm going to use nylon threaded rods/nuts to build some arches and other interesting shadows/caves.
I can't make myself go barebottom because it does not look natural. I think I'll just be using ~3 inches of Tropic Edens Mini-Flakes and Reef-Flakes so I don't have a sandstorm due to water movement
Sand sizes on PA.
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
I'm honestly not sure what size is ideal for sand-sifting fish. For high flow tanks though the Reef Flakes seem to be the best candidate out and PA carries it so I can pick it up with the rock.
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Got the stand assembled last night, painted with three coats of primer (Kilz) today and trying to figure out best epoxy to use? I about came home with some Seal-Krete Epoxy paint but ended up not because I was not sure if it'd work well on wood after reading applications....
Anyone used this on wood after a few coats of Kilz?!
Anyone used this on wood after a few coats of Kilz?!
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
I wrapped up putting the platform together on Sunday but tweaked my back on Saturday somehow and wife won't stay off my back about taking it easy....Doctor's visit reaffirmed this yesterday
That being said, have not painted it yet. Based on some feedback I think I'm going to paint the platform with a couple coats of exterior latex, then once stand is set on it I'll silicone it in and use "bartop" epoxy to add a good water proof texture that will hold a couple inches of water in should I spring any leaks and is rather scratch proof.
Platform with 3/4 ply down too:
That being said, have not painted it yet. Based on some feedback I think I'm going to paint the platform with a couple coats of exterior latex, then once stand is set on it I'll silicone it in and use "bartop" epoxy to add a good water proof texture that will hold a couple inches of water in should I spring any leaks and is rather scratch proof.Platform with 3/4 ply down too:
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
In local club forum have been trying to figure out who's going to MACNA...Who that has been following along on build is planning to go? I'd like to meet a few of you
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Bill Wann's Bullet Proof Equipment
Bill Wann's Bullet Proof Equipment
I think I've made a decision on a skimmer and calcium reactor for the system! Based on feedback from others, and the bullet proof look of the Aquarium Engineering Products I don't think I'll be upset with this one. If anyone has any concerns or feedback on them please let me know but as it stands, I think I'll be running the skimmer off the overflow of the tank to the skimmer, and then dump to my sump. I'll leave the SRO 3000 in place for now but with time I may just get rid of it:celeb1:
After MACNA I've got some good work ahead of me before I put the order in but hopefully I'll have a chance to drive up to WI and pick up the skimmer and check out his massive 20,000 gallon system. I had the plans to wait to see if I see another skimmer I like more but I'm not sure I'll see something I like more!
This will be the skimmer but will likely add some height once I solidify my plans and let him know where I want to put skimmer along with height of tank/stand/overflow:
Here you can see the craftsmanship:
Here's the reactor which holds 50 gallons of media:
Bill Wann's Bullet Proof Equipment
I think I've made a decision on a skimmer and calcium reactor for the system! Based on feedback from others, and the bullet proof look of the Aquarium Engineering Products I don't think I'll be upset with this one. If anyone has any concerns or feedback on them please let me know but as it stands, I think I'll be running the skimmer off the overflow of the tank to the skimmer, and then dump to my sump. I'll leave the SRO 3000 in place for now but with time I may just get rid of it:celeb1:
After MACNA I've got some good work ahead of me before I put the order in but hopefully I'll have a chance to drive up to WI and pick up the skimmer and check out his massive 20,000 gallon system. I had the plans to wait to see if I see another skimmer I like more but I'm not sure I'll see something I like more!
This will be the skimmer but will likely add some height once I solidify my plans and let him know where I want to put skimmer along with height of tank/stand/overflow:
Here you can see the craftsmanship:
Here's the reactor which holds 50 gallons of media:
SeattleReef
New member
Very nice, I'm glad you got a hold of Bill! Once you see his build quality all else seems very distant, it's just too bad he doesn't build for smaller tanks! :headwally:
Looking forward to seeing things progress! :beer:
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Yeah, I think I'll be satisfied with his equipment and it'll last a lifetime!
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
How tall is the skimmer and reactor? They look like monsters.
drummereef
Team RC
Those are nothing short of BEAST status. That skimmer could clean a small city, I'm sure of it. :thumbsup:
That skimmer could clean a small city, I'm sure of it. :thumbsup:
Aquatron
Refugium pat.#D414,242
Hello,
You will not find a better skimmer or reactor than Bill's, his quality is second to none. Those will both be center pieces to your system with a wow factor off the charts
I am at the last stages of my build and already have talk with bill with getting one of his skimmers and a reactor when needed.
Set a BK 300 next to it and his quality and value will be easy to see
Best of Luck!
You will not find a better skimmer or reactor than Bill's, his quality is second to none. Those will both be center pieces to your system with a wow factor off the charts
I am at the last stages of my build and already have talk with bill with getting one of his skimmers and a reactor when needed.
Set a BK 300 next to it and his quality and value will be easy to see
Best of Luck!
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
They are monsters and it's hard to tell the size from the picture. The skimmer tube is a 12" diameter and the height is about 6 feet tall. With what we discussed may add another foot or so to that so it can easily scale and handle any load you'd throw at it!
I forget the exact dimensions of the reactor but it'll hold 50+ pounds of media so it'll be more than enough for my system and is half the price of the comparable GEO CR I was considering.
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Those are nothing short of BEAST status.
I love fell in love after I started looking at them and hope they are up to the challenge of cleaning my small little ocean:spin2: Bill is going to run a watt meter on the skimmer as the pump he uses is 180 watts but with the air injection he believes it should use less than that. I'll share what comes of the test once he gets back to me but I'm not sure how you can compare to the quality. The body is PVC but with all the SCH 80 I used it looks good to me and I know it won't develop any cracks! I also don't quite see the reasoning for requiring to see all the action happen? I just want the gunk at the top!
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Hello,
You will not find a better skimmer or reactor than Bill's, his quality is second to none. Those will both be center pieces to your system with a wow factor off the charts
I am at the last stages of my build and already have talk with bill with getting one of his skimmers and a reactor when needed.
Set a BK 300 next to it and his quality and value will be easy to see
Best of Luck!
Based on some of the feedback I've seen I think it'd blow away the capacity a BK 300 could handle too! Is it sad we're talking about the equipment and not the coral/fish which are supposed to be the "center pieces"....
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
Based on some of the feedback I've seen I think it'd blow away the capacity a BK 300 could handle too! Is it sad we're talking about the equipment and not the coral/fish which are supposed to be the "center pieces"....
Well thats your fault for having some serious pimped out equipment.
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
My rock will look rather bare in the beginning since I sold off all my livestock from previous system so I'll at least enjoy looking at the equipment:spin2:
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Another reason I wanted to wait out MACNA was the possible release of new fixtures in the LED market since I'm on the brink of buying lights. That being said, seems Orphek is about to release a new fixture called the Atlantik? This light looks even further up the alley for large aquarium enthusiasts with it's large footprint of 72 LEDs and controllable via SW or a controller. 4 channels is enough for me and excited to see what else comes out to the show but excited to check this one out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khj4HOGOZGg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khj4HOGOZGg
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
I really don't think Orphek goes to sleep when it comes to their LEDs.
