CyclistMT's 300 Gal Plywood and Glass Build
- Thread starter CyclistMT
- Start date
Lavoisier
Premium Member
HA! That's my life, fun stuff comes in on Friday and I don't get a chance to play with it and talk about it until Sunday evening. And then Monday comes so I can pay for this stuff....
Current Tunes: Tatric - Kick Back
Great build, great tank! I've been following along for quite awhile but as the critters are getting close I'd better start my subscription.
By the way, what skimmer did you go with and do you have a dedicated pump or are you feeding it from the drain? Return?...nice bubbles.
Regards.
CyclistMT
More Idiot Than Savant
Thanks Corey, welcome to the thread! Looking forward to seeing your cube come toghther. I love big cubes and I love Huey Lewis reference in the title of your thread. Very appropriate!
Welcome aboard Lav!
I went with the SWC 300 Cone. I had been considering the SRO 5000 cone because of the legal troubles the owner of SWC found himself in but when Coralvue raised their prices by 20%+ at the begnning of the year that made the decision for me. I would have also liked to give the RLSS DB12i a spin but it's nearly twice the price of what I paid for the SWC.
I felt I really needed to go with a 12" skimmer given the size of my tank and my goals for it. The SWC is the most economical in it's class. The Askol pump with the custom volute on the SWC is a proven design albiet not in fashion anymore. Besides, I had designed and built my sump to fit the SWC.
It is not a recirculating design so it does not have a dedicated water feed. It sits in the first chamber of the sump where the water enters. Although I believe there is some merit to getting the most protein lader water to the skimmer first, I don't buy into the notion that you need to have 100% of your water skimmed on the first pass. It's simply not possible even if you feed your skimmer directly from your drain, in my opinion. So I'm OK with multiple passes and a multi pronged filtration strategy.
Current Tunes: Alterbridge - Blackbird
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CyclistMT
More Idiot Than Savant
Guess what folks???!!!!! It's update time!!!!!
(And the crowd goes wild!)
No? Ok, so I guess it's just the voices in my head that are going wild....
Eh, what's that? No, no the stand is not done yet. Sheesh! What do you expect from me, miracles? I have a very solid "do it when I feel like it" procrastination effort going on here and I see no reason to change that up now. Besides, it's not like I'm getting paid for dispensing my wisdom to the masses worshiping my epic build thread....
Er, what's that smell and what are my feet squishing in? I guess I started to digress there a bit. Sorry, back on track. On to the update!
One evening I was minding my own buisness while perusing Reef Central and I came upon this unassuming thread (ok, there were lots of assumptions made but stay with me here).
anyone tried to using Jebao WP40?
Since I was on the hunt for something to replace my Sicce Voyager HP4000 I was very intrigued by what I was reading. MP40 like flow and wave making capability for less than $125.00 a pump. I got caught up in the excitement of the thread and being a sucker for a good deal I was "hooked" (pun intented). On a wing and a prayer I sent my money off to China and for the first time in my life became a global consumerist (in the sense that I personally sent my money offshore for a product). Here is what I got back for a litte more than a couple of Benjamins.
The Good
They look a lot better than the Sicce. They move a decent amount of water and have a wider flow than the Sicce. Multiple modes. Can be modded to work with a Reef Angel.
The Bad
They don't have as much flow as the Sicce. I should have known this going into it but like I said, I got caught up in the excitement of the thread. If they truely have similar flow to an MP40 (as others have said) then I would have been thoroughly disappinted in an MP40 given the price. As it is I am satisfied with the WP40's especially considering the price. I may end up using them in conjuction with the Sicce's. I'll just have to see how my flow needs change as the tank grows in.
Also I can't get much of a wave in my tank. I'm sure that is due to my water volume. If I hooked both of them up to a Reef Angel so I could sync them, I suspect I could get a decent wave going. That might be something I do in the future, especially if I get more WP40's. I had been contemplating Tunze so I could do a wave and export detritus effectively. With the WP40's and a Reef Angel I'd proabably be into them for the same cost as the Tunze's but then I'd have a full fledge reef controller too.
The Ugly
The Sicce's. Nuff said.
I also got a couple of heaters to get the tank temp up. Even with enclosing the stand I'm afraid I may not be able to get over 74 degrees in the dead of winter. I got a couple of 100w Ehiem-Jager. I know these were on the small side but once the stand is enclosed it may be enough. If not, I'll get some bigger ones and move these to the make up water container as I'll need some in there too.
With the tank temp up that means I can actually get some critters without them freezing to death. So I went ahead and ord...... Ah, but I'm getting ahead of myself. Till next time!
Current Tunes: Ozzy - The Ultimate Sin
(And the crowd goes wild!)
No? Ok, so I guess it's just the voices in my head that are going wild....
Eh, what's that? No, no the stand is not done yet. Sheesh! What do you expect from me, miracles? I have a very solid "do it when I feel like it" procrastination effort going on here and I see no reason to change that up now. Besides, it's not like I'm getting paid for dispensing my wisdom to the masses worshiping my epic build thread....
Er, what's that smell and what are my feet squishing in? I guess I started to digress there a bit. Sorry, back on track. On to the update!
One evening I was minding my own buisness while perusing Reef Central and I came upon this unassuming thread (ok, there were lots of assumptions made but stay with me here).
anyone tried to using Jebao WP40?
Since I was on the hunt for something to replace my Sicce Voyager HP4000 I was very intrigued by what I was reading. MP40 like flow and wave making capability for less than $125.00 a pump. I got caught up in the excitement of the thread and being a sucker for a good deal I was "hooked" (pun intented). On a wing and a prayer I sent my money off to China and for the first time in my life became a global consumerist (in the sense that I personally sent my money offshore for a product). Here is what I got back for a litte more than a couple of Benjamins.
The Good
They look a lot better than the Sicce. They move a decent amount of water and have a wider flow than the Sicce. Multiple modes. Can be modded to work with a Reef Angel.
The Bad
They don't have as much flow as the Sicce. I should have known this going into it but like I said, I got caught up in the excitement of the thread. If they truely have similar flow to an MP40 (as others have said) then I would have been thoroughly disappinted in an MP40 given the price. As it is I am satisfied with the WP40's especially considering the price. I may end up using them in conjuction with the Sicce's. I'll just have to see how my flow needs change as the tank grows in.
Also I can't get much of a wave in my tank. I'm sure that is due to my water volume. If I hooked both of them up to a Reef Angel so I could sync them, I suspect I could get a decent wave going. That might be something I do in the future, especially if I get more WP40's. I had been contemplating Tunze so I could do a wave and export detritus effectively. With the WP40's and a Reef Angel I'd proabably be into them for the same cost as the Tunze's but then I'd have a full fledge reef controller too.
The Ugly
The Sicce's. Nuff said.
I also got a couple of heaters to get the tank temp up. Even with enclosing the stand I'm afraid I may not be able to get over 74 degrees in the dead of winter. I got a couple of 100w Ehiem-Jager. I know these were on the small side but once the stand is enclosed it may be enough. If not, I'll get some bigger ones and move these to the make up water container as I'll need some in there too.
With the tank temp up that means I can actually get some critters without them freezing to death. So I went ahead and ord...... Ah, but I'm getting ahead of myself. Till next time!
Current Tunes: Ozzy - The Ultimate Sin
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
I just re-read your thread and missed alot of information. That is a great tank you built and the rock work looks fantastic. Can't wait for your Dirty Harry review on the combination pumps usage.
tgunn
Active member
I'll be watching how the wp-40s work for you. I've still for a pair or Tunze 6100s from my old 140g tank. Loved them but not the price. I know for my next big tank I'll need a whole lot more flow so something like the wp-40s would be perfect.
I found it took forever to get my old 140g tank up to operating temperature. I ran 2x250s and a 150 watt heater to keep it up to temp. Once I ditched the big closed loop I needed even more. Never have needed a chiller.
. Hah
I found it took forever to get my old 140g tank up to operating temperature. I ran 2x250s and a 150 watt heater to keep it up to temp. Once I ditched the big closed loop I needed even more. Never have needed a chiller.
. Hah
muttley000
MTS Sufferer!
Thanks for the WP-40 review. Now lets see some critters!
ingtar_shinowa
New member
I dont know how I missed this build thread, looks awesome!
CyclistMT
More Idiot Than Savant
Ask and ye shall be ignored!
Well, I didn't really mean to take so long in posting some pics but dealing with the critters is more overwhelming then I thought. You don't think he'll outgrow the tank do you?
Ask and ye shall be lied to!
My tank is actually a bit more barren than that.
The real truth of the matter is I'm not happy with my XM bulbs and they don't help help me take good pictures. And I need all the help I can get to take good pictures. Actually I've had one bulb go out on me at about the three month mark and the color is not what I expected. I was hoping for more of a crisp white but these are probably closer to 6500K then they are 10000K. I guess that's the price you pay for high par. At bulb replacement time I think I'm going to to with Radiums. Seems like it's the go to bulb for a lot of people and it has plenty of par for growth even if the meters don't seem to measure it very high. I am also planning to add some violet LED's for better florescence of certain colors and some warm whites to balance the violet while filling in the very edges of the tank with light. But that's probably a year out still.
For now we're stuck with this pictures of what are seemingly mostly brown corals but in reality they are very colorful under the right lights (you're just going to have to trust me here). The Diver Den pictures were very nice but then they went in my tank. So maybe not a very auspicious beginning but I know I'll get there. The tank is young and I'm still dialing in some of the parameters too. These all look much better under the LED's only so I know they have potential I just need to bring it out.
Miami Hurricanes
Green and Purple Duncan and Green and Purple Hairy Mushrooms (I actually started to bleach these. I didn't think I had them in too bright of a spot but the LED's and the high par XM's must have been too much. I'm hoping I can turn them around.)
Blonde Naso Tang (This guy is about 4" so he still has some color to "œgrow" into.)
And finally there are two shots that I can't get yet both because the fishes are pretty shy. I got an Ember Blenny with the Naso and my Yellow Watchman Goby that I've had for six years now is in the new tank too. Eventually I'll get a shot of them.
Current Tunes: Sixx A.M. - Deadlihood
Well, I didn't really mean to take so long in posting some pics but dealing with the critters is more overwhelming then I thought. You don't think he'll outgrow the tank do you?
Ask and ye shall be lied to!
My tank is actually a bit more barren than that.
The real truth of the matter is I'm not happy with my XM bulbs and they don't help help me take good pictures. And I need all the help I can get to take good pictures. Actually I've had one bulb go out on me at about the three month mark and the color is not what I expected. I was hoping for more of a crisp white but these are probably closer to 6500K then they are 10000K. I guess that's the price you pay for high par. At bulb replacement time I think I'm going to to with Radiums. Seems like it's the go to bulb for a lot of people and it has plenty of par for growth even if the meters don't seem to measure it very high. I am also planning to add some violet LED's for better florescence of certain colors and some warm whites to balance the violet while filling in the very edges of the tank with light. But that's probably a year out still.
For now we're stuck with this pictures of what are seemingly mostly brown corals but in reality they are very colorful under the right lights (you're just going to have to trust me here). The Diver Den pictures were very nice but then they went in my tank. So maybe not a very auspicious beginning but I know I'll get there. The tank is young and I'm still dialing in some of the parameters too. These all look much better under the LED's only so I know they have potential I just need to bring it out.
Miami Hurricanes
Green and Purple Duncan and Green and Purple Hairy Mushrooms (I actually started to bleach these. I didn't think I had them in too bright of a spot but the LED's and the high par XM's must have been too much. I'm hoping I can turn them around.)
Blonde Naso Tang (This guy is about 4" so he still has some color to "œgrow" into.)
And finally there are two shots that I can't get yet both because the fishes are pretty shy. I got an Ember Blenny with the Naso and my Yellow Watchman Goby that I've had for six years now is in the new tank too. Eventually I'll get a shot of them.
Current Tunes: Sixx A.M. - Deadlihood
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
You had me fooled on the first pic. I thought it was a video until I had to arrange the screen to see the whole thing. Then I said to myself, That's a small one. LOLOL
Thanks for the update.
Thanks for the update.
tgunn
Active member
Looking good so far! I got fooled by the top of the shark pic and thought, "WOAH, now that's some surface agitation in a tank!".
I had a hard time finding the perfect halides to run in my old 140g tank. I started with CoralVue 14ks, changed to XM 10ks, and then finally settled on Radium 20ks. I REALLY liked the Radium 20ks. Many people suggested they wouldn't be bright enough, but I never had any issues getting things to grow. But I've always been partial to a more blue look.
How do you find the combo of halides and LEDs looks?
My nano tank at work is LED only and it took a while to get used to the shimmer effect with those (had the "disco effect" issues many have reported).
I had a hard time finding the perfect halides to run in my old 140g tank. I started with CoralVue 14ks, changed to XM 10ks, and then finally settled on Radium 20ks. I REALLY liked the Radium 20ks. Many people suggested they wouldn't be bright enough, but I never had any issues getting things to grow. But I've always been partial to a more blue look.
How do you find the combo of halides and LEDs looks?
My nano tank at work is LED only and it took a while to get used to the shimmer effect with those (had the "disco effect" issues many have reported).
CyclistMT
More Idiot Than Savant
I really liked the Iwasaki 15000K with UVL VHO Super Actinics that I had on the 150. Unfortunately Iwasaki does not make a 250W in that bulb. I almost thought about going with a 175w/250w selectable ballast in case this very issue came up but I thought I'd be better off with a 250w/400w incase I needed the 400w. I almost wish I had now. Who knows, maybe I still will. I'll give the Radiums a go first for sure.
I like the LED's I have for supplement I'm just missing the Super Actinic look. Hence why I'm thinking of adding some violet. I know it would just be easier to go add an electronic ballast and go with the VHO super actinics but I'm trying to avoid bulb changes with my supplements. For me that is the value I find in LED's.
Heck, I still have a hankering for plamsa. If that would ever come down in price I'd probably be all over it.
That's probably more than you wanted to know and since there's nothing else to see here right now you can all just move along mmmmmmmmk?
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
Alright Mr. Barbrady.
CyclistMT
More Idiot Than Savant
That's OFFICER Barbrady to you mister. Now let's see your license and registration....
tgunn
Active member
I really liked the Iwasaki 15000K with UVL VHO Super Actinics that I had on the 150. Unfortunately Iwasaki does not make a 250W in that bulb. I almost thought about going with a 175w/250w selectable ballast in case this very issue came up but I thought I'd be better off with a 250w/400w incase I needed the 400w. I almost wish I had now. Who knows, maybe I still will. I'll give the Radiums a go first for sure.
I like the LED's I have for supplement I'm just missing the Super Actinic look. Hence why I'm thinking of adding some violet. I know it would just be easier to go add an electronic ballast and go with the VHO super actinics but I'm trying to avoid bulb changes with my supplements. For me that is the value I find in LED's.
Heck, I still have a hankering for plamsa. If that would ever come down in price I'd probably be all over it.
That's probably more than you wanted to know and since there's nothing else to see here right now you can all just move along mmmmmmmmk?
Yeah, LEDs are really attractive to avoid the cost of bulb changes. My 140g had only 2 bulbs, but ultimately I want to go 300-600g for the next tank, and I don't want to change all those bulbs all the time. Mind you, your approach is nice because you spotlight the areas that need it and use LED other places.
I hear you on the plasma; if it had the right color temperature I think that'd be my choice. It just sounds awesome to say I have plasma lights on the tank!!
Oh, and I thought it was Mr. Mackey (school councilor) who says M'kay. M'kay? You got that?
CyclistMT
More Idiot Than Savant
Ah but it does! As plasma dims, it gets a lot "bluer". It's controlable via reef controlers so you can dim it to any point that suits your eye. Yes, the trade off is less par but you can have it going full force when you're at work and then have the controler dim it to the look you like when you get home. Now, if they could just bring the price down to around $500.00 a fixture I'd be all over it.
Oh, and I thought it was Mr. Mackey (school councilor) who says M'kay. M'kay? You got that?
It was but I was going for a theme M'kay? I guess your trash can like Canadian head can't fathom the subtleties of American humor. So tell me, whose you're favorite? Terrence or Phillip?
I'm just messing with ya ok, eh. Pass me a beer and some of that back bacon you hoser.1000 gal, yeah! That will be sweet. Go big or go home huh? I did tint the resin. US Composites has all kinds of pigments. A word of advice, the pigment isn't like paint. It tints everything it touches... permenently. And no matter how hard you try to not get it on your fingers, you will. And then you'll permenently tint something you didn't want to. You've been warned.
I'm here every Tuesday and Thursday at 9:00. Don't foget to tip your waitress. :jester:
Current tunes: Tantric - Down and Out
tgunn
Active member
Ah but it does! As plasma dims, it gets a lot "bluer". It's controlable via reef controlers so you can dim it to any point that suits your eye. Yes, the trade off is less par but you can have it going full force when you're at work and then have the controler dim it to the look you like when you get home. Now, if they could just bring the price down to around $500.00 a fixture I'd be all over it.
It was but I was going for a theme M'kay? I guess your trash can like Canadian head can't fathom the subtleties of American humor. So tell me, whose you're favorite? Terrence or Phillip?
Current tunes: Tantric - Down and Out
That's right I forgot about the dinning aspect if it. Definitely an awesome technology though. I'm really liking the way LEDs are going though. Only a couple years ago I would have laughed at the suggestion of using them to light a tank.
Haha yes our heads do flip side to side just like that. We are an intricate bunch eh? I'm going to go wrangle a polar bear, and have some back bacon covered in maple syrup. Hahaha.
It's funny how those things seems to be the defining attributes of Canada.
ingtar_shinowa
New member
I think plasma with led actinics is the way to go personally. Thats my guess for the 'future' I have to check your tank out in person someday since we live in the same town, I've always wanted to do a plywood tank.
CyclistMT
More Idiot Than Savant
Yes but you also created Rush so that pretty much makes up for all the rest of it.
Absolutely! I've been meaning to message you but it's been crazy around here. I've had a lot of work travel and we're gearing up for a graduation. Two weeks after that we're headed to Mexico so it'll be a few weeks before things settle down around here. I'll be sure to ping you after that. Might give me a chance to get the stand finished before you see it too.
