So.Cal. Out of the Ashes 340 build

[acesq]

Progress:

The past couple of weeks have been pretty productive for the build:

Bottom Cabinet done:

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[acesq]

Closed loop pumps and plumbing:

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[DRThompson]

love that flexible pvc pipe, use it in my tank also. Tank is coming along GREAT, are those DC pumps in the closed loop?

 

[acesq]

Motorized light rack installed with 3 Orphek Atlantiks and 6 24" T5s:

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[acesq]

Aquascaping done with CeramEco rock. Tanks is cycling!!

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[acesq]

The sump room is a work in progress. I still need to set up the frag tank, QT, DaStaCo, ATO, water change station, and, of course the APEX to control it all.

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[acesq]

love that flexible pvc pipe, use it in my tank also. Tank is coming along GREAT, are those DC pumps in the closed loop?

Thanks Doc. Yes, they are BlueEco 240W marine pumps. Incredibly powerful and quiet to boot (unless, like me, you accidentally run one with the output closed for 5 minutes, then it creates an annoying clicking noise. I'm going to have to get a new impeller for that one)

 

[tredreef]

I LOVE the CeramEco rock. I have a few questions for you if you don't mind?

1. How long did it take for you to receive the rock after ordering it?
2. How are you liking the way it looks up close? it looks great from afar.
3. Other than the DC pumps (waveline?) what are you doing for flow management? ie. oceanmotions?

Ok, that's it, everything is looking really good, keep it up.

 

[acesq]

I LOVE the CeramEco rock. I have a few questions for you if you don't mind?

1. How long did it take for you to receive the rock after ordering it?
2. How are you liking the way it looks up close? it looks great from afar.
3. Other than the DC pumps (waveline?) what are you doing for flow management? ie. oceanmotions?

Ok, that's it, everything is looking really good, keep it up.

I bought the structure at Reefapalooza so no wait at all. I did order some other pieces, including the ones under the arch and to either side, from Aquarium Specialty. They had them in stock so I got them in a few days.

The rock looks every bit as good up close. I hope to have it covered in corals one day though. :rollface:

The DC pumps are BlueEco and are controllable through my Apex. I plan to alternate the flow from the three pumps to create a pulsing gyre, this way I can go without an oceanmotions. One pump outputs to three of the bottom omniflex fitting, one to the other three and the third through the Mocean at the top of the waterline. The two bottom outputs will ramp up opposite each other and the Mocean will sweep across the top toward the overflow. Each pump can put out over 6000 gallons per hour at full power, the return is on another Mocean and is putting out about 1500 GPH. I'm hoping this implementation is enough to keep SPS happy.

 

[acesq]

Time for an update

Time for an update

I thought I would update the thread with pictures of the progress of the build so far.

I set up the DaStaCo calcium reactor and so far so good. It went together pretty easily other than a small leak from one of the fittings.

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I also set up the dual head Stenner peristaltic pump for daily automatic water changes. I still need to connect it to the Apex to program it to do 5 gal. per day water changes. Until then, I manually turn in on for an hour or so a day. I absolutely love this thing.

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This is the entire sump room, the frag tank is to the left and the refugium to the right. I have quite a bit of wire management to do...

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Close ups of the frag tank and refugium. Over the frag tank I have an AI Hydra.

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Finally, a few pics of the DT cabinetry. Still need knobs for the doors, but I'm quite happy with the finished product.

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[EJPLV]

Amazing work, I absolutely love the motorized light rack. Thanks for the update!

 

[DRThompson]

great update, tank looks AMAZING!


PS - love your automated water change system

 

[acesq]

PS - love your automated water change system

Credit where due Dave! Thank you for the idea. I love it.

 

[ca1ore]

Great looking tank.

I have always wondered how the tankmakers can properly seal a PVC bottom into a glass tank. Cannot imagine silicone adheres well to PVC, but clearly it works!

 

[acesq]

Great looking tank.

I have always wondered how the tankmakers can properly seal a PVC bottom into a glass tank. Cannot imagine silicone adheres well to PVC, but clearly it works!

So far so good. I don't think the same adhesion issues are present with PVC as with Acrylic (although the eurobrace is acrylic and is adhered with silicone!), but for additional strength, the edge of the PVC is routed to accept the glass panel. This creates almost double the surface area for adhesion.

 

[nikunjpatel]

very cool. Where you able to score the calcium reactor? is there a north american supplier?

thanks

nik

 

[acesq]

very cool. Where you able to score the calcium reactor? is there a north american supplier?

thanks

nik

I bought it directly from the manufacturer in Belgium. I wish there were a north American supplier, the shipping costs were almost as much as the unit.

 

[Reef or Die]

One word- awesome!!
Great build. Love the stand, , sump room and everything else. Real nice job!

 

[acesq]

Amazing work, I absolutely love the motorized light rack. Thanks for the update!

One word- awesome!!
Great build. Love the stand, , sump room and everything else. Real nice job!

Thanks!

 

[ca1ore]

So far so good. I don't think the same adhesion issues are present with PVC as with Acrylic (although the eurobrace is acrylic and is adhered with silicone!), but for additional strength, the edge of the PVC is routed to accept the glass panel. This creates almost double the surface area for adhesion.

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.