50 Gallon Waterfall Lagooooon

[FishyFishy!]

I've always absolutely loved the Konolua Volcano tank. My brother walked by me one day while I was looking at the website for this tank (http://www.konolua.com/RSS/Volcano_Tank/Volcano_Tank.html (http://www.konolua.com/RSS/Volcano_Tank/Volcano_Tank.html)) and he said "I want that". And let me tell you... so do I! So with joint funding and my skills, I'm putting one together. Tank is in my kitchen, and the sump/mixing station will be housed in the closets behind the wall. Since my job will be leaving me two weeks in Huston at a time starting in January, the brother ok’d looking after it now that he is getting into the hobby! Wooo whoooo! Even though I don’t get to start up my dream SPS system that I wanted to, this little guy will have to do until I’m home permanently.

The inspiration behind the build:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/IMG_0890.jpg

DETAILS:



Tank:

50 Gallon shallow tank - 44"L X 22"W X 12"H - Eurobraced, painted blue background, center overflow with 2 X 1” holes for a herbie drain, 1 X ¾” return, and 1 X 1” random hole on right side that will be plugged with a bulkhead.


Stand:

Custom built stand – 2X4’s in the typical overbuilt form. The bottom of the stand has a sheet of plywood that is completely sealed with black liquid rubber in case of plumbing leaks. I will have custom skins made soon.


Sump Closet and Mixing Station:


Sump –

Custom 60 Gallon: 42L X 20W X 18H ish..– 3 compartments

20 Gallon 1st stage drain/skimmer/water change tank 24”L X 18”W X 12”H

Mixing station –

2 X large Rubbermaid Brutes
BRS 6 stage Chloramines deluxe RO unit
Mag 24 mixing/transport pump.

Equipment:


Skimmer – Bubble Magus Curve 7
Flow – 2 X MP10WES
Return Pump – Danner Mag 12
Heater – 1 X 300W Jager, 1 X 175W Jager
2 X TLF media reactors

Lighting:


Custom LED build –
Aluminum U-channel heat sinks
16 Bridgelux 3W LED strips (6 LED’s per strip) -
8 RB and 8 10K
2 power supplies
2 controllers that dim LED’s, control timing, and control fans when it reaches a specified temperature

[FishyFishy!]

BUILD:

The tank looked like this when I bought it:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/IMG_1112_zpsb0c196c6.jpg

The overflow wasn’t going to work for me. Only having a single hole on the back pane was a little unnerving. So I called Denny and Dave for some new holes! They came over and drilled two new 1” bulkhead holes in the middle for a herbie setup (thanks a ton!). The ¾” hole on the left will be the return like, and the 1” hole on the right, originally meant for the drain, will be plugged with a bulkhead to be made into something else in the future.

Then I really lucked out. While talking about the overflow I was about to build, Denny mentioned that the frag tank that I sold him a week or so earlier got smashed, and he actually ended up salvaging the overflow from it. It already had the black acrylic, and was all together. So I snatched that up and silicone it into place.

Lastly, I gave it a fresh coat of Blue Krylon Fusion for the background.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121023_132826_zps37d95b0e.jpg

Stand will be skinned with panels and painted the same color as the walls/trim.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121023_131659_zps3d65f147.jpg

Stripped the closet behind the kitchen for the sumps/ATO. Have to mud/sand and paint the drywall still, and continue the waterproof floor paint into the closet.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121023_130606_zps22ffc084.jpg

Here is the LED light rack I built. It is roughly the same size as the tank. This will go into a wood floating canopy hung from the ceiling. I have yet to build the canopy. I might just hire someone to make it look good, as my wood finishing skills are not good at all. I can frame stuff up, but making it look good after that is difficult.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121023_132856_zpsc03438e7.jpg

Lights on at about 80% (white and blue)

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121021_180453_zps1640756f.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121021_180443_zps368dfeaf.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121021_180434_zps1d1cee3a.jpg

60 Gallon Sump – Still needs 2 coats of background paint…I ran out…then got lazy.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121023_132723_zps768a958d.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121023_132906_zps98410208.jpg

And the brand new Bubble Magus Curve 7 Protein Skimmer - Can’t wait to fire this guy up.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121022_181624_zps7e4cf527.jpg

I also picked me up some American DJ 8 switch powerbars to help with automation and maintenance. I love these things!

Here is a rough layout of the sump closet

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/VolcanoTankLayout_zps3c2da4442_zps041379c2.jpg

More to come!

[mrhasan]

Everything is looking awesome :D Tagging alone with an awesome built :)

BUILD:

The tank looked like this when I bought it:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/IMG_1112_zpsb0c196c6.jpg

The overflow wasn’t going to work for me. Only having a single hole on the back pane was a little unnerving. So I called Denny and Dave for some new holes! They came over and drilled two new 1” bulkhead holes in the middle for a herbie setup (thanks a ton!). The ¾” hole on the left will be the return like, and the 1” hole on the right, originally meant for the drain, will be plugged with a bulkhead to be made into something else in the future.

Then I really lucked out. While talking about the overflow I was about to build, Denny mentioned that the frag tank that I sold him a week or so earlier got smashed, and he actually ended up salvaging the overflow from it. It already had the black acrylic, and was all together. So I snatched that up and silicone it into place.

Lastly, I gave it a fresh coat of Blue Krylon Fusion for the background.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121023_132826_zps37d95b0e.jpg

Stand will be skinned with panels and painted the same color as the walls/trim.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121023_131659_zps3d65f147.jpg

Stripped the closet behind the kitchen for the sumps/ATO. Have to mud/sand and paint the drywall still, and continue the waterproof floor paint into the closet.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121023_130606_zps22ffc084.jpg

Here is the LED light rack I built. It is roughly the same size as the tank. This will go into a wood floating canopy hung from the ceiling. I have yet to build the canopy. I might just hire someone to make it look good, as my wood finishing skills are not good at all. I can frame stuff up, but making it look good after that is difficult.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121023_132856_zpsc03438e7.jpg

Lights on at about 80% (white and blue)

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121021_180453_zps1640756f.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121021_180443_zps368dfeaf.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121021_180434_zps1d1cee3a.jpg

60 Gallon Sump – Still needs 2 coats of background paint…I ran out…then got lazy.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121023_132723_zps768a958d.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121023_132906_zps98410208.jpg

And the brand new Bubble Magus Curve 7 Protein Skimmer - Can’t wait to fire this guy up.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121022_181624_zps7e4cf527.jpg

I also picked me up some American DJ 8 switch powerbars to help with automation and maintenance. I love these things!

Here is a rough layout of the sump closet

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/VolcanoTankLayout_zps3c2da4442_zps041379c2.jpg

More to come!

[gregzz4]

I've been waiting for you to start this build - tre cool

[kien]

:pop2:

[Salt2Death]

Has my full attention!


Sent Via The Pirate Ship...

[Myka]

This is a cool idea!

[chris88]

looks like an amazing build. I do think you need to broaden your spectrum with your lighting. you are going to need to add some 420nm and 650nm leds or add a couple of t5s to help fill the gap. What are you planning on keeping in regards to live stock?

[Delphinus]

Looks great but honestly I'd scrape off the blue Krylon and put black. 1) Black looks better and makes colours pop more, and 2) It would match the overflow. One of my biggest regrets with my current tank was that I went blue instead of black (one day I'll change it but it's far easier before it's set up than after).

[gridley]

This is looking fantistic! You have obviously been at this tank for a while already. I'm looking forward to folowing along.

[zhasan]

WAO!! This is already looking awesome!! Looking forward to see it shape up into an awesome setup!!

[reefwars]

atta boy mike , looks great i was wondering when this was gonna get posted lol

if you decide to go black i could snag you some vinyl and come over and throw it on with you , its easy peasy japanesy!!


ps the volcanoe tank is one of the biggest inspirations in reefing i have and love that tank:)

[FishyFishy!]

Looks great but honestly I'd scrape off the blue Krylon and put black. 1) Black looks better and makes colours pop more, and 2) It would match the overflow. One of my biggest regrets with my current tank was that I went blue instead of black (one day I'll change it but it's far easier before it's set up than after).


I was thinking that. But the overflow will be completely covered by the rock structure. So I might leave it for now. I want to upgrade to a rimless starfire eventually, so this tank will be scrap.

looks like an amazing build. I do think you need to broaden your spectrum with your lighting. you are going to need to add some 420nm and 650nm leds or add a couple of t5s to help fill the gap. What are you planning on keeping in regards to live stock?

The blues are actually 420nm. The others are 10K. It has a great look as far as color because each color is dimable, so I can mix it as needed. As far as growth, I can't see this being 'not enough' considering there is 96 X 3W LED's. Thats more than enough. Modular LED sells kits for 6 foot tanks that have 128 X 3W LED's, so I think i'll be ok on the 50 gallon. I also have some red and green LED's to mount into the canopy when it is finished to add other color spectrums.

Stock will be mostly softies with some birdsnest SPS and monti's.

The 'gap' in the LED rack is to accomodate the tall rock structure that will be out of the water. I don't want direct light on it, as I think that would cause algae problems.

I still might do the 2 X 250W Halide pendants. Not sure yet. I'll try the LED's for now and see how they do.

[JDigital]

Gonna throw some baking soda and vinegar in that volcano too? :lol: (ahhh, elementry school!)

Looks good so far.. Curious to see how you like that Curve 7 skimmer.

[chris88]

I must have miss read your original post. I didn't realize you had that many LEDs. I that case you are more then covered for par. You also made a good call on the 420nm LEDs as the 10k has a good spike in the 460nm range already. I look forward to seeing it when it's complete.

[FishyFishy!]

Gonna throw some baking soda and vinegar in that volcano too? :lol: (ahhh, elementry school!)

Looks good so far.. Curious to see how you like that Curve 7 skimmer.


Yeah i'm very curious to see how it will perform. I'm hoping it will blow my mind! lol.

[mrhasan]

Gonna throw some baking soda and vinegar in that volcano too? :lol: (ahhh, elementry school!)

Looks good so far.. Curious to see how you like that Curve 7 skimmer.

Yah that way too elementary school and no fun! I heard mentos + soda (a little red color with it) makes it look much better :D

@Mike: When are you going to post some more pics? Can't wait to see new pics :D

[FishyFishy!]

Now ya'll got me thinking about changing the background color lol. I just really don't want to razor blade all that. It's tough sometimes. I wish there was just a solvent I could rub on it and it would magically come off in one swipe!

[mrhasan]

Now ya'll got me thinking about changing the background color lol. I just really don't want to razor blade all that. It's tough sometimes. I wish there was just a solvent I could rub on it and it would magically come off in one swipe!

I think nail polish remover should work.

[Delphinus]

A little bit of water and a razor blade and maybe 10 minutes of elbow grease .. yeah, I can see that being a drag. :p

My excuse for my 280g is not the removal .. it's more the putting-back-on now that I have running tanks in the tank room. I'd rather not spray at all actually, which limits the choice to something roll on, or a removable background. Totally doable and there's no excuse that I don't do it other than as a purely cosmetic issue it takes a lower priority than a couple other projects on the go...

Do it!!!

[Delphinus]

In all seriousness .. blue is fine of course. I just wish I had done black on mine from the get-go. Don't know why I didn't consider it. I had black background tanks well before and knew that I liked it better but for some reason I was bent on blue for this one. Took me a few months into it when I realized that black would have made a better choice but by then it was too late.

So anyhow yeah I suggest doing it now if you think there's a chance you'd like it better. But if you like blue just stay with it for now .. :)

[FishyFishy!]

Need some input on the color of the closets. I finally mudded the holes in the walls after I removed the shleves and hangers. Should I go all white? Or keep the walls the original beige color and do all of the shelving white?

Thoughts?

[kien]

Need some input on the color of the closets. I finally mudded the holes in the walls after I removed the shleves and hangers. Should I go all white? Or keep the walls the original beige color and do all of the shelving white?

Thoughts?

I'd got all white, but then I'm a bit colour biased :-)

[FishyFishy!]

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121023_130606_zps22ffc084.jpg

Here is what the color looks like at the moment.

[kien]

it looks a little dark in there. White will help brighten the space :-) But then so will the lights that you cram in there.

[lastlight]

I would suggest cutting some 2x6 verticals to size to slip under the ends of your rails. My bad if you already mentioned you would.

[FishyFishy!]

I would suggest cutting some 2x6 verticals to size to slip under the ends of your rails. My bad if you already mentioned you would.

Yeah it will have a bunch more support added when I'm done painting/mudding. I left them like that so that I could get them in the closet, and then move them around for now to paint.

[FishyFishy!]

it looks a little dark in there. White will help brighten the space :-) But then so will the lights that you cram in there.


Yeah I think I will go white. Unless someone else has some other ideas!

There will be a couple smaller light fixtures going in the closets with switches so that I can see what i'm doing in there lol.

[kien]

I would suggest cutting some 2x6 verticals to size to slip under the ends of your rails. My bad if you already mentioned you would.

^this guy quits the hobby, then thinks he can start telling people how to do their builds? Sheesh! Some people.

[FishyFishy!]

^this guy quits the hobby, then thinks he can start telling people how to do their builds? Sheesh! Some people.

^^^^ I know right!!! :lol:

I really wish that I could afford to fully cover the walls in FRP panelling, but thats just a little too expensive right now.

[lastlight]

Kilz Premium FTW. Waterproof as heck and comes in Kien White too.

[FishyFishy!]

Where does one get this paint???

[Delphinus]

I used the stuff in my tank room, got mine at Home Depot or Rona or one of those places...

[Duker]

I know i'm late seeing this thread; but this inspiration tank looks so bad ass!!! I love it. It reminds me of our coral tables we had at Progressive Reef, with live rock and mangroves too. LOve it, can't wait to see what you come up with. Cheers Ronnie:pop2::pop2:

[FishyFishy!]

I used the stuff in my tank room, got mine at Home Depot or Rona or one of those places...


I'll try Home Depot tonight! I'm getting excited. So excited that I wish the frikin closets and racks/shelves would just finish themselves so I can get to plumbing the dang thing.

[FishyFishy!]

Quick update.

Got the closets painted with white Kilz Premium. Stuff looks good!

Got the sump shelf levelled and bolted up to the studs in the closet. Took the sump and threw it up there to see how it would look. Still need to paint the plywood and screw it into place.

Started to mock up the mixing station. Plumbing is going to be easier than I thought, and I can use some of the existing plubing which is nice.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/SumpAndWaterCloset.jpg

Skimmer isn't going in there... just put it in for fun lol

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/SumpCloset.jpg

[FishyFishy!]

Here is my paint inspired layout of how things are going to look:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/VolcanoTankLayout-1.png

[lastlight]

Looking really good so far! Your sink even has a cute little ptrap lol.

I'm guessing doors will go across the sump closet... how are you going to deal with all the humidity in there?

[sphelps]

Pretty cool! I have two recommendations :mrgreen:

1. Install small overflow box in skimmer tank and go with a straight Herbie instead of the durso. It will be quieter but more importantly eliminate the air bubbles at the sock so less issues relating to salt creep and humidity. You're already putting in the two drains, so really super minor change with a decent benefit.

2. Emergency overflows in your Brute containers that tie into the drain for your laundry sink. Just encase those manual floats get stuck or leak.
Also consider an the same thing for your main sump.

[FishyFishy!]

Looking really good so far! Your sink even has a cute little ptrap lol.

I'm guessing doors will go across the sump closet... how are you going to deal with all the humidity in there?

Yes, the doors will be installed back on the closet. I am installing a large exhaust fan that will suck the air out and zip it down and out a dryer vent. I so badly wish I could afford a HRV, but thats not in the cards. I'm also running a de-humidifier in the room outside the closets.


Pretty cool! I have two recommendations :mrgreen:

1. Install small overflow box in skimmer tank and go with a straight Herbie instead of the durso. It will be quieter but more importantly eliminate the air bubbles at the sock so less issues relating to salt creep and humidity. You're already putting in the two drains, so really super minor change with a decent benefit.

2. Emergency overflows in your Brute containers that tie into the drain for your laundry sink. Just encase those manual floats get stuck or leak.
Also consider an the same thing for your main sump.

Killer suggestions. I actually have a smaller overflow thats already together that will fit perfectly into the skimmer tank! I'll silicone that into place tonight.

The mixing station will have emergency drains put in as well. Just got to figure out the best way to do it. Probably just a 3/4" bulkhead leading to the sink. The sump is a different story... I have no idea if it is tempered or not.

Does anyone know how to tell if glass is tempered? I'd love to be able to drill the sump to have an emergency drain.

[sphelps]

Does anyone know how to tell if glass is tempered? I'd love to be able to drill the sump to have an emergency drain.

I doubt it's tempered but there's an easy way to be sure. You need two polarized lenses, one on each side of the glass and look through them while you rotate the lenses. If it's tempered you'll see a matrix type pattern which represents the internal stresses caused from the process. You can use polarized sunglasses if you have them.

You can test this procedure on your car windows, your windshield will not be tempered but your side windows will be.

[FishyFishy!]

I doubt it's tempered but there's an easy way to be sure. You need two polarized lenses, one on each side of the glass and look through them while you rotate the lenses. If it's tempered you'll see a matrix type pattern which represents the internal stresses caused from the process. You can use polarized sunglasses if you have them.

You can test this procedure on your car windows, your windshield will not be tempered but your side windows will be.


Huh, very cool! Imma try that! I think I saw that on YouTube once.

[molotov]

I would also put shut off valves on your RO lines to both your brute cans. It makes it handy if one barrel is full and you need to fill the other barrel. I often ran into a situation where I had my salt reservoir already premixed and it was half full. At the same time my Fresh water reservoir needed filling but I didn't want to top up my salt reservoir because it was already at the desired salinity.

[FishyFishy!]

Yup, it's already setup like that.

[sphelps]

While we're nip-picking you should move the one tee on your return line, the horizontal one right after the tee should go on the vertical leg that feeds your display. You can also remove the first tee after the return pump.

[bigmac]

In addition; most glass tempering facilities will imprint or acid etch their logo into a corner of each tempered piece of glass. Take a look for a small white logo in all of the corners. If you see one; it will for sure be tempered.

[FishyFishy!]

While we're nip-picking you should move the one tee on your return line, the horizontal one right after the tee should go on the vertical leg that feeds your display. You can also remove the first tee after the return pump.


Steve are you talking about the manifold? Or the small feed line for the waterfalls?

[sphelps]

Steve are you talking about the manifold? Or the small feed line for the waterfalls?

Like this

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/VolcanoTankLayout-11.png

[FishyFishy!]

Thanks! The only reason I thought of the valve on the manifold, was in case I had to isolate it, or take it off. This way I could shut all the valves, and not have water spill everywhere when I undid the union. But being that it's over the sump, that won't matter. And it will save me $10 on the valve! haha.

[sphelps]

I kind of assumed it was one big manifold. Either way I think you'll need that valve there in order to better control the feed line for the water falls, reason being is you'll probably have to restrict it a little to make enough of a pressure difference to send water up the feed line which is higher than the tank.

[FishyFishy!]

I kind of assumed it was one big manifold. Either way I think you'll need that valve there in order to better control the feed line for the water falls, reason being is you'll probably have to restrict it a little to make enough of a pressure difference to send water up the feed line which is higher than the tank.

Yeah that makes sense. I have two pretty overkill return pumps to choose from, so I will have to dial back the pressure to the main return anyways. The other manifold valves will be for the reactors and the waterfall line for sure, and possibly a UV and another fuge tank thats in the works. So it will need to have a lot of pressure in it.

I have a Mag 12 and a Mag 24 for this build, one will be used for the mixing station, and one will be used for the return. So I'm going to start by using the Mag 12 for the return to start, and if it's not enough, then I'll switch to the Mag 24. I think the 12 at 1200 GPH shouuld be more than enough. It's only rising about 4 ft to the tank. But at least I have the option.

Keep the picking coming tho! I want this build to be a good one.

[FishyFishy!]

So thanks to steve, I now have a good first skimmer sump, so the layout has changed. I am also adding a 50 gallon live rock sump on a new top shelf. The layout has changed to this:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/SumpClosetLayout.jpg

I'm not sure where to but the DSB and cheato fuge though. Should I put it in the 20 gallon tank on the middle shelf (right) or in the main sump in the middle chamber? (see yellow arrows for locations)

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/ClosetSumps.jpg

[FishyFishy!]

Also, I want a frag tank in the middle of all this craziness. My original plan was to have the DSB and cheato in the middle chamber of the bottom sump, and the 20 gallon on the right as the frag tank. Now that I have the dedicated live rock/water change tank on the top shelf, I have lots of space left over for other things. What should I dooo??

[sphelps]

Frag tank in the tank next to the skimmer and fuge in the lower sump. That's what I would do.

[FishyFishy!]

Frag tank in the tank next to the skimmer and fuge in the lower sump. That's what I would do.


Yeah that was my first thoughts for sure. Thanks again!

[Shifty203]

Sorry if I missed it, but how are you controlling Humidity in this room? That's alot of surface area with all 4 tanks. Your evaporation rate for that small of a display tank is going to be insane.

[FishyFishy!]

Sorry if I missed it, but how are you controlling Humidity in this room? That's alot of surface area with all 4 tanks. Your evaporation rate for that small of a display tank is going to be insane.

The support system is going to be used for a larger system in the very near future, so the display will only be temparary.

The humidity will be controlled by an exhaust fan in the hole you see in the wall on the left hand side of the closet (next to the skimmer tank). This leads right outside to vent humidity. I also have a large de-humidifier in the room that the closets are in.

Eventually I will install an HRV, but until the day money grows on trees, the humidifier and the exhaust fan will have to do!

[kien]

Yes... there are HUGE other issues around the world... but thats really not relevant here at all.

How many tangs do you have in your 20 gallon Nano? NONE... because you have the common sense and decency not to do something silly.

This coming from a guy who's about to stuff a VOLCANO into a 50g.. Have you no decency man! That poor volcano :-(

[FishyFishy!]

This coming from a guy who's about to stuff a VOLCANO into a 50g.. Have you no decency man! That poor volcano :-(


BAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

It grew there naturally.......I SWEAR!

[Arok3000]

Do you have any idea how much swimming room those volcanoes need? Also they grow extremely fast so you'll need to upgrade in a couple of weeks time.

Setup looks sweet right now, can't wait to see the finished product!

One question, I may have missed it, are those brute containers directly above each other? It seems like accessing the bottom one might be a little difficult.

[kien]

One volcano alone can generate a HUGE bioload. Trust me, I know. I wrote a very informative paper on volcanoes once. In grade 3. I'll see if I can dig it up tonight and scan it for you to read at your leisure. #VolcanoPoPo

[FishyFishy!]

Do you have any idea how much swimming room those volcanoes need? Also they grow extremely fast so you'll need to upgrade in a couple of weeks time.

Setup looks sweet right now, can't wait to see the finished product!

One question, I may have missed it, are those brute containers directly above each other? It seems like accessing the bottom one might be a little difficult.

I know, I know... I will soon have to upgrade the volcano's overall tank volume, but the fish stores stock these volcanos in small tanks... so why can't I ??? !!!!

Yes, they are right above eachother. This makes it easier to gravity fill the mixing container from the RO above it by just opening a valve. There is about 12" of space between the two, and if need be, the saltwater one on the bottom can be pulled out for maintenance. But there is plenty of room to add salt, and the mixing is done with the mixing pump at the flick of a switch.

A minor update:

Got the RO system mounted all up, holes drilled for all the bulkheads on the shelves, and all the paint touch ups finished. Tonight I start going through the wall! :twised:

[FishyFishy!]

Starting to look like something finally! I'm ready to start plumbing!!

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/Fishroom%20Build/20121204_201207_resized.jpg

RO System (Yes it is still a construction zone in there...) Stuff everywhere lol.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/Fishroom%20Build/20121204_201244_resized.jpg

[FishyFishy!]

Got some plumbing done. Bulkheads, yadda yadda yadda. But my favorite is the new manifold!

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121206_212525_resized.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121206_212558_resized.jpg

Also started removing the baffles on the right side of the sump. They were optimized for freshwater. Problems: Only two baffles, spread out way to far, first baffles were not high enough and the return section was unreasonably large.

So I will be replacing them, and re-arranging it a bit. Adding 3 baffles for the bubble trap before the return section. This will give me more space for the fuge.

The teardown:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121205_213002_resized.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121205_212956_resized.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/20121205_213014_resized.jpg

And what it looked like before:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/SumpAndWaterCloset.jpg

[FishyFishy!]

New baffles will go here:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c38/bilmaga/SumpAndWaterCloset-1.jpg