Reef_RC 210 Gallon - Passion Revived- 5 plus years later

[Reef_RC]

Hi. My name is Reef_RC. I am a revived reef addict :lol2: jk

Last time I was active in this hobby was 5 plus years ago. I used to go by Aquataren. I didn't remembered my previous profile until I created a new one recently and was about to post this thread when I found my old thread on the 210 tank that I never really got started Aquataren's 210 reef tank.

Tank, stand and canopy was purchased back in 2007 I believe and has been sitting in the same spot since it was delivered.

Anyway I am revived, excited and ready to get my 210 RR tank going again. Hopefully this time I'll get to add water and fish into the tank :lol:.

Unfornately 5+ years does take a toll on sitting equipments (e.g. tank, stand, sump, pumps). Here are a few pics of what things would look like if you let your equipment sit around for 5+years.:sad2:

Do note the spider webs and dust inside the tank is with the tank lid closed throughout this whole time. It was only today did I finally open the lid outside the time a friend of mine wrote "build me" on the bottom of the tank as a joke since the tank has been sitting in the front of the house so long.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/100105525@N08/9470366958/" title="DSC_0519 by reefrc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3725/9470366958_f32458f644.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="DSC_0519"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/100105525@N08/9470368130/" title="DSC_0517 by reefrc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3699/9470368130_10aa463b81.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="DSC_0517"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/100105525@N08/9470367600/" title="DSC_0518 by reefrc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5480/9470367600_cfb5becf1a.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="DSC_0518"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/100105525@N08/9470370524/" title="DSC_0505 by reefrc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2870/9470370524_0b65ba0287.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="DSC_0505"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/100105525@N08/9467591101/" title="DSC_0499 by reefrc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7426/9467591101_1ea83befba.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="DSC_0499"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/100105525@N08/9470370856/" title="DSC_0498 by reefrc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7290/9470370856_1233edbae5.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="DSC_0498"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/100105525@N08/9470369882/" title="DSC_0508 by reefrc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/9470369882_2805f59543.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="DSC_0508"></a>

 

[Reef_RC]

Additional shots.

Yesterday I did managed to wiped dust off inside the stand and sump. Hood and inside the tank I have not started.

Initial clean up of dusts inside the stand alone - yuck.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/100105525@N08/9470368590/" title="DSC_0513 by reefrc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2822/9470368590_fd80381a66.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="DSC_0513"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/100105525@N08/9470369850/" title="DSC_0510 by reefrc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5491/9470369850_b4b2452405.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="DSC_0510"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/100105525@N08/9470366588/" title="DSC_0525 by reefrc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3745/9470366588_5449d169c2.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="DSC_0525"></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/100105525@N08/9467585995/" title="DSC_0529 by reefrc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7282/9467585995_f6c0e8d509.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="DSC_0529"></a>

 

[Reef_RC]

1st Dilemma

1st Dilemma

Tank detail:

• 210 gallons - 72x24x28

Sump:

• 47 gallons - 42x20x13 (3/8" acrylic)
  Max dimension of sump stand can accomodate I believe is 45x21x15. This would give me room to move-in sump underneath the tank and allow room to position my in-sump skimmer.

Sump currently has 10" dividers. Max capacity on the sump is 47 gallons. If I assumed 2" water drainage for electricity outage, I'll need 15 gallons inside the sump. With 10" dividers, I may go over sump capacity by 4.5 gallons (51.5 gallons).

Now I can lower my 10" dividers to 8" which would only require 45 gallons incase of outage; gives me 2 gallons to spare.

Is it worth the risk? I am a little hesitant to go with this 5+ years later.

The 2nd option is build a new sump - 45x21x15 but does come at a $700ish cost. Is it worth it? Your take?

 

[Reef_RC]

The sump build just started. Here's the design that was sent off to the builder. Should be ready by end of week for pick-up I am told. Can't wait.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/100105525@N08/9548969367/" title="sump by reefrc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2878/9548969367_4718bd3c3e.jpg" width="500" height="404" alt="sump"></a>

I also have supply of bulk heads coming just in time for the new sump.

To-do list:

• drill holes. 2 x 1" initially for inflow. 1 x 2" for external pump. I am not exactly sure how many I'll need total but at least two initially. Maybe 1 additional for inflow and outflow for chiller.
• build a simple sock holder before it's all done.
• some prob holders and the sort once I get this all figured out

Also had a chance to clean the tank some. Here's a pic of the semi clean tank. BTW - finally took the plastic wrap around the tank 6 years later :fun5:.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/100105525@N08/9551718738/" title="DSC_0532 by reefrc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7369/9551718738_3a2227426d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="DSC_0532"></a>

My next step is to inventory all existing inventory and see what gaps I may have from 6 years ago.

Last few weeks I've been contemplating mostly on lighting. My final decision is to stick with "old school" metal halide lamps as originally planned. Current issue is the height and design of the hood. Although it looks good, doesn't support metal halide fixtures very well or leave any room for ventiallation of hot air.

 

[Aquatron]

Looking good welcome back

 

[Reef_RC]

Aquatron - thx. it's nice to be back into the reef of it :lmao:

 

[Reef_RC]

Here's the sump build sent by the builder :hammer:. If everything works out, sump should be ready for pickup this Saturday.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/100105525@N08/9570370070/" title="20130820_103110 by reefrc, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5345/9570370070_3b13c8898d.jpg" width="500" height="376" alt="20130820_103110"></a>

 

[Sonicboom]

looking good and at least you were still able to peel the wrapper off everything!! tagging along

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

Welcome back to the hobby. Man that's allot of cleaning for being away 5 years.

 

[ounvme247]

Welcome back to the hobby.

 

[ounvme247]

Welcome back.

 

[Reef_RC]

yeah...thank goodness for that. My wife couldn't believe I was actually taking the plastic off after all this time :lol:.

looking good and at least you were still able to peel the wrapper off everything!! tagging along

 

[Reef_RC]

thx guys. I still have much dust cleaning to do and the good thing is that most of the inventory I had will still work for my needs.

Welcome back to the hobby. Man that's allot of cleaning for being away 5 years.

Welcome back to the hobby.

 

[Reef_RC]

Picked up the new sump today. Here's a few shots. The dimension worked out good. PM did a nice job and service was good. Now I just need to drill 4 holes for herbie flow and 1 for return pump.

Not sure if I need another hole for my chiller besides one for the return pump. What do you think? It's more than likely the chiller will be 10-15 feet away from the tank, probably in the garage or right outside the garage.

 

[rpjaws74]

looks like a nice build

 

[Reef_RC]

I am hoping that it will be.

The tank is in the entryway in the foyer so I need to ensure it's eye pleasing and neat as possible. In some ways eye pleasing, neat and keeping cost to a mininum contradict each other to an extent.

looks like a nice build

 

[wowkingjames]

I'm going on 3 yrs myself and have no idea when i'm getting my up!

 

[Reef_RC]

Based on my experience. Even though I have been out 5-6 yrs., things have not changed that much. Brief list on what has changed:

• Lighting - LEDs - latest trend; new but not yet proven, still experiemental.
• Watts per gallon ratio - no longer valid
• Manufactures - most german distributors are now gone. Some have been bought out or been renamed.

The worst thing about being out so long is the catch-up I have been doing.

Given how long this build is taking :fun5:, I am taking my time to ensure I do it nice this time around. Who knows how long my next one will take :lol2:

I'm going on 3 yrs myself and have no idea when i'm getting my up!