250 gallon build thread

michealprater · 04/14/2008, 05:39 AM

This may end up being the longes build thread ever. I am on a fairly tight budget and plan on taking my sweet time so I can do everything exactly the way I want. I am starting with an unfinished basement so I can build a nice fish room. I just purchased the aquarium, utility sink and RO DI filter. here is what I have so far.

Never posted pics before, so here goes nothing.

michealprater · 04/14/2008, 05:40 AM

Well, evidentally that did not work. I will have to get kraash over here to help me out. Will post them later.

kar93 · 04/14/2008, 05:42 AM

Upload them onto Photobucket and paste the IMG code into here.

Nanook · 04/14/2008, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by michealprater
This may end up being the longes build thread ever. I am on a fairly tight budget and plan on taking my sweet time so I can do everything exactly the way I want. I am starting with an unfinished basement so I can build a nice fish room. I just purchased the aquarium, utility sink and RO DI filter. here is what I have so far.

It only took me 4 1/2 years

You have a long way to go man!!!

michealprater · 04/14/2008, 09:30 AM

Here is a little bit of rock I have curing in a tote. I also have several lbs in a trash can in the garage, a bunch in a tank at my mothers house, but I will probably need twice what I have, I think I have around 120lbs or so.

here are some pics of the utility sink I installed and the rodi unit I mounted to it. I got this unit off ebay. Pure Water Club, great deal. I actually had the house plumbed for a fish room when I built it!

Here are a few of the tank.

external overflows, I am really pumped

michealprater · 04/14/2008, 09:33 AM

Nook, I checked your build thread. It is awesome, I had been debating on black sand in the display, and your tank sold it. I cant wait.

michealprater · 04/14/2008, 09:36 AM

I wanted to thank SLASH member, and good buddy Kraash for helping move the tank. He rode along and we hit Marine Solutions and Clayton Pet Emporium, both in St. Louis. It was a great day.

Cramz07 · 04/14/2008, 10:31 AM

that is an awesome tank! I love tanks that have the external overflows so you don't end up feeling like you have to hide them or work around them...Yeah Nook convinced me on my next tank to put black sand...it really looks nice against the black backround. Well Good Luck with everything and if you need any help just pm me and i might be able to help with something...

michealprater · 04/14/2008, 11:52 AM

I know araganite really helps with calcium levels, so I will probably do a araganite DSB in the sump. I am planning a 75 gallon sump.

levon15 · 04/14/2008, 11:53 AM

Well keep up the posts, I'll be following along.

Glad to have another massive setup going in the SLASH club.

Keep up the work.

rihanssu · 04/14/2008, 12:02 PM

are you going to use a refugia?

michealprater · 04/14/2008, 12:14 PM

Yes. I have not decided which size yet. Possibly a second 75.

michealprater · 04/14/2008, 03:30 PM

Here is a close up of the RO/DI unit I got off ebay.

Finally got the tank in the basement.

Here is the PFO dual 400 watt ballast that will be part of my lighting. I have several ballasts that the factory I work in threw out, 400 watters and 250s, not sure which I will use yet. I am looking to use VHO for actinic supplementation.

Here is an old Corallife 4ft PC fixture I plan to use on the 75 gallon sump.

logiktest · 04/14/2008, 03:43 PM

Very nice. What are the dimensions of the tank?

peter1 · 04/14/2008, 03:56 PM

Hello,
I have a 230g tank. I have SPS, LPS corals 13 smal fish and 5 tangs in the tank. Works for me a refugium too the filter system. This 60g and helps well! That has 5" DSB and algaes. This system is going very good +1 year.
I hope for I help you. Many successes to it!

michealprater · 04/14/2008, 05:51 PM

The dimentions of the tank- 96" long, 24" deep and 25" tall. Basically the same as a 240 long, but an inch taller which makes it a 250. 3/4" acrylic front, bottom and back. 1/2" on the top and sides. I wanted 8ft long so I could have tangs and angels, and I did not want it to be much taller than 2ft. so I wouldnt have to dive everytime I clean.

michealprater · 04/14/2008, 06:26 PM

As far as flow goes in the display, considering I cannot afford Tunzes or Vortechs. For the money, Rio Seio M2600 put out about 2600 gallons per hour, seem like a pretty good option for me. How many do you think I would need for the display? Rio also makes a wavemaker specially for Seios.

michealprater · 04/14/2008, 06:36 PM

Don't want to skip the flow question, but I have all these ideas jumping out of my head.

My Mom has a bunch of good 2x6s left over from her porch that are not pressure treated, so guess who has free lumber for my stand? YES!

michealprater · 04/14/2008, 07:21 PM

Another question. How should I heat this thing? 2- 300 watters?

Dont forget the flow question also. LOL

CORALFISHG · 04/14/2008, 08:10 PM

how is the quality of that ro unit.. im looking at possibly getting that exact unit, that's the 6 stage isin't it.. i was also considering going with the one with the uv unit.. i have a kent marine unit, but need to replace every single filter and when you do the math i can almoast buy a hole new unit..

michealprater · 04/14/2008, 08:34 PM

I think they are good quality. Why UV? I guess if it is cheap enough but I am not sure what it would do that the ro/di wouldnt do.

michealprater · 04/16/2008, 05:38 AM

Well after talking to a few friends I will be saving up for awhile to get tunzes or vortechs. I guess I could always just run Seios temporarily.

As far as heating, I am getting conflicting opinions. The two opinions I have gotten so far have been. Two 500w titaniums with a controller (expensive route). and two 300w, at first and add one more if it isnt sufficiant. Not sure what I will do, probably the cheaper route.

Nanook · 04/16/2008, 01:44 PM

Two 300w heaters might work fine and you can always add one down the road if you need it. I think using a controller of some sort is necessary in case a heater sticks in the "on" position which could cook your tank. I have seen and heard of that happening in the past quite frequently. For some reason, self-contained heater controllers are usually cheap.

michealprater · 04/16/2008, 03:08 PM

Cool, thanks for advise!

michealprater · 04/19/2008, 11:48 AM

Was messing around in the basement today and making measurements to see what the exact size the fish room was going to be. I was also making decitions on exactly where to put everything.

The next to 2 pics show exactly where the tank will be placed. There will be two viewing panes, the one on the end, (right side) in the hallway and the front in the living area. The stand will be high enough for the display to be seen over my sectional couch. I plan on building a platform inside the fish room to make it so I do not need a step stool to get in the tank.

The next shows where the 46 gallon corner tank will be placed. This tank is currently at my moms setup and running. It will be torn down and used strictly as a QT. I have never had a QT before, so I am proud to say, I am finally doing it the right way this time. Plus the tank is reef ready so I will use a tote as a "make-shift" sump and use my Aqua C ev150 as filtration on it.

This picture shows the space between the display and the sink. I plan on placing the 75 I just purchased in between the two on the floor. I will be modifing it by adding baffles and making it into a sump. I think I am going to buy another 75 or 55 RR to place over top of the sump and plumb it into the sump and use it as a fuge/coral grow out tank.

Here is the 2x6s I plan to use for the stand. All I need it 3- 8ft pressure treated ones for the concrete floor and I can start on my stand.

The other space in the room will be used for water storage containers and a small workbench for fragging.

More updates to come later, should be starting the stand and plumbing for the sump soon. Stay tuned!

04/14/2008, 05:39 AM	#1
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	250 gallon build thread This may end up being the longes build thread ever. I am on a fairly tight budget and plan on taking my sweet time so I can do everything exactly the way I want. I am starting with an unfinished basement so I can build a nice fish room. I just purchased the aquarium, utility sink and RO DI filter. here is what I have so far. Never posted pics before, so here goes nothing.

04/14/2008, 05:40 AM	#2
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	Well, evidentally that did not work. I will have to get kraash over here to help me out. Will post them later. __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

04/14/2008, 09:33 AM	#6
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	Nook, I checked your build thread. It is awesome, I had been debating on black sand in the display, and your tank sold it. I cant wait. __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

04/14/2008, 09:36 AM	#7
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	I wanted to thank SLASH member, and good buddy Kraash for helping move the tank. He rode along and we hit Marine Solutions and Clayton Pet Emporium, both in St. Louis. It was a great day. __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

04/14/2008, 11:52 AM	#9
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	I know araganite really helps with calcium levels, so I will probably do a araganite DSB in the sump. I am planning a 75 gallon sump. __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

04/14/2008, 05:42 AM	#3
kar93 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lincoln Posts: 5,521	Upload them onto Photobucket and paste the IMG code into here.

04/14/2008, 09:30 AM	#5
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	Here is a little bit of rock I have curing in a tote. I also have several lbs in a trash can in the garage, a bunch in a tank at my mothers house, but I will probably need twice what I have, I think I have around 120lbs or so. here are some pics of the utility sink I installed and the rodi unit I mounted to it. I got this unit off ebay. Pure Water Club, great deal. I actually had the house plumbed for a fish room when I built it! Here are a few of the tank. external overflows, I am really pumped

04/14/2008, 10:31 AM	#8
Cramz07 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: St. Louis Posts: 388	that is an awesome tank! I love tanks that have the external overflows so you don't end up feeling like you have to hide them or work around them...Yeah Nook convinced me on my next tank to put black sand...it really looks nice against the black backround. Well Good Luck with everything and if you need any help just pm me and i might be able to help with something...

04/14/2008, 11:53 AM	#10
levon15 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Columbia, IL Posts: 2,070	Well keep up the posts, I'll be following along. Glad to have another massive setup going in the SLASH club. Keep up the work. __________________ "For he who serves his fellows, is of all his fellows, greatest" - E. Urner Goodman Current Tank Info: Downgrading from a 75 back to a nanocube of some kind.

04/14/2008, 12:02 PM	#11
rihanssu Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 53	are you going to use a refugia?

04/14/2008, 12:14 PM	#12
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	Yes. I have not decided which size yet. Possibly a second 75. __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

04/14/2008, 03:30 PM	#13
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	Here is a close up of the RO/DI unit I got off ebay. Finally got the tank in the basement. Here is the PFO dual 400 watt ballast that will be part of my lighting. I have several ballasts that the factory I work in threw out, 400 watters and 250s, not sure which I will use yet. I am looking to use VHO for actinic supplementation. Here is an old Corallife 4ft PC fixture I plan to use on the 75 gallon sump.

04/14/2008, 03:43 PM	#14
logiktest Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Zone 5 Posts: 4,071	Very nice. What are the dimensions of the tank? __________________ Mike Have you ever looked around at the group of people you are in and thought, "If the Zombie Apocalypse happens right now, this is what I have to work with." Current Tank Info: 140.5gal. goldfish bowl

04/14/2008, 03:56 PM	#15
peter1 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: hungary Posts: 67	Hello, I have a 230g tank. I have SPS, LPS corals 13 smal fish and 5 tangs in the tank. Works for me a refugium too the filter system. This 60g and helps well! That has 5" DSB and algaes. This system is going very good +1 year. I hope for I help you. Many successes to it! __________________ The World is life! Current Tank Info: 230 g + 80 g. Tunze 9420 skimmer, 3 Tunze 6100 + Multicontroller, 3x250W Reefluk 12.000K + 4x 80W T5 buls.

04/14/2008, 05:51 PM	#16
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	The dimentions of the tank- 96" long, 24" deep and 25" tall. Basically the same as a 240 long, but an inch taller which makes it a 250. 3/4" acrylic front, bottom and back. 1/2" on the top and sides. I wanted 8ft long so I could have tangs and angels, and I did not want it to be much taller than 2ft. so I wouldnt have to dive everytime I clean. __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

04/14/2008, 06:26 PM	#17
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	As far as flow goes in the display, considering I cannot afford Tunzes or Vortechs. For the money, Rio Seio M2600 put out about 2600 gallons per hour, seem like a pretty good option for me. How many do you think I would need for the display? Rio also makes a wavemaker specially for Seios. __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

04/14/2008, 06:36 PM	#18
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	Don't want to skip the flow question, but I have all these ideas jumping out of my head. My Mom has a bunch of good 2x6s left over from her porch that are not pressure treated, so guess who has free lumber for my stand? YES! __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

04/14/2008, 07:21 PM	#19
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	Another question. How should I heat this thing? 2- 300 watters? Dont forget the flow question also. LOL __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

04/14/2008, 08:10 PM	#20
CORALFISHG Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: lehigh acres, florida Posts: 515	how is the quality of that ro unit.. im looking at possibly getting that exact unit, that's the 6 stage isin't it.. i was also considering going with the one with the uv unit.. i have a kent marine unit, but need to replace every single filter and when you do the math i can almoast buy a hole new unit.. __________________ swfmas member 400gal main display with 700gal total system.. Current Tank Info: 400 gal display, 700gal tottal system

04/14/2008, 08:34 PM	#21
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	I think they are good quality. Why UV? I guess if it is cheap enough but I am not sure what it would do that the ro/di wouldnt do. __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

04/16/2008, 05:38 AM	#22
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	Well after talking to a few friends I will be saving up for awhile to get tunzes or vortechs. I guess I could always just run Seios temporarily. As far as heating, I am getting conflicting opinions. The two opinions I have gotten so far have been. Two 500w titaniums with a controller (expensive route). and two 300w, at first and add one more if it isnt sufficiant. Not sure what I will do, probably the cheaper route. __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

04/16/2008, 01:44 PM	#23
Nanook Ancient Eskimo Legend Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 41,852 Blog Entries: 11	Two 300w heaters might work fine and you can always add one down the road if you need it. I think using a controller of some sort is necessary in case a heater sticks in the "on" position which could cook your tank. I have seen and heard of that happening in the past quite frequently. For some reason, self-contained heater controllers are usually cheap. __________________ The wind blew, the chit flew, and then they came two by two. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Current Tank Info: 375g Tanganyikan Tank & 470g mixed reef

04/16/2008, 03:08 PM	#24
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	Cool, thanks for advise! __________________ __________________________ Micheal Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder Reef

04/19/2008, 11:48 AM	#25
michealprater Angelfish Nerd Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Grantfork, IL Posts: 5,465 Blog Entries: 1	Was messing around in the basement today and making measurements to see what the exact size the fish room was going to be. I was also making decitions on exactly where to put everything. The next to 2 pics show exactly where the tank will be placed. There will be two viewing panes, the one on the end, (right side) in the hallway and the front in the living area. The stand will be high enough for the display to be seen over my sectional couch. I plan on building a platform inside the fish room to make it so I do not need a step stool to get in the tank. The next shows where the 46 gallon corner tank will be placed. This tank is currently at my moms setup and running. It will be torn down and used strictly as a QT. I have never had a QT before, so I am proud to say, I am finally doing it the right way this time. Plus the tank is reef ready so I will use a tote as a "make-shift" sump and use my Aqua C ev150 as filtration on it. This picture shows the space between the display and the sink. I plan on placing the 75 I just purchased in between the two on the floor. I will be modifing it by adding baffles and making it into a sump. I think I am going to buy another 75 or 55 RR to place over top of the sump and plumb it into the sump and use it as a fuge/coral grow out tank. Here is the 2x6s I plan to use for the stand. All I need it 3- 8ft pressure treated ones for the concrete floor and I can start on my stand. The other space in the room will be used for water storage containers and a small workbench for fragging. More updates to come later, should be starting the stand and plumbing for the sump soon. Stay tuned!