235gal tank with 180gal sump - The build is on

[WhyMe?]

Yes, so much has changed, I am back in hobby and only about 6 months ahead of you but learning as I go.
1. How much flow and turn over are you aiming for?
2. When propagating coral, what lights were you using? I am back in hobby also and had success with MH, VHO 03 actinics.
3. If you are considering RK2 skimmer, look at their UVs also.
4. How is your city water? Consider chloramine filter for your RO unit.
5. looking forward to see how your Hydros controller goes and Ozone.
6. Since going with dry rock, using bacteria in a bottle to cycle?

 

[danreef55]

Yes, so much has changed, I am back in hobby and only about 6 months ahead of you but learning as I go.
1. How much flow and turn over are you aiming for? Projecting 12 feet of head so that yields 1800gph per pump which would be 10X. Conservatively 8X. There are two 5280 gyres planned.
2. When propagating coral, what lights were you using? I am back in hobby also and had success with MH, VHO 03 actinics. We had numerous large systems and a bank of 12 x 180gal tanks. We were wholesaling dry goods as well so we displayed different lighting options.
3. If you are considering RK2 skimmer, look at their UVs also. Will do
4. How is your city water? Consider chloramine filter for your RO unit. I am on a well and have purchased a 7 stage RODI system.
5. looking forward to see how your Hydros controller goes and Ozone. I have done research on Hydros and it was confusing at first. Creating the graphics definitely assisted in creating the collective.
6. Since going with dry rock, using bacteria in a bottle to cycle? Yes, I will use bottled bacteria as well as some Tampa Bay base rock.

 

[WhyMe?]

I was going to recommend Tampa Bay live rock. They are top notch co and I used them also.
I am Neptune Apex and haven't had too many issues but if gets worse, will switch to Hydros.
Do you know what your TDS is via well water. I have same RO unit and added Chloramine monster because city used chloramines.

 

[danreef55]

I was going to recommend Tampa Bay live rock. They are top notch co and I used them also.
I am Neptune Apex and haven't had too many issues but if gets worse, will switch to Hydros.
Do you know what your TDS is via well water. I have same RO unit and added Chloramine monster because city used chloramines.

The RODI hasn't been set up yet. It has triple TDS meters so I will have a firm grasp eventually. Neptune has a large following and I did give it a lot of attention. Having seen both systems my perception is the Hydros has a more industrial build. The video of the software shows it is fairly simple to set up. Another factor is the pending release of the Maven in November. I saw it at Reefpaloza NY and was impressed.

 

[bakbay]

Agree on above re: rock solid build quality on the Hydros. I have 3 systems: 2 Apex, each with a Trident and 1 Hydros (hopefully with Maven soon). I think that the user experience on the Apex is more intuitive and clean, almost like the iOS vs Android battle. To me, they are both good and it’s just a matter of preference.

 

[Reign1]

Build looks sweet . I have always wanted a basement filter room. I have had adjacent rooms .. Not many basements here where I am .
My only thought on this is how warm does you home get? Iwaki is pretty much the best pump built for pressure but those two are 400watts each. You may get a fair amount of heat transfer. I wonder if you will have to consider a mid size chiller if it gets warmer in the home in summer with those pumps?

 

[danreef55]

Build looks sweet . I have always wanted a basement filter room. I have had adjacent rooms .. Not many basements here where I am .
My only thought on this is how warm does you home get? Iwaki is pretty much the best pump built for pressure but those two are 400watts each. You may get a fair amount of heat transfer. I wonder if you will have to consider a mid size chiller if it gets warmer in the home in summer with those pumps?

The basement stays fairly cool. The tank is in a room that has a constant temp. I will definitely keep an eye on the cooling and heating. I am thrilled to have a wide-open area for the equipment. Thanks for the input

 

[Jimbo327]

My only advice is to go as big as possible for the space allows. If you can't go wider or longer, then consider 27" height. If this is your final custom build, you might as well.

 

[dwhanc00]

Have you consider the Kraken? I was looking at getting a whole house generator, but the $15-20K price tag was a bit much considering the neighborhood is new with buried utility... I lived in the area for two years with no outages that I can recall, that is with two tornados ripping through the area. I purchased the Kraken and still researching the best way to install. Definitely going to use the DIY for the covert of the pumps from 36 to 24v. Trying to figure out what else to run on it.

 

[danreef55]

My only advice is to go as big as possible for the space allows. If you can't go wider or longer, then consider 27" height. If this is your final custom build, you might as well.

I feel 25" height is a comfortable working height. The tank will be bare bottom so there is an additional 2" vs sand bed. This is located on the main floor of the house with a sump in the basement. My concern was the weight load with a larger tank. Had a structural engineer survey and he gave me the go ahead for this build.
HEY who said this is my final build have you been talking to my wife..

 

[danreef55]

Have you consider the Kraken? I was looking at getting a whole house generator, but the $15-20K price tag was a bit much considering the neighborhood is new with buried utility... I lived in the area for two years with no outages that I can recall, that is with two tornados ripping through the area. I purchased the Kraken and still researching the best way to install. Definitely going to use the DIY for the covert of the pumps from 36 to 24v. Trying to figure out what else to run on it.

I occasionally lose power, so we installed a whole house generator. We have experienced outages that would have impacted a tank. 15K is a large expenditure for sure. Consider adding a dedicated circuit panel with a pigtail to connect a portable generator to run some of your home conveniences and frig AND your tank. Just an idea that could work that your significant other might happily agree to.

 

[danreef55]

Bar has been disassembled and moved to near its final location. Contractors cut another hole through the floor for the plumbing runs. Just heard today that the tank and sump are completed and a curing. The custom stand will be ready 11-15 or sooner. I still have to:

• Utility sink plumbing installed'
• Sheetrock the sump area
• Mount & plumb the seven stage RODI
• Create a base for the mixing station and plumb
• Will be building a custom control panel.
• Build a work counter space.
• I am probably going to wait for Black Friday to get some of the MAP pricing items. I have been purchasing a lot of stuff
• Everything else I can't think of right now

 

[mch1984]

Looking forward to this build, it's going to be nice. Were you an engineer in a past occupation?

 

[danreef55]

Looking forward to this build, it's going to be nice. Were you an engineer in a past occupation?

No, international logistics. Exports from the USA to many countries around the world. What I have to admit....
When I throw myself into a project I analyze the heck out of it. I can't help it so possibly OCD

 

[mch1984]

No, international logistics. Exports from the USA to many countries around the world. What I have to admit....
When I throw myself into a project I analyze the heck out of it. I can't help it so possibly OCD

I would have guessed with all the PowerPoint-type slide, it was engineering lol. Great looking set up so far.

 

[danreef55]

Hi folks,
Help me think through this. The plan changed and the tank is now located directly above the basement sump. These dual return lines will only have one 90 deg fitting per pump. Given 12' of head pressure should I look to AC or DC pump. Having decided upon Iwaki 100RLTs I am once again debating this . 235gal tank and initially considered 10X turn to the sump and two 5260gph gyres in tank. If you could take a moment and give me your opinions I would appreciate it

 

[mch1984]

Hi folks,
Help me think through this. The plan changed and the tank is now located directly above the basement sump. These dual return lines will only have one 90 deg fitting per pump. Given 12' of head pressure should I look to AC or DC pump. Having decided upon Iwaki 100RLTs I am once again debating this . 235gal tank and initially considered 10X turn to the sump and two 5260gph gyres in tank. If you could take a moment and give me your opinions I would appreciate it

According to the description that pump has a max head of 39', you should be good to go.

 

[danreef55]

According to the description that pump has a max head of 39', you should be good to go.

Yeah the Iwaki is more than sufficient but here is what I was debating in my mind.

DC advantages

• Less electrical consumption
• Soft start
• Feed modes - maintains very minimal flow
• Available flow modes
• Less heat from pump

DC disadvantages:

• More maintenance required.
• Not suitable for high head - but is this pertinent in this scenario

Iwaki advantages:

• Proven reliability
• Head pressure is a non-issue
• Limited maintenance required

Disadvantage: the opposite of DC pumps advantages

 

[Ironwill723]

Look into the Sicce ADV 10.0 (AC) or Sicce SDC 9.0 (DC)

 

[cilyjr]

I remember those iwaki pumps were powerhogs. Did you look at the reeflo pumps.
I'd look very carefully at any DC pump with a head pressure north of 10 feet with a few elbows.

Magneto drive pumps do not love head pressure.