My 500 gallon propagation build

alexgv14 · 02/10/2015, 02:41 PM

I have had a reef tank for about 15 years and have always wanted a large separate frag/reef system where I could mess around with different things.

So, this will be the starting of my 500 gallon frag/reef system build. The system setup is the following 3 separate 100 gallon glass aquarium, 1 4' by 8' hydroponics grow tray, and 1 100 gallon sump, all of these system will be plumbed together as one system.

I will be putting these systems in a patio that I am converting to a sunroom with AC and everything. Here are some pictures of the progress being made on the construction of the sunroom.

DAY 1 Feb 9, 2015

DAY 2 Feb 10, 2015

One of three stands the other 2 stands I need to build. Below pictures are the framing then the final product I used a black appliance epoxy paint for the whole thing.

Final Product each stand takes a full day to make. Its going to be a pain to make the other 2

Some pictures of the skimmer (ASM GC-15 Protein Cone Skimmer - up to 500g ). The skimmer is huge once I set it up Ill take some better pictures of it:

The glass tanks are being custom made and should be ready by the end of the month.

Here are some pictures of my current reef tank:

I'm starting this build thread to look for advise and if you have any questions please feel free to ask them. Once I get the tanks in and they finish the patio/sunroom the fun part will start.

worm5406 · 02/10/2015, 06:02 PM

Very nice. Are you going to have to upgrade the AC to handle the additional SqFt?

alexgv14 · 02/10/2015, 08:12 PM

I actually purchased an AC just for this area. It's suppose to cover 550 square feet the area is 330 square feet so Im hoping it will do. It does get quite hot in Miami though

They just finish putting it in. Obviously its missing the cover plate.

dave.m · 02/10/2015, 09:00 PM

If all tanks are connected to one common sump it means that any parasite or pathogen that gets into your system will affect all tanks. Will you be setting up separate quarantine facilities?

Dave.M

alexgv14 · 02/10/2015, 09:57 PM

That is true dave.m I may want to leave a tank as qt. However, I don't plan on keeping much fish and I do dip all my corals. I also do have a separate tank that is currently setup that I can use as qt.

alexgv14 · 02/11/2015, 07:04 PM

Day 3 progress in the room. They started to put the dry wall in and sliding glass doors. My 4 by 8 grow tray and stand also came in today.

Aqua Chemist · 02/12/2015, 06:15 AM

Should be an interesting build

dave.m · 02/12/2015, 09:41 AM

I wouldn't trust to just dipping. Dipping doesn't affect eggs. A proper quarantine period of several weeks plus multiple dippings will help ensure you have no unexpected visitors. Don't become another statistic.

Dave.M

alexgv14 · 02/12/2015, 09:03 PM

Day 4 progress.

They are almost done. All the dry wall has been put up and exterior sheathing is done. This weekend I'll be assembling the 4' by 8' grow tray stand. Then the glass tanks come in at the end of the month.

Jason G · 02/13/2015, 06:43 AM

Interesting to see how this turns out. I'm excited for you.

AirForceAquariu · 02/13/2015, 08:43 AM

I would like to follow this for sure! I like the creek running by on the outside!

alexgv14 · 02/14/2015, 06:08 PM

The creek running on the outside is actually my little koi pond maybe I'll take a picture of it later. So, here is day 6 progress. 2 tanks stands are complete and painted one more to go, and I built the 4' by 8' grow tray stand.

The contractors will be back Monday and should finish the rest of the electrical work that needs to be done and painting. Its getting there.

Aqua Chemist · 02/15/2015, 06:11 AM

Where did you get the large tray?

alexgv14 · 02/15/2015, 06:54 AM

I got the large tray from hydrobuilder.com

Aqua Chemist · 02/15/2015, 03:42 PM

Thanks.

alexgv14 · 02/16/2015, 04:15 PM

Day 8 progress:

They began putting stucco on the outside and painting the inside, and fixing a few other details. They were suppose to finish today but got delayed a little. So, hopefully, they will finish tomorrow. Here are some progress shots.

I also finished the last tank stand.

Here are some pics of the koi pond and fish since someone mentioned it as the "creek outside". I built this pond about one year ago today.

dave.m · 02/16/2015, 05:44 PM

What a beautiful space you have created there. I can see how you will really enjoy the addition of the frag operation as part of this total space.

Dave.M

Newbie Aquarist · 02/17/2015, 11:26 PM

This is an amazing build you have going on. Great progress thus far.

alexgv14 · 02/18/2015, 06:29 PM

The inside is done. The part that I am most excited for is the fact that I have water right in the room to use. Day 10 progress shots:

pelphrey · 02/19/2015, 01:50 PM

The remodel didn't take long. Did you get a drain installed also, or will it just drain outside?

alexgv14 · 02/19/2015, 06:57 PM

I wish I had a drain. I am just going to have a pipe that will spit the water outside. The process was quicker than usually because I was very detailed in what I wanted with them and had a lot of the materials ready for them to work with. I purchased all the glass windows and glass wilding doors on craigslist for 150 bucks which saved me a ton of money on that. Took me a while to find all that stuff.

alexgv14 · 02/19/2015, 10:30 PM

Day 11 progress. So, the sunroom is done. I have started configuring up my light stands and a few other things.

I have 10 of these guys

Got a humidity sensor to make sure it doesn't get too humid in that room.

I wanted to make sure I had enough outlets so I had the electrician install quite a few outlets and new circuit breakers. I circled all the outlets in red.

alexgv14 · 02/22/2015, 06:26 PM

Day 14 progress: I installed some of the lights on the roof and placed all the tanks where they should be going.

Aqua Chemist · 02/23/2015, 07:08 AM

Isn't that light too high?

alexgv14 · 02/23/2015, 09:40 AM

Its about 5 feet from the surface of the water. Somebody else correct me if I am wrong but I am pretty sure the Photon 32 even at that height should be able to penetrate a few inches of water and supply the amount of light an sps frag needs. As a matter of fact was planning to run them at about 30% intensity.

02/10/2015, 02:41 PM	#1
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	My 500 gallon propagation build I have had a reef tank for about 15 years and have always wanted a large separate frag/reef system where I could mess around with different things. So, this will be the starting of my 500 gallon frag/reef system build. The system setup is the following 3 separate 100 gallon glass aquarium, 1 4' by 8' hydroponics grow tray, and 1 100 gallon sump, all of these system will be plumbed together as one system. I will be putting these systems in a patio that I am converting to a sunroom with AC and everything. Here are some pictures of the progress being made on the construction of the sunroom. DAY 1 Feb 9, 2015 DAY 2 Feb 10, 2015 One of three stands the other 2 stands I need to build. Below pictures are the framing then the final product I used a black appliance epoxy paint for the whole thing. Final Product each stand takes a full day to make. Its going to be a pain to make the other 2 Some pictures of the skimmer (ASM GC-15 Protein Cone Skimmer - up to 500g ). The skimmer is huge once I set it up Ill take some better pictures of it: The glass tanks are being custom made and should be ready by the end of the month. Here are some pictures of my current reef tank: I'm starting this build thread to look for advise and if you have any questions please feel free to ask them. Once I get the tanks in and they finish the patio/sunroom the fun part will start.

02/10/2015, 06:02 PM	#2
worm5406 Not afriad to admit wrong Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: South of WashDC in Maryland Posts: 7,774	Very nice. Are you going to have to upgrade the AC to handle the additional SqFt? __________________ Stock:LPS/SPS\|1 hippo\|4 OC Clown\|4 Pepp shrimp\|2 Brittle Star\|3000+ Copepods\|10+ MiniBrittle\|8+ Bristle Worm\|2 Anemone\|100+ mini-feather\|4 boys 14,21,22,22 Current Tank Info: Tank:300g Mixed Reef 300+lb LR\|4" LS\|5x MP40W\|75g fuge\|5x RadionPRO\|RO DB250 skimmer\|Apex

02/10/2015, 09:00 PM	#4
dave.m Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canadia Posts: 4,276	If all tanks are connected to one common sump it means that any parasite or pathogen that gets into your system will affect all tanks. Will you be setting up separate quarantine facilities? Dave.M __________________ My Gawd! It's full of corals! Current Tank Info: None. Nil. Zip. Nada.

02/12/2015, 06:15 AM	#7
Aqua Chemist Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 86	Should be an interesting build __________________ Using Tapatalk

02/12/2015, 09:41 AM	#8
dave.m Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canadia Posts: 4,276	I wouldn't trust to just dipping. Dipping doesn't affect eggs. A proper quarantine period of several weeks plus multiple dippings will help ensure you have no unexpected visitors. Don't become another statistic. Dave.M __________________ My Gawd! It's full of corals! Current Tank Info: None. Nil. Zip. Nada.

02/10/2015, 08:12 PM	#3
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	I actually purchased an AC just for this area. It's suppose to cover 550 square feet the area is 330 square feet so Im hoping it will do. It does get quite hot in Miami though They just finish putting it in. Obviously its missing the cover plate.

02/10/2015, 09:57 PM	#5
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	That is true dave.m I may want to leave a tank as qt. However, I don't plan on keeping much fish and I do dip all my corals. I also do have a separate tank that is currently setup that I can use as qt.

02/11/2015, 07:04 PM	#6
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	Day 3 progress in the room. They started to put the dry wall in and sliding glass doors. My 4 by 8 grow tray and stand also came in today.

02/12/2015, 09:03 PM	#9
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	Day 4 progress. They are almost done. All the dry wall has been put up and exterior sheathing is done. This weekend I'll be assembling the 4' by 8' grow tray stand. Then the glass tanks come in at the end of the month. Last edited by alexgv14; 02/12/2015 at 09:04 PM. Reason: typo

02/13/2015, 06:43 AM	#10
Jason G Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Fresno CA Posts: 84	Interesting to see how this turns out. I'm excited for you.

02/13/2015, 08:43 AM	#11
AirForceAquariu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Boston (Newton) Posts: 358	I would like to follow this for sure! I like the creek running by on the outside! __________________ Mike 70 gal w/ 15 gal sump. 1 flame wrasse, 2 a. occelaris, 1 Bangaii Cardinal, 1 midas blenny, assorted CUC, 1 brittle star. Current Tank Info: 70g 20g sump. 1 Flame Wrasse, 2 A. Occelaris, 1 Bangaii Cardinals, 1 Midas Blenny

02/14/2015, 06:08 PM	#12
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	The creek running on the outside is actually my little koi pond maybe I'll take a picture of it later. So, here is day 6 progress. 2 tanks stands are complete and painted one more to go, and I built the 4' by 8' grow tray stand. The contractors will be back Monday and should finish the rest of the electrical work that needs to be done and painting. Its getting there.

02/15/2015, 06:11 AM	#13
Aqua Chemist Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 86	Where did you get the large tray? __________________ Using Tapatalk

02/15/2015, 06:54 AM	#14
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	I got the large tray from hydrobuilder.com

02/15/2015, 03:42 PM	#15
Aqua Chemist Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 86	Thanks. __________________ Using Tapatalk

02/16/2015, 04:15 PM	#16
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	Day 8 progress: They began putting stucco on the outside and painting the inside, and fixing a few other details. They were suppose to finish today but got delayed a little. So, hopefully, they will finish tomorrow. Here are some progress shots. I also finished the last tank stand. Here are some pics of the koi pond and fish since someone mentioned it as the "creek outside". I built this pond about one year ago today.

02/16/2015, 05:44 PM	#17
dave.m Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canadia Posts: 4,276	What a beautiful space you have created there. I can see how you will really enjoy the addition of the frag operation as part of this total space. Dave.M __________________ My Gawd! It's full of corals! Current Tank Info: None. Nil. Zip. Nada.

02/17/2015, 11:26 PM	#18
Newbie Aquarist Reefing is my middle name Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 5,796	This is an amazing build you have going on. Great progress thus far.

02/18/2015, 06:29 PM	#19
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	The inside is done. The part that I am most excited for is the fact that I have water right in the room to use. Day 10 progress shots:

02/19/2015, 01:50 PM	#20
pelphrey Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Kentucky Posts: 463	The remodel didn't take long. Did you get a drain installed also, or will it just drain outside?

02/19/2015, 06:57 PM	#21
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	I wish I had a drain. I am just going to have a pipe that will spit the water outside. The process was quicker than usually because I was very detailed in what I wanted with them and had a lot of the materials ready for them to work with. I purchased all the glass windows and glass wilding doors on craigslist for 150 bucks which saved me a ton of money on that. Took me a while to find all that stuff.

02/19/2015, 10:30 PM	#22
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	Day 11 progress. So, the sunroom is done. I have started configuring up my light stands and a few other things. I have 10 of these guys Got a humidity sensor to make sure it doesn't get too humid in that room. I wanted to make sure I had enough outlets so I had the electrician install quite a few outlets and new circuit breakers. I circled all the outlets in red. Last edited by alexgv14; 02/19/2015 at 10:31 PM. Reason: more text for quantity of lights

02/22/2015, 06:26 PM	#23
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	Day 14 progress: I installed some of the lights on the roof and placed all the tanks where they should be going.

02/23/2015, 07:08 AM	#24
Aqua Chemist Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 86	Isn't that light too high? __________________ Using Tapatalk

02/23/2015, 09:40 AM	#25
alexgv14 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Miami Posts: 95	Its about 5 feet from the surface of the water. Somebody else correct me if I am wrong but I am pretty sure the Photon 32 even at that height should be able to penetrate a few inches of water and supply the amount of light an sps frag needs. As a matter of fact was planning to run them at about 30% intensity.