my 500 gallon reef tank

[steve the plumb]

Hello my name is Steve and I live in Montreal.Over the past years I have had several tanks.Started with a 90 then 150 then 300 and now a 500gal.I have had my tank for 1 1/2 years but the only problem is its not finished and I am still in the building phase yet I have LR a few corals and 36 fish in the tank but no real filtration since I have yet to complete my sump room.I know I did things backwards but I was in the process of moving so my old tank was dismantled,I bought a pond sump and had that running in my garage.I then bought the 500 gallon tank but lost my job so things went from slow to dead stop.I then found another job but it wasn't full time and after not working money was tight so as we all know we need money in this hobby.

My tank:Its 8ft x 4ft x 28 inches high made by Tenecor it has an external coast to coast overflow thats 4 feet long, 12 inches deep,and 6 inches wide.

My stand:It DIY wood stand made with 3/4 plywood thats glued and screwed together with over 1000 screws.I used 2x4 on the side and I doubled the 2x4 for braces along the top of the stand.

Lights:ReefTech Led fixtures 180 watts.I bought 4 new units that have just come out on the market.The lights have sunrise,sunset,cloud,thunderstorm effects.The lights can be dimmed by cable or via the blue tooth.Its pretty dam cool how you can control these fixtures and what you can do with them.You can control the spectrum blue white and royal blue and its all done via there software.

skimmers:I have the SWC twin cone and I have a large dart NW skimmer that I had custom made by Orca skimmers in the states but now the guy is no longer in business.

Pump:I have 5 tunze pumps in the tank with there multi controller but I plan to use more pumps.I had the wave box but the pump failed.I don't fell like buying a new pump for it.They take up some real estate in the tank so I would rather just buy the larger tunze pump.

Return pump:I have a dart pump but I might go with the dart gold or an internal pump like the laguna but I would use two of them.

Controller:Aquatronica

Reactors:BRS Dual reactor

Top Off:Tunze Osmolator

I have a lot of left over equipment from my other tanks that I may or may not use.

I will post some pics Thanks

[lastlight]

Welcome to canreef! Looking forward to seeing some shots of the goods =) Don't hear of stands that size done mostly with plywood I'd love to see how you did that.

[Skimmerking]

PICTURES DUDE COME ON































oh ya Welcome to Canreef :biggrin:

[Zoaelite]

Photoz plz :razz:! Welcome to the board!

[steve the plumb]

I will post some pics when I get home.I used a lot of 2x4 woodglue and screws to hold the stand together.The tank sits on a 1 inch sheet of foam board.The stand has been very solid so far and I used a sealer on the inside of the tank to water proof it.I plan to dress it up in the near future (I do things backwards).I used a good quality plywood ( russian birch) and I originally wanted to stain it but I prefer to use some kind of deco brick or rock,maybe even tile I will see.I have seen some nice stands that people have made.I was going to make a metal stand but my friends had mentioned wood will be better.

[steve the plumb]

Tank sitting in my garage http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/500%20gallon%20tank/IMG_0786.jpg

overflow http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/500%20gallon%20tank/IMG_0791.jpg

tank in my garage http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/500%20gallon%20tank/IMG_0797.jpg

my tank http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/IMG_0831.jpg

tank http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/IMG_0834.jpg

stand http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/IMG_0816.jpg

[steve the plumb]

the stand http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/IMG_0817.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/IMG_0818.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/IMG_0819.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/IMG_0817.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/IMG_0815.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/IMG_0804.jpg

[steve the plumb]

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/IMG_0806.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/IMG_0812.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/IMG_0809.jpg

[steve the plumb]

Tank not yet full but had life in it http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/IMG_1021.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/IMG_1028.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/IMG_1036.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/IMG_1034.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/IMG_1043.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/IMG_1041.jpg

[fishytime]

Welcome to canreef ......Wow...... That thing is a beast!......30 some fish?..... I would like to see the livestock list

[Bblinks]

WELCOME TO CANREEF.
I hope my tank will grow up just like yours.:mrgreen:

[viperfish]

Just curious, why do you have your BRS reactor hanging on the display?

[lastlight]

Wow looking at the overflow teeth that is some beefy acrylic.

I'm a big fan of 2x4s for darn near everything around the house well done! Stand certainly looks solid enough for the job. I dig that pile of rock on the left is that your final aquascape?

[kien]

nice. Is this tank on the main floor of your house ???

[Lance]

Welcome to Canreef. That's a good-sized SW pond you got there. :biggrin:

[Doug]

Hi Steve. :wave:

About time you came over here and joined us. :mrgreen:



:welcome:

[eli@fijireefrock.com]

Welcome to canreef
looking good can't wait for a full finished setup that is going to be massive.

[abcha0s]

Loving the tank. Go big or go home.

How's Rafal?

- Brad

[madkeenreefer]

Hi Steve,
Looking good love your fish selection so far,
I would have one thing to suggest to you and that would be to put some more vertical supports into your stand in the corners at to aid sure your tank does not delaminate at the ends.
check link for pic
www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1567110&highlight=stand+calculator (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1567110&highlight=stand+calculator)

[steve the plumb]

I did add more vertical posts but you don't see them in the pics.I added them after I placed the tank on the stand.There is a post every 6 to 8 inches.


The BRS reactor is sitting in my overflow because I have no sump as of yet.I have 37 fish and no filtration other than water movement and gfo plus carbon and water change,Yes I do things backwards.

Rafal is very good he is helping me with the lights.I need to build I light rack.I plan on making an l shaped bracket that I can raise or lower.My welder is going to come to my house to finish the railings in the front of my home so when he finally gets his butt over here I can get him to build me 2 brackets.Lets see when that will happen.

List of fish:
2 x hippo tangs
1 x sailfin tang
1 x unicorn tang (vlamengi)
1 x chocolate tang
1 x yellow tang
1 x clown tang
1 x long nose hawk fish
1 x x mas wrasse
1 x 6 line wrasse
1 x convict blenny
1 x bi color blenny
2 x golden midas blenny
1 x valienti puffer
1 x toby puffer
10 x green chromis
1 x antheis
1 x cleaner shrimp
1 x female blue throat trigger
1 x male blue throat trigger
2 x regular clown fish
1 x black clown fish
1 x fox face
1 x rabbit fish
1 x powder blue tang
1 x goby (forget what species

[steve the plumb]

The tank is in the basement.The room is 10 x 10 and I have a room next to the tank room that is 6x6 so that room will have my sump.The tank alone weighs 650 pounds.The stand weighs a good 200 pounds (easy).With water inside its a good 5000 pounds.The stand sits on a tiled floor.The concrete was a good 12 to 16 inches so its a strong floor.There is a floor drain in the bathroom next door and I have a 2 inch drain in the sump room so all water changes will be dumped in there,there are also water lines in there if I want to place an RODI unit in there.There is a 3/4 inch water line that comes off of my main so there's good pressure for an RODI unit.I have a fan that I got from work at a discount.Its very quiet and it has a humidity sensor so it will turn on automatically.You can set the desired humidity level.

[steve the plumb]

This is a more recent picture I have some china leds on the tank but they will be replaced with reeftech led fixtureshttp://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/012.jpg

[steve the plumb]

here is a video there is only one light on the tank http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/28-07-2011/th_20110728100725.jpg (http://s194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/28-07-2011/?action=view&current=20110728100725.mp4)

[Skimmerking]

how are you liking the reef tech lighting

[steve the plumb]

From what I see they are very nice.The quality is much better than my china lights and other lights that I have looked at from many manufactures that are out there.The fixture,the led boards and the way its built is much better quality.There isn't many companies out there that make very nice led fixtures with these type of features.I have looked at fixtures from china, Taiwan even the AI units from the states or the vertex that are made in Austria.The way the sunrise and sunset effects work its flawless between the 4 units.They act like one unit and the wireless feature is very cool.The cloud program looks pretty cool and the thunderstorm was awesome.I did a par test and my par at the bottom of the tank was 138 and the spread was around 30 inches.Once I set the units up and I remove my tank cover I can test the par levels again.Led lights have a better penetration than MH lights when it comes to light going through and acrylic top.I have a 400 watt MH pendant and I have played around with it on my old tank and compared it with the china led units I had bought for my friend (3 watt) and I found you lose a lot of par once the light hits the acrylic.With led it not as bad because its a point of light source.The ReefTech fixtures have a better quality led and all around better design.The fans are pretty quiet and the software takes a bit of playing around to get used to it.I need to buy a bluetooth wi fi adapter for my computer so I can control the lights via bluetooth.My computer doesn't have one and Raf told me I can buy one online.I had to flash the units when I got them it wasn't hard to do but I had a hard time getting the flash software to work with the lights software so Raf had to help me with that.I still have to play around with the lights to get the color temp that I find pleasing to the eye.Raf has some guide or settings that will help you get the color temp (like 12k 15k 20k etc) so this should help people find the color spectrum a little faster.From what I understand it should help but you can adjust the lights yourself and see what you like.Raf mentioned that most people don't run the lights at 100%.I should have more time next week to play around with them since I am on vacation.Hurray I will have some time to work on the tank.

[steve the plumb]

I took these pics when I picked up the lights and brought them home http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/ReefTech%20led%20fixtures/ReefTechled180wattfixture004-Copy.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/ReefTech%20led%20fixtures/ReefTechled180wattfixture002-Copy.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/ReefTech%20led%20fixtures/nikoletta048.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z47/stevetheplumb/ReefTech%20led%20fixtures/nikoletta054.jpg

[fishoholic]

Awesome tank! I love the size of it, very cool :biggrin:

[steve the plumb]

Thank you very much.Its been a very slow build but I am trying to get my butt into gear.I see others peoples tanks and I get ideas.My tank is large but empty as far as corals.The back of the tank has a large open space.I should try to fix my aquascape.I am not very good at that.

[steve the plumb]

I took a par video of the reeftech lights outside the tank.The unit was placed 26 inches above the floor and I had a pad that was 24 inches x 24 inches.It hard to take a video when you are trying to take par readings.My readings are mostly at the floor level because it was impossible to hold the camera and tape measure at the same time while also trying to measure par.I will also try to take measurements in the tank but I will get my wife to help me with that http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryp9WMEJeuY

[steve the plumb]

ok i fixed the privacy issue so people can now see the video

[MarkoD]

still private. the video needs to be set as public

[steve the plumb]

I set it to public and saved changes yet it doesn't seem to work.I went and tried again and it says I changed setting yet its still private

[Skimmerking]

works great for me Steve, so 118 Par for the reef tech and that is 2 " from the water line. That is if you had a bare bottom tank right. So people with 2-4 " would get better Par readings correct. Can ya give us a look at by using the par gauge and raising it up 1 " at a time to show us what numbers that you get.

[Myka]

Welcome to CanReef! :D

That is a great looking tank, lots of work! Being a carpenter though, your framing scares the **** out of me. That tank will have over 4000 lbs of water in it! :eek:

[abcha0s]

The video still isn't working. I'm not sure how anyone else could access it?

I'm confused though. You said you took the PAR measurements outside of the tank. I'm pretty sure that the optical characteristics of air and water are completely different?

Maybe I'm just confused about the testing methodology. If you are testing through the air and not water, can you explain the relevance of 26 inches and how this would translate to an equivelant measurement in a tank?

Looking forward to the video.

Thanks

- Brad

[steve the plumb]

I took par measurements outside the tank but I also took par measurements inside the tank I just didn't make a video of it because I was alone and its hard to do both at the same time never mind the fact that
My stand is 3 feet tall
The tank is 28 inches deep
My access cover or opening is 24 x 15 so its kind of hard to hold a video camera,the par meter and try not to drop anything in the tank.

I did place one unit on my tank over the middle of it.So the unit was penetrating though 3/4 inch acrylic and I took a reading at the bottom of the tank (I don't have much sand) and my par reading was between 125-138.You have to understand I am also standing on a ladder while doing this.

It was easier to hang the unit and do a test over the floor just to see the light spread.If my tank was an open style tank or had a single brace and if it was smaller it would be more simple.
You guys have to understand this tank is huge I have trouble getting anywhere in the middle of the tank.I have no step in the back of the tank so I step on a bucket in order to try and do anything.I have to build some kind of step onto my stand because there is no way in hell I could have any way of playing around with the tank or if a coral falls I am up sh*ts creek.

[steve the plumb]

Welcome to CanReef! :D

That is a great looking tank, lots of work! Being a carpenter though, your framing scares the **** out of me. That tank will have over 4000 lbs of water in it! :eek:

The frame is pretty strong believe it or not.I added 2 x 4 every 6 inches and I glued them and screwed them.What you saw was pics I took while I was building it but after I placed the tank on the top I went and added even more 2x4 and added more cross braces.I didn't take pics because I was working inside the stand and it was kind of a pain because for every 2 x 4 I had to go in the stand measure go out cut the wood and then go back in and screw and glue it.I can empty my stand and take pictures of the inside to show you.The plywood alone is pretty dam strong.I doubt this stand will collapse.I would be in big trouble this is why I went overboard.

[steve the plumb]

The video still isn't working. I'm not sure how anyone else could access it?

I'm confused though. You said you took the PAR measurements outside of the tank. I'm pretty sure that the optical characteristics of air and water are completely different?

Maybe I'm just confused about the testing methodology. If you are testing through the air and not water, can you explain the relevance of 26 inches and how this would translate to an equivelant measurement in a tank?

Looking forward to the video.

Thanks

- Brad

This video was outside the tank to show the light spread.I will try to fix it.I change the settings to public but someone m,mentioned it didn't work.I will try to take a video of the unit on my tank but I think it will be more simple when I get my brackets.I am waiting for the welder to come to my house to finish a job but I know he was injured while working on another job so I think he will be delayed.

[Myka]

What you saw was pics I took while I was building it

Ah, ok! Jeez you had me all freaked out! What I didn't like were the corners where you didn't have both joining horizontal pieces supported with a stud. You only had one on the stud, and the other was free floating. Glue and screws wouldn't hold that together! :eek:

[steve the plumb]

works great for me Steve, so 118 Par for the reef tech and that is 2 " from the water line. That is if you had a bare bottom tank right. So people with 2-4 " would get better Par readings correct. Can ya give us a look at by using the par gauge and raising it up 1 " at a time to show us what numbers that you get.

Par at the bottom of the tank was between 125-138. I have hardly any sand in the tank.In fact because of my PH most of the front of the tank has no sand.I have around 60 pounds of sand in this tank.That's a joke for a 500 gal tank.Its like 2 buckets of salt.I had a good 300 pounds of sand in my 300 gallon.

[steve the plumb]

Ah, ok! Jeez you had me all freaked out! What I didn't like were the corners where you didn't have both joining horizontal pieces supported with a stud. You only had one on the stud, and the other was free floating. Glue and screws wouldn't hold that together! :eek:


No No that was just like 1 2x4 in each corner.I added more afterwards.The problem was I was building the stand.My old neighbor was moving so I asked the guys to move my tank from the garage to the tank room.I rushed and placed the top (3/4 plywood) on the stand.The guys came and moved my tank for $100 and some beer so I then had to work inside the stand.I didn't take any more pics because I need a flash and it looks kind of dumb.I can take some pics of the stand if you like to see it.Yeah the way it looks in the pics its like I just placed a 2 x4 in each corner and I have one running along the top.I doubt that would hold 5000 pounds.Like I said if you want I can take pics.The tank hasn't budged.

[steve the plumb]

I will try to do a par video tonight over my tank.I have been a little busy with the family so its hard to get some free time.I will also need my wifes help to video tape while I move the par meter around.We have a small baby so its kind of rough.We have to keep a constant eye on her.:mrgreen:

[lastlight]

Bumbo next to tank. Done!

[steve the plumb]

Bumbo next to tank. Done!
I didn't understand that one.Is it a Calgary expression :lol:

[steve the plumb]

reeftech light thunderstorm demo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r310_cmPeS8

[lastlight]

I didn't understand that one.Is it a Calgary expression :lol:

Sorry I missed this =)

Free tankside babysitter. Plop the kid in one of these: (bumbo)

http://www.cheekymonkey.ca/Product%20Images/Bumbo/bumbo_Pink.jpg

[steve the plumb]

The problem is who is going to watch who?I don't see my daughter doing water changes.

[fishytime]

Hey Steve......whats your feeling on the reeftech lights?.. how many do you have/ plan on running on the tank?...I had a chance to play with one over my 25g tank(I took a thunderstorm demo vid too:wink:)......I had had to turn the light down to 25%:lol:...... I think they are pretty kick-arse..... price, features and par

[steve the plumb]

I took this par video the light is on my 3/4 acrylic top so I should get a bit more par out of the unit http://www.youtube.com/user/MrStevetheplumb#p/a/u/0/zzq6E-lQGAw

[steve the plumb]

[QUOTE=fishytime;629435]Hey Steve......whats your feeling on the reeftech lights?.. how many do you have/ plan on running on the tank?...I had a chance to play with one over my 25g tank(I took a thunderstorm demo vid too:wink:)......I had had to turn the light down to 25%:lol:...... I think they are pretty kick-arse..... price, features and par[/QUOTE

Thanks fishy I currently have 4 units.I will place all 4 of them over my tank.I have 4 openings on my tank so each fixture will be over one.I might add a fifth in the middle of the tank but I don't think I will need it.The lights are very well built.I like the features that the lights have and the par readings is pretty dam good.I got 200 par at the bottom of my tank.The light spread is pretty wide.I know someone else who bought 4 units for his 500 gal tank and he is very happy with them.He has 2 x 180 units and 2 x 90 watt units.I plan to have my welder make me an L bracket so I can mount them over my tank.Once I can get him to build me the bracket I will place the lights on my tank.They cost $1400 US each and I drove to vermont to pick them up.They will be on sale here in Canada and I think the price will be around $1500 CDN.I know he has smaller wattage units if you want something for a smaller tank.

[steve the plumb]

I have picked up some more fish along with another power head.I now have 6 tunze 6105.
The fish I bought
4 x fire fish
1 x carpenter wrasse
1 x radiant wrasse
1 x cleaner wrasse
I will buy some plumbing supplies next week to start on my return lines and the drains,after that I can water proof the sump room.

[Myka]

You ever gonna get some pics up? I say pics, or it didn't happen! :p

[steve the plumb]

I will take a video of the tank.My 8 line wrasse is pestering the radiant wrasse and the carpenter wrasse.He is a little SOB.He isn't a big fish but he hates other wrasses.The new fish are in hiding.They where out yesterday but today they were no where to be seen.It is a big tank so its not as if they have no place to hide.

[steve the plumb]

Tank video.I did see my radiant and carpenter wrasse but in the video they where hiding.http://www.youtube.com/user/MrStevetheplumb#p/a/u/0/QjEoUfrMDoM

[lastlight]

Wow that clown tang is FAST. Nice vid... camera sensor doesn't quite know what to make of the LEDs it seems...

[steve the plumb]

I am not good at manual settings.Videos come out funny under led lights.I wish I knew more about video and photography so I good do a good job.

The tangs are very fast fish.The clown tang can zoom around the tank like a bullet.

[steve the plumb]

It has been some time since my last post.I am trying to get my act together to finish my sump room.I will finally buy my plumbing parts and get my butt into gear.I have left my tank in limbo and it pretty much looks like crap.I have not taken care of it other than a water change and feeding the fish.Pretty sad.I just need to get a sump.I am looking for a potable water bin to use as a sump.Where can i find one that at least 100 gallons.I prefer these bins over glass tanks.I have a 125 gal glass sump from my old tank but its to big to fit in my sump room.

I have not looked on this website but I assume there is a forum for used goods.I have some stuff I should sell since its been collecting dust.I have a 300 gal acrylic tank that is drilled for ocean motions 8 way sitting in my garage for over a year now.It needs a cleaning but there is nothing wrong with it.I just never bothered to sell it,along with other stuff.