A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build - Page 3

lalo809 · 10/20/2011, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustin1300

Me too! From Indy eh?

yes from the westside of indy

Quote:

Originally Posted by david00061

If I had the room I would'nt stack them

agreed,i would have 2 tanks in one stand and have the qt away from the system

Dustin1300 · 10/21/2011, 08:04 AM

I picked up all the wood last night. I've not yet settled on what I'm going to do but think I'm going to be doing a little differently than expected. I'm going to turn the 75 gallon into a QT with removable dividers so larger fish can settle into a large QT if needed and that will be on middle tier. I'll then be building a small sump on bottom level for QT system and then I have the third shelf for additional QTs I can add if needed later down the road. In the interim it will be used for storage.

Here's the final design. I hope to make all the cuts tomorrow and start putting it together. I doubt I'll get it all finished in a weekend with paint but hopefully I have it completely built!?

*For reference, that is the backside! It will be mounted to concrete wall.

david00061 · 10/21/2011, 08:07 AM

It is going to look nice. What program are using to draw that?

Dustin1300 · 10/21/2011, 08:56 AM

I've been using Google Sketchup. It's what I've drawn all the 3d models with and was very easy to pick up. I'm pretty quick with it now and it helps show what you are thinking so everyone has a clear idea of what you are talking about. I'm an obsessive planner too so it works well for me

Haffs09 · 10/21/2011, 09:54 AM

Looks good! If you use pocket holes (Kreg has some kits) to join your vertical pieces, you can eliminate the long green vertical pieces. Since you're anchoring the stand into the wall (good idea), you should have plenty of lateral and front to back support.

Depending on how you manage your water parameters, you probably don't need a sump for your 75 gal QT tank. I currently have fish in a 75 gal and 55 gal QT tanks. They've been in there for 3 months and as long as I change 25-30% water every week, everything is fine. I have an aquaclear 300 and 250 on the 55gal and an aquaclear 300 and MP40 on the 75gal.

How much room do you plan on allowing between the top of your tanks and the cross member above? I've made similar stands, and thought 7-8" clearance was enough. Most of the time it is, but if I need to dump a 5 gallon bucket of water, there isn't enough room to empty it all out. If you plan on using a pump to fill the tanks with NSW, then there are no worries.

Dustin1300 · 10/22/2011, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haffs09

Looks good! If you use pocket holes (Kreg has some kits) to join your vertical pieces, you can eliminate the long green vertical pieces. Since you're anchoring the stand into the wall (good idea), you should have plenty of lateral and front to back support.

Depending on how you manage your water parameters, you probably don't need a sump for your 75 gal QT tank. I currently have fish in a 75 gal and 55 gal QT tanks. They've been in there for 3 months and as long as I change 25-30% water every week, everything is fine. I have an aquaclear 300 and 250 on the 55gal and an aquaclear 300 and MP40 on the 75gal.

How much room do you plan on allowing between the top of your tanks and the cross member above? I've made similar stands, and thought 7-8" clearance was enough. Most of the time it is, but if I need to dump a 5 gallon bucket of water, there isn't enough room to empty it all out. If you plan on using a pump to fill the tanks with NSW, then there are no worries.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I picked up the Kregg pocket hole kit for the vertical pieces but think I'm still going to leave the green pieces in for added support. I'd rather it be built like a tank and withstand years of heavy pressure on it

The sump has ~20 inches of clearance above and that gives me enough room for my SRO 3000 on a stand with some clearance and also for future expandable area to add the SRO 5000 into the mix once I get the DT in place in the future!

As far as QTs, I've honestly not thought too much about the arrangements but I currently just have the 75 gallon tank. It has an overflow so I thought it might be nice to integrate a sump with carbon reactor and small skimmer. I can also program my water top off and daily water changes into it so it is automated like the DT. Do you run your QTs with hyposalinity or do you just keep at the normal SG?

Dustin1300 · 10/22/2011, 09:42 AM

Now I've got to stop looking at RC and get back to working on the stand

I've got 55 different pieces and 14 different sizes to cut. I sat down at comp to just do all my measurements on Sketchup so I could get them cut in garage and then move to basement with all the pieces!

Dustin1300 · 10/22/2011, 11:35 AM

Many cuts later...

Now I've got to start mowing since all other tasks cannot trump the hobby

Haffs09 · 10/22/2011, 11:53 AM

20" of clearance is nice! I normally run my s.g. around 1.020. When it gets close to putting fish in the DT, I'll increase it to 1.025. I have gone through a round of hyposalinity in my 75gal (1.009) and didn't have any issues maintaining the s.g. without an auto top off. Having the tank covered with glass tops helps too.

Dustin1300 · 10/22/2011, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haffs09

20" of clearance is nice! I normally run my s.g. around 1.020. When it gets close to putting fish in the DT, I'll increase it to 1.025. I have gone through a round of hyposalinity in my 75gal (1.009) and didn't have any issues maintaining the s.g. without an auto top off. Having the tank covered with glass tops helps too.

I've just heard that hypo is not a very effective method unless you keep the salinity rock solid at 1.009. I think I'm going to go ahead and top off automatically just so I have some sanity and I want to try to keep the tank as automated as possible as I have to take 3-5 day business trips here and there. My wife has a good hold on the tank and will do any water testing but the less I rely on that the less I have to worry about

david00061 · 10/22/2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustin1300

My wife has a good hold on the tank and will do any water testing but the less I rely on that the less I have to worry about

I know it makes my wive nervous when I leave town

Dustin1300 · 10/22/2011, 04:33 PM

2 hours more into the stand build and drill battery is DEAD...Got about 1 3/4s of the tiers done. Drilling all these pilot holes and countersinks adds to the process but know in the end I'm doing the best to my ability to make this thing like a TANK!

dprill · 10/22/2011, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustin1300

2 hours more into the stand build and drill battery is DEAD...Got about 1 3/4s of the tiers done. Drilling all these pilot holes and countersinks adds to the process but know in the end I'm doing the best to my ability to make this thing like a TANK!

LOL with all the money you are spending, get a second drill battery! frustrating when you run out of power, almost like that 53rd trip to home depot!

Darin

Dustin1300 · 10/22/2011, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dprill

LOL with all the money you are spending, get a second drill battery! frustrating when you run out of power, almost like that 53rd trip to home depot!

Darin

I just recently moved in August and swore I had a second battery on this drill set but cannot seem to find it. I think I might pick up a second battery in the morning as I need to pick up some wood glue and silicone anyways.

Dustin1300 · 10/22/2011, 06:29 PM

Below are the pics of where I stand. Has came out really good though but need a hand tomorrow to get the different tiers mounted so I'll have to recruit someone...

Bottom two tiers complete:

Top tier still under construction awaiting the drill to power up again

biecacka · 10/22/2011, 07:22 PM

looks like you got a helper in that picture........

corey

david00061 · 10/22/2011, 07:25 PM

You got a lot done.....
Looking good

Dustin1300 · 10/23/2011, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biecacka

looks like you got a helper in that picture........

corey

She's really a helper

Quote:

Originally Posted by david00061

You got a lot done.....
Looking good

If it was not for the drill dying I think I would have got all three tiers done. Woke up early today to work on it and have the whole day to make progress! (Minus some Sunday Football

)

Dustin1300 · 10/23/2011, 10:26 AM

A little further along on the build....Got all the tiers built and got the columns in place and have the 1st/2nd tiers finished! Battery is getting a boost when I grab lunch and make a run to Lowes! (Luckily Lowes is about 5 minutes away and is prolly biggest one in the state

)

Dustin1300 · 10/23/2011, 06:11 PM

I have a new respect for woodworkers!

Got the stand done today and looks really good. Waiting on the wood putty and silicone to dry so a coat of primer can go on. I'm going to convince the wife to prime it while I'm at work tomorrow so I could come home and get a coat of latex on it. Once I get two coats of latex I'll get the plywood on it, silicone it, and then prime/paint it. If all goes as planned I can have this thing primed, painted, and anchored by next weekend! After that I need to get the prop stand sturdier and a fresh coat of paint to match my stand

Here's the stand frame 'complete:

Tier 2/3 are almost perfectly level where it currently sits. Hopefully it's this same way where it will reside!

dprill · 10/24/2011, 05:38 AM

Congrats on finishing the frame up! Have you figured out how you are going to anchor it to the concrete wall?

Darin

david00061 · 10/24/2011, 05:43 AM

That didnt take long looks good

Dustin1300 · 10/24/2011, 02:27 PM

Quote:

That didnt take long looks good

Thanks David

Quote:

Have you figured out how you are going to anchor it to the concrete wall?

I've not picked out a bracket yet but will do something similar as Haffs did on his build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...1831347&page=2

I'm not getting ANY rocking with this stand. It might be overbuilt but I have confidence it is going to stand the test of time. With it secured to the wall if it falls the tanks are the least of my worries

Dustin1300 · 10/25/2011, 05:33 AM

Stand got a coat of primer/sealer thanks to the wife yesterday

Last night threw a coat of latex on it but chose a darker paint so I'll be doing another coat tonight after work. If I can get it in place tomorrow hopefully I can manage to anchor it and start cutting the plywood out. If all goes as planned it should be completely finished this weekend along with the propagation tank stand.

Next Steps:

1) Find vertical water tanks (165 gallon for NSW, 55 Gallon for QT NSW, 55 Gallon for RO/DI, and 55 Gallon for Lime Water for top off)
2) Digging a sump in corner of basement and plumbing to drain above. I've went back and forth on this one but want to keep the injection pump on other side of basement away from the saltwater. I will use a cheaper sump pump for reef equipment and should it go out at least it won't have sewage in it (minus the skimmer sludge!)

Dustin1300 · 10/25/2011, 08:16 PM

Got one more coat of paint on the stand tonight....Really regretting picking a darker color! Tomorrow night I will get final coat on and them will work on getting Prop tank built out.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

10/21/2011, 08:04 AM	#52
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	I picked up all the wood last night. I've not yet settled on what I'm going to do but think I'm going to be doing a little differently than expected. I'm going to turn the 75 gallon into a QT with removable dividers so larger fish can settle into a large QT if needed and that will be on middle tier. I'll then be building a small sump on bottom level for QT system and then I have the third shelf for additional QTs I can add if needed later down the road. In the interim it will be used for storage. Here's the final design. I hope to make all the cuts tomorrow and start putting it together. I doubt I'll get it all finished in a weekend with paint but hopefully I have it completely built!? *For reference, that is the backside! It will be mounted to concrete wall. __________________ INDMAS President Check out my tank in the Large Tank Forums, "A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build"! Current Tank Info: 600 Gallon DT, 140 Gallon Grow Out Tank, 125 Gallon Sump, 90 Gallon Fuge, 200 Gallon Fish QT, 15 Gallon Frag QT

10/21/2011, 08:56 AM	#54
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	I've been using Google Sketchup. It's what I've drawn all the 3d models with and was very easy to pick up. I'm pretty quick with it now and it helps show what you are thinking so everyone has a clear idea of what you are talking about. I'm an obsessive planner too so it works well for me __________________ INDMAS President Check out my tank in the Large Tank Forums, "A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build"! Current Tank Info: 600 Gallon DT, 140 Gallon Grow Out Tank, 125 Gallon Sump, 90 Gallon Fuge, 200 Gallon Fish QT, 15 Gallon Frag QT

10/21/2011, 09:54 AM	#55
Haffs09 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 924	Looks good! If you use pocket holes (Kreg has some kits) to join your vertical pieces, you can eliminate the long green vertical pieces. Since you're anchoring the stand into the wall (good idea), you should have plenty of lateral and front to back support. Depending on how you manage your water parameters, you probably don't need a sump for your 75 gal QT tank. I currently have fish in a 75 gal and 55 gal QT tanks. They've been in there for 3 months and as long as I change 25-30% water every week, everything is fine. I have an aquaclear 300 and 250 on the 55gal and an aquaclear 300 and MP40 on the 75gal. How much room do you plan on allowing between the top of your tanks and the cross member above? I've made similar stands, and thought 7-8" clearance was enough. Most of the time it is, but if I need to dump a 5 gallon bucket of water, there isn't enough room to empty it all out. If you plan on using a pump to fill the tanks with NSW, then there are no worries. __________________ Current tank info: 94"x30"x30" Miracles in the works!

10/22/2011, 09:42 AM	#57
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	Now I've got to stop looking at RC and get back to working on the stand I've got 55 different pieces and 14 different sizes to cut. I sat down at comp to just do all my measurements on Sketchup so I could get them cut in garage and then move to basement with all the pieces! __________________ INDMAS President Check out my tank in the Large Tank Forums, "A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build"! Current Tank Info: 600 Gallon DT, 140 Gallon Grow Out Tank, 125 Gallon Sump, 90 Gallon Fuge, 200 Gallon Fish QT, 15 Gallon Frag QT

10/22/2011, 11:35 AM	#58
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	Many cuts later... Now I've got to start mowing since all other tasks cannot trump the hobby __________________ INDMAS President Check out my tank in the Large Tank Forums, "A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build"! Current Tank Info: 600 Gallon DT, 140 Gallon Grow Out Tank, 125 Gallon Sump, 90 Gallon Fuge, 200 Gallon Fish QT, 15 Gallon Frag QT

10/21/2011, 08:07 AM	#53
david00061 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: st joseph Missouri Posts: 2,341	It is going to look nice. What program are using to draw that?

10/22/2011, 11:53 AM	#59
Haffs09 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 924	20" of clearance is nice! I normally run my s.g. around 1.020. When it gets close to putting fish in the DT, I'll increase it to 1.025. I have gone through a round of hyposalinity in my 75gal (1.009) and didn't have any issues maintaining the s.g. without an auto top off. Having the tank covered with glass tops helps too. __________________ Current tank info: 94"x30"x30" Miracles in the works!

10/22/2011, 04:33 PM	#62
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	2 hours more into the stand build and drill battery is DEAD...Got about 1 3/4s of the tiers done. Drilling all these pilot holes and countersinks adds to the process but know in the end I'm doing the best to my ability to make this thing like a TANK! __________________ INDMAS President Check out my tank in the Large Tank Forums, "A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build"! Current Tank Info: 600 Gallon DT, 140 Gallon Grow Out Tank, 125 Gallon Sump, 90 Gallon Fuge, 200 Gallon Fish QT, 15 Gallon Frag QT

10/22/2011, 06:29 PM	#65
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	Below are the pics of where I stand. Has came out really good though but need a hand tomorrow to get the different tiers mounted so I'll have to recruit someone... Bottom two tiers complete: Top tier still under construction awaiting the drill to power up again __________________ INDMAS President Check out my tank in the Large Tank Forums, "A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build"! Current Tank Info: 600 Gallon DT, 140 Gallon Grow Out Tank, 125 Gallon Sump, 90 Gallon Fuge, 200 Gallon Fish QT, 15 Gallon Frag QT

10/22/2011, 07:22 PM	#66
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	looks like you got a helper in that picture........ corey

10/22/2011, 07:25 PM	#67
david00061 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: st joseph Missouri Posts: 2,341	You got a lot done..... Looking good

10/23/2011, 10:26 AM	#69
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	A little further along on the build....Got all the tiers built and got the columns in place and have the 1st/2nd tiers finished! Battery is getting a boost when I grab lunch and make a run to Lowes! (Luckily Lowes is about 5 minutes away and is prolly biggest one in the state) __________________ INDMAS President Check out my tank in the Large Tank Forums, "A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build"! Current Tank Info: 600 Gallon DT, 140 Gallon Grow Out Tank, 125 Gallon Sump, 90 Gallon Fuge, 200 Gallon Fish QT, 15 Gallon Frag QT

10/23/2011, 06:11 PM	#70
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	I have a new respect for woodworkers! Got the stand done today and looks really good. Waiting on the wood putty and silicone to dry so a coat of primer can go on. I'm going to convince the wife to prime it while I'm at work tomorrow so I could come home and get a coat of latex on it. Once I get two coats of latex I'll get the plywood on it, silicone it, and then prime/paint it. If all goes as planned I can have this thing primed, painted, and anchored by next weekend! After that I need to get the prop stand sturdier and a fresh coat of paint to match my stand Here's the stand frame 'complete: Tier 2/3 are almost perfectly level where it currently sits. Hopefully it's this same way where it will reside! __________________ INDMAS President Check out my tank in the Large Tank Forums, "A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build"! Current Tank Info: 600 Gallon DT, 140 Gallon Grow Out Tank, 125 Gallon Sump, 90 Gallon Fuge, 200 Gallon Fish QT, 15 Gallon Frag QT

10/24/2011, 05:38 AM	#71
dprill Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Long Island, NY Out East! Posts: 46	Congrats on finishing the frame up! Have you figured out how you are going to anchor it to the concrete wall? Darin

10/24/2011, 05:43 AM	#72
david00061 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: st joseph Missouri Posts: 2,341	That didnt take long looks good

10/25/2011, 05:33 AM	#74
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	Stand got a coat of primer/sealer thanks to the wife yesterday Last night threw a coat of latex on it but chose a darker paint so I'll be doing another coat tonight after work. If I can get it in place tomorrow hopefully I can manage to anchor it and start cutting the plywood out. If all goes as planned it should be completely finished this weekend along with the propagation tank stand. Next Steps: 1) Find vertical water tanks (165 gallon for NSW, 55 Gallon for QT NSW, 55 Gallon for RO/DI, and 55 Gallon for Lime Water for top off) 2) Digging a sump in corner of basement and plumbing to drain above. I've went back and forth on this one but want to keep the injection pump on other side of basement away from the saltwater. I will use a cheaper sump pump for reef equipment and should it go out at least it won't have sewage in it (minus the skimmer sludge!) __________________ INDMAS President Check out my tank in the Large Tank Forums, "A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build"! Current Tank Info: 600 Gallon DT, 140 Gallon Grow Out Tank, 125 Gallon Sump, 90 Gallon Fuge, 200 Gallon Fish QT, 15 Gallon Frag QT

10/25/2011, 08:16 PM	#75
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	Got one more coat of paint on the stand tonight....Really regretting picking a darker color! Tomorrow night I will get final coat on and them will work on getting Prop tank built out. Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk __________________ INDMAS President Check out my tank in the Large Tank Forums, "A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build"! Current Tank Info: 600 Gallon DT, 140 Gallon Grow Out Tank, 125 Gallon Sump, 90 Gallon Fuge, 200 Gallon Fish QT, 15 Gallon Frag QT

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