The OFFICIAL Classroom Reef Build Thread!
- Thread starter Conesus_Kid
- Start date
Conesus_Kid
Premium Member
To be honest, I doubt I'll need to use extra credit as an initiative! I've got a few eager kids who already want to help out, and one who has helped with the setup so far.
My co-workers think it's cool, and heaped lots of congratulatory remarks on when they heard about the grant award. Just about all of them have no idea how involved this actually is!
I had a 90 gallon freshwater tank in my class for years. (I set it up in the other 7th grade science teacher's classroom this summer. Pay it forward, baby!) Most people think that it's just going to be a larger tank with some salt mixed in. When folks stop by while I'm working and I explain each of the system components, their eyes glaze over and that's when they tell me I should be paying myself! :lol:
Capt_Cully
Active member
My wife and brother looked at me crosseyed 2 nights ago when I tried to explain how much I love my corals and why. Ya either get it, or ya don't.
Scott, what other equipment (lighting, skimmer, powerheads, etc..) and livestock (rock included) do you have set aside?
Scott, what other equipment (lighting, skimmer, powerheads, etc..) and livestock (rock included) do you have set aside?
Conesus_Kid
Premium Member
Today's work and equipment rundown
Today's work and equipment rundown
Today’s work:
Today was one of those days where I worked all day, but felt like I accomplished little. There are so many small jobs that accompany a build, it seems as if it’ll never get done!
I started the day by reinforcing the water station stand with extra 2 x 4 uprights. I then installed the aluminum L-brackets and square tubing that I’ll hang the lighting fixtures from (discussed later).
Then it was time to drill the tank for the overflow, returns, and closed loop. As I was gathering equipment this spring, I was originally planning on a glass non-reef-ready aquarium between 180-265 gallons. It had to be non-reef-ready in order for the overflow to be tall enough to drain to the sump in the prep room. If the tank drained from the bottom, this would not work.
I had ordered a www.glassholes.com overflow for ease and speed of installation, rather than building one myself from pieces of glass or acrylic.
Needless to say, things don’t always go as planned and I ended up with the acrylic ‘Uniquarium’. I didn’t think that the overflows and chambers in the back of the tank would work for my overall system plan, so I decided to stick with the overflow that I already bought. It just requires an extra set of holes to go through the wet/dry area in the back of the ‘Uniquarium’. Even though it’s acrylic and not glass, there’s something about drilling an aquarium that makes my sphincter tighten.
Today's work and equipment rundown
Today’s work:
Today was one of those days where I worked all day, but felt like I accomplished little. There are so many small jobs that accompany a build, it seems as if it’ll never get done!
I started the day by reinforcing the water station stand with extra 2 x 4 uprights. I then installed the aluminum L-brackets and square tubing that I’ll hang the lighting fixtures from (discussed later).
Then it was time to drill the tank for the overflow, returns, and closed loop. As I was gathering equipment this spring, I was originally planning on a glass non-reef-ready aquarium between 180-265 gallons. It had to be non-reef-ready in order for the overflow to be tall enough to drain to the sump in the prep room. If the tank drained from the bottom, this would not work.
I had ordered a www.glassholes.com overflow for ease and speed of installation, rather than building one myself from pieces of glass or acrylic.
Needless to say, things don’t always go as planned and I ended up with the acrylic ‘Uniquarium’. I didn’t think that the overflows and chambers in the back of the tank would work for my overall system plan, so I decided to stick with the overflow that I already bought. It just requires an extra set of holes to go through the wet/dry area in the back of the ‘Uniquarium’. Even though it’s acrylic and not glass, there’s something about drilling an aquarium that makes my sphincter tighten.
Conesus_Kid
Premium Member
While I was working today, my delivery from Savko came, so I was able to play with some more plumbing stuff. (I ordered it Monday night and it arrived before noon today. Pretty sweet!)
Here are some pics of the dry-fitted plumbing. There’s a 2†closed loop intake beneath the overflow box. The CL manifold has 6 outlets with Locline nozzles on each. The returns from the sump are on the left and right front corners of the aquarium. You’ll also notice two small dual-flare Locline nozzle returns in the back towards the center. These will be the returns from the chiller.
I still need to glue all of this up, but I wanted to wait until I could bring my respirator to school. I’d be seeing triple by the time I got that CL done, let alone the rest of the plumbing.
I finished the day by putting a second coat of paint on the stand and canopy and tinkering with some other small projects.
Here are some pics of the dry-fitted plumbing. There’s a 2†closed loop intake beneath the overflow box. The CL manifold has 6 outlets with Locline nozzles on each. The returns from the sump are on the left and right front corners of the aquarium. You’ll also notice two small dual-flare Locline nozzle returns in the back towards the center. These will be the returns from the chiller.
I still need to glue all of this up, but I wanted to wait until I could bring my respirator to school. I’d be seeing triple by the time I got that CL done, let alone the rest of the plumbing.
I finished the day by putting a second coat of paint on the stand and canopy and tinkering with some other small projects.
Conesus_Kid
Premium Member
Equipment plans:
Now on to the good stuff!
Skimmer:
We’ll be using the MSX-250 skimmer from Marinesolutions.com.
You’ll also notice in the above pic, the Lumenarc reflector. This is a 400w fixture that will be used for frag growout in the sump.
Water flow:
As mentioned earlier in the thread, we’ll be using a Reeflo Barracuda for the return pump.
This pump will also feed a manifold that supplies the fuge, Ca reactor, media reactor, and any other items that need water supplied! I also decided to supply the chiller with this return pump.
The closed loop will be powered by a Reeflo Dart.
Power outages were a big concern, but I didn’t have enough money in the budget to purchase the code-required armored cable to run several hundred feet to the school generator. I figured the next best thing would be powerheads with battery backup. We’ll be using two Vortechs with the Icecap battery backup. They were pricey, but I also wanted a way to vary the flow in the tank. They’ll be placed on either side of the closed loop intake about 3 feet apart.
Now on to the good stuff!
Skimmer:
We’ll be using the MSX-250 skimmer from Marinesolutions.com.
You’ll also notice in the above pic, the Lumenarc reflector. This is a 400w fixture that will be used for frag growout in the sump.
Water flow:
As mentioned earlier in the thread, we’ll be using a Reeflo Barracuda for the return pump.
This pump will also feed a manifold that supplies the fuge, Ca reactor, media reactor, and any other items that need water supplied! I also decided to supply the chiller with this return pump.
The closed loop will be powered by a Reeflo Dart.
Power outages were a big concern, but I didn’t have enough money in the budget to purchase the code-required armored cable to run several hundred feet to the school generator. I figured the next best thing would be powerheads with battery backup. We’ll be using two Vortechs with the Icecap battery backup. They were pricey, but I also wanted a way to vary the flow in the tank. They’ll be placed on either side of the closed loop intake about 3 feet apart.
Conesus_Kid
Premium Member
Lighting:
I strugged with this for bit, but I’m happy with how things have turned out. As mentioned earlier, I was planning on a 6’ or 7’ long tank. I had purchased these dual 250w pendants and Galaxy ballast:
and the 400w Lumenarc with ballast.
The original plan was to have the 400w Lumenarc in the center, flanked by the two 250w HQI’s.
I then purchased this dual 150w Hamilton fixture for the since-abandoned frag tank:
The 8’ length of this tank posed some problems with my original plan. The Lumenarc left shadow triangles in the tank between it and the 250w pendants. I got to thinking that this tank is only 20†deep, so I can probably get away with using the dual 150w fixture in the center for better light spread, and then the 250w fixtures on either side. I’ll just make sure that the light-loving corals end up on either end of the tank. The 400w Lumenarc was mounted to the wall cabinet in the prep room above the sump.
Misc.:
Pic of the Ca reactor and Kalkwasser reactor:
Chiller:
That’s it for today. Back for more PVC solvent-filled fun tomorrow!
I strugged with this for bit, but I’m happy with how things have turned out. As mentioned earlier, I was planning on a 6’ or 7’ long tank. I had purchased these dual 250w pendants and Galaxy ballast:
and the 400w Lumenarc with ballast.
The original plan was to have the 400w Lumenarc in the center, flanked by the two 250w HQI’s.
I then purchased this dual 150w Hamilton fixture for the since-abandoned frag tank:
The 8’ length of this tank posed some problems with my original plan. The Lumenarc left shadow triangles in the tank between it and the 250w pendants. I got to thinking that this tank is only 20†deep, so I can probably get away with using the dual 150w fixture in the center for better light spread, and then the 250w fixtures on either side. I’ll just make sure that the light-loving corals end up on either end of the tank. The 400w Lumenarc was mounted to the wall cabinet in the prep room above the sump.
Misc.:
Pic of the Ca reactor and Kalkwasser reactor:
Chiller:
That’s it for today. Back for more PVC solvent-filled fun tomorrow!
Capt_Cully
Active member
You should be paying yourself :twitch:
chrisqueenz
New member
Subscribing! When is the actual first day of school for the kids?
chrisguy
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13201572#post13201572 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Conesus_Kid
Skimmer:
We’ll be using the MSX-250 skimmer from Marinesolutions.com.
You’ll also notice in the above pic, the Lumenarc reflector. This is a 400w fixture that will be used for frag growout in the sump.
Just an FYI, with this type of setup you are going to get Coraline Algae growing inside your skimmer and IME it negatively impacts the skimmers performance. I would recomend not having the frag grow out area with the skimmer or build in something to block the light. I saw someone wrap one side of their skimmer in something dark to keep the light out.
Conesus_Kid
Premium Member
Today's work
Today's work
Thanks for the heads-up, Chris. I'll see how much of a problem it becomes, and probably block off the light somehow. Space and $$$ are too much of a premium at this point for an different frag growout setup.
I spent today with the respirator on, gluing up the closed loop, drains, returns and chiller plumbing to the display. I also got the tank on the stand in its final location and put the cabinet doors on.
I can't believe how time-consuming it is to glue all of the PVC! I am glad that I have a respirator. I'm sure the first half hour of the fumes might be a little fun, but I can't imagine spending the whole day like that!
Pic of the closed loop pump:
The view behind the tank:
Shots of the tank on the stand:
I will probably pick up a 29 gallon tank for a fuge this weekend. On Monday, I'll finish the plumbing on the chiller and to the sump, as well as to the fuge and reactor manifold.
My acrylic pieces for patching the old overflows and RO/DI are due to be delivered on Tuesday. That means that the water test happens next Wednesday! I've got an order in with Tim from ABC Reefs for some EcoRox Pukani and some Tonga fusion. I'd like have saltwater and rock in this bad boy by the end of next week!
Kids start school on Wednesday Sept. 3rd. I'd like to have a tank full of water/rock and some fish in QT by then.
Thanks for the kind words, all!
Today's work
Thanks for the heads-up, Chris. I'll see how much of a problem it becomes, and probably block off the light somehow. Space and $$$ are too much of a premium at this point for an different frag growout setup.
I spent today with the respirator on, gluing up the closed loop, drains, returns and chiller plumbing to the display. I also got the tank on the stand in its final location and put the cabinet doors on.
I can't believe how time-consuming it is to glue all of the PVC! I am glad that I have a respirator. I'm sure the first half hour of the fumes might be a little fun, but I can't imagine spending the whole day like that!
Pic of the closed loop pump:
The view behind the tank:
Shots of the tank on the stand:
I will probably pick up a 29 gallon tank for a fuge this weekend. On Monday, I'll finish the plumbing on the chiller and to the sump, as well as to the fuge and reactor manifold.
My acrylic pieces for patching the old overflows and RO/DI are due to be delivered on Tuesday. That means that the water test happens next Wednesday! I've got an order in with Tim from ABC Reefs for some EcoRox Pukani and some Tonga fusion. I'd like have saltwater and rock in this bad boy by the end of next week!
Kids start school on Wednesday Sept. 3rd. I'd like to have a tank full of water/rock and some fish in QT by then.
Thanks for the kind words, all!
oceanparadise1
In Memoriam
WOW scott coming along great! im so excited to see the final on this!
