Swimboy123 July 6, 2011 Share July 6, 2011 (edited) Hey all; After being out of the hobby for a few years due to fluctuations in my life, I decided to jump back into it full force. I had decided to do another tank build but I was very particular about what kind of space that I wanted to use. I've started new tanks against a wall and once built a wall around a 300 gallon tank for my first impromptu fish room. With the purchase of a new home on the horizon, it was the perfect oppurtunity to find such a space that had all of my needs with small conformities to be made along the way. Just after closing I setup a small 45 gallon tank that would eventually be incorporated into my larger system as my frag grow-out tank. I fully intended for that tank to stay pretty spartan but it didn't last that way for long. Edited July 6, 2011 by Swimboy123 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimboy123 July 7, 2011 Author Share July 7, 2011 I had originally planned to put a different tank in that position but due to some faulty logic on my part it wasn't going to fit. There is a recess behind the drywall on the left, but thanks to Howardofnova, he quickly put me back on the right path. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimboy123 July 7, 2011 Author Share July 7, 2011 During the next phase, I changed out the existing sump that I had and replaced it with a custom made MRC HiFlow sump that I picked up from a fellow hobbyist that was breaking down multiple tanks. I also changed out my previous tank with a new 150 gallon display that I picked up from the same member. During the breakdown of those member's tanks, I made my first contact with some of the people from WAMAS and was very happy that I did. I think all can agree that there is a certain esprit de corps with the members of this club. As my sump was coming together, I came across another deal that I really couldn't afford (or want) to pass up. I picked up this little guy and he had the illustrious honor of calling my built-in refugium a home for a couple of months. And by home, I really mean studio apartment..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimboy123 July 7, 2011 Author Share July 7, 2011 The next portion of my project was to build a stand that would eventually be placed flush with the wall to either side. Once the build is complete the drywall can be attached directly to the stand with standard screws. One of the things that I really wanted to present with this tank was a "picture" of the reef in every sense of the word. The front of the display tank will only be about 1/2" from being flush and I plan on putting trim around the opening to simulate a frame. Back to the frame, I kicked around a bunch of ideas of how to do it. I have never built much out of wood before but I do have a fair bit of mechanical aptitude. After a bit of research and looking at other members stands, I went ahead and just started building it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimboy123 July 7, 2011 Author Share July 7, 2011 Time to take down the wall! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimboy123 July 7, 2011 Author Share July 7, 2011 And to put in the stand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimboy123 July 7, 2011 Author Share July 7, 2011 At this point in the process I have a good bit of electrical work to do. On my last 300 gallon reef, my entire system was on the same 15 amp circuit as the stove and dishwasher. If my halides were on as well as the dishwasher and the stove, it popped the breaker and really annoyed me and made my carpet wet. On this build, I installed a new 20 amp circuit dedicated solely for the fish room. I'm running everything through an 1100 joule surge suppressor. Downstream of that there is a 6 ft and 8 ft powerstrip running down the length of the room. I mounted these about 4-6 feet above my sump to mitigate any drips or drops shorting out my equipment. It also keeps everything off of the floor so i'm not kicking it around or stumbling on it. After researching a few different reef systems, I decided to add a Digital Aquatics ReefKeeper Elite. I like the auto topoff, switching outlets, graphing capabilites, and the internet access that it provides. It's a nice thing to be stuck at work and be able to monitor what is happening at home. Big Brother is always watching! I also had a lot of existing wiring that was running through the wall. As my wife was adament that nothing else in the house was to be shut off for an extended period of time, I had to ensure that all systems were still operational Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypertech July 7, 2011 Share July 7, 2011 As long as you are building, you might want to put the system on two circuits. That way if one blows for some reason, the whole system doesn't go down. For example, put the return on one circuit and the powerheads on the other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefoholic July 7, 2011 Share July 7, 2011 The tank is going on the stand in the wall, right? Also, my advice is when you are still building/designing this, make sure to give yourself a lot of space to work around in the fish-room. It can get pretty stuffy in there pretty quick... Can't wait to see the progress! Tagging along! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimboy123 July 7, 2011 Author Share July 7, 2011 I thought about doing a dual feed circuit but I decided against it. As of right now, my total load will be about 9 amps on a 20 amp circuit. If it does blow then I will probably have much bigger problems (power surge, leaking, zombie apocalypse) to worry about. But I understand your point of view and most times I would agree with you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimboy123 July 7, 2011 Author Share July 7, 2011 Thanks for the posts Hypertech and Reefoholic. The dimensions of the fish room room are about 6' by 12' with the sump about 4' back on the side. I have more of a hallway/aisle to walk in but it is large enough for a ladder, step-stool, buckets, and a few sets of shelves. I can't put recliner in there or anything, (If i could get a couch and a fridge back there I would probably never come out) but I think that I have pretty adequate space. What I've really been noticing lately is the air ducts at the top of the room. And by noticing, I mean banging my head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefoholic July 7, 2011 Share July 7, 2011 a couch and a fridge in the fish-room... maybe a TV... that's a dangerous game my friend! I dunno about you but I would never come out of that room! Hahah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RicSG July 7, 2011 Share July 7, 2011 I saw the setup and it is amazing. Thanks for al the advice and help. One day I want to grow up just like you and have a setup just like you. No jokes the setup is awesome. One day I will take up on your offer to do the plumbing for my tiny tank. I love your setup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad July 7, 2011 Share July 7, 2011 Nice progress so far! I think this is very close to what most of us have in mind when we think about the setup we all eventually want to have! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason the filter freak July 7, 2011 Share July 7, 2011 Looks good so far, nice healthy looking clam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypertech July 7, 2011 Share July 7, 2011 I thought about doing a dual feed circuit but I decided against it. As of right now, my total load will be about 9 amps on a 20 amp circuit. If it does blow then I will probably have much bigger problems (power surge, leaking, zombie apocalypse) to worry about. But I understand your point of view and most times I would agree with you! The idea isn't that you overload it, but say a heater flakes out and shorts and trips the breaker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimboy123 July 7, 2011 Author Share July 7, 2011 Yeah, I really hadn't thought of that.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimboy123 July 7, 2011 Author Share July 7, 2011 I saw the setup and it is amazing. Thanks for al the advice and help. One day I want to grow up just like you and have a setup just like you. No jokes the setup is awesome. One day I will take up on your offer to do the plumbing for my tiny tank. I love your setup. Thanks for the compliment Ric! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimboy123 July 7, 2011 Author Share July 7, 2011 So after I got the majority of the electrical done it was time to place my new display tank into position. I need to express a big thank to Truestelf and Epleeds for helping me to get that sucker up there. I moved up to the DC Metro area a little while ago and had been into reefing a good number of years before that. I didn't have the community of fellow hobbyists there anywhere close to what is here. I have to say that I am very impressed and thankful to WAMAS for the quality of it's members. Whether it's information or strong arm, people are always willing to help each other. After the tank was in place, the plumbing was next. I purchased to WAV Makers from Bbyatv and Coralhind was nice enough to lend me his 150 gallon stock tank for my water. I knew that I wanted to have a ton of flow in this tank. One thing that I have always envisioned for this is a reef crest type tank with anthias and chromis. Now I know that there are too many large squamosa clams on a reef crest but I'm God of this little world! I purchased flow acclerators/eductors from aquacave and the main return pump is a Reeflo Dart. I contemplated a Reeflo Barracuda but I want to see how this one does first before I get too crazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimboy123 July 7, 2011 Author Share July 7, 2011 More plumbing pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimboy123 July 7, 2011 Author Share July 7, 2011 At this point I also ad my quarantine tank up and cycled.....so what better to do than put in bunch of anthias!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimboy123 July 7, 2011 Author Share July 7, 2011 So here is where a stressfull situation comes into play. I mentioned earlier that I had gotten a great sump and that it was currently in use. The problem that I had was that it wasn't drilled. I wanted a gravity feed return pump. So after getting some sage advice, I took the plunge and started drilling. I had learned it was better to measure twice and cut once. I measured about twenty times! Victory!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guppychao July 7, 2011 Share July 7, 2011 not sure if you thought of it, but what about air circulation? going to get pretty stuffy in there. From the pics it looks like you did paint some of the ducts, but the will rust if you did not. looks great, and good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimboy123 July 7, 2011 Author Share July 7, 2011 Return Pump plumbing. I wanted to incorporate an additional iwaki MD 55RLT either for extra flow or just for S and G's. Utilizing the true union ith ball valves will allow me to take my return and supplementary for routine maintenance. The Iwaki has a 1" input/output and the dart has a 2" input with a 1.5" output. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimboy123 July 7, 2011 Author Share July 7, 2011 not sure if you thought of it, but what about air circulation? going to get pretty stuffy in there. From the pics it looks like you did paint some of the ducts, but the will rust if you did not. looks great, and good luck There is an air register in there and a return to the air handler is about 8 ft from the room. Hope it works! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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