My 240 build: from conception to contraption

[krugger2]

Hi everyone, new to the forum. My wife and I are up-grading our 90 gal reef to a 240 gal reef. This will be a big jump for us so we will have many questions. We have experience with a 180 a few years ago, and have had great luck with our 90, which has been running for about 1 yr. So we are moving up to a 240. Below are some pictures to document our beginning. The tank has pre-filter boxes in both back corners. When we bought the tank used it was drilled in all four holes for half inch bulkheads, way to small, they were using all four for drainage. They must have had over the back return, as we never saw the tank set-up. In one hole the glass was cracked and has been repaired. I was limited on the size that I could safely drill it larger. We opted to drill all four holes to fit 1" bulkheads, and will deal with any drainage problems later. I have ordered a Sequence dart pump, and will maybe use it for skimming also ( please advise ). I will keep everyone updated with pictures. Thanks for all the help We will need.

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[thor32766]

that tank is 8ft right? sweet looking tank

 

[krugger2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9856356#post9856356 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thor32766
that tank is 8ft right? sweet looking tank

Thanks, yes the tank is 8 x 2 x 2

 

[nyvp]

nice great job

 

[krugger2]

O.K., it's been a few days and we are making progress. We ordered our skimmer, a "Aqua Euro Classic 400". We also ordered our Sump, a "48 x 18 x 17" 3/8 acrylic from Glass Cages. We're making headway on the stand also, the Stone spray-on finish came out looking very nice. We also raised the stand about 10" to a height 38". We are thinking about using all t5 lighting, and leaning towards the Aquactinics Constellations. They seem to be the best that are readily available. Please feel free to offer any suggestions, we're trying to stay away from MH, too much heat and wasted energy.

 

[krugger2]

Just to let you know , the inside of the stand is caulked and two coats of Jell-coat (marine finish) so it should be spill proof. Could have used it for the sump.

 

[20 20]

How are you going to get a 48" sump into that stand?

 

[krugger2]

WE actually did think of that before the base was secured, it should slip right in the top at an angle, this will only work because of the deep (10") stand base and the sump is only 17" wide on one side. Great question, thanks.

If it wouldn't fit, we would just remove one 2x4.

 

[20 20]

I figured you had already figured that one out, but at first glance it doesn't look like a 48" sump would fit. I'm sure you'll get it in somehow.

Great looking stand, by the way!

 

[bucky145]

nice I like the stand color I have aquired a 360 and the stand needed to be re-skinned I like the color of yours Think I am going to use yours as a prototype .

 

[krugger2]

OK, It seems that I have lost my pictures from my first post. I will repost some of them here along with a few more. Everything is coming along great. We received the acrylic sump (Glass cages did a nice job) and I was able to drill it in order to pull water from the center sump section so as to not let the refugium water go through the skimmer. I added partitions to seperate chambers. The refugium will be fed from the return at a much slower rate than the main tank and flow back into the sump. The Aquaeuro classic 400 skimmer also came, but as some of you might know they are having problems with rust in the pumps. Aquaeuro has addressed this problem and have stated that they will be shipping new pumps asap. My Dart pump came, and is ready to run. The lights have been shipped (aquactinics T-5's) and should be here any day now. The main tank is drilled for 1" bulkheads, I was limited on the size that I could drill, and sure hope that I will have enough drain, I have been assured (by experts) that 1" is plenty of drainage. I will regulate return flow if necessary with ball valves (return side of pump). I was hoping to be able to go out in my boat and get some clean ocean water for the start up this weekend, but the weather here in South Florida is very windy and it might be to rough. I should have some pictures of the plumbing and the basic setup soon. I hope these pictures work, and don't disappear.

 

[krugger2]

Well here is the latest. It's been very windy in S FL, but I was able to get out and secure about 150 gal of ocean water. It is waiting on the boat until I break down the 90 and get the 240 going. I will still have to make one more trip. I should be able to get back out in the next day or so. Most of the plumbing is finished except for the drain and return lines. Here are some photos, I moved the stand inside and am just waiting for proper timing for the change out. My wife doesn't want to keep the fish and live rock/coral in containers for more than a few hours, so the timing has to be just right. I also will need to coordinate the helpers for moving the tank.

 

[krugger2]

I almost forgot a picture of our dog Mia, she is quite the ham. That's Lake Worth bridge in the back ground, in South Florida.

 

[krugger2]

Alright the tank is setup and running. Here is a link for some pictures and a video of the skimmer. We are starting to inhabit the tank today.


http://s91.photobucket.com/albums/k309/r2odie/240/?action=view&current=mix066.flv

 

[crescent1]

cool video, where did you get the skimmer from.

 

[jnarowe]

nice vid and the skimmer is quiet. Don't you think that is cheating? You know, going out in your boat to get SW??? :lol:

 

[krugger2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10159952#post10159952 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crescent1
cool video, where did you get the skimmer from.

It's a Aquaeuro 400. They are fairly new and there has been some problems with rust on the pumps. This has been addressed by the manufactuer and they are shipping new pumps. I bought my skimmer from Oceans Aquariums, out of Cali. So far it has been working good, considering I'm just now setting up the tank and am just starting to inhabit.

 

[krugger2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10160306#post10160306 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
nice vid and the skimmer is quiet. Don't you think that is cheating? You know, going out in your boat to get SW??? :lol:

Ya probably, but I needed an excuse to take the boat out

 

[jnarowe]

I hear ya...it goes like this: "Honey, I need to go get some SW right away or all the fish are going to die!"

 

[EBOLII]

A good video it is. Hard to get a good look see of the overflow pipe thing in the middle. Can you talk about that a little?