Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board

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- - 1350 Gallon Reef (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=77615)

1350 Gallon Reef

The subject of this aquarium keeps coming up in discussions here on Canreef so I thought I shoul dpost some pics and details to keep it local. There is an epically long build thread for this tank on RC but it's too big to find what you are looking for, so I hope this makes things easier.

The project started a year ago and water went in October 2010. We started adding corals in January 2011, and progress has been steady. The owner's name is Peter, and his user name is Nineball, named after his other hobby. I'm just the guy who put everything together, but if you have any questions I would be happy to fill you in.

Here is some of the info in point form to keep this less wordy and more "pictury".

- 1350 gallon L-shaped acrylic tank made by ATM. Not happy with the seam finishes or material used for the top.
- 250 gallon sump with live rock and 4 x 200µ filter bags.
- 50 gallon (undersized) refugium with Chaetomorpha and 4" of sand.
- 1000w titanium heater controlled by Profilux and Aqua medic controller. Undersized but only used for maintaining stability.
- 1 HP Aquanetics chiller, not plugged in, but plumbed.
- 2 x 40w Aqua UV sterilizer.
- 4 x Abyzz 420w DC pumps on closed loop with 16 x 1" eductor.
- 1 x Abyzz 420w DC pump as sump return. All 5 DC pumps are on one controller with wave sequences every 60-240 seconds with 10 second surge from 50% to 85%, varying with each pump. The total electrical draw is 500w with all 5 pumps running. There is no heat at the pump, or vibration or noise. The controller monitors and controls water level and heat shut off, electrical consumption monitoring, feeding mode, night mode via photo sensor and it moves water :) The pumps are pressure rated and perform well pushing water through eductors, mechanical filter, UV and chiller. The cool wet end of the pump means that there is no calcification in the volute, stator, rotor, or titanium shaft. The pumps have a soft on & off and are 8 pole. Top RPM is 3300.
- The internal plumbing is covered with BASF Emaco S88ci marine cement and shaped to look like live rock.
- The flow is engineered to be circular flowing across the bottom of each end toward the middle "bend" in the tank where it is directed up at a 45˚ angle where it meets the sump return lines, the sent back across the surface of the tank.
- There are three sump return effluent ports and we have covered them in corals to make them eventually disappear.
- The undersized refugium has been compensated for with two 48"w x 60"h acrylic mangrove planters. The planters hold 20 mangrove trees routed in 3" of Miracle Mud and are illuminated by two 290w plasma lights by Straylight. There are 8 fine mist spray nozzles that are fed RO/DI water via a solenoid & dedicated pressure tank. The mangroves are misted automatically 6 times per day for one minute.
- The filtration room houses 3 x 150 gallon MARS holding tank systems that we use for QT and fragging (eventually).
- We also have a 130 gallon QT tank for bigger fish.
- There are two 220 gallon reservoirs, one for freshwater and one for premixed saltwater. We do a 100 gallon water change every week via pumps and a high volume float valve.
- The RO/DI system uses large sediment & dual carbon filters as well as a large DI cartridge. There is also a water softener and carbon filter for the whole house. The RO/DI has a wash-out system that monitors the TDS coming out of the RO & DI digitally and controls a solenoid to wash it when TDS creeps above 8, post RO. The water exiting the RO is usually 0 or 1, and always 0 exiting the DI. We have a RO/DI tap attached to the sink with a pressure tank for rinsing food and testing equipment etc.
- An HRV system keeps the air dry and fresh and helps reduce Co2 which would lower PH.
- The tank has two 17kw natural gas generators that are automatically tested every week.
- The house has 400 amp service and his utility bills look like mortgage payments:)
- There is an exhaust fan and duct that removes hot and humid air from above the display tank.
- The protein skimmer is an RK2 25PE with the venturi pump upgraded to a Blueline 70HD pressure pump and the feed pump upgraded to a variable speed DC pump. We added an Hayward actuator valve to automate the internal neck wash-down. The collection cup itself has a wash-down on a solenoid that uses tap water to keep the cup clean and drained. Both wash-down features are scheduled 8 times per day.
- A GHL Profilux controller controls most features. We have an expansion box, probe holder, MSM delivery, D.O. probe, ATO via optic sensor, and all of the other bells and whistles. We use a dedicated laptop to run it.
- Co2 is delivered to the Schuran Jetstream 11 via 20lb polished aluminum tank, and we have a spare.
- Ozone is provided by Clearwater CD10/AD ozonizer with 1.2gr/hr output, controlled by Profilux ORP. The unit has a built in heated desiccant regenerator.
- ATO is direct from RO/DI with no holding tank. Two optic sensors monitor water level, a solenoid (from autotopoff.com) controls water flow, and a secondary mechanical float switch from Kent acts as a last failsafe, well second last if you count the overflow drain in the sump :)
- The display tank is illuminated by 19 Orphek PR 156 and two 6' Aqua-Medic 4 x 250w HQI (2 x Aqualine Buschke 12,500k + 2 x Phoenix 14,000K) + 4 x 39w T5 ATI actinic. The two MHL fixtires are soon to be replaced by 6 more Orphek LEDs @ 120w each.
- The tank is grounded with two titanium probes and we have GFCI on everything.
- There are three large media reactors containing GFO, carbon & NP pellets.
- The floor and most of the walls are marble so it acts as a heat sink and it feels like you are working in a luxury hotel lobby and not a fishroom :)
- The MARS sytems have numerous upgrades including, sump, UV, pumps, plumbing, eductors with valves, LED lighting from Orphek, Deltek protein skimmer, Profilux control, calcium reactor, media reactor with GFO & carbon and 200µ filter bags.

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/cee906c8.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/fedac3d8.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/2a07b753.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/89b8de0b.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/2a58ae31.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/ea3f50db.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/35623f9d.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/e98c3110.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/29a81525.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/027defe5.jpg

HOLY S**T...... there are no other words

wait... I want to see the rest of the house!!!!

WOW:jaw:

like the mangrove system---want to copy that!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro (Post 628863)

Just wow....

ditto!......

i've seen nineball's thread on rc. definitely a rad set-up. thanks for sharing!

wow... how much for the system? and livestock?

Don't forget, animal planet/discovery channel reality series called "Tanked" starts on Aug 19th... they have builds like this I suppose.

Here are some older pics showing details and development...

This is the back-siphon stop cheque valve.

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMG_7293.jpg

This is what the mangroves looked like originally. We were tight for space and gained a lot of real estate. Once they grow in, it will be a green wall.

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMG_7529.jpg

Here's the size difference between the original pump and the new DC pump.

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMG_7538.jpg

This is what it looks like under the tank. I was trapped under there for a week sniffing fumes and crawling on my knees.

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...IMG_4747-1.jpg

Here is the tank with eggcrate on the bottom to make sure the rock doesn't collapse (rock was bonded together with Epo Putty). The internal plumbing was covered with marine concrete so they blend in with the live rock.

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMG_4775.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMG_4801.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMG_4806.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMG_4812.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMG_4872.jpg

These pipes were particularly conspicuous so I have been attaching soft corals that will hopefully hide them one day.

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/IMG_4905.jpg

So is that a nano system......:lol::mrgreen:...Wow!

I've been following on RC and have to say this is one of the greatest tanks ever. The planning and execution is beyond superb.

All I have to say is I'm in TO quite often how much is admission

J

Thanks for the pics Mr. Wilson. I too, have been following this build on RC. Amazing, to say the least. One question: Are the DC pumps everything I've heard them to be?

I've been following this one on RC as well. I'm glad you decided to bring it to the local forum.

Amazing setup.

been following along on RC as well. What really got my attention to the scale of this build was the picture of the crane.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x...oods/crane.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason McK (Post 628880)

I've been following on RC and have to say this is one of the greatest tanks ever. The planning and execution is beyond superb.

All I have to say is I'm in TO quite often how much is admission

J

If you give us plenty of notice, guests are always welcome. Maybe we can do a Canreef group showing/party in september after MACNA. Let me know what the level of interest is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lance (Post 628883)

Thanks for the pics Mr. Wilson. I too, have been following this build on RC. Amazing, to say the least. One question: Are the DC pumps everything I've heard them to be?

Yes, they are great. Everything is ideal, except for the price ($2000 + $800 for the controller). I took one apart after 6 months of use and it was as clean as new.

Quote:

Originally Posted by badAZZlars (Post 628884)

I've been following this one on RC as well. I'm glad you decided to bring it to the local forum.

Amazing setup.

Good to be home. The aquarium is in Oakville Ontario for those that don't already know.

i too have been following this on rc but haven't got the chance to follow up till now all i can say is wow i'm sure i could scuba dive in that!! what a treat to see something on that scale thanks for showing us!!!

OH MY FFFFFNNNNNNN GOD! I bow to you!

Oh sooooo beautiful, WOW!!!

Absolutely stunning.. Thats the tank I see in my dreams!!!!!

nucking futs.... how much does it cost to insure his house with that much water contained in the basement

Followed on RC also, all I can say is, that's one hell of a build, and thank god for HRV units

Hey Mr. Wilson...hoping you and Peter are both going to MACNA this year so I can chat with you in person. Chatted with Peter a few times on RC and he really has an amazing attitude towards input on this tank.

I too started to follow this thread on RC but it was too long and hard to find pics. Good to see the update and please keep posting. My favourite tank. What role do you have? Did you help in the build or do you maintain this tank?

what is that red coral with the white feeders?

I was wondering when this tank would make the canadian forum appearance. The rc thread is insane and the tank is just stunning. I've been following it for a while.

love it

I would not imagine if the owner purchased a new house and needs this thing moved !

White Lightning Sponge if I'm not mistaken

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEDHBSI (Post 628912)

what is that red coral with the white feeders?

Mr Wilson, thanks so much for sharing such a stunning build with us. This tank really show cased Peter's vision and your ingenuity. What a man's dream may become when he is surrounded by knowledgeable people such as yourself. It has captured what every one of us reef addicts has ever imagined. I for one has followed the rc thread for many many months. It has been a wild and amazing journey. I have learned so much from this build. I can't even begin to tell you how much I, we as reefers appreciate what you and Peter has taken us on. It's simply magical.

The best part about this build is it's made in Canada. I am very proud! :redface:

Thanks again to you and Peter.

The photos of the tank under the all LED setup look absolutely stunning compared to the MH/T5 photos. These new photos haven't been posted on RC yet, right?

To quote Bblinks

"The best part about this build is it's made in Canada. I am very proud! :redface:

Thanks again to you and Peter."

1+

I think the best part of this tank build is how involved the actual home owner (Peter) was with the entire design, setup and installation. It is clear that money is not a factor for this guy, and instead of just paying someone to build this 'dream system' he himself got involved in every aspect.

Well done to the entire team!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkoD (Post 628906)

nucking futs.... how much does it cost to insure his house with that much water contained in the basement

I was there when the insurance underwriter was inspecting the house. She didn't have any major concerns about the tank. They asked for a "water mitigation device" which is basically an auto shut-off solenoid for the water main entering the house. It's connected to the 3 water bugs (water sensors) in the fish room and under the tank. I don't know if they are located in other parts of the house as well or if it was even related to the tank or just a new thing they push for high end homes. I set the water alarm off three times so far, it only takes a few drops of water. The fish room is waterproof up to 6" and there is a floor drain. Everything has a fail safe and there is always someone there to keep an eye on things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hydrologist (Post 628951)

Yes, Peter has learned a lot in the last two years researching and managing the project. He claims he's retired, but I think he spends more time on his reef hobby than he did in the software business :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rburns24 (Post 628948)

"The best part about this build is it's made in Canada. I am very proud! :redface:

Thanks again to you and Peter."

1+

Absolutely! Made in Canada Eh!

Quote:

Originally Posted by rburns24 (Post 628947)

The photos of the tank under the all LED setup look absolutely stunning compared to the MH/T5 photos. These new photos haven't been posted on RC yet, right?

I'll comb through my old pics and try to show some before and after shots. We tried all kinds of lights on the tank. When I started on the project, Peter had already purchased $14,000.00 worth of 150w HCI MHL & T5 lighting. WE tried them out, but ended up scrapping them, as he wanted no compromises.