The Journey - 300+ Gallon System Build - Picture Heavy

[bpcardona]

Originally Posted by alan.reef

your wood working impressive..keep it up..

Thanks! This is the first time I have attempted to make a piece of furniture. Every thing else has been rough stuff for the yard, ie potting bench. However I am very happy with the way things turned out. There are a few spots that I messed up on, but they are all cosmetic. Besides these places are between the wall, hints I didn't fix them. I could have purchased a used stand much cheaper, but I wouldn't have gotten the look I wanted. I also had a ton of fun planning this and seeing it through.

Originally Posted by woodnaquanut

So are your Photoshop skills!

How do you get to things that get into the overflow? Will there be access from the back?

I thought the photoshop'ed picture was nice. It gives a new empty tank hope! Regarding the overflow, I think you are talking about how I get to my plumbing. In some of the pictures you can see that there are back panels, and in other there are not. This is a false backing. These panels exactly slide out of the way along groves, and this will allow me to get back there.

Now if you are talking about getting into the overflow boxes them selves......well that will be a reach. I have a step ladder that helps but this thing is 24" wide and 29" tall. So without being suspended from the rafters I don't have a way to get back there.

[woodnaquanut]

Originally Posted by bpcardona

Now if you are talking about getting into the overflow boxes them selves......well that will be a reach. I have a step ladder that helps but this thing is 24" wide and 29" tall. So without being suspended from the rafters I don't have a way to get back there.

That is what I was talking about. Seems like there is always some creature that wants to see 'what's on the other side' !

I don't have a solution but was envisioning some sort of track and cable system to suspend you over the tank. Like Tom Cruise in one of the 'Mission Impossible' flicks!

What's behind the wall that's behind the tank? Any possibility of going thru there?

I love the way that tank fills the space. I'm sure it will be spectacular!

[bpcardona]

Behind the Tank is our kitchen. So, don't think the wife will go for me knocking down the wall for a deserter. However, if we could get Tom Cruise in he to save the little guy she might allow a few cables from the ceiling. I can only try to block this as best as possible, and pray nothing wants to explore the black abyss.

[likefish]

Originally Posted by bpcardona

Behind the Tank is our kitchen. So, don't think the wife will go for me knocking down the wall for a deserter. However, if we could get Tom Cruise in he to save the little guy she might allow a few cables from the ceiling. I can only try to block this as best as possible, and pray nothing wants to explore the black abyss.

My starry blenny (the star of my tank) decided to take the trip 2 days after bringing him home. I had decent access to the overflow and it was still a project getting him out (120 tank 24" tall)! Might consider kidproofing those overflows before the addition of livestock.

This will be an impressive finished project! You the man simply for talkign you wife into letting you plumb through the house. I failed in my attempt

Please continue the posts with the project! It is sure to be impressive!

Subscribed!

[bpcardona]

Originally Posted by likefish

My starry blenny (the star of my tank) decided to take the trip 2 days after bringing him home. I had decent access to the overflow and it was still a project getting him out (120 tank 24" tall)! Might consider kidproofing those overflows before the addition of livestock.

This will be an impressive finished project! You the man simply for talkign you wife into letting you plumb through the house. I failed in my attempt

Please continue the posts with the project! It is sure to be impressive!

Subscribed!

I plan on doing something to block them off. The best I can think off is netting, but I would love ideas. I really have no interest in rescuing any fish from back there.

[bwhit1406]

Tank fits real nice. Good job on the stand and stain!

[mrmore]

I would definitely cover the over flows! My hawkfish loved to be in the overflows, I had to fish him out 4 times before I covered them. Your overflows seems like it would be a real pain, mine were and they are way more accessible. I used good ol egg crate and zip ties.

[ERivera65]

You've done a nice job! It fits really nicely into the space and the stand looks great. I can't wait to see this bad boy running

[Cymonous]

Edit: nm. It's all photoshop.

And btw, nice tank and stand.

[bpcardona]

Thanks for everyones kind comments! I hope to get a lot done in the next few days. I plan on getting the stands for the sump, frag, and quarantine tank built. Also the canopy will hopefully be constructed, may not be stained but a good start at least. There is a lot more to be done, but I think this will consume most of the time.


However I need to get the sump built as well. The problem area I see with this build will be the piece of glass that is planned to hold 4" filter socks. I have called a local glass shop and they told me that it would cost $30 for each hole drilled. I was thinking I might be able to do this out of acrylic, but then again I think I well like the look.

Does any one have any suggestion on making this happen without spending $120?

[nivram]

Originally Posted by bpcardona

Thanks for everyones kind comments! I hope to get a lot done in the next few days. I plan on getting the stands for the sump, frag, and quarantine tank built. Also the canopy will hopefully be constructed, may not be stained but a good start at least. There is a lot more to be done, but I think this will consume most of the time.


However I need to get the sump built as well. The problem area I see with this build will be the piece of glass that is planned to hold 4" filter socks. I have called a local glass shop and they told me that it would cost $30 for each hole drilled. I was thinking I might be able to do this out of acrylic, but then again I think I well like the look.

Does any one have any suggestion on making this happen without spending $120?

Great build. You could buy the hole saw and drill it your self. They are pretty cheap on EBay.

[bpcardona]

Originally Posted by nivram

Great build. You could buy the hole saw and drill it your self. They are pretty cheap on EBay.

Has anyone tried drilling this size hole? I wouldn't worry to much if it were one hole, but I have four very close together. I did find a them on ebay and amazon. So which size? I want the 4" sock to fit like a glove. I did a quick google search and came up with 95mm. Does anyone have any insight into this?

[Kawi9_cf]

I would think the simplest route would be to run 2 strips of glass about an inch wide on each side then just lay a piece of acrylic with the holes for the socks drilled in it down. That would also give you the ability to easily alter your design later on down the road if you want to.

[bpcardona]

So this setup will hopefully be complete this weekend. Any last thoughts on the setup? I have made a lot of purchase the past few days, most from members. I will high list each as we go along.

[worm5406]

OK lets get started.

[Calepy86]

You have the free space I would put a 40 breeder to the left of the sump and have an awesome real estate for a decent sized fuge...

[Calepy86]

Are you plumbing the QT tank into the system or making it stand alone? I am planning on using your design and thought I would plumb the qt into the system but have a ball valve on it to shut it off while qt new tank mates then if all goes well I could open the valve and have extra water volume.. would this be a good idea or what are your thoughts?

[bpcardona]

Originally Posted by Calepy86

You have the free space I would put a 40 breeder to the left of the sump and have an awesome real estate for a decent sized fuge...

Thanks for the suggestion, I have plans for the "real estate" but if they change this is the route I will take. This will be the spot for the external pump, reactors, and external skimmer. The 55 gallon sump will contain the refuge, should be plenty of room.

Originally Posted by Calepy86

Are you plumbing the QT tank into the system or making it stand alone? I am planning on using your design and thought I would plumb the qt into the system but have a ball valve on it to shut it off while qt new tank mates then if all goes well I could open the valve and have extra water volume.. would this be a good idea or what are your thoughts?

I had plans on have the QT as a separate system, with a fill pipe come off of the manifold. However you have a great idea. I will consider the possibility off plumbing this in to the system. I would only need to add a drain back into the sump, with valve (like you said). If this doesn't work one could always leave the valve shut. I am humbled that you would using this design as a guide. I have to ask, why you choose mine. Like most I have flipped through hundreds of build threads, just curious what made you pick this one.

[bpcardona]

Progress:

Most of the day was spent running new wires between rafters. I decided to put in a GFI breaker that would only run the fish equipment. I installed one breaker and 6 outlets, all new line. Gratefully the attic wasn't to hot today. Toward the end one the day I was able to start building the stand for the filtration system. Tomorrow I should be able to complete this, and start think heavy on plumbing.

[bpcardona]

Construction is complete. I want to paint it this evening, but until then.

[Newbie Aquarist]

Originally Posted by bpcardona

To help with the filter socks overflowing I would only make the top piece only an inch maybe inch and a half so if the socks filled up they still overflow into the main of the sump. The second thing I would change if you didn't notice yet is switch the baffles.

[bpcardona]

Originally Posted by Newbie Aquarist

To help with the filter socks overflowing I would only make the top piece only an inch maybe inch and a half so if the socks filled up they still overflow into the main of the sump. The second thing I would change if you didn't notice yet is switch the baffles.

Good catch, this design was done late at night. Hopefully I would have caught this during the build. BTY thanks for such a great deal on the pump.

[bigpuffer1]

looks great keep the pics coming. if the house falls the tank stands!

[tgunn]

Looks great so far! Tagging along.

A suggestion regarding the overflows: If you have the room for it, maybe screw a 1x4 rail (or 2x4) into the wall behind the tank. Then you could put your ladder beside the tank and lay a board from the ladder to the back rail, and give you something to lean on.

I only suggest this because I had a difficult to access overflow in my old 140g tank. It was next to impossible to get into it for cleaning. Over a number of years it ended up collecting loads of detritus, and other undesirable things I just couldn't get in to clean out.

[bpcardona]

So the stand for the filtration is complete! I changed the header to a 2x6. This change my working space. I have 26" clearance between the base and the header. However it is 29" on the sides. I do have more under the stand but this is what I have to work with maneuvering equipment. I wish I had a bit more room between the top of the sump tank and the stand, but I have enough room to change socks, and work on the refuge so I will leave it. I only have the mixing station to build, but I am waiting to pick up the barrels. Tought it was going to be today, but.....

So let me know what you think.