Budster's Twin in Wall Build

[budster.stig1]

I have finally finished my design for my twin in wall 150's system. I have considered most idea's received here at RC and have decided on the following.

The System Flow: The system circulation rate will be a total of about 2000gph provided by a RO WB 10000 (2600 gph). Each tank will recieve 750 gph and the 40g. Frag tank will recieve 500 gph. Both DT's will drain to the Skimmer section of the sump. The Skimmer (RO SRO 5000) will be external and will be fed 750 gph with the effluent directed to the Refugium. The additional 750 gph in the sump will flow through filter socks to the return portion of the sump. The 500 gph to the Frag tank will drain to the Refugium.
The socks in the sump will be used for filtration or media or both as needed.
The return sump will provide space for heaters, system sensors, etc.

The Refugium: The Fuge will be 75g. external Tri-Plex design and will recieve a flow rate of about 1200 gph.,from the skimmer effulent and the drain from the Frag Tank. The bottom 8" will be 1/2 benthic zone and 1/2 DSB. The above 3" will be Live rock rubble on a removable egg crate tray. The remaining 8" will be a shallow Culerpa zone. The Fuge will drain to the return sump using a C to C over-flow on the end to control drain back to the sump on system shut down.

Supply Water: Water will be provided by a 4 stage RO/DI that will produce 75gpd to a 55g. mixing/storage tank. There will be an additional 110g of water storage, all of which will be plumbed to a pump to move water from tank to tank ,and for auto top-off and water changes. The 64g. sump will drain to a floor drain, and the system will refill sump by pump for easy water changes. The system will also be plumbed to a QT rack to supply those tanks, by pump, with fresh mix.

The DT's: The Tanks will be in wall and each will be 60"x24"x25". One DT wil be a mixed Reef tank with what I hope will be a beautiful assortment of all types of coral and many Reef safe varities of fish. The other Tank will be what they call a FOWLR. Many varieties of fish that I like best are the more aggresive types, it will be a challenge to populate this tank with what I like and with what can co-habitate successfully.

Lighting: Both DT's will use ATI Sun Power T-5 fixtures. The Reef wil be a 8x80w fixture and the FOWLR will be a 4x80w. fixture. I especially like the ability to control color spectrum with T-5's, and I believe T-5's to be comparable to LED's that I found out of reach due to cost and savings return.

After a year of R&D the above is what I am hoping will be the ideal system for what I want to do, so I will order equipment right away and get started. Thanks to all who have helped here on RC.......................Budster

 

[budster.stig1]

If anyone cares!

If anyone cares!

Just a short up-date on my Aquarium build. I have changed direction a little bit, due to a lack of cooperation and interest from Tom at Glass Cages, I was not able to reach a deal for the (2) 150g. aquariums. Seems all he wanted to was argue why he couldn't build what I wanted instead of finding a way to help me, anyway I had to look elsewhere for a builder and finding one I could afford anywhere near east Texas was tough. I did, however, run across the Miracles in Glass company near Toronto, Canada. They are great, did everything possible to make this happen, so, because of the added shipping expense and currency difference I ordered one tank instead of two, It is however a 225g., 6'x30"x25", starphire glass with coast to coast internal over-flow. By using a 6 ft. tank now it will leave 30" on both sides for additional in wall tanks in the future. I have a delivery date of May 8, and I am busy now preparing the fish room and installing the supply water system, hope to be ready by May, will keep ya"ll posted.:wave:

 

[budster.stig1]

Just a quick comment on Miracles in Glass Inc., near Toronto Canada. I contacted Derek at MIG after failing to locate any one near here (east Texas) to build my tanks. After a failed attempt to deal with Tom at Glass Cages Inc. and reading good things about them here in this Forum, I gave them a call. Wow, they redefine the meaning of "Customer Service", if their craftsmanship is just half as good as their service and cooperation, my tank will be beautiful. We will wait and see how this all turns out, but if anyone out there is looking for a custom tank be sure and talk to Derek.

 

[laredo300c]

Wow that is great, I have them on top of my list for when I decide to upgrade my system, my dream dimensions are 66x39x26. I live in Laredo, tx, south tx, so finding a builder is tougher than one thinks.

Maybe you can pm a ballpark total, with shipping.

I know shipping will be the biggest factor when ordering my tank.

 

[laredo300c]

Wow, just did a google map search on mineola,tx and I see you are close to Dallas.

Is there a reason you didn't go with a tank builder near you, you have so much more options than I do. Planet aquariums out of Dallas and a.g.e. Are two on the top of my head.

 

[budster.stig1]

Wow, just did a google map search on mineola,tx and I see you are close to Dallas.

Is there a reason you didn't go with a tank builder near you, you have so much more options than I do. Planet aquariums out of Dallas and a.g.e. Are two on the top of my head.

Price, Price, Price................They are really proud of their work in Dallas, Paid 2/3 including shipping from MIG, as compared to 3 builders in Dallas..........

 

[laredo300c]

Good to know, that you did shop around, heard nothingmbut good things on miracles, like your dimensions so post plenty of pics

 

[bikeboss11]

You are so right man for locating another tank builder.... Ppl seems to forget that the customer is always rght and service is most important... Hope all ends well and I can't wait to see the tanks up and running

 

[budster.stig1]

Up-date

Up-date

Reefsters:

Recieved shipping conformation on new tank yesterday. Will ship on Monday 5/7, due in Tyler Tx. on Friday 5/11. Should have it set by Saturday, getting help from some of the great Reefsters at East Texas Reef Keepers. Will post pictures next week-end. ...........................Budster

 

[budster.stig1]

Up-date on MIG

Up-date on MIG

Reefsters:

Recieved the tank from Miracles in Glass yesterday, Wow! They shipped on the exact day they quoted 2 months ago, the tank is beautiful, exactly what I ordered down to the black sides and back, demensions are exact, seams and silicon is perfect. I will post a picture when I unload it and get it completely out of the crate. Even the crate was amazing, the dock worker at the terminal said he's never seen a crate that well built, get the aquarium out and use it for a dog house! Should be ready to move it to the fish room next week, watch for pictures then......................Budster

 

[sdc19982002]

It's going to look great.....After seeing yours last night it inspired me to get a move on with my upgrade. I'll try not to get one as heavy

 

[budster.stig1]

Up-date 7/6/2012

Up-date 7/6/2012

Move to Fish Room went as planned, took six of us but we got it on the stand over the 1/2" styrofoam and slid into place in the wall opening. Since then I have been in Colorado for about a month, finally sold property there I have been sitting on for 5 years, anyway, back now and ready to plumb and start cycling this monster. Parts are ordered, pumps and support materials are in place, so we should have test water in a couple of weeks, Stay tuned.

I have included a few pictures of the room and the tank.................budster

 

[TheFishTeen]

This build looks awesome! I subscribed! Not sure why no one is joining in. Same thing with my build.

One small question, are you going to frame the legs? After some time they might start to skew or twist, even though they are doubled up.

 

[budster.stig1]

The Fish Teen:

You can't tell from the picture but the legs are actually triple 2x4's, then fish plated to the girder with 3/4" plywood. The girder is (2) 2x6's with 12" on center joists. The legs are braketed to the concrete with L's and red heads. Thanks for the post, will see ya along the way.......................Budster

 

[Tickle]

What are your plans for lightning? It'd be really cool to see a large scale DIY led on this thing. I bet you'd save the cost in less than a year.

Nvm just reread initial post.


Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

 

[geaux xman]

Sweet, another Miracles tank!

My only regret about my tank is not getting it bigger.

I guess with the FOWLR tank out of the picture, you will have to reconsider your
stocking plans?

tagging along.

 

[budster.stig1]

I guess with the FOWLR tank out of the picture, you will have to reconsider your stocking plans?

tagging along.

Actually, I have enough room on that wall to add two 30"x30"x25" tanks on either side of the big boy. I will probably end up with two FOWLR tanks, giving me even more flexability for fish......................Budster:dance:

 

[budster.stig1]

What are your plans for lightning? It'd be really cool to see a large scale DIY led on this thing. I bet you'd save the cost in less than a year.

Nvm just reread initial post.


Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

Since my origional post I have been kicking around using LED's instead of
T-5's, or maybe even Sun Tubes. I have the perfect set-up for Sun Tubes, have seen alot about them lately, I am just not sure...............Budster

 

[A Reef Scene]

You should look at the multichip led thread, great stuff.

 

[geaux xman]

Actually, I have enough room on that wall to add two 30"x30"x25" tanks on either side of the big boy. I will probably end up with two FOWLR tanks, giving me even more flexability for fish......................Budster:dance:

30*30*25 is a bit short for a fowlr?