Tank Build Update

[KevinsHVAC]

Hey guys, its been awhile since I have been on here and I am still very green to this site but I just wanted to stop in and say hey and show you guys what I have been working on. I was finally able to add over flows and closed loop bulk heads this past weekend. I will be working on buffing this pig out hopefully next weekend. The tank is 15ft x 5ft x 2.5ft. Will be primarily a predator tank. Sump is a 8ft x 3ft x 16." I will be trying to post things up as I do them and will soon have a video on Youtube of the progress. :beer:

Break down of components I have so far for the build:
-2 110g tubs from Tractor Supply for my mixing station
-BRS 180gpd RODI
-1200lbs of pure aragonite sand
-1000lbs of dry rock and still acquiring
-4 Jebao DCT15000 pumps
-MRC skimmer w/reeflo hammerhead pump
-2 72" 150w ea MH lights that will go on one 6ft section of the tank "planning on having a few clams and some coral on a shelf"
-2 maxspect 150 gyres, one on ea side of the tank
-Current USA orbit LED lighting for the rest of the tank
-8 boxes of instant ocean 200g boxes of salt mix
-a **** ton of bulk heads, PVC ranging from 2", 1.5", 1", and 3/4"

There will be 2 closed loop systems and 2 return sections, one supplying the left side and one supplying the right side. Filtration will mostly be biological with all the rock, but ea drain will run through a 100 micron filter sock. There are 6 drains total, 2 per over flow. And then the MRC skimmer. I will have a dedicated electrical circuit on a UPS in case there is a power outage which knock on wood in three years there hasn't been one.

 

[KevinsHVAC]

I have had some people ask what the live stock will be and I am almost sure I know what I want but this list may change as time progresses.

2 black tip reef sharks
4 lionfish 2 red and 2 blacks
2 rays 1 blue dot 1 atlantic
1 panther grouper
1 tessellata eel
2 humu trigs
2 dogface puffers
2 maculosus angels

Various forms of COC will be added.

 

[richie6]

Following!

 

[KevinsHVAC]

Following!

Fellow Marylander! Where do you go to get your live stock? Any feedback on House of Tropicals?

 

[rickztahone]

Wow, HUGE tank. Great dims.

 

[KevinsHVAC]

I do have a question regarding my drains. I have been looking at doing a DIY standpipe. In order to do this correctly the only thing I need to do is add a T on each of the 6 bulk heads and put a cap on the top with a 1/4" hose? Is this correct or am I missing something else?

 

[KevinsHVAC]

I got a special delivery of socks yesterday and also added the 1 1/2" bulk heads for the closed loop system. I definitely was not expecting the socks to be as big as they were.

 

[mgoulding]

Sounds good. Following!

 

[KevinsHVAC]

OK, so this past weekend I decided to tackle the buffing. I am very pleased with how it turned out. There are still a few more spots I need to hit again with the buffer but I definitely got out all the fine scratched. See pics for before and after and then the process that I used.

 

[KevinsHVAC]

I also added flush mount strainers to the closed loop side, and started setting up my mixing station. I mounted my 6stg RO/DI kit and I'd say with in the next 2 weeks will start producing water.

On a side note I'd like to get some opinions here regarding leak checking. We are on a well and I was talking with my wife about calling a company to come in and filler up or using our well WITH or WITHOUT our 5 micron filter that's on there. I know if I do it WITH the filter I will have to change it probably 10 times.....if I get a company to come in that may be a little pricey and if I have a leak that would be wasted money because I'd have to call them back to refill and test again. So I don't know. Part of me says just use the well. 1500-1600g of water. Once rocks and sand is in it would be more like 1200-1300g I am thinking.

 

[gigamanx]

I also added flush mount strainers to the closed loop side, and started setting up my mixing station. I mounted my 6stg RO/DI kit and I'd say with in the next 2 weeks will start producing water.

On a side note I'd like to get some opinions here regarding leak checking. We are on a well and I was talking with my wife about calling a company to come in and filler up or using our well WITH or WITHOUT our 5 micron filter that's on there. I know if I do it WITH the filter I will have to change it probably 10 times.....if I get a company to come in that may be a little pricey and if I have a leak that would be wasted money because I'd have to call them back to refill and test again. So I don't know. Part of me says just use the well. 1500-1600g of water. Once rocks and sand is in it would be more like 1200-1300g I am thinking.

On a much smaller scale, I leak checked all my plumbing and my sump by pumping the return water straight into the overflow instead of the tank. Then you only need enough water for the sump. If you're trying to leak check the whole tank, I'm afraid the only way would be to fill-er-up. Maybe water the garden with the water afterward

 

[KevinsHVAC]

On a much smaller scale, I leak checked all my plumbing and my sump by pumping the return water straight into the overflow instead of the tank. Then you only need enough water for the sump. If you're trying to leak check the whole tank, I'm afraid the only way would be to fill-er-up. Maybe water the garden with the water afterward

Hmm, that may work too, because when I got the tank there were already 8 bulk heads in the bottom where they had their returns and supplies. I did not like this so I am plugging them up....I think I can leave a couple open and just have it drain right back in the sump. The only thing I won't be able to check then is the over flows....If they leak it will be a phenomena because they are siliconed. Great idea!

 

[KevinsHVAC]

Here are more pics of the build and plumbing. I have a thread over in the large tank area. I will probably be posting there from now on.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2564511