Need Advice about in wall design
- Thread starter bobafet1
- Start date
bobafet1
Active member
Thanks for the kind words...Im trying to finish the cycling process as quick as I can...I plugged in the hammerhead already and it works great..I couldn't be happier with the flow..Im just scared to look at the electric bill..I think what Im gonna do is run the Dart for the return and hammerhead for closed loop...I will shut off the CL at night time to save on some power and rely on the Dart with dual Sea Swirls to simulate a calmer night environment..this should help cut some costs and be a bit more like nature..I got my fingers crossed..
bobafet1
Active member
ok, I got a lot of catching up to do..I made my own kalk and calcium reactors for the tank..
then, to cool the tank I got the crazy idea of building a geothermal loop, here is the thread on that..
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=896874
Ive made some changes and adjustments on some things..I had the tank running 4 250watt pfo hqi ballasts and hammerhead pump for the closed loop. Well, Ive scaled all the energy hogging stuff down. I added enductors to my sea swirls which are the returns and boy do they really add some flow...as a matter of fact Im even considering getting a reeflo snapper for a return.Im currently using a Dart but with the enductors I have to close the return off a bit. Im switched to 2 175watt icecap ballasts and 2 250watt icecaps with phoenix 14k bulbs. I got rid of the hammerhead for the closed loop and went with a dart. Here is a side view from the office side of the tank. I still need to finish the cabinetry on this side..
here is a shot of my oceans motions set up and plumbing
shot of lighting set up..but I dont like the way I have them suspended. I think Im going to make a two metal frames that hold two reflectors at a time..it will be lifted by a pully system so that I can easily move the reflectors up and down when I need to.
then, to cool the tank I got the crazy idea of building a geothermal loop, here is the thread on that..
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=896874
Ive made some changes and adjustments on some things..I had the tank running 4 250watt pfo hqi ballasts and hammerhead pump for the closed loop. Well, Ive scaled all the energy hogging stuff down. I added enductors to my sea swirls which are the returns and boy do they really add some flow...as a matter of fact Im even considering getting a reeflo snapper for a return.Im currently using a Dart but with the enductors I have to close the return off a bit. Im switched to 2 175watt icecap ballasts and 2 250watt icecaps with phoenix 14k bulbs. I got rid of the hammerhead for the closed loop and went with a dart. Here is a side view from the office side of the tank. I still need to finish the cabinetry on this side..
here is a shot of my oceans motions set up and plumbing
shot of lighting set up..but I dont like the way I have them suspended. I think Im going to make a two metal frames that hold two reflectors at a time..it will be lifted by a pully system so that I can easily move the reflectors up and down when I need to.
coralfever
New member
Looks great Mike! Well done.
818
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9229854#post9229854 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bobafet1
Im sure I swore up and down to my wife that I would be done in a month from when I started.....hehe...
Haha. Wow. Great work Mike. Be sure to post some pics of that monster skimmer your making:smokin:
mcrist
Premium Member
I love your setup. My design is very similar to yours except yours is 96x32x30 and mine is 84x48x30. We both started about the same time but you are further along than me. I have not yet started enclosing the bottom with cabinet doors. Are you having any humidity problems with the enclosed top? I am planning on having an open top because of humidity concerns.
What did you use for the two return lines for the tank? It looks like they are oscillating from your pictures but I am not sure. I see that you are using two eductor/penductors, how do you like them?
What did you use for the two return lines for the tank? It looks like they are oscillating from your pictures but I am not sure. I see that you are using two eductor/penductors, how do you like them?
bobafet1
Active member
I havent experienced any humidity problems yet. I had installed a bathroom fan that exhausts all the air outside. I have it set on a timer and goes on at the same time my 4th ballast turns on....it helps cool things down. For the returns Im using two seaswirls on opposite ends with enductors attached to them. I absolutely love the enductors....I highly recommend them...I am just using a dart for the return and since Ive added the enductors Ive had to turn the flow down a bit and have considered getting a reeflo snapper. Once you get one enductors you will ask yourself why you never had them before...
bobafet1
Active member
I can't wait to start working on it...Im still checking the mail everyday for my skimmer parts Ive ordered..I just bought a 10" X 12" acrylic cylinder for $10 in an acrylic scrap pile. Im gonna use it for the collection cup. I can't wait to build this darn thing...I might actually build 2 of them and sell the other when Im done.
erics3000
Active member
First I want to say it looks awesome. I am new and really think it is awesome how everyone helps each other out.
I love your setup. I am planning on making a wall to make a closed office and put my tank in the wall. I will have about 2 PC's and 4 monitors in the office and will devote the rest of the space to the tank and fish room. I hope it will be ok with the humidity? I do live in Florida.
I like how you did diy on your stuff. I am planning on making my tank from plywood and fiberglass and 2 pieces of acrylic. 96L 24H 30W. I am using info to build the tank and stand from garf. What diy plans did you use for your skimmer, calcium, and whatever diy stuff you made? I want to build as much of it as I can. I really want to cut the cost down and I enjoy building the equipment. For a rookie is there anything you are concerned with building, and just think coughing up the doe will help in the long run? I am kind of questioning the tank, but I have experience with fiberglass. With it being 96 long I already have some plans on bracing.
When I get back from vacation next month I am going to post a thread on this build.
I love your setup. I am planning on making a wall to make a closed office and put my tank in the wall. I will have about 2 PC's and 4 monitors in the office and will devote the rest of the space to the tank and fish room. I hope it will be ok with the humidity? I do live in Florida.
I like how you did diy on your stuff. I am planning on making my tank from plywood and fiberglass and 2 pieces of acrylic. 96L 24H 30W. I am using info to build the tank and stand from garf. What diy plans did you use for your skimmer, calcium, and whatever diy stuff you made? I want to build as much of it as I can. I really want to cut the cost down and I enjoy building the equipment. For a rookie is there anything you are concerned with building, and just think coughing up the doe will help in the long run? I am kind of questioning the tank, but I have experience with fiberglass. With it being 96 long I already have some plans on bracing.
When I get back from vacation next month I am going to post a thread on this build.
bobafet1
Active member
Erics3000..
Oops, forgot to reply with the last post. Wow, so your making your own tank..thats a project in itself. I tried making a frag tank once out of plywood and fiberglass but didnt have much luck with it..I could have built the tank out of acrylic with the money I spent. I would really consider the cost involved with the tank your building and see if its worth just buying a tank thats done already..but then again, building stuff is half the fun. As far as the DIY stuff Ive built I just did it with my own design. I just studied the other products and made sure I followed the same basic rules. It also helps to have the right tools. You can build most of the stuff here with a table saw and a router.
Oops, forgot to reply with the last post. Wow, so your making your own tank..thats a project in itself. I tried making a frag tank once out of plywood and fiberglass but didnt have much luck with it..I could have built the tank out of acrylic with the money I spent. I would really consider the cost involved with the tank your building and see if its worth just buying a tank thats done already..but then again, building stuff is half the fun. As far as the DIY stuff Ive built I just did it with my own design. I just studied the other products and made sure I followed the same basic rules. It also helps to have the right tools. You can build most of the stuff here with a table saw and a router.
bobafet1
Active member
Yeah, I remember that thread. I was waiting for a reply that never came so I just dug about another foot. I felt like I was digging a grave through some really rocky dirt....man, that wasn't fun. I buried the copper radiator I made and installed the pipes through the outside wall and into my tank area. If you look at the pic above you will see the titanium coil cylinder that the geothermal loop is hooked up to. To be honest with you I havent even used it yet. My temperature does just fine with two cheap $5 walmart fans and a temp controller. I also have a bathroom fan mounted on the side wall and it sucks out the hot air when the 4th halide turns on. Although I haven't experienced a summer yet with all my halides on.. So, I just might be turning that baby on sometime soon.
Heres the thread of the geothermal loop
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=896874&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
And here are some pics of the skimmer in progress. Im still waiting for my venturi from sequence so I can finish the skimmer. Hopefully, I'll get it today.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1059922
cbui2
Premium Member
great looking skimmer looks like its going to be a beast, I would diy mine, but with the time loss from family and work. wow that's a lot of digging, LoL. on my tank when I get ready to frame it all in, I will make it to where no sand is seeing..covered 5"of the bottom so viewing will be 90"L x 48"W x 25"H, cut off 3" on each side so I don't have to look at bare walls..keep em coming..oh how are those lm3 do you have to clean any salt creep from, I went ahead and got the large LM3 pendent with the glass so cleaning will be a breeze.
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