The OFFICIAL Classroom Reef Build Thread!

Update

Update

Just thought I'd post a quick update:

I patched the "old" overflow teeth in the tank yesterday with some acrylic and Weld-on 16 and performed a "wet test" today.

Good news: The tank and plumbing don't leak!! :rollface:

But, why can't the folks at Reeflo put some decent threads on their pump volutes????:confused:

The brand new Dart was the worst. I've had to regoop them with TFE paste several times to get them so that they don't leak.

I have to run the Barracuda throttled down, but I'm very pleased with the amount of flow and the rate at which water is traveling through the sump. The combination of the 'cuda return, the Dart closed loop and the Vortechs makes for some really nice, random, dispersed flow.

I hooked up the RO/DI and will be mixing up salt water tomorrow. Rock should be here within the next few days, then it's "hurry up and wait" time!

I'll post pics when I have more than two to add. As part of the project, I've started a blog that the kids will be posting to throughout the year. There's not much there now, but for future reference, it's linked through my little red house.

Thanks!
 
Supercool Scott! Glad the wet test went well, I have yet to get one right. Let me know when you're ready for SPS, I can always donate some frags in the fall or spring at what ever swap is happening. Gotta miss Kent's regretably.

Pics, Pics, Pics.....haven't you learned how easily pleased we are on URS. Even one shot of something.....anything......:fun5:
 
Pics

Pics

Geez, I guess being too lazy to go downstairs and upload pics off the digi cam is not an acceptable excuse in the this crowd! (Not to mention the fact that I busted your stones for not posting pics on the seahorse/pipe tank!)

Here's a pic during today's wet test:

000_0313.jpg


Here's a shot of the chiller that's plumbed in. I still need to get it vented:

000_0314.jpg


Here's a shot of the sump during the wet test. I normally will not run the water level this high:

000_0315.jpg


And here's a couple of shots of the water station; the first before the RO/DI was hooked up, the second one afterwards:

000_0316.jpg


000_0317.jpg


You can see the manifold of ball valves that I'll be using to tie in the fuge, Ca reactor, etc. and the fuge in the background. Right now I'm using float valves for the ATO, but will also put float switches and solenoids in line to the sump for redundancy.

Happy now, Cully?:)
 
WELL....now I feel better...

You must have had SOME blue print for all that plumbing. That's outta sight. Can't wait to see the aquascape.

Any Idea of aquascape?

How many tubs-o-salt do you have on stand by? And what brand you going with? (there's a lesson plan-test different salt brands, without cheating off of Gary M's Crib Notes)
 
I'll finalize aquascape when I get the rock from Tim (ABC Reefs). I am planning on some pillars and have some acrylic rods ready to go.

I've got 12 buckets of Seachem Marine Salt in the storeroom next to my classroom. I figure that should last me a while!
 
You getting the dry flat stuff??? That stuff is awesome!!! I'm in on that when he orders it. I'm redoing the right side of my tank with a pillar of flat rock.

So you're going to have to cycle that bad boy??? I figured you might have some LR stashed in curing vats all this time.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13241224#post13241224 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Capt_Cully

So you're going to have to cycle that bad boy??? I figured you might have some LR stashed in curing vats all this time.
Click to expand...

Yep, we'll be cycling. I plan on ordering the first group of fish for QT next week.

I've got 125 pounds of the Tonga shelf EcoRox coming and 75 pounds of Tonga Fusion. I also have around 50 pounds of Caribsea Reefbones in my basment if needed.

As far as livestock:

Mixed reef w/ corals, mainly SPS and LPS w/ some shrooms and zoas for good measure.

10-12 chromis
~7-8 lyretail anthias
small group of PJ cardinals
Kole tang
Tennetti tang
Possibly a Naso tang
pair of Genicanthus angels
male and harem of fairy or flasher wrasses
some small gobies and blennies

For the broodstock tanks:
ocellaris clowns
orchid dottybacks
Banggai cardinals
If I have the cash left, a pair of ORA picasso clowns

That's the plan, although it may change.:cool:
 
Nice plumbing job. The chiller is a noisemaker(distraction). Good thing your plumbing is mainly in the prep room. Wish I could have done that with my chiller in my classroom. I keep mine on a timer that chills between periods and after school.
 
Aquascaping pics

Aquascaping pics

Suffice to say, things have been hectic over here the past week! In addition to getting the tank together, I still had to do all of my regular "back to school" preparation.

Last Friday, I met Tim from ABC Reefs and picked up the rock for the tank. I got 125 lbs. of Tonga Shelf 'EcoRox' and 75 lbs. of Tonga Fusion liverock. This stuff is amazing! Lots of life and encrusted SPS corals.

I was in a bit of a rush as I had to be out the door Friday afternoon, so we can consider this the "rough draft" of the aquascaping. I built a pillar on the left side of the tank by drilling the Tonga shelf and running 1/2" acrylic rod through the pieces.

There was a humongous piece of the shelf rock that I placed against the overflow to provide a hideout for fishes and to mask the intake of the closed loop. I'm envisioning having that wall covered with all different colored monti caps.

The right side of the tank is primarily the Tonga Fusion rock, with some shelf sprinkled in to make caves, etc.

You can tell from the pics that the left side light has a lower K value bulb than the rest of the tank. I will eventually be going with all Phoenix 14K's for the entire tank.

Enjoy the pics; and any feedback is appreciated!

Left side:
104_2182.jpg


Another of left side and middle:
104_2184.jpg


Right side:
104_2183.jpg


FTS:
104_2181.jpg


Thanks for looking!
 
Looks great, when do your kids start? My kids went today for the first time and would have just loved to have found something like this in their science class.
 
Kids started today. There was lots of buzz about the tank as they were coming in. The district superintendent also stopped by with the business manager, the board of ed president and two board members to show it off.

I just can't wait to get it stocked, then it'll REALLY be impressive!

Patience.....patience.....PATIENCE!
 
Go Scott. Great job. You must be having fun. Nice to get the recognition too.
 
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