Chad's Simultaneous 225 SPS & 180 FOWLR Office Build

Time for probably one of the most important updates of this thread. If you've been scanning through this thread just looking at pics I suggest you read this one.

If you've been reading my thread then you know I'd been having a bunch of problems. I can't remember what I've gone over already so I'll just list them out.

1. problems with leaky, noisy Dart pumps
2. problem with clicking OM 4-way
3. problem with color changing Reeflux 12k bulbs
4. unhappy about the distance of my tank from the wall
5. unhappy with the placement of the return Dart pump
6. Brookynella had been introduced to the system, several fish showed signs of infection
7. Vermited Snail infestation

I'd gotten pretty frustrated with my tank as a whole. If I was facing a single problem it wouldn't have been a big deal. Instead I was facing multiple problems and I felt I had to do something drastic.

I decided to drain the water, replumb with a submersible return pump, remove the closed loop, slide the tank up against the wall and re-fill.

I finally found the time to make it happen. Everything went pretty smoothly. I planned everything out step by step and made sure I had every piece of equipment I would need. The whole process took about 8 hours.

I drained the water into a bunch of Brute trash cans and placed all the corals in my new frag tank. The fish were already in the QT while I let the main tank run fallow for 6 weeks.

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With the canopy off and water drained I was able to slide the tank forward.

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I then cut a square out of the back of the stand to allow access to the wall sockets and to allow for the return plumbing.

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I removed the closed loop and plugged the holes. Then I drilled two new holes in the bracing to install bulkheads for the returns. I wanted everything to be secure this time. I used flex pvc where I could. I then pushed the tank up against the wall and re-filled.

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I'd like to go over my equipment problems. I've gotten just about every issue figured out.

1. Dart pump. I had one Dart fail on me completely. It had a bad bearing or something and it seized up. I had multipe problems with another Dart, from a cracked volute to a leaky seal. I replaced the volute and seal and had it running leak free. I noticed recently that the motor shaft was bent. This is what was causing me so much grief. Chris at reeflo already replaced the first Dart. He'll be replacing the second one. I should mention that both bad Darts had A.O. Smith motors and were made in Mexico. I can't recommend the pumps made in Mexico. Reeflo is now selling Darts with Baldor motors that are made in the U.S. These pumps make much less noise. I haven't had a single problem with the pumps made in the U.S.

I found out about the bent motor shaft after I'd already re-plumbed my tank with an Eheim 1262 return pump. Working on a Dart pump behind my tank was no fun. Every time I had to pull the pump out I'd spill a gallon of saltwater on the carpet. I'm much happier with this set up. I also think it looks a lot better up against the wall.

2. Oceans Motions 4-way. I removed the 4-way and sent it back to Paul. I'd tried every trick in the book to get it to stop clicking. I'd get it fixed for a week and it would start clicking all over again. Paul believes my schedule 80 single union ball valves from Savko.com are not true 1". Which means they could've been placing back pressure on the 4-way unit, causing the click. I've since switched to 2 Vortechs for flow. I'll be selling my 4-way. I don't have room for it now that I've moved the tank up against the wall. The 2 Vortechs are good, but not enough for my tank. I'll be adding 2 Tunze 6105's in the future.

3. 12k Reeflux Bulbs. The bulbs were changing colors on a daily basis. One of the three would shift to pink while the other two would stay blue. Then another would shift to pink and I'd be left with one blue. I was playing hop scotch switching bulbs around trying to get the color balanced out. Dave at Reeflux sent me three brand new 20k Reeflux bulbs. I like the color a lot and am very happy with them.

4. Deltec skimmer. The problems with the skimmer were fixed a while back. I finally figured out what the problem was. My skimmer was making all kinds of gurgling noise. The bubbles in the neck would not rise properly. I was getting a lot of turbulence which made it much less efficient. When I plumbed the gravity drain, I was overly concerned about getting adequate flow. As a result, the pipe size goes from 1.5", down to 1", then down to 3/4". The gate valve is located just before the skimmer body. There was too much back pressure on the gate valve which caused water to shoot into the skimmer chamber at a high velocity. This in turn caused the turbulance. I've corrected the problem by simply running less water through the skimmer then is recommended. I had to play around with the flow through until I got a steady bubble rise in the neck. I've found that this is more important than the volume of water being processed. It'd be too much work to re-plumb the drain. It's working as is so I'm not going to change it. If I were to do it over again. I'd use the same 3/4" diameter piping all the way and I'd place the gate valve further up.
 
Here's some pics of how everything looks as of today. Please note that the lighting looks a bit different in person.

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I keep my ladder and fire extinguisher behind the door.

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AC jr. installed. I love this thing.

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Shot of the new return pump in action

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And up top

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Shot above the canopy. This is where I keep the ballasts and the back up batteries for the Vortechs.

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You may notice I haven't added much live stock. I've got a couple frags and 3 fish. I'm taking my time. Just got my QT all cleaned up and ready for the next additions. I hope to find a Chevron in the near future. I also aquired a Frag tank and an old stand that needs to be refinished. Just one more project to add to the list. I'll be setting it up as a coral QT.

Here's my to do list:

1. Set up coral QT

2. Test VHO actinic supplemental lighting to see if I want use it or not.

3. Set up new manifold on an Eheim 1260 to feed chiller and reactors.

4. Purchase a cabinet to house future equipment ie calcium reactor, CO2 tank etc.

5. Continue to crush Vermited snails as I see them. Which unfortunately is an every day occurrence.

6. Get started on the 180! lol
 
Last edited:
Looking good Chad. Sorry you had to put up with so many issues, but you've handled them like a champ! Hard work pays off.

Keep it up!
 
Looks much better Chad...
Just got caught up on all your trails and tribulations on your tanks

It does look much better against the wall I wasn't a fan of the return pump behind it either.

Your obsessed I love it!

I'll be tagging along nice build
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14898139#post14898139 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GREEFMAN
Looks much better Chad...
Just got caught up on all your trails and tribulations on your tanks

It does look much better against the wall I wasn't a fan of the return pump behind it either.

Your obsessed I love it!

I'll be tagging along nice build
Click to expand...



Thanks man!

Although it was a pain, I'm glad I went through it all. I now have a clear understanding of the pluses and minuses of some of the methods used in this hobby. I know what I like and what I don't. Experience is the best teacher.

Might as well add an update:

I finished setting up my coral QT last night. I'm very happy with it. I'll take some pics pretty soon.

I've got a medium sized Blue Hippo and a Chevron in QT. I got the Chevron at a considerable discount. I saw a fluke on him at the LFS. Didn't look good. I pointed out the fluke to the LFS owner and she offered to sell him at her cost. I figured why not. Time to brush up on my QT techniques. I gave him a freshwater dip which took care of the fluke. He finally started eating yesterday after a two week hunger strike. He's extremely thin. I'll be very proud of myself if he makes it.

The Blue Hippo showed ich within a week. I was ready with Cupramine and dosed immediately They've finished their first week of copper treatment and show no signs. They'll stay in copper for another week. At that point the Blue Hippo will go in the display. I'm goin to give the Chevron as long as it takes to get fully healthy again.

I installed my VHO's. They've definitely added some color to my corals. The lamps also add a lot of heat. I have my ACjr. set to turn them off a half a degree before the halides turn off. Hasn't been a problem so far. We'll see what happens over summer.

I first had them plugged into outlet #4 of my DC8 which turned out to be a no no. # 4 and #8 are not to be used with VHO ballasts. They were stuck on for a couple days. I gave the DC8 a good smack which turned it off. I then switched the plug to outlet #7. All good in the hood.

More trouble to report with my Deltec skimmer. I over tightened the collection cup and cracked it, causing a slow leak. I noticed it several hours later in the form of a puddle on my carpet. I have a new collection cup on order. Not cheap. :mad2:

I messed around with the short pulse mode on my Vortechs the other day. I was able to create a 1.5" wave in my tank. It looks super cool but the noise is annoying. I don't notice it most of the time. After hours though it's just ridiculous.

All in all I'm having fun again. :D
 
Fun is good!

I finally settled on the Reef Crest setting on the MP40 and now just play with the power knob.
 
Picture time! These pictures don't do the tank justice. I need to figure out how to get the color to come out right.

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As you can see I've added some livestock. Favorite of which are my Mystery Wrasse, Femal Flame Wrasse, Sunburst Anthias and a pair of Helfrichi Firefish. I'm also really fond of my male Princess Anthias and his two females.

I got my Deltec up and running again. After a good cleaning it's performing much better.
 
Hey nice looking tank. How has the fans worked for you I have a chiller but, want to watch all me house hold expenses. and bought a fan yesterday and it droped my temp by 8 degrees. it is in my canopy.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15039434#post15039434 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnewman
Hey nice looking tank. How has the fans worked for you I have a chiller but, want to watch all me house hold expenses. and bought a fan yesterday and it droped my temp by 8 degrees. it is in my canopy.
Click to expand...


Fans are working great! I have a chiller but I haven't hooked it back up. I haven't needed to. The combination of clip-on fans, a controller to turn them on and an auto top off system to handle the extra evaporation has made my chiller obsolete. For extra security I programmed my controller to turn off the halides if the water temp gets too high.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15040432#post15040432 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by funkngroovy
Great thread, just read the whole thing.

It's not often that somone posts the WHOLE build, thanks!
Click to expand...


Glad you enjoyed it! The tank is still a work in progress. I swear I'll get around to setting up the 180 one of these days. It's just sitting empty in my reception.
 
Chad

I'll be moving to a new office and breaking down the 120 to hold all critters in temporary housing. There'll be frags a plenty!

LMK if you are interested in anything inparticular I'll build you a frag pack.
 
Chad

Your PM box is full!

I'll shoot you a PM early next week after the move, then I'll know what I'll have.
 
How are the anthias that is a nice shoal. I had a shoal of unidentified anthias (five) now down to one. two jumped and two just up and died some where. Your tank is looking great.
 
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