150g Cube Build - New Pics

[Pazil]

OK so I am upgrading my current Solana 34g. cube to a larger setup with a sump that I was missing with the Solana. I thought that I would document the progress and get suggestions and or comments along the way.

I have purchased all of the new equipment from Kevin at Red Coral here in Calgary who has been a great help.

I plan on keeping a mixed reef with fish in the new new tank. I will likely be selling off all or most of the old equipment and starting with all new gear. I will also be moving all of the LR, fish, corals, and such from the old tank to the new.

Here is a pic of the current setup.

Solana 34 gal. cube tank, Tunze nano wavebox, Tunze 9002 skimmer, tunze aquawind fan, koralia 2 PH, 2 - 1 watt LED moon lights, 150w 14k MH disco ball light.

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/IMG_3335Large.jpg

Here is a pic of the new tank. 36"x36"x27" - 150 gal. Corner overflow.

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/IMG_3334Large.jpg

Sump - 30"x24"x20"

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/IMG_3325Large.jpg

Plumbing supplies

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/IMG_3326Large.jpg

Return Pump - DART

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/IMG_3327Large.jpg

Light - Current USA 36" Sunpod HQI 2x250w MH 14k 18 LEDs

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/IMG_3339Large.jpg

So the next step for me will be to get a stand built this coming weekend and then tackle the plumbing. I think this project will likely take me a few weeks to get the water in. I will be looking for about 100lbs of LR later on if anyone is going to be selling some off.

Cheers
Lawrence

[Doug]

If ok Lawrence, I would like to move this to the Journal forum for you.

[spanky]

Wow thats going to be a really nice setup. Do you happen to need a new best friend? haha

[JDigital]

Sweet cube... look forward to see the build!

[Rbacchiega]

Looks Spiffy! (yeah, I went there)

[Pazil]

If ok Lawrence, I would like to move this to the Journal forum for you.

Wrong spot EH!!!! Sorry and thank you.

Cheers

[Delphinus]

We'll let it go just this once!!! Just kidding, no worries. And hey it was nice meeting you at the store today. Looking forward to this build. :cool:

[Doug]

Wrong spot EH!!!! Sorry and thank you.

Cheers

Not really. We just like to keep all the tank build threads in the journal section.

Look forward to following your tank build. Some dandy pics already. :smile:

[mseepman]

Did Red Coral build that tank for you? Looks like a nice tank!

[Pazil]

Did Red Coral build that tank for you? Looks like a nice tank!

Yes they built the tank and sump.

[Pazil]

OK so I had some time yesterday and was able to build the stand.... I am not sure what look I want to have yet for the finished product so for now it will stay this way. I was also able to get all of the plumbing completed and the tank placed in its new home. Here are some pics of the progress so far.

Tank.... I was running some water through everything here to test for leaks and much to my surprise everything was still dry after 2 hours....:mrgreen::mrgreen:

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/IMG_3388Large.jpg

Sump shot.... My skimmer came in yesterday ..... it is the Hydor Performer 700

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/IMG_3389Large.jpg

Full tank shot...

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/IMG_3399Large.jpg


Thats all for now.

Cheers
Lawrence

[Pazil]

Quick Update..... Finally mixed enough RO/DI water to fill the tank and sump. Everything is now running. I will move the wavemaker over to the new tank after it finishes cycling and I move all of the inhabitants from the 34g cube over.

I stopped into Red Coral Yesterday and purchased about 105lbs of LR. Here is how the final aquascaping will stay ...... I will also be adding the 40 lbs. of LR from the smaller tank to add to the towers and add some sand (also from the smaller tank).... when that time comes (approx. 20lbs) I just want to add enough to cover the bottom for looks.

No Flash... my camera skills are seriously lacking

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/FTSLarge.jpg

Flash on

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/FTS2Large.jpg

Sump.... the skimmer is breaking in.

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/SumpLarge.jpg

I still have not decided entirely on what to do with the stand... but it is looking like I will re-tile the fireplace mantle and tile the stand to match. I have left a ledge on the couch side of the tank for my coffee while admiring the new addition.

Cheers
Lawrence

[golf nut]

Looking at the pile of plumbing fittings you have it appears you are running the Dart to just 2 locline wyes, is this the case?
in the sump pic it also looks like the Dart has been reduced to 3/4 yes/no?

[Pazil]

That is exactly what is happening

[golf nut]

If the Dart is reduced to 3/4 then you are getting likely less than 1000 gph to the tank? why loose all that potential flow and install powerheads?

[Pazil]

Its funny that you should mention that.... I thought that the return pressure felt low..... what is your seggestion? I would love to have more flow from the returns but I only have 2 - 3/4" bulk heads drilled for the returns and having them redrilled is not an option now.

[golf nut]

It's a bit of an issue, if we get the Dart to run full capacity then likely your overflow will not handle it, I would plumb 1 1/2 all the way to the surface then tee off the 1 1/2 pipe to get a total of four 3/4 returns, send 2 to the bulkheads and the other two would have to go over the top. when it comes to volume you need four 3/4 outlets to handle that pumps capacity

you may have to throttle back the pump to keep the sump from draining, and the tank from overflowing

[Pazil]

I will give this some thought.... thank you.

[golf nut]

If you plan on staying bare bottom, the swap out the Dart for something around 800 to 1200 gph, throw the Dart onto an over the top closed loop, you can boil that tank.

[Red Coral Aquariums]

It's a bit of an issue, if we get the Dart to run full capacity then likely your overflow will not handle it, I would plumb 1 1/2 all the way to the surface then tee off the 1 1/2 pipe to get a total of four 3/4 returns, send 2 to the bulkheads and the other two would have to go over the top. when it comes to volume you need four 3/4 outlets to handle that pumps capacity

you may have to throttle back the pump to keep the sump from draining, and the tank from overflowing

Close Mr OM good catch, Each of the two 3/4 " lines need to come off the 1.5" pipe. I just noticed that it was reduced to 3/4" after the TU Ballvalve coming out of the pump. Sorry Prazil I should have caught that on your Feb. 26th update. LMK how I can help to switch it.
Kevin

[Pazil]

Well had some time today to redo the sump plumbing returns to increase the flow I weas getting out of the DART pump. I changed the piping to now have a 1.5" return all the way up to the bulkheads (with a tee) and then reduce to 1" and immediately to .75" and back into the tank. This, I would estimate has at least doubled the flow from the returns over the previous setup. Thanks to Mr. OM for the heads up on this and a HUGE thanks to Kevin at Red Coral for all the help in getting this sorted out, he certainly went above and beyond what I have ever seen a business owner do for customer service.

While I was redoing the plumbing I added a few extra .75" outlets for future needs.

The tank seems to be cycling at a rapid pace. The ammonia levels have peaked and dropped to 0, Nitrites have peaked and are now down to .25 and nitrates are now on the rise. Hopefully I will be able to start a slow transition from the bio cube to the new tank in the next week or two.

Here is a shot of the new plumbing.

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/SumpRedone.jpg

Cheers
Lawrence

[fishytime]

That looks soooo neat and tidy. Aquascaping looks saweeeet. Hows the CUC doing?

[Pazil]

Thanks Doug....

I think everyone is doing OK.... There was one casualty... One snail did not make it. I was in to the store today and picked up some T5 lighting to supplement the MH lighting and some sand. I am hoping to get everything moved over to the new tank this weekend.

Cheers
Lawrence

[Pazil]

Well I finally got everything transfered to the new tank. Here is a short video of the Tunze Nano Wavebox in action. There are no power heads in the tank and the Dart pump is throttled back to about 60%.


http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/th_MVI_3461.jpg (http://s432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/?action=view&current=MVI_3461.flv)

I will be on the hunt for softies in the near future if anyone is fragging:biggrin::biggrin:. The tank is looking somewhat bare.

I have added a new friend... I think she is getting comfortable in her new home.

I am hoping to have the rest of the stand finished this weekend.

Cheers
Lawrence

[fishytime]

ah...the sound of waves crashing into the overflow....you wernt kidding huh? Looks good man. Is that the naso we had?

[Pazil]

ah...the sound of waves crashing into the overflow....you wernt kidding huh? Looks good man. Is that the naso we had?


:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

[Pazil]

Well I finally had a chance to finish the stand this weekend. Here are some shots of the process;

Added nose pieces to create an overhang for drinks.

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/IMG_3462Large.jpg

Here I added some Hardi Backer for the tiles.

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/IMG_3465Large.jpg

I decided to do black granite tiles for the top and front nose with a chrome schluter edge.

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/IMG_3471Large.jpg

Made a front and side panel to match the existing theme and trim color throughout our house.

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/IMG_3472Large.jpg

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/IMG_3474Large.jpg

I have not decided if I want to add a canopy or not yet.... For now it will stay this way. Hope you all like. Comments are welcome.:biggrin::biggrin:

Cheers
Lawrence

OH BTW... When we were moving all of the rock over from the old tank to the new we found these hiding in a rock..... YIKES!!! This brings the crab count to 11 in total from the old rock (Only 40 lbs).

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/IMG_3457Large.jpg

We bannished these guys to the sump!!!!

[Boomboy]

great job on the stand, how much did it end up costing you to finish it??
i think you shouldnt build a canopy it looks great the way it is. ive got a cube too but not as big as yours. im kinda jealous. but i couldnt go that big. everything looks great. that must be quite some view looking at that in the room. cant wait to see more. keep up the great work.

[Red Coral Aquariums]

great job on the stand,
everything looks great. that must be quite some view looking at that in the room. cant wait to see more. keep up the great work.

wow x 2

[Pazil]

great job on the stand, how much did it end up costing you to finish it??
i think you shouldnt build a canopy it looks great the way it is. ive got a cube too but not as big as yours. im kinda jealous. but i couldnt go that big. everything looks great. that must be quite some view looking at that in the room. cant wait to see more. keep up the great work.

Thanks Boomboy.... If I had to guess what the materials cost it would likely be around $200.00.. I had most of the materials in the shop (left overs from other jobs) .. I own a renovation company. I think I agree with the no canopy idea.

Cheers
Lawrence

[sitandwatch]

Wow that looks great, gives me some ideas for my next tank.

[mseepman]

This is a great looking tank! I agree that no top is just fine on this one.

[fishytime]

Just throwing this out there, but you could do some kind of "floating" canopy. I find that shorter length tanks look top heavy(to me) with a canopy sitting on the rim of the tank, so I did a "floating" canopy over a frag tank that I had running, before I moved.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP0965.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o19/fishytime/IMGP0967.jpg

[Pazil]

That looks cool Doug... but for me a canopy would only be used to hide the lights and wires so a floating canopy would not solve those issues. I think I will likely be to lazy and leave it the way it is.

Thanks for the comments guys.

Cheers
Lawrence

If anyone is fragging any softies or leathers in the near future please let me know.

[Pazil]

I thought I would update everyone on the status of the new tank. Everythjing seems to be growing and happy. I have made a few additions since the last set of pics. Here they are some pics;

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/ClamLarge.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/ClownsFrogsSpawnLarge.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/GreenMontiCapLarge.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/MushroomsLarge.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/NasoLarge.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/RedZoasLarge.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/RicsLarge.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/UnknownCoral2Large.jpg

Cheers
Lawrence

[Pazil]

Its been quite some time since an update.... I have not taken any FTS but I thought I would share a pic of the Clam that I won in the draw from Oceanic Corals (Thanks Ian)

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Clam1Large.jpg

And another that I have had for about 6 months

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Clam2Large.jpg

Cheers
Lawrence

[Pazil]

Here are pictures of some of the new additions since the last update. Everything seems to be progressing very well with lots of growth. Any comments or advice on the photography are appreciated... I am still trying to figure out the new camera :lol::lol:

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/DSC00099copyLarge.jpg

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/BlueZoaLarge.jpg

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/DSC00108copyLarge.jpg

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/DSC00087copyLarge.jpg

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/DSC00100copyLarge.jpg

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/DSC00112copyLarge.jpg

Cont........

[Pazil]

And more....

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/AcroLarge.jpg

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/BTACloneLarge.jpg

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/CandyCaneLarge.jpg

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/DeepWaterZoasLarge.jpg

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/GreenZoaLarge.jpg

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/GreenZoasLarge-1.jpg

Cheers
Lawrence

[Delphinus]

The only advice I have for the photography is "come over and take pictures of my stuff."

Looking pretty good there!! :cool:

[fishytime]

Great shots bud....some sweet zoas and a real pouty looking candycane.

[Pazil]

The only advice I have for the photography is "come over and take pictures of my stuff."

Looking pretty good there!! :cool:

Thanks Tony.... some of the pics are grainy but they are getting better

Great shots bud....some sweet zoas and a real pouty looking candycane.


Thanks Doug... the candycane actually looks great in person but I could not get the color to come out right... :redface:

[Pazil]

Here are a few pictures of some of the lastest additions

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/DSC00368copyLarge.jpg

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/DSC00349copyLarge.jpg

[Rbacchiega]

oooooh those zoas look rad. Can't wait to see those bad boys really open and happy.

[Phanman]

very nice lariats

[Pazil]

very nice lariats

Not sure that they are Lariats... Still trying to get a def. ID

[noirsphynx]

Those aren't Lariats but wow they're nice. The Lariats don't have orange on the disk, just the skirt.

[JDigital]

They look more like Shockwaves...

[fishytime]

very nice lariats

Those aren't Lariats but wow they're nice. The Lariats don't have orange on the disk, just the skirt.

They look more like Shockwaves...

"Lariats", "Shockwave", "Toxic Nuclear Implosion Death" zoas...whatever....they are F N nice is what they are.:mrgreen:

[Pazil]

They are very nice and unique... great find from Oceanic Corals..... Thanks again Ian.

[OceanicCorals-Ian-]

They are very nice and unique... great find from Oceanic Corals..... Thanks again Ian.


:mrgreen:

Ps. Make sure that Prostrata gets a front and center spot! It will be a showpiece once established.

[Pazil]

:mrgreen:

Ps. Make sure that Prostrata gets a front and center spot! It will be a showpiece once established.

Its already there!! :mrgreen::mrgreen:

Here is the view from where I sit and look :lol::lol: The water is a little fuzzy... I just finished feeding :redface:

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/SideViewLarge.jpg

[parkinsn]

The tank looks really good Lawrence :biggrin:

[Pazil]

The tank looks really good Lawrence :biggrin:

Thanks Scott... what the word on your new diggs???? :biggrin::biggrin:

You will need to start a new build thread soon.

[Pazil]

Well some sad news today.... We got up this morning and one of our seahorses died last night.... Not sure why. It was the female. She had been eating well, acting normally. The male is currently pregnant. We suspect that maybe she had some kind of worms. She had not been gaining weight like the male has been over the last several months but did not not look to thin either. Very sad day!!:cry::cry:. Here are some recent pics of the cube.

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/DSC00830copyLarge.jpg

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/DSC00839copyLarge.jpg

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/DSC00829copyLarge.jpg

[fishytime]

Dudes...Im sorry....were they in their new stable?

[Pazil]

Dudes...Im sorry....were they in their new stable?

Yeah they were in the new tank... strangest thing... The male is still eating like a champ and swimming around. The sailfin is in there for the time being and he is fine and eating well.

[Pazil]

Well since I have already uploaded these pics for the ZA thread I thought I might as well add them to the tank journal too!!:biggrin: I will take some pics of the new SPS I have added over the last few weeks add them some time this week and do another update. Enjoy!!

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Zoa3Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Zoa4Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Zoa5Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Zoa6Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Zoa7Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Zoa8Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Zoa9Large.jpg

[Pazil]

And more!!

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Zoa1Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Zoa11Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Zoa12Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Zoa13Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Zoa14Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Zoa15Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Zoa16Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Zoa17Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Zoa2Large.jpg

[fishytime]

And more!!
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Zoa13Large.jpg


Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm zoas .....Im gonna need me a frag of these ones..... once they grow out a bit for you..... please:mrgreen:

[JDigital]

Nice zoas!! Is there anything left for the rest of us? :lol:

Some nice pictures too... :wink:

[Pazil]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm zoas .....Im gonna need me a frag of these ones..... once they grow out a bit for you..... please:mrgreen:

They are just starting to take off now.... Give me a month :biggrin:

[Pazil]

Nice zoas!! Is there anything left for the rest of us? :lol:

Some nice pictures too... :wink:

Thanks Josh!!!!! I have decided to just sign all of my paychecks over to Kevin!!:biggrin::biggrin:

[Pazil]

Here are a few pics of some of the recent frag additions

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/AcroLarge-1.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/BirdsnestLarge-1.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/BrownDigiLarge.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/CoralLarge.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Coral2Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/FuzzyLarge.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/MilliLarge.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/PeachDigiLarge.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/PurpleTipLarge.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/RedMontiCapLarge.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/TriAcroLarge.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Zoa1Large-1.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Zoa2Large-1.jpg

[fishytime]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm fragilicious:cool: Nice stuff there.

[Pazil]

I am really happy with the way everything is coming together... I am still looking for a few different colored caps though.....

[BlueAbyss]

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Zoa12Large.jpg


Wow, gorgeous corals! Well done, everything seems very happy!

I've seen these zoas (or whatevers) in a number of people's tanks and I love them even if they aren't super fancy. What are they called?

[Pazil]

Here are a few FTS... I am starting to get some color in here and lots of coral growth.

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/FTSLarge-2.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/FTSLeftSideLarge.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/FTSRightSideLarge.jpg

[JDigital]

Really like that aquascape... especially being 2 sides viewable... Gonna look killer when it grows out! :biggrin:

[Pazil]

Not much of a change in the tank lately but I thought I would share a few tank shots

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/FTSLarge-3.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/LeftTowerLarge.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/ReefTopLarge.jpg

[golf nut]

They are just starting to take off now.... Give me a month :biggrin:


You have 2 more days.

[Pazil]

Not much has changed but I thought I would add a few more FTS's.

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/FTS1Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/FTS2Large-1.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/FTS3Large.jpg

[Skimmerking]

looks great how are you liking the cube i would love to have a cube. But with me i would have to have it 36x36x20. or 48x48x20:lol:

[Pazil]

This is by far my favorite of the 5 or 6 tanks we have had.... I really love the depth of the tank being 36". If I could have fit a 48x48 I would have went for that... but I am somewhat space limited.

[Pazil]

Here are a few pics that I took today.

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/AcroLarge-2.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Acro2Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Acro3Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/Acro4Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/ClamTopDownLarge.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/TopDownLarge.jpg

[JDigital]

Love the 1st acro... what lighting were these pics under again?

[Pazil]

I think that will change color Josh... I am not sure what color yet.... I am starting to see a slight green tinge on the very tips. I just change the bulbs out .... 250w Ushio 14K.

[Pazil]

Well I broke down and bought some new stuff today with plans for a bit of a change... I purchased a used 110g tank to use as a basement sump. Built the stand today and will set it up sometime over the weekend. Also bought a new Baracuda return pump, a Tunze ATO and 2 6055's to replace the K4's in the display. I am hoping to get everything setup over the next few weeks.

I will start with the new sump and getting some plumbing done on Saturday and hopefully have some pics to show.

[fishytime]

Soooooo? How was the w/e o plumbing???:biggrin:

[Pazil]

Well I did get PHASE 1 completed.... stand and sump into the basement... Drilled out for the bulkhead.... installed some baffles.... Relocated the RO/DI unit to the utility room and fished some new 1/4" flex tubing through the ceiling and over to the area where the ATO storage will be. The sump is now filling with RO water (should be finished Monday night) and then I will add salt. I am hoping to move the other sump down next Saturday and finish plumbing everything together and hook up the ATO. I will snap a few pics in the morning and post.

[Pazil]

Well here is the progress from the weekend.....

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/BasementSumpLarge.jpg

I am just about ready to move the old sump down into the basement and plumb everything together. The new tank should be finished filling at some point tomorrow and then I will add salt and mix and bring upto temperature. I just noticed looking at this pic that I put the back check valve in the wrong place so I will have to cut it out and move it over the top of the Tee. I added the Tee on the return for future additions :biggrin:.

I decided to try to plumb the drain in a way that I could open the shutoff valve that you see on the lower drain pipe with the Tee (main drain) and have the smaller sump run on its own with the upper floor display tank so I can do larger water changes in the new tank without having to turn off the entire system.

So Hopefully next weekend I can drain the existing sump, move it down to the stand that you see on the right, finish plumbing it all together and fire it up.

Basically what I wanted to have when everything is said and done is a main reef display on the main floor, a fowlr in the basement, and the sump in the basement. WOW!!! Hope this all makes sense.

[mseepman]

Looking good. I'm interested in seeing how this goes because I will soon be plumbing up something myself and every idea that I can "borrow" could help me avoid making too many mistakes. Please take some more pictures of the plumbing as you complete it.

[Skimmerking]

love the progress looking good man ,keep it up

[fishytime]

Will the sump be able to handle all the drainage from the two systems in the event of a power outage? That would be my only concern. Cant believe you talked "Mama" into the whole idea. Good for you though...looks good....Im envious.

[freezetyle]

Wow excellent looking tank. Great work with all of the plumbing as well!

[Pazil]

Thanks for the comments guys.... Doug The water turnover in the sump will not change from what it is now in regards to vollume anyway.... As far as the drainage from the main floor tank... I have installed a back check valve so that should eliminate the siphoning for the most part... so that just really leaves the amount of water from the main floor overflow (about 5 gallons). I don't think that the water level (correct me if I am wrong) in the fowlr tank should really change because there is no overflow and the two tanks are running parallel to each other. I guess next weekend I will find out though.......:mrgreen::mrgreen: Should be scary!! I think that if anything I will run the 60g sump about half full and then if there is a power outage it can catch the 5gallons from the main floor overflow and what is in the pipes and the water level in the sump and fowlr tank should balance themselves out. HOPEFULLY!!!!:lol::lol:

Will the sump be able to handle all the drainage from the two systems in the event of a power outage? That would be my only concern. Cant believe you talked "Mama" into the whole idea. Good for you though...looks good....Im envious.

[Pazil]

So the more that I think about this....... I think I will have to run the water level for the fowlr tank and the sump at about 2-3" from the top of the tanks in order to handle the extra water if there is a power outage. I will have to do some testing when I plumb them all together to find the safe zone.

[Pazil]

Well Saturday is the BIG day for merging the tanks and moving the sump into the basement.... I think everything is just about ready... I have the 110 filled, mixed and up to temperature. I have also mixed up another 60 gallons of saltwater and have it at the right temp aswell for refilling the sump.

All I have left to do is disconnect and move the sump. Drill holes in the floor under the DT and finish plumbing it all together.

Wish me luck!!!:biggrin::biggrin: I will post some pics when I am finished.

[kien]

Good luck! That sounds like a fun adventure :-)

[Pazil]

Well long day trying to get everything completed. I did manage to get the sump out from under the display tank... Unfortunately I cracked both sides of it during the extraction..... :sad: So after that I just put it into the garage for the time being and had to come up with a new game plan... So I just basically plumbed the new tank into the DT as if it was the sump and allowed for the addition of the sump after it is repaired... Everything is working properly now and no leaks so all is good.... I am tired now and going to bed. I will post some pics in the morning.

BTW What a Sh@tty UFC tonight... Forest was a joke at best and BJ won.... I don't think anything else could have gone wrong today!!!!

[Pazil]

Here are some pics of the prgress so far.... I have to get the sump fixed so I just basically ran the plumbing around where it will go until I get it fixed and in place.. Then I will plumb it into the system and move all of the equipment into it. The tank and area is pretty messy right now but will look much better once everything is finished.

Full tank shots

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/111Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/222Large.jpg

New baracuda pump

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/BaracudaPumpLarge.jpg

Here is where the sump will be placed

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/FutureSumpAreaLarge.jpg

[sharuq1]

Sorry to hear about your sump cracking. On the upside, good job plumbing!

[Pazil]

Sump is not too big of a deal.. I picked up the side panels yesterday and repaired it... Just waiting for the silicon to dry to do a leak test (fingers crossed) and hopefully I can finish the project on the weekend.

[fishytime]

Man you dont fart around do you? "Git er dun" I am gonna have to pop over sometime....looks sweet bud.

[Pazil]

Well I finally got around to getting some pics of the sump/fowlr setup.... After setting up the new tank and plumbing the sump into it... I decided to ditch the sump and just use the 110g. for the sump and fowlr kind of as a all-in-one setup. So I now have the 150g. cube plumbed down into the basement and using the 110g. as the sump/fowlr. I have added 2 TLF reactors of carbon and GFO, about 100 lbs of LR and moved everything else from the old sump over to this one. The only inhabitants in there so far are, 1.5" clown trigger, 3" huma huma trigger, 3.5" puffer, and a 3.5" yellow tang. I could not get a good pic of the tang. Here are a few pics of the setup in the basement.

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/FTSSumpLarge.jpg

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/ClownTriggerLarge.jpg

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/HumaHumaLarge.jpg

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/PufferLarge.jpg

[lobsterboy]

lookin pretty sweet bah

[kien]

very cool! except now you have to go into the basement to feed your sump! hehe! Love those triggers though.

[Pazil]

Thanks guys... I am down there everyday anyway... Thats where the weights are :lol::lol:

[lobsterboy]

Thanks guys... I am down there everyday anyway... Thats where the weights are :lol::lol:

Sure they are :lol:

sweet looking tank though. when all thise softies grow out, its gunna be sick

[JDigital]

Looks good... one thing you might want to consider is some eggcrate on the last baffle (closet to the skimmer) just incase the fish decide to go exploring,

[Pazil]

Looks good... one thing you might want to consider is some eggcrate on the last baffle (closet to the skimmer) just incase the fish decide to go exploring,

There is no where for them to go.... even if they did get through the baffles they would just end up in the fuge.

[JDigital]

I was thinking more along the lines of getting stuck when they are fatter.

[Pazil]

OH LOL.... yeah I guess I will have to keep an eye out!!!

[fishytime]

Scored some more rock since I was there......Thats looking a little mo fuller.

[Pazil]

Scored some more rock since I was there......Thats looking a little mo fuller.

Yeah Dave dropped off quite a bit of rock for me..... Full of life and mushrooms. I think it will look good when i'm finished with it. The longer that sump sits here the more I am considering changing things up again... I wish someone would buy it already and take away the option for me.:lol::lol:

[fishytime]

I think what I suggested would be pretty dang sweet.....maybe send mama to the spa for the w/e or sumping:mrgreen:

[Pazil]

Well after the tear down and re-aquascaping and cycling all over again.... My new fish finally came in yesterday. I ordered 40 Tropheus Red Rainbows out of the states. Not quite the same as my reef but I did forget just how amazing these guys are to watch. I will update when they lose thier juvi. colors...

Here are some pics from today.

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/FTS1Large-1.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/FTS2Large-2.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/RR1Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/RR2Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/RR3Large.jpg

Thanks for looking

Cheers
Lawrence

[lastlight]

Those are cute little guys. I always wanted some Duboisi (sp?) back in the day but went Frontosa instead.

[lobsterboy]

look at all that space on the shelves for SPS, haha, just jokes.

the new setup and fish look cool, i will have to swig by and check it out sometime.

[Pazil]

look at all that space on the shelves for SPS, haha, just jokes.

the new setup and fish look cool, i will have to swig by and check it out sometime.

Thanks.... Anytime... I will have the bride make some pork pies for ya.:biggrin::biggrin:

[JDigital]

What the................... :twitch: Did I miss something dude?

[lobsterboy]

Thanks.... Anytime... I will have the bride make some pork pies for ya.:biggrin::biggrin:

yeah, they were a special treat rite outta home eh.

[Pazil]

Well its been just over a month since I added these Troph's to my tank and have been lucky enough to not have much aggession yet or any deaths. Here are some pictures taken today.
Most fish are now between 1.5" - 2.5" and are starting to show some amazing colors.

I have to admit that I am missing the SW setup.... There may be a small SPS tank in the new year for a project. The misses is going to kill me.:lol::lol:

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/RRR6Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/RRR7Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/rrr1Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/rrr2Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/rrr3Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/rrr4Large.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq43/ljmuller/rrr5Large.jpg

Cheers

[lobsterboy]

lookin good bi, but i still dont see any SPS growth on those rocks yet :question:

wha ya waitin fer, git er done. :lol: