Terry's 180 Peninsula Reef build.

[terry4505]

The long-term plan is to move the sump the the basement and create a full fish room down there. The basement is wide open and is basically a blank canvas.

For now, the RO/DI system is going near the laundry, and I have brute cans on wheels that I can roll around from salt water and RO/DI. I am going to have to make do, until I can get a sink and drain plumbed up in the basement.

 

[terry4505]

I made a snap decision today...

I wasn't crazy about the noise level from the Jebao DCS9000. Anything above 1 on the controller and there was a noticeable hum. The tank is in the living room, and noise level is a huge concern for me.

So... I picked up this guy:

It took a bit of figuring out to get it plumbed up. I am running 1" flexible hose for the return, split to 3/4". The outlet is 1-1/4", which I reduced down to 1" and screwed in a 1" barbed fitting.

I am filling the tank with RO/DI as I type this. I'll be transferring over my rock and getting the cycle going this week.

 

[mrpergo]

I must say that is a beautiful looking pump.
I mean it just looks like a Cadillac. You need to display that little fella not hide it.....lol

 

[terry4505]

I've strongly considered keeping the stand open

 

[Capt_Cully]

Ok, I'm going from memory and don't have any intimate physics knowledge... But I believe you'll get more efficiency out of your pump (she's a beauty!) if you can allow it to run as far as possible with its outlet sized plumbing (1.25") then reduce it down as far down the line as you can. This will put less stress on the pump and give you less head loss.

Please, some of the smart guys chime in and correct me if I'm wrong???? These build threads are my favorite and this one is shaping up into a real good'un! I may be splitting hairs, and you may have considered this already. Just throwing it out there.

 

[terry4505]

I thought about that exact thing. My return line is 1" for about 3' then split into two 3/4" lines up to the returns. Everything is plumbed with flex hose and barbed fittings, so I could hypothetically run the 1-1/4 up two feet, then reduce down. I'm just not sure how much difference it will make.

I will have to dial the pump down some anyway. It is rated for about 1600 GPH at 4 feet of head, which is more than my overflow is rated for (1500). I am not one to run crazy flow through the sump or use the return pump for in-tank flow.

But It is def. something to consider. The barbed fitting does reduce it down quite a way.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Roger that. I figured I'd bring it up for anyone new who might be following along. I love my DC pump. Dead quiet. I think it's the Waveline???

 

[terry4505]

More fun updates while we continue to wait for the tank to fill with RO/DI:

I decided it was time to hang the temporary light fixture. I drilled holes in the ceiling, and found that unfortunately, there was not a joist where I needed it. I picked up some of these: http://www.toggler.com/products/snaptoggle/overview.php

and hung the light:

The view from the kitchen island:

I also got adventurous and hung our floating mantle that came from my parent's barn:

The tank is about 1/3 the way full with RO/DI. I'll be adding my rock and sand this week. Neptune WAVs should be here tomorrow (of course, I don't have the Apex to run them yet) and I bought a used Gen 3 Radion and a Kessil A360We. Not sure exactly what combo of LEDs I am going to go with. I think 1 Radion in the middle with two Kessils on the end, but I may end up going with 3 Radions and forgo the Kessils. We'll see how I feel once I get one of each over the tank.

Still need:

Skimmer
Heaters
Apex

 

[terry4505]

I don't have a pic, but I am concerned...

There is a gap on the long side of the tank in the middle between the trim and the stand. The stand is made of steel tube and is flat and level. It looks like the bottom trim bows up. All 4 corners are in contact. I thought about putting some composite shims every 6 inches or so to support the trim. The tank is 90% full and the gap persists. Should I be panicking?

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Is this a brand new aquarium?

If so, I'd snap a pic and contact the manufacturer.

I would be really hesitant to place shims directly under the aquarium.

 

[terry4505]

Brand new aquarium. But I have already drilled it for an external overflow

 

[MaccaPopEye]

Do not place shims between a tank and a stand! They create pressure points which is exactly what you want to avoid

I agree with contacting the manufacturer and sending them a photo. I have read about quite a few tanks having this gap in the middle and I think that its ok as long as all 4 corners are supported but the manufacturer will be able to confirm that as I wouldn't take anyone else's word for it.

Great looking build btw, following along keenly.

Cheers,

Macca

 

[terry4505]

Some goodies have started to arrive:

Of course, I don't have the Apex to run these yet..

I think once I get the Apex and get these guys running I will put them on the overflow end of the tank.

Six Stage water saver plus from BRS:

And the tank with sand and rock looking like absolute crap:

Once it clears up I will start working on the scape. I am thinking 3 islands with lots of caves and swimming area. There may actually be too much rock in the tank

I will say this. The Vecra M1 is friggen SILENT. And with my 1500 GPH synergy reef overflow, I have to keep it down to 1 or 2 or there is so much water running through the overflow that my silent overflow becomes un-silent. I was a little concerned that it wouldn't be able to push enough water to run the tank and various reactors, remote fuge etc. That is absolutely NOT the case. The L1 would have been crazy overkill.

 

[terry4505]

Couple of fun updates on this black Friday. I mounted my RO unit and got the barrels drilled for float switches:

I bought a used Kessil A360We and a Radion Gen 3 Pro and they arrived today. I mounted them in my temporary fixture. I am going to grab a second Kessil and run it on the other end. The shimmer on this thing is unreal!

I also picked up some real reef branch rock and I think this is the aquascape for now. I am sure I'll be moving things around as we go, but I am happy with this:

Skimmer should be here Monday. Then it is time to cycle this baby using the Red Sea reef mature program

 

[Srixon]

Are you on a well? Or just that good of a reef keeper that you want double RO membranes with DI? Not trying to be a tool but I can't believe that your water is that bad...But if it is...Kudos on the awesome RO system!

 

[terry4505]

The dual membranes cut the waste in half. One of my goals of this tank was to limit my environmental impact as much as possible.

 

[Srixon]

So you are looking from the 1:3 to the 1:1...nice....I like the idea...if you want my opinion that you might try....make the DI take the "hit" before the Ro membranes....More life from the most expensive part. DI resin can be recharged where as membranes can't

 

[intyme]

The gap could be where the weld cooled and bowed the steel a little

 

[intyme]

Oops I guess I wasn't finished reading the whole thing lol.

 

[johno4]

Tank looks great. New house, new tank; exciting times for you...

Congrats!!!!