agent462's 220 rimless shallow peninsula reef

agent462 · Mar 28, 2010

I'm already a ways into this build but I've been chronicling it over at TCMAS. I figured I'd share it out to the broader audience here at r2r. I'm going to take a lot of the content I already posted and put it over here. Forgive me If I miss changing something like "got this today" or "coming tomorrow".

Ok, I thought it was time to start my tank build thread. I've ran smaller reefs for a few years now. I bought a house in August so it was only time to start a large reef.

I knew I wanted a large reef and rimless. I decided on peninsula because of the layout of the room and it's really nice to have both sides to 'reef out.'

I decided on a 72"x40"x18" glass rimless tank with external overflow. I shopped around for quotes and Miracles known for great quality came in with the lowest price (much cheaper than Glass Cages actually). The tank will have two 1.5" drains and two 1" returns. The sump and plumbing will all be in the basement.

I officially ordered the tank in January and received it in March.

I've bought a bunch of stuff based on advice from others and my own reading. it probably won't be perfect as this is my first large reef but I'm sure you guys will help me through it.

I'll post in separate posts some of things I've purchased once I get some pictures.

Here was my mockup I sent out while getting quotes.

jnbrex · Mar 28, 2010

Thats a really nice tank.

agent462 · Mar 28, 2010

I got a really good deal on new Octopus Extreme 250 with purple pinwheels. I won't have a lot of bioload for awhile so it should hold me over for a bit.

Bob @ Reef Mania is building my sump. 48 x 24 x 18 it's going to have filter sock holders, skimmer area and return area. I just couldnt get the volume of water that will overflow to workout with an internal fuge. This will give me plenty of overflow room with pump outage.

I plan on running an external fuge from an old 90 gallon (Actually I think it's an 80 now) I have.

Lighting to start will be two 60" ATI Powermodules with:
ATI Aquablue
Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
Blue Plus
KZ Fiji Purple
Blue Plus
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Aquablue

I'm going to attempt to keep a little mixture of corals in different "sections". Fish will be minimal.

agent462 · Mar 28, 2010

I'll just call these teaser pictures since I just took them real fast for TCMAS one night.

lots of stuff:

from the other side:

1 of 2 (the other is coming from Germany)

gotta have some sand

2 130 gallon tanks

WATER!!

corals like salt

plumbing

Blackhawk Fan · Mar 28, 2010

Sweet! I can't wait to see this come together.

agent462 · Mar 28, 2010

Tank Specs:
All edges machine polished
5/8" bottom
1/2" glass sides and ends
Starphire 2 long and 1 short
5/8" tempered end with 1 notch and 2 holes
External overflow with 2 holes and a removable black acrylic insert

agent462 · Mar 28, 2010

I ordered an Apogee Par Meter so I can help find the right placement of my lights without burning corals and learning where I can place my low light suckers. I know I have a lot of light but I wanted to make sure I had coverage all 40". The lights will probably have to hang 12"-16" above the water.

I also ordered a reactor to put carbon in. I've been running carbon in my smaller tanks for the past few years and I have no complaints against it. I (whatever that's worth, not much) believe it can help combat some of the chemical warfare and pulling out any other toxins. I'm no expert but here is a good read I found awhile back:
http://joejaworski.wordpress.com/200...k-need-carbon/

agent462 · Mar 28, 2010

I have a smaller Pan World pump I'm going to use to create flow in and out of the storage tank. I shouldn't need to run it too much. Probably a couple timers on a controller to kick it on a few times per day.

Here is the new stuff:

Reactor to run Carbon in and pump

The carbon (phosphate free)

My second light fixture finally came in

for a different tank but what the heck mp10

agent462 · Mar 28, 2010

I was able to build the stand for my new frag setup and coated it with a couple of coats of Kilz. I still need to cut some plywood to hold the sump.

My frag setup is two separate tanks that go to the same sump. I can then control the light and flow on each tank separately. I'll also be running carbon there for any sorts of chemical warfare.

Tomorrow I want to finish the stand and probably get the tanks plumbed up.

I'm picking up my main sump tomorrow from bob@reefmania

The packages I got this week were a Reefkeeper lite that will run my water station, 100 pounds of dry rock (still need more), and a pump for frag setup.

wireefman · Mar 28, 2010

i get to follow this thread twice...... SCORE

agent462 · Mar 28, 2010

Picked up my main sump from bob@reefmania. 48 x 24 x 18 3/8" material. Great looking sump.

I was able to get the bottom ply for the frag tank cut and put the first coat of Kilz on. Had to also run to HD to get some pink stuff and some other plumbing supplies. Ran out of time to really do anything else as the gf and I are going to see a movie. I'll probably get a little more work done later tonight, we'll see.

agent462 · Mar 28, 2010

Here is the tank!
edit for reference: 72" x 40" x 18"

Macropora · Mar 28, 2010

Great startup thread. That shallowtank is really nice!

Crooks · Mar 28, 2010

Looks to be an awesome setup. How thick is the glass?

agent462 · Mar 29, 2010

I built the sump stand and coated it with Kilz. I made it longer for the pumps and anything else.

I was able to get the frag setup going and starting a cycle. The skimmer will be going in the next couple of days. I have all the basic plumbing done. It was actually my first pvc plumbing job. How fun that was. I learned fast that the primer and glue are an easy mess if you let it be

You'll notice in the pictures with the sump a red steel post. I'll be supporting the joists with two of these. Even though the main beam for the house will run under the tank I felt it would be a good idea for some additional support. I'll have 4"x4" cut 40" to span across the joists.

I started the build of the main tank stand. The top is 2"x8" with two 2"x4" braces every 24". I'll have to build the top, bottom and supports and assemble it in the room it's going in because of the width and size otherwise I won't get it up from the basement.

Since this portion of my basement is not finished I also started putting up some vapor barrier to protect the wood, drywall and some plumbing.

Main Tank Stand

Sump and its new stand

Another angle

Support beam

Frag Setup

Vapor Barrier

This is the tank that is going to turn into my refuge. I need to drill it. It once housed a purple moon crab named pinchy. He died after about 6 years of owning him.

agent462 · Mar 29, 2010

Crooks said:
Looks to be an awesome setup. How thick is the glass?

Tank Specs:
All edges machine polished
5/8" bottom
1/2" glass sides and ends
Starphire 2 long and 1 short
5/8" tempered end with 1 notch and 2 holes
External overflow with 2 holes and a removable black acrylic insert

agent462 · Mar 29, 2010

Posted this on my way to SXSW on TCMAS.

I'm actually using the in-flight wifi to type this.

There won't be any progress for the next week as I don't come back until Wednesday.

Progress made was getting the top and bottom for the main tank made and I cut all the legs. I need to assemble all the legs and then do some painting. I ran out of screws so I couldn't finish it.

I was also able to get the Metal Halides over my frag setup roughly hung. I need to figure out how to get them nice and straight with the big honking cord. I threw some of the dry rock in a tub with some powerheads and some live rock to pre-cure/cycle the rock a little.

I made another order from BRS and got a DA Reefkeeper Lite L3 that will run the frag setup, some float switches, 150 live rock (bringing my total to 250 pounds), black egg crate, gate valves and probably something else I'm forgetting off the top of my head.

My PAR meter finally arrived. Apogee had received some bad components so shipping was delayed. What a cool little gadget

Well I think that's it minus the coral stocking I've been doing. I have about 25 frags that are also arriving when I get back. Hopefully the frag setup cycles soon so I can slowly put some corals in and take back my other tank from frag hotel.

My tank will also be arriving I'm hoping next Friday. I'm hoping to wrangle up some friends to weasel the sucker in the house. That ought to be fun. I think I'll post a request for help on here as well and offer some free beverages and free dinner on me somewhere yummy.