480 Gal Project [Archive] - Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board

chris c

05-07-2008, 01:35 AM

Hi

Just wanted to share my tank with you its not done yet but it should not take to long to complete.

Here are the specs so far

Tank 120''x30''x30''
Skimmer Bubble King SM250
Power heads 5x Vortech WMP40
Dual overflows with 1.5'' herbi drains

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/chrisaquarium045.jpg

chris c

05-07-2008, 01:47 AM

I am still very unsure on lighting for this tank. I would like to use t5 but not sure if the tank is to deep. Help in this area would be great. The sump is going to be 84''x30''x18'' glass with 4 chambers one for filter socks, skimmer, refiugium and return pump. I would like the tank to have a lot of open space for fish to swim. Not to sure on sand or bare bottem have had both and they have there ups and downs. As fare as coral it will be a mixed reef with 70% sps and 30% softies and lps.

Thanks Chris

Parker

05-07-2008, 01:50 AM

Wow, looks like it's going to be a great tank!

chris c

05-07-2008, 01:51 AM

Some pics of my 280g

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/chrisaquarium050.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/chrisaquarium051.jpg

Thanks Chris

untamed

05-07-2008, 02:00 AM

Hi

Just wanted to share my tank with you its not done yet but it should not take to long to complete.

Not too long....ha..ha.. I love it! It took me a year to build mine. What was I doing all that time? I'm along for the build 'cause I like watching another monster go together.

Nice sturdy stand there.

chris c

05-07-2008, 02:22 AM

Thanks a lot i watched your build from the begining and learned a lot from you thanks for all the work you put in to keeping us all updated. I only wish my tank will be as nice as yours.

Chris

lastlight

05-07-2008, 02:40 AM

wow that stand is a beauty. What'd the steel beams set you back and where did you get them?

chris c

05-07-2008, 03:05 AM

The steel beams are from varsteel 5''x5'' and there are 4 of them under the tank. they were about 700.00 for all of them i think i only needed 3 but you have to by them in 20' lenghts.
Chris

digital-audiophile

05-07-2008, 03:40 AM

That's going to be one kick *** tank! Your 280 is not too shabby either :p That's an insane amount of xenia!

I like that you are going with the vortechs, I really enjoy mine. How are you planning the placement of 5? Two on each end on in the middle?

chris c

05-07-2008, 03:47 AM

Thanks yes it is a lot of xenia its one of the few things my angles dont eat and it spreds like a weed. For now there will be 2 vortechs on each end and on on the back with plans to add 2 more on the back i hope this will work. I really like the new vortechs with the wave driver they do a great job in my 280.
chris

Zylumn

05-07-2008, 04:04 AM

nice tank tagging along. Can't wait to see your equipment list.
Kevin

Delphinus

05-07-2008, 04:10 AM

Man !!! That's a long tank. Wicked!!

mark

05-07-2008, 04:23 AM

pls keep the build pictures coming

Jason McK

05-07-2008, 05:17 AM

Cool I'm excited to watch this build thread.

Pics pics pics

J

fastfish

05-07-2008, 11:39 PM

Wow.... Awesome! Please do keep us updated :)

cole004

05-08-2008, 01:12 AM

Holy...thats all holy
My wife says never!!!:(

Looks great tagging along as well

chris c

05-08-2008, 08:28 PM

So here are some my new toys. This is just the start of all the stuff i need and i will be adding to this over the next few weeks. I still have no ideas on lighting so if anyone can help that would be great. I would like my lights to look nice becouse the tank will be open top with the window behind it. I have also been thinking about zeovit for this tank so anyone with a large tank running zeo i would love to here what you think.

Chris

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/chrisaquarium055.jpg

BC564

05-08-2008, 08:47 PM

Im tagging along....this stuff is so exciting.....

dsaundry

05-08-2008, 09:20 PM

I think for lighting you are going to have to determine what you are going to keep.. Halides are nice, but there are a lot of reefers going to big t5 set-ups..Actinics are a must IMO and moonlights are nice as well.
I am tagging along as well

chris c

05-09-2008, 12:57 AM

So I just wanted to share my way of hopefully controling humidity in are house now that the new tank is here. Its a life breath HRV thats sucks air out of the tank room and adds new air straight in to are furnace.
I think this should do the trick last winter the 280g made all of are windows fog up whenever it was colder then -10C

Chris

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/DSC07673.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/DSC07674.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/DSC07676.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/DSC07677.jpg

untamed

05-09-2008, 01:04 AM

Delphinus

05-09-2008, 04:32 AM

I have a Lifebreath - the next size up from the one you've got. It made the difference between foggy windows and dry windows. It was so bad for me that they were fogging up anything below 0, and below -10 they were so wet in the morning that it looked like someone had taken a garden hose to them. The HRV put an immediate stop to it.

You'll be happy with yours.

chris c

05-09-2008, 04:34 AM

Thats great to here i had mine installed after the cold weather. I used the same guys as you i think Airpro?

Chris

Delphinus

05-09-2008, 04:39 AM

Same guys. Think they've now had several Canreef customers now. :lol: That's awesome, I was really happy with the work they did, wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

I had mine done in the spring too, so I had to wait over the summer to see if it would have an effect. I was so worried I would find out it wasn't enough or something. But luckily, it was enough. :)

untamed

05-09-2008, 06:09 AM

Here's a coincidence for you. I had some air conditioning guys over because I'm installing a heat pump on the house. One of the guys happens to be a "fish guy" and wanted a tank tour. When he looked at my ventilation, he says..."you should consider adding an HRV" because he was impressed by all the hot air I was blowing out of the house.

So...I'm going to talk with them about the idea.

chris c

05-09-2008, 04:00 PM

You know one other good thing with the HRV that we have noticed is that the air in the house is much fresher and cleaner then before.

Chris

Jaws

05-09-2008, 06:43 PM

Wow, that tank has so much potential. Can't wait to see it going. Just a note on the Vortechs: I had four vortechs in a 180G tank once and your flow would be amazing if you could evenly distribute them across the back wall. However, if you're considering a sand bottom then you'll find it won't be able to withstand the wicked flow the vortechs put out across thirty inches back to front. You may want to consider either a crushed coral/gravel bottom or bare bottom. I like the crushed coral bottom because it still looks natural and won't blow around like sand bottoms. One thing I loved about the vortechs isn't just the output but how much flow you noticed being sucked into the vortechs. If you had them mounted on the back wall pointing at the front wall you should get a really strong, constant, circular cycle. Your corals would love you. Good luck.

chris c

05-09-2008, 10:17 PM

So i have some thoughts on lights but need some help. I was thinking of going with 5 lumen max 3 reflectors with 250w galaxy ballasts or 2 four foot 8 bulb tek lights 8x54watts. What do you guys think?

Chris

Delphinus

05-09-2008, 10:30 PM

What are the dimensions of the lumenmax3 reflectors?

If it was me, I'd be doing a mixture of both halide and T5's. Go with 4 of 5 halides flanked with T5's on the side. I think the 80w T5's are 60" so you should be able to go with 2 80W per length, and at least one row on each side of the reflectors (depending on the dimensions of the reflector and how much space you have left over, maybe 2 rows of T5's on each side {so 4 rows in total}). Or with the 30" depth you could run 24" T5's, perpendicular, between the reflectors. And you could more or less run as many as you wanted that way..

chris c

05-09-2008, 11:44 PM

The reflectors are 11''x11'' with 250w bulb. I was trying not to have to make a custom fixture for the lights. thats why i would like to use one or the other. Maybe i could find a good combo light for it that is what i have on my 280g.

Chris

Delphinus

05-10-2008, 05:37 AM

Oh ... hmmm, OK then. Guess that changes the advice then! :lol:

Hard to say then. The T5s-only option will give you unparalled options for mixing and matching bulbs to your taste. I don't see why an 8 lamps fixture wouldn't be more than enough for 30" of tank height..

But halides do a bang up job too. 5 lumenmax reflectors over that tank would be incredibly sharp.

:neutral: Flip a coin I guess. Sorry I'm not much help, I'd be agonizing over the choice as well. :lol:

Pan

05-10-2008, 05:49 AM

Very cool. I just vented directly outside, which wastes all that heat along with the humidity. I would probably not get as much value out of that as you will in Calgary.

One of the better arguments AGAINST metal halide is dealing with the heat they put off. With the HRV, you'll be able to use this to heat your house. Very efficient.
My Teks put out more heat than my Halides 6 bulb vs 250 watt. I've heard people running the Ati power modules that they are quite quite hot. That is the t5 lighting system to go with i think. Awesome looking and peforming. IIn the hotter months you can drop your photoperiod down and run the actinics or swith the bulb placements...little more user flexible i think going the t5 route.i have both and the loss of shimmer is not that big a deal. Although if i run just the two outside bulbs on the tek i get shimmer :)

Delphinus

05-10-2008, 05:56 AM

Of course, if shimmer is a really big deal you should pick up one of these bad boys:
http://www.aquariumobsessed.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AOCA&Product_Code=SF-Xenus&Category_Code=SFWM

Check it out, I bet you'd get shimmer with just regular old normal output fluorescents with this thing:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=y5wW0sL_CFk

Another option is the Tunze wavebox, I know you're going with Vortechs but you could slap one on that tank supplementally and get a double wave happening (I think you need at least 8' of tank length to pull it off).

Although I guess the Vortechs could probably pull it off too if they were tuned just right?

banditpowdercoat

05-10-2008, 07:48 AM

I like that wavemaker thing. I bet I could build a smaller one for my tank. Looks like a reciprocating paddle

chris c

05-10-2008, 10:03 PM

Thanks for the advice guys i am really haveing a hard time with this becouse it will affect the look so much. I should make up my mind soon i hope. I was also thinking of running a red dragon for my return do any of you have one? was it worth it? do you like it?

Thanks a lot Chris

chris c

12-17-2008, 04:59 AM

Well I finally have some new pics to show you guys. My new sump was just delivered and I can’t wait to get started plumbing now. The dimensions are 96''long 30''wide and 18''tall this should add a lot of volume to my system. I would like to have it up and running before the New Year.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/chrisaquarium102.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/chrisaquarium103.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/chrisaquarium104.jpg

Boomboy

12-17-2008, 02:03 PM

i cant tell from the pictures but is your tank rimless? cant wait too what else your going to do with this monster. keep us updated with lots of PICS.

lastlight

12-17-2008, 02:57 PM

dabandit

12-17-2008, 03:45 PM

WOW I shutter to think of what that weighs dry,such a small contact point with the block you'd best be hoping that slab is at least 5'' thick with lots of rebar. Jesus that got to be 8000lbs without a footing I think you should call an engineer or at least do a core sample to see how thick the concrete is.
P.S that tank looks and will look incredible

Chin_Lee

12-17-2008, 04:42 PM

Nice tank!!!
IF you don't mind me asking, where did you get that tank from and how much was it for the tank alone?

chris c

12-17-2008, 04:44 PM

i cant tell from the pictures but is your tank rimless? cant wait too what else your going to do with this monster. keep us updated with lots of PICS.

Hey Boomboy

Right now my tank is rimless but the euro bracing is on its way. So not going to be like this for long I hope. Can't wait to get water in it.

Thanks Chris C

chris c

12-17-2008, 04:49 PM

For the HRV to work do you absolutely need a humid air intake near the tank like you do? Mine tank is in my livingroom and that seems pretty impossible to do in my case.

Humid air sinks to the ground I think so maybe the intake could be behind the tank next to my cold air return?

Hey lastlight

I don't think the intake needs to be right over the tank. I think as long as it is near by it should work fine.

Chris

Snappy

12-17-2008, 05:32 PM

Sweet, looks like it will be a beauty. Hard to tell from the pictures....is there no bracing on the display? What is the glass thicknes?

sphelps

12-17-2008, 05:55 PM

Sweet, looks like it will be a beauty. Hard to tell from the pictures....is there no bracing on the display? What is the glass thicknes?
Yeah I was thinking the same but he stated above that the glass for the euro brace hasn't been installed yet. But what is the glass thickness out of curiosity?

Delphinus

12-18-2008, 02:41 AM

Hook the HRV up to your furnace vents and then you probably don't need an intake right next to the tank. It will work to keep the whole house circulated that way.

Snappy

12-18-2008, 05:14 AM

Yeah I was thinking the same but he stated above that the glass for the euro brace hasn't been installed yet. But what is the glass thickness out of curiosity?
I guess I read all the posts but that one.:redface:

chris c

12-18-2008, 08:59 PM

Yeah I was thinking the same but he stated above that the glass for the euro brace hasn't been installed yet. But what is the glass thickness out of curiosity?

The glass is 5/8'' on the sides and 3/4'' on the bottom there is internal bracing in all corners for strength. It also has double euro bracing on top with a 3' center brace.

Thanks Chris

hillegom

12-18-2008, 11:54 PM

Beautiful tank. tagging along

Paverdude

01-24-2009, 09:30 PM

Bump

mseepman

04-25-2009, 06:24 AM

Anything new on this tank?

chris c

11-08-2009, 03:19 AM

So the tank is finally full of water and live rock. It has been a very long build so far and still so much to do. So far I have installed my skimmer, heaters, 1 of the return pumps and my reefkeeper elite. I have just picked up my lighting it is 4 250w lummax reflectors and galaxy ballest. Just need to build a rack to hold them. My other big problem is a very large gorilla crab that I can't catch. So that is all of the latest info on the tank pics to come soon.

Thanks Chris C

chris c

11-12-2009, 02:51 AM

So here are the new tank pics.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumpics724.jpg

Thanks chris

chris c

11-12-2009, 02:55 AM

Sorry here are the rest.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumpics725.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumpics726.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumpics727.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumpics728.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumpics729.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumpics730.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumpics731.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumpics732.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumpics733.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumpics734.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumpics735.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumpics736.jpg

Thanks chris

bignose

11-12-2009, 03:10 AM

Your tank is awsome! I hope I can have a tank like yours.

lastlight

11-12-2009, 04:32 AM

That's a serious investment in rock right there! I was and still am so jealous of that wide open stand. Glad you're back and we're going to see the journey continue!

fishytime

11-12-2009, 04:37 AM

Dude...thats a lot of water:biggrin:.....looks good all lit up

chris c

11-12-2009, 06:53 PM

Thanks guys I am hopeing things will move faster now that I have more time to work on the tank. Right now I am working on the water change system and fresh water topoff I will post pics tonight.

Thanks Chris

Carmen

11-12-2009, 07:10 PM

Looking great Chris! You weren't kidding that is alot of rock! Awesome tank!

globaldesigns

11-12-2009, 07:20 PM

Now I am jealous... I have a big tank, but yours makes me want to upgrade again.

Boomboy

11-12-2009, 07:52 PM

wanna trade?? hahah very nice.

christyf5

11-12-2009, 08:20 PM

Looks fantastic!!:biggrin:

Lance

11-12-2009, 10:35 PM

:thumb:

chris121277

11-12-2009, 11:39 PM

Awesome set up man :biggrin:

bauder1986

11-16-2009, 04:58 AM

Yep, tagging along for this one!

lastlight

11-16-2009, 05:03 AM

There's some pooh even a bubble king can't skim out.

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumpics728.jpg

Just sayin'.

Delphinus

11-16-2009, 05:09 AM

:rofl: Man I didn't even notice that the first time I looked at the photo. The "Somebody Else's Problem Field" (* Hitchhiker's reference) completely blocked it from my view.

Ok Chris, what's the story with the Pooh glass??? :lol:

lobsterboy

11-16-2009, 05:54 AM

yeah i was wondering the same thing ? pooh

H2o2

11-16-2009, 06:05 AM

maybe to catch unwanted crabs

JDigital

11-16-2009, 06:20 AM

Looks like some shrimp in there...

kien

11-16-2009, 06:24 AM

I want to know why Pooh is grabbing himself ?!?

lastlight

11-16-2009, 06:28 AM

Poor Chris.

Quite a respectable thread until now haha.

Lance

11-16-2009, 06:41 AM

I want to know why Pooh is grabbing himself ?!?

I think Pooh has to Pee!

lobsterboy

11-16-2009, 07:11 AM

Poor Chris.

Quite a respectable thread until now haha.

:lol:

StirCrazy

11-16-2009, 02:08 PM

nice looking tank, only thing that jumped out of me is you need another light or two :mrgreen: to get rid of your dark spot.

Steve

fishytime

11-17-2009, 01:28 AM

Was just lookin at the recent pics again and noticed something.....who did the concrete in your basement???? Man that floor is "out":lol:

chris c

11-26-2009, 03:40 AM

Hey guys the pooh glass is to try to catch a very large crab. No luck so far.
It was the only glass my wife would give me. If you guys have a better trap that could help I would love to hear about it.
I have been trying to catch this thing for weeks now.

Thanks Chris

muck

11-26-2009, 05:58 AM

Hey Chris... Awesome to see you are back working on this monster.
Will definitely be following along for the ride.

You could try a baited inverted pop bottle trap like in this link for the crab.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/fish_trap.php

chris c

12-23-2009, 02:35 AM

Hey guys here are some new pics of the tank.
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumdec232009001.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumdec232009002.jpg

chris c

12-23-2009, 02:38 AM

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumdec232009003.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumdec232009004.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumdec232009005.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumdec232009006.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumdec232009007.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumdec232009010.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumdec232009014.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumpics724.jpg

Thanks Chris C

Funky_Fish14

12-23-2009, 02:53 AM

Wow man this looks awesome! Great great great job on it!

I love the 'stand'... my uncle did that as a stand for his 180g, cinder blocks and 3 I-beams, haha.

About the HRV's.... looks like there is another customer for the identical HRV in here, we also have a LifeBreath unit in our house! Haha. it is actually also tied in as the 'bathroom fans'. It works wonders. I have 8 tanks running in the house, about to set up number 9... even in my 'fish room', I have 0 condensation on the windows! They work amazing and I agree about the fresh air comment, its very 'refreshing' in the house... never feels stale.

Thanks for sharing this build Chris!

Cheers,

Chris

chris c

02-08-2010, 04:16 AM

So here are some new pics of the tank. I am also adding 2 more lights to the tank to try and get the light more even.

Thanks Chris C

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumfeb72010001.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumfeb72010003.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumfeb72010004.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumfeb72010009.jpg

chris c

02-08-2010, 04:17 AM

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumfeb72010010.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumfeb72010011.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumfeb72010014.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumfeb72010024.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk217/chris8299724/aquariumfeb72010005.jpg

Carmen

02-08-2010, 04:31 AM

AWESOME Chris! Tank looks fantastic!!!!!!! What type of fish is that? The last fish pic first set of pics...the big guy? What a looker! Absolutely stunning!

chris c

02-08-2010, 04:34 AM

That is my scribble angle he is the king of the tank.

Chris

lastlight

02-08-2010, 04:58 AM

Hope you have other windows in your fire safety plan lol. You're either going to soak, burn or electrocute your ass on the way out. Maybe even combinations of those haha.

Looks gorgeous. Will some of your fishies be sampling your SPS though?

fishytime

02-08-2010, 05:12 AM

Looking great Chris......Love the scrib......Im gonna have to take you up on that offer to come and see the tank.....will shoot you a pm...

JDigital

02-08-2010, 05:19 AM

Agree with the others above, this is a sweet tank.. I can see how it would be easy to loose frags in that thing!

Scribble is gorgeous. I will also have to take you up on your offer to check this out in person.

Any plans for a thread about the other tank project?:mrgreen:

chris c

02-08-2010, 05:56 AM

Thanks guys. The scribble is the coolest fish I have ever had. As for the angels nipping the sps I have not seen it yet. Well I think I have to give you so some info on the new tank since you let the cat out of the bag (LOL).

The plans are for a 5' wide 10' long and 1' deep shallow reef tank with a thin sand bed and 4 or 5 sps islands. I think I am going to pump it together with my current tank. I am hoping to be able to view the tank from 3 sides. The tank builder has confirmed that he can build it without any problems and that he will builed it on site witch is a must. That is all I know for now but would love some input for all of you.

Thanks Chris C