NUBIANTANGLOVER's New 265g Build Thread

[KurtsReef]

I would think something may have happened too the gasket on the one bulkhead? Did you take it off too look at it, or do you have a way to drain water below that mark?

 

[NUBIANTANGLOVER]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10623061#post10623061 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paikuhan
Nice look so far can't wait to see it stocked

Paikuhan, Thanks! I will try to post some updated photos tonight.

 

[NUBIANTANGLOVER]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10623467#post10623467 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by KurtsReef
I would think something may have happened too the gasket on the one bulkhead? Did you take it off too look at it, or do you have a way to drain water below that mark?

Kurtsreef,

I believe my prayers have been answered! I got my husband to tighten it just a little. It worked! Also, to give everyone an update, I have tested the sump and Reeflo Dart pump. Seems to work well. I was a little concern with the bulkhead looking kinda weak. But, it worked. I had a small slow leak where the bulkhead from the sump and the large PVC connection to the heavy duty checkvalve. This is because I did not pvc-glue the connection here yet, as I was simply checking the strenght of the bulkhead. All seems okay, so I am going to pvc-glue it now. Wish me luck guys!

 

[NUBIANTANGLOVER]

Okay Guys,

I have finally taken more photos and made some progress. I guess I am taking things extra, extra slow. Well, I would rather be safe than sorry. Thus far, I have secured the overflows w/o any leaks. I will be adding water to them as soon as I can muster the nerve just to make sure the extra water inside of them will not cause any leaks due to the pressure of the water.

 

[NUBIANTANGLOVER]

Here are the additional photos. Please feel free to view them and provide feedback. Enjoy!

I chose to use PVC piping to plumb my tank. I used this on my 175g and never had any problems. Also, it really makes me feel a little more secure using this type, rather than using the flex/hose style pvc. My pvc for both returns and overflows are 2" in diamter size.

Here is a picture of the Left side of my Plumbing:

Right Side of Plumbing:

As you can see, I placed Ball Valves on each section of the returns and overflows so that I can control the water levels when shutting on & off certain areas for service/maintenance.


Here is a photo of the Berlin Style Sump I am using. It is rated to handle 300gallons and comes with a filter sock to remove debris from the water. Sorry about the clarity of the photo

 

[NUBIANTANGLOVER]

Now, I had to have the sump drilled for my return pump (Sequence Reeflo Dart Pump) which is non-submersible. It is known as a quiet pump with a rating of over 3600gph! For about one week, I was having the hardest time getting the seal between the bulkhead and sump leakproof. I siliconed the gasket inside of the tank, siliconed the outside of the bulkhead etc. Finally, I went silicone crazy on this bulkhead area and thus far, It has been free of leaks.

Sump Return Area:

As you can see below, I really siliconed this baby:

Here is a photo of the entire sump return area, connected to the return section on the right side of the tank:

 

[NUBIANTANGLOVER]

After running a few water leak tests on the sump area, I decided that I could proceed to fill the tank! I filled the tank with water for the first 2" and then used about 200-250lbs. of SouthDown Sand purchased at Home Depot:

After adding the sand, I continued to fill up the tank.

Here are a few photos taken during the addition of water to the tank:

Side View During the Process:

Halfway Mark During the Process:

So far, so good.
So, I decided to fill up the tank up until the point where the water spills over into the overflow region. I am still a little nervous about this. I don't know why, as if there is a small amount of water (2-3") and the bulkheads for the returns and overflows are not leaking---and have not been for 2 weeks, I guess I should be okay. I just don't want to face a whole-week ordeal like I did with the small leak on the bulkhead area for my sump.

Here are a couple of full tank photos:

Side View:

Front View:

 

[discocarp]

Very nice! I have the same tank and stand coming friday in black. I'll be watching your build!

 

[NUBIANTANGLOVER]

Oh yeah, black is very awesome! I think it looks better when taking pictures too! Good Luck with your tank. Make sure you do a build thread too. The glass is pretty thick and the silicone areas are very well done, thus far. It reminds me of my Oceanic Bowfront Tank, which was built to last!

 

[discocarp]

It looks great! I'm salivating for my tank now after looking at your pictures!

 

[NUBIANTANGLOVER]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10711796#post10711796 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by discocarp
It looks great! I'm salivating for my tank now after looking at your pictures!

Thanks! You know, the tank is much larger in person than it appears in my photos. I am sure a new digital camera with SLR will do the trick! Maybe my sweetie will get consider this gift for me as a Christmas present!
With my current digital camera, the photos make the tank look skinny and smaller. I finally got a larger tank and I am such a scardy cat in filling it up.

 

[FUA]

I will be following this build thread, I dream of the day I can do a system that large. I had a question about the sand you are using. I have seen this for sale at HD for under $3 for 50 lbs. I was wondering if it is made of anything that benefits the reef. like I know that aroganite dissolves in a way to replenish minerals in a tank. does this sand to anything like that. if money was no object would you go with a different kind of sand? or is this stuff for sale at HD just as good as anything else?

 

[NUBIANTANGLOVER]

I am in the process of cleaning my ASM skimmer. I rinsed out a bucket and placed pure distilled white vinegar inside. I am adding my skimmer to it & let it soak overnight. The vinegar really works wonders in getting aquarium supplies and equipment clean.

I also purchased my salt for the tank. I am going with Instant Ocean. I purchased a 160g bucket from my LFS, who happens to have it own sale cheaper than what it would cost for me to purchase and have it shipped to me! Instant Ocean has never failed me! I plan on adding the salt after completely installing the skimmer and running the entire system w/ overflows as an added precaution for leaks.

I'm also working on getting all my materials for my liverock structure creations. I plan on using pvc and zip ties to help secure the rock structures in place. Any suggestions of affordable and good liverock is welcomed!

 

[NUBIANTANGLOVER]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10711896#post10711896 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FUA
I will be following this build thread, I dream of the day I can do a system that large. I had a question about the sand you are using. I have seen this for sale at HD for under $3 for 50 lbs. I was wondering if it is made of anything that benefits the reef. like I know that aroganite dissolves in a way to replenish minerals in a tank. does this sand to anything like that. if money was no object would you go with a different kind of sand? or is this stuff for sale at HD just as good as anything else?

I learned of Southdown sand sold at Home Depot about 4 years ago when I was building my 175g Bowfront. There were rave reviews about this here on RC. It does a very nice job buffering the tank...as it is actually Carribean sand! It does not contain any silica at all, so this is a plus! I learned that Home Depot will ship it here in NC with large orders. So, I made a huge order and told everyone here on RC about it. I believe it was somewhere between 50-100 bags! We all just went to Home Depot and purchased the bags once they came in on the truck that night & the next few days. It saved us a bundle.
I had enough bags left over that I used the extra bags for my 265g I am doing today! Now, if money was no object, I would probably go with the aragonite sand. But, this is basically the same thing. It is more fine in particle size, however. But it looks so good and white in the tank. You could mix a bag or two with this if you like too. But, at $3 to $4 for a 50pound bag, you can not beat the results! I say if you have it there, get it! There are RC members that will kill to get their hands on some. I used about 200 - 250 pounds in this new tank. That equals to about $15 - $20 total for a 265g tank!

 

[gary faulkner]

NUBIANTANGLOVER,

Great thread!

I'm looking to get the same tank. How many guys will I need to move it into the house?

Where in NC are you located if you don't mind me asking?

TIA

 

[NUBIANTANGLOVER]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10712108#post10712108 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gary faulkner
NUBIANTANGLOVER,

Great thread!

I'm looking to get the same tank. How many guys will I need to move it into the house?

Where in NC are you located if you don't mind me asking?

TIA

Thanks Gary. I am located in the beautiful city of Charlotte! You will need roughly 4 guys to install the tank. The tank will need to be lifted and slid into the stand, which happens to have an open insert design for the stand. It works very well and is easy to install. But, make sure you have 4 guys. The tank weighs around 500 - 600lbs empty. This is what my husband saids. He is a nice size dude.

 

[aceheart1976]

very nice tank, love the size of it as you described. im planning on doing a 180 tank with 55-100 gal sump in the somewhat near future lol

 

[NUBIANTANGLOVER]

aceheart1976:
Trust me, the 180g will be just as cool. I had a 175g Bowfront that was just bold and beautiful. It was 6 feet in lenght, this tank is 7 feet in lenght. I am constantly asking my husband, "Does the tank look smaller to you." Of course he reassures me that it doesn't. I guess if I had a 2,000g tank, I would think it looked small after a few days too. Man, we humans are never satisfied. LOL

 

[gary faulkner]

NUBIANTANGLOVER

I really like Charlotte. It is a great town IMO.

Thanks for the reply. I thought that I would have to have many more than four guys, so that is good news to me.

"The tank will need to be lifted and slid into the stand, which
happen to have an oen insert for the stand. It works very well and is easy."

Could you please explain?

TIA

 

[discocarp]

"The tank will need to be lifted and slid into the stand, which
happen to have an oen insert for the stand. It works very well and is easy."

Could you please explain?

Ya, I don't understand this either!

Also, FYI, I called perfecto and they said you should put 1/2" styrofoam between the stand and tank. I'm getting the tank delivered so I hope they bear with me while I size and cut the foam!