Travis and Jessica's 400G Build
- Thread starter A_CoupleClowns
- Start date
A_CoupleClowns
New member
We are at that point right now, that's why there hasn't been any real updates in weeks :lmao: I have no idea how you got yours together so fast! By the way how's your tank doing?
We finished painting everything tonight. All that needs to be done is plumbing and hood/ventilation. Going to just make a frame for the hood at first to get everything rolling and skin it afterward. Should be a running tank by this weekend.
A_CoupleClowns
New member
We just started filling the 400g right now!
Plumbing is all dry fit, I am going to start cementing everything now while it fills. We have a 300gpd RO unit so it should fill pretty quick, never quick enough though
Plumbing is all dry fit, I am going to start cementing everything now while it fills. We have a 300gpd RO unit so it should fill pretty quick, never quick enough though
A_CoupleClowns
New member
Its been awhile so lets go ahead and do some catching up.
Here is a look at the electrical. We have two 20 amp gfi circuits. They are set up with gfi breakers in the box and the first receptacle on each 20 amp circuit is a gfi receptacle. All the receptacles are WR (weather resistant) and also have weather resistant covers to protect from any splashing or spraying.
Here is a look at the sump/frag tank and the stand. The sump/frag is 4'x5'x24"(300g), and is made out of 3/4" plywood and epoxy. The epoxy is poured to about 3/8" thick.
Here is a look at the electrical. We have two 20 amp gfi circuits. They are set up with gfi breakers in the box and the first receptacle on each 20 amp circuit is a gfi receptacle. All the receptacles are WR (weather resistant) and also have weather resistant covers to protect from any splashing or spraying.
Here is a look at the sump/frag tank and the stand. The sump/frag is 4'x5'x24"(300g), and is made out of 3/4" plywood and epoxy. The epoxy is poured to about 3/8" thick.
A_CoupleClowns
New member
The 400 gallon and rockwork.
Here is a look at the return plumbing.
Bean Animal Setup
Here is a look at the return plumbing.
Bean Animal Setup
A_CoupleClowns
New member
The Fishroom
The waterchange station will go under the sump. Two 100g tanks.
Frag area!
The waterchange station will go under the sump. Two 100g tanks.
Frag area!
A_CoupleClowns
New member
Ventilation Setup
This is the vent incoming into the fishroom from the hood of the tank.
This is the vent heading out of the fishroom to the soffit of the garage.
Here is a look at the ventilation fan, hung it from a bungee cord to reduce vibrations on the roof
This is the outdoor vent up in the soffit for all that hot humid air to escape.
This is the vent incoming into the fishroom from the hood of the tank.
This is the vent heading out of the fishroom to the soffit of the garage.
Here is a look at the ventilation fan, hung it from a bungee cord to reduce vibrations on the roof
This is the outdoor vent up in the soffit for all that hot humid air to escape.
Scythanith
Premium Member
That looks great!
A_CoupleClowns
New member
Good eye, I was planning on straightening that out as much as possible to reduce friction losses too. We want as much airflow as we can get out of that fan
A_CoupleClowns
New member
Thanks. We can't wait to get the fish in!
A_CoupleClowns
New member
While we are at it lets take this one step further.
Here is our "quick and dirty" QT setup.
And a few photos of the 400g's future residents hanging out in QT. We also have a Dussumieri, Purple and Orange shoulder in the QT's but we don't have any decent photos of those guys at the moment.
This was what the QT's turned into without the dividers.
Here is our "quick and dirty" QT setup.
And a few photos of the 400g's future residents hanging out in QT. We also have a Dussumieri, Purple and Orange shoulder in the QT's but we don't have any decent photos of those guys at the moment.
This was what the QT's turned into without the dividers.
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A_CoupleClowns
New member
The QT's are sitting down in our bar area at the moment. In 3 weeks when these current fish are done with our QT procedure we will empty the QT's and move them out into the fishroom under the cabinets. Then all of our OG fish are coming out of the coral tanks and going through QT before they make it into the new system. We want the new system to be a good clean pest free environment where everyone can thrive and live happy. Not saying any of our old fish are diseased or anything like that, but no fish is getting in with out a ride through QT. That's the rules this time around and we are sticking to our guns on this one :hammer:
The 400 gallon and rockwork.
Here is a look at the return plumbing.
Bean Animal Setup
Wonderful build here for sure and I am looking forward to it progressing. I am just wondering if you have considered some type of protection for your wall as your overflow is right next to it. It seems inevitable that you are going to have some salt creep, humidity issues, or maybe some splashing that will damage that wall sooner or later.
Have you considered giving some space between the overflow and wall,(potential nightmare if you ever need to get back there for repair or adjustments) or if nothing else, a sheet of acrylic between the tank and wall. Just a thought on my behalf that may save you some headaches later.
A_CoupleClowns
New member
Thanks!
That is another good point. We are building a hood next that will go over the tank and the ventilation duct shown sitting on the tank trim in the photo above is what will suck out all of the humidity and moisture. We are going to use the sherwin williams epoxy paint for the hood so it will be able to stand up to the abuse of salt creep and spray for years and years.
By the way its hard to tell from the photos but as it sits the tank sticks out 46.25" from the wall, if it was moved outward any further I think it would impede in on the room and entryway and take on an awkward look. The hood will resolve those issues though so we should be good to go.
A_CoupleClowns
New member
Very exciting!
Saturday I shimmed the display stand and got everything level, then Monday I reinforced the sump stand (200+ gallons was bowing the stand too much for my liking) and shimmed that level also. Now we are ready to roll. I need to adjust the overflow level up a touch to quiet down the coast to coast overflow. 3000+ gph of flow is WAY to loud dropping 2.5" into the overflow. Hood construction begins this weekend that should be interesting. Still haven't decided if we are going with removable doors or a fully removable front face.
We decided to purchase an Apex now so we can get everything wired and cleaned up right from the start. So far we are planning on getting the kit for $799 with the lab grade probes, then add on an additional energy bar 8, and an auto feeder. Is there anything else we should be getting with it right from the start? We are new to the whole Apex/controller thing.
sarens
Member
-I'm running Apex, I have feeder also which is awesome, I have wireless module so my Vortech MP60's can run opposite to create wave, I have water detection module with sensor in my pan under my tank, I'm still new also, took a little reading and practice to get set-up and working, I have my Kessil's on it with timer program sunrise/sunset, I have (2) Energybar 8's
daplatapus
New member
Love my Apex. I wouldn't be surprised to hear you run out of power with just one EB8. As you get used to it, you'll be adding things on there you never thought of. I'd imagine many Apex users have 2 EB8'S or at least an EB8 and an EB4.
