Deleau's 258G Reef Tank

[deleau]

I'm just moving my business into a new office and partially picked the location based upon the ability to have a large reef tank in the entry/waiting area. This tank will be mostly free standing although it is fitting underneath some stairs, so it is more like a peninsula build. (pics forthcoming as this build progresses)

This will be my 3rd reef tank after a 40g "starter" tank years ago and a JBJ 28g nanocube currently in my home office.

I have been working with my LFS to get a tank designed and ordered from Planet Aquarium. I have settled on a 258g (72.5"x30.5"x27") with a 32" metal support stand and an island overflow (6"x18" with 2 1.75" drains & 2 1.5" returns).

I intend to have a carpenter friend surround with stand with wood and also build a small box/table/"hidden compartment" that will sit further underneath the stairs and will house most of the electronics. This will free up under the tank for sump, skimmer, reactors, ATO, etc.

I am completely comfortable with the electrical side of things (Apex controller, EcoTech stuff), but my head is swimming, as I try to plan/design the "guts".

Here are some of my thoughts/questions (and I appreciate any & all feedback):

After reading article/posts here and at Reefkeeping, I am really struggling with the sump. I have pretty much decided on a glass tank that I will modify to some degree. I would like to get a 48" tank to have good water volume, but I am worried that with the 21"-24" heights, I may not have enough clearance for servicing the skimmer.

Likewise, I like the idea of an external return pump, but I am not at all comfortable with trying to drill a hole in the glass sump.

Initially, I figured a fuge was a no-brainer and a must have, but the more I've read, I'm starting to reconsider that idea.

I'm intrigued by the posts from Anthony Calfo regarding a DSB in a bucket.

I wonder if that plus a quality skimmer is enough. (Along with an expected 400#+ of LR in the DT)

This is also working under the guise of not using filter socks, sponges, bio-pellets, etc.


Any suggestions and opinions are appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[dave.m]

I suggest you rethink the glass sump. There are so many great acrylic sumps designed specifically for the task you have in mind that struggling with a makeshift glass sump doesn't really make much sense.

You cannot really do anything useful with the tiny refugiums that fit in a small portion of the sump except raise pods. If you're thinking of building a refugium that will actually become a significant part of your water treatment system look to a fuge that is at least 1/3 the size of your display tank.

DSB in a bucket can be a great help but beware that they cannot tolerate going without water flow for more than an hour or so. Then they go toxic and must be completely replaced. If your location is prone to power outages I suggest you do without a DSB. Most people do fine without them.

Dave.M

 

[deleau]

I suggest you rethink the glass sump. There are so many great acrylic sumps designed specifically for the task you have in mind that struggling with a makeshift glass sump doesn't really make much sense.

You cannot really do anything useful with the tiny refugiums that fit in a small portion of the sump except raise pods. If you're thinking of building a refugium that will actually become a significant part of your water treatment system look to a fuge that is at least 1/3 the size of your display tank.

DSB in a bucket can be a great help but beware that they cannot tolerate going without water flow for more than an hour or so. Then they go toxic and must be completely replaced. If your location is prone to power outages I suggest you do without a DSB. Most people do fine without them.

Dave.M

Dave,

Thank you for the response.

I have been looking around the web for an acrylic sump that would have a large fuge, but outside of a custom job, I have not found anything that would have a 80-90g fuge section (besides a custom job). Also, the complaints about acrylic sumps bowing has me concerned.

I am currently leaning against having a fuge but just going with a sump.

As far as the DSB is concerned, our office has a generator powered circuit (for our server equipment), so I intended to have critical equipment of the tank on that circuit.

 

[dave.m]

The only way an acrylic sump will bow is if it is made of too thin material or doesn't have a top plate welded on. I have worked with the 1/8" cheapos and know that they can be a nuisance. However, if you look at some of the more recent threads here on this forum you will see that others are finding very good quality acrylic sumps made specifically for the task.

Dave.M

 

[tanksfishtank]

Please post some pics of the build as you go! Good Luck!

 

[deleau]

The only way an acrylic sump will bow is if it is made of too thin material or doesn't have a top plate welded on. I have worked with the 1/8" cheapos and know that they can be a nuisance. However, if you look at some of the more recent threads here on this forum you will see that others are finding very good quality acrylic sumps made specifically for the task.

Dave.M

The LFS is suggesting a sump from Trigger Systems (48" TideLine series). The fuge section seems too small, and I'm not overly excited about filter socks.

 

[deleau]

Please post some pics of the build as you go! Good Luck!

Once there is more than an empty space, I will get some images going on this thread.

 

[ghellin]

What store are you working with?

 

[FTexas]

Oh man. Just an FYI, I am the largest distributor of planet aquarium tanks in the state. Planet builds EXACTLY what you tell them. Even if it is non functional. This could be an amazing custom build. However am island overflow is a NO NO. Sounds like the people designing it are about to butcher this potential awesome tank.
Pm incoming

 

[scubadan206]

I would agree that an island overflow could be a nuisance, but I love the idea of being able to hide all your power heads in the tank without having any cords visible. Obviously a distributer would have experience with potential problems, so I would be curious to hear some first-hand knowledge.

You could always go with a FOWLR tank and have just a standard sump. I would agree, that is boring, but it would make it significantly less trouble.
Have fun with this one, and be as involved as possible.:fun4:

Daniel. :wildone:

 

[Jen0221]

I like the tigger sumps but you are correct the fuge area is to small. Will you have room to add a remote fuge plumbed into ur main sump?

 

[deleau]

So, after a bit of discussion with folks here (and with the guys at Planet Aquarium), I've had some changes made to the tank design.

The island overflow is gone and will instead be a side overflow (not coast to coast) with 2 1.5" drains and 3 1" returns. I will most likely have a couple power heads on that side of the tank, but the sight of those does not really bother me.

Also, the tank will now be Eurobraced, and the support stand will not have bottom decking or a cross beam so that I can place the sump directly on the floor (gives me approx. 4" additional height to work with under the tank).

I am very appreciative of the feedback, support and guidance by the various folks on this forum, as well as the people at Planet Aquarium. They even called me today to confirm all the changes with me prior to sending the official paperwork back to the LFS.

Now, on to the sump...

 

[ghellin]

Awesome great to hear!!! This will be an awesome tank.

 

[SPotter]

So, after a bit of discussion with folks here (and with the guys at Planet Aquarium), I've had some changes made to the tank design.

The island overflow is gone and will instead be a side overflow (not coast to coast) with 2 1.5" drains and 3 1" returns. I will most likely have a couple power heads on that side of the tank, but the sight of those does not really bother me.

Also, the tank will now be Eurobraced, and the support stand will not have bottom decking or a cross beam so that I can place the sump directly on the floor (gives me approx. 4" additional height to work with under the tank).

I am very appreciative of the feedback, support and guidance by the various folks on this forum, as well as the people at Planet Aquarium. They even called me today to confirm all the changes with me prior to sending the official paperwork back to the LFS.

Now, on to the sump...

What kind of drains will you be using? Durso? Not sure if you need to have 3 1" returns with 2 1.5" drains.

 

[deleau]

The tank is still on schedule for the end of the month.

Durso is the intent.

Here's what else I have ordered:

Custom Acrylic sump (48"x20"x16") with three chambers and drilled for external return pump. (Will post photo when it's done.)
Reeflo Snapper/Dart Hybrid
Super Reef Octopus SRO-3000SSS
Tunze Osmolator Universal 3155 ATO

Things should start arriving by the end of the month. Then it starts to get real.

 

[ghellin]

Can't wait

 

[ghellin]

Any updates?

 

[deleau]

Been out of town; just got back yesterday.

Tank is now scheduled to be delivered on Tuesday (11th).

Most of the other stuff has been delivered. I still need to make a run to the store to get plumbing parts.

Here's my attempt to keep Ecotech in business.

4 Gen 3 Pros with the rail kits (in bubble wrap behind) and hanging mounts. Since this is going to be in the entry way of my office, I wanted it a little more polished than a DIY track (since I don't have a ton of extra time to fab something better).

I'm going to start with 2 MP 40s on the overflow side and will try to keep the other sides clear of any powerheads...this could change if flow stinks.

That Little Giant pump is going to be used for water changes. I will put it in the sump with a garden hose that runs to the toilet.

That rolled up mat is rubber/vinyl roofing material I got from a guy. It is thick but pliable, and I am going to line the bottom of the stand with it (and give it a 2-3" edge) to keep any water from getting on the carpet. It is a very light grey (almost white) on the other side; that is the side that will show.

This is the SRO skimmer and the Reeflo. I went and picked up the Tunze 3155 ATO yesterday, but that didn't make the photos.

Here's the custom sump that I had made. I am very pleased with how it turned out. He is going to come out and drill the return hole for me once it gets put into place, and I know how the return pump will sit. I am going to get a sheet of foam for the sump, and I am also going to put the return pump on a sound dampening pad since again, this is in an office, and I want it to be as quiet as possible.

Come Tuesday, I should have some moving pics as well.

 

[ghellin]

Looks fantastic!!!! Can't wait to see this get wet!

 

[deleau]

Got the tank into the office (it went a lot smoother than I expected). Many thanks to Jonathan, his crew, Brandon, Darin and the LFS ladies Kathy & Janet.

It went so fast I did not get any moving shots (and my resident photog, Chris, didn't make it over), but here's a couple shots of the tank as it sits.

This is standing right in the doorway, so this will be the first thing people see when they enter the office.

Here's a side shot of the tank and you walk around it towards the hallway. You can see the stairwell that it sits under (I will be hanging the Radions from the drop tiles and running the power in there as well, so there are no cords hanging loose.

This is a shot from under the stairwell to the inside of the overflow. There was a mixup/error with the "plumbing kit" that was ordered, so it did not fit to the holes meant for 1" and 1.5" PVC. Therefore, I am going to just order/do all that myself. (I somewhat was going to do that myself anyway, but had hoped to get a jump on things with proper bulkheads, loc-line, etc.)

That being said, it wouldn't be this build if I didn't re-think and possibly re-design things mid stream. So, my intention was two drains going to the 2 holes in the sump, then a manifold coming from the external Reeflo back to the 3 return lines in the overflow. Since the return comes from one end of the sump and the drain the other, would it matter too much how I orient the sump (i.e. drains closer to the tank overflow or the return closer)?

Thoughts? (specifically Ghellin)