Build Thread: TKERacer619's 600gal SPS Tank
- Thread starter tkeracer619
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tkeracer619
New member
Very slow progression. Crunch time at work 
I did find a few blemishes in the glass that I have been polishing out but nothing in that department happens fast :lol:
Bummer Jack!
I did find a few blemishes in the glass that I have been polishing out but nothing in that department happens fast :lol:
Bummer Jack!
tkeracer619
New member
Spent some time going ove the plumbing tonight.
This is a challenge but I think I have a good solution.
It seems odd to me but the overflows each have one 2" sch40 bulkhead and two 1.5" sch40 bulkheads. The holes in the bottom of the tank were for sch80 bulkheads. Figured with these massive overflows they would have sch80 holes... Anyhow... I'll plumb two 2" drains and combine two 1.5" into a 2" pipe as an emergency drain. I'll run a single 1.5" or 2" return.
I have 3 sets of pumps to choose from for returns... One to be used as the return and one to keep on the shelf as a backup. The contenders are...
Sequence 4600SEQ22
Reeflo Hammerhead
Iwaki MD100-RLT
Since the sump is in a basement, the tank is roughly 16 to 18 feet above the sump with several bends, and roughly 30 horizontal feet I think these are all good options.
The benefit of the Iwaki is they are quiet mag drive pumps, the downside is they use more power for less flow. If I'm lucky I'll get 3x turnover.
The benefit of the Sequence is the 5x turnover and lower energy use. Downside is they don't exactly appear to be made anymore. I need to call and talk to them about replacement parts.
The Hammerheads are the older style/not gold and they are damaged. The motors don't spin freely and need to be rebuilt, they may be trash. Years ago they were on a setup that had a backup gen and would freewheel backwards in the downtime before backup power kicked in. The weekly testing thrashed them and they no longer spin freely. They have been laying around for years collecting dust and since I doubt it's a bearing issue my guess is they will continue to collect dust. Need to pull the motor apart for a visual.
Boring without pics but I'm on the phone typing this out and am not sure I want to go there
Speaking of pics, I picked up one of those professional grade dslr cameras so hopefully I'll learn to use it and get some good pics from here on out! :dance:
This is a challenge but I think I have a good solution.
It seems odd to me but the overflows each have one 2" sch40 bulkhead and two 1.5" sch40 bulkheads. The holes in the bottom of the tank were for sch80 bulkheads. Figured with these massive overflows they would have sch80 holes... Anyhow... I'll plumb two 2" drains and combine two 1.5" into a 2" pipe as an emergency drain. I'll run a single 1.5" or 2" return.
I have 3 sets of pumps to choose from for returns... One to be used as the return and one to keep on the shelf as a backup. The contenders are...
Sequence 4600SEQ22
Reeflo Hammerhead
Iwaki MD100-RLT
Since the sump is in a basement, the tank is roughly 16 to 18 feet above the sump with several bends, and roughly 30 horizontal feet I think these are all good options.
The benefit of the Iwaki is they are quiet mag drive pumps, the downside is they use more power for less flow. If I'm lucky I'll get 3x turnover.
The benefit of the Sequence is the 5x turnover and lower energy use. Downside is they don't exactly appear to be made anymore. I need to call and talk to them about replacement parts.
The Hammerheads are the older style/not gold and they are damaged. The motors don't spin freely and need to be rebuilt, they may be trash. Years ago they were on a setup that had a backup gen and would freewheel backwards in the downtime before backup power kicked in. The weekly testing thrashed them and they no longer spin freely. They have been laying around for years collecting dust and since I doubt it's a bearing issue my guess is they will continue to collect dust. Need to pull the motor apart for a visual.
Boring without pics but I'm on the phone typing this out and am not sure I want to go there
Speaking of pics, I picked up one of those professional grade dslr cameras so hopefully I'll learn to use it and get some good pics from here on out! :dance:
There is literally nothing inside of a typical motor (AC). No brushes, no slip rings etc. The only thing that would stop a motor from turning is bearings, or a bent shaft, which would require extreme torque, something a simple AC motor is not really capable of doing.
Now, if the motor was on a circuit that would allow 7x rated current (locked rotor) for an extended time the rotor may have warped, if this is the case then it is junk.
It is probably just bearings.
Now, if the motor was on a circuit that would allow 7x rated current (locked rotor) for an extended time the rotor may have warped, if this is the case then it is junk.
It is probably just bearings.
golferbud101691
New member
So I have to ask..What are the advantages of not running the closed loop with alternating current and running mp40's and 60's? I would think that cleaning powerbeads every month(ish) would be more time consuming and expensive to maintain than a closed loop with a alternating current device? Are you planning to build a new overflow box now that you're going to use the original boxes as dry boxes? Bean animal?
tkeracer619
New member
That would be awesome if that is how it playes out. Reeflo is about a 1.5 hour drive for me.
tkeracer619
New member
Power consumption and imo better flow with the vortechs. I have used closed loops a bunch of times (currently have one on my bta system) but for this size of a tank I prefer powerheads. I don't find maintenance to be an issue on either method.
The dry boxes will go inside the current overflows and will leave plenty of overflow real estate for them to function as normal. I'm old fashioned so I don't know if I'll run a bean, probably just a herbie.
whyamisofly
New member
Is this thing done yet? :facepalm:
I've got some beer to bring to you when you can sit down and enjoy the tank!
I've got some beer to bring to you when you can sit down and enjoy the tank!
tkeracer619
New member
I wish. Every day I work on it a little bit, unfortunately most of that work goes on in my head :lol:.
My current checklist consists of...
Polish Glass Defects (Cerium Oxide :uhoh3
Move Washer/Dryer
Move Fish Room Door 4ft to the left.
Epoxy Fish Room Floor
Run 20a & 15a Electrical Circuits to tank.
Run 3x20a Circuits to fish room.
Install Air Exchanger in Fishroom/Basement (humidity control)
Install Shop Sink in Fishroom
Fix Hammerheads
Standpipes, Drain, Return Plumbing
Plumb Skimmer
Fresh test Tank
Built Light Rack
Fill with RODI
Add Salt
Add Sand
Add Rock Vat in Fish Room
Run skimmer and GFO
Start to move LR from 360 Display
Move Sunburst Anemone Farm to Fish Room
Move Assorted BTA Farm into individual 20L systems in Fish Room.
Transfer Lighting from 360 Display and Assorted BTA Farm
Transfer Remaining Rubbermaid/Sump Liverock, ATO, Calcium Reactor, and Biopellets to Fish Room
Transfer Live Rock and Livestock from 360 Display
Move 4x4x12 Frag tank to basement.
Remove 360gal Display and its Remnants from 600gal Display room.
Build Dry Boxes and Install Vortechs
Cabinetry
Realistically I see a potential for a sweet Superbowl party
tkeracer619
New member
That's not really that much.
I would so much rather do that that drywalling our new house.
Haha so would I :spin1:
The biggest holdup right now is just time. I have been successful removing the coraline etching I discovered, it just takes a lot of the rarest commodity so this part is going to go slow. I think it is worth it. I am not entirely sure if it happened when the tank dried out during the move and sitting or if it was like that when I saw it running. Either way I didn't notice so I doubt the previous owner did either. Now that I know they are there, it's going to drive me crazy for the foreseeable future if I don't fix them now.
Drywall drives me crazy. The engineer in me wants perfectly straight and true. Easy task right :headwallblue:
whyamisofly
New member
Side Bar - what do you have planned for your 360?
tkeracer619
New member
Thanks!
It will be sold. There is a local kid who is being rather patient who has dibs, he's going to keep a ray or two in it. It's going cheep and I am going to avoid lifting a finger when it does :lol:
I thought about cutting it apart and turning into the sump... but then I ended up scoring a 3/4" thick acrylic sump by AGE that fits better. I have my current 120gal sump and the 90gal sump the 600gal came with as well that I need to get rid of.
I have to figure out where I am going to put all of my live rock. You guys have no idea how much rock I have accumulated over the years. No joke I am up to around 2000-2500lbs :lol:!! I have been buying it up when I see it go on craigslist for $1 a lb or less. I have my 360 full, my 120 sump full, a 100gal rubbermaid full, and a 150gal rubbermaid full. I listened to the Tetris theme song for 3 hours trying to combine a 100gal into an already full 150gal. It worked :lol:
He is driving it to Texas and helping me set it up in my 8' x40' hallway.
Having a couple beers with ya would be worth more than the tank. I just assume get on a plane. She's seen her usable life as a display.
Last edited:
whyamisofly
New member
Well, if he for some reason passes, I would like to be next in line.
tkeracer619
New member
Roger that!
tkeracer619
New member
So much has happened since my last update! I will try to catch you guys up this week while I'm on a work trip.
No water yet but I'm getting close to painting the filtration room!
No water yet but I'm getting close to painting the filtration room!
whyamisofly
New member
Woot!!!!
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