in wall project

[FL.Joe]

Ok, let me summarize my past. I've had serveral very basic SW tanks. 55g glass tank with HOB overflow, 10g fuge, 260w PC lighting, Seaclone skimmer.

Next was 90g glass tank, everything was transfered over with the addition of a Coralife 220 superskimmer.
That was almost 2yrs ago, and even then I didnt know much.

Now, I have a 72"L x 18"D x 24" H tank as display, 55g glass tank as a sump, plus the fuge & lighting from the previus set up. This tank has a conrner overflow & three holes drilled into the flow of the tank that i'm guessing was used as a closed loop by the previous owner.

Ok, i've read several threads and love how involved everyone is with helping eachother out. I'm hoping for the same interaction with mine, to start this thread off right here are some shots of the work that has been done so far. Thanx in advance.

first morning

 

[beaglelax]

looks good is that wall weight bareing ?

 

[FL.Joe]

Ok, now here is what I have in mind for my set up. I only want soft corals with a small amount of fish, and a variety of inverts. Being such a beginner, I want the simplest way

 

[FL.Joe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11576465#post11576465 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beaglelax
looks good is that wall weight bareing ?

No & Yes. The whole wall isnt load bearing, just the area under the tank because it will sit so close to the face of the wall. under the tank is 2x4 studs every 8 inches.

Here are some plans of what i'm trying to accomplish, PLEASE give me any and all suggestions/comments.

 

[FL.Joe]

i'm really considering phasing out the closed loop out of my plan, & using these insteadhttp://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4585+15955&pcatid=15955. i'm really hoping that yall will give me your thoughts on my thread.

 

[customcolor]

you still could use the closed loop with an ocean motions to give you a random flow patern along with those power heads. they are to what i heard comming out with a timmer for those by summer. the more ransom the flow the better.

 

[FL.Joe]

well i havent had as much time to work on the tank wall due to a new job, but the process is still moving forward. I ordered a Sequence Snapper pump(2400gph) for the closed loop system, a Mag 9.5 for the return pump, a small bulkhead/strainer so the fuge can drain to the sump & a refractor.

I also started running the electrical, 2 20amp lines to the sump area. I installed an exhaust fan in the area to pull the moisture out & maybe some of the heat.

I also got the baffles done in my sump

Heres the tank finally in place

 

[FL.Joe]

Here are shots of the electrical in progress, i ran 2 lines each with a 20amp GFCI breaker swithch.

finished product

 

[FL.Joe]

I also got my equipment in, so the plumbing will start soon. i still deciding on a automatic topoff unit & a RO/DI unit. But i'm getting anxious to get the system wet.

 

[FL.Joe]

the tank has been drilled with larger holes & the blue acrylic background has been ripped out and the back glass has been painted black.

 

[tbittner]

How about some updated pics!

 

[Macimage]

Yes, we need new photos!!

Joyce

 

[FL.Joe]

just got off work & its late, i'll do it first thing tomorrow. i have to compress the size of the pics smaller than what i had to on RS.

 

[Caleb Kruse]

Sounds like a cool project. I'm working on a 210 inwall right now, so it will be interesting to follow this.

BTW I can't see pics either in safari or firefox.

 

[FL.Joe]

here are some pics for updating purposes

removed the blue acrylic & painted the background black

building the new overflow box

also made a overflow bridge to add more surface skim area

the original drain/return holes were for 3/4" bulkheads, that wouldnt be nearly enough flow so i drilled new holes for 1 1/2" bulkheads

the drain will be 1 1/2" & the return will probably be 1". i had to cut the T on the drain to allow for clearance i the overflow box.

 

[FL.Joe]

here's the glue work shot, cementing the bridge to the overflow

wider shot

 

[FL.Joe]

its in just to finish the overflow (it was too hot outside to work on the tank) now i have to get it back outside for a leak test.

 

[FL.Joe]

so i got the bulkheads in place with a little silicone around the gaskets.

after this silicone cures it will be time for the leak test, hopefully all goes dry & we can start on it

 

[tbittner]

:celeb3: WOO HOO!!!

It looks GREAT, JoJo! Good luck on your leak test. I'm sure it will be fine though. The light is getting brighter at the end of the tunnel.

 

[FL.Joe]

got my RO unit yesterday, 6 stage 100gpd

also got the tank filled with no leaks so far