Reid's 120g Oceanic Tech Build

[Padrino]

Sweet progress, don't forget about the crown moulding.. makes a HUGE difference great work man!

 

[reidcrandall]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14513092#post14513092 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Padrino
Sweet progress, don't forget about the crown moulding.. makes a HUGE difference great work man!

Thanks a lot! It's been a process, that's for sure. I really hoped I'd have the tank and sump cycling my now, but I guess it's good that I took my time to do things right. Unfortunately, the crown is going to be a project for down the road. The budget is getting a bit stretched at the moment

 

[Padrino]

All in good time!

 

[ziplight4u]

Everything looks great. Thanks to your post, I will definitely think about a floor drain for my next tank Be sure to post pics once it's all set up!

 

[crvz]

Very well done, water in the tank next week?

 

[reidcrandall]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14515384#post14515384 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crvz
Very well done, water in the tank next week?

I wish. Unfortunately I have been travelling so much for work these past couple of months that I can really only work on things on the weekends. I still have my sump to build!

Any tips?

 

[reidcrandall]

I got the epoxy floor down in the fish room last night. Can't wait to get home and see how it looks dry. Unfortunately I will be working til about 10 tonight. OUCH!

On a happier front, I think my wife and I are going to buy a Canon EOX XSi 12.2MP camera. Still trying to figure out the lenses though...

 

[crvz]

Tips on sump building? Sure, I got lots. What size and equipment are you planning on cramming in there?

For the camera, I think you'll be VERY happy with the canon. I have the XTi, and I'm trying hard to justify needing an upgrade. I really like the idea of have the live-view feature, as it makes it easier to hand the camera to someone and say, "take our picture." For an all around lens, I recommend this one. I have it, it's "reasonably" priced, and a killer item for general purpose (17-85mm IS lens).

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=149&modelid=10511

I do very much enjoy my canon 100mm macro.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=155&modelid=7400

 

[reidcrandall]

Woo hoo! I just ordered the camera. It should be here next Wed. I am excited.

CRVZ I'll make a drawing of the sump idea that I have here this vening and post it. I'd love the input.

 

[veloboy]

Based on the craftmanship in the basement, I'm looking forward to seeing this sump!

Wow Reid, everything looks super nice. Can't wait to see that 120 all set up in its place.

 

[reidcrandall]

Sump preliminary sketch:

Any comments and/or suggestions would br greatly appreciated!

 

[Padrino]

yes don't run your carbon or ca reactor off the main return it will be too hard to dail in especially if you have a pressure rated pump. Take a look at what i did to get around that , you could do everything with one pump and use Tunze to supplement the flow in the tank

 

[reidcrandall]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14554457#post14554457 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Padrino
yes don't run your carbon or ca reactor off the main return it will be too hard to dail in especially if you have a pressure rated pump. Take a look at what i did to get around that , you could do everything with one pump and use Tunze to supplement the flow in the tank

It looks like from your diagram that you are running a ball valve off of the main return into a smaller manifold that splits off into the phos, carbon and calcium reactor, is that correct, or am I reading things incorectly?

 

[crvz]

I've not used a manifold, so I'll leave others to advice about that, but the sump itself looks nice and simple. I've built one just like that in the past, and now I prefer the return section after the fuge, but that's just preference and I don't use an honest fuge in any case.

 

[Padrino]

reid,
that is correct then the ball output on that small manifold that goes to the ca reactor. i have installed a needle valve in between the reactor and the ball valve you will need to as well if you want to accurately dail in the reactor and keep it stable

 

[reidcrandall]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14555962#post14555962 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Padrino
reid,
that is correct then the ball output on that small manifold that goes to the ca reactor. i have installed a needle valve in between the reactor and the ball valve you will need to as well if you want to accurately dail in the reactor and keep it stable

I'll definately do that. I appreciate the help. I don't have the calcium reactor yet. Thats a future add on.

 

[reidcrandall]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14555944#post14555944 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crvz
I've not used a manifold, so I'll leave others to advice about that, but the sump itself looks nice and simple. I've built one just like that in the past, and now I prefer the return section after the fuge, but that's just preference and I don't use an honest fuge in any case.

Any reasoning why you prefer the return after the fuge? I'd love to know so that I can take it into consideration!

 

[reidcrandall]

Got a lot done today. A lot of progress was made on the stand, but I don't have any pics of that. I do have some a pic of the pegboard that we started hanging in the fish room:

Went to Premium Aquatics and picked up a bunch of stuff. Including two heaters:

The picture looks like just one heater, but I promise that I got two. I need to do some research and get a Ranco temp controller... or maybe I'll just get an ACIII with the little bonus I am getting next week... hmmmm.

I also picked up about 60 lbs of indo pacific live rock to start curing in my 70gal stock tank (pics of rocks coming in a few):

I have them in there with the Octopus Extreme skimmer and a heater right now. That skimmer is a beast... compared to my old one at least. I am excited about it!

 

[crvz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14559593#post14559593 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reidcrandall
Any reasoning why you prefer the return after the fuge? I'd love to know so that I can take it into consideration!

Well mostly because I didnt find much use to the fuge. When I tried it as a pure fuge (and designed like your picture above) for nutrient export with macro algae, it wouldnt ever grow. The display was barebottom, I had a good skimmer, and so it was a bit pointless. So I gave up on it for that purpose, and then I had this extra space that I wasnt really using for anything. What I really wanted was an area for detritus settling, so by moving the fuge before the return section that's exactly what you get. I know have a frag rack down there and a 150W MH fixture, but it's mostly used for detritus settling and easy siphoning of junk.

But, if you think you'll be effective with macro algae, my way may not be the best solution. For me, it's a better application.

 

[reidcrandall]

Pictures of rocks!

Pictures of rocks!

Here are some thrilling pictures of the live rock tha I picked up at Premium Aquatics yesterday. I'll still need about 40 more pounds, I think. I don't want to overdo it with the rock work. I want to have plenty of room for coral growth and for the fish to swim...