Jacob's 360 Gallon Build

[Jacob D]

Due to the real estate market being slow, we're probably going to stay put for at least a couple more years - so - I'm kicking around the idea of upgrading to a bigger tank. I'm hoping to get some feedback from you guys on this project, let me know your thoughts...

Tank
After taking some measurements of my office, it looks like a 6x4x2 is going to fit best. At this point I'm leaning towards acrylic. This also happens to be the size of the new tank that Kalypso got. I know roughly what they paid so I'm going to poke around for some competitive bids. Does anyone know of reputable acrylic tank builders other than TruView? I have heard good things about Envision Acrylics too, and in fact I have noticed some sloppy seams on TruVu tanks lately (a whole bunch of them at the new AC), so I may want to find an alternative builder regardless.

I think if I do go the custom route I'm going to opt for a Calfo Overflow, need to do some reasearch on the critical specs.

Skimmer
Will also need a good skimmer as I plan to focus mainly on fish and will be heavily stocked, with mostly soft corals for fill-in. I'm debating H&S 200-2x1260 vs. Deltec AP-702 . I may look to buy a used one, so keep your eyes open for me.

Lighting
As for lighting I want to keep the power consumption as low as possible (I think we all should strive for this), in light of recent events my attitude towards reefing has shifted a little and I'm interesting in maintaining low light, low maintenance corals. I'm thinking about 6x80w T5's. The only other way I can see doing this is 2x250 halides in lumenarc's or lumenmax's but I think the coverage would be lack luster. Any other suggestions?

Controller
Also will be looking for a controller to automate everything including water changes. I'm interested in the IKS Controllers but I don't know if I can swallow the price, if anyone sees something come up on the used market let me know.


Other than the big ticket items above I need to think about building water storage into my back yard, run plumbing under the house and up through the wall for top off and automated water changes. It's going to take some planning, just getting started... any ideas, suggestions, etc are appreciated.

 

[Jesus]

Contact Stephen for the skimmer. He has a H&S 200-2x1260 external just liker Scott's. He just bought a new body for it which is the new version 250 which is shorter and wider. I do not know how much he is asking for it.


jesus

 

[rulesmith]

Well, I defiantly recommend Envision Acrylics. Very few bubbles on my seams.

With the lighting how about your t5's but with one 250 Halide, you will have a bright spot. but if laid out right I think it could look nice and give you a varsity of coral options. When you are scuba diving the light under the ocean is not uniform.

I also have a 400 in the middle of my set up with a 250 on either side, different color light too, and I feel it looks nice.

I do not know that controller, how much does it cost, how long has it been out?

With the skimmer, all I know is at this time I would not go with bubbleking.

What kind of sump set up are you looking at? Are you making a remote fish room? What are the plans for auto top off and kalk and calc?

Curious minds want to know

 

[Jesus]

If I were you, I get glass rather than acrylic. I hate scratches. It's so eay to clean as well. For lighting, I would go with 250 DE with
Lumenarc. If you have the money for IKS, then go for it. If not just go with Neptune. They are just as good. For the skimmer just go with either Deltec or H&S which you can go wrong with them. H&S is just a little cheaper than Deltec.



Jesus


jesus

 

[tacocat]

Jacob,

I got your PM. Your proposed setup screams anything but EZ corals. I'd drop it down from 4' wide to 3' wide and run three lumenarcs. Besides that, it would cut down on your evaporation.

Skimmer, I'd go with an H&S. I'd go with a Neptune, because you'd be able to relate with others, and the capabilites are quite good these days.

I'm with Jesus, go glass. I'd recommend Leemar.

 

[Jacob D]

Jesus:
Thanks for the suggestions. I will give Stephan a call, I also think Hector may possibly have a Grotech skimmer that would work. I would like to have done glass but it would have to be one of the low iron (preferably Starphire) types. Do you know of any reputable glass tank builders who work with low iron glass? It wouldn't hurt to get a quote although it might be more than I want to spend.

Julie:
I contacted Envision, will see what they say. I didn't look too closely at the seams on the tank at Kalypso, but I did notice some issues with the TruVu tanks last time I was at AC. Good point about the ocean not being uniformly lit, I'm not sure I want to mix and match in this case though, it would be tough to do with these tank dimensions. Still unsure on the lighting.

As for the sump it will most likely be very simple like the one I have now, except I will add a bigger section for a refugium. I will probably also put a spare tank down there for a QT tank. I'm not going to have a fishroom (no spare rooms) right now I'm thinking about building an enclosed water storage area right outside my office. I'll probably use some standard 55-75g tanks to hold RO/DI and Salt Water. Auto top off is a must have. CA and ALK supplementation will be done with dosing pump and home made 2-part, similar to how I'm doing it now. Water changes also need to be automated, so there will be a couple extra pumps to handle that (I already have one of them).

Hector:
Yeah, I'm not interested in high maintenance stuff any more, also will allow me to cut down on lighting and big pumps which will save me some $$ and conserve some energy at the same time. I'm very content with xenia, green star polyps, and nephthea Re. the lighting I might just go 2x250 lumenarcs, per Jesus, but still torn between that and 5x80w T5's. 500w is the most I'm willing to put over it for reasons stated above.

I do hear what you're saying about glass, but as mentioned above if I go that route it's gotta be the clear stuff, and I doubt I can foot the bill for 3 sided starphire of this size. I almost know Lee Mar is going to be too much dough. But if you have other suggestions...? I'm pretty set on a 6x4 'cube' footprint... I AM going to have to find a way to vent evaporation.

 

[Jacob D]

Turnover/Flow
To save energy and keep things relatively quiet, I'm only going to be shooting to out-pace the skimmer, so under 2000 gph through the sump for sure. I'm thinking I'll have to invest in some Tunze's or Seio's on a controller for good flow in the tank, and probably a pair of 3/4" seaswirls to run the returns to. Big noisy pumps (I am very picky about noise level) are out, so a closed loop is almost definitely not going to happen.

Keep your eyes out for me for any Tunzes/multi controller on the market

 

[tacocat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9627668#post9627668 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mothra
I'm very content with xenia, green star polyps, and nephthea
B]

Yeah, whatever.

I'd go with three 250w lamps. Otherwise, take a look at those ATI Powermodules. Drop the seaswirls and go with Wavyseas or an Oceansmotions. Try Visio for Starphire. Envision looks like they make great tanks, but they aren't cheap. I'd rather purchase from them. Tru Vu tanks suck.

I sold my skimmer a few months ago.

 

[Jacob D]

LOL. Hey keep in mind - this is a FISH tank, the corals are only going to be filler. My goal is to have twice as many fish as Jesus used to have in his 135

Regarding the tanks, another NVR member has a 330g Envision, it's a sweet tank, and I know about how much it cost. An LFS over here just got a TruVu 6x4x2, which is what got me thinking about that size, and I know about how much they paid, the price is comparable.

Got a link for the Wavyseas?

No worries on the skimmer, I have another lead to follow up. Hey speaking of that who built Stephan's tank (Randy's old tank)?

 

[rulesmith]

Come over and clean my tank ") If you are going to be showing three sides of your tank come see what my 3 feet is like. It can be hard, will the 4th side be accessible?

I am with Jesus on the light. With 2 lumenarcs you will have some low light areas that are find for a lot of things and if you do want some sps then you can put it high right under the 250's. Gives you the best of both.

I love acrylic and would do it again, but boy you do have to be so careful.

Where in your house are you going to place it, same as old tank? You could put a remote fish room in the garage, I wish I had gone that route, really hard to put it all under the stand.

 

[Jesus]

Ocean motion is a great product but it tend to build MG on the barrel which will cause to get stuck and the will not rotate properly. I got rid of two OM because it could never handle my pump which I talk to Paul many time and we could never resolve the problem. I went back to my old trusted seaswirl. As for wavysea. I haven't really heard any thing about this product.
A friend of mine just ordered a rimless cube. It should arrive in May. It cost him a bundle. I forgot were did he order it from.

jesus

 

[Jacob D]

Oh snap! I made an origami lumenarc-style reflector. Some of the folds aren't so great due to my big fingers and this is scaled down (about 6" square). Check it out, obviously the real deal would be made from polished aluminum and riveted together

Might have to take a shot at this just for kicks if nothing else.

 

[Bdimas]

All of your origami lumenarc-style reflector are belong to me!
Seriously though that looks good. Is there a way to incorporate a fan in those?

 

[Jacob D]

LOL...

Hey! My pictures are gone.. what the?? Not sure if someone removed them for one reason or another, or if my computer is just wacky, but anyway....

Yeah we can make these at any size and incorporate whatever the hee-zell you want to. Just need to find some material and a pop rivet gun. Want to try it out Bryan? Your tank can be the test, if it works one more thing I can DIY on the upgrade.

 

[Bdimas]

Lets do this!

 

[lanxang]

I still see it.

You can get the rivet gun at Harbor freight or sears.

 

[Jacob D]

Lak,

What about the polished aluminum? Home depot? I know you and I talked about this a long time ago, at the time some people were making them, and I thought that's where they were getting the stuff. Of course I have lots of sources for metals, but not something for this kind of project.

 

[lanxang]

I think the people who were making these were using the solar tube.

http://www.innovativelights.com/diy-10060.html
on sale for
16.99
24x24 sheet.

there was another source I was looking at a while back but can't seem to find a link for them.

 

[Reefugee]

Jacob,

Do you still have your old tank? You old tank was gorgeous!

Minh

 

[Jacob D]

Thanks Minh. I still have it, I went through another issue w/ it recently and lost many corals. I found and fixed the problem and everything (that survived) is recovering. Most likely I'll keep that tank running until I have transferred the fish to the new tank (if and when) then take it down.