The Hawaiian inspired over-build ( 300g system)

[stumpovrtyme]

nice build

 

[TellyFish]

can u take some close up pics of the Rock Welds that you did with the Cement?

Portland Type I Rock welds:
<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=rockWeldCloseUp.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/rockWeldCloseUp.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[MDKIDREEFER]

Awesome build, I'm totally stealing the portland cement welds for my aquascape on my new 120 gal build. Subscribed!

A few questions about the cement though. How much water to cement did you use? Or could you give me a description of the consistency? Also, are you worried about any sort of leeching that could drive up the pH like in DIY cement rocks? Or are you curing yours in the ocean/freshwater before you put them in?

Thanks and congrats!

 

[TellyFish]

How much water to cement did you use? Or could you give me a description of the consistency?

Also, are you worried about any sort of leeching that could drive up the pH like in DIY cement rocks? Or are you curing yours in the ocean/freshwater before you put them in?

Thanks and congrats!

I mixed it up pretty thick. If the consistency is too runny, the cement wont be able to span gaps. More cement also generally means more strength.

Since I was using such small amounts of cement to form connection points, it really didn't have too much affect on my PH. If you made all of your rock yourself from cement I would probably suggest curing, but it is not needed for this situation IMO. I have some links posted above to other threads regarding this issue--hope that helps and happy reefing! :fish2:

 

[TellyFish]

Just some more boring construction photos today. Installing a GFCI and waterproof housing:

<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=outlet1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/outlet1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Not the BEST workmanship on the old wiring:
<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=outlet2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/outlet2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

The finished install:
<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=complete.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/complete.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

A mess only a reefer could love:
<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=mess.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/mess.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[launchnukes]

looking good. and that tank looks NICE.

and i'm no expert, but that sure looks like a male bicolor to me.

 

[SaraB]

Found some better pictures from when I first picked up the display tank. I picked this tank up new from SaraB who was an all-around fantastic seller. Excellent dimensions IMO and I can't speak higher of the quality.

Thanks, it looks like it went to a great reefer with great plans for it. Can't wait for it to finally see water after all this time!

 

[MyMonkey]

Looking good. Tagging along.

 

[TellyFish]

Can't wait for it to finally see water after all this time!

lol, yeah. Trust me, you aren't the only one! In this case, the planning of the tank (which lasted nearly 2 years) was nearly as much fun as actually setting it up, but I am dying to finally have a real reef again.

 

[rpresto@hotmail]

Nice Work

Nice Work

The tank looks really nice. I can't wait to see it completed

 

[jdwreefer]

H. malu = sand

H. malu = sand

Dunno if your still planning to get an H. malu or not, or if you already know this, but malu anemones are sand dwelling. They like around 4" deep sand. The one I have is attached to a rock sitting on the bottom.

 

[d-man]

cant wait for the 1yr update when all is grown in

 

[TellyFish]

Dunno if your still planning to get an H. malu or not, or if you already know this, but malu anemones are sand dwelling. They like around 4" deep sand. The one I have is attached to a rock sitting on the bottom.

Hi jdwreefer! I am very interested in your Malu. I do have a plan which I used successfully on a LTA for about 3 years. Basically, I have a rock with a hole in the middle that is 4" deep and I plan to fill that with sand as sort of an "anemone bowl". I have a pic of the structure somewhere, Ill try to find it.

How long have you had your H. Malu? What have you experiences been with it? I tried one specimen with no success and I want to gather as much info as I can before trying again.

Thanks! :beer:

 

[hpfunk]

Any progress this month on this bad A$$ build?
...No pressure, I am just interested...

 

[TellyFish]

Sorry, I don't mean to be stingy with the updates. The aquarium now has water and I am moving through the maturation of the tank before adding major amounts of corals.

This is the unfinished main utility area during construction. It is located underneath the 6ft prop tank. The main return pump (Reeflo Super Dart Gold) can be seen on the left connected to the main throttle valve. The utility sump is in the center of the photo and in its finished state contains 2 of the 3 system heaters and the BRS Carbon/GFO reactor (not pictured). I also have several open connections for additional equipment should it be needed. The ball valve on the far right restricts the flow coming back from the main pump.
<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=plumbing.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/plumbing.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Another view of the pump area with the power strip mounted to the stand:
<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=plumbingInprogress.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/plumbingInprogress.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

All of the plumbing can easily be removed for maintenance:
<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=feedBar.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/feedBar.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Another view of the power center (oh how clean it looked then, with nothing plugged in, lol). The gate valve on the left side is the drain control for the display tank.
<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=electricalStrip.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/electricalStrip.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Another view of the drains and utility feed lines under the display tank:
<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=displayDrains.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/displayDrains.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

The finished overflow box plumbing on the display:
<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=beanAnimal-herbieStyle.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/beanAnimal-herbieStyle.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

...and we have WATER!

VERY, VERY slow water... by my estimation it will take over a week to make over 300 gallon at the rate my RO/DI pushes out:
<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=WATER.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/WATER.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Of course...
<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=cat.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/cat.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Sump is full... the anticipation is DIRE at this point...
<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=sump2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/sump2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

A bad picture of the system in its entirety together and electric cables looking chaotic for testing (not including water storage tanks which are located to the right of the utility sump)
<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=sump1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/sump1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[TellyFish]

An explanation of the display drain system. This is a BeanAnimal setup, but in a style more associated with Herbie's original designs, just with an extra dry drain line.

<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=drainExplain.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/drainExplain.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[aquaph8]

Cant wait to see it running Telly. Your plumming looks really great. Nice build.

 

[TellyFish]

Thanks aquaph!

 

[TellyFish]

The prop tank is FULL! :bounce3:

This shows the prop tank's return valve and the Tunze humming away:
<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=propTankReturn.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/propTankReturn.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I don't mean to bore anyone, but I know how some of you guys like photos. So here is more of the plumbing:

This is the main shut-off valve for the display tank:
<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=displayReturnValve.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/displayReturnValve.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Attempting to reinforce the industrial theme with flow arrows:
<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=arrows.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/arrows.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

A close-up of the massive butterfly valve. This thing should resolve any lingering male-insecurities I might have. Needless to say, it was a bit larger that I had envisioned in my head but again, it fits in well with the industrial look :
<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=mainThrotleValve.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/mainThrotleValve.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

The BRS dual reactor:
<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=reactor.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/reactor.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Masterflex peristaltic pump is being used to dispense precise water samples for easier testing:
<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=masterflexPump.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/masterflexPump.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

The main sump and display drains with the Ozone generator in the background:
<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=Inside_theRabbitsHole.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/Inside_theRabbitsHole.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Water storage and mixing tanks:
<a href="http://s1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/?action=view&current=utilitySump_explaination.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1184.photobucket.com/albums/z332/tellyFish/utilitySump_explaination.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[PFCDeitz]

Telly Amazing job and beautiful tank! I cant wait to see if stocked!