newguy's new tank diary (update #5 09.04.06)
 

Specifications:

Tank:
DIY 46Lx30Wx19H with 1/2 glass and a coast to coast overflow

Lighting:
2x250W Lumenarc Pendants with Radium Bulbs on a BlueWave 7 HQI ballast

Flow:
2-Tunze 6060
Mak 4 Return (w/ 1" Sea Swirl)

Stand:
2x4 frame with MDF skin. Beautifully hand crafted by Russ (rusty)!

Skimmer:
DIY Needle Wheel Skimmer w/Sedra 9000 pump

Misc.
DIY Auto Topoff, 1/4HP Aqualogic Drop-In Chiller

~60lbs Fiji LiveRock

I'll be back when there is pics... too much reading for me. :razz:

I've seen the stand and the bottom piece of glass and so far it looks great!

What size is the sump gonna be Harvey?

Good luck with the new project!

Chris

Sounds sweet can't wait for the step by step pics :mrgreen:

new tank
 

can,t wait to see it

Its about time you got started on the tank... :razz:

Keep us updated :cool:

-Richer

no pics yet..?


:frown:

new tank
 

hope to see that bad boy up and running soon.

wow thats gonna be a nice one....Can't wait to come see it

Sorry for not posting pics everyone :redface: To be honest, I haven't really done anything to the new setup yet :redface:

Updates to come...well when I actually do something! :mrgreen:

Sorry for the late pics

http://members.shaw.ca/harvwong/08.28.05/DSCF0001.JPG
Half built tank before I ran into a glass snafu. The coast to coast overflow has 5 returns that will be plumbed through it.

http://members.shaw.ca/harvwong/08.28.05/DSCF0002.JPG
Sump area and a couple of pumps. The water will travel over and under the 3 baffles, then over the center baffle. All equipment (Skimmer, Kalk, Calcium) will be submersed in the sump (don't have any room otherwise :eek: )

http://members.shaw.ca/harvwong/08.28.05/DSCF0003.JPG
View from the other side. The beautiful stand was made by Russ (rusty).

Sept. 5, 2005 update
 

Finally finished with the tank (for now)...now for the plumbing, lighting and electrical :rolleyes:

http://members.shaw.ca/harvwong/09.05.05/IMG_0342.JPG

http://members.shaw.ca/harvwong/09.05.05/IMG_0343.JPG

Looking good! :cool:

-Rich

:eek: That is looking like one sweet #%@ setup you got going there Harvey!

Its coming along nicely.

Where are you going to place the lights over the tank?

Wow :eek: That looks awesome!! Can't wait to see it up and running :biggrin:

Hi,

Thanks for the compliments everyone. The lights will be mounted on the small 6" open top canopy. Its hard to explain, so I'll post pictures when they are ready to be mounted.

Looking x-o-lent there Harv.. :cool:

Looks great!
I wish I had such DIY skills. :redface:
Just a few questions, if you don't mind.
I'm still relatively new to the hobby, (7 months), and wish to learn more, even if I might not implement some of what I see.

1) What is a coast to coast overflow?
2) The Ampmaster 3000 closed loop...how does that work? 2 feed, 3 return? 3 feed, 2 return?
3) The Sequence Dart closed loop...how does that work? 2 feed, 2 return?
4) Are you going BB?
5) How will you prevent stuff from going down the Sequence Dart openings?
6) The closed loops are just for circulation, correct?

Thanx much,

very nice
 

Harv
thats looking great. I was trying to remember where exactly that is in your place but i figured its across the room from your old cube. that setup is looking soooo sweet. its great being able to learn from the cube and make this one even better.
post more pics soon!!!
cwlee

tank
 

man that looks awesome. can,t wait to see it running.
next reef meet at you place. :biggrin:

Sure, no problem! Ask all you want. I'll help where I can :biggrin:

A coast to coast overflow is an overflow that spans the entire width (or length) of the tank. Though they require more room, they provide much better surface skimming since it skims water from the surface of the entire length of the tank.

It might be hard to see, but from my latest set of pictures you see my standpipe in the overflow. To the left and right of that are two 2" bulkheads. Each of those bulkheads will have strainers on them and feed each one of the closed loop pumps (the Ampmaster 3000 and the Dart).

The Ampmaster return will flow through the 5 holes you see in the overflow glass. The Dart will return through the 4 holes you see at the bottom of the tank.

Yes, I am. I find it much easier to work with, and breaking down/setting up a tank is much easier without sand IMO. Also, I am trying to mimic the high flow, nutrient poor environment that SPS love, and I felt that sand would just make it that much more difficult for me to do so.

The bulkhead intakes will have strainers on them.

Closed loops are essentially like adding a powerhead...just externally. Just like a powerhead, it sucks water from the tank and pumps it right back in.

Hope that answers some of your questions.

Cheers,
-Harvey

Re: very nice
 

Hi Chin,

Thanks for the compliment! Actually, it is your tank that inspired this one! :cool:

Cheers,
-Harvey

Absolutely. Thanx so much.
I totally understand the desire for the closed loops systems.
If nothing else, eliminating unsightly equipment within the tank proper is certainly a good thing.
(I hate unsightly equipment). :frown:

Anyway, your system looks fantastic. I'm sure you are having a blast setting it up and are looking forward to "the day".
Good luck with it. :smile:

Thanx again,

hey great looking tank :exclaim: are there any updates :question:

Hi,

Yes, I finally do have something to update on this tank!

The water is in, some of the rock is in and most of the plumbing is done. I still need to run a line over from my RO unit for topoff and a bunch of minor things. Here are some updated pictures:

http://members.shaw.ca/harvwong/10.08.05/DSCF0001.JPG
http://members.shaw.ca/harvwong/10.08.05/DSCF0002.JPG
http://members.shaw.ca/harvwong/10.08.05/DSCF0004.JPG
http://members.shaw.ca/harvwong/10.08.05/DSCF0005.JPG
http://members.shaw.ca/harvwong/10.08.05/DSCF0009.JPG

The "hoop" of flex PVC that you see in some of the photos is just plugging up a couple of holes that are unused at the moment.

The Pictures are great, but there is nothing like seeing this setup live, what an awsome tank Harv, My Dad and i where very impressed with the setup, he had so many questons when we left lol

also thank you very much on the holes you drilled for me!

looks good there Harvey


well done ,will have to come in to see it after christmas during the big hockey tourey in EDM


mike

Harvey that looks absolutely fantastic. I wish I was as talented but I get stumped by even the smallest DIY or plumbing job.

SHHHHWEET !!!!!

Its coming along nicely Harv. Just needs some lights now.. :mrgreen:

Looks Great :biggrin:

One question, does the sqwd alternate between the left and ride side outlets around the top?

You bet! That is exactly what it is doing.

*stealing a bunch of ideas for my next tank*

Superb... this is a system I would like to see in 3 or 4 years...

I will be checking back. :mrgreen:

tank
 

was just their today,and i must say thats its very awesome. have to post some more pics.

Re: tank
 

Thanks for the kind words Ed :cool:

I snapped a couple today just so everyone can see what's what:

Front View
http://members.shaw.ca/harvwong/10.22.05/DSCF0003.JPG

Left View
http://members.shaw.ca/harvwong/10.22.05/DSCF0008.JPG

Right View
http://members.shaw.ca/harvwong/10.22.05/DSCF0006.JPG

Lights
http://members.shaw.ca/harvwong/10.22.05/DSCF0009.JPG

I still need to add the VHO's to the tank and get a couple of minor things out of the way before it is 100% done.

Looks awesome Harvey!

Are you satisfied with the amount of rock you have?

Take care,

Chris

WOW Harvey that looks awesome! I can't wait to catch a first hand look at it next time I am in Edmonton. Great job and love the lights.

Hi Chris,

I actually find that I have too much rock. It really kills my flow. Every now and then I'll take a look into my tank and remove a piece or two (its like playing "Jenga" :mrgreen: )

Ruth, you are more than welcome to swing on by when you are in town.

looks sweet harvey...I must find some time to come see it in person!!