Seth's 240 gallon tank build

[SethsAquariums]

Hey guys,

I haven't posted on here in awhile. I closed down my fish store not too long ago. I could have done things a bit differently, but I'm glad that I don't have to put up with a lot of the hassle. I kept my maintenance business and I am going back to college to finish my degree as a biology education major. Eventually I hope to get a high school biology teaching job somewhere near my hometown.

Anyways, besides that background, I am ready to set up my 240 gallon aquarium. I've always been fascinated with sps corals and bright and stunning corals. I've always enjoyed seeing the tank of the month on the forums. I guess you could say that I have been lurking for a little while.

My venturing into aquaria started about 11 years ago when I got my first freshwater aquarium, and from then on my fascination and obsession just took off. I still don't feel like I know enough information about the hobby, and constantly am suprised and stunned by the knowledge of this board and of some of the experienced people I have come to know in real life.

So, without fruther adue, I will give a little background about the tank.

240 gallon Oceanview aquarium 96"x24"x25"tall.
Two black ABS overflows
The overflows have a 1" drain and a 3/4" return.

I am going to build my durso standpipe because this aquarium is going in a small room, and I don't want a lot of noise.

The aquarium is drilled in the bottom for one middle 1 1/2" drain and two 3/4" returns on the left and the right sides. This is for the closed loop system that I am going to run a Reeflo Hammerhead on (5800gph at 0ft head) I am also going to run the closed loop up the back of the tank and push water over the tops of the corals.

I have a 110 gallon sump which is baffled for a small refugium, a 12" deep sand bed in the center and plenty of extra room for live rock. For the return pump, I have a Reeflo Dart pump (3800gph at 0ft of head.)

In addition to that flow, I was going to use a left over mag drive 24. (2400gph at 0ft head) however, even though this is going to be a barebottom reef tank and it needs the extra flow, I believe that I am already doing very well with 40x the flow rate already with the two large pumps. I am going to be trading a mag drive 24 for a mag drive 9.5 for internal flow. It's going to be placed on the bottom right corner of the aquarium and there will be a guard on the intake, but no sponge.

Since this is going to be mainly a reef aquarium and I do not like many fish, many of my other tanks have only had maybe one or two fish. For this aquarium, I am keeping my four year old yellow tang and a six line wrasse. I might put another fish in there - maybe a helfrichi goby or a shoal of blue/green chromis.

I have approximately 400lbs of live rock and 100lbs of base rock that can go into this aquarium. In the following pictures, you can see all of the rock that will be going in there.

The lights are 4x 250watt 20k metal halides on icecap electronic ballasts set for 6hrs a day and for supplimentals, I have two 110 watt VHO actinic lights set for 12 hours a day.

I'm going to end this post and give more detail in the next.

[SethsAquariums]

Besides the lighting, I am also going to attach a phosphate reactor and use Phosban media in it. Also, I am a firm believer in limewater. I have been dosing limewater for years now and I have seen excellant results. Therefore, I am going to buy a Kalkwasser Stirrer.

Later down the line, in about six months or so, when I feel comfortable enough to add sps corals, I am going to buy a calcium reactor and do supplimental doses of Magnesium and a little strontium and make sure that the calcium reactor is functioning well before adding any new livestock.

I am not a believer in water changes. I only do water changes once every six months to a year. Since I have a really deep sand bed and a fuge on most of my personal tanks with a very slight bioload of fish and inverts, I have never seen a need to change the water out but once every six months. IF I do, it's mainly to replace the trace elements that are lost.

As far as controllers and monitors - that's me. I can look at my aquarium and basically know what is off. I do liquid master test kits if need be. The only thing that I regularly will test for is pH and alkalinity.

So, in the next post I will post some pictures of the whole setup thus far.

[SethsAquariums]

This is the reeflo hammerhead pump (5800gph)

This is the dart pump (3800gph)

This is the 4x250 watt metal halide 20k's over the top of the existing aquarium.

This is a diagram of the plumbing that I am considering.

[SethsAquariums]

This is a pic of the 110 gallon long sump, already baffled. It's been cleaned and put in a different place since this picture.

This is a pic of the 110 gallon long sump's right side with a 2" bulkead for the Dart pump.

Just throwing a pic of this in there, - I was going to set this tank up as a 135 gallon square lagoon complete with mangroves, feather dusters, hermit crabs, brain corals and a whole unique set of other lagoon animals. But, never came to fruition.

[SethsAquariums]

This is a pic of my horse trough with a whole bunch of live rock in it and some left over corals from taking down the 240. Whatever didn't sell out, I put in the horst trough. Lets just say that my chili coral is rockin!

Just another pic from a different angle. The 240 is going to be moved to my house in the next couple of days. I can't wait!!



This is a pic of my other hobby, I love my pet ball python, Leroy!

[SethsAquariums]

As for pics of the corals that I am wanting to get: Mainly SPS corals, but I also want some ricordea and acans and duncans. I also have a nepthia that I am keeping that is huge!

I know it is going to be somewhat of chemical warfare in the tank, that is why I have a 5 gallon bucket full of carbon that I am going to be using for the tank.

So, onto the pics of the corals that I am going to be putting in the tank:

These pics came direct from my wholesaler. I probably won't be able to get these directly, however I am going to be getting somewhat the same colors.







I just threw in the electric blue ultra grade clam. Gotta love clams!

[SethsAquariums]

Eh, I guess no one is interested in my thread.

[anomie]

Looks like you have some good plans Seth. I really like the lagoon tank that you mentioned. Are you going to set that one up after this one? How are you thinking about setting up your aquascape?

[SethsAquariums]

The lagoon sold - I had no place to put it anyways.

As for aquascaping - I was thinking about to main "rock piles" covering the overflow boxes in each corner. In each corner, I already have the two holes coming from underneath the tank, so I can blast water underneath the rocks. Also - I'm going to get some marine epoxy and make a slight arch with some live rock for the center of the tank. Almost like a bridge.

I guess I should do a small windows paint document to show you all what I am thinking...

[SethsAquariums]

I am absolutely horrible at paint, but I hope you all can get the general idea of the aquascaping.

[mg426]

Nice looking Work!!! Those are some smokin corals Dude !!!

[anomie]

That looks great. I like open scapes for flow and fish. I noticed that you are planning on using a dart for the return. Are you planning on putting a ball valve on it?

[ton702]

Will be tagging along for this one. Coral selection looks very nice.

[SaltyNovice]

I'm subscribed. I love these builds - I learn so much. I've got a 120 that was set up 3 yrs ago. And I would love to do a 240 and juse the 120 for a sump some day. I just have to get a handle on the corals. I can't get SPS to survive in my tank. I have about decided that I have some fish gobbling them down before they can even get established. Flame and Coral beauty, but I'm not positive yet. I'm really excited for your build and will be following it with my own interests. Thanks. Sorry about your fish business, but it's great you still have a passion for the hobby.

[Bernie21]

Keep it going, because I love these builds, plus looking at peoples creativities. I was able to use so many Ideas for my build from builds like your so please keep it going, keep us posted. Looks good!!

[SethsAquariums]

Ok, I will keep it going. Thank you for subscribing, salty.

Anomie, I have used a dart pump on two 135 gallon tanks before and never had to throttle it back. I know that the sump that I am using - one of the baffles tends to "shutter" back and fourth if the return pumps chamber is really low because of evap. I don't want to throttle it back, but I will add either a ball valve or a gate valve. Not sure yet because gate valves are expensive! But, the best thing is that they more control of the flow.

I know that I want to create a manifold for the closed loop pump. The manifold that I am suggesting will have six gate valves on it, each controlling a certain section of the aquarium. That way, if something is getting blasted, I can cut just that one line back.

SaltyNovice, some, if not most flame angels and coral beauties do pick on SPS corals. If you don't have many sps corals in your tank then they will devistate them. That's what I have found. I don't even risk a flame or coral beauty in a reef tank. I have just seen what they can do! Also, sps corals need high calcium, stable pH and high alkalinity in order to do well, IMO.

Thank you everyone on your comments about my coral selection. If you want to see more corals direct from my supplier, go to http://www.seadwelling.com/PHOTOS.php and send me an e-mail SethsAquariums@gmail.com to tell me how you like them

[thor32766]

wow looks great cant wait to see further updates!

[GoBigOrGoHome]

Looks like this should be a good build. Taggin along.

[SethsAquariums]

One small update:


This is the manifold that I was talking about. In the next few days, after I get the tank home with me this evening, I have to build all of the plumbing. Thank God that I have found my camera for all of this. Hopefully I will have someone to take pictures of the move.

Exciting!

[SethsAquariums]

Alright, so a small update:

Our mailbox crew wasn't able to make it last night because it is so close to Christmas. It looks like I won't be able to get it moved until after Christmas, which sucks. But, I'm sure good things will come of this.

I took the old lighting system off and pulled the aquarium out of it's wooden cocoon. I'm glad I've got it thus far! Took 3 hours to take out all of the screws that held it in place and move the sump and take out all of the bulkheads. But, I'm glad it's done.

[SethsAquariums]

Oh yes, it is getting a good cleaning in the front yard before it's coming in with me.

Scrapers and water ready! lol

[SethsAquariums]

Merry Christmas all! I hope everyone got their way!

[SethsAquariums]

Small update:

Been busy lately just cleaning up the shop and getting it ready before the first of next month. My friends and I are getting together to move the tank this Saturday. I have comissioned my wife to take pictures and hold the door! So - probably plenty of pictures to come.

Does anyone disagree with my manifold decision?

[Western_reefer]

Its lookin good!!

[klubvibez]

cant wait to see it set up. keep the pics comming.