The Journey - 300+ Gallon System Build - Picture Heavy
- Thread starter bpcardona
- Start date
bpcardona
Trying to hard
bpcardona
Trying to hard
Okay so today was another day of projects. I picked up two 55 gallon barrels for my mixing station. I was very happy with my find. The guy I met us a very nice, and offered me two of his barrel with removable lids. Score!!!! I made certain that they were food grade, and quickly loaded them up. I cleaned them up a bit once home then began building the stands. I realized I had enough room to install a utility sink, and ran to Home Depot; and what did I find. A utility sink on sale! Much of the day was spent driving to get these barrels but all and all a successful day.
Also I am washing the my sand out. Thanks to <a href="http://reefcentral.com/forums/member.php?u=254262">BobbyV</a> I was able to get Tropical Eden flakes. Thanks again. This is great substrate! I washed this and dried it once I got it, but thought I better do it again. Glad I did. You can see and smell the gunk. Dilution, Dilution, Dilution will be the key to washing this sand out.
I am also looking into the Genesis Renew system. I have read reviews, watch the video, and i love it so far. Anyone have any bad experience with this system, or heard of anyone have trouble. From what I understand the customer service is top notch.
Before mixing the sand
After mixing it up
Also I am washing the my sand out. Thanks to <a href="http://reefcentral.com/forums/member.php?u=254262">BobbyV</a> I was able to get Tropical Eden flakes. Thanks again. This is great substrate! I washed this and dried it once I got it, but thought I better do it again. Glad I did. You can see and smell the gunk. Dilution, Dilution, Dilution will be the key to washing this sand out.
I am also looking into the Genesis Renew system. I have read reviews, watch the video, and i love it so far. Anyone have any bad experience with this system, or heard of anyone have trouble. From what I understand the customer service is top notch.
Before mixing the sand
After mixing it up
bpcardona
Trying to hard
I was told it was used to transport hops.
clownfishplace
New member
How are you going to run the drain for the Utility sink? looks like a great build
bpcardona
Trying to hard
Just to the left of the barrels is the exterior wall. It is the short segment of block wall on each side of a garage door. I plan on knocking a hole in this to accommodate a 1-1.5" pipe. This will then turn straight down into a french drain. I will have a rock garden surrounding the area, so I don't have to worry about the salt. I don't plan on this sink handling a lot of water. Just will help keep the area clean.
bpcardona
Trying to hard
Amazon order number 2:
I got a 55 gallon drum dolly for my saltwater mixing barrel. I figured this would make the process much easier. It fits prefect, and wheels around great. I am going to love this when this barrel has a lot of water!
I got a 55 gallon drum dolly for my saltwater mixing barrel. I figured this would make the process much easier. It fits prefect, and wheels around great. I am going to love this when this barrel has a lot of water!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8451396783/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8451396783_2252481894_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8451401883/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8385/8451401883_ee3ccd6af2_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>
This also show the exterior wall I was referring too
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8451401883/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8385/8451401883_ee3ccd6af2_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>
This also show the exterior wall I was referring too
bpcardona
Trying to hard
So I plan on seeding/curing my rock during this down time. It will take me some time to get the plumbing right, and the canopy built. So with that time I will turn dead phosphate rich rock into live phosphate free rock. I have not done this before so everyone check my plan.
1. Place dry rock in tub with lid filled with saltwater.
2. Add a heater set to 79-80 F and a power head.
3. Add some live rock to the top of the pile, and leave covered
4. Do weekly water changes, at 100%
5. Maintain this service for 6 weeks, and moniter phoaphtes
What do you think? I have started this process, but I think I want a larger bin. So I will be shopping this weekend.
1. Place dry rock in tub with lid filled with saltwater.
2. Add a heater set to 79-80 F and a power head.
3. Add some live rock to the top of the pile, and leave covered
4. Do weekly water changes, at 100%
5. Maintain this service for 6 weeks, and moniter phoaphtes
What do you think? I have started this process, but I think I want a larger bin. So I will be shopping this weekend.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8452482360/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8385/8452482360_4ce541d993_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8452668232/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8390/8452668232_0a3479bb26_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/90102096@N03/8452668232/" title="Untitled by elitecoral, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8390/8452668232_0a3479bb26_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Untitled"></a>
tgunn
Active member
You're basically "cooking" the rock (that was the term I heard for it a while back). So getting the bacteria to do all the cleaning out of the rocks for you.
Seems reasonable to me. I did that with some live rock I bought years ago. It had sat out of the owners tank for a while and was full of rotting stink. I cooked it for a good while and the bacterial action brought all sorts of detritus and crud out of the rocks.
Before changing the water, I would empty out the bin and vigorously shake and swish each rock in the old water. This helped work out more of the stuff from deep in the rocks.
Tyler
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
Is this your way of keeping your rock hostage. "Get live or off to the muriatic bath you go!!" :spin2::spin2::spin2:
bpcardona
Trying to hard
Thanks for the tips. I understand it to be an easy process, but I know some people do it different. Some run light, skimmer, air stones ext.... I think I want no light to discourage any algae, and rid it of any inorganic phosphates that might be locked on. I will take you suggestion and "rinse" the rock off between water changes.
Hummm I do not think it is going to escape.
I thought it was funny myself. I did this because the side were bowing, and I wanted the lid to fit. However if the neighbor start complaining about missing cats.........shhhhh
bpcardona
Trying to hard
The tank is acuatly a 220 gallon AGA. I listed it as a 300+ Sytem, becuase of the 55 gallon sump and 55 gallon frag. I will also have a large QT tank. All together this will be over 300.
In regards to 300 gallons displays, I love the 300 DD. Mairneland has a great one that I have seen in action and was impressed. BoddyV has this tank and is currently doing a build. You should check his out as well. Thanks for following.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2193466
well done
well done
very impressive build..!
Quick question with the sump / fram tank in garage. What is you your plan for controlling the water temp with the summer and winter extreams? Heating seems easier than cooling when it gets silly hot in the summer.
would love to build a "play system" in my garage but cooling is my limiting factor. (not interested in a chiller or adding AC to the garage)
Curious to hear you plan.
Keep the posts coming, looking good!
well done
very impressive build..!
Quick question with the sump / fram tank in garage. What is you your plan for controlling the water temp with the summer and winter extreams? Heating seems easier than cooling when it gets silly hot in the summer.
would love to build a "play system" in my garage but cooling is my limiting factor. (not interested in a chiller or adding AC to the garage)
Curious to hear you plan.
Keep the posts coming, looking good!
bpcardona
Trying to hard
Chiller is going to be a must. You can find used ones on here all the time. What size system are you wanting as a "play"
ive got lots of room. I was thinking 100-200 gal.
I am sooooo scared to commit to a chiller in fear of knowing that the life of everything in my system is dependent on that one piece of equipment.
I even considered framing out a fish room and using a window shaker AC unit and vent fan. That way if anything went bad at least its in an insulated room and might maintain for a while. My garage gets HOT in the summer
I am sooooo scared to commit to a chiller in fear of knowing that the life of everything in my system is dependent on that one piece of equipment.
I even considered framing out a fish room and using a window shaker AC unit and vent fan. That way if anything went bad at least its in an insulated room and might maintain for a while. My garage gets HOT in the summer
