Into The Club (LRT- Large Reef Tanks)

[baudhya]

Hi All,

I have been keeping saltwater for a long time now. Taking my final and ultimate dive. Going in for a big tank - 4' (length) X 3' ( breadth) X 2 (height)

Started by getting done with the sump. Some pics of the sump.
I am a DIY er, so I will complete the whole build myself, except for the Tunzes and powerheads.

Need your attention, recommendations and ideas.

Needless to mention - I was never happier. Feeling like a school kid !!!!!!!!!!

Thanks
Binayak

 

[sfsuphysics]

Nice looking sump. Also that's a good size for an aquarium, currently my tank now is that size, basically went from a long and skinny tank (6 x 1.5) to (4 x 3) and the breadth is such an added dimension it doesn't matter that it's only 4 feet long. However I will say my Tunze 6100 still looks large in it compared to something like Vortech pumps (mind you these are the OLD Tunzes, not sure how much smaller the new ones are)

 

[baudhya]

Oh, great to have a companion of the same dimensions tank. My TUNZEs are the new ones. Hence they are smaller. However I would want to know how much turnover in you tank. I will want it to be a LPS, Softies and anemone tank. How much turnover do u suggest for me as well.

I would want 1 X 250 watt 10K metal halide with two 48" actinic tubes.
Suggest on this one as well.

Regards
Binayak

 

[RotaryGeek]

i would do at least 2 250w halides. Anemones need alot of light, and 1 probably will get done in a few areas, but if it moves somewhere else it might not get enough light. 4 feet is just too wide for only 1 halide.

 

[baudhya]

Ok. Got the point. So here is what I will do. I will go with 1 X 250 & 1X 150 watt metals. That will have a good light & shade effect and I can also use them separately with a timer.

Thanks for the idea.

Just a pic of my younger daughter in the skimmer compartment of the sump.............. semi mermaid shot. I will post a proper mermaid pic with my two daughters in 15 days when my big tank appears.

Regards
Binayak Audhya

 

[sfsuphysics]

Oh, great to have a companion of the same dimensions tank. My TUNZEs are the new ones. Hence they are smaller. However I would want to know how much turnover in you tank. I will want it to be a LPS, Softies and anemone tank. How much turnover do u suggest for me as well.

I would want 1 X 250 watt 10K metal halide with two 48" actinic tubes.
Suggest on this one as well.

Regards
Binayak

Not sure how much flow for you'd want, I have 2 vortechs (normally they're 3 but one is out of commission for the time being, so a Tunze 6100 is in it's place), so that's between 6000-9000 gph (depending upon the mode on the vortech wave). Return is maybe 700gph nothing much. My tank is mostly SPS with some LPS. So if you had a couple of Tunze pumps that probably would be more than sufficient depending upon the structure of your rockwork.

Lighting I run 2 x 250W 14000k bulbs in lumenarc mini reflectors with 2 x 54w T5 blue bulbs. For your case, you could get away with a single bulb, just put it in a good reflector, maybe the larger lumenarc to get a larger cover and just realize that near the edges of your tank might be not as bright as the center (which I think is perfectly fine, too many people want the same lighting on the glass as they have in the center of the tank )

 

[baudhya]

Hmmmmm. Got the idea. I will buy the lights today. It will be BLV 10K.

I will probably order the glass by week end, so that we can start the build by week end. Will keep all interested updated.

Regards
Binayak

 

[baudhya]

Ok,

cleared up the room yesterday. Ordered the glass - 19mm. Built the Carbon and Phosphate reactors. Ordered Hanna solenoid pumps.

Whew, quite some work for a day.

Will build the tank Friday night, when all of you would be gazing at your tanks.

Regards
Binayak
:uzi:

 

[baudhya]

Progress update.......

Tank done
Stand done
Light racks --- WIP
Room painted

Pics attached....


Comments wanted

Regards
Binayak Audhya

 

[baudhya]

Total 210 Gallons - Progress

Total 210 Gallons - Progress

Ok,

I will now get the external overflow started today.
Will put the tank on the stand by thursday day end.

Good fast progress.

Any inputs !!!!!!!!

Regards
Binayak

 

[silentscream]

You're off to a great start! Do you have pictures of the reactors?

 

[dave.m]

What is the reef aquarium scene like in Kolkata? Is it a going concern or just getting started?

Dave.M

 

[baudhya]

Justin, Dave,

Thanks for looking.
Justin, I will post the pictures of my reactors tomorrow.

Dave, reef scene in Kolkata is in its nascent stage. We do not get SPS here in Kolkata. We reef with LPS, Softies, Anemones and lives rocks.......

Now for the progress.

As stated, the tank is on its stand................whew what a lift.

Water in, live rock swished and dropped for curing to start. DIY skimmer is in. Skimmer going mad.

Continuing the journey.

Will make the rock pillars on Sunday

Updated pics....

NB : I want to thank all at RC. You guys have helped me take the big plunge.

Regards
Binayak

 

[baudhya]

Here are the DIY reactors
Will start on the light rack next Sunday.....

Rocks curing well.
Water really murky and yellow......

Should I change the water or wait??

Regards
Binayak

 

[baudhya]

tinkering with the aquascape........
thinking of drilled rocks on PVC, tried a small cameo today............what do you guys think. This done with larger rocks can be impressive...


Regards
Binayak

 

[ChefZilla]

Lookin good. Like they DIY attitude. That skimmer is HUGE! how tall is it? 3'? I just put up my tank... 48"x25"x24" Will be watching your progress....

 

[baudhya]

Yes it is 3 feet tall. How did u get it at the first go.
Thanks for tagging along. A huge boost to my confidence.

Regards
BInayak Audhya

 

[Bello]

Drilled rocks look good!

What pump are you using for powering the skimmer though?

 

[baudhya]

Its an Eheim 1106
A real work horse.

Thanks for looking.......

Regards
Binayak

 

[baudhya]

Whew, finally the cycle is done.
Decided to go aquascaping the Sanjay Joshi way. Drilled the rocks, and made some really fine pieces. Joined rocks with acrylic rods and epoxy.

Finally full tank test, coming out quite nicely.

Saturday, the D Day, salt water in.

Sunday morning, finally corals and fish will be put in.

Will keep updating.

Regards
Binayak