The MONSTER TANK It LIVES!

[firefish2020]

Thanks to my buddy on here the great question of "when are you guys going to get that tank running?" Has now been almost answered.

I am happy to say that the 125 Reef Display at the shop tank is undergoing testing and if all goes well it will be up and running next week. Here are a few pics for you, not much to look at but WOW did Jason build an incredible Sump/Refugium!

<center>Here we are firing up the pump for the first time.</center>

<center>Looking down through the tank to the sump.</center>

 

[firefish2020]

<center><b>Belly of the Beast.</b></center>
<b>
Here you see one of Jasons masterpieces IMO, the custom Sump/Refugium with interchangeable frag racks and screens for shading light sensitive coral etc. This thing is huge with more than enough room to raise frags and macro algae. For those not knowing it's story it was a broken down poorly made sump which Jason gutted and practically rebuilt. He reinforced all the seams and added strips of acrylic on which the light grids sit.</b>

<b>
The drain and return rest inside the two pipe towers that will eventually be covered with a great deal of rock and coral. The drain returns to the sump via a split injector which breaks up the bubbles and utilizes the momentum of the water to create supplemental flow inside the refugium area where it will be beneficial to macro algae(s). The last pic was taken looking back at the tank on day two of it's 24 hour full run test period. The system will be drained and moved into final position later this week. For those interested, as the project progresses I will post updates here.</b>

More to follow...

 

[MattG]

Looks nice Ron. Have a close up picture of the sump?

 

[MattG]

Thats funny i asked when the second post wasnt there and by the time i typed mine out you posted with the pics.

 

[firefish2020]

Reading your mind ol friend

 

[grendl]

Bah, you guys not having water in my tank made me feel better about having none in mine!!! Ah well, I bought more crap for construction at Lowes tonight. I suppose I will mount lights tomorrow. If that lights a fire, I am going to glue the sump together I guess... Ack!!! I might be putting the cart before the horse... Maybe I should just promise to LOOK at my equipment tomorrow.... aim low ya know!

 

[Nathan4Wvu]

Man that thing looks sweet

Did you guys make they overflows or did they come from aga????


Also ron are you going to take that sailfin tang of mine he is a great fish very health eats like a pig but we need to get him out of that 46 lol we only got him to save him from death at the other pet store!

 

[Nathan4Wvu]

he would look great in that tank and hey its a freebe!

 

[firefish2020]

I think we can give him a home, I'll let you know soon as we are up and running

 

[Salty Bginners]

And (of course) even though i was there the whole time (and helped in the construction (i sanded and cleaned the pvc!!!) and the testing (I TURNED ON THE HOSE!!!!)...NVM ill stop there b4 i **** ron off too much..... (see the occupation line in my profile)

 

[wvufan788893]

Sump . . .

Sump . . .

I looked at the setup today when I stopped in for some carbon. Very impressive work on the sump/fuge. How much does a sump/fuge like that run in terms of cost for material and labor?

Reason I ask is because I'd like to have a fuge, but my sump is maxed out in terms of space. I would need to build an enclosure either separate from what I currently have or make another enclosure which would cover the roles of both a sump/fuge. Of course, mine would be a smaller version insofar as I only have a 75g. I'd like to try it myself, but I don't have the time or knowledge to devote to it.

I'll pay ya' . . . lol.

 

[firefish2020]

There will be an official set of credits at the end of this project. Many helped but first and foremost would be Barry who funded and agreed to let us build and set up this monstrosity in the middle his shop. Without Phill and Jasons design and fabrication it would all still be on the drawing board. More credits later as I said.

 

[Salty Bginners]

Credits.... like at the end of a movie?

 

[firefish2020]

Yep this custom stuff costs a bit and takes time and material I can't speak for anyone else but it would cost me a lot to build one of these things if I knew how (which I don't thats why I commissioned it). If you mess it up you have a huge mess on your hands, something that was not an option here, Im fortunate to have a crack team of friends who like to make things I design better than I could have imagined just for the shear challenge of it. Remember reef geeks make the best of friends
Enjoy!

 

[fishmon]

That is a cool idea on the overflows. Did you just drill a drain and return hole then glue the pipe over the two?? Take some closeups of those and post them if you don't mind. What size pipe did you use also?

 

[bneal3]

:bounce1: Things are looking Good! :celeb3:

 

[Reef4Fun]

Yeah, I really like the overflow idea. especially for a tank that is set up in the middle of a room, very sweet. I am thinking about, when we rebuild next spring, making a place in the wall for my 120 as it had the black overflows in the back, and setting up a 125 with the overflows like that for in the middle of the room, hand the lights from the ceiling, kewl huh? Guess I best be saving for this

 

[Reef4Fun]

typo...hang the lights...

 

[coralreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7745880#post7745880 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by firefish2020
Remember reef geeks make the best of friends

Yep

Keep the pictures coming Ron. We REALLY need to have a meeting so I can see the tank in person.

 

[Salty Bginners]

AWWw Ron....Im glad were friends.