Chad's Simultaneous 225 SPS & 180 FOWLR Office Build
- Thread starter Mr. Brooks
- Start date
Itaysworld
Premium Member
That totally sucks Chad! Agree with Bax though... send it back to the manufacturer.
Take a picture from the side and send a claim - That is unacceptable!
Back to my previous comment, about the TDS meter, my suggestion was to check with a handheld one. Meaning, you have your inline which is showing zero or close to it, and if you check the brute can with a handheld and get a higher reading then something is still in there. Granted, you won't know what it is that's in there... but could give you an indication.
Seems like you're past that, in any case
I hope the 225 stays a 225!
Hang in there!
Take a picture from the side and send a claim - That is unacceptable!
Back to my previous comment, about the TDS meter, my suggestion was to check with a handheld one. Meaning, you have your inline which is showing zero or close to it, and if you check the brute can with a handheld and get a higher reading then something is still in there. Granted, you won't know what it is that's in there... but could give you an indication.
Seems like you're past that, in any case
I hope the 225 stays a 225!
Hang in there!
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
Thanks guys.
So I took another look at it this morning. It's not THAT bad. I may be able to live with it.
The Barracuda on the other hand hasn't gotten any quieter. I'm almost positive I'm going to swap it out for a Super Dart and go with a lower flow through the sump.
Bax, what do you mean by a shroud? Like a box with carpet inside or something to dull the noise? I'd be very concerned about over-heating.
I have to be honest, the idea of low iron glass was pretty apealing. I've been nervous about whether I'd be happy with acrylic or not for a while now. I really shouldn't be spending any more money though. I'm way over budget already and I haven't even added the sand! LOL
So I took another look at it this morning. It's not THAT bad. I may be able to live with it.
The Barracuda on the other hand hasn't gotten any quieter. I'm almost positive I'm going to swap it out for a Super Dart and go with a lower flow through the sump.
Bax, what do you mean by a shroud? Like a box with carpet inside or something to dull the noise? I'd be very concerned about over-heating.
I have to be honest, the idea of low iron glass was pretty apealing. I've been nervous about whether I'd be happy with acrylic or not for a while now. I really shouldn't be spending any more money though. I'm way over budget already and I haven't even added the sand! LOL
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
I think I owe you guys an update.
I've decided to live with the bow. I'm going to keep the 225 and hope it doesn't get worse. Several reasons for this decision. The main reason being the fact that the canopy would look WAY too big on a 180. Several RC members helped me come to this conclusion. I thought about buying a new starphire glass tank with the same dimensions but quickly ditched the idea when I realized how much it would cost. I've spent a lot of time, money and energy getting this tank set up. It would be a shame to take it down so soon.
In all reality, the bow isn't that bad. You don't really notice it unless you look closely. I will say this though, I'm already over acrylic.
I was able to swap out the Barracuda return pump for a Super Dart. At first I was unable to loosen the unions, I just couldn't get a grip. I was afraid I was going to have to drain the tank and relocate the return pump. There's 12" between the tank and the wall. I could get back there but I couldn't get any leverage on the unions. I put some rubber gloves on which gave me the grip I needed. After that it was a snap.
Luckily I plumbed the sump with a 2" bulkhead and a 2" single union ball valve. I originally planned on running 1 1/2" to match the input size of the Barracuda. I was very glad that I had the forethought to use 2". I did this so I could use one of my Darts as a back up in case the Barracuda broke down. I'm EXTREMELY happy with this move. There's still PLENTY of flow and the tank is almost silent now.
The Barracuda was way over powered as a return pump. Even with the lower flow impeller, it was just way more than I needed. Having extra flow wasn't really the problem though. It was noise. It wasn't necessarily loud so to speak, it was the pitch that really bugged me. It had a higher tone than the Darts, which run at a barely noticeable low hum. I gave it a day to work itself in, it got a little quieter but not enough. I think it would've been fine if it'd been inside my stand. But it was out in the open behind my tank. merely 10' from my desk.
I also had a noise problem with my gravity fed Deltec. The output pipe was making a gurgling noise. I asked for advice on the Deltec forum. Found out I was running too much flow through the skimmer. Turned it down, problem solved.
My overflow was making a lot of noise as well. I found out I didn't need the CJ standpipe. The submerged 1 1/2" standpipe can handle 100% of the flow. I swapped the CJ standpipe with a longer 2" stand pipe. This way I can fine tune the level in the overflow so the water just trickles down. The 2" pipe is set just under the overflow teeth, and just above the water line in the overflow. The 2" standpipe will be used as an emergency back up in case the 1 1/2" standpipe gets clogged, which is bound to happen.
I'm happy to report that the 225 is running quietly and efficiently. Next step, add rock.
So now I'm left looking on to my next project, the 180. You may remember that the 180 is acrylic. You may also recall that I recently stated that I'm over acrylic. Well it just so happens that I know of a really nice euro braced glass tank for sale lol.
I've decided to buy the glass 180. It's a polished glass, eurobraced Lee Mar. I'm going to try to sell the acrylic 180. I'll be spending a bit more but I feel it's very much worth it.
After going through my 225 build, I've decided to keep it simple on this one. I'm not going to have a canopy on this tank. I plan on running a tank mounted, all in one light fixture. Not sure if I'm going to run 250 watt halides or T5's. I've got plenty of time to research and decide.
I'm not going to run a closed loop. Instead I plan to go with the inexpensve Koralias at first, then Vortechs and/or Tunzes when I'm ready to upgrade.
I'm not going to gravity feed the G4 skimmer. I've found that the complicated way in which I set up my gravity fed Deltec was entirely necessary. I don't want to mess with it again. You really need to be able to fine tune everything to get it just right. I'll probably mesh mod the G4 eventually.
I'm going to ditch the sea swirls and run the returns through the overflow instead. The sea swirls are too big and ugly to have sitting on top of a tank with no canopy to hide them.
The original plan was to do fish only. I'm going to set it up in way that will allow me to upgrade to an SPS reef if I ever so choose. The plan at this point is to make it a softy reef.
So I'll have an SPS reef in my office, and a softy reef in reception.
Good to go.
I've decided to live with the bow. I'm going to keep the 225 and hope it doesn't get worse. Several reasons for this decision. The main reason being the fact that the canopy would look WAY too big on a 180. Several RC members helped me come to this conclusion. I thought about buying a new starphire glass tank with the same dimensions but quickly ditched the idea when I realized how much it would cost. I've spent a lot of time, money and energy getting this tank set up. It would be a shame to take it down so soon.
In all reality, the bow isn't that bad. You don't really notice it unless you look closely. I will say this though, I'm already over acrylic.
I was able to swap out the Barracuda return pump for a Super Dart. At first I was unable to loosen the unions, I just couldn't get a grip. I was afraid I was going to have to drain the tank and relocate the return pump. There's 12" between the tank and the wall. I could get back there but I couldn't get any leverage on the unions. I put some rubber gloves on which gave me the grip I needed. After that it was a snap.
Luckily I plumbed the sump with a 2" bulkhead and a 2" single union ball valve. I originally planned on running 1 1/2" to match the input size of the Barracuda. I was very glad that I had the forethought to use 2". I did this so I could use one of my Darts as a back up in case the Barracuda broke down. I'm EXTREMELY happy with this move. There's still PLENTY of flow and the tank is almost silent now.
The Barracuda was way over powered as a return pump. Even with the lower flow impeller, it was just way more than I needed. Having extra flow wasn't really the problem though. It was noise. It wasn't necessarily loud so to speak, it was the pitch that really bugged me. It had a higher tone than the Darts, which run at a barely noticeable low hum. I gave it a day to work itself in, it got a little quieter but not enough. I think it would've been fine if it'd been inside my stand. But it was out in the open behind my tank. merely 10' from my desk.
I also had a noise problem with my gravity fed Deltec. The output pipe was making a gurgling noise. I asked for advice on the Deltec forum. Found out I was running too much flow through the skimmer. Turned it down, problem solved.
My overflow was making a lot of noise as well. I found out I didn't need the CJ standpipe. The submerged 1 1/2" standpipe can handle 100% of the flow. I swapped the CJ standpipe with a longer 2" stand pipe. This way I can fine tune the level in the overflow so the water just trickles down. The 2" pipe is set just under the overflow teeth, and just above the water line in the overflow. The 2" standpipe will be used as an emergency back up in case the 1 1/2" standpipe gets clogged, which is bound to happen.
I'm happy to report that the 225 is running quietly and efficiently. Next step, add rock.
So now I'm left looking on to my next project, the 180. You may remember that the 180 is acrylic. You may also recall that I recently stated that I'm over acrylic. Well it just so happens that I know of a really nice euro braced glass tank for sale lol.
I've decided to buy the glass 180. It's a polished glass, eurobraced Lee Mar. I'm going to try to sell the acrylic 180. I'll be spending a bit more but I feel it's very much worth it.
After going through my 225 build, I've decided to keep it simple on this one. I'm not going to have a canopy on this tank. I plan on running a tank mounted, all in one light fixture. Not sure if I'm going to run 250 watt halides or T5's. I've got plenty of time to research and decide.
I'm not going to run a closed loop. Instead I plan to go with the inexpensve Koralias at first, then Vortechs and/or Tunzes when I'm ready to upgrade.
I'm not going to gravity feed the G4 skimmer. I've found that the complicated way in which I set up my gravity fed Deltec was entirely necessary. I don't want to mess with it again. You really need to be able to fine tune everything to get it just right. I'll probably mesh mod the G4 eventually.
I'm going to ditch the sea swirls and run the returns through the overflow instead. The sea swirls are too big and ugly to have sitting on top of a tank with no canopy to hide them.
The original plan was to do fish only. I'm going to set it up in way that will allow me to upgrade to an SPS reef if I ever so choose. The plan at this point is to make it a softy reef.
So I'll have an SPS reef in my office, and a softy reef in reception.
Good to go.
Last edited:
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
I've had my new 225 running with RODI water and a bucket of Tropic Marin salt for about a week now. I decided to let it run for a while to give the water conditioners in the salt a chance to settle out. I added three fully cured rocks to the sump two days ago. I finally got a chance to see my Deltec skimmer in action today. The thing was pushing out skimmate within a half hour. Unreal. My ASM G4 will run for weeks on a tank with 5 medium sized fish and barely fill the collection cup a quarter of the way. I would like to officially state that the rave reviews these skimmers get are not just hot air. It's not a bunch of guys trying to justify their expensive pruchase by overstating their skimmer's performance. It's already very obvious that this skimmer was worth every penny. I don't know how they do it.. but WOW. Pulling skimmate on an almost sterile tank within a half hour?? Amazing.
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
Update time!!
I'd been dreading the rock work, and for good reason. I stayed at work till midnight last night. Then spent most of my afternoon modifying it.
Here's the final product, after hours of trial and error lol. Starting from the left:
<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view¤t=puffer038.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/puffer038.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view¤t=puffer035.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/puffer035.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view¤t=puffer034.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/puffer034.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view¤t=puffer033.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/puffer033.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view¤t=puffer030.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/puffer030.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view¤t=puffer036.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/puffer036.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view¤t=puffer037.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/puffer037.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
I'm going to have a TON of leftover rock. I'd been collecting cheap rock for while. Plus the old rock from the 135 and the 55. It was nice to have a large selection to choose from. I'll just sell whatever I have left once I'm done with the 180.
I've got the 180 soaking in vinegar water. The coraline just wipes away after a couple days. I ordered most of the fittings I think I'll need from Savko and Flexpvc. Some items were special ordered so it'll take a week and a half or so.
I have a Passer Angel that's been with me since the begining. He was the first fish I put in the 135 after the rebuild. I have no idea if he's reef safe or not. I'd like to keep him but I don't want to risk it. A fellow reefer is going to pick him up tomorrow afternoon.
Most of the rock is out of the 135. It's a sad sight. I just need to move a few things around and figure out what I'm going to do with the sand. Keep it or toss it. Then I can fully tear it down.
I had some issues with my OM 4-way. The pressure from the Dart was causing the drum to get stuck, causing it to "click". I spoke with paul, he's sending me a newer style drum. That should take care of it.
I'll be placing my order with reefspecialty.com pretty soon. 3 - 400 watt 12k reeflux bulbs, dimable coralvue ballasts, mini Lumen Bright reflectors. I Hope I like the color. I'll let you know..
I got my chiller and media reactors all plumbed up. Everything's running smoothly. I love it, one external pump is running the majority of the tank. I used 1/2" hose and barb fittings on the reactors. I think I might switch to PVC fittings and flex PVC. The black tubing is thin and flimsy. I'll post pictures soon.
I'd been dreading the rock work, and for good reason. I stayed at work till midnight last night. Then spent most of my afternoon modifying it.
Here's the final product, after hours of trial and error lol. Starting from the left:
<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view¤t=puffer038.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/puffer038.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view¤t=puffer035.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/puffer035.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view¤t=puffer034.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/puffer034.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view¤t=puffer033.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/puffer033.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view¤t=puffer030.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/puffer030.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view¤t=puffer036.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/puffer036.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view¤t=puffer037.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/puffer037.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
I'm going to have a TON of leftover rock. I'd been collecting cheap rock for while. Plus the old rock from the 135 and the 55. It was nice to have a large selection to choose from. I'll just sell whatever I have left once I'm done with the 180.
I've got the 180 soaking in vinegar water. The coraline just wipes away after a couple days. I ordered most of the fittings I think I'll need from Savko and Flexpvc. Some items were special ordered so it'll take a week and a half or so.
I have a Passer Angel that's been with me since the begining. He was the first fish I put in the 135 after the rebuild. I have no idea if he's reef safe or not. I'd like to keep him but I don't want to risk it. A fellow reefer is going to pick him up tomorrow afternoon.
Most of the rock is out of the 135. It's a sad sight. I just need to move a few things around and figure out what I'm going to do with the sand. Keep it or toss it. Then I can fully tear it down.
I had some issues with my OM 4-way. The pressure from the Dart was causing the drum to get stuck, causing it to "click". I spoke with paul, he's sending me a newer style drum. That should take care of it.
I'll be placing my order with reefspecialty.com pretty soon. 3 - 400 watt 12k reeflux bulbs, dimable coralvue ballasts, mini Lumen Bright reflectors. I Hope I like the color. I'll let you know..
I got my chiller and media reactors all plumbed up. Everything's running smoothly. I love it, one external pump is running the majority of the tank. I used 1/2" hose and barb fittings on the reactors. I think I might switch to PVC fittings and flex PVC. The black tubing is thin and flimsy. I'll post pictures soon.
Bax
Premium Member
Great update Chad!
the rockwork looks good, lot of hiding places and not a wall or pile.
As far as the sand, unless you reallly take the time to rinse the heck out of it, it is likely you'll just be transfering old tank sewage to a new tank. I'd get new sand and just seed it with some of the old. But that's just me.
the rockwork looks good, lot of hiding places and not a wall or pile.
As far as the sand, unless you reallly take the time to rinse the heck out of it, it is likely you'll just be transfering old tank sewage to a new tank. I'd get new sand and just seed it with some of the old. But that's just me.
Itaysworld
Premium Member
Chad -
Aquascaping looks great!! (Again, from perfectionist to perfectionist) I know how long it must have taken you to get it right. Adjusting, moving, rotating, stepping back, looking from this angle, that angle yet one more angle and then deciding that was was fine before is fine no more! :mixed: hehe!
Great end result though. You have a ton room to attach corals, good looking structures and a lot of swim throughs / caves and a lot of open water / swimming room.
Are you planning to put sand in? I can't remember now if you were, but I guess a DSB is out of the question. Also, did you secure the rocks to each other? They seem like relatively small pieces of LR - wondering how you fastened them.
Man this is going to be a great tank, I still love the stand. Can't wait to see this system full of water!!!
Aquascaping looks great!! (Again, from perfectionist to perfectionist) I know how long it must have taken you to get it right. Adjusting, moving, rotating, stepping back, looking from this angle, that angle yet one more angle and then deciding that was was fine before is fine no more! :mixed: hehe!
Great end result though. You have a ton room to attach corals, good looking structures and a lot of swim throughs / caves and a lot of open water / swimming room.
Are you planning to put sand in? I can't remember now if you were, but I guess a DSB is out of the question. Also, did you secure the rocks to each other? They seem like relatively small pieces of LR - wondering how you fastened them.
Man this is going to be a great tank, I still love the stand. Can't wait to see this system full of water!!!
Last edited:
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
You guys are my biggest fans haha.
I was thinking shallow sand bed. Just not sure which size to buy. I'm going to toss the sand from the 135, or at least clean it really well with Tap water and start over. Save some on the side to re-seed it.
I didn't secure the rocks at all. They're all stacked. It's suprisingly sturdy. Probably would've gone a lot faster if I'd used aquaputty.
I placed my order for the lights today. Pretty stoked.
I was thinking shallow sand bed. Just not sure which size to buy. I'm going to toss the sand from the 135, or at least clean it really well with Tap water and start over. Save some on the side to re-seed it.
I didn't secure the rocks at all. They're all stacked. It's suprisingly sturdy. Probably would've gone a lot faster if I'd used aquaputty.
I placed my order for the lights today. Pretty stoked.
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
BTW, there's water in there. It's just really clean 
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
One day of skimming fully cured rock:
<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view¤t=Picture021.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/Picture021.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Can't wait to see what this skimmer does when I have some fish in there.
<a href="http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/?action=view¤t=Picture021.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h39/thechad21_2006/Picture021.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Can't wait to see what this skimmer does when I have some fish in there.
Itaysworld
Premium Member
AHHH great - didn't realize there was already water in there! Having cured rock in there will definitely speed things up!!
I didn't secure any of my rocks either. Its very sturdy and hasn't been a problem, except for a couple of places the jawfishes have been digging toppling over small pieces.
I didn't secure any of my rocks either. Its very sturdy and hasn't been a problem, except for a couple of places the jawfishes have been digging toppling over small pieces.
Mr. Brooks
MASVC Member
That's the main reason I put the rock in before the sand.
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