My 150 Build

[serpentman]

I raced to get my old system up and didn't take much time to document it. Well, I figured this time around I will try a build thread. The tank (150g) will go in my office. Its going to be predominately SPS with total system volume somewhere around 250g.

First surprise. I got the tank home and realized it had a center brace. Small price to have corner overflows but I will have to get little creative on lighting.

Of course, we had to paint the room. This spiraled out of control as now I have been told we need to replace all the furniture too.

Tank is in place.

 

[serpentman]

Although I am probably worried unnecessarily, I decided to be better safe than sorry and reinforce the floor.

Beams are in place.

New RO/DI unit is place. The bad news, its a 100gpd but only produces 25-30gpd. We are on a well and have low water pressure. Booster pump should be in this week.

The sump will be remote, located in the basement. Future home of the sump/fish room. Still need to run electrical, etc.

 

[johndawg]

Great start! Where did you get the tank? Keep the pics coming.
John

 

[serpentman]

Thanks. I will keep updating as progress is made. Gonna try and get the electrical done this week and start the plumbing.

I picked up the tank from SC this weekend.

 

[mike660r]

Hey Jeff!

I am gald to see you have another tank project going. I hate see people like yourself get out of the hobby.

Let me know if you need any help.

Mike C.

 

[serpentman]

Thanks Mike. Its good to be back. The move liquidated a lot of our funds (new furniture, etc.) so I had to put the tank on hold. My wife finally got tired of listening to me complain and suggested I get something going. I'll definitely let you know if I need any help. I checked out your thread, that is one impressive fish room.

Also, BTW, I think I owe membership dues.

 

[Thinslis]

Nice tank, I'm sure it will be great when its all setup =) Keep us posted. Let me know if you need a hand with anything as I am just down the road.

 

[scottfarcuz]

Looks good Jeff. Getting the poo out will be much easier with the DSB in bags

 

[serpentman]

LOL, I was really tempted to go BB. However, I really like the look of sand.

Got some electrical done, gonna start putting holes in the floor this week.

 

[fade2black]

Looks like a good start Jeff.

 

[serpentman]

A little update. After a week of delaying the inevitable, I finally drilled holes in the floor...

..and spent the better part of the weekend plumbing. The core plumbing system is in with room for expansion for fuge, frag tank, etc.

Also did a little more electrical work:

 

[serpentman]

I began filling this afternoon. So far, no issues with the return lines. The real test will be once things are running constantly. Got the RO/DI booster pump last week. Thing sounds like a diesel engine when running but made a huge improvement in my output. Should take 2-3 days for complete fill up.

Here's a pic of my LR, well what was once LR. I haven't topped it off in a very long time so I doubt its all that live, which is ok as I was considering sterilizing it. Thinking about making a formation with acrylic rods.

 

[oldreefer76]

Nice job on the electrical

 

[itZme]

Looks good Jeff. I like the branch of plumbing that you have with the valve on the right. It looks like it offers the immediate short circuit option by dumping saltwater directly onto the power panel when you open the ball valve

 

[scottfarcuz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11815868#post11815868 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by itZme
Looks good Jeff. I like the branch of plumbing that you have with the valve on the right. It looks like it offers the immediate short circuit option by dumping saltwater directly onto the power panel when you open the ball valve

I know a guy with a similar panel in his basement. He has a few stories about blasting it with saltwater

 

[serpentman]

LOL, I know it does look a bit precarious. Perhaps with a little help I could have come up with something different, eh hem. I need a couple more fittings and some pipe hangers and I will complete most of that side. At least to get the pipe opening away from the electrical.

 

[Burgman]

Hi Jeff,

Looks good but do you have any GFI's in some or all of the circuits? I did not see any in your photo's, just a thought.

Dave

 

[serpentman]

Good eye Dave, I am going to have to figure out the GFCI situation.

Unfortunately, the electrician didn't quite understand the application and wired the 2 circuits over a common 12/3 NM/WG romex wire. Consequently, the 2 circuits share a common neutral wire. So to install GFCI's, I am going to have to go with a sub-panel or run another dedicated line.

 

[CleveYank]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11818210#post11818210 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by serpentman
Good eye Dave, I am going to have to figure out the GFCI situation.

Unfortunately, the electrician didn't quite understand the application and wired the 2 circuits over a common 12/3 NM/WG romex wire. Consequently, the 2 circuits share a common neutral wire. So to install GFCI's, I am going to have to go with a sub-panel or run another dedicated line.

Geeze o pete, I hope the electrician was cheap. Heck any of us novices can do that well.

At the rate you are going you will probably have frag setup on this by the time I get back in town. I thought you were'nt going to rush this time around...lol.
PS...include growth pics j/k. Looks good.

 

[serpentman]

Thanks Mike, I am going slow. A couple of years ago, I would have a frag tank! Yeah, he was cheap. Its partially my fault because I didn't tell him I was going to need GFIs.