My Aquarium Obsessed Build -System 600 Gallon Total

[subshop]

My project has been on hold for awhile now, since the 300 gallon was damaged. After considering rebuilding it I decided to just buy an new tank and a little bigger than the first one. So after being coaxed by my friend on HVRK, Geob, I have finally decided to start this build thread.
The tank is a 3 sided Starfire Aquarium Obsessed tank. The dimensions are 96" x 36" x 32" high. It will have an external coast to coast overflow with 4 holes drilled (OMG) in the rear. Two will be returns and two will be for a CL. The tank should arrive about mid October and I'm in no rush. I have been working on the sump room and can use the extra time.

The stand is made of 4 courses of block with the cavities filled with concrete. Then 3 - 4" H beams span the eight foot length. The top is 2 layers of 3/4" plywood, glued and topped with 1" high density foam board.

More pics to follow as I progress.
Neil (subshop)

p.s. Geob happy now ! lol

 

[cichlid333]

looks like you got a really good start keep up the good work

 

[subshop]

The skimmer was made by Spazz . The skimmer, called Volcanoes, uses about 200 watts and even though there is some controversy over whether or not I need to force feed more air into the Venturi will be for a later discussion. The unit has auto shut-off, wet neck, ozone port is 18" in diameter and 50" high. What a beast!!!

The lights are Aqua Illuminations led fixtures. When I first ordered the lights they were for the 300 but since this tank is wider and longer i will need more modules. Since this system is modular one controller will control many modules. Some of the features are: variable output, moonlight, sunrise and set and lunar cycle. Each module has eight pods w/ three led each. Two white and a blue.

The basement rec room temp., where the tank will be, is pretty stable . Central air ductwork are already installed and the furnace keeps the downstairs temp pretty constant. But if heating/ cooling is required I will using the PTC from GHL/Profilux. Just as the name suggests ProfiLux Temperature Controller (PTC), is NOT just a chiller/heater but an all in one environmental controller that is designed to reduce your electrical running costs based on its ramp up and ramp down design, only working as hard as your system requires rather than flat out and off and then waiting for the temp to change before going flat out again.

There will also be 4 Vortech's in the tank as wavemakers.

The controller will be the GHL/Profilux controller. It will be able to monitor /control temp., ph, salinity, lighting, pumps( not the Vortech, not yet),ORP, water level, digital power bars etc,etc.

Neil (subshop)

 

[drpo21]

nice build neil, looking forward to this one. how many modules are you going to put on the tank?

 

[RokleM]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13397629#post13397629 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by subshop
The skimmer was made by Spazz . The skimmer, called Volcanoes, uses about 200 watts and even though there is some controversy over whether or not I need to force feed more air into the Venturi will be for a later discussion. The unit has auto shut-off, wet neck, ozone port is 18" in diameter and 50" high. What a beast!!!

The bubble plate is very odd. How well does it work with so few holes? Other than that, it's a beast!

 

[thor32766]

love the LED's! how tall is the stand going to be?

 

[JRaquatics]

Looks like another nice build. Great equipment thus far. Don't be discouraged about the volcano. If your into a little modification you will be fine otherwise you can always force feed it air. But if possible I would ask Spazz for a new custom Pin wheel and not a stock orca wheel.

 

[CharChar15]

that skimmer is awesome. Like JR said you should upgrade the prop on that thing. great mod.

 

[subshop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13399787#post13399787 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drpo21
nice build neil, looking forward to this one. how many modules are you going to put on the tank?

aaron, well the original 300 was going to have 6. because the new tank is wider i'm afraid the spread from front to back is going to be insufficient. I am going to wait till i get the tank and then make my decision.

qutoe: The bubble plate is very odd. How well does it work with so few holes? Other than that, it's a beast!
Again new set up so time will tell. If I have to i have a CNC Milling Machine that I might use to mod the bubble plate. We will see.

thor32766 love the LED's! how tall is the stand going to be?
Stand is four courses of block then 4" h-beam and 2 1/2" for the ply and foam. Top of tank s/b at 6 Feet.

JRaquatics I was planning on forced air w/ mod only as a last resort. I really cannot understand why using forced air on these units has become such a topic. I KNOW the Volcanoes were not supposed to need to be forced feed air but the quality and workmanship of the units should make up for that. I have a little bit of machining experience and I can tell you a lot of man hours go into one of these skimmers not to mention the raw material itself!

 

[JRaquatics]

There is no doubt the Volcanos are well fabricated, Spazz does great work with acrylic. That is why if I ever spent the amount of $ that Volcano owners like your self have, I would try to make the skimmer work. It is not impossible and many owners are giving up too easy. Yes I believe more R&D should have went into these small volcanos but lets face it, these are custom and may require tinkering. But with a little bit extra fabrication you will end up with a well built skimmer that performs for your system. I have spent a lot of time messing with skimmers that are run by Reeflo Darts and success can be achieved. I just hope Spazz didn't give up on his business and passion for acrylic fabrication.

Look forward to the future of your build.

 

[TandN]

Man I want one of those chillers bad but just cant afford it. Great choices so far. Where did you get the LED's from ?

 

[subshop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13403520#post13403520 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tanya72806
Man I want one of those chillers bad but just cant afford it. Great choices so far. Where did you get the LED's from ?

REEF GEEK were the first and have distributor rights but i have seen them offered at a couple more web dealers.

 

[mike660r]

Tagging along for the ride... Keep the pics flowing.

 

[subshop]

Just got these pics from AO of the back with the coast to coast overflow attached. The return holes as well as the CL have been drilled. Also the drain holes for the overflow are drilled.

And here is the completed tank before clean up.

In the meanwhile i built the sump. My first attempt at acrylic.

The tank is will arrive next week. Fedex has me scheduled me for Thursday :thumbsup:

To be continued ...

 

[asnatlas]

How is your eurobracing ?? I had an AO tank and I would tell you that if you don't have the eurobracing over lapping I would silicone some extra support in before filling with water... My tank split at the seams and I feel its due to the way the euro bracing was done...

 

[asnatlas]

 

[Typhon]

Great build so far!! Keep the updates coming!!

 

[artur]

Shawn do you know any web page or source about euro bracing and how it should be done??
or any thread here in RC, Ive done some search but havent find anything good

 

[subshop]

Ok, finally uploaded the pics from the other day.

Here we are uncrating the tank for inspection.

Getting ready for the pull to the back yard

Yep that little door under that back porch is where we are heading

Ron (out of picture), Jay, Art and BIG Chris who literally picks up horses on the farm he works at!

Well inside that door is s far as we got an we should finish this week.

I want to thank all that came to help: George, Jay,Art - MEMBERS AT HVRK. Ron who is a life long friend of George and me.
Chris, Teddy and John who are customers at my shop. If the rest of the move goes as smooth as the first part did I should be in business soon! WOOT!

 

[Aquarium Obsessed]

WOW!

Awesome . Can't wait to hear its inside!

Thanks for your business.


AO