New In-wall Project Begins

Looks good! Brings back memories of building mine. I wish I had went with the 120g over the 90g, but you know how that goes. Cannot wait to see more pics!
 
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Nolacls - The stand fits up nice so the tank should drop right in. We came to the conclusion that a catwalk or ladder will be required for all in-tank work. The top of the tank will be just over 6-feet from the floor.

Rich - The most common feedback I get is that we should have gone bigger. I look at it this way, we started the design with a 90g and ended up with a ~135g and external overflows. The planning and zoning (My lovely bride) has been very patient so I will take what I've got and make the most of it. FWIW, I've referenced your site many a time. Thanks for the support!

Cali - The tank is still in Canada. We should be ready to ship it next week or so. There hasn't been a big rush because the house isn't going to be done until ~June 8th. As soon as I get it, I will shoot a full series of pictures on the crate, packaging, overflows, bulkheads, and the works.

-Doug
 
dougchambers said:
We had requested two (2) dedicated 20AMP breakers with 4 outlets each on either side of the tank. For some reason they only ran one breaker for the whole room. That got torn out Tuesday and another breaker was added.

Good save! Tank is looking good too, I really like the external overflow.
 
Yeah it will be fun to get in the tank to work on it, as will mine :lol: That is so true about going bigger too...I started with a 135 that I bought but never set up and then that quickly went to a 180...then a 280...then a 280 with external overflows, thanks again Doug for this thread and the idea :D
 
dougchambers said:

Cali - The tank is still in Canada. We should be ready to ship it next week or so. There hasn't been a big rush because the house isn't going to be done until ~June 8th. As soon as I get it, I will shoot a full series of pictures on the crate, packaging, overflows, bulkheads, and the works.

-Doug

Can't wait to see some close up pictures.

Let me know if you need some ideas on hanging Luminarcs and building a cat walk, done both for my in-wall 150.
 
Everything looks good. Makes me what to get working on my in-wall. I've built the wall as part of a complete basement finishing and I have the tank (glasscages). I must admit I used this thread with some help on tank specs, like the 5" eurobrace in front and external overflow (will build myself).
 
spamin76 said:
Looks like you are gonna have some good flow.

Lets hope! Between the 4200SEQ12 and the Oceans Motions 4-way, we should be in good shape. Right now the return is planned to be with a BL1000 pump on one or two SeaSwirls.

-Doug
 
Nolacls -

Slight change in plans. I planned on picking up a BL1100 return pump, but have been looking closer at the Gen-X PCX40 or a second PCX55HP. We will already have a PCX55HP for the MR3 skimmer. As for the Sea-Swirl(s), I haven't decided. I may try and split the sump return between the 1/2" SS I have and a 3/4" SS. With the OM 4-Way, we could probably get by without the Sea-Swirls all together.

Bought a bunch of parts to build some outlet strips for the power distribution.

Checked on the drywall today. The reef room is roughed out with green board throughout. They should start the tape and mud process next week. Looks like it's time to get the tank on a truck and headed to Idaho.

-Doug
 
Hey Doug,

have you looked at the new Pan World pumps? They are relatively inexpensive and very high quality. I am running my skimmer off of one and plan on upgrading my return with one in the near future.
 
ReefWaters,

Which PanWorld are you running? I looked at the 50PX-X and it is very comparable to the Gen-X PCX40 or pressure rated PCX55-HP. They probably have the same or similar motor at 90W.

The reason I was leaning towards the PCX55-HP is that it would be a pressure rated pump and I could buy a backup impeller to cover both the return and skimmer pumps. The PanWorld 50PX-X and Gen-X PCX55-HP would be the same price.

-Doug
 
Im using the PanWorld 100PX-MD40R pressure reated pump at 790gph on a MRC MR-1 skimmer.

The impeller idea is a good one though. If you do decide on the PanWorlds, they are very nice. I ran an Iwaki MD40 for 8 years and the motor is in great shape but the casing and impellar need replacing. Basically the same pumps.
 
I agree that the PanWorld pumps look good. For the price point and redundancy of having two Gen-X, I think I will go with the PCX55-HP.

We picked up the 110g stock tank and 30g refugium tank. The fuge tank will sit on a stand inside the main 110g sump tank. Should work well when we get the bulkheads installed.

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Now that the stand is done and we have the stock tanks, We are going to tape off the floor to the rough size of the room cut out and start placing the pumps and skimmer. No matter how much room we think we have, I'm sure it will get small in a hurry...

I'll shoot some pictures Sunday if we get time to work on it.

-Doug
 
Yeah get that sucker shipped to ya so you can put your fingers on it:D

I still dont know what I want to do for skimers/return pumps. I go back n forth with needle wheel skimmers and a mrc one. For the return I am thinking I might do a manifold lke caflos going around the whole tank with a OM on another pump. I dont know if the BL100 would run 10-12 3/4"outlets tho.

I wish I had a filter room like you so I could just use some rubber maid tubs...lucky dog :D
 
Started the mock-up tonight with tape on the floor and a few of the big pieces. WOW things get tight quickly! I haven't placed the CA reactor or return pump yet, but this will be the bulk.

OM 4-Way on the Left, MR3 and PCX-55HP on the right.
mock_stand.jpg


Luminarc Reflectors and 4ea 110W VHO bulbs
mock_reflectors.jpg


110 Gallon Main with 30 gallon refugium
mock_sump.jpg


Ignore the messy garage!
 
I'm thinking you'll only need one lumenarc on that with a 3'x3' cover area. Just my opinion. Fuge doesn't need to much light.
 
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