Lightsluvr's 340G Upgrade
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Decisions, decisions...
Decisions, decisions...
Yesterday we agreed to purchase a friend's Reeflo Orca 250 skimmer. Check.
We decided to use the 2-sump configuration which has worked so well in several local systems...
In addition to the 95G acrylic sump, one of the tank's (4) overflows will feed a 100G stock tank filled with live rock. We will configure the stock tank to gravity feed into the return chamber of the acrylic sump.
Still working on plans for a water change system, but I am impressed by the system used by Ed and Sandy in their wonderful build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1403507
Weighing two possibilities on a Calcium reactor: torn between the twin chamber Reef Octopus and the GEO 624. Decisions, decisions...
OK, now to bed, really, really.
LL
Decisions, decisions...
Yesterday we agreed to purchase a friend's Reeflo Orca 250 skimmer. Check.
We decided to use the 2-sump configuration which has worked so well in several local systems...
In addition to the 95G acrylic sump, one of the tank's (4) overflows will feed a 100G stock tank filled with live rock. We will configure the stock tank to gravity feed into the return chamber of the acrylic sump.
Still working on plans for a water change system, but I am impressed by the system used by Ed and Sandy in their wonderful build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1403507
Weighing two possibilities on a Calcium reactor: torn between the twin chamber Reef Octopus and the GEO 624. Decisions, decisions...
OK, now to bed, really, really.
LL
The floor level in the fish room is 4" lower than the main house. The ceiling height was only 7'. The tank and stand are 65" high. Add 4" for the floor, and you are at 69" in a room with 84" ceiling. Not much room to work...Using the contractors changes, our ceiling will be slightly over 96", giving more room to install a light rail, etc. Now, the ceiling height will be the same as the wall opening in the adjoining display room... the new header being installed will be above the ceiling in both rooms and out of sight.
A great improvement for us.
LL
okie dokie...
LL
Hi Dustin,
Hi Dustin,
Hi again Dustin. I responded to your PM over on your thread.
Glad you're following along here.
LL
Hi Dustin,
Hi again Dustin. I responded to your PM over on your thread.
Glad you're following along here.
LL
Today is framing day. Contractor will install new rafters for the fish room ceiling, shore up the weight bearing wall and install a ten foot header in the wall where he will cut the opening for the tank...
After yesterday's messy, nasty demolition, I am looking forward to a little less debris...
LL
Reef Happy
New member
I see Chris is working out. I told you he would get with it he is a work horse. Keep stocked up on the Tylenol.
Last edited:
Hey George,
Looking at all the posters in this thread, its like a COMAS field trip.
Im liking the build thread. Very nicely documented.
AS you said AGE are phenomenal when it comes to tanks, I am absolutely sure you will love the clarity of the starfire on that system. I can not believe the difference in clarity on my tank, and on Ed's.
In regards heating the room, as you know, I have mine in a converted half of the garage that has been reinsulated and is essentially part of the house. I do have to heat it a few nights a year, even though there is 500g of warm water in there radiating heat as well as multiple lights and pumps as well as a fridge and freezer....so keep that in mind.
While working on the ceiling may I suggest that you duct a pipe from one of your outside soffit vents to the extractor you will ultimately use. This will really help keep humidity from the insulation upstairs.
Other than that...I have no suggestions for you so Ill sit down and enjoy the ride.
Please keep the photographs flowing.
Paul.
Looking at all the posters in this thread, its like a COMAS field trip.
Im liking the build thread. Very nicely documented.
AS you said AGE are phenomenal when it comes to tanks, I am absolutely sure you will love the clarity of the starfire on that system. I can not believe the difference in clarity on my tank, and on Ed's.
In regards heating the room, as you know, I have mine in a converted half of the garage that has been reinsulated and is essentially part of the house. I do have to heat it a few nights a year, even though there is 500g of warm water in there radiating heat as well as multiple lights and pumps as well as a fridge and freezer....so keep that in mind.
While working on the ceiling may I suggest that you duct a pipe from one of your outside soffit vents to the extractor you will ultimately use. This will really help keep humidity from the insulation upstairs.
Other than that...I have no suggestions for you so Ill sit down and enjoy the ride.
Please keep the photographs flowing.
Paul.
Sheesh!
Sheesh!
How did you know it was lunch time? We took a wasted trip to the Edmond landfill only to see a sign which read, "no bricks, rocks or construction debris"
Crap.
Chris the builder dropped me off at the house so I could be productive while he drove the overloaded truck and trailer to the nearest contractor-friendly landfill, some 20 miles away... Ah, me.
So here's where we are now:
We will install (8) 2x6 ceiling joists at the new 8' height above the fish room. They will be hung on that huge 12" beam that forms the perimeter of the room.
After the new joists are firmly attached to the joists and rafters of the main structure, Chris will be able to shore up the weight of the wall from the fish room. No need to tear into the house (yet).
Here is view of the joists/rafter that will be supported when attached to the new ceiling joists:
Here is a view of inside the exterior wall above the fish room. This was originally a covered porch of the 28 year old structure. You can see the 12" beam that will support the new ceiling joists. All the cross-bracing will be replaced above the new joists.
This photo depicts the 4" step down from the main structure to the former porch. The back of the tank stand must be supported by this area, so Chris the builder will pour a footing and slab to support the rear corners of the stand. Nice and level, we hope.
I'll be back at the end of the day to update. I have been assured that all framing will be complete. The electrician will be here tomorrow to install ventilation fans and work lights above the tank. He will also run additional GFCI circuits for tank equipment.
It's so nice to have a son who is an electrician... :rollface:
LL
Sheesh!
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15063708#post15063708 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
It's 12:30pm and no new pictures? Quit slackin' off - we need to be involved. :hammer:
How did you know it was lunch time? We took a wasted trip to the Edmond landfill only to see a sign which read, "no bricks, rocks or construction debris"
Crap.
Chris the builder dropped me off at the house so I could be productive while he drove the overloaded truck and trailer to the nearest contractor-friendly landfill, some 20 miles away... Ah, me.
So here's where we are now:
We will install (8) 2x6 ceiling joists at the new 8' height above the fish room. They will be hung on that huge 12" beam that forms the perimeter of the room.
After the new joists are firmly attached to the joists and rafters of the main structure, Chris will be able to shore up the weight of the wall from the fish room. No need to tear into the house (yet).
Here is view of the joists/rafter that will be supported when attached to the new ceiling joists:
Here is a view of inside the exterior wall above the fish room. This was originally a covered porch of the 28 year old structure. You can see the 12" beam that will support the new ceiling joists. All the cross-bracing will be replaced above the new joists.
This photo depicts the 4" step down from the main structure to the former porch. The back of the tank stand must be supported by this area, so Chris the builder will pour a footing and slab to support the rear corners of the stand. Nice and level, we hope.
I'll be back at the end of the day to update. I have been assured that all framing will be complete. The electrician will be here tomorrow to install ventilation fans and work lights above the tank. He will also run additional GFCI circuits for tank equipment.
It's so nice to have a son who is an electrician... :rollface:
LL
I was shopping for ventilation fans this afternoon. Considering Sandy's note about secondary lighting, has anybody considering placing ventilation fans with lights above their tank. Of course it would have to be the type of light that can be turned off independltly of the fan. Would a couple of lights be sufficient for working on a tank while the tank lights are not operating?
Just thinking while typing...
LL
magellan007
New member
I can't believe I'm just now finding this thread; kudos on the upgrade, the documentation is very well done. (and the pictures are great!) I'm gonna have fun watching this one. 
melev
Well-known member
If you don't mind doing it, I would install some strong lighting in recessed fixtures so you can really see. Ideally, you could have a couple of MH lights to really give you light while working in the tank. But some strong spotlights should suffice.
Vent fans over your lights would be fine, but try to find the kind that are very low Sones. That is the measure of sound you'd expect to hear. Mine is 1 Sone. I've heard some at Home Depot that were 14 Sones, and it was ridiculously loud.
Vent fans over your lights would be fine, but try to find the kind that are very low Sones. That is the measure of sound you'd expect to hear. Mine is 1 Sone. I've heard some at Home Depot that were 14 Sones, and it was ridiculously loud.
Vent issue solution
Vent issue solution
After studying our convoluted roofing structure, it dawned on me that we have a large wind turbine just above the fish room. (Heat still rises, doesn't it?)
I just have to cut openings in some planking to access that exit for the ventilation fans' outflow... so tomorrow I make a run to HD or Lowes to get a pair of low noise fans and some 4" flexible vent pipe to get 'er done...the Sawsall should do the rest...
LL
Vent issue solution
After studying our convoluted roofing structure, it dawned on me that we have a large wind turbine just above the fish room. (Heat still rises, doesn't it?)
I just have to cut openings in some planking to access that exit for the ventilation fans' outflow... so tomorrow I make a run to HD or Lowes to get a pair of low noise fans and some 4" flexible vent pipe to get 'er done...the Sawsall should do the rest...
LL
edandsandy
Active member
GREAT idea on the wind turbine.
look into this site for an in-line ventilation system.
http://www.westsidewholesale.com/ai...in-line-fans?gclid=CMKxmoL-rpgCFQJ-xgodpUpcTw
look into this site for an in-line ventilation system.
http://www.westsidewholesale.com/ai...in-line-fans?gclid=CMKxmoL-rpgCFQJ-xgodpUpcTw
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