Terry's 180 Peninsula Reef build.

[terry4505]

I've encountered a slight problem, but not one that cannot be fixed.

Because of where the drains meet the sump, and my desire to NOT use 90s on the drain side, I had to make the full siphon the far right drain (as you can see by the gate valve in the pics above).

The problem with this is that it is hideously ugly, and like Batman in the Lego Movie, I only work in black, and really dark grey, and the gate valve is now glaringly ugly on the living room side of this thing. I had to do this because the diagonal support on the stand interfered with the drain line.

The only way to move the full siphon back to the left hand drain line is to rotate the stand, which means take the tank off, move it, re-level it, and put the tank back. But, I think it needs to happen. Luckily, we are moving today and there will be a ton of people around to help.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Why not put it below the 45s? Under the sump. It's angle or rotation won't matter as it'll be hidden by whatever you skin the stand with correct? Worry about it's function vs aesthetics type thing.

 

[terry4505]

Excellent point sir.

I will scope it out later when we are at the new house.

 

[mrpergo]

Whatever it takes to get it done right Terry, this is your DREAM tank.
Don't half step mister.....get er done

 

[terry4505]

Well... 12 hours later, the move is done. We are in the new house. The old house feels like a ghost town.

And, I managed to get my plumbing glued up and am running the fresh water test as I type this:

The tank is currently full and running. I need to adjust the height on the Bean Animal drains in the overflow box, they are too low, so the water is splashing into the external box a little bit as it drops out of the bulkheads. I also have to play with the gate valve to get it tuned in.

But the purpose of this test isn't to fuss over a bit of noise. It is to make sure I didn't screw the pooch with my plumbing.

I had one leak where there was a hole in one of the flexible 3/4" hoses on the return line. Got it replaced and I can spot no leaks.

My view of the tank from the couch:

 

[terry4505]

http://vid1354.photobucket.com/albums/q681/terry4505/20151114_205012_zpsl9f9vso3.mp4

 

[Neoz]

Nice video. Your setup is very quiet and you don't even have the sump covered up. Great job!

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Wow, that's crazy-quiet!

Nicely done!

 

[terry4505]

I adjusted the height of the drains in the external box and it is now DEAD quiet.

 

[terry4505]

Tank has been up and running with tap water since Saturday with no issues. I am going to drain it either today or tomorrow (any suggestions on how best to do this?) then I have to:

-Move the rock over from my sump on the current tank and aquascape
-Add sand
-Get this baby up and running

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Do you have a python or water bed drain/fill kit?

Here's a Wally World link for what you'll need: http://www.walmart.com/ip/RPS-Products-Inc.DFKWaterbed-Drain-And-Fill-Kit-FILL-DRAIN-KIT/38470461

 

[Henry Colf]

Good luck with the build. If this tank turns out anything like your last tank its gonna be amazing!!!

 

[terry4505]

Thanks Henry. I was running an old Bubble Magus NAC6 I picked up from you a few years ago. I drew a lot of inspiration from you.

 

[Henry Colf]

Wow, thanks. Didn't think my tank would inspire anyone.

 

[terry4505]

Water test has been a complete success. The tank has been full and running on tap water since Saturday with no issues. When they say "Silent and safe overflow" they are not kidding. This thing is dead SILENT. I have to extend the full siphon line under the water level in the sump and raise the partial siphon line. I just stuck whatever scrap I had laying around on the end of the bulkhead:

http://vid1354.photobucket.com/albums/q681/terry4505/20151115_175241_zpsh7juuijy.mp4

I officially sold my tank, its inhabitants, and everything else (test kits, food, everything) to the guy buying my house. I am now in the position of having to start from absolute scratch. Which is both daunting and exciting.

I am using the funds from the sale to begin purchasing components. First up is a Neptune WAV for circulation, but on the short list for purchase in the next week or so (I'm looking at you BRS Blackfriday door busters) are:

Skimmer: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-classic-202ss-internal-protein-skimmer.html
RO/DI: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-6-stage-universal-water-saver-plus-ro-di-system-150gpd.html
And an Apex

For lights, I am picking up a used T5/Halide system and retrofitting it with either Radions or Kessil A360s. Possibly a mix of both. One Radion in the middle and a Kessil on either side, with T5s on the outside.

The next immediate step is to drain and clean this thing.

The view from the couch before the TV went above the fire place:

 

[Capt_Cully]

It'll be tough to watch the TV. Our old house was like that. I was always staring at the tank....

 

[terry4505]

There is also a mirror on the wall to the left of the fireplace. So no matter which way I turn my head, tank...

 

[Capt_Cully]

Well played

 

[Conesus_Kid]

What are your plans for your salt water mixing station? Are you going to have to haul buckets, or are you working out some remote plumbing scenario for water changes?

 

[jacksonpt]

Great work so far... I'm definitely interested to watch things progress.

The overflow box/sump also look great, make me want to redo my setup away from the gl*******s boxes I'm using (reliable, but certainly not quiet).