Project 180, a peninsula room divider LOG

[chrisguy]

Little update. Sorry no pictures yet.

The tank is on the stand in the garage. Man is it tall. The stand is 42" tall. I've started the plumbing. Need to get a couple more parts before plumbing is complete. I plan to do a water test in the garage before moving the tank into the house.

I water tested the sump today and found another leak. This one looks like a seam let go, oh so slightly. I am guessing it happened when the sump was stored on it's side in the basement on the cement floor for about 6 months. I've applied some weld-on 16 and will water test it again tomorrow.

 

[chrisguy]

Sump is holding water again!!

Was hoping to water test the tank in the garage today, but that didn't work out. I miscounted and was short 1 Savko True Union Ball Valves. So I placed another order, which wasn't bad as I really needed a couple other things anyway. If all goes according to plan, I will finish the Closed loop plumbing this week and have a full tank water test for the weekend.

Since I was ordering "stuff" I also ordered a DC-4 for my AC Jr. This will give me 4 other controllable outlets. My plan is to use the DC-8 by the tank and the DC-4 by the sump. I'll need to make a small electrical panel so that I will have the ability to power off devices on demand without messing with the ACjr.

 

[Barky]

Chris where are you ordering your controlled outlets from?

Brian

 

[chrisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10731959#post10731959 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Barky
Chris where are you ordering your controlled outlets from?

Brian

Hey Brian,

I ordered it from Premium Aquatics. Their price was one of the best that I found and they are pretty close to me so I should have it by Wednesday assuming it gets shipped on Monday.

Chris

 

[chrisguy]

AND...

So this thread does not go too far without a picture. Below is the tank on the stand from last weekend. For reference I had my two boys pose near the stand. The short kid at the front (Josh) is 5 and stands about 44" tall. His brother (Nick) is 7 (8 in December) and is about 55" tall.

 

[chrisguy]

Got the last union and installed it.

Just completed draining the tank from a 24+ hour water test in the garage. A couple unions needed an extra turn along with the closed loop intake bulkhead needing a little extra muscle to seal it. Other than that the water test went great!

I'm on track to have the tank in the house and running by the end of the month.

Now that the tank plumbing is done I can complete the tower that will stand behind the tank/stand to hide all of the plumbing and electrical. Should be a quick build. I expect to have it mostly done this weekend and can finish and paint during the week.

 

[chrisguy]

I've been continuing the progress.

~ Finished all painting of the main stand, inside and out
~ Built a shelf to hold the MH Ballasts
~ Built a small shelf for the Closed Loop pump
~ Build a bracket to hold a fan inside the stand
~ Siliconed the entire inside of the stand up to the point of the front openings.
~ Built a frame that attached to the back of the stand to hide the plumbing.
~ Built a set of doors to for the frame to make it look nice and neat. Still need to sand the wood filler and do some touch-up painting.

I think I'll be moving the setup inside the house this weekend so that I can work on the drain and return plumbing. Looks like I am not going to make my end of September operational date, but I missed July and August, so I am getting used to these delays.

Picture of the ballast shelf and closed loop with OM 4-way

Current picture of the setup, still in the garage.

 

[Barky]

Wow Chris looking real good. It's like we talked to the same person for tank suply and closed loop. I have the same strainer, just have a concern animals might get sucked right into it. I have 1'' returns are yours the same they look larger.
Is your closed loop running over the top of tank? I have 4 bulk heads to supply from the bottom.
Brian

 

[chrisguy]

I used this strainer before, you don't need to worry as I've watched snails crawl across while the closed loop was running.

My plumbing is 2" on the drain, 2" from the pump to the OM 4-way and then 1.5 from the OM to the tank. Due to limited space on the back of the tank I have 2 bulk heads for the CL. The PVC across the top of the tank are the other 2 CL returns. The two far returns are angled slightly up so that they really move around the surface water.

I will have the sump return split and go over the back of the tank, on on each side of the overflow box.

I am also thinking that I may add a single vortech on the close side for a little more flow. I'll make that decision after the tank is up and running.

 

[Fizz71]

Looking good Chris..you're timing is good too..I just started looking into my 240g and setting it up as a divider between front door and living room. I just started the thread so if you have any input I'd love to hear it.

Did you decide on a return pump yet? I saw you asked about a month ago. I'm actually going with a GenX High Pressure that I already own which is a bit slow, but the high ampage and the noise on the bigger ReeFlos I was looking at (MantaRay) scared me off...I didn't realize they were that much of an electricity pig.

Good Luck.

 

[chrisguy]

Hey Fizz71 - Got a link to your build thread?? I'd love to follow.

As for the return pump I am still exploring a couple options. I can get a good deal on a used Hammerhead and am still interested in the pressure rated Sequence pumps. I need to get off my bootie and make a decision soon. Dont think the wife wants the tank in the house and sitting empty for too long

 

[chrisguy]

Found your thread and subscribed. I dont have time to read it now, but a quick peek at your PDF and it looks like you've done a TON of planning. I'll post some comments, if I have any, later tonight.

 

[Barky]

I purchased a hammer head for my returns, though it is not in service yet I have concerns even with it in the basement having to much pressure but I read you can valve it down without harm to the pump.
I also plan to make a manifold so it will service my chiller and my skimmer.
I heard good things about the Barracuda also.

 

[Fizz71]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10846936#post10846936 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chrisguy
but a quick peek at your PDF and it looks like you've done a TON of planning.

...there's and understatement.

When we finally got the tank in the living room last week I sat and stared and started to look it all over in my head. My Fiancee went out to dinner and drinks with her friends and when she came back I was pretty much sitting in the same spot still staring.

 

[chrisguy]

MOVE IN DAY!!!!!

Today was the day that the tank moved from the garage to the house. The distance was less than 20 feet but it was no simple task. Thanks to some good friends with strong backs, we got the tank off the stand into the house, got the stand into the house and then put the tank on the stand. It's not easy lifting a 350lbs tank to the top of a 42" tall stand.

So without further delay, below are the pictures of the setup in its first few moments into the house.

My daughter immediately climbed into the stand and claimed it as "my house". This shot is from the family room. The stand was designed to match this room. You can see the kitchen in the back ground.

This picture is from the kitchen side looking into the family room. Managed to get my wife in the picture. At this time we do not have any furniture in the family room. The plan is to get the tank in and operational and then decorate around it using a nautical theme.

And it's practically a RC requirement to have a "kid in the tank shot" for all new setups. It was not easy getting her into and out of the tank.

Since the pictures were taken, I've got the lights on top, installed a fan in the stand and started to get some of the plumbing into position. I will be cutting the floor after dinner. WATER SOON!!!!

 

[Barky]

Very nice Chris. !!!
My stand is awaiting its face frame and doors, you have done a swell job thus far. You will like the tank as a room divider, it will defitnitly be an attraction to all who visit you.
Brian

 

[Kentanner11]

I really like how you have your stand with the one side going up the side of the tank, will have to steal that! lol!
The vent in the stand was a really good idea!!!

 

[j_chu]

nice tank build! i'm also building a 6ft divider tank, hope we can share insights. here's a pic. thanks!

 

[dougie]

looks great so far! good luck.

 

[chrisguy]

j_chu - Great tank!!! Would love to see some more pictures.

So far I've managed to connect the lighting and some of the electrical work. I've got the drains plumbed in all but the last couple feed. The return is not done yet as the pump I ordered did not arrive before the weekend.

I should be adding water on Wednesday if all goes according to plan. By the weekend if the plan fails