220G Tank Takeover and Remodel!
 

So been out of the hobby now for 5 years, and been itching to get back into the hobby after deep sea diving while in Mexico. Was just in the middle of doing a brand new build and sourcing materials, when we found out from our landlord that he was going thru a nasty divorce and had to sell the place. So plans for the build got shelved and we had to start finding a new place to live. After looking at rentals after rentals, and let me tell you, there were some interesting places for rent. I swear there was this one place that could have been used in one of the Saw movies, creeped me right out! Anyways back on track, finally looked at this one place that had 6 bedrooms, perfect for our family. I was sold after the guy had a 220 Gallon tank in the basement. So started to talk to the guy about Saltwater and how I use to be in the hobby and itching to get back into it, so he said that if we rented this place, he would leave the tank for me. He didn't have time for the hobby anymore and didn't want to deal with selling it.

So finally moved into our new place this past weekend, and time to get started!

Here is what I inherited:
https://s19.postimg.cc/ugds0ldtf/IMG...628_191737.jpg
https://s19.postimg.cc/dfuvrxg7n/IMG...629_134637.jpg

After spending hours cleaning the algae off the glass and general cleaning down the tank and filters. Next step is the lights, ordered some LED lights online from Dsuny:
https://s19.postimg.cc/894h8jcb7/IMG...614_103218.jpg
https://s19.postimg.cc/grdxcvqjn/IMG...614_103210.jpg

Up next is building the canopy and install the LED lights in:
https://s19.postimg.cc/4ku1hfmab/MVI...703_201604.jpg
https://s19.postimg.cc/l8ljjxwhf/MVI...703_221408.jpg

Still lots of work still that needs to be done, but Rome wasn't built in a day. Here is what the tank looks like as of last night:
https://s19.postimg.cc/te3li3sg3/MVI...703_221414.jpg
https://s19.postimg.cc/bo1wx1cab/IMG...703_221417.jpg

Next on the list for tonight is a water change and fixing the skimmer, thinking the pump is gone on it. Will give it a good cleaning and see if that does the trick. If not, is it worth replacing the pump itself, or just buy a new skimmer?

Sweet! Amazing what a little TLC can do for a tank. I found there are a lot of new skimmers on the market which makes replacing the entire unit more affordable. That being said if you have a vertex or other high end you may want to source out a pump that is compatible.

Looking forward to see more updates :smile:

Nice clean up job!

Oh it is far from being done, just starting! lol

Thanks for the advice, it is appreciated! I will let you know how it goes after clean up!

Wow good score. I'm surprised that Laguna pond pump can work as your main return.

Yeah should have seen the confused look on my face when I saw it for the first time. Probably end up replacing it. Any suggestions for a return pump for this bad boy?

Agreed, great work on getting that display spiffed up. Looks like you have some nice fish to work with going forward :)

You won't need to. Laguna pumps have an Askoll motorblock. Roll back a few years and these were considered some of the finest motorblock in the industry (still are, IMO, but I've never put a lot of stock into the current DC return pump offerings).

So after spending 2 hours breaking down the skimmer and cleaning what seemed like a one-inch film of sludge from the skimmer...just nasty. Think I dry heaved a tad bit and that is saying a lot coming from somebody with 5 kids!
Found the issue with the skimmer, bunch of snails inside the pump.

Threw that bad boy back into the sump and BAM it fired right back up! Mission accomplished!

https://s19.postimg.cc/i0cxchjr7/IMG...704_193734.jpg

Next on the list, cleaning the powerheads.

Mixing Station
 

So looking at building a mixing station for the tank and came up with the following design. Any comments or suggestions? Anybody know where a guy could pick up the parts locally?

https://s22.postimg.cc/iiqmpe1m9/Mix...rs-labeled.jpg

Corix Water Products in Edmonton NW for the PVC, but not sure if they will have the bulkheads.

Thank you sir!

Zebest out north for the containers.

Thank you for the lead! would look way better than the Brute garbage cans! lol

Would you need those special flexible bulkheads, to accomodate the curvature of the bins?

I've always had good luck with a heat gun and some panel cauls.

Zeebest are custom making me 45 gallon bins with the bulkhead built right in!

Mixing Station Part 1
 

So finally got all my supplies in and the design finalized. Ended up going another route with the bins. Zeebest wanted $350 all in for the 2 bins. Ended up finding these blue ones for $50 each:
https://s19.postimg.cc/aq9mgpweb/IMG...803_184312.jpg

Got the bulkheads and gate valves from Big Al's and the rest of the plumbing from Bartlett and Gibson:
https://s19.postimg.cc/yh8zyurgj/IMG...803_184300.jpg

Got busy drilling the holes for the bulkheads:
https://s19.postimg.cc/5rm427fqr/IMG...803_195357.jpg

I left water in the bins over the weekend in the garage to make sure they wouldn't leak, and they didn't!

Tonight will start the plumbing, stay tuned!

Jeff

Making some great progress! What a score getting the setup for free wow. Keep that Laguna. Like Albert said it's good stuff. Same blocks used for red dragon pumps. My old one is still going strong on my 400 (now owned by a friend).

Mixing Station Part 2
 

Finally got around to plumbing this weekend, here is the progress:
https://s19.postimg.cc/i3e161fsj/IMG...809_190330.jpg
https://s19.postimg.cc/yr5j8ji9v/IMG...809_190256.jpg
https://s19.postimg.cc/c2gc8ydqr/IMG...809_190234.jpg
https://s19.postimg.cc/du9b3v4tf/IMG...809_190220.jpg

Had it filling with water from the RO unit into the first freshwater tank. Once it is filled, then can start testing to see how the design worked out.