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Scott's 270g aka Project Mayhem
Hello All,
We bought a new home 5 years ago and the plan was always to develop the basement into a comfortable living space that accommodates our love for animals. My wife Wendy has ~10-15 snakes at any given time depending on if any one is breeding, a tarantula, Aussie Frilled Dragon, Plated Lizard. I just took down my 85 gal and moved the inhabitants to a 40 gal on rollers to make the development a little easier. I have had a 10 gal nano, 20 gal mantis tank, 85 gal mixed reef. We also have a red eared slider and an awesome pound dog named Jasper. 6 snake tanks are incorporated into one of the walls and mounted on 200lb sliders to make pulling them out of the shelf unit for maintenance easier. They will have pocket doors over the fronts of the tanks that are finished in an Espresso coloured wood veneer. Just think Petland or something like that. On to the good stuff! Before I get too far into I want to that Steve (sphelps), Colby with Bayside Corals and Denny at Concept Aquariums, I could not have done this without them. I asked Wendy what we should called the build thread and she said Project Mayhem, so I present to you Project Mayhem! http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-FZ7R9L9-L.jpg It is a 270 gal (72"w x 36"d x 24"t) with an external overflow on the left hand side. It's all 1/2" glass with the front and right side viewing panels being made out of starfire glass. It has a 1/2" plywood base glued to the bottom pane. The euro bracing is drilled for the returns. The sumps are in a stacked configuration. The water from the overflow is fed into the sumps with 2 x 2" returns. The first chamber is a frag tank, the second is the return pumps. There is an overflow to the lower sump which will feed the skimmer, reactors, filter bags, and refugium. It's also has a water change chamber and an emergency overflow. I know this goes against the conventional thinking that the dirtiest water should hit the skimmer first, but I am going to utilize the energy from the overflow feeding into the sump for frags. The skimmed/reactor/refugium water will be fed back into the pump chamber and returned to the display tank. I traditionally have used overdriven T5's for my reef tanks but and switching over to LED's. I have purchased 3 Mitras fixtures so hopefully that should cover the coral's lighting needs. The returns and reactor pump with likely be DC Wavelines. In-tank circulation will be handled by four Vortech MP40w's. One underneath the overflow and three along the back wall. I will put one on the right viewing pane if need be but I want to keep the pane clean. I will likely wrap the pack pane in black vinyl. I am not sure about my skimmer yet. I have a BK Mini 180 and I like the quality, but I also use a Euro-Reef RC-1000 and it's been great aside from cooking a pump once. I am thinking a BK supermarin 200, but hate to overpay if there is something equivalent in quality/performance for less. OK, so that should sum up what I am thinking of. Now for the good stuff! Design phase: http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-hTncZGw-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-2CjtKcs-L.jpg Building the stand, preparing the fish room and getting the basement ready: http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-vtcb3dD-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-w7jFw5W-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-kC92T5n-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-3CWcs2w-L.jpg |
I don't think you have enough wood for
the stand. looking good man |
The fishroom is wired with 2 20 amp breakers. The first powers the 4 receptacle on the left hand side of the room. The second runs 6 receptacles along the back wall, with the final two on GFCI. I know it's overkill, but I'd rather that than kick a breaker after a power outage. I know the LED's and DC pumps should really soften startup but a little overkill isn't a bad thing. The sink will be a stainless scullery sink that can easily fit 5 gal pails. There is some cabinet and cupboard space, as well as wall space for the RO/DI. The salt and fresh reservoirs will be set in another room most likely, but I will fit them by the sumps if possible.
I plan on using either a profilux or a neptune controller. I haven't really decided either way yet. |
Delivery day came and went! There was a great old storm coming through but the tank was unloaded and not a chip or crack in it.
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-7S7CHbq-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-dknKmR5-L.jpg I hired one company that brought it into the house but then looked at the stairwell and said no way. So I built a 2x2 frame of the exact tank dimensions (minus the overflow) and made a dry run through the stairwell and it fit, just like my measurements suggested it would, sans overflow. http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-X6m6Dzp-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-5TTcFZ7-L.jpg After trying to cut the overflow off for over five hours (razor blade, 20g wire, etc.) and with the movers coming in a couple hours I made the hard decision and broke the smallest pane on the overflow and peeled the rest off. It came off easy once I had the once pane off. Made me cry inside a little but oh well, better the tank is downstairs and I have to repair one little pane of glass. So the movers showed up and looked at the route and weren't too stoked. But they didn't complain, just got their equipment together and got to work, The laid the tank, starfire up, on the piano dolly, then lashed a wheeled dolly onto the overflow side. After some swearing and back breaking work, they had it down safe and sound! I paid them, am tipped them well to boot! http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-VdrfBfv-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-SHK9sLq-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-L7BZf4k-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...q2Pgpkb-XL.jpg Here it is in place! http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-22zqLGW-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-LpczzkM-L.jpg |
Here is my nest dilemma. How much gap is too much? Less than an 1/8" on one corner.
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-9rgZjdW-L.jpg And maybe a good 3/16" on the other. http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-VXc2PXw-L.jpg Steve, what should I do? The other two corners are perfectly flush. |
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If it were me, I'd remove the ply between the glass and the stryo
Then I'd shim between the remaining ply and 2x4s until perfect And I'd use composite shims, not wood, as they won't compress over time, even if they get wet |
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removing the plywood is going to be impossible as we build the tank on it and seal it tight:) |
I was just going to say that, the plywood is sealed onto the bottom pane for good. Reefwars, do you have any advice? I am assuming you're part of Concepts crew? I was thinking of making some extra wide shims and sliding them between the pink styro and the tanks plywood? Will the styro compress too much, rendering the shims useless?
Thanks for the help. Quote:
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basically remove any of the white shims between the tank and styrofoam and start to fill with water as it gets heavy it will settle provided your stand is plum and square and level. also your silicone is on its way my buddy:) ps....looking good man looking good this is gonna be a sweet build:) cheers denny concept aquatics |
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Yes, shimming between the tank ply and styro won't do anything If Denny is comfortable with you filling it as is, go for it I can see where shimming only the outside edges may pose a problem as there's no 'trim' that the glass is sitting on |
Hey Denny,
The stand is square & plumb according to my 4 ft level and all the measurements. So I don't know where the little droop is coming from but if you're not concerned I will start filling it sometime this week and see how it settles. Could you also send me a small piece of 1/2" glass the same size as the side of the external overflow? I need to replace the one I broke out. Thanks again! Quote:
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and yes i had dave look at the pic and he agreed its ok to fill :) cheers buddy:) |
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the plywood base is used to ship safely and so the tank can be slid around untill its filled with no damage to the bottom. for smaller tanks we build on a foam base. |
I would leave it and get some thicker foam thou.........
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Nice looking build! I've always loved this 2-panes viewable style.
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I could switch if it's better for the tank in the long run. Scott |
when you put water in there and Glass having no flex to a point. the Styrofoam will give that more support. so on heavier tanks thicker foam is used
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I have no issues with the 1/2" styrofoam. Ask Dave or Denny which thickness they suggest.
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I too think your good with the 1/2" foam the idea is for the foam to give and keep it level and it will do the trick. Especially with the plywood under the tank it should have less flex and stress points for the glass in general. I'd say good to go. You could always do a fresh water test before you fill with ro if you want to be sure.
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I have the old 85 gallon for sale on Kijiji if there's anyone local and looking. I don't expect it to last long as I'm only asking $50.
Kijiji Ad |
sweet build following along
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Looking good Scott, you fill the tank yet? I wouldn't worry about the gap, I'm in agreement with the majority, the weight should compress the foam at any high spots and close the gap, that's really the whole idea behind using the foam in the first place. Do a tap water fill to test it, oh wait are you still a tap water reefer or have you switched to the good stuff yet?
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Good looking setup so far! I have a very similar layout myself so I'm probably biased. I just wish I had an external overflow on the side like what you have.
Good luck with the rest of the mayhem! |
Is that 1/2" foam well that didn't look like it. my regards it looks a lot thinner. I have always used 1" but hey that is me.
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No, hell no. Tank is still dry. I am not going to fill it until we are done tapping and mudding the basement. Probably another month.
No, I haven't been on tap water since I moved to the new house. I have a 5 stage RO/DI unit from Colby. I need to change out the cartridges and resin for the new tank. Quote:
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Well no build thread is worth it's weight without some coral pictures! These are all sitting in my 40g interm tank.
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-f7tb5B5-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-nbzBZHW-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-vsV4mjK-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-vRCfPDG-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-7ctjcb7-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-8SWsLMt-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-68p7VsW-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-ZhRgxXC-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-WNWHKPJ-L.jpg |
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-C9R4HPn-L.jpg
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-SSPRfpf-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-djFmpHD-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-6KtZrhM-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-Hxn2bjf-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-pHj8BbG-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-qXgxK4G-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-BdDGGZt-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-WM6qF5T-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-xd9HDQf-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-qwQ6nKx-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-tmKqx5f-L.jpg |
What is your dimensions of your fish room and what kind of door are you planning to us?
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The fish room is 11' by 6' and will have a 30" door (Door).
There is going to be ~6' of cabinets and a scullery sink on the back wall. |
Does anyone have an opinion on how much lighting the Ice Fire Echinata should be getting? Right now mine is getting as much as it could in my tank (4 overdriven T5's wi individual IC reflectors, ~12-15" away).
I bought it from March (Fragbox). Maybe he will chime in. I also grabbed the candy apple reds, AoG's, and Space monsters from him. Great looking Zoa's! |
My friend Steve and my Dad have helped me over the last couple days to get some more drywall put up. The fish room is really near complete in that regard. The drywall in the fish room is Certainteed M2Tech Moisture & Mold resistant so that should help our HVAC fight the higher than usual humidity.
http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-Bf4JtZt-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-pvFnsBj-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-9sJ3J42-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-VStsvnH-L.jpg http://www.lithicimages.com/photos/i...-znL8GBK-L.jpg |
Coming along nicely
Man, that tank looks huge :surprise: |
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Mudding and tapping is well on its way today! Should be able to paint by mid-week. I am still waiting on the replacement piece of glass for my overflow. If I don't get it from the builder soon, I will go out and get a new one cut at a local glass shop. I am excited to build the sump stand and start working on the plumbing!
And my third Mitras showed up so I will get to work hanging those once the mud dust has settled! |
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I like the progress this is making. I know how hard it is to get a tank build done but it looks like you are getting there.
Awesome pics of your corals by the way. |
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