cshoneyman
Community Member
I started this build about a month ago on a different forum but decided to move it here so that I can possibly get additional feedback on the questions that I come up with.
Here is what I started with. 75 gallon in the wall.
I ordered this. 450 gallon 96x36x30 with Starphire on both long sides and external overflow
Demo Completed 2/2
The tank's overflow has 3 1 1/2 bulkheads for drains one of which will be set up in the event I have some pluggage in the two primary drains. There also is a 1" bulkhead that will be used to feed a fuge that will be pipied in the system.
Sump will be 60 x36x30 which I will estimate will contain 160 gallons of water in a running state and a shutdown capacity of 280 gallons. This gives me a 120 gallons of buffer before water hits the floor.
The current 75 will become the fuge to house both bad actors in the main display and chaeto. its lighting will be inversed from the main display to help prevent swings in the pH.
Circulation Plans
The current plan is to use 2- Blueline 100 pumps to be the main return with one being a duty pump and the other an online spare in the event something was to take the primary pump down. I travel from time to time and need the wife to be able to make a switch with very little effort. The return pump will be feed through both the chiller and 80 Watt Emperor Aquatics Smart HO UV.
The closed loop system will be driven by a Reeflo Hammerhead with up to 10 outlets in the tank.
Protein Skimmer
I currently have a MRC3 with a Bluline 70 and two injectors. I currently plan to start out with this skimmer on this system and possibly add a 12 riser to the unit. My hopes is that this will keep up with the tank while the bioload is light. It will most likely be replaced as the tank matures and the bioload increases.
Chiller
I have been given so many opinions here that I am not sure where to start. I have had both 1 HP and 1 1/2 HP units recommended and I am not sure which direction to go. I have a tradewinds 1/3 hp that has served me well and I have thought about buying a larger one to support the new tank but would to love to hear feed back from the forum on this matter.
Lighting
I plan to start with 250 watt metal halides. I have 8 units available for me to start with but I think I am going to use the 5 electrnic setups I have to begin with. I am also considering LEDs. s I would like to hear your opinions about the following systems.
Kessil a350
AI Vega Color
Control
I plan to automate the tank so that it handles its day to day needs such as sump top off and chemical additives on its own. In addition I plan to have pH, ORP, tempature, conductivity, and dissolved O2 online and alarms that will go out. This control is still in the planning statges but should allow the tank to do most of the needs on its own and call for help in the event of a problem.
I look forward to hearing your comments on this build.
Here is what I started with. 75 gallon in the wall.
I ordered this. 450 gallon 96x36x30 with Starphire on both long sides and external overflow
Demo Completed 2/2
The tank's overflow has 3 1 1/2 bulkheads for drains one of which will be set up in the event I have some pluggage in the two primary drains. There also is a 1" bulkhead that will be used to feed a fuge that will be pipied in the system.
Sump will be 60 x36x30 which I will estimate will contain 160 gallons of water in a running state and a shutdown capacity of 280 gallons. This gives me a 120 gallons of buffer before water hits the floor.
The current 75 will become the fuge to house both bad actors in the main display and chaeto. its lighting will be inversed from the main display to help prevent swings in the pH.
Circulation Plans
The current plan is to use 2- Blueline 100 pumps to be the main return with one being a duty pump and the other an online spare in the event something was to take the primary pump down. I travel from time to time and need the wife to be able to make a switch with very little effort. The return pump will be feed through both the chiller and 80 Watt Emperor Aquatics Smart HO UV.
The closed loop system will be driven by a Reeflo Hammerhead with up to 10 outlets in the tank.
Protein Skimmer
I currently have a MRC3 with a Bluline 70 and two injectors. I currently plan to start out with this skimmer on this system and possibly add a 12 riser to the unit. My hopes is that this will keep up with the tank while the bioload is light. It will most likely be replaced as the tank matures and the bioload increases.
Chiller
I have been given so many opinions here that I am not sure where to start. I have had both 1 HP and 1 1/2 HP units recommended and I am not sure which direction to go. I have a tradewinds 1/3 hp that has served me well and I have thought about buying a larger one to support the new tank but would to love to hear feed back from the forum on this matter.
Lighting
I plan to start with 250 watt metal halides. I have 8 units available for me to start with but I think I am going to use the 5 electrnic setups I have to begin with. I am also considering LEDs. s I would like to hear your opinions about the following systems.
Kessil a350
AI Vega Color
Control
I plan to automate the tank so that it handles its day to day needs such as sump top off and chemical additives on its own. In addition I plan to have pH, ORP, tempature, conductivity, and dissolved O2 online and alarms that will go out. This control is still in the planning statges but should allow the tank to do most of the needs on its own and call for help in the event of a problem.
I look forward to hearing your comments on this build.
