Building My 375gal Glass Reef

[Elliott]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15593881#post15593881 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GlassReef
Thanks, Elliott. Skimmers are coming up. Prolly be tomorrow morning. How are things with your system?

well, I live in the slums compared to your digs :lol:

I'm working on a new DE pool filter installation that will run about an hour a day and drip Lanthanum Chloride into the filter while it's running, then backwash down the drain when it's clogged with Lanthanum Phosphate. I'll post some pics when it's complete in a week or so.

 

[Robb in Austin]

:eek1: :eek2: :beer:

That is an awesome setup Tom!

I think if you want to un-retire you have a job as a custom fish room layout/setup/design guy waiting for you somewhere.

 

[GlassReef]

OK - we're getting close to the end folks. Don't give up ...

This is the plumbing to and from the fuge and frag tanks. A 1.5" drain pipe exits each of the two tanks and meets a single 2" overflow pipe to the sump. The return line is 1.5" and slits of onto 2 X 1".

Here's an overview of the plumbing.

And finally, here is what I call my Info Center. It was designed, supplied, and is maintained by my wife. Please notice the very rare Saltwater Okefenokee Sunfish - reef safe.

I use the board to maintain the log records for the tank. All in all, very practical.

 

[mpoletti]

You are way too organized Tom

 

[GlassReef]

And finally, for those who have not yet seen them, a few pics of the light rack.

The rack currently contains two 400W Radium 20K SE bulbs and two 400W Reeflux 12K SE bulbs. I originally installed four of the Reeflux bulbs, but I decided to give the Radums a chance.

In addition to the metal halides the rack has eight 36" (39W) T5 retro kits with individual reflectors. At the moment I'm running, from front to back - on each side:

ATI Blue Plus
FM Fiji Purple
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Blue Plus

The rack also has a Neptune Lunar Module with 5 moon lights.

The rack slides back from the tank to allow access. Here's a pic showing the electrical connections to the rack.

And finally a closeup of the ballasts, Lunar Module, DC-8, connectors, etc.

And that's the end (for now). Thank you for your attention, gentle folk.

 

[GlassReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15594070#post15594070 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Elliott
... I'm working on a new DE pool filter installation that will run about an hour a day and drip Lanthanum Chloride into the filter while it's running, then backwash down the drain when it's clogged with Lanthanum Phosphate. I'll post some pics when it's complete in a week or so.

I don't want this to become a mutual admiration society - but - I build Piper Cubs, you build F22s.

Sounds like a heckuva interesting project. I'll hold you to your promise of pics.

 

[GlassReef]

Robb in Austin - thank you kindly, Sir. Much appreciated.

 

[GlassReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15594328#post15594328 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mpoletti
You are way too organized Tom

And now if I could only organize the colors in my corals the way you do.

 

[eran]

All hale the fish room GOD!!!!! I can only aspire to be in your ranks on cleanness. I think I can. I think I can.

 

[Doug864]

It's even better in person.
Regards,
Doug

 

[Doug864]

oops, dbl post

 

[jq1177]

Hi Glassreef I would like to try and build my own sump and have a question. My dimensions would be approximatly 64"x20"x15". What would the thickness of acrylic I would need for these dimensions? Thanks

 

[GlassReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15594464#post15594464 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by eran
... I can only aspire to be in your ranks on cleanness. I think I can. I think I can.

From what you've shown so far, in your own build thread, I don't think there's any doubt that you can - and will.

 

[GlassReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15594503#post15594503 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Doug864
It's even better in person.

Hey, Doug. It was great having you all here last Sunday! I very much enjoyed it.

 

[GlassReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15595530#post15595530 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jq1177
... I would like to try and build my own sump ... My dimensions would be approximately 64"x20"x15". What would the thickness of acrylic I would need for these dimensions?

If I were building a sump with those dimensions, I would use 3/8" cast acrylic - that's assuming there will be a water depth of, max, 14". I would have a 3" Euro-brace with a 6" brace in the center.

 

[Elliott]

what do you use the RO storage tank for? if it's only used to make saltwater why not go ahead mix it and use it as an additional saltwater reservoir?

 

[EnglishRebel]

Great shots Tom -- thanks for the tour. Does your wife know that you borrowed her food blender and mortar and pestle?? I see that you too have a PickStick for grabbing stuff out of the tank. I have had mine for about three months and yesterday it broke. There is a wire inside the tube that operates the pincers and although it looks like stainless steel (low grade probably) it snapped because of rust. I think I'll get another brand next time. I tried to repair it by using String Trimmer plastic string but the electrical crimp connectors wouldn't hold.
I see that you use a Linksys game controller. I assume that allows you to connect your controller via a CAT 5 cable wirelessly to your WiFi system.

 

[Elliott]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15596286#post15596286 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EnglishRebel
Great shots Tom -- thanks for the tour. Does your wife know that you borrowed her food blender and mortar and pestle?? I see that you too have a PickStick for grabbing stuff out of the tank. I have had mine for about three months and yesterday it broke. There is a wire inside the tube that operates the pincers and although it looks like stainless steel (low grade probably) it snapped because of rust. I think I'll get another brand next time. I tried to repair it by using String Trimmer plastic string but the electrical crimp connectors wouldn't hold.
I see that you use a Linksys game controller. I assume that allows you to connect your controller via a CAT 5 cable wirelessly to your WiFi system.

I use the cheap $1 long reach tongs from the dollar store, buy 5 at a time and throw them away when they break, they seem to last as long as the expensive ones

 

[GlassReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15596192#post15596192 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Elliott
what do you use the RO storage tank for? if it's only used to make saltwater why not go ahead mix it and use it as an additional saltwater reservoir?

The RO water tank is used to supply the ATO for the sump. The tank is a means of overcoming the "impurity creep" that occurs in the first couple of gallons, whenever the RO membrane has not been used for a time. My thinking was - if I set up a large storage tank that I can fill automatically, in one go, I can minimize the amount of impurities because the membrane will be subject to the ON/OFF situations less often. Using two float switches, the tank is filled in one go. A float VALVE serves as a secondary failsafe, to ensure that the RO will be shut down should the float SWITCHES fail.

Boy, I can really complicate a simple subject, can't I?

 

[GlassReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15596286#post15596286 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EnglishRebel
Great shots Tom -- thanks for the tour. Does your wife know that you borrowed her food blender and mortar and pestle?? I see that you too have a PickStick for grabbing stuff out of the tank. I have had mine for about three months and yesterday it broke. There is a wire inside the tube that operates the pincers and although it looks like stainless steel (low grade probably) it snapped because of rust. I think I'll get another brand next time. I tried to repair it by using String Trimmer plastic string but the electrical crimp connectors wouldn't hold.
I see that you use a Linksys game controller. I assume that allows you to connect your controller via a CAT 5 cable wirelessly to your WiFi system.

Thanks, Alan.

Not only does my wife know that I have the blender - she gave it to me. She bought it for herself. Found it wasn't good enough and said, "here, this is for you".

Just like you, I'm not thrilled with my Pick Stick. Not much quality for the price we have to pay. Just like Elliott, as he mentions in the post after yours, I found a cheaper model at Harbor Freight for $2 (I'll have to look at Dollar Store, Elliott) and buy them 3 and four at a time.

Exactly what you said about the LinkSys.