Building My 375gal Glass Reef
- Thread starter GlassReef
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PaulieWalnuts
New member
i love how organized it all is...looks so clean thats would i would like to have my set up look like when i get my own place and have some money lol.
Brent Thomann
New member
Very inspiring work.
lol, Just spent the past 2 hours reading through every post when I was supposed to of been doing something else. I knew I shouldn't of click on the Large Tank forum, this happens every time.
lol, Just spent the past 2 hours reading through every post when I was supposed to of been doing something else. I knew I shouldn't of click on the Large Tank forum, this happens every time.
PaulieWalnuts, Brent Thomann - thanks for the kind words guys. They are much appreciated. Paulie, I can't remember if I've mentioned it before but, I really get a kick out of your UserID. Tickles me every time I see it. 
Mind sharing how you chose it?
doug6644 - Doug, I think when you read these large tank threads, you shouldn't lose sight of the fact that most of us have something to be grateful for. You have your growing children and your youth and a lifetime to plan it all out so that, someday, that big tank will become a reality. I have all those years behind me. On the minus side are the aches and pains. On the plus side - I had 40 years of adult life to do what was necessary to make sure that after I retire there would be enough savings to allow me this life long dream. Whoa! Got a little philosophical there ....
Mind sharing how you chose it?doug6644 - Doug, I think when you read these large tank threads, you shouldn't lose sight of the fact that most of us have something to be grateful for. You have your growing children and your youth and a lifetime to plan it all out so that, someday, that big tank will become a reality. I have all those years behind me. On the minus side are the aches and pains. On the plus side - I had 40 years of adult life to do what was necessary to make sure that after I retire there would be enough savings to allow me this life long dream. Whoa! Got a little philosophical there ....
I agree Tom, I'm still working, but the kids are either graduated from college or on full scholarships, and I've played with smaller tanks for over 40 years so that I can afford to play in the "large tank" world. I definitely enjoyed the younger years, but I have prepared properly to enjoy the older years also. I wouldn't have it any other way.
edandsandy
Active member
We are inspired!
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13743795#post13743795 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GlassReef
Here ya go ...
That turned out very well! Did you install the gutter gaurd on the back of your overflow yet? It looks like you are done with your leak test because I don't see any water. I am looking forward for future updates!
Rogger Castells
New member
Absolutely inspiring! so happy that your tank is close by, I will love to visit one day.
I'm having a little trouble finding GutterGuard locally. May have to order it.
Yup - leak test is done. All is OK.
This is really a well built tank! One of my best decisions, so far. When I ordered the tank, I had intended to go frameless, because it looks so cool with polished edges, etc. Randy Cameron, the builder, talked me into going with the frame. He said the polished edges was the thing to do for a tank in the middle of a room. The edges of an in wall tank will never be seen so he recommended I go with the frame because of its protective qualities. I must say I'm glad I have the frame, especially around the overflow box. Sexy isn't always better. 
Rogger Castells - thank you for the compliment.
Untamed12
New member
It is my experience with running overflow setups like yours (Herbie), that you should replace that ball valve on the drain with a gate valve. The gate valve offers a lot more accuracy in adjustment....Ball valves are great for on/off, but not so great for fine tuning.
Absolutely awesome build!
Absolutely awesome build!
Untamed12
New member
I've been thinking about the access you have to the tank... You don't have front access, right? When you roll the lights back, they are going to be in the way of accessing over the back of the tank. (unless they roll waaaaayyy back).
So getting into the tank might be difficult.
Maybe you could create some sort of catwalk that went over the tank when the lights are pulled back. If you pursue that idea, make the catwalk out of something that allows light to get through so you can see what is underneath you.
When the lights are pulled back, the tank might also be fairly dark. Consider mounting a MH up near the ceiling so it can be lit when the lights are pulled back.
Finally, it looks like you have lots of ceiling height to work with. Consider creating a system like mine that allows the lights to raise straight up. That way, you can work underneath them and access the tank over the back. If you are interested, here's the link to my tank build and you can see how I've done it.
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=28436&page=10
In practice, I rarely roll the lights back...but I raise them almost everyday for some reason or another.
So getting into the tank might be difficult.
Maybe you could create some sort of catwalk that went over the tank when the lights are pulled back. If you pursue that idea, make the catwalk out of something that allows light to get through so you can see what is underneath you.
When the lights are pulled back, the tank might also be fairly dark. Consider mounting a MH up near the ceiling so it can be lit when the lights are pulled back.
Finally, it looks like you have lots of ceiling height to work with. Consider creating a system like mine that allows the lights to raise straight up. That way, you can work underneath them and access the tank over the back. If you are interested, here's the link to my tank build and you can see how I've done it.
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=28436&page=10
In practice, I rarely roll the lights back...but I raise them almost everyday for some reason or another.
You are right! I originally bought a 1 1/2" Sched-80 gate valve but the darn thing was so big I decided not to use it. Instead, raising the open channel 1/2" above the siphon channel has made the running very stable - with very little adjustment needed.
Thanks for the great ideas! Actually I had already found your build thread
and have made plans to install a raising mechanism much like yours. Hope you don't mind if I PM you somewhere down the road to get some sourcing info on your motor, etc. knucklehead562
New member
awesome setup maybe ill set one up if i hit the lotto one day!
EnglishRebel
Retired Rebel Reefer
GlassReef
Did you ever get your electrical sorted out. I'm a little worried that the "electrician" didn't install a separate ground buss in your panel. You can get shocked if you leave this as is. If you didn't I would strongly recommend that you do before firing up any lights or pumps.
Did you ever get your electrical sorted out. I'm a little worried that the "electrician" didn't install a separate ground buss in your panel. You can get shocked if you leave this as is. If you didn't I would strongly recommend that you do before firing up any lights or pumps.
Untamed12
New member
If you've browsed my build thread...you probably see a lot of similarities in our approach to a build. You've clearly got much better tools than me!
I howled when I read about how you didn't like that the labels on the twin Reeflos didn't match. I would have said the exact same thing! You have got me thinking about twin Reeflos though....I've been searching for a replacement skimmer for my G6 for a long time and had not thought of that option. (I don't think that a single Reeflo will do it)
The lifter mechanism came from Firgelli automations in Washington state.
http://www.firgelliauto.com/default.php
They have lifters in every stroke length imaginable. I used a track actuator and would be happy to share better details on how I made it work. I must say that it was one of the better ideas that I had.
I howled when I read about how you didn't like that the labels on the twin Reeflos didn't match. I would have said the exact same thing! You have got me thinking about twin Reeflos though....I've been searching for a replacement skimmer for my G6 for a long time and had not thought of that option. (I don't think that a single Reeflo will do it)
The lifter mechanism came from Firgelli automations in Washington state.
http://www.firgelliauto.com/default.php
They have lifters in every stroke length imaginable. I used a track actuator and would be happy to share better details on how I made it work. I must say that it was one of the better ideas that I had.
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