Oxy's 120 gal shallow reef upgrade. BK 180 is here:)
 

Hello all,
I am planning on upgrading over the next couple of months and am going to start a build thread to track my progress.

I am currently running a 4 ft tank in a space that allows me 79" of room.
So obviously the only logical thing to do is upgrade to a six foot:)

My current 90 gal is my first aquarium ever and has had it's ups and downs over the last couple years.
After tossing tons of money away on the first build and not winding up with the results I was looking for, I am intending on taking a more educated approach and hopefully achieving some great results.

Here's the spacing I'm working with.

http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/jj392/t2kewl/005.jpg
http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/jj392/t2kewl/004.jpg
http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/jj392/t2kewl/006.jpg

The tank...

Currently being built by concept aquariums.

http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j.../72x22x183.jpg
http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j...l/72x22x18.jpg
http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j.../72x22x181.jpg

So we have a 72" x 22" x 18" 120ish gal eurobraced tank with starfire front and side opposite the overflow.
Additionally a 30 gal sump and ato reservoir tank will complete the tank portion of the setup.

The stand shown in drawing is not included and is merely a concept to show how 60" lighting could be suspended.

Greg, aka The Grizz, will be welding up the stand when the time comes:)

I would love to have gone with a 500 gal setup but this will be an upstairs tank.

Currently my 90 gal with 30 gal sump is filling the spot and an interesting fact is that it is running perpendicular to the floor joists downstairs. So realistically the weight is being taken up my two joists.

I do have a new 2 year old house and the joists are the new engineered style. There has been no sagging or any issues whatsoever so far:)

I realize that they're are mixed feelings about the logic behind this but hey, as long as I don't notice any sagging and the tank doesn't tear through the floor I'm okay with the risk.

Additionally I feel that having a much shallower tank with a larger base footprint will help to disperse the weight more evenly.

So for any of you scared about running 2nd floor tanks. Here's an example of 120 gal sitting on two joists:)

:popcorn:

Well nothing like putting the presure on for us to make this build a thing of beauty. :lol:

So I scrapped the 60" lighting when I came across this beast.
Purchased from a fellow canreefer.

72" Aquactinics Constellation T5 High Output Fixture




Features:

• Unique aluminum fixture design allows the fixture to be placed directly on top of tank without dramatically heating the water or fixture.
• Can hold up to 7 54W(48" unit) or 14 39W(72" unit) T5 HO lamps
• 48" or 72" long, 14" wide, and 3" high.
• All fixtures come with 98% reflectivity Miro IV full-length individual reflectors for maximum light propagation.
• Quiet dual ball bearing fans on top of fixture help displace heat away from the tank.
• All aluminum construction for a light weight and ridged design.
• All fixtures are powder coated for extended fixture life.
• Three switches on fixture for dusk / dawn lighting or for reduced lighting applications. One switch for 3 rows, another for 2 rows, and the last switch for 2 rows. Also, separate power cords for each of the switches.
• Splash shield keeps the bulbs safe while also helping to keep the heat away from the tank.

http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j...l/IMG_0076.jpg
http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j...l/IMG_0077.jpg
http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j...l/IMG_0078.jpg
http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j...l/IMG_0079.jpg
http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j...l/IMG_0080.jpg


Any recommendations for bulb selection would be GREATLY appreciated.
This badboy should pump out enough light to keep whatever corals I want.

Looking good so far:biggrin:......

any of the big four will do(KZ, ATI, Giessemann, Aquascience).....especially with that many bulbs......my favorite have been aquascience and KZ...I havnt had the opportunity to try ATI yet....the configuration and bulb combo will depend on what you like the best as far as color goes

Nice Score on the light!!:wink:

Thanks and yeah you bet I guess it will all come down to personal preference.
I really liked the fiji purples back in the day with my old t5 fixture, But I can't seem to remember what I paired them up with..

Thanks Carmen:)
We need to have a chat about bulk ordering bulbs once I figure out which route to go:) 14 bulbs! yikes

New Toys,
http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j...l/IMG_0089.jpg
http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j...l/IMG_0090.jpg

Packaged very nicely and delivered unbelievably fast. Thanks Carmen and Red Coral

Mmmmmmm......gadgets.......good choice!......

BTW......I think your avatar needs to be bigger!.......Tony......Christy......can anyone make his avatar bigger?:mrgreen:!

lol everyone seems to love the new avatar:)

Fishy are you still running the quietone return?
Recommend it ?

Yup still using it.....three years for me and I got it used, so I can't complain ....it's probably the noisiest part of my system but I've got herbie overflows and a really quiet skimmer....

I would llike the new avatar better if it was MUCH LARGER!!!! or if you just sent me a copy of it in full size. :biggrin:

Nice, I've been contemplating this one or the Eheim 1262

in my mind you cannot go wrong with eheim. those pump go forever it seems. pretty quiet in my opinion too. Im trying out one of the tunze silence pumps but if that doest go as planned back to a 1262

+1 on the Tunze silence. I replaced a quiet one with a tunze and am thrilled with the difference in noise levels.

Quiet one's were hit and miss for me. I had 1 quit completely, and a couple others that became intermittent. The only one that lasted was horrendously loud.

I'll have to research the tunze as well.

In the meantime,
I was waiting for my BRS order and was wondering why it was taking so long.
Turns out the package was sitting on the side of the house. The delivery guy decided to hide it on me lol.
Either way I still get excited like a little kid when new toys arrive.

http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j...l/IMG_0099.jpg

Coral top down viewer

http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j...l/IMG_0096.jpg

2x 300 W heaters

http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j...l/IMG_0093.jpg
http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j...l/IMG_0092.jpg

Black frag rack

http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j...l/IMG_0091.jpg

Mag cleaner attachment and extra blades

http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j...l/IMG_0095.jpghttp://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j...l/IMG_0100.jpg

Clear mesh for new top

http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j...l/IMG_0098.jpg

Extra magnets

http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j...l/IMG_0097.jpg

I am hoping to get some auto top off suggestions from folks.

I need something simple and most importantly flood proof.

The tank will be a standalone system next to the sump and will just be filled weekly hopefully.

I will have an apex controller that can control / monitor it.
I am not opposed to buying additional equipment to make the system as safe as possible.
Any recommendations would be appreciated.

tunze osmolator.....optical sensor and mechanical safety.....by far has the smallest percentage of complaints.....

+1

+2 for Tunze osmolator.

actually the blue line ato (avast marine works makes a similar one) http://www.championlighting.com/prod...cat=388&page=1
is the most reliable unit.

Not a single complaint of it malfunctioning online :mrgreen: Might be because its no longer that popular but Avast has re-introduced their own version and no one has complained about theirs. Avast uses a pressure switch that is rated for aero-space use and rated for a million + switches. It is a single point failure device but pluging the unit into a timer or your controller would add a level of safety. Plus you save like $150.


tunze units have had some issues with the optical sensor malfunctioning BUT with that said Tunze customer service has fixed everyone's unit that malfunctioned from what i have read. Tunze customer service is hard to beat.

I'm going to have to go with the tunze, Thanks guys.

BK 180 skimmer and mp40's on the way:)
Tank should be ready next weekend.

MP40's showed up today:)
I can't wait to see these in action.
http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/jj392/t2kewl/040.jpg
http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/jj392/t2kewl/041.jpg
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I'm starting to get pretty excited lol.

New skimmer arrived a couple of days ago and I finally had some time to go and pick it up today.

The package it came in was alot bigger then i expected and almost had me doubting it was the skimmer at first lol.
http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j...l/IMG_0110.jpg

After opening it I was shocked to see the level of packaging . The skimmer was wrapped in bubble wrap and encased in a cocoon of mono style foam filler wrapped in plastic bags.
Brilliant job.

http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j...l/IMG_0111.jpg

http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j...l/IMG_0112.jpg

http://i553.photobucket.com/albums/j...l/IMG_0113.jpg

The skimmer itself arrived in mint shape and I was surprised at how large it actually was. The construction and overall impression of it exceed my expectations.
I can't wait to try it out.

Special thanks to Rich aka Bblinks for the great price on the skimmer and amazing packaging job. You were a pleasure to deal with and delivered as promised.

I have always had positive buying experiences from fellow Canreefer's and am so pleased with the community for making this happen.

When i comes time to part ways with equipment and livestock I will try my best to continue the trend.

for the size that it is, this skimmer is a beast!.....good choice mang..... quality, silence and performance.......you wont be disappointed.... I love mine!:biggrin:

Drool!! New MP40's!! Mmmmmmmm.

:biggrin: Thanks for the kind words Adam. I can't wait till the tank is up and running. keep up the good work.:mrgreen:

Boy oh boy, there are some toys for sure & look page 3 already and still no tank yet. At this rate you will catch up to my 8'er thread in no time. :biggrin:

But seriously Adam, I don't think you need the MP40's so you should just donate them to your favorite charity........................ME!:biggrin::biggri n:

Haha, well I was hoping at the very least, maybe I could stop by this week and we can toss them in some water and see what they can do. Are you going to be around?

After doing some research I've decided to try the new Tunze return pump.

Tunze Silence Water Pump Electronic - 1073.050




Today, aquarium engineering offers a number of universal pumps with various outputs and shapes. The new TUNZE Silence pump combine all the advances you may request of modern and powerful universal pump for saltwater and fresh-water aquariums.

In the production of these pumps, we have paid special attention to quality ensuring a low-maintenance permanent operation for many years. The electronic series of Tunze Silence water pumps allows the user to control the input voltage into the pump allowing an adjustable flow rate.

They have been built in keeping with the strictest international safety standards.

Features/Specifications

• Very silent running rotor with high-performance one-part magnet - all-ceramic bearing
• Very low energy consumption
• Adjustable output
• In-sump or inline operation
• 18V Flow Rate: 900 to 2,200 l/h (238.7 to 581 USgal./h)
• 24V Flow Rate: 1,100 to 3,000 l/h (290.5 to 475.5 USgal./h)
• 18V Max Head: 2.5 m (8.2ft)
• 24V Max Head: 3.9 m (12.8ft)
• 18V Energy Consumption: 26W Max
• 24V Energy Consumption: 43W Max

Hopefully this will run as quiet as others claim.

Really busy this up coming week with work & getting the final touches tied up for this coming weekends Ride For Sight. Next week might be a little less stressed.

Picked up the tank, sump and ato reservoir yesterday.
Dropped everything off at Grizz's place to begin the stand and dry build:)
One step closer.
Additionally I ordered the return pump, black sand and an additional apex power bar today.
Forgot to take pics:(

keep us posted on how quiet that pump is... I am looking to replace my eheim 1250 with something a little more powerful.

Long time no update...

It has been a very busy last few months and the tank completion literally slowed to a crawl as work took priority. Thankfully I think we are finally at the home stretch and should be ready for some water very soon.

Everything should be in place with exception to the cabinet handles and stain and I'm sure a few last minute surprises.

The latest addition was 3 vertex reactors and a set of Hannah checkers with additional Elos test kits to cover the testing essentials.

We will also be trying a flow accelerator off of the return line which is supposed to increase flow by up to 400%! The reviews look solid for this product. I'll update with results.

I hope to upload a whack of photos in the near future.

Special thanks to Greg for guiding me through the new build. This guy has built so many tanks he really is becoming a pro. With his help I'm sure this thing is going to be a beauty:)

I will try my best to remember to snap some pics as I build the cabinet doors and trims.

Skin's built
 

So since Oxy has been a little busy as of late I thought I would update his build thread with some pics of where we are now.

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/x...R/7750752a.jpg
http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/x...R/598227e6.jpg


Now I just have to do some wood filling on the brad nails & mitered cornor, some finish sanding, wood sealer & stain. Going to build a canopy as well to match.

very nice work Grizz

Thank you, thank you, thank you very much.