My 300 gallon Drop Off Reef Tank Build

[Gripenfelter]

Aka Swimming pool/jacuzzi in the living room.

Reinforced the floors with 4 steel teleposts and boxed in the I-beams with 3/4" plywood as people had recommended. 2" plywood on top of the I-beams, concrete aka thinset, 6 foot steel mesh, more concrete, then marble/porcelain tiles.

Steel frame built out of 1 1/2" steel tubing. I think it's 3/8" wall thickness.

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/093fe959.jpg

[Gripenfelter]

7 ft x 3 ft pieces of glass. 5/8" thickness. Beveled edges.

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/57fa4dda.jpg

[Gripenfelter]

Stand is powder coated.

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/ec622ac1.jpg

[Gripenfelter]

7'x3'x2'. Bottom piece is 3/4" thick.

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/84e123bf.jpg

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/e69dd56f.jpg

[Gripenfelter]

Bracing for the drop off shelf put in.

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/e5fe21f3.jpg

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/d1591fec.jpg

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/22f29adb.jpg

Is it a sump or a tank? :p

Tank should be done by the weekend. Then the plumbing fun begins.

[tgrover]

wow, this will be fun to follow!

[hillegom]

Is it a sump or a tank?


Tank! the title gives it away

[lastlight]

crazy so looks like you're making the compartment open to the rest of the tank? what's the plan there?

[Hustler]

Sweeeeet Looks like a very cool project indeed :)

[Gripenfelter]

Basically building this:

http://glassbox-design.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/drop-off-lps-reef.jpg

But instead of using an L shaped tank and having a huge stress point on the inner corner I'm doing it out of a rectangular tank and leaving the hidden area accessible to small fish, snails, crabs, and shrimp. Sides will still be hidden and covered by live rock just like the above pic.

[Nano]

nice I've seen these on youtube, very cool tanks

[MarkoD]

looks awesome.

how are you going to incorporate flow into the braced section?

what if detritus and stuff gets stuck in the corners there?

maybe you should do the bracing length wise and then have a closed loop intake at the end and have water constantly passing through

[Delphinus]

Neat, should be really interesting to see how this works out!

[Myka]

looks awesome.

how are you going to incorporate flow into the braced section?

what if detritus and stuff gets stuck in the corners there?

maybe you should do the bracing length wise and then have a closed loop intake at the end and have water constantly passing through

I agree. I'm not sure your design for the accessible areas is going to work out that well. I do love the drop off idea though! Since I learned of this style I am reconsidering the brand new tank I have sitting in the garage! ACK!

[MarkoD]

this was my mini design of a drop off.

worked great for a the month i had it set up. might try this in a 70 gallon when i have some time

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn62/uberbimmer_rx/Screenshot2011-09-19at80229PM.png

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn62/uberbimmer_rx/Screenshot2011-09-19at80223PM.png

water flowed into main area, down through the rock wall, and rose up into the pipe and into the sump... basically the opposite of an overflow

[Gripenfelter]

Crabs and shrimp can always find detrius.

There will be a circulation pump on the back end to pull water through the area.

[MarkoD]

That's not going to work in the long run. It'll build up in the corners for sure.

Also, once you start filling it up, how are you gonna get rid of the air that's gonna get trapped at the top of the chambers?

[Gripenfelter]

The top piece will not be siliconed in. It will be sitting on top with a hole in the middle. Air won't be trapped. Two glass pieces make up the top of the shelf and are removable in case I ever need to get in there.

Also the braces are sitting on top of those two side pieces on the bottom so there is about 3/8" clearance for sand and water to flow through under the bottom. Same goes for the top piece. There will be a slight gap. I have lots of tiny snails that bury themselves in the sand so they will help keep things clean as well.

[MarkoD]

Hope it works out for you

[Gripenfelter]

I hope so too. You guys can learn from my mistakes. :p

[Myka]

I hope so too. You guys can learn from my mistakes. :p

You could try to prevent them. :lol: Where did you get this design concept from? The inaccessible areas I mean. Have you been looking at the designs people have been using for this type of tank? This is a pretty big project and I hope it works for you too, but I think you are looking at a nitrate factory with your current design.

[sphelps]

Only issues I see with leaving that space accessible is it resembles a invert trap, craps, snails and shrimp may not find their way out after getting in. It also maybe a dead spot for flow and lacks proper access for cleaning which could become a source for issues down the road, ie livestock could die in there or nuisance algae could bloom from there.

Love the idea though, but personally also think your stand it too high for this style of tank.

[Gripenfelter]

The top lid is removable. Not siliconed in so I can clean it if I have to.

350 gallon per hour pump on one side to keep water flowing through there.

Crabs will live in it. Not concerned with algae growing in there.

[Gripenfelter]

Where did you get this design concept from? The inaccessible areas I mean. Have you been looking at the designs people have been using for this type of tank?

Been researching it for months.

No one else has tried this like this.

If it doesn't work out I can cut the baffles out and remove the shelf if I have to. Been talking to lots of tank builders who say the key to it's success is flow and a large clean up crew.

Holes are only big enough for chromis, damsels, crabs, and shrimp. None of my tangs will get through the hole once the O-ring is in place.

[MarkoD]

350 gallon per hour pump is nothing. To have enough water movement in there you'll need like 750 gallons per hour in each of those chambers

[Gripenfelter]

I don't want it to be too powerful to keep crabs and fish from entering it.

The enclosed area is 3.5' long x 2' wide by 15" high.

[MarkoD]

It would suck to see you do all this work and have to take it apart in a month or 2

You should set up a closed loop in the baffles. Draw water from the first section and have it come out in the last section

[Gripenfelter]

Yes it would lol.

But there are a lot of people who have worse flowing sumps than this design.

You never know till you try. It's going to be a work in progress. Lots of tweaking along the way.

[MKLKT]

You could always try to make some sort of crab ladders (egg crate?) so stuff can climb up and out if needed.

[Gripenfelter]

You could always try to make some sort of crab ladders (egg crate?) so stuff can climb up and out if needed.

Good idea. I'll do that.

[MarkoD]

Ladder? Pffff just make escalators

[Gripenfelter]

Escalators are so 5 mins ago.

Elevator and submarine dude.

Btw, going with a Bean Animal overflow if anyone has any pointers in that regard.

[Gripenfelter]

Only took 7 guys to lift it.

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/139106.jpg

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/f3c332c8.jpg

Now the plumbing starts.

[lastlight]

Wow that thing's tall (and braced like fort knox!).

Scaping is going to be a real adventure looking forward to seeing that update. Do yourself a favour and buy the 500 pack of zip-ties =) I'd silicone a series of anchors to the cliff face so you can tie to it...

[Gripenfelter]

Wow that thing's tall (and braced like fort knox!).

Scaping is going to be a real adventure looking forward to seeing that update. Do yourself a favour and buy the 500 pack of zip-ties =) I'd silicone a series of anchors to the cliff face so you can tie to it...

Good idea!

[evaneatspie555]

that is soo kool i cant wait to see more progress and the final results of this build. as for lighting are you going to need more powerfull lighting for the drop off part and less intense lighting at the top or are you going to go with the same lighting and have corals who need more intense lighting at the top and corals who dont need such intense lighting of in the drop offif your going to do corals at all that is.

[claymax]

:pop2:

[Gripenfelter]

that is soo kool i cant wait to see more progress and the final results of this build. as for lighting are you going to need more powerfull lighting for the drop off part and less intense lighting at the top or are you going to go with the same lighting and have corals who need more intense lighting at the top and corals who dont need such intense lighting of in the drop offif your going to do corals at all that is.

Eshine's CREE 3 watt LEDs. On my 24" deep tank I have them at 60% power. So for the 36" deep portion I'm thinking 100% will be fine. If they aren't strong enough I can always source some 5 watt LEDs.

Most of the SPS and light demanding coral will be on the shelf (18" deep) and stuff like mushrooms and leathers will be on the bottom.

Everything else somewhere in between.

[Myka]

I can't wait to see the rock in there. :D

[evaneatspie555]

This is amazing

[RCFA]

Great idea and it is great that you are trying out new things! Can't wait to see how this goes. Good luck!

[Gripenfelter]

What I decided to do for the drop off part was have a 1000 GPH pump circulate water in each of the chambers by T-ing off into each section. Also dumping the crabs and snails into there.

[lastlight]

How will they crawl out once they're in there? The holes are up pretty high...

[Gripenfelter]

There will be some live rock rubble in there.

Aquascaping will be similar to pic below but more caves on the top portion. Plan on adding lots of sponges and sps on the top.

The sump and refugium will have most of the rock.

http://glassbox-design.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/grosjean-reef-wall.jpg

[cale262]

I really like the concept and the pictures look great...Just a thought, Have you considered making those lower chambers into a DSB system???

[Gripenfelter]

I really like the concept and the pictures look great...Just a thought, Have you considered making those lower chambers into a DSB system???

Sorry not familiar with the term "DSB".

[cale262]

Sorry not familiar with the term "DSB".



Deep Sand Bed...


http://www.wetwebmedia.com/deepsandbeds.htm

[Gripenfelter]

Deep Sand Bed...


http://www.wetwebmedia.com/deepsandbeds.htm

Oh ok.

Yes there will be sand in there but circulation was more of a concern to me. Even with sand in there if the circulation isn't good it will be a nitrate factory.

Installing bulkheads this week. Plumbing on the weekend.

[fishoholic]

Really cool concept. Looks like it's coming along nicely :biggrin:

[riceboy]

that looks like a great idea but is that on your main floor? was just wondering how much weight can the floor hold that being its 300 gallons plus the weight of all materials would easily be around 1400kg with the sump and all to, forgive my math if i'm wrong :lol:

[Gripenfelter]

that looks like a great idea but is that on your main floor? was just wondering how much weight can the floor hold that being its 300 gallons plus the weight of all materials would easily be around 1400kg with the sump and all to, forgive my math if i'm wrong :lol:


Floor has been reinforced. ;)

[riceboy]

lol gotcha nice idea man really looking forward to the aquascaping

[mike31154]

Getting in on this interesting concept a bit late, but couldn't the same thing be accomplished using a pvc framework or something similar? Why glass? PVC would be lighter, less prone to breakage, probably less $$$s too. Easier to disassemble if it comes to that...

[Gripenfelter]

Getting in on this interesting concept a bit late, but couldn't the same thing be accomplished using a pvc framework or something similar? Why glass? PVC would be lighter, less prone to breakage, probably less $$$s too. Easier to disassemble if it comes to that...

Acrylic was NOT cheaper actually. :) I had estimates from shops in Alberta, Minnesota, Ontario, and even Las Vegas (ATM aka TANKED).

Even shops in the States who are usually much cheaper than glass had a brain fart when I showed them the design. Initially I had planned to do this in an L- shaped acrylic tank but after weighing the pros and cons of it and considering the fact that acrylic is much easier to scratch etc, I decided on glass. Price was very close to the same.

I wanted to actually do a bullnose end on the tank but the fact that it would be a 2 ft radius curve meant it would look like a huge magnifying glass and distort everything. If I went bigger than a 2 ft radius curve we wouldn't get it into the house.

So we went with glass with beveled edges.

[reefwars]

i think he means pvc piping for a frame ;) acrylic is def not cheaper than glass just stronger and lighter glass is easier to get and cheaper by the sheet:) love this build btw awesome job mate:)

[MarkoD]

Acrylic was NOT cheaper actually. :) I had estimates from shops in Alberta, Minnesota, Ontario, and even Las Vegas (ATM aka TANKED).

Even shops in the States who are usually much cheaper than glass had a brain fart when I showed them the design. Initially I had planned to do this in an L- shaped acrylic tank but after weighing the pros and cons of it and considering the fact that acrylic is much easier to scratch etc, I decided on glass. Price was very close to the same.

I wanted to actually do a bullnose end on the tank but the fact that it would be a 2 ft radius curve meant it would look like a huge magnifying glass and distort everything. If I went bigger than a 2 ft radius curve we wouldn't get it into the house.

So we went with glass with beveled edges.

What he meant was you could take PVC pipes and build a shelf structure. Not acrylic

[Gripenfelter]

What he meant was you could take PVC pipes and build a shelf structure. Not acrylic

When you're already tipping the scales at 1000 lbs, what's a few more? :p

Acrylic would be more expensive.

[mike31154]

Ya, thanks reefw & marko, that's what I meant. Just build a box with pvc or any number of other material than glass. Great concept, just seems like a waste of glass & overly complex to me when a similar result, shelf or whatever could be accomplished by other means. Glass usually good when you need to see stuff, but if it's hidden, makes no sense. Maybe just me, I dunno. Kudos on the fine glass work though, looks great.

[MarkoD]

When you're already tipping the scales at 1000 lbs, what's a few more? :p

Acrylic would be more expensive.

Nobody said anything about acrylic. PVC pipes, like the stuff you're gonna use to plumb your tank..... You can use it to make a shelf structure

[lastlight]

wow never considered a pvc box. you could use a ton of cross-tees to achieve a grid to top and front of your cage. perfect for zip-tying to. nice thinking!

luckilly you're good to go anyways. it's scape time...

[evaneatspie555]

Let's see the scape step by step if u could I wanna see how u do it so I can try and learn more about aqua scaping mines a stack method right meow

[Gripenfelter]

Let's see the scape step by step if u could I wanna see how u do it so I can try and learn more about aqua scaping mines a stack method right meow

I'm using mostly indo rock on the drop off portion with caves in it. The top portion will be flat portions of rock on top of round pieces to make large see through caves since the tank is viewable from both sides.

Some Tonga with GSP on it to frame the sides of the rock work.

[evaneatspie555]

wat is gsp lol im dont know all the short forms yet :p

[sphelps]

wat is gsp lol im dont know all the short forms yet :p
Where's Mark when you need him?

GSP = green star polyps

[Gripenfelter]

wat is gsp lol im dont know all the short forms yet :p

http://www.dreamstime.com/green-star-polyp-coral-thumb2879345.jpg

[Nano]

GSP is lovely escpecially under lunar. I love mine probably on of my favorites!

[-=James=-]

Sick build. Cant wait to see how it turns out.

PS: Gripenfelter, you were from Calgary right? I recognized the name. Zeus was a sick dog!

[Gripenfelter]

Sick build. Cant wait to see how it turns out.

PS: Gripenfelter, you were from Calgary right? I recognized the name. Zeus was a sick dog!

I'm from Winnipeg but I'm a moderator on a few car forums in Calgary.

Thanks dude. Dec 7 was the 1 yr anniversary of his murder.

[-=James=-]

I'm from Winnipeg but I'm a moderator on a few car forums in Calgary.

Thanks dude. Dec 7 was the 1 yr anniversary of his murder.

Sorry to hear man. Good luck with the new tank though!!

[Gripenfelter]

Got delayed a little bit. Been working on a deck so the new pup can go do his business in the dog run. Pup comes in 3 weeks. Anyways, plumbing for closed loop system is done. Water test completed. No leaks. So the next step is adding sand and rock then finish hooking up the sump.

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/73cece21.jpg

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/bb76530f.jpg

[lockrookie]

just got a bit od a concern as far as your closed loop goes..... you donthaveany shut off valves incase of pump problems that cansee... you unhook that thing and drainyour tank... unless i just dont see it.

[Dez]

just got a bit od a concern as far as your closed loop goes..... you donthaveany shut off valves incase of pump problems that cansee... you unhook that thing and drainyour tank... unless i just dont see it.

I think I see a check valve in each line. But I wouldn't trust a check valve either. But at least it would take a long time to drain the tank out with a leaky check valve.

[Gripenfelter]

I have ball valves on each outlet plus one on the drain. Those aren't check valves. They are quick disconnects. I'll snap a pic tonight.

[Gripenfelter]

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/cb1df518.jpg

[Gripenfelter]

I went a different way for the sump. Instead of one big tank I decided to go with 3 smaller ones. It allows me to isolate a certain chamber if there is an issue or if I want to change something later.

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/c06fe86b.jpg

Got my RO system up and running. Filling sump as we speak.

QUESTION:

A local aquarium builder told me it would be better to fill in the section under the drop off completely with sand, worms, and crabs and make a deep sand bed as opposed to filling it with some rocks and running a pump in there to circulate water.

Opinions?

In other words fill in this section with deep sand (imagine a piece of glass across the top):

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/22f29adb.jpg

[Gripenfelter]

Adjusted overflow and hung two lights so far.

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/445bd7a2.jpg

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/29f9b1b5.jpg

Gonna start aquascaping soon.

[lastlight]

3 feet to stare into on-end that's going to be RAD. The end view is hands down my fav and with that ehight it's really going to have an amazing presence.

How many SOL in total? Looks to be 3 but won't that be on the low side for coverage?

[Gripenfelter]

3 feet to stare into on-end that's going to be RAD. The end view is hands down my fav and with that ehight it's really going to have an amazing presence.

How many SOL in total? Looks to be 3 but won't that be on the low side for coverage?

I have 4 eshine systems 3 watt CREE LED units. 2 are still on my current 120 gallon.

Gonna transition coral and rock over very slowly to avoid any die off.

[kien]

read through this build last night, very nice! That is an awesome idea for a room divider! The only thing I don't like about this build at this point is the fact that there's no fish in the tank yet.

[Gripenfelter]

read through this build last night, very nice! That is an awesome idea for a room divider! The only thing I don't like about this build at this point is the fact that there's no fish in the tank yet.

Hahaha. Soon. Just want it to cycle properly and build up a good amount of bacteria. Already have crabs in there.

[Skimmerking]

that is it next time im in Winnipeg im coming over for a visit pm me your cell number and address buds i could have fun at your place drooling lol

[Reefie]

This looks to be a VERY innovative way to build a drop-off tank!

I can't wait to see more pics!

[ashr]

very cool idea, cant wait to see it done!

[Gripenfelter]

that is it next time im in Winnipeg im coming over for a visit pm me your cell number and address buds i could have fun at your place drooling lol

Done.

[Gripenfelter]

Added 2 young black clowns, 2 azure damsels, and a GBTA along with 50 lbs of rock for the drop off.

Then added a 1350 GPH circulation pump to the area under the drop off to keep debris from building up there. I could have gone to 2000 GPH even.

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/2d0c62a4.jpg

More aquascaping and rock transfer this week.

[Skimmerking]

loving it man and that is it 1 pic Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm im not coming over now :mrgreen:

[Gripenfelter]

I'll post more tomorrow. Tank is a mess of rock right now. No aquascaping yet. Just moving rock all over.

[Gripenfelter]

Moved most of the coral over.

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/fe5a078a.jpg

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/f60fed64.jpg

GSP will be at the bottom of the tank on the other side of the drop off.

[The Grizz]

Could you take a pic of the plumbing from you overflow for me please. I am planning a coast to coast in my 8' - 300 but I want it to be completely silent with no vertical pipes inside the tank.

[Gripenfelter]

Could you take a pic of the plumbing from you overflow for me please. I am planning a coast to coast in my 8' - 300 but I want it to be completely silent with no vertical pipes inside the tank.


Sure, I'll do that tonight.

I think a long tank would really benefit from it. I know in my setup the debris tends to circle around the return nozzles from the sump. It eventually finds it's way to the overflow but a coast to coast would work MUCH better.

[lastlight]

Nice to see some life in there! Will there be more rock added to the upper portion?

Speaking of overflows... I have a gyre in my tank and I can watch crap blast across the back, round the bend and make it's way across the front pane towards the overflow... only to turn that corner and drift within 3 inches of the overflow! Luckily things go around the tank all day so eventually it works out lol.

[jjntm]

this is a very cool Idea, out of curiousity tho, why not treat the baffles like a second sump/refugium? then live foods can venture into the tank at free will. also can be a sweet breeder area of the tank for inverts and smaller fish. personally I think you have a sweet lil Idea there, I'm gonna follow this thread, as I am curious to see if the 350gph will be enough flow... after all you don't need a hell of a lot of flow for a refug...

[Gripenfelter]

Nice to see some life in there! Will there be more rock added to the upper portion?

Speaking of overflows... I have a gyre in my tank and I can watch crap blast across the back, round the bend and make it's way across the front pane towards the overflow... only to turn that corner and drift within 3 inches of the overflow! Luckily things go around the tank all day so eventually it works out lol.

There will be a little more rock in the upper portion but just to mount coral to. I went a bit overboard in my 120 gallon and had 200 lbs of rock...too much. Not doing that this time. Most of my rock will be in the sump and refugium with just enough in the display tank to look cool.

this is a very cool Idea, out of curiousity tho, why not treat the baffles like a second sump/refugium? then live foods can venture into the tank at free will. also can be a sweet breeder area of the tank for inverts and smaller fish. personally I think you have a sweet lil Idea there, I'm gonna follow this thread, as I am curious to see if the 350gph will be enough flow... after all you don't need a hell of a lot of flow for a refug...

No light will penetrate the baffles once there is sand on the top so nothing will grow there. I was thinking of making it a refugium at first too but it's not a viable option. I could have filled it with live rock to make it a refuge for copepods but I already have a ridiculous amount of them living in my sump and filters.

[lastlight]

No reason you can't have a light shooting into there from the side under the overflow =)

[Gripenfelter]

No reason you can't have a light shooting into there from the side under the overflow =)

I doubt it would penetrate all the baffles. There is a good amount of grime and dust already on the glass.

[MarkoD]

I doubt it would penetrate all the baffles. There is a good amount of grime and dust already on the glass.

And you don't think that'll cause nitrate problems in the tank?

[Gripenfelter]

And you don't think that'll cause nitrate problems in the tank?

Not with a 1350 GPH pump circulating water in there.

I tried it without the pump and within 2 weeks I had a layer of crap in there so thick you couldn't see the glass.

After 2 days of using the pump 99% of the grime is gone.

[TimT]

Hi Grip,

Looks great and love the idea.

Only one small concern.
The submersible pump under the shelf will be a nightmare to service. I would either move it above the lid or use a Korallia blowing down into the first chamber next to the overflows.

My recommendation would be to put some fist sized chunks of live rock in the chambers. Have a Korallia or two blowing water down into the first chamber next to overflows. Put some egg crate on the holes in the last chamber to stop snails, crabs and fish from getting in. That area is a great place to have the bio filtration happening. As an added bonus you could have the korallia's on a computer UPS so that in case of a power failure you don't lose the tank. A computer UPS will run a Korallia for a long time.

Cheers,
Tim

[Gripenfelter]

Hi Grip,

Looks great and love the idea.

Only one small concern.
The submersible pump under the shelf will be a nightmare to service. I would either move it above the lid or use a Korallia blowing down into the first chamber next to the overflows.

My recommendation would be to put some fist sized chunks of live rock in the chambers. Have a Korallia or two blowing water down into the first chamber next to overflows. Put some egg crate on the holes in the last chamber to stop snails, crabs and fish from getting in. That area is a great place to have the bio filtration happening. As an added bonus you could have the korallia's on a computer UPS so that in case of a power failure you don't lose the tank. A computer UPS will run a Korallia for a long time.

Cheers,
Tim


Thanks Tim. I'll look into moving the pump above the shelf and hiding it with rock. Thanks again for all your help with the plumbing supplies.

[Gripenfelter]

Even though it's 314 gallons I'm a little scared to add my false perc clowns to it with my black clowns in there. My black clowns are still young and do not host anemones. They just do laps of the entire tank. Hopefully the mirror trick will work otherwise I'll have to fish 2 of them out.
Anyways here are some more pics. Still need to add about 75 lbs more rock for aquascaping and get some more cool rock from Fish Whisperer.
Anyways, turned the lights 90 degrees around for the corals. They are too close to the surface so I don't get a nice spread of light. The lights over the deep end will be length wise.
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/568f0632.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/976d2a60.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/1ab11f17.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/45b42746.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/31219158.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/fc68c69f.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/8454ee9a.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/48bab8d9.jpg

[The Grizz]

Cool thanks for the more detailed pics of the OF, that is exactly what I thought it was :biggrin: and helps with my design greatly.

[Skimmerking]

I would add the clowns right away just to get them in there serious thou since they have young and wont be bothered so much

[Gripenfelter]

Cool thanks for the more detailed pics of the OF, that is exactly what I thought it was :biggrin: and helps with my design greatly.

Here is an exploded pic:

http://www.beananimal.com/media/4075/exploded-standpipe.jpg

This is the secondary siphon.


The primary siphon is identical to the secondary except that it doesn't have the tube fitting on the top. The emergency siphon is identical to the primary siphon except that it has it's elbow turned upwards.

http://www.beananimal.com/media/4070/standpipe-close.jpg

[Coleus]

Here is an exploded pic:

http://www.beananimal.com/media/4075/exploded-standpipe.jpg

This is the secondary siphon.


The primary siphon is identical to the secondary except that it doesn't have the tube fitting on the top. The emergency siphon is identical to the primary siphon except that it has it's elbow turned upwards.

http://www.beananimal.com/media/4070/standpipe-close.jpg


This is so awesome, what program are you using?

Thanks

[Gripenfelter]

This is so awesome, what program are you using?

Thanks

I didn't draw those particular ones but I always use Google Sketchup for 3D renderings. It's free and there are lots of video tutorials on how to use it.

[Coleus]

I didn't draw those particular ones but I always use Google Sketchup for 3D renderings. It's free and there are lots of video tutorials on how to use it.

hmm, is there an extension to have these plumbing parts??

[Gripenfelter]

hmm, is there an extension to have these plumbing parts??

Extension?

[Coleus]

Extension?

i have google sketch up but don't see those plumbing parts on your sketch

[The Codfather]

here's the link

http://www.beananimal.com/projects/silent-and-fail-safe-aquarium-overflow-system.aspx

[Gripenfelter]

i have google sketch up but don't see those plumbing parts on your sketch


OIC.

Yeah you can download the individual parts from the Google Sketchup library and modify to your own.

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/search?q=ball+valve&styp=m&scoring=t

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/search?q=90+degree+pvc&styp=m&scoring=t&reps=2

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=6d5e2651a8915949711764120f7217a2&prevstart=0

etc etc

[The Grizz]

I wonder how I can make this work on an 8' long overflow?

[Gripenfelter]

I wonder how I can make this work on an 8' long overflow?


What would be the problem? I connected 3 tanks together...150 gallons. All three pipes dump into my refugium.

[The Grizz]

My question would be where to locate the drains, how many drains. Would I do 4 main and 2 emergency or just 2 & 1?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Gripenfelter]

You only need 3.

At 5700 GPH my main siphon is 95% open. If I made it 100% open it would suck the overflow dry.

The way you set it is to set the main siphon so it is slightly slower than the flow of water entering the overflow.

Then you set the secondary open so it will suck up just enough to keep the water level from rising. If the water level rises to the point where it reaches the airline, the secondary also goes full siphon.

If for some reason the first two are clogged the emergency, which is never used, will go full siphon.

So really there are 2 fail safes. Anymore drains than this are overkill.

[The Grizz]

OH OK, that makes sense now and great explanation of how it works. What I had originally thought of doing was to put a drain at each end of the coast to coast and have the c -c split in half, 4' feeding each overflow but doing this i could just put it in the middle of the tank with maybe 1' between each hole.

I really like how this look and it sounds like it works well to. I want to be able to feed my skimmer, reactors and if needed my chiller off my overflows so they get as much of the yukie goodness they can.

[Gripenfelter]

OH OK, that makes sense now and great explanation of how it works. What I had originally thought of doing was to put a drain at each end of the coast to coast and have the c -c split in half, 4' feeding each overflow but doing this i could just put it in the middle of the tank with maybe 1' between each hole.

I really like how this look and it sounds like it works well to. I want to be able to feed my skimmer, reactors and if needed my chiller off my overflows so they get as much of the yukie goodness they can.

You'd want all the drains going to one place. Or at least your main one. The other 2 will have a minimal amount of water going through them.

Doesn't matter where in the coast to coast overflow you put the drains. I would space them out as much as possible but you can also put them right beside one another.

[The Grizz]

All the drains will be going to one place, thinking of putting in a short 3" piece of pipe at the end of all the drains to collect in and then take off for my skimmer & reactors.

Thanks so much for the info!! What kind of flex pipe did you use? Was it fairly easy to work with?

I am really digging the drop off you have going :thumb:

[Proteus]

Grizz.
This what I did its the bees knees. Not a sound to be heard. It's exactly what gripenfelter was explaining
http://www.beananimal.com/projects/silent-and-fail-safe-aquarium-overflow-system.aspx

[Gripenfelter]

All the drains will be going to one place, thinking of putting in a short 3" piece of pipe at the end of all the drains to collect in and then take off for my skimmer & reactors.

Thanks so much for the info!! What kind of flex pipe did you use? Was it fairly easy to work with?

I am really digging the drop off you have going :thumb:

I would recommend not connecting all the drains together. The point of this fail safe system is that if one pipe gets clogged you still have 2 back ups. If you connect them all together and they clog at the point where you connected all of them together you will have a swimming pool in your house.

[Gripenfelter]

Moved over 75% of the rock from the other tank. Did some aquascaping. My apartment complex (caves on the drop off) for the fishes is starting to take shape.
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/0cc6ecb9.jpg
Half of a tower/bridge I'm building.


http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/a44789a2.jpg
Looking length-wise into the tank.


http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/891a7711.jpg
The apartment complex.


http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/c0e034d6.jpg
Slowly getting there.

Still need a lot more rock for the drop off. I'll be transferring more over today and hopefully some fish today or tomorrow and finish aquascaping this weekend.

Then add sand.

The side panels should arrive in 2 weeks. Went with black aluminum. A buddy of mine races circle track and uses black aluminum for the body panels on their race car so he's going to snag me some pieces.

[Gripenfelter]

Added all the fish and rock...now I have to aquascape it.

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/f683f987.jpg

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/1972ced0.jpg

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/36c4894f.jpg

[Gripenfelter]

So far so good. False Perc Clowns swam up and inspected the black clowns but then swam away. No aggression.

[The Grizz]

Do your fish look really tiny in all that space now :lol:

[Gripenfelter]

So far they are only using the deep end of the tank and only going 3/4 up. I guess they are still used to the old tank.

[fishytime]

So far they are only using the deep end of the tank and only going 3/4 up. I guess they are still used to the old tank.

thats kinda interesting.......hopefully for you, the fish find the upper part of the tank......but I guess if you think of their natural environment, very few of our fish would be caught dead in water as shallow as our tanks.....kinda makes sense for them to relate to the deepest part of the tank

[d33ps3a]

Nice build! You should take some rocks out of the bottom to get more of a drop off effect.

[Skimmerking]

Gripen you should have the rock at the top and a few scattered pieces on the bottom. Then have a few pieces over hangin like a suspended in mid water and have white sand on the bottom now that would look cool.

[Gripenfelter]

Nice build! You should take some rocks out of the bottom to get more of a drop off effect.

Gripen you should have the rock at the top and a few scattered pieces on the bottom. Then have a few pieces over hangin like a suspended in mid water and have white sand on the bottom now that would look cool.

I did more aquascaping yesterday and this is exactly what I'm doing. :)

I made the tower on the deep end a little taller and made tons of caves in it. The middle section is almost empty.

Today and tomorrow I'll work on the drop off and the coral area.

Added 4 KG of sand.

[Gripenfelter]

Slowly getting there...

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/42389cad.jpg

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/d4e3c3ea.jpg

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/a09e6bcf.jpg

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/46f7def3.jpg

[Gripenfelter]

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/fc6849f3.jpg

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/45285952.jpg

[Zoaelite]

WOW! That skirt really brings the whole project together, really excited to see where this one goes.

[Gripenfelter]

Still need to do more aquascaping above the shelf and hide the pump.

[Gripenfelter]

Took some better pics.

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/146100.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/146041.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/146066.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/145082.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/145070.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/145071.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/145072.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/145073.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/145076.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/145079.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/145080.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/145085.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/145089.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/145093.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/145095.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/145096.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/145097.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/145098.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/145100.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/146101.jpg

Still need to hide the pump.

[MarkoD]

Looks good. How's it looking under the shelf?

[Gripenfelter]

Looks good. How's it looking under the shelf?

There is sand down there and a lot of hermits live in there.

I need to get more of a cleanup crew. Some detrius but nothing the current crabs can't handle.

Also picked up a sea cucumber.

Nitrates and Ammonia are zero.

[Delphinus]

The whole thing looks really neat. Love the crevasse, that really gives it a pop.

I'd love to see a drop off tank one day where the rockwork actually ramps up closer to the surface and then plop a wavebox down at the deep side just to see what the wave would look like.

[Gripenfelter]

The whole thing looks really neat. Love the crevasse, that really gives it a pop.

I'd love to see a drop off tank one day where the rockwork actually ramps up closer to the surface and then plop a wavebox down at the deep side just to see what the wave would look like.

Oh so the waves crash on to the rocks?

[Reefie]

Oh so the waves crash on to the rocks?

+1 That would be awesome to see waves crashing onto the rocks!
Maybe an MP40 or MP60 might do the trick, unless you can hide a wavebox within the rockwork on the opposite side.

[phreezee]

Neat! Never seen anything like that before, way to think "outside the box." lol

[blacknife]

Heh for the next build. Wave box built into the underneath chamber.

[Coralgurl]

Very cool build! The starfish in the first pic looks like it's hanging from your light!

[ensquire]

Very cool build! The starfish in the first pic looks like it's hanging from your light!
Thats what I was thinking as well :lol:

[Gripenfelter]

Very cool build! The starfish in the first pic looks like it's hanging from your light!

Never noticed that lol.

[Gripenfelter]

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/147042.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/147038.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/147034.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/147353.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/147354.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/147352.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/147351.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/147340.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/147345.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/147331.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/147330.jpg

[tim the toolman]

Looks awesome. So jealous.
Have your fish started to venture into the upper area yet.

[subman]

:jaw:

amazing tank! tagging along.

[Gripenfelter]

Looks awesome. So jealous.
Have your fish started to venture into the upper area yet.

Yes they do go up there sometimes. But for the most part it's the clowns and small angels that go there.

[BigBoreBastard]

Very awesome build!!! Just sold our 154 gallon setup so we didn't have to move it but am now planning our next tank already!!!

[Bblinks]

Nice build dude, honestly I had my doubts from the begining but the way its looking now I would have to say it is coming together nicely. I am not sure if I missed it or not but did you ever thought about putting sand in the compartment making sorta like a dsb filteration? Just curious, sorry if I have missed it.

Thanks for sharing and I really love the photos. Please keep them coming.

[Gripenfelter]

Nice build dude, honestly I had my doubts from the begining but the way its looking now I would have to say it is coming together nicely. I am not sure if I missed it or not but did you ever thought about putting sand in the compartment making sorta like a dsb filteration? Just curious, sorry if I have missed it.

Thanks for sharing and I really love the photos. Please keep them coming.


Actually a lot of sand has leaked down there on it's own and lots of snails and crabs hang out in there.

[Marlin65]

Very cool build I think I need to upgrade my tank to a drop reef.:smile:

[Jakegr]

Beautiful aquascape. Everything looks like it came together great!

[Gripenfelter]

Still waiting for something to go wrong. Can't believe how well it worked. Still no nitrates or ammonia. Everything is very stable.

Have to sell off the anemonies though. They are stinging my SPS.

[Bblinks]

Still waiting for something to go wrong. Can't believe how well it worked. Still no nitrates or ammonia. Everything is very stable.

Have to sell off the anemonies though. They are stinging my SPS.

Good call, SPS all the way!!!

[fishytime]

Have to sell off the anemonies though. They are stinging my SPS.

nems is evil:twised::mrgreen:

[Marlin65]

Update???

[Gripenfelter]

I should get some better pics I have some interesting stuff in the tank now. I'll post these crappy cell pics for now but I'll post some better ones later.

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/4F3B2A72-840A-47C7-B69A-F741BAE51E4B-710-000000B4DB0AE706.jpg
This crab is reef safe believe it or not:
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/D571A3F9-7894-42E8-9E9B-EB0BB25E6AB1-182-0000001872735C4C.jpg
Eventually gonna work towards this I'm thinking:
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/0A56D1DE-A07D-4684-99C4-5CC1D0C186C4-182-000000188B432BC2.jpg
Rearranged some rock work on the upper level of my tank before the drop off. Got some rock that have caves in them.
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/6750D086-9113-46B9-AF4A-E6E40210B3F4-1072-000000FEAD482AB1.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l375/Grip_Singh/99919BD7-E368-4470-8EAC-D91F773C8D1C-1072-000000FEBA18A035.jpg

[Salt2Death]

Very Cool Set Up-
I Admire The Entire Job


Sent Via The Pirate Ship...

[91Atrac]

Tank looks pretty intense! Still have to come by one day and see it. :)

Do you still have those 2 hitchhiker gobies? Think you said you had some or one right...

[Dr.Demento]

What a sweet tank,would love to see how it looks with the rock tower gone and an accentuated drop off rock /coral wall .

[Dr.Demento]

Hope that didn't sound to pushy .was wondering if you were ready for a change yet?

[Gripenfelter]

No no. You're just stating your opinion. Not pushy.

I need the tower though because that's where my Foxface and Sailfin sleep since they are too big for the smaller caves.

I went on vacation for 2 weeks and when I came back I found out my skimmer had shut down...ugh. Killed off a lof of the coral. They are starting to come back now. Lost some huge zoa colonies and torch corals.

SPS is thriving though.

I'm thinking about doing a hexagonal or pentagonal tank now for my foyer. I don't want to do a cylinder because I hate plexiglass. Scratches too easily.

[dino]

some say why? i say the the heck not

[paddyob]

Ok. That's a big freakin crab! What the hell is it? In your tank ??? Hitchhiker ??

[Zoaelite]

I'm not the biggest fan of hex/pent tanks but then again I said the same about drop off tanks until I subscribed to this thread. Loving it, keep up the good work.