And so it begins, NEW TANK!!!!!!

[eddybabyhd]

Well after having my tank in the wall going on three years, and my growing interest in SPS, i have decided to set up a new tank in replacement of my current tank...I know, I know seems to be a pattern lately...Out of the manys reasons for the conversion, one stands to be the most prominate ELECTRICAL USAGE...My current tank is pumping out about 7500 watts of juice 24/7, most of which is blamed on the Tim Allen approach (more power). And some to poor planning, the whole do it wrong three times before doing it right. So I have chosen to go to a 120, with a closed loop and small sump/pump...I have had great success with SPS and would love to have a smaller SPS only tank

The tank was custom made by Gary Walker at ART. I just got to pick up my tank today, and i have to say...I was a little bit skeptical at first with the whole thing, but Gary made it a very easy transaction, and an even more impressive tank

these are some pics of the new system

Thanks again Gary and Emily, it looks great

 

[captbunzo]

Very pretty! What is the plan with the lower grid of squares. Will those pass water into the overflow as well as at the surface level?

 

[eddybabyhd]

yes, there will be 2 bulkheads in the bottom of the overflow, one with a standpipe ensuring the surface level stays near the top, and the other for the inlet for my closed loop...This took away the danger of running a closed loop, for there will be no suction inlets int he tank at all...That was something i saw on a tank at ADG aquarium design group in houston, and it seemed very practical

they used a hole with eggcrating in it, but gary was able to facilitate a CNC design very similar, much better looking

way to be a show off Gary

 

[captbunzo]

Sounds like a wonderful idea. I am a little confused, however, as it sounds like the lower holes would dillute the surface water overflowing into the overflow, which you'll be (I assume) feeding to a skimmer in your sump.

 

[eddybabyhd]

the standpipe will catch all the water flowing to the sump, this will give me all the surface skimming i will need, as i will not be running probably 500 gph through the sump...My skimmer is huge for this applicaiton, and hopefully will keep up very well...i have never had a problem with film or anything on my current tank...

although, if i do not get the desired flow when initially set up, i will have to seperate the bottom of the overflow from the top, drilling out the side of the box, this will keep the two at seperate pressures

 

[captbunzo]

Yeah - I was thinking that you could pretty easily split the box into an upper and lower section. My only concern would be making sure that my surface water was not diluted at all - gotta keep the skimmer performing as best possible.

But I love the idea of the grid as a closed loop input. What a wonderful way to avoid crunched critters!

 

[pwhitby]

I think I recognize that work.....

keep us posted, and I hope you get yours up and running faster than mine.

P.

 

[JR719]

Looks good. Hopefully won't take too long to set up. Post pics of the progress.

JR

 

[eddybabyhd]

I am debating even though i went with the closed loop design, but i am trying to decide whether or not to go with two tunze streams or with a closed loop on an OM 4way, or squirt...I dont know if anyone has any experience with the Ocean Motions, but any feedback would be great

 

[captbunzo]

I don't, but a lot of folks around here do and love them. I might possibly do so if I had a bigger tank and the extra $200 - $300 to spend on it.

 

[pwhitby]

i love OM.

they are external
they work
they handle lots of flow
inexpensive to operate.

just my quick thoughts. I especially like not having tunzes and stuff visible inside the tank itself.

 

[eddybabyhd]

Well i certainly understand that...teo tunze 6000's on a multi controller will run me about 750...and the OM will be around 200...so that is the direction i am leaning...

Paul i knew you had experience with them, I guess i can deal without the tunzes functionality and definatly could deal without the size...I just hope i get the same results from the OM

 

[Gwalker]

I'm always glad to hear that the customer liked the finished product. It does look much better with all the protective paper pulled off!

Gary

 

[dustin Combs]

the streams are a little hefty but they create such a great flow around the tank. The randomization with the controller can't be beat. I also added a wave box to simulate the wave action. BUT I guess you can't go wrong with the 4way. What pump are you going to put it on?

 

[eddybabyhd]

Blueline 150...I love the tunze's, i love the functionality of them...Like I told Gary earlier this week...

All the cool kids have them...JK

 

[eddybabyhd]

everything i have read about the OM's is that people are running them with Dart's Sequence 6000 and such...do they OM's restrict flow very much...I think a Sequence 6000 would be a little overkill for my new tank...Remember I went down this road last time, and stuck myself with a 3/4 hp pump, that is ridiculous to pay electric on

 

[pwhitby]

im running mine from a sequence 4200

OMs do not restrict flow at all.

I may use tunzes as well.....but if I do, they will be hidden in the rockwork of the tank.

 

[eddybabyhd]

Does anyone know how fast the OM switch from outlet to outlet based on running the sequencial 1,2,3,4 method

 

[pwhitby]

15 seconds. Runs at 1 rpm (approx)

 

[eddybabyhd]

thanks paul...i think the blueline 150 will power the closed loop well...i think im going to lean towards one of the versions that splits between two outlets at once, i dont think my tank could handle all that coming from one outlet at a time