My 330 Gallon Cube Project

Yes, the tank is full. I had a little issue while I was filling the tank. I placed the tubing from the ro unit into the tank. Normally I would secure the tubing but when the tank was empty it was not going anywere. But as the tank filled the tubing floated to the top and fell out during the night. Next morning there was about 20 - 30 gallons of ro water on the floor. The water seeped under the wall into the room next room. The carpets were soaked. Spent the morning with a shop vac removing the water. Could have been worse, it was just ro water. I can't believe I did not secure the tubing.

I am working on adding molding to the bottom of the walls and I am going to add silicone to make it water tight. So next time I have a spill it will hopefully stay in the tank room.

I spent a lot of time redoing the rock work and hiding the closed loop.

Here are some pictures.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2617881919/" title="Closed Loop by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3267/2617881919_536d9ef4ec.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Closed Loop" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2617871141/" title="Closed Loop by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3050/2617871141_374e3fa2d6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Closed Loop" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2617872447/" title="Closed Loop by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3113/2617872447_9d6f12a12f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Closed Loop" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2618696752/" title="Closed Loop by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3262/2618696752_42cfe92fa3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Closed Loop" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2618697884/" title="Closed Loop by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/2618697884_91b846e7e8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Closed Loop" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2618698726/" title="Closed Loop by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3091/2618698726_a686912297.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Closed Loop" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2617876905/" title="Closed Loop by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/2617876905_59e6fde407.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Closed Loop" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2617877981/" title="Closed Loop by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/2617877981_43c43d3378.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Closed Loop" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2618702368/" title="Closed Loop by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2001/2618702368_9fcb5b74ab.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Closed Loop" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2617880681/" title="Closed Loop by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3067/2617880681_a78ca25a3d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Closed Loop" /></a>
 
Thanks, progress has been slow, but it is coming along. The tank has to cycle. I hope I can get everything else done by the time it is ready.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12863147#post12863147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Theron
Yes, the tank is full. I had a little issue while I was filling the tank. I placed the tubing from the ro unit into the tank. Normally I would secure the tubing but when the tank was empty it was not going anywere. But as the tank filled the tubing floated to the top and fell out during the night. Next morning there was about 20 - 30 gallons of ro water on the floor. The water seeped under the wall into the room next room. The carpets were soaked. Spent the morning with a shop vac removing the water. Could have been worse, it was just ro water. I can't believe I did not secure the tubing.

I am working on adding molding to the bottom of the walls and I am going to add silicone to make it water tight. So next time I have a spill it will hopefully stay in the tank room.

I spent a lot of time redoing the rock work and hiding the closed loop.

Here are some pictures.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2617876905/" title="Closed Loop by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/2617876905_59e6fde407.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Closed Loop" /></a>
Click to expand...
I am curious if this picture shows the retun from the tank? If so, I would be concerned about things getting into the return.
 
The last picture I posted is pretty close to a full tank shot. I will take a FTS when I get the lights installed.

Goodwin9, that is showing the return to the closed loop pump. I don't have a 2" strainer for pipe yet. I have not decided what I want to place there. I want to put a something big there as the suction from the Barracuda pump is very strong.

Theron
 
this build is sweet!!!! dont mind if i hop on the saddle. got to love acrylic everything is so crystal clear it doesn't even look like theres water! i think i just made my decision for my next tank thanks theron haha
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12863147#post12863147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Theron
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2618698726/" title="Closed Loop by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3091/2618698726_a686912297.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Closed Loop" /></a>
Click to expand...
You seamlessly incorporated a CLS in this one, it looks terrific. I dislike CLS, just because the drains and returns, Id much rather see a few tunzes in my tank. But in this case, you did an excellent job hiding all the mechanics of it.

One thing I can suggest is a strainer over that 90 elbow towards the bottom of the tank, which Im assuming is an intake for the CLS. Though it looks like you have done a nice job making it hard to access for fish, one smaller one may find his way into that area eventually. Id just rather be safe now, than sorry later.

...I may not be viewing that correctly though. But it looks like thatd be an inlet for a CLS.....
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12932925#post12932925 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AlexP_03
this build is sweet!!!! dont mind if i hop on the saddle. got to love acrylic everything is so crystal clear it doesn't even look like theres water! i think i just made my decision for my next tank thanks theron haha
Click to expand...

Thanks, I am very pleased so far with the choice of acrylic tank. Yes, it is very clear. I love the 1 inch thick acrylic and eurobrace. The tank is very strong. There is a ledge on the back of the stand for me to stand when accessing inside the tank. To get up there I can just grab onto the eurobrace to pull myself up and then I can lay on the brace. I don't think I would feel comfortable doing that on a glass tank. I am just need to be careful cleaning the front pane.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12933344#post12933344 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jflip2002
You seamlessly incorporated a CLS in this one, it looks terrific. I dislike CLS, just because the drains and returns, Id much rather see a few tunzes in my tank. But in this case, you did an excellent job hiding all the mechanics of it.
Click to expand...

Thank you, that is a design goal of this tank. I want to hide all the mechanics from view. I has not been easy, but I think it will pay off in the end.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12933344#post12933344 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jflip2002

One thing I can suggest is a strainer over that 90 elbow towards the bottom of the tank, which Im assuming is an intake for the CLS. Though it looks like you have done a nice job making it hard to access for fish, one smaller one may find his way into that area eventually. Id just rather be safe now, than sorry later.

...I may not be viewing that correctly though. But it looks like thatd be an inlet for a CLS.....
Click to expand...

You are correct, that is an inlet to one of the closed loops. That plumbing is temporary. I am still undecided on the design whether to use a large strainer or mesh tubing. I have thought about enclosing it in a eggcrate box also to keep fish away. Either way, I need to make it easy accessable for me to clean it.
 
Wow. Just found this thread. I know many have commented on the styrofoam model, but it bears repeating....GENUIS!! The idea is so simple, but ingenious at the same time. I love tanks showing minimal equipment so I'm anxious to see how this turns out
 
Ok, here is an update on what I have got done in the last few weeks.

Ventilation fans and air conditioning are installed. I have two fantech fans, one pushing air out and one pulling outside air in. They do a great job removing the humidity out of the room. They are connected to a humidistat that turns them on when the humidity or temp reaches a set level (60%).

The a/c unit is a portable type that exhausts heat from the compressor out side through ducts. So far it has worked well to keep the room temp down during the hot days.

The last couple of nights I have been running some tests to see if I can keep the tank temps down without a chiller. So far it is looking good with the pumps and two 400 watt halides on the tank. Right now I have the a/c unit connected to a temp. controller that turns on the a/c unit when the tank reaches a set temperature. The fantechs only come on when humidity rises. Eventually I would like to build a system that monitors the outside temp, inside temp, and tank temp then controls which one to use to cool the room. If it is cool outside, no reason to use the a/c. Fans over the tank blow cool air over the top.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2709099561/" title="2008-07-28_00-18-14_1602 by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3061/2709099561_01b4f0a76b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="2008-07-28_00-18-14_1602" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2709913232/" title="2008-07-28_00-18-00_1601 by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3237/2709913232_46728c4111.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="2008-07-28_00-18-00_1601" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2709914800/" title="2008-07-28_00-18-21_1603 by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/2709914800_063826263f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="2008-07-28_00-18-21_1603" /></a>
 
The sump is in place the the return and overflows are installed. The return pump is a Ampmaster 2100 pump. I estimate that I am getting 1500 - 1700 gph through the sump. A temporary skimmer is running to clean up the water a bit.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2709917110/" title="2008-07-28_00-19-15_1606 by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3263/2709917110_7b84a3724d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="2008-07-28_00-19-15_1606" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2709917952/" title="2008-07-28_00-19-27_1607 by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3242/2709917952_9db875eec7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="2008-07-28_00-19-27_1607" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2709098053/" title="2008-07-28_00-17-36_1600 by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3179/2709098053_71130952a6.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="2008-07-28_00-17-36_1600" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2709105253/" title="2008-07-28_00-20-16_1609 by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/2709105253_5fa8172686.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="2008-07-28_00-20-16_1609" /></a>

I love the overflow design on this tank. It is using a siphon overflow design. I have two overflow returns to the sump. One has a ball valve to reduce the flow so that it creates a siphon where almost all of the water flows without air. The second is placed higher and just a small amount of water overflows in this one. This is totally silent. It works so well. The second overflow pipe can handle all the flow if something clogs the siphon pipe. Later I will add a third pipe just for some extra safety.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2709911670/" title="2008-07-28_00-17-19_1599 by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3168/2709911670_3c156900a0.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="2008-07-28_00-17-19_1599" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2709921476/" title="2008-07-28_00-21-59_1612 by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3095/2709921476_aa2f20ac78.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="2008-07-28_00-21-59_1612" /></a>
 
The lights have been installed. For now, I am using two 400 watt halides, with XM 20k bulbs. I wanted a simply way to mount the lights so that I could easily move them out of the way when I needed to access the tank for cleaning. I also them to be easily removable. Here is what I came up with.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2709101081/" title="2008-07-28_00-18-36_1604 by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/2709101081_6107b07002.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="2008-07-28_00-18-36_1604" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2709101869/" title="2008-07-28_00-18-44_1605 by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/2709101869_731c06f519.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="2008-07-28_00-18-44_1605" /></a>

It is very simple and works great. It is just a 1/2 inch metal conduit and the pendants are attached to 3/4 inch pvc to slide along the conduit. It was so cheap to make. I hope the metal will not rust. If so, it is pretty cheap to replace.

The lights are toward the front of the tank. I hope to add some more lighting for the rear. Not sure what I am going to end up placing there. I have two 250 watt halide setups I could use or some VHOs.

Here are some tank shots.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2709109463/" title="2008-07-28_00-24-07_1615 by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3274/2709109463_90f939c244.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="2008-07-28_00-24-07_1615" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2709110241/" title="2008-07-28_00-24-15_1616 by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3184/2709110241_ecec09a04d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="2008-07-28_00-24-15_1616" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2709111057/" title="2008-07-28_00-24-23_1617 by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3289/2709111057_8a959b6b9a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="2008-07-28_00-24-23_1617" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2709114425/" title="2008-07-28_00-26-25_1623 by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3290/2709114425_41b6c5b8fe.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="2008-07-28_00-26-25_1623" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2709926780/" title="2008-07-28_00-24-40_1618 by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3241/2709926780_1ea49683bb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="2008-07-28_00-24-40_1618" /></a>

Here is a view from the rear.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25155538@N02/2709923232/" title="2008-07-28_00-23-25_1614 by tluttmann, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/2709923232_57dc92d973.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="2008-07-28_00-23-25_1614" /></a>
 
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