TheCoralReef731
New member
wow, looks really good. I like it soo far.
Chronicle of my 180g Aquarium
- Thread starter Psyire
- Start date
Psyire
Premium Member
Ok, so it's been awhile since I last updated. Sorry to all those who were following along and probably now assume that I disappeared.
As you can guess my sump finally arrived and I've been busy. It was definately worth the wait as the build quality and functionality is perfect. (Thanks Brent! aka. Barr Aquatic)
Here are the details:
Initial plans:
(Many thanks to Barr Aquatic for the following pictures of the build process)
Building begins:
One of 2 installed probe holders:
It lives!
Skimmer section:
Baffles before return area:
Baffles with media tray's installed:
Top view n' packed:
All ready for travelling:
Arrived safe and sound and fits perfectly in it new home:
Now came the fun part of plumbing! (yeah right.. I hate plumbing...)
As you can guess my sump finally arrived and I've been busy. It was definately worth the wait as the build quality and functionality is perfect. (Thanks Brent! aka. Barr Aquatic)
Here are the details:
Initial plans:
(Many thanks to Barr Aquatic for the following pictures of the build process)
Building begins:
One of 2 installed probe holders:
It lives!
Skimmer section:
Baffles before return area:
Baffles with media tray's installed:
Top view n' packed:
All ready for travelling:
Arrived safe and sound and fits perfectly in it new home:
Now came the fun part of plumbing! (yeah right.. I hate plumbing...)
Psyire
Premium Member
Next I figured I could go ahead and start with the sand, rockwork, and water. (I did the overflow plumbing already and will talk about it later)
I decided to add the sand and rock before the water as it would create less of a 'tank storm'.
My goal for the rockwork was to give many caves and flow through points for fish and critters to swim & hide. I also didn't want a 'rockwall' in which some stuff could be hidden forever and I couldn't see it. So I sorta made a wall down the center of the tank with big 'tent' formations on either side. Let me know what you think.
Now it was time for the plumbing so I could add water.
The plumbing involved was alittle easier than I anticipated. However plumbing the drains and retun lines in the confines of the overflow wasn't all that fun. I don't have any pictures of the stuff plumbed in the overflow but it's fairly simple, just 2 standpipes and 2 return lines that split into the 4 locline returns.
Valving under the tank:
Plumbing basically finished:
I decided to add the sand and rock before the water as it would create less of a 'tank storm'.
My goal for the rockwork was to give many caves and flow through points for fish and critters to swim & hide. I also didn't want a 'rockwall' in which some stuff could be hidden forever and I couldn't see it. So I sorta made a wall down the center of the tank with big 'tent' formations on either side. Let me know what you think.
Now it was time for the plumbing so I could add water.
The plumbing involved was alittle easier than I anticipated. However plumbing the drains and retun lines in the confines of the overflow wasn't all that fun. I don't have any pictures of the stuff plumbed in the overflow but it's fairly simple, just 2 standpipes and 2 return lines that split into the 4 locline returns.
Valving under the tank:
Plumbing basically finished:
Psyire
Premium Member
Something I forgot to mention was my lighting. For my lighting I decided to go with 3x 250W SE Bulbs w/ Lumenarc III pendants & Electronic Ballasts. All the bulbs and ballasts are EVC and I think they are awesome. Here is a picture of one of the hoods 'all lite up'.
Keep in mind there is no water in there:
Blinded?
Cool or what?
Keep in mind there is no water in there:
Blinded?
Cool or what?
Psyire
Premium Member
So now came the water! I was beginnig to think I would never get this far. I bite the bullet and ran a line from my RO unit to the tank, it wasn't fun but I got it done. I'm very happy I did this, in hindsight there was really no other option.
Filling the tank:
Full!
I was alittle worried about all the weight on my floor but so far it's looking great but i'm still watching it closely. It's alittle un-nerving having that much water on the second floor of your house...
Now let's get that water moving!
Yeah!
Filling the tank:
Full!
I was alittle worried about all the weight on my floor but so far it's looking great but i'm still watching it closely. It's alittle un-nerving having that much water on the second floor of your house...
Now let's get that water moving!
Yeah!
danielcherian
New member
For adding RO water in the future are you simply going to run that long tube from your unit to the tank? Or are you going to have some sort of storage tank somewhere? Just wondering. Everything looks great so far. Best of luck!
Psyire
Premium Member
Muligan, thanks! As for the filter bags, you can get them at filterbags.com or what I would do is shop around locally. There are filtration companies that have these filters for use in the oilfield and food industries. (I'm sure there used in other things as well) I get them through work from our supply company. Just make sure it's a 100 micron filter, perferably made from polypropelyene (sp?).
want2reef, I have plans to use this skimmer:
http://www.barraquatic.com/standard_skimmers.php
Model: 1620
danielcherian, For my RO water & Auto-top off, I will be using my Aquatronica Aquarium controller w/ 2x Float Switches & 2 solenoid valves on that 1/4" feed line. The second float will be an emergency shutdown float. I plan to go into more detail with the Aquatronica and it's control functions later.
Thanks for the comments!
want2reef, I have plans to use this skimmer:
http://www.barraquatic.com/standard_skimmers.php
Model: 1620
danielcherian, For my RO water & Auto-top off, I will be using my Aquatronica Aquarium controller w/ 2x Float Switches & 2 solenoid valves on that 1/4" feed line. The second float will be an emergency shutdown float. I plan to go into more detail with the Aquatronica and it's control functions later.
Thanks for the comments!
Detritivore
New member
how thick is the acrylic on the sump?
paradoxblue
New member
awesome to see it up.. finally! lol
i cant wait to start my 200G tank
im building it plywood ALL DIY i may screw up but live and learn.. WOO HOO!!
i cant wait to start my 200G tank
im building it plywood ALL DIY i may screw up but live and learn.. WOO HOO!!
Psyire
Premium Member
Thanks for the compliments!
The sump is 3/8" Acrylic, I went with this size mainly due to shipping. I wanted to make sure it got here in one piece. The price difference between 1/4" & 3/8" wasn't all that much either.
My woodworking friend is in the process of making the 'shroud' for the tank. The idea is 4 panels held to the frame by strong magnets that will allow for easy removal & access. I'll probably have the first pictures of this process within a few days. There will also be a 'sun visor' around the top of the tank, so you aren't blinded by the halides. This visor will also be made of wood and be around 8" tall, just enough to hide the bottom of the halides.
Here's a pic of how the stands will be set in, these will hold all the electronics. (Ballasts, Controller, Power Strips, etc.) I think I'm going to add one more...
(They will get painted ofcourse)
The sump is 3/8" Acrylic, I went with this size mainly due to shipping. I wanted to make sure it got here in one piece. The price difference between 1/4" & 3/8" wasn't all that much either.
My woodworking friend is in the process of making the 'shroud' for the tank. The idea is 4 panels held to the frame by strong magnets that will allow for easy removal & access. I'll probably have the first pictures of this process within a few days. There will also be a 'sun visor' around the top of the tank, so you aren't blinded by the halides. This visor will also be made of wood and be around 8" tall, just enough to hide the bottom of the halides.
Here's a pic of how the stands will be set in, these will hold all the electronics. (Ballasts, Controller, Power Strips, etc.) I think I'm going to add one more...
(They will get painted ofcourse)
Psyire
Premium Member
NexDog, The auto-top off will be controlled by one of these:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=514711&highlight=aquatronica
Nolacls, There is a very thin carpet on the very bottom, then 3/4" plywood which the stand is then shimmed to level. In the 'center' of the stand is 1/2" foam covered by rubber matting which is siliconed to the metal stand to stop water from going down into the wood. (for small spills ofcourse)
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=514711&highlight=aquatronica
Nolacls, There is a very thin carpet on the very bottom, then 3/4" plywood which the stand is then shimmed to level. In the 'center' of the stand is 1/2" foam covered by rubber matting which is siliconed to the metal stand to stop water from going down into the wood. (for small spills ofcourse)
