New system build......300g

[skylord]

It's time to start my build project. This project started about a year ago with the wife and I deciding we needed some more space. First goal was to have a yard big enough for our dogs to run free. They are wieners so that wasn't real hard. Next was a large reef tank. This was a little more difficult than I expected. We finally found what we could live with and accomplish what we wanted in June of 2007. Here is the start.....

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/Exterior077.jpg

The tank will go here...

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0043-1.jpg

The tank is supported with a beam and a 2x6 bearing wall with a 5 foot span. 2x10 floor joist are on 16" centers.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0072-1.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0074-1.jpg

And the fishroom.....

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0030-1.jpg

And our almost finished house.....

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/Finished055.jpg

See the nice new fence? I had to take part of it down in order to get the tank moved into the house.

I will get more posted tonight.

Scott

[Chaloupa]

BEAUTIFUL house Skylord!!! That is just gorgeous! Nice being able to plan the house with the tank planned as well so everything is done the way you want with the space you need! NICE!

[SeaSerpant]

Looks awesome. How long have you been planning on this tank?

[Chowder]

So what does the tank look like?



Nice house by the way.

[Ya Dude]

whats the orange PVC for

[i have crabs]

sprinkler's lol ive almost helped myself to some orange pipe while walkin around jobsites one or twice

[skylord]

Sprinkler system for fire.

whats the orange PVC for

Had to start as a tease. I have been working on the plan for the system for about a year at this point. I will itemize the list of the system soon. Total system when finished will be about 900 gallons.

Scott

[niloc16]

finally scott, jees you definitely take your time let us in on the build buddy. JK. its a sweet house to guys. i was one of the lucky ones that did not have to lift that beast

[michika]

Yay! Now we don't have to ban you! :D

Nice house, I like the balcony above the garage.

[Delphinus]

Don't worry Skylord, you're not the slowest on the tank build threads. I got your back buddy. :mrgreen: Excited to see the progress though! :) The Timmie's cup is a nice touch! :lol:

[skylord]

First two pics are probably the most important in what will end up my fish room.

Don't know how I ever got along without a wash tub.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0023-1.jpg

These cupboard's are out of an old kitchen that were converted into a work bench in a sewing room. A friend asked me if I had any idea how she could get rid of them. I had then tore down and out of her house before she could change her mind.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0014-1.jpg

The next photo is of Seahorse Fanatics old 100g. At this point is was my temporary housing for my 75g. I was lucky and the builder allowed me to set it up before we took possession. It was placed on the floor right in the middle of the room so of course it was in the way for ever. I thought it would become my sump but plans have changed since.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0015-1.jpg

A ASM G4 was used for skimming and ended up being used a lot longer than expected.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0019-1.jpg

Here is the first stand I built. Way over built but I have about $10 invested. Most of the wood was free. We were the first to live in our new neighborhood so I took advantage of the scrap piles. Only wood I bought for was the long
2x6's.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/PumpkinPatch026.jpg

And a place for the 110.....

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/PumpkinPatch039.jpg

Scott

[banditpowdercoat]

Keep em coming :D Only got to keep my wife away from the screen when I look at the pics. She wants new "purpose built" house now HAHAHAHA

[Jason McK]

Sweet. I think your the first to have your house designed and built around your Tank plans. LOL

J

[Sushiman]

Ah, the long awaited build thread finally begins....:onfire:

[skylord]

Here is stand number two with a stack of 2x6 for the display tank.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/PumpkinPatch027.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0159-1.jpg

And here is my refugium. Its a 160g.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0153.jpg


http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_00112.jpg

I wont need a return pump. Gravity will be used here.


And my first captured creatures. What a playpen for 2 yr olds! Our twin grandkids and their parents are currently living with us. I think the twins have added about 2 months to this project so far.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_00252.jpg

My current frag system. It will change and be added to the complete system. Part of my plumbing goal is to be able to separate any part of the system and be able to run it on its own for any period of time. If my refugium needs to become a quarantine tank I will be able to do that by turning a couple of valves. Same with any part of the system. My main skimmer can handle the entire system on its own and I will have one or two backup skimmers in case something needs to change fast.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0037-1.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0203.jpg

This should be a priority.....these tanks will dump about 10 to 15 gallons of water on the floor if I lose power. I have a floor drain that is close by but the pump could run dry if I weren't home to handle that. Soon.....lol

Scott

[niloc16]

wow buddy that is definitely the definition of go big or go home

[skylord]

And I even have a backup plan. We had extra support for a tank built into our flexroom. Right now that is being used as a playroom.

Scott

Sweet. I think your the first to have your house designed and built around your Tank plans. LOL

J

[skylord]

I built the stand in the garage and then had to take it apart to get it into the house.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0158.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0185.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0186.jpg

The stand is built like a house. I used 2 x 6's for the walls and floor joists. 1/2 inch ply was used for the bottom and 3/4 ply for the top.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0188.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0189.jpg

And my little helpers........

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0193.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0195.jpg

Scott

[skylord]

And the rest of the stand pics.....


http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0196.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0198.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0200.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0203-1.jpg


Scott

[skylord]

Here is the tank.....84 x 30 x 27. I did a water test in the garage because the day the tank showed up a few people who thought they could help move the beast into the house weren't able to make it. There was only 5 of us the day it arrived.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0007-2.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0008-1.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0009-1.jpg

And just a little problem.......

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0010-1.jpg

Turns out I had time to add a little silicone.

Scott

[Skimmerking]

looks good man
well done i like your stand over kill on the 2x6's

[rocketlily]

Thank you for all the pictures of your stand. Now I won't feel bad when I make my new stand and use a few extra pieces of lumber.

[mseepman]

Scott,

Excellent thread so far. I'm building a house later this year and my future tank is a huge part of that.

Who did your tank for you? Are any of the panels starfire?

[skylord]

It cost an extra 10 or $15 to use 2x6's. I didnt need the space and I hadnt run out of money yet....lol

Scott

looks good man
well done i like your stand over kill on the 2x6's

[Mattgesy]

this tank is going to be amazing to see running, great job!

[skylord]

Front panel is starphire and I wish (now that I have seen the differnce) I had used it for the ends too. One other mistake....I had planned for it to be an 8ft tank and 36 inch wide, but the weight of an extra 100g worried me so I chickened out.

Scott


Scott,

Excellent thread so far. I'm building a house later this year and my future tank is a huge part of that.

Who did your tank for you? Are any of the panels starfire?

[mseepman]

So you see that big of a difference with starfire. Who was it that built your tank? Any reason you didn't choose external overflows considering that it was a custom build?

[skylord]

The difference in price was about 100 for the starphire front pane. I would have been worth another 100 for the side panes to be done. I am really surprised at how much better the starphire is.

Its a seastar by h2o.

I didnt go with external overflows only because of where I was placing the tank. If I had brought it out any further from the wall I would have opted for 36" front to back over the 30" that I have.

Scott

So you see that big of a difference with starfire. Who was it that built your tank? Any reason you didn't choose external overflows considering that it was a custom build?

[untamed]

Sweet. I think your the first to have your house designed and built around your Tank plans. LOL

J

Ha..ha...the second...

Interesting to see the early phases. Of course, we all know that this thread is waaaayyy behind where the tank is at now.

B

[skylord]

Not nearly as far behind as you might think. :biggrin:

Scott

Ha..ha...the second...

Interesting to see the early phases. Of course, we all know that this thread is waaaayyy behind where the tank is at now.

B

[skylord]

The tank arrived November 17th. Had a crew lined up to move it but a few plans got changed at the last minute so we were a group of 5......seemed to risky to chance moving it with only 5 people. We were going to do it the next weekend but it snowed....again not worth the risk. Same thing the next weekend. By now I was getting choked. We had a real nice day Dec 8th and enough people were able to make it and turn it into a little party.

Here you can see Seahorse Fanatic (black jacket) and Jason Mck (the only one looking toward the camera).

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0001.jpg

Jason is letting me know I am number one, and you can see untamed here....he is in the car just coming around the corner.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0004-2.jpg

Attempting to figure out the best way to roll the tank back on its bottom and lift it at the same time, Seahorse is leading with his thoughts. :biggrin: The tank would only fit through the door on it's side.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0007-3.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0008-2.jpg

The biggest helpers in their new prison taking a cookie break.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0012-2.jpg

The crowd....

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0017-1.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0019-2.jpg

Thanks go out to Seahorse, Jason Mck, Midnight (Red shirt) , untamed (talking to Jason Mck) and Ed, another Jason, Heidi, Rodney (his new baby is finally here so maybe I can get my finish wood work done now). The last 4 are all reefers just not Can reefers. And everyone else who helped make this happen.

A shot of the tank on the stand.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0020-1.jpg

Scott

[Cameron]

Cool livestock, you must have one heck of a skimmer on that tank....lol

[skylord]

The Skimmer has arrived and is one of many projects Im working on but with these two I may be over stocked.....lol

Scott

[lastlight]

Sweet. I think your the first to have your house designed and built around your Tank plans. LOL

J

I just finished a new place as well in Calgary. Cedarglen Homes were actually interested in the project and helped me out.

Originally they poured an 8x3 footing for me in the ground to support my 3-400 gallon upstairs. In the end the engineers did the hard work with prelam beams only and never used the footing.

Here's the footing which i have now put my own jackposts w/ 3 2x10s on about 2 feet from the prelam beams to even further avoid main floor flex. It's all tile upstairs so flex is bad:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixhendricks/1217800244/in/set-72157601383931177/

And here's the beams. They normally use 2 for my house plan and certainly not 2 x 14's! The originally put 4 in but when I was concerned they hadn't used the footing I paid for they toosed in another, There are 5 here. The cost to do all this was really minor compared to what it'd run you later on...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixhendricks/1802411240/in/set-72157601383931177/

Anyways not trying to hijack here...this is usefull info for anyone seeing your thread and thinking of building!

Brett

[skylord]

One of the upgrades we went with was a steal I-Beam but I couldnt find a pic of it.

Scott

[christyf5]

Lookin good Scott, now wheres the pics with water in it? :razz:

[Skimmerking]

Scott what do you mean that 4 of them are other reefer's, and their not on Canreef , well what are you waiting for Dude. get them registered.:mrgreen:

[lastlight]

steel i-beam?!

oh man now THAT'S the way to go! I didn't even inquire because i assumed the cost would be insane...

[skylord]

The differnce between that and a gluelam beam was less than running a gas line for the outside BBQ. A beam of some sort had to go in at that spot anyway so it didnt change the cost much.

steel i-beam?!

oh man now THAT'S the way to go! I didn't even inquire because i assumed the cost would be insane...

[skylord]

The first hole in my wifes new home. When she saw the keyhole saw she decided to take the dogs for a walk......

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0065-1.jpg

My little helpers trying to convince me to let them drill the holes through the floor.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0067-1.jpg

The plumbing on the main floor complete. Very simple and I know I could have used clear glue but I didn't really care because this area when finished will seldom be seen by anyone but me.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0172.jpg

Now heres the fun part....I had to run a temporary line to get the water to the tank. I ended up with about 30 ft of head and was using a QuietOne 9000 to do the job. Quietone...ya right. This has to be one of the noisiest pumps ever made.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0088.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0090.jpg

I also had to add a wall in the area where the plumbing entered my fish room. After adding the wall I was able to continue the plumbing.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0080.jpg

[skylord]

First water entered the tank Dec 18......

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0087.jpg

It took almost 2 weeks to make up the water. My 100 GPD ro/di puts out about 30 GPD. I need one of those booster pumps. Between water changes and top off it didn't seem like I was gaining much. But 140 Lbs of sand went in Dec 31.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0169.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0174.jpg

While the sand was settling I was busy on the plumbing again. The small wall is in and here is more plumbing.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0095.jpg

Here is the wife letting me know she is done waiting for me.....

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/CSC_0023.jpg

Water is clear again.....

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_00213.jpg

and here is the first rock.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0077-1.jpg

I had to set up a temp light to keep the everyone happy.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0094.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_00872.jpg

[niloc16]

what happened to the updates buddy.

[skylord]

Been busy Colin...lol. But here we go....the problem I am having is too many projects going on at once. When I first got into this hobby everything had to done right away. Now I just cant get in a hurry.

What I am going to add now is my major experiment. Lights.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0132-1.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0133.jpg

This is a 6ft Solaris I4. It requires 3 power supply's that look a lot like PC power supply's. If one ever dies you can bet I will be opening it up.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0138-1.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0143-1.jpg

Its not easy taking a pic of a light that is on......

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0112.jpg

Here is the tank as it is today.....

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0412.jpg

And a crappy pic of the atinics......

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/RscottHayes/DSC_0420.jpg


Scott

[skylord]

What you can do for setting your lights up with this very nice. Not real difficult to sort out but you need to be ready to do a little math. I think they got in a hurry to get this model out. In less than 10 days I had 5 light strips burn out. I called them and was told I would get replacements right away. 4 weeks later(still waiting) I called again letting them know I had 2 more lights out and I wasn't happy having 2/3s of a light. Replacements arrived about 5 days later. Holidays was probably the reason but I don't want to hear right away and wait 6 weeks. I'm over it.

I'm still not sure about the light. Its not in its final position and is temporally hanging over the tank. Right now I am getting a lot of shadowing but a few things are liking that. Rics, most softies and the LPS are hiding in the shadows. The LPS seem to want to mid tank or lower. The Candy Cane I have isn't happy anywhere in the tank. I have 2 10 inch yellow Fiji....one likes being at the surface and the other wants to be at the bottom. The clams.....one seems happy(enough to spawn and turn 600g so cloudy you couldn't see the back of the display) and the other is wondering all over the place. LPS is confusing so far. I have a purple bottle brush that is growing like a weed with nice color and a couple of other acros that are showing nice color. Had a couple of acro frags die within 2 days. I have bleached some cap (green and purple) and killed a red in about 2 days.

I have the lights turned down to about 75% to prevent bleaching.

I like the way the light looks. I like the way it works. I think I have a lot to learn about the thing and what the corals really want and like.

My biggest concern so far is the heat or lack of heat. The light produces no heat for the tank. I am running 1100 watts of heaters to keep the tank at 77.

The saga continues.....

Scott

[Chowder]

Tank looks great Scott. Hope you figure out the light. Must be frustrating to get the new light up and it doesn't completely work?
Chris

[skylord]

It was irritating for sure. Not a huge deal but I think as a group WE tend to expect more out of some company's than others. PFO is one of those companies.

Scott

[Sebae again]

I'm sure all will work out with the lights just frustrating. I really like the look of your system . It has that stealth European/Japanese look . If I could afford those lights ,I'd buy them too.

[skylord]

The Euro look made me laugh......I have been trying to learn German so I can set up half of this equipment. My wife speaks Dutch so she can understand a few of the German works which helps a little. Thanks sebae.

Scott

[cprowler]

Looking good Scott, keep up the good work.

[rockworm]

I am glad I saw this thread. Scott, is it the DT that you are putting the lights on? If so, how do find the front to back coverage. You said your tank is 30" wide. I am currently setting up a system that will include a 180g display. I am giving serious thought to getting the 72" Solaris I4. My concern is the front to back coverage. I can see the long term savings and am in the fortunate position of being able to consider the Solaris.

My display system will be a 180 with 2 54g bow front corner units as bookends. I plan on mainly SPS in the 180, softies in 1 54 and don't yet know for the other 54. I will plumb to a 75g sump and 65g refugium that will be housed in the basement. Maybe I should start a build thread here. I, like you, am in no rush. I currently have a 90g set up.

Ward

[skylord]

Yes. Is the 180 your considering 72x24x24? If so you shouldnt have a problem. PFO recomends 2 fixtures for the size tank I have. Of course I didnt see a thing about that untill after my purchase. With a depth of 24 you can raise your lights a little higher and get good coverage. You may get some shading either front or back depending on what you want but I am finding some things are needing to have some shading.

Start a tank thread. Sounds like you will have a unique project and a new thread can help you alot. When you start banging your head against the wall there are a lot of people here willing to help you hit it harder.....errr work around the issue....lol

Scott

I am glad I saw this thread. Scott, is it the DT that you are putting the lights on? If so, how do find the front to back coverage. You said your tank is 30" wide. I am currently setting up a system that will include a 180g display. I am giving serious thought to getting the 72" Solaris I4. My concern is the front to back coverage. I can see the long term savings and am in the fortunate position of being able to consider the Solaris.

My display system will be a 180 with 2 54g bow front corner units as bookends. I plan on mainly SPS in the 180, softies in 1 54 and don't yet know for the other 54. I will plumb to a 75g sump and 65g refugium that will be housed in the basement. Maybe I should start a build thread here. I, like you, am in no rush. I currently have a 90g set up.

Ward

[rockworm]

Thanks Scott. The 180 is the standard 72x24x24. I am really swaying towards the Solaris. I will admit, I am a little disappointed to hear about your problems with the light strips. My understanding (from RC) is that PFO was going to test every light they got in from China. PFO is under pressure to get the lights out, so some may have slipped through.

As you said, I figure I can hang them a little higher and this will provide a little more light spread.

I love the banging head against wall comment. I do a good job, which may explain why my wife keeps telling me I have a hard head. (Goes with selective listening too).

Is the 180 your considering 72x24x24? If so you shouldnt have a problem. PFO recomends 2 fixtures for that size. Of course I didnt see a thing about that untill after my purchase. With a depth of 24 you can raise your lights a little higher and get good coverage. You may get some shading either front or back depending on what you want but I am finding some things are needing to have some shading.

Start a tank thread. Sounds like you will have a unique project and a new thread can help you alot. When you start banging your head against the wall there are a lot of people here willing to help you hit it harder.....errr work around the issue....lol

Scott

[skylord]

I think I was the exception. Most everything I have read PFO is right on top of things. I wasnt so upset that a few light strips had problems, but waiting 5 or 6 weeks for them to fix it was an issue.

Scott

[niloc16]

scott whats goin on the tank these days

[Sushiman]

Yeah SCOTT....where's the eye candy????? Update !@#$%! :twised:

[skylord]

Ive been busy(OK....lazy) and havent done a lot. Just letting things settle in. I have done some elec stuff like adding some GFs and plugs but nothing exciting.

Scott

[Sushiman]

Do not try to sate us with your petty excuses, this is all about our needs not yours, now post more pics dammit! :mrgreen:

[argan]

Saw the tank at the frag sale. Very nice and healthy fish and corals. My favorite was the beautiful Chocolate Tang.

great job on the system so far skylord!!
:biggrin:

[christyf5]

Still no pics? :confused: :razz:

[untamed]

People should post pictures they took of Scott's tanks while at the auction. If he is too busy to update his thead then we'll have to do it for him!

[JDigital]

How has this tank progressed in the passed couple months? :smile: