DasCamel's 375 DT build. What could go wrong?

[DasCamel]

So, for a brief introduction. Just moved into a new home with the family. Bought the house with a true lower level/basement for a new aquarium in mind. Been in the hobby for 3 years. Learned a ton, still learning. ALWAYS open to advice, tips to help keep me in check. :beer:

Interested in moving 1000 miles with fish, live rock and anemones? Here's a thread to read.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2600479

Next up, if interested is the tank purchase and repair thread.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2605385

Anyway, the fishies need a new home. Let's give them one soon.

Tank below the deck, getting abused and tested attached.

 

[DasCamel]

Day 2

Started clearing the area. Ripped out carpet and a little wall we don't need.

Started laying down 6×24 tile, first time doing tile. Epic disaster? Maybe, jury is still out.

 

[DasCamel]

Still alive, more tomorrow.

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[DasCamel]

Day 2 Over


Ready for grout and sealing carpet down.

6x24 porcelain tile, walnut finish. Tank will be on the left side, easy viewing from the couches. Thinking of adding a little edge on that side to set drinks on. Right side building shelves for water changing, supplies and a QT or two.

Need to change out furnace/water heater doors. 60" width, needs doors with vents.

Rest time, woo hoo! Tiling is very labor intestive.

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[DasCamel]

Rest of man cave beginnings.

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[sfsuphysics]

why did you do two separate tiled areas with the same tile instead of making it one continuous installation?

I mean I get that one part the tank will be on, but less cuts less grout

 

[DasCamel]

why did you do two separate tiled areas with the same tile instead of making it one continuous installation?

I mean I get that one part the tank will be on, but less cuts less grout

Good catch, few things going on.

1) End of day 1 the two of us were extremely tired. So we decided to finish the next day. Broke it into two days.

2) First time doing this, didn't think the pattern fully through. We should have started on the upper left corner. Instead started on an inside wall. Rookie tiling at it's best. We didn't keep the pattern consistent.

3) Good news is, in the first set. All the tiles are well set w/o any movement. Bonus, we kept all our fingers.

 

[DasCamel]

I promise fish one day! Grout in, sealer next.

I respect all flooring tradesman.

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[DasCamel]

Getting closer to the aquarium, today I tested out the lights.

4 Hydra 52, and the controller for the apex. Bought two more used to keep costs down

Trying something new to get more coverage. Adding two 48" HO double bulb T5 fixtures.

Went with these, cheap with decent reflectors built in. Worrying about bulbs, when coral becomes a factor.

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[DasCamel]

Quick inventory
4 Hydra 52 lights
2 Sunblaze 48" HO T5 fixtures
96" x 36" x 25" acrylic tank(building overflow soon)
125g long sump, unsure of dimensions + maybe 50g sump tied in(winging it later)
Jaebao DCT 15000 return pump
Live rock currently keeping my fish in transition happy + another 200 ish pounds I need to landscape from BRS.
Power heads - Thinking of least 4. Probably modding some Jaebo. Cheap and easily replaced.
Heating- 2 Eheim 300W heaters
Apex + misc probes and controllers from old tank.
Need a top off system.
Have a rough stand, need to get it into place and up to visual par. Canopy will be built.
Skimmer-Starting with Aquamaxx EM300 (once overwhelmed will upgrade)
Plumbing Bean Animal with three 1.5" pipes.
Probably dual returns.
Sump lighting? No idea.
Bought a high speed exhaust fan to tie into laundry exhaust vent.
Water change/mixing station where laundry plumbing goes.

Weather permitting work, more incoming tomorrow.

How's everything looking? Any feedback?

 

[DasCamel]

Mace and the T-800 are upset with the slow progress.

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[iced98lx]

I think you'll really be happy with the LED + T5 combo. Slow progress is still progress!

 

[DasCamel]

I think you'll really be happy with the LED + T5 combo. Slow progress is still progress!

Cool!

Setting up the TV and stereo for entertainment during construction. Getting the room more habitable is a family plus.

 

[iced98lx]

Tunes are obviously required. Happy family happy life after all!

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[DasCamel]

Got a Fire tablet on Amazon for $50. Free same day shipping. Freaky. Anyway, going to use it to control Apex via Fusion. Not going to panic looking for a phone or tablet anymore. 7" inch screen + WIFI = Win.

Added bonus, sealer applied to grout. All the speakers are up, tunes while working, priceless.

Now to polish the tank and move the stand inside. Going to place something underneath like plywood and seal the basin. Catching even a few gallons of water. Worth it. Going to get the sump out of the garage, throw some photos up.

 

[Trevor1992]

This is awesome. Great read

 

[DasCamel]

This is awesome. Great read

Thanks!

 

[DasCamel]

Plumbing question, for a Bean would three 1.25" bulkheads using 1.5" pipes be enough for 2000---2500 gph? I'm thinking more than enough, right?

 

[iced98lx]

Plumbing question, for a Bean would three 1.25" bulkheads using 1.5" pipes be enough for 2000---2500 gph? I'm thinking more than enough, right?

According to the helpful calculator on his website (http://www.beananimal.com/articles/hydraulics-for-the-aquarist.aspx) 1.25 inches in full siphon with a drop of 24 inches can flow a theoretical 2600gph.

The drop (height from drain to sump) is a lot more important than some people realize. Play with options using the "Submerged" calculator on that page.

 

[DasCamel]

According to the helpful calculator on his website (http://www.beananimal.com/articles/hydraulics-for-the-aquarist.aspx) 1.25 inches in full siphon with a drop of 24 inches can flow a theoretical 2600gph.

The drop (height from drain to sump) is a lot more important than some people realize. Play with options using the "Submerged" calculator on that page.

OK cool, so with an actual drop around 36", getting a 6X turnover easily feasible. Thanks.

Spent the day bringing the tank and stand inside to dry. Also, got the saw out and 54" drill bit cutting holes in dry wall and fishing ethernet cable for the tank and computer downstairs. Across the entire house and down two floors w/o destroying anything in the walls. Actually, really surprised it worked without hiccups. I don't trust WIFI as any form of long term solution. Setting up a permanent cameras and water alarms once we get up and running.