Basement Remodel... Ohh & a 320+ Gallon - 96x30x26 In-Wall SPS Tank

[KniLLifer]

Art, I use the Carib Sea Special Grade. It seems like it does resist being blown all over the tank. I guess I like it but I have had some compaction issues. That is probably more to do with lack is stirring and water chemistry issues.
I have not seen the Reef Flakes but I think I would go that route based on the reviews and how clean everyone says it is.
How deep are you planning?
Stu

Stu, BTW I'm originally from Windsor and we come over all the time, more than we would like to. All my family is over there and it seems like I'm the one always packing up the kids and heading south. LOL

How dirty were the Special Grade?

I want about 2" so roughly 300lb's or 8 bags.
I don't mind cleaning sand but I would love to just be able to through it in without rinsing. I'm assuming that you can't do that with Special Grade?!

Thanks,

 

[KniLLifer]

OK,you can NOT have been married very long or your wife is VERY forgiving.
The rule is if you buy yourself something, only jewelry or some other high dollar item is an appropriate counter gift. Kitchen utensils, household goods or appliances are strictly verboten!

Cars... cars are always good.

Hi Anim8me2,
Well, 10 wonderful years past this year and going strong. Ways away from 27 like your self but I think we are on the right path.
My wife is intrigued by this hobby. She loves SPS, corals and fish just as much as any of us on here which makes this hobby just that much better for me.

I have friends that hide all their purchases from their spouses. If that was me I don't think I would be in this hobby as deep as I'm in it right now. Plus it would be kind of difficult to explain when she asked " Honey, what happened to that $9K?"

I could say it was your laundry room cabinets!

Take care.

 

[Gbear]

Stu, BTW I'm originally from Windsor and we come over all the time, more than we would like to. All my family is over there and it seems like I'm the one always packing up the kids and heading south. LOL

How dirty were the Special Grade?

I want about 2" so roughly 300lb's or 8 bags.
I don't mind cleaning sand but I would love to just be able to through it in without rinsing. I'm assuming that you can't do that with Special Grade?!

Thanks,

Well you could throw it in but that would leave you with fines in the water column for quite some time I suspect. Not a grand plan.
It is not hard to rinse but you do need to be a bit patient.
Suggest you only go about 1.5 deep at the most. You are not deep enough for a DSB at 2 but it will trap lots of crap is tougher to maintain than going a bit less.

Don't ask me how I know this.:spin1:
Stu

 

[scurvyratster]

Alright:


I heard that Tropic Eden is great but is it that's much better than Carib Sea?
I would like your personal experiences with using both sands?

Art

I just put both in my tank today. The Carib Sea Special Grade is really dirty. It took 15 minutes with a hose per 20lbs to get it even semi clear -- it never got there and I was too impatient as I had 120lbs to go through.

This is the Carib Sea I got:


This is what it looks right out of the bag with some water. Can't see a thing:


Here it is after 10 minutes of washing, still not very good:


Here is the Tropic Eden Reef Flakes:


Here you can see the color difference: Tropic Eden on top. Pretty big difference.

Both had little twigs and a few odd pieces of plastic....

 

[Mike S]

I just set up my second tank with TE Reef Flakes and am very happy with it. My sand bed in my 120 was about 2 to 3 inches deep and when I broke it down after a little less than 2 years it was pretty nasty. I regularly vacuumed it.

I just set up my new 315 gallon tank tank that has a slightly smaller footprint than yours (72x36x28) and decide to go with a 1 inch sanded and only needed 3 bags of Reef Flakes. Even though it comes pretty clean I would still rinse it. I didn't and after a month I am still dealing with some suspended fines.

 

[dotcommer]

Following along, looks like a great build.

 

[Anim8me2]

Hi Anim8me2,
Well, 10 wonderful years past this year and going strong. Ways away from 27 like your self but I think we are on the right path.
My wife is intrigued by this hobby. She loves SPS, corals and fish just as much as any of us on here which makes this hobby just that much better for me.

I have friends that hide all their purchases from their spouses. If that was me I don't think I would be in this hobby as deep as I'm in it right now. Plus it would be kind of difficult to explain when she asked " Honey, what happened to that $9K?"

I could say it was your laundry room cabinets!

Take care.

Sounds like you are off to a great future together. Mine comes home and we snuggle up and cruise the reef sites together. She loves shopping for fish on liveaquaria.
The next 10 years will fly by"¦ enjoy them!

 

[techreef]

Scurvyratster, that is a fantasticly useful comparison. Thanks. I know it's a decent price difference between the two sands, but I think I'd spend the extra $130 for the Tropic Eden sand and enjoy not having to kill myself rinsing the sand forever. It's nice that the sand color is brighter than the Carib Sea too.

Would have never known there is such a difference in sand fines across brands. Wow.

 

[KniLLifer]

I just put both in my tank today. The Carib Sea Special Grade is really dirty. It took 15 minutes with a hose per 20lbs to get it even semi clear -- it never got there and I was too impatient as I had 120lbs to go through.

This is the Carib Sea I got:
View attachment 243343

This is what it looks right out of the bag with some water. Can't see a thing:
View attachment 243344

Here it is after 10 minutes of washing, still not very good:
View attachment 243345

Here is the Tropic Eden Reef Flakes:
View attachment 243346

Here you can see the color difference: Tropic Eden on top. Pretty big difference.

Both had little twigs and a few odd pieces of plastic....


View attachment 243347

scurvyratster,

That is exacly the infomration and experiance I was looking for. Excellent post.
I think the choice is obvious and I'm sold on the TE.

I'm also thinking that you guys are right about the sand depth. 3" is too much and not enought for a DSB. I'm going to shoot for 1.5" using 4-5 40lb bags.

Thanks again.

 

[tdb320reef]

.

.

Nice - Build. Regarding the sand I actually removed most of it after a year. It smelled terrible and was to hard to maintain with a tank this big and packed. The tank and its parameters are much more stable since.

Also - When your ready I have tons of SPS frags and I sell them cheap so hit me up when your ready!

 

[yagesz]

Awesome build.

Love the glass of wine next to the drill on the Original Post. Such class.

 

[Gbear]

Awesome build.

Love the glass of wine next to the drill on the Original Post. Such class.

LOL I liked that too.

 

[KniLLifer]

Awesome build.

Love the glass of wine next to the drill on the Original Post. Such class.

LOL... you cought me!

Well... Time for an update. I managed to finish plumbing my water storage containers and mounted my RODI unit. I still have to add one union on the output side of the pump.

Some pictures below.











Let me know if you guys see anything I missed or be concerned with.

Thanks for looking.

 

[worm5406]

Does your RO/DI (blue tube) go into a float valve?

Before you fill those two you may want to get/make a tub under them. Even using the rubber membrane used for tiling will work. That way incase there is every ANY leak it wont be on the floor or behind the stand.

Just get the membrane and make corners in it and leave it whole, with no cuts or punctures in it. Easy cleanup.

 

[dave.m]

You will probably want better access to the RO/DI filters as you will be changing them from time to time. Also, you should know that RO/DI canisters ALWAYS spill water when you unscrew them so you should locate the filter in such a way that you can contain or control the spillage easily.

Dave.M

 

[worm5406]

To help with light reflection and sealing the wood some, you may want to paint under the stand too.

In the one picture that shows the RODI you can see the bottom of the top shelf. Any drips/drops/spills and such would be better cleaned with that painted surface on the underside too. A 2-3" roller will make short of that job, Does not have to look pretty, just get it covered.

With all the water in the area, spray/mist/evaporation/spill, coverage of all possible soak into areas will help in the long run.

Have you thought about a dehumidifier in that area yet?

 

[conefree]

With all the water in the area, spray/mist/evaporation/spill, coverage of all possible soak into areas will help in the long run.

Have you thought about a dehumidifier in that area yet?

First of all, great looking build so far. As a former SE Michigander, I am jealous.

My question as well: what measures were you planning for maintaining/controlling humidity? I have been debating putting my 120 in the wall in the basement, but humidity was a big concern.

 

[worm5406]

As long as you have good air flow/exchange it is normally not an issue in that direct area. An added plus is it keeps gas exchange and cooling with the tank.

I got one of these:

It is a Winix WDH851 50-Pint Dehumidifier with Pump. It uses the same plumbing as rodi fittings so I extended the drain from the pump and do not have to empty it, it just pumps out as it fills.

Works nicely.

 

[conefree]

And you use that dehumidifier with your 180 setup with no issues? I currently have a 70 pint unit already down there which drains to the laundry sink.

 

[MARINECRITTERS]

Awesome build, very clean setup.