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Shrimpchips's 100g (Live!)
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...36x30x24-1.jpg
After about a year and a half in the SW side of the hobby, and progressing from a 10g to a 20g tall tank, I think I'm finally ready to upgrade tanks. That, and I need more space :) The above model is what I'm hoping the tank will come out to look like. The tank will go where my 20g reef is right now - to the left is the kitchen, and to the right is the 'living room' area. I wanted to do a 48 x 24 x 24 120g, but after taping off that space in our condo (~600 sqft), but it would be just too huge in the space, so I'm going for a slightly smaller tank. Here's the plan: the display tank will be 36" x 30" x 24", and I will be ordering it from North American Fish Breeders. It will have a corner overflow like Lobsterboy's 125g in the back left corner - I think this design is great as it's much more hydrodynamic than a rectangular box or a round corner overflow. There will be two 1" drains (full siphon, emergency - a modified BeanAnimal overflow), and a single 3/4" return, which will terminate in 2x 3/4" locline returns into the tank. Plumbing plan (after some consultation on RC: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...ingplans-1.jpg The reason I'm going for the siphon return is to minimize noise at night - at night I can hear the durso gurgling on my reef now, and with 400+ gallons going through the drain on this tank, it's going to be a lot louder. So the siphon return should be almost completely silent. The gate valve is to control the rate of draining to match the return pump - at full siphon (no air, gravity flow) a 1" pipe should handle 900+gph. In the off chance that there is a clog, there will be an emergency drain, also 1". The lighting will be a Sfiligoi Stealth 8x39w T5HO fixture. Should be more than enough for a nice forest of SPS corals - and I'll finally have a strong light fixture, so I'm looking forward to more intense colours! http://www.aquariumobsessed.com/mm5/...tealth_top.jpg The skimmer will be a Royal Exclusiv Bubble King Mini 180 - I bought this used from a friend last summer. This should easily handle the fishload I have in mind for the tank. http://www.saltysupply.com/v/vspfile...s/BK2180-2.jpg Flow will be supplied by a pair of EcoTech Vortech MP-40w. I already have a MP-20 and the upgrade kit, so I'll be grabbing another MP-40w soon. http://ecotechmarine.com/wp-content/...p40w-large.jpg The other day I came across d2mini's build thread on Reef Central, and I really liked his stand. My stand will look a lot like his. I'm not sure if the frame will be 2"x4" or metal. I've sent a drawing to a guy on my local forum to get a quote on the construction: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l.../tankstand.jpg Other stuff that will be on the tank include my Profilux 4-channel SA doser, as well as my Profilux II Plus controller. My sump design is still in progress, but without giving too much up, it'll be different. Rocks will be what I have in my 20g, as well as rock in a 15g right now, and some dry rock I have, and possibly some more dry rock (Marco rocks) or LR if I can find some for a decent price locally - I probably need no more than another 50lbs for the scape I want - something like the 2-3 island grouping. I want to have lots of overhangs and spaces for fish, but at the same time leave lots of space for the SPS to grow out. Fish in my20g will come over (Potter's Angel, sixline wrasses, 2x Pearly Jawfish). I'd eventually like to have: 5 - 7 Carberry anthias 3 - 4 Pearly Jawfish 1 - 2 Centropyge multifasicatus 1 - 2 Centropyge potteri 1 - 2 Synchiropus picturatus (Spotted green mandarinfish) 1 - 2 Corythoichthys haematopterus (Dragonface pipefish) 1 - Falco hawkfish Plus assorted gobies and such to fill out the mix. I want to keep the fish all smaller - personally I'm not a fan of seeing big tangs and angelfish in anything but massive tanks. This tank will be a tang free zone. Coral-wise, of course this tank will be SPS dominated, with a few clams. I'll have a ricordea garden, and maybe a few zoas here and there, and a rock covered in different xenids (if the Potter's lets me - they're currently his favourite snack). As I progress with the build, I'll post updates :) |
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K. |
Thanks Kien - I'm hoping it all turns out as nice as I have in my head!
Yeah, I bought the SA doser, since I didn't have any intention of picking up a controller anytime soon. And then a week later a great deal on a Profilux set up popped up, so I got it....could of saved myself $200, but oh well :p |
I have found that Kijiji for your area is a good place to look for cured live rock for decent prices. There are a few people selling it for between $3/lb to $4.50/lb.
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Wow... this sounds like it is going to be quite the tank!
Looking forward to it. |
drool
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Droolz is right!!! I can't wait to see this puppy put together and all set up.
Your sps will be really nice and happy in this baby! |
I picked up my light today from Tim from Elite Aquatics - a Sfiligoi Stealth 8 x 39w T5HO fixture.
It came in an overly huge box: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/DSC_2274.jpg The splash guard is made of two panes of low-iron glass: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/DSC_2275.jpg All packed in: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/DSC_2277.jpg Huzzah! http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/DSC_2279.jpg http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/DSC_2280.jpg There's two cords for the lighting and one for the fans (with adjustable voltage). Also there's an additional hole for the cord for the LED upgrade (which I didn't get), but it will be great as I eventually want to get a Profilux SIMU-LED stick. Also there's a gap in the reflectors in the middle for the LEDs, which I can use too. http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/DSC_2284.jpg There's 4 fans (2 for each bulb), and the top is a metal mesh for venting. The reflectors are super bright - definitely magnitudes more 'shiny' than my Current USA reflectors. The fixture is built solid, and I can't wait to have the rest of the tank set up! No bulbs yet - that's not in this month's budget :rolleyes: This weekend I also placed an order for some of the plumbing (loc line fittings and a gate valve) - the rest of the plumbing I need to go to JJ Downs for (schedule 40 grey PVC pipe and fittings). I'm also getting a Vortech from a friend who is opting for a wavebox instead. |
Nice
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Very nice!! That is a huge light.. and should work well for your new tank!
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hey shrimpchips, nice light. as you will notice once i put up my build thread, i am also doing a 36x30x24.
now i saw that you were posting on RC about the difference in the sfiligoi and ATI 8 bulb light, and that your friend is getting/got a 8 bulb ATI and that you would compare them PAR wise and report back. do you think you could also post the differences in par here too? |
Your plans look great. Nice light fixture by the way:biggrin:
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Yeah, I'll be setting that up sometime on a future weekend when we can get together. I'll post the numbers here too :) |
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any details on the tank finishings? (polished glass, braced vs. non braced, background color, ect) |
Tank will be rimless ("trimless" if you will for you nitpicky folks) with beveled edges throughout, and most likely a black background, although I've been seeing some deep blue back grounds (almost black, but not quite) so I may try that out. One thing is that the back won't be drilled (bottom drilled) so I may be able to switch out backgrounds if I want.
Standard glass throughout - a lot of the other items on this build are pretty ballin' but I can't justify to myself the extra cost, especially since the difference once you're pumping so much blue light throughout the tank is visually imperceptable (to myself at least, and that's all that really matters :wink:). The stand will be like d2mini's stand. I'm currently enamoured with it. Very simple and elegant. It will be stained black to match the coffee table and book case next to where the tank will be. The side panels will be hung magnetically, and the front will be on hinges. The back will be immovable (as it'll be against the wall :) ). I'll be hanging the pendant, either from the ceiling or from hangars attached to the wall - more likely the latter at there's the oven vent ducting going right over where the tank is, so I don't think I'll be able to anchor into the ceiling there. eventually I'd like to install a DIY light winch to raise and lower the fixture via remote, but that's a project I'll save for another day. |
Got myself another MP-40w, and picked up 95% of my plumbing. I forgot one adapter (well, got it in grey, not white) and I also stupidly forgot that I needed a 1/2" hose barb for the TLF Phosban reactors.
Back I go to the plumbing store. |
But at least you are making progress.. I can't wait to see more pix of your progress on setting this up.
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Tagging along:wink:... this is exactly what I am planning... definetly still in my head... going around and around :lol:
My.... Ultimate dream tank!....can't wait to see your progress. PM coming your way soon.... |
Wow! Looks like you're going to have a very nice system
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Can't wait to see it
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Well, it's been a long time (spoiler alert: nothing concrete has happened! lol), so I thought I'd give an update and get some opinions.
I've finalizd the dimensions and the tank is apparently done and ready to b delivered (I say apparently since I've been waiting on pics from Miracles for about a week now). The final specs for the tank is 42 x 24 x 24 (110g), with the front and two sides in 1/2" starphire glass. Bottom is 5/8" tempered with three holes, and a corner overflow with an angled front (Drawing from Miracles in Glass): http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...r_overflow.jpg I modelled my stand after D2mini's stand on RC. Here's what I think it'll look like when all done and together: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/complete.jpg Here are the stand blueprints. Let me know what you guys think: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...letonframe.jpg http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l.../skinning1.jpg http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...2finishing.jpg I'll be losing the screwstrips in figure 3, instead opting for pocket screws to attach the uprights to the top and bottom frames. I'll probably also add gusseting to preventing racking. Also, the top frame will be 2 x 4, not 2 x 6, as many people agreed that it wouldn't be necessary. Also, to attach the side panels, I'll be using recessed magnets, and for the front doors, I'll be using these nifty hinges: http://www.leevalley.com/en/images/i.../00h0201s6.jpg Everything has to be held inside the stand (ATO reservoir, sump, dosing containers, etc: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...omplanning.jpg I have changed the plumbing a bit to allow me to bypass the skimmer section and drain right into the return chamber, so that I can use the skimmer section for water changes. http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...ingplans-2.jpg Since the sump might have been a tight fit, I planned it all out too (that, and I like planning): http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...mpplanning.jpg All that is left is to collect a few missing plumbing pieces, bild the stand and get the tank delivered! Hopefully all up and running by then end of October! |
Nice.. I can't wait to see this tank come together. It has been a long time waiting..
The stand you are planning is really nice looking. |
Very nice will be a nice tank to watch progress, looking forward to future progress!
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Nice.
So far so good. |
so far so good, any updates?
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Yep, I've made some decent progress. My acrylic things should arrive on Friday (a member of a local forum is making them for me), and I'm still waiting on plumbing from a local mail order store. Other than that, I'm just waiting on having a new 15A circuit installed behind the tank, and it's ready to go.
I built the stand in our living area (of a 600 sqft condo), so I had to cut everything at my parent's place and bring it over to assemble. Here's the stand progression: 2x4 frame: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/02ed59ed.jpg There's no screw strips for the uprights - instead they're pocket screwed into the base and top rails: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/f584793d.jpg Everything was glued and screwed together: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/50335fba.jpg I got it all skinned (1/2" ply for first layer, 3/4" for the finishing layer). The doors were just mocked up to see how it would look all together: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/457787b9.jpg http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/15b9193c.jpg http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/a81cf3b4.jpg Now it's down in the garage - it just got two coats of Kliz (white) for the interior tonight, and I'll do a coat of black stain on the exterior before work tomorrow and after work to finish it off. Tank got delivered today too :D http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/deaaeccf.jpg Custom angled overflow: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/b7c13b2a.jpg Sump tank (25g): http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/c7fccebe.jpg All nekked! http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/124b4486.jpg http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/47e9378a.jpg I was hoping to have it running by the end of the month, but I guess not. Hopefully I'll have it wet by the second or third week of November. |
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Great looking stand and tank! This one is going to be a beauty. |
Wow ....cant believe I missed this. Looks great. Holy planning batman.
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Kien, I can only hopw that my tank will look half as nice as your tanks do. Your rockscapes always inspire :)
Darryl, nice to see you here. I don't post on "that other site" anymore, so updates are here or on RC :) I made some more progress on the stand yesterday/today. I got the second coat of Kliz on last night, and it looks pretty good - makes it much brighter inside of the stand. My last stand was painted black inside, and it makes it very dark, even when lit inside. This time it should be a lot easier to see things when it's nice and bright in there: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/1f38dbbc.jpg Here's the stand after the first coat of black stain: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/e0397f48.jpg I'm going to do a second coat tonight, then it should be done. Just going to let it air out a few days in the parking garage, then bring it back upstairs. |
tagging along. looks like it's going to be a great tank
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Had a local forum member make some acrylic goods for me which he dropped off today- 3 dosing boxes, a little stand for my doser, and my black baffles. Everything is top notch, and I'd recommend him to anyone looking or some custom acrylic fabrication in the GTA.
Here are the dosing boxes. Exactly as per my design, and they're amazing. I had the brief thought to turn one into a tank for my desk (....so I may have to place another order with Jamie soon!) My original plans: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l.../Dosingbox.jpg Jamie noted that the 2" opening would be too small to get a hand in to clean (good eye!), so after consulting with me, we changed it to 4". The result is: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/IMG_0096.jpg You can see the little doser stand on top. http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/IMG_0098.jpg Lid detail (it seals the box nice and tight - perfectly made!) http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/IMG_0102.jpg More close ups: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/IMG_0100.jpg Baffles were made in black to minimize the amount of light thrown around the sump, and prevent algae growth where it's unwanted: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/IMG_0104.jpg Mocked up in the sump (with return pump and skimmer, of course): http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/IMG_0109.jpg http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/IMG_0106.jpg |
Now that I have the dosing solution boxes, sump baffles and my 10g top off reservoir (my former 10g tall reef tank :)), I put it all together under the stand. Thanks to the acrylics and the white interior, it looks really clean.
Dosing box fits perfectly with a few mm to spare: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/IMG_0110.jpg All together now! http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/IMG_0135.jpg Frontal shot: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/IMG_0127.jpg Right (ATO reservoir) side: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/IMG_0128.jpg Left (Skimmer) side: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/IMG_0133.jpg Lots of room above the skimmer: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/IMG_0118.jpg Behind the sump there's about 1.5" to run electrical and hide anything else: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/IMG_0123.jpg And a nice little space for storing everything else, and maybe even a future frag tank/species tank of ~10g: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/IMG_0121.jpg Very excited to start seeing everything come together!! |
sweet dosing station.....looks very shiny.....and like it cost a pretty penny:wink:.....sorry if I missed it but is that the BK mini 180?
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And, yes, that is a BK180 Mini (gen 1 tho :p). I can't wait to see it in action! |
wow!.....that is a really good price!......your gonna be really happy with the BK......I know I am:wink:
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Since Miracles forgot to apply the black vinyl backing, I tried to apply the vinyl on the tank myself, but I suck. Bad. There's no way I can do it right and make it look decent. I'll probably have to paint the back tomorrow.
I made some progress today though. I cut out an area for the outlets, and expanded one of the holes I put in the back top corner of the stand since I forgot that the power cord for the fan for the light fixture has an adapter on it. http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/492ec3dc.jpg Also, I hung the light fixture. Got the bulbs in and, glass splash shields installed and put that baby up! http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/cd29a588.jpg http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/df1a10e0.jpg http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/a5901b2a.jpg http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/dbee900a.jpg It makes me crazy that the fixture is held up by little bolts in the ceiling, but I suppose I should have faith in them - but I can't help but feeling like one day I'll come home to the fixture having gone for a swim.... Anyways, I'm pretty happy. Next steps: 1. Make back of tank black somehow - try vinyl again? paint black with acrylic/latex? 2. Level stand - it's ever so slightly off. 3. Get tank on stand. 4. Glue down plumbing. 5. Silicone in sump baffles. 6. Arrange electrical components (power bars, controllers, battery back-up, cords, etc.). 7. Profit!! Just kidding! Then starts the real fun!! Filling the tank!!! woooooo |
looking good!
as per the vinyl issue, if I may provide some advice, if you have a clean spay bottle, fill it with some water, spray the section of the tank that you want the vinyl to stick to, slap the vinyl on, the water will give you the ability to move around the vinyl, when your happy with the location, grab a credit card wrap it in a terry cloth, then start from the middle outwards to remove the water. then your done!!!! oh I would recommend to pre-cut the vinyl before slapping it in the back of the tank. |
How the hell did I miss this? It's like hidden nose treasure to a kid it's THAT sweet. Love the stand so far and kudos on all the planning. What exactly are those hinges called and where did you get them? Those are bangin' man.
Miracles does some crazy nice work and I suppose they have a pretty easy ride in your area for high end builds now that AO closed shop. Looking forward to more! |
god I love those lights. this tank is going to look gorgous
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Thanks guy!
I tried the vinyl application again, but again, it was an epic fail. So I ended up painting the back yesterday. Yeah, the light is super sexy. I really like it, and I'm glad I went with the Sfiligoi over a Powermodule. Brett, the hinges are made by....Soss ( http://www.soss.com/ ). Haven't installed them yet though. Last night I got the sump all done up. First I taped all where the silicone would go down: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/599fff99.jpg After using generous amounts of silicone (GE silicone 1, without mildew guard), and using two plastic spoons to smooth out the seam, I removed the tape and now it's curing in the bathroom. http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/1ab6c2ec.jpg It looks nice, and the silicone is pretty neatly done. Hopefully it's strong enough to hold the water in each compartment I've coerced a buddy out for dinner tonight - little does he know that he'll have to earn a beer by lifting a tank! I can smell the progress already! |
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