The Journey - 300+ Gallon System Build - Picture Heavy

[owenspackman]

What are you going to do if something drops/lives below the socks?

Was just thinking about getting in there to do any maintenance.

thats a good point, i'm skinny and could get my arm in there for maintenance, but even that would be awkward. Otherwise its looking really great. Was there any glue involved or just silicone for the baffles?

I like that you're a few weeks ahead of me on your build, gives me some great ideas!

 

[bpcardona]

So the hole are 4" each, I to have small hands. (This is where my good friends would begin laughing). I shouldn't have much issue doing maintance in this area, but I don't plan on having much to do.

 

[owenspackman]

So the hole are 4" each, I to have small hands. (This is where my good friends would begin laughing). I shouldn't have much issue doing maintance in this area, but I don't plan on having much to do.

i'm an idiot. completely forgot you could remove the sock for maintenance. yes, looks like you're sorted there!

Whats next on the build?

 

[bpcardona]

So the next step is aquascaping. I will drill the rock and place acrylic rods. I will use 2 part epoxy to bond the rocks. I want plenty of room for the fish to swim. I also want to try to create shelfs. I started with one of the islands tonight and here are the results:

FYI....there is a pay off photo and the end.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8570708222/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8106/8570708222_6d94667a89_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8570709926/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8369/8570709926_90a95c28da_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8570710922/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8523/8570710922_76af92786f_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8570713922/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8387/8570713922_fd438db3a2_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>

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Okay are you ready for the payoff?





H
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8569638051/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8108/8569638051_66cc524219_z.jpg" width="478" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>

I know it's that typical in the fish tank picture, but my wife couldn't resist. There is even a better one where I make a fish face. NO! I will not post it, the Internet is forever.
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[worm5406]

Quick throw it back!

HAHAHAHA....

Now see we all can have fun and crack a smile every now and then!

Yeah I put all my rock in and then the water and then sand then more water and more sand... I hand my MP40's on 100% and the heaters running at 90.

I let the natural current do the sand blowing around and create the flow patters through the rock, as I left lots of voids. Currently ALL of them are still flowing and the critters have found them all. The shrimp hide just in the spot I wanted them to hide. I can still see them and they have plenty of places to go and ways to get there.

 

[Dustin1300]

Following along Brian, time for me to hijack your thread! :dance:

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

If you look just after the filter sock on the back wall you will see a break in the glass. About 1" below the filter sock lip/edge. It runs all the way across.

Look at a few of the other pictures in that photo stream and you will see the break better.

Ok I do see it now. I see why they say sight is the first thing to go.


Sent from my iPhone using Siri and Tapatalk.

 

[sirreal63]

I see why they say sight is the first thing to go.

In a perfect world, the first thing to go is hearing (the spouse gripe).

 

[worm5406]

Ok I do see it now. I see why they say sight is the first thing to go.


Sent from my iPhone using Siri and Tapatalk.

In a perfect world, the first thing to go is hearing (the spouse gripe).

I thought it was... OOPS.. Family channel.

 

[bpcardona]

Following along Brian, time for me to hijack your thread! :dance:

HaHaHa, feel free to take over the thread. I have been following yours for a while and love it. Thanks for joining in.

Ok I do see it now. I see why they say sight is the first thing to go.


Sent from my iPhone using Siri and Tapatalk.

LOL, sorry for the confusion. I posted a picture earlier that showed this chamber as a closed box. Please keep ripping this build apart. I have loved your advice so far.

 

[bpcardona]

Quick throw it back!

HAHAHAHA....

Now see we all can have fun and crack a smile every now and then!

Yeah I put all my rock in and then the water and then sand then more water and more sand... I hand my MP40's on 100% and the heaters running at 90.

I let the natural current do the sand blowing around and create the flow patters through the rock, as I left lots of voids. Currently ALL of them are still flowing and the critters have found them all. The shrimp hide just in the spot I wanted them to hide. I can still see them and they have plenty of places to go and ways to get there.

I can't wait to get the sand in there. I only have one island in there and I am jones-ing to get the other two setup.

 

[worm5406]

Ohhh Yeah I know what you mean.

Decided what grade sand yet?

This is three different sizes in my tank:

Here is a comparison between two from the picture above.

In this picture OOlite is on top the smaller stuff and figi pink is on bottom

But I like what grows in/under the sand:

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

Man your camera skills are amazing.

 

[Dustin1300]

Not sure on what sand you've chosen but I'll be using the Tropic Eden Grand Select.

http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/TE-03617R30.html

I've had fine sand in smaller tanks and hated it once I ramped up flow....Could not imagine having fine sand in a big tank (180+) as it would be a sand storm. I really don't want to treat my tank like a sand box every week stirring it here and moving it there as the powerheads move it around the tank!

 

[worm5406]

Not sure on what sand you've chosen but I'll be using the Tropic Eden Grand Select.

http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/TE-03617R30.html

I've had fine sand in smaller tanks and hated it once I ramped up flow....Could not imagine having fine sand in a big tank (180+) as it would be a sand storm. I really don't want to treat my tank like a sand box every week stirring it here and moving it there as the powerheads move it around the tank!

I took my sand and put it in as I was filling the tank.

I set my 2 mp40's at 100%

Once the sand settled down, and during cycle, and during seeding, and .. and... I never had any sand storm problems.

Look at this video and see how quick it clears out.

<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vyTR7M97Vls" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[worm5406]

HaHaHa, feel free to take over the thread. I have been following yours for a while and love it. Thanks for joining in.



LOL, sorry for the confusion. I posted a picture earlier that showed this chamber as a closed box. Please keep ripping this build apart. I have loved your advice so far.

I like the way the water flows into the socks from the side compartment.

Nice sandals too, btw.

The issue I might see is detritus buildup around the filter socks and it requires you to make sure one is in there. I do NOT run a sock in mine all the time. I only do when I do maintenance.

ALSO... that one area could very easily be a detritus trap.

 

[likefish]

Great progress!

There are more watching your thread than those who posted. I am subscribed, great thread! great info! Thank you for keeping it alive!

With all of the thought that you have put into your system what was you desired turn over rate in your tank and the volume exchange in your sump? Reason I ask is i am adding a 60 gal cube to my 120 tank and the two will share a sump. I have been surfing for reccomendations and they vary sooooo much!

 

[worm5406]

Great progress!

There are more watching your thread than those who posted. I am subscribed, great thread! great info! Thank you for keeping it alive!

How can you see who is subscribed? Or you mean views vs posts?

 

[likefish]

I dont know how to tell: just letting him know he is being followed, some of us are lurkers!

No tan attempt to hijack but I have a project going and would appreciate advice, good group of people adding info here!

My undertaking:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2268923

thanks!

 

[bpcardona]

My center island is almost complete. I ran out of 2 part epoxy or I could finish it. Here is my progress:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8576562104/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8390/8576562104_378e9e3055_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8575466931/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8575466931_846bb57dae_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8575466931/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8575466931_846bb57dae_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8575469109/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8090/8575469109_1754b73ae5_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8576566524/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8241/8576566524_c6f7fc3757_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>


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