My 540G Inwall Display Build Thread

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

Question on the Stand.
I have my Father In Law helping me build one for my 250 gallon in wall build next week. From looking around at peoples DIY stands I have seen some with feet and some without. Did you put any feet on the bottom or does the bottom of the frame rest right on the concrete floor?

Thanks!

I did not go with feet. The stand sits directly on the slab. Feet are nice to be able to level the tank but they concentrate all the weight in a few very small areas. I wanted the weight more spread out.

 

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

Made some good progress this past week. Almost all the plumbing is cut and dry fitted. Way more work than I expected. Here is where I cut open the side of the shed and ran the pipes thru.
<a href="http://s312.photobucket.com/albums/ll357/Supraking98/?action=view&current=IMG_4781.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll357/Supraking98/IMG_4781.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

Here is the inside where they come in. You can see one of the closed loop pumps (still need to buy a second one). You can also see the return pump (MX-100).
<a href="http://s312.photobucket.com/albums/ll357/Supraking98/?action=view&current=IMG_4782.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll357/Supraking98/IMG_4782.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Here you can see the pipes run behind the skimmer.
<a href="http://s312.photobucket.com/albums/ll357/Supraking98/?action=view&current=IMG_4783.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll357/Supraking98/IMG_4783.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

And finally the pipes going in and out of the sump.
<a href="http://s312.photobucket.com/albums/ll357/Supraking98/?action=view&current=IMG_4785.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll357/Supraking98/IMG_4785.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[jjk_reef00]

Very nice! What skimmer is that? Looks like a beast!
How do you plan to ventilate the shed, and how do you think the ventilation will effect the electric bill?
I'm trying to plan my tank and I want a lot of ventilation but I'm a little scared of the electric bill from letting too much cool air escape the house...

 

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

After speaking with a friend I got rid of the sumps for my QT tanks. Instead of setting up a true coral and fish QT I will be doing the following. For fish I will fresh water dip them all. I will then place them in the 75G QT tank which will be set up on a peristaltic pump off the main system. The QT tank will have an overflow that going into the sewer. This will acclimate the fish to the systems water while I watch them for a few weeks. It also means I don’t have to worry about any filtration, heating or any other parameters in a QT tank. I just set the peristaltic pump up and adjust the drip faster or slower depending on my needs. This will save me money on equipment, save space in the shed, and save $ on power. The only parts I will need for the QT is the peristaltic pump, a light and a power head.

The coral QT (20G) will basically be the same setup. I will dip and inspect all incoming corals and then use the QT to watch them for 4 or so weeks before they go into the display. By then they will be acclimated to my water and good to go. Only items needed to set this system is a light, power head and the peristaltic pump.

This system will slowly lower the level in my main system as well as my skimmer running super wet connected to the sewer. My ATO will be connected to saltwater so the more tank water that goes down the sewer via the QT's or skimmer is just a bigger water change. I will measure my salinity and set up a peristaltic pump with fresh water to keep salinity stable due to evaporation. I don’t ever plan on doing water changes due to the fact that the system will always be changing its own.

 

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

Very nice! What skimmer is that? Looks like a beast!

I think its a early Volcano prototype.

 

[jjk_reef00]

Wow your fast!
How do you plan to ventilate the shed, and how do you think the ventilation will effect the electric bill?
I'm trying to plan my tank and I want a lot of ventilation but I'm a little scared of the electric bill from letting too much cool air escape the house...

 

[jjk_reef00]

Very interesting idea with the QT. The only drawback (if I understand correctly) is that it can make it difficult to keep the qt medicated at the proper levels if it is constantly draining water.

 

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

I dont plan on having to medicate as all fish will be fresh water dipped. But things do get by sometimes. In that case all I have to do is turn the peristaltic pump off and medicate the tank. I will them have to watch my levels

 

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

Wow your fast!
How do you plan to ventilate the shed, and how do you think the ventilation will effect the electric bill?
I'm trying to plan my tank and I want a lot of ventilation but I'm a little scared of the electric bill from letting too much cool air escape the house...

Not 100% decided on all this yet. I think some of it will be trying different things. In the worst parts of the summer and winter the shed will be closed up with no ventilation, only AC units and heaters. Other parts of the year I may try an evap cooler with an open window or door. I assume the cost in the worst part of the summer won't be fun but that is why I insulated so heavily and why I'm using as few pumps and lights as possible. I hope this system will cost me less than $50 per month on the electric. This tank was another reason I added solar to my house.

 

[dahenley]

I think its a early Volcano prototype.

Spazz and Bill Wan were buddies. Spazz built the Volcano's and bill had already built his skimmers before Spazz started producing them to the public. you can tell that that is a Bill Wan one because of the base. they are almost the exact same because they worked together to perfect that big style needle wheel Dart skimmers.

either way, those are BAD A $ $
but require an airpump to run properly.

i cant wait for you to crank it up!!

 

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

I have been bad recently about posting costs. The cost to do this plumbing inside the shed was about $400. It seems crazy that it could cost that much but all those unions and ball valves add up quickly.

 

[dublo8]

Wow. Still amazing. I remember seeing this right after the sun tubes were put in. I had to go home and tell my wife about it like I was an excited 6 year old. Keep up the good work. I look forward to seeing the rest of the build take shape.

 

[trojan9137]

Not 100% decided on all this yet. I think some of it will be trying different things. In the worst parts of the summer and winter the shed will be closed up with no ventilation, only AC units and heaters. Other parts of the year I may try an evap cooler with an open window or door. I assume the cost in the worst part of the summer won't be fun but that is why I insulated so heavily and why I'm using as few pumps and lights as possible. I hope this system will cost me less than $50 per month on the electric. This tank was another reason I added solar to my house.

Is the reason for ventalation to deal with high humidity conditions? Maybe try an dehumidifier when everything is closed so you dont have to vent the room and continually have the AC/Heat running.

 

[dublo8]

Is the reason for ventalation to deal with high humidity conditions? Maybe try an dehumidifier when everything is closed so you dont have to vent the room and continually have the AC/Heat running.

That's a good idea but I would wonder about the efficiency of the dehumidifier in a room filled with several open top tanks. efficiency is the name of the game here so I think a vent duct with a bathroom type fan like somebody mentioned earlier would be the way to go. Plus I think with the addition of an exhaust on the shed will also benefit the AC units since your only creating pressure within the room and have no exhaust. Again more effecient for the AC unit's as well.

 

[geemanaz]

any update to your Build

 

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

I got the plumbing ran in the closet next to the display for the small sink that will go in there so I can wash up before sticking my hands in the display. Cost $60

<a href="http://s312.photobucket.com/albums/ll357/Supraking98/?action=view&current=IMG_4893.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll357/Supraking98/IMG_4893.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

I also hired a drywall company to do the taping and texturing as I have done enough of it to know I cant make it look good. Cost $2200 Here they framed in and hung the drywall over the area where the solar tubes and ac ducts are.

<a href="http://s312.photobucket.com/albums/ll357/Supraking98/?action=view&current=IMG_4894.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll357/Supraking98/IMG_4894.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

Here is the taping and texturing
Bedroom side
<center>
<a href="http://s312.photobucket.com/albums/ll357/Supraking98/?action=view&current=IMG_4903.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll357/Supraking98/IMG_4903.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />

<a href="http://s312.photobucket.com/albums/ll357/Supraking98/?action=view&current=IMG_4902.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll357/Supraking98/IMG_4902.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />

Living room side
<a href="http://s312.photobucket.com/albums/ll357/Supraking98/?action=view&current=IMG_4901.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll357/Supraking98/IMG_4901.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />
</center>

 

[BigAl2007]

When you UPDATE you sure do UPDATE!

It's looking GREAT!!