Finally joining the club - Krogh's 240 in-wall
- Thread starter ozkrogh
- Start date
ozkrogh
New member
Good point GUILL01, I probably will be adding more rock eventually. The plan for now is to get the base rock in place and then look at how much additional base or live rock I want to invest in to complete the overall look.
What I don't want is a solid wall of rock. I'd much rather have a couple pillars and overhangs with plenty of room for fish to swim and even farther down the road, room for corals to grow.
What I don't want is a solid wall of rock. I'd much rather have a couple pillars and overhangs with plenty of room for fish to swim and even farther down the road, room for corals to grow.
ozkrogh
New member
First minor setback...
I'd ordered 1.5" bulkheads in the overflow but got all 1.25" ones!
I had discovered this on Wednesday night and sent the guys at AO an email but wanted to wait and see what they had to say before commenting here. Will from AO responded back very quickly and with a surprised reaction as he didn't believe they even had 1.25" bulkheads in their shop! So I sent them a picture of some 1.25" pipe fitting snugly in the bulkheads. We went back and forth a couple more times and confirmed that they had in fact drilled the overflow to handle 1.5" bulkheads but their supplier had sent them the wrong ones and it wasn't caught until now. Regardless, they assured me that the correct bulkheads would be on their way soon and at no charge.
So I'm set back a few days as far as the plumbing is concerned but I'm very pleased at how AO responded and how quickly they committed to fixing the situation. And while I'm on the AO bandwagon... both Will and John were really a pleasure to work with. I chatted with John several times on the phone to go over the tank design and they were very patient and understanding of my apprehension after the bad experience with AFY. So two thumbs up for Aquarium Obsessed! Thanks guys!
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With main tank plumbing on hold, it looks like I get to work on the rock formations and water change plumbing this weekend. Hope to get some more pics posted tonight/tomorrow depending on the progress.
I'd ordered 1.5" bulkheads in the overflow but got all 1.25" ones!
I had discovered this on Wednesday night and sent the guys at AO an email but wanted to wait and see what they had to say before commenting here. Will from AO responded back very quickly and with a surprised reaction as he didn't believe they even had 1.25" bulkheads in their shop! So I sent them a picture of some 1.25" pipe fitting snugly in the bulkheads. We went back and forth a couple more times and confirmed that they had in fact drilled the overflow to handle 1.5" bulkheads but their supplier had sent them the wrong ones and it wasn't caught until now. Regardless, they assured me that the correct bulkheads would be on their way soon and at no charge.
So I'm set back a few days as far as the plumbing is concerned but I'm very pleased at how AO responded and how quickly they committed to fixing the situation. And while I'm on the AO bandwagon... both Will and John were really a pleasure to work with. I chatted with John several times on the phone to go over the tank design and they were very patient and understanding of my apprehension after the bad experience with AFY. So two thumbs up for Aquarium Obsessed! Thanks guys!
-
With main tank plumbing on hold, it looks like I get to work on the rock formations and water change plumbing this weekend. Hope to get some more pics posted tonight/tomorrow depending on the progress.
reefkeeper135
Premium Member
awsome build so far...tagging along
StripestheEel
Premium Member
Very nice, I quite like the external overflow. How wide is it?
I'm keeping my eye on this one!
I'm keeping my eye on this one!
ozkrogh
New member
Agentsps, I'm excited to get water in the tank and see the wavebox in action myself. I'll try and get a pic posted soon with the stream pump from the wavebox at least dry-fitted in place.
mccliffy, thanks! I've seen your build thread in the past and I love the bar! I'd never turn down advice from anyone who can put together what you did! Talk about a sharp looking tank!!!
SuperR, and reefkeeper welcome along for the ride. Looks like 240 is a popular size!
StripestheEel, The overflow is 48" wide and centered on the back of the tank. There are two notches in the back glass that are approximately 17" each with about 12" in between the notches that the perimeter bracing attaches to. There's black eggcrate material in each notch to keep critters out of the overflow.
No progress that I want to put in the form of pictures yet. Still working on the water change plumbing from last night. Also had my son's pop-warner football all morning so I'm also just now getting caught up on the news from Ike. My prayers to all the folks in southern Texas. Hang in there!!!
mccliffy, thanks! I've seen your build thread in the past and I love the bar! I'd never turn down advice from anyone who can put together what you did! Talk about a sharp looking tank!!!
SuperR, and reefkeeper welcome along for the ride. Looks like 240 is a popular size!
StripestheEel, The overflow is 48" wide and centered on the back of the tank. There are two notches in the back glass that are approximately 17" each with about 12" in between the notches that the perimeter bracing attaches to. There's black eggcrate material in each notch to keep critters out of the overflow.
No progress that I want to put in the form of pictures yet. Still working on the water change plumbing from last night. Also had my son's pop-warner football all morning so I'm also just now getting caught up on the news from Ike. My prayers to all the folks in southern Texas. Hang in there!!!
ozkrogh
New member
Sorry for the lack of updates recently. Unfortunately, way too many things going on that are getting in the way of getting the tank going.
So what's happened in the past two weeks:
-received new 1.5" bulkheads from AO to replace the 1.25" ones shipped with the tank. Installed those without a problem as they holes originally drilled were for the 1.5" BH's anyway.
-Filled the tank with H2O. The MaxCap system I have is rated for 90gpd but the pressure in my lines is only around 42-43 psi. Not optimal so I need to consider getting a booster pump. For now, I simply turned it on and let it drip directly into the tank. Started on Saturday 9/22 and didn't finish until the following Thursday.
-Rockwork. I'm not the most artistic type and I have to admit I struggled with assembling the rock from BRS into pillars. I decided that I wanted more of an open look to the tank (instead of a wall of rock). I used the vinyl-ester driveway marker rods and AquaMend epoxy since the local Home Depot store is so close and I'm generally pleased with the results. Keep in mind this is the base rock only... I do plan on seeing the tank with some smaller live rock pieces which will add to the overall amount of rock. Anyway... here's what I ended up with:
The pillar on the left was constructed by epoxying the bottom rocks together and then drilling a hole for the 1/2" rod to go in. It has a very slight amount of flex with that big table piece hanging off of it but the rod alone can hold the weight. I added the pieces on top with a second rod as insurance to hold it in place. Here's a second shot from the side. For perspective, the tank is 30" wide and I have about 1.5" clearance on either side from the glass. I need to do some work with the camera because the rock isn't green at all. I had just plugged in the lights to take this shot but MH bulb above this pillar hadn't fired up yet.
The rock on the right side is actually two separate pillars built in a similar fashion... some larger rocks epoxied together and the table piece held firm with a vinyl rod.
So what's happened in the past two weeks:
-received new 1.5" bulkheads from AO to replace the 1.25" ones shipped with the tank. Installed those without a problem as they holes originally drilled were for the 1.5" BH's anyway.
-Filled the tank with H2O. The MaxCap system I have is rated for 90gpd but the pressure in my lines is only around 42-43 psi. Not optimal so I need to consider getting a booster pump. For now, I simply turned it on and let it drip directly into the tank. Started on Saturday 9/22 and didn't finish until the following Thursday.
-Rockwork. I'm not the most artistic type and I have to admit I struggled with assembling the rock from BRS into pillars. I decided that I wanted more of an open look to the tank (instead of a wall of rock). I used the vinyl-ester driveway marker rods and AquaMend epoxy since the local Home Depot store is so close and I'm generally pleased with the results. Keep in mind this is the base rock only... I do plan on seeing the tank with some smaller live rock pieces which will add to the overall amount of rock. Anyway... here's what I ended up with:
The pillar on the left was constructed by epoxying the bottom rocks together and then drilling a hole for the 1/2" rod to go in. It has a very slight amount of flex with that big table piece hanging off of it but the rod alone can hold the weight. I added the pieces on top with a second rod as insurance to hold it in place. Here's a second shot from the side. For perspective, the tank is 30" wide and I have about 1.5" clearance on either side from the glass. I need to do some work with the camera because the rock isn't green at all. I had just plugged in the lights to take this shot but MH bulb above this pillar hadn't fired up yet.
The rock on the right side is actually two separate pillars built in a similar fashion... some larger rocks epoxied together and the table piece held firm with a vinyl rod.
ozkrogh
New member
WATER FLOW
The two tunze 6101's are in the back corners of the tank aimed toward the mid-front. I am REALLY enjoying the results from the external wavebox. Here's a very brief clip of it in action:
The only other flow is coming from the Reeflo DART return. Unfortunately, I've been having issues with the DART. I've been in contact with Reeflo tech support by phone and email and as of yesterday, I'm getting a replacement pump sent out as the current pump can't even keep up with the flow through a 1" return (well under 600GPH). I had another thread started looking for help with the DART and plumbing and here's a snapshot from that effort:
I've since taken the 90 elbow out of the sump and even with the manifold closed off completely, I can't get more than a slow trickle out of the loclines in the tank. I hope to get the replacement pump in soon and that should boost the water level in the tank slightly as the water level is higher going into the overflow. With the wavebox on it's current setting, I have about 1/4" to 3/8" clearance between the top of the wave and the perimeter bracing so I do have a little room to work with.
The two tunze 6101's are in the back corners of the tank aimed toward the mid-front. I am REALLY enjoying the results from the external wavebox. Here's a very brief clip of it in action:
The only other flow is coming from the Reeflo DART return. Unfortunately, I've been having issues with the DART. I've been in contact with Reeflo tech support by phone and email and as of yesterday, I'm getting a replacement pump sent out as the current pump can't even keep up with the flow through a 1" return (well under 600GPH). I had another thread started looking for help with the DART and plumbing and here's a snapshot from that effort:
I've since taken the 90 elbow out of the sump and even with the manifold closed off completely, I can't get more than a slow trickle out of the loclines in the tank. I hope to get the replacement pump in soon and that should boost the water level in the tank slightly as the water level is higher going into the overflow. With the wavebox on it's current setting, I have about 1/4" to 3/8" clearance between the top of the wave and the perimeter bracing so I do have a little room to work with.
mcliffy2
New member
Looking really really nice. Excellent job on the aquascape, I really like it. Only one though, would it be possible to rotate the whole structure on the left 90 degrees so the table faces the front of the tank instead of the center? I think this would really open up the side view of the tank.
For your RO/DI situation, add on one or two piggy-back membranes. For $60 you can double your output and for $120 can triple it (you might also need a booster pump, but I'd try the piggy-backs first and see how they work). With a big tank you'll want to be able to make water quick. I can mix up 30 gallons for my weekly water change in just a few hours now, its money well spent IMO.
http://www.aquariumwaterfilters.com...art&page=shop.browse&category_id=11&Itemid=26
For your RO/DI situation, add on one or two piggy-back membranes. For $60 you can double your output and for $120 can triple it (you might also need a booster pump, but I'd try the piggy-backs first and see how they work). With a big tank you'll want to be able to make water quick. I can mix up 30 gallons for my weekly water change in just a few hours now, its money well spent IMO.
http://www.aquariumwaterfilters.com...art&page=shop.browse&category_id=11&Itemid=26
ozkrogh
New member
mccliffy- Not sure if I could even rotate that big pillar... it's seriously a lot of weight to move all at once. I'll definitely look into the additional membranes in the future... probably in conjunction with the booster pump.
Kigs- thanks! It certainly does leave a lot of room for frags! I actually considered pre-drilling some holes for frags in a couple of those table pieces but decided I wouldn't like the appearance in the meantime. No need to trim the sides of the big piece... the magfloat I have fits between it and the glass. I made sure of that before starting up the water!
Kigs- thanks! It certainly does leave a lot of room for frags! I actually considered pre-drilling some holes for frags in a couple of those table pieces but decided I wouldn't like the appearance in the meantime. No need to trim the sides of the big piece... the magfloat I have fits between it and the glass. I made sure of that before starting up the water!
13threefmaniac
New member
Interesting rockscape. That shelf rock looks HUGE. Seems to take up the entire width of your tank. Hope you get the issues with your return sorted out soon. I like your idea of an external wavebox...erm..box.I might have to steal that from you since i am planning a similar in wall build. Any plans to cover/paint the background?
ozkrogh
New member
I'll give credit to a user named 'Silverreef' on a UK forum called UltimateReef for the external wavebox idea. I'm sure others have had similar notions but that's where I first came across it. If you need any info on dimensions when you get closer to building your tank, just let me know. Personally, I'm very pleased with the results thus far.
As for the background, I am looking at applying some black vinyl backing to the glass. I haven't located any material locally yet but I honestly haven't given it much attention quite yet. I have painted the pipes inside the overflow (minus a temp standpipe on the far left) with Krylon Fusion paint but I didn't want something quite that permanent on the glass itself if I changed my mind on the look.
As for the background, I am looking at applying some black vinyl backing to the glass. I haven't located any material locally yet but I honestly haven't given it much attention quite yet. I have painted the pipes inside the overflow (minus a temp standpipe on the far left) with Krylon Fusion paint but I didn't want something quite that permanent on the glass itself if I changed my mind on the look.
13threefmaniac
New member
You read my mind there. I was just about to ask you for the dimensions myself. I am in the middle of designing the tank and my aim is to remove as much clutter from within the tank as possible.
As for the backgound, something black would really make any future coral additions "pop". It is going to be hard to cover up the inside of that overflow box though.
As for the backgound, something black would really make any future coral additions "pop". It is going to be hard to cover up the inside of that overflow box though.
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Great thread! You put a lot of work into that light rack! Very nice. Much impressed with your rock work. I'm doing exactly the same thing for my build. You've shown me that the basic idea works well. 
I'll be following along to watch your progress - looks like an opportunity for me to learn something.
I'll be following along to watch your progress - looks like an opportunity for me to learn something.
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