So.Cal. Out of the Ashes 340 build

Ah, OK, I see that now from some of your earlier pictures. Did you just silicone the bulkheads in the bottom PVC panel or actually solvent weld them? AGE makes some really nice tanks.

I did put a bead of silicone around each bulkhead for additional security. Probably not necessary, but its priceless for peace of mind.
 
Very NICE! I like the way your external overflow is on the end and the cabinet design allows easy access to it. I see one problem tho, I'm guessing that in time you will wish you had made the tank longer and carried it out to the end of the wall. hahaha I had debated for months about 8' or 10' length. I went 8 because I just could not justify paying twice the price on the tank (acrylic) for the extra 2'. Now I wish I had!

Also, I'm still on the fence about the DC pumps and look forward to reading your opinion on the pumps after you fire them up.
 
Very NICE! I like the way your external overflow is on the end and the cabinet design allows easy access to it. I see one problem tho, I'm guessing that in time you will wish you had made the tank longer and carried it out to the end of the wall. hahaha I had debated for months about 8' or 10' length. I went 8 because I just could not justify paying twice the price on the tank (acrylic) for the extra 2'. Now I wish I had!

Also, I'm still on the fence about the DC pumps and look forward to reading your opinion on the pumps after you fire them up.

Haha! Fortunately, I did not have the choice. I was maxed out at that length, the roof is held up by the column at the end of the tank. Actually, I'm finding the length difficult to deal with as far as flow goes. As things stand, the rockwork is leveling out the flow about 3/4 the way down the tank in the upper quarter of the water column so that its pretty laminar by the time it gets to the last foot or two before the overflow. I will either move the upper CL Mocean return to the middle of the tank pointing toward the overflow or re-position a couple of the bottom CL returns. I'll play with it this weekend. I have no doubt that with the 3 DC CL pumps and the Mocean I can create chaotic flow throughout the water column, but the design was to create a gyre across the bottom and over the top. I'd hate to abandon that, but the most important thing is to keep the SPS happy. I haven't yet hooked the pumps up to the APEX. I'll see what kind of water movement I can create by ramping them up and down.

As for the DC pumps, they are pretty great, a bit of a high pitched whine, but not bad at all. The CL Pumps and overflow generate on 48 dB of noise and I can still quiet the overflow a bit more. They put out TONS of flow. I am at about 75% and they are really moving the water. So far so good. The next test is durability.
 
Awesome build so far. It sucks that you lost your house, but you are right that the tank/sump room is the silver lining!
 
Well done build truly enjoy seeing builds of quality installs:) Would you mind PMing me where you picked up your calcium reactor set up?
 
Your build looks great. I was wondering if you would mind sharing where you got your lifting winch at and who the manufacturer is? Happy reefing.
 
Well done build truly enjoy seeing builds of quality installs:) Would you mind PMing me where you picked up your calcium reactor set up?

Check your PM.

Aquamarinesupply"dot"be will get you to the manufacturer's website for anybody else interested
 
Your build looks great. I was wondering if you would mind sharing where you got your lifting winch at and who the manufacturer is? Happy reefing.

I'm using the FA-200-TR-24-20 linear actuator from Firgelli automations. They offer a ton of different options. I wanted the 20" travel and 200lbs lifting force.
 
Awesome build so far. It sucks that you lost your house, but you are right that the tank/sump room is the silver lining!

True that! I've almost forgotten the fire. (Except when I'm looking for some little item that I kept in that place over there, whoops, no, its gone...) :D
 
I'm using the FA-200-TR-24-20 linear actuator from Firgelli automations. They offer a ton of different options. I wanted the 20" travel and 200lbs lifting force.


Thanks. They have a ton of options and look first class.
 
Thanks Jurgen! I've got the DaStaCo dialed in. My alk is rock solid. Its very easy to adjust the alk up and down with just a turn of the dial. I am looking for a better two stage regulator to avoid any more pressure changes in the co2 input, but I haven't had any more alarms in a while so maybe the Tunze will work at least for a while longer.
 
Your reef is very beautiful. A very detailed and technical assembly.

Good luck!

Thank you. I have followed your tank for quite a while, it is one of my favorites. I can only hope to have a captive coral reef as nice as yours one day.
 
Art,

Very nice setup. I too, used 100% Cerameco rocks in my tank.

Tanks Randy, I am very happy with the Cerameco. I've had no unusual phosphate or nitrate issues with them, and obviously no unwanted hitchhikers. I have a well stock refugium with various macro algae, pods and other critters that help keep up the diversity.

Amazing build sir

Thanks Lawrence. It will look better with a frag of that pink acro you have :rollface:

are changing lights?

Yes. I need a plug and play solution rather than fiddling with LEDs. The Orpheks are awesome lights, a ton of par, the right mix of colors and complete controllability, but I suck as a user... I started with them too low to the tank and too high on the intensity and cooked a bunch of SPS including a show size red planet that I grew from a little frag. I tried a few different programs and got better results, a few frags started to look pretty nice and my Jedi Mind trick looked better than ever, but I decided I either needed another two units for even coverage or go a different direction. I now have 4 250W radiums with Lumenmax elite reflectors. Oh, and guess what? The temp shot up from a steady 77-78 with the Orpheks to 82 today!! I just ordered some fans to build into the canopy, I'll add a big one in the sump room and we'll see if I can avoid a chiller.

Nice, visited the cerameco site for the first time and your tank is the first thing that pops up. Awesome scape

Wow! I had no idea my tank was on the site. Hmmm. I guess I'm flattered if a bit surprised. Now is my chance to remind them they owe me an MP60 cover!

I do love the structure. But I hope to hide it under a bunch of colonies in the near future!
 
Back
Top