Hi I'm Jason, apparently I've been a lurker since 2006. I've spent most my time on local sites, but it seems that a lot of the big names I knew have left or are not as active anymore. The ones that are still active moved on to national sites I started this build April 2012 when we purchased the current house. I tried to have the system completely setup and running before I moved the livestock. Even with lots of prep work things can still go wrong. The majority of this build I will be copying from local site. I will be going through and adding more of the build pictures that I need to upload.
04-18-2012,
We will be closing on our new house outside Grand Rapids within the next month, with the new house comes a new tank. This build will be somewhat on a budget. basically what money I've squirreled away for rainy day tank funds.
This thread will help keep track of what I've spent on this setup. I will be selling off some of the current equipment to supplement some of upgrades.
I've spent the last month researching tank builders and have settled upon Miracles in Glass. Tomorrow I plan on calling Derek and putting in my order.
So far I've settled upon 240g 8'x2'x2' 3/4" glass all around,
Starphire front, Coast to coast External Overflow 3x 1.5" Drain Bean Animal style, 2x 1" returns, Euro braced top
Initial quote was $2900 + $340 shipping to depot.
04-18-2012
Here is my current equipment list that I have been gathering over the last couple years or so. 90% of it I have and I'm sure there will be more to add as I go along with the build.
Equipment
•Skimmer: Warner Marine K2, Looking at upgrading to the Super Reef Octopus XP3000 External ~$685
•Sump: Custom built by me 42x18x18, would like to upgrade to 60-72" x18x18 ~$440 for acrylic
•Frag Tank: 60 gal 48x24x12 currently not in use
•Return/Circulation: Mag 18, to be upgraded Reeflo sequence/Dart Hybrid $270
•Circulation Power heads: (5) Ecotech Vortech MP40w's, upgrade to (2) MP60 $1200 used
•Circulation Control: APEX VDM
•Lighting: (6) AI Sol Blue Led's currently in use over tank and sump.
ATI Powermodule 48" 8x54w not in use
•Lighting for Frag tank: ATI sunpower 36" 6x39w
•Biopellets: Octopus 110 reactor
•GFO/Carbon: (2) Warner Marine MR1 reactors
•Tank Automatons: APEX controlling 24 outlets, WXM for Vortech, 2xPH probes, temp, salinity, VDM for AI LED
•Ca Reactor: GEO 612, AquariumPlants.com's Electronic CO2 Regulator
•RO/DI: bfs Premium Series 100 gpd RO/DI System
•Heaters: (2) 150w
•Auto Top Off: Gap Controller Level Loc, on 15 minutes every 6 hours
Wall tank will be going in
Backside
04-25-2012
I picked up a couple like new mp60w. $1200
Removed 3 of the MP40W off the 90 and replaced with one mp60 on lowest setting. I did crank it up high and it moves a ton of water.
Finally got the date for closing on the house next week so I went ahead and finalized the tank today.
96x24x24, tempered back, starphire front, All edges machine polished
external overflow coast to coast,drilled for 3x 1.5" Schedule 80 bulkheads. 64mm/2.51" (Installation hole size) so 65 mm holes.
euro braced drilled with 4x 3/4" returns, 1 in each end of back bracing, 1 in each front corner of the side bracing
34mm/1.33" (Installation Hole Size)
Black vinyl applied to remainder of back panel and side panels
Shipped to depot in Wyoming MI for client p/u $3270
Production aprox 7 weeks. Should make it done right around Fathers Day.
Even though I have a Ca reactor. I also was considering 3 part dosing and continuous water changes.
From BRS I picked up 3 of the BRS 2 Part Doser (1.1 mL Per Minute).
and 2 of Top Off Doser (50 mL Per Minute) for water changes. $245
05-02-2012
Paid deposit on the tank, of course their quote is in Canadian, Stupid paypal exchange rate. $1635 CAN, $1710.53 US
Ahh its only money right??
On a better note. I picked up 300 Lbs of live rock. ($350) Which I now have in a 44 Gal Rubbermaid trash can ($42) soaking in 10% bleach water. After a few more days I plan on giving it an acid bath.
I also picked up a large Blue glow Frag Rack ($65) which I planned on using for the frag tank. But wanting to get rid of the 2 frag racks on the sides of tank and the 3 infinity racks in the sand bed. It somehow inspired me to remove the live rock from the left half of tank to make room for it. I had to chisel and saw to remove the sps in-tacked, only causality was my large setosa, which is now a bunch of smaller frags. In retrospect ,I probably should of waited until after the family gathering in 3 weeks to make it a half frag tank. The larger colonies were attached to frag plugs allowing them to sit in the rack. Just the large Red Planet I had to glue to another piece of live rock since it takes up so much space. The removed live rock will getting cleaned in the second batch of sterilization.
I was also able to pick up a Scopas tang ($20) which lived in the sump with my platinum clowns until I could see that it was eating. It was added to the main tank last night right before the lights went out. The Yellow tang and powder blue were none too keen about an additional tank mate showing some aggression. I fed them and put a full sheet of Nori to help distract them. Also turned the lights out and they have been out all day today. And with the rearrangement of the rocks to help with being territorial. Since this will only be temporary housing for a few months, I felt it would be fine.
Had some Ebay bucks to use up So I spent ($10) on the 4 3/4" bulkheads for returns
Confirmed the Tank drawing Glass being sent to production next week for notching and drilling
05-07-2012, 12:40 PM
Closed on the house on Friday and took a closer look at the wall. Some bad news. There is an air duct right in the middle of the wall. So instead of putting it in wall wife says I can remove some carpet build a stand and put it in room. Sort of a bonus since that will gain me some sqft in the fish room. But now I will have to build a stand and matching hood. Won't be too difficult since it will need to be skinned black to match the bar.
Called Miracles and made a last minute change to tank. No Vinyl on sides, and Starfire side panels. Only cost $88CAN to upgrade. Not bad. Had the evening off and went to Casino. $650 more for tank fund.
Yesterday I removed the rock soaking in bleach water, rinsed and now its soaking in tap to remove and leftover chlorine before acid wash. Took remaining buckets of dry rock I had laying around and put them in bleach water.
Purchased a used ReefLo Barracuda/Hammerhead Hybrid ($310)
05-11-2012,
Just going to put some holes in the wall for the plumbing, which will be much easier than moving the air duct and putting in that header. Looks like I will be building a steel stand for this. Working on the plans right now. Should be 2" square tube, Looking at 36" height.
Finished with the live rock giving it muric acid bath. Cleaned it all up.
Before:
During:
Reef Specialty is having a 10% mom day sale. I was waiting for a decent sale to purchase some items. Went ahead and bought
Super Reef Octopus XP-5000 External Protein Skimmer
Octopus Automatic Skimmer Neck Cleaner: Neck Cleaner-OCT-CL250
Will make a light rack with aluminum T slot
($883.96)
Did a quick sketch of the stand and called to get prices on steel. Cheapest was about $285 for 96' of 2x2" 11ga or .125 vertical supports every 2 feet.
05-23-2012
Ahh Memorial Day Sale at Premium Aquatics 10% off so I emptied the saved items from my wish list.
They were out of the 30# reef flakes, so I ended up getting the live. Then went half mini flakes
Tropic Eden Live Reeflakes 20lb 7 $29.99 $209.93
Tropic Eden Miniflakes Aragonite Sand 30lb 4 $37.99 $151.96
Bought a few other things as well ($352)
BRS group buy this week, and then I had a $5 coupon that expired today. I hope I didn't pull trigger too soon and they come out with 10% off sale on monday.
1.5” Schedule 80 Male Pipe Adapter 202542 4 $17.60
1.5" Schedule 80 Pipe (5 feet) 202702 3 $18.00
1 1/2” Schedule 80 Cepex Ball Valve 202402 2 $61.20
1" Schedule 80 Pipe (5 feet) 202701 4 $20.00
1.5” George Fisher Wye Check Valve (Swiss made) 202452 1 $73.15
1.5” SCH 80 Bulkhead Slip x Thread (Slip on the Flange/Head side) 202922 3 $32.40
3/4" NPT connector for 3/4" Loc-Line Modular Hose 202807 2 $2.40
3" Flare nozzle for 3/4" Loc-Line Modular Hose 202801 2 $7.20
Y Fitting for 3/4" Loc-Line Modular Hose 202806 2 $6.40
PVC Glue Pint - Weld on 711 202620 2 $19.98
1.5” Schedule 80 Tee S x S x S 202632 2 $14.40
Schedule 80 Slip Reducing Bushing 1 1/2" x 1” 202603 1 $3.60
1” Schedule 80 Street Elbow Slip x Spigot 202475 1 $2.40
1” Schedule 80 Union Slip x Slip 202521 2 $8.00
3/4” ABS Bulkhead Thread X Slip (Thread on the Flange/Head side) 202947 4 $16.00
3/4" Schedule 80 Pipe (5 feet) 202700 4 $18.00
3/4” Schedule 80 Tee S x S x S 202630 2 $4.80
3/4” Schedule 80 Street Elbow Slip x Spigot 202474 6 $9.60
Schedule 80 Slip Reducing Bushing 1 1/2" x 3/4” 202602 2 $7.20
Clear PVC Primer Pint - Weld on P-70 202621 2 $19.98
Clear 1/4" Screen Netting 6.5' x 6.5' 220106 2 $37.98
Dr Foster was still having sale on salt so I picked up 3 cases of Instant Ocean ($119.97) shipped
Most of the plumbing will be Flex pvc. Found this Ultra Flex PVC at Marine Depot Picked up 1.5" for drains, 3/4" for returns
FT1384 3/4 Inch I.D. Ultra-Flex PVC Pipe Tubing/ ft 30 $50.70
FT1387 1-1/2 Inch I.D. Ultra-Flex PVC Pipe Tubing/ ft 25 $72.25
05-29-2012,
Steel $320, Paying someone to weld it up. Priceless... Actually $300, reasonable. Saves me from the headache of at least a day. Should be done by this weekend. Gives me time to coat with truck bed liner. 96 feet of 2x2 1/8" steel aprox 300#
04-18-2012,
We will be closing on our new house outside Grand Rapids within the next month, with the new house comes a new tank. This build will be somewhat on a budget. basically what money I've squirreled away for rainy day tank funds.
This thread will help keep track of what I've spent on this setup. I will be selling off some of the current equipment to supplement some of upgrades.
I've spent the last month researching tank builders and have settled upon Miracles in Glass. Tomorrow I plan on calling Derek and putting in my order.
So far I've settled upon 240g 8'x2'x2' 3/4" glass all around,
Starphire front, Coast to coast External Overflow 3x 1.5" Drain Bean Animal style, 2x 1" returns, Euro braced top
Initial quote was $2900 + $340 shipping to depot.
04-18-2012
Here is my current equipment list that I have been gathering over the last couple years or so. 90% of it I have and I'm sure there will be more to add as I go along with the build.
Equipment
•Skimmer: Warner Marine K2, Looking at upgrading to the Super Reef Octopus XP3000 External ~$685
•Sump: Custom built by me 42x18x18, would like to upgrade to 60-72" x18x18 ~$440 for acrylic
•Frag Tank: 60 gal 48x24x12 currently not in use
•Return/Circulation: Mag 18, to be upgraded Reeflo sequence/Dart Hybrid $270
•Circulation Power heads: (5) Ecotech Vortech MP40w's, upgrade to (2) MP60 $1200 used
•Circulation Control: APEX VDM
•Lighting: (6) AI Sol Blue Led's currently in use over tank and sump.
ATI Powermodule 48" 8x54w not in use
•Lighting for Frag tank: ATI sunpower 36" 6x39w
•Biopellets: Octopus 110 reactor
•GFO/Carbon: (2) Warner Marine MR1 reactors
•Tank Automatons: APEX controlling 24 outlets, WXM for Vortech, 2xPH probes, temp, salinity, VDM for AI LED
•Ca Reactor: GEO 612, AquariumPlants.com's Electronic CO2 Regulator
•RO/DI: bfs Premium Series 100 gpd RO/DI System
•Heaters: (2) 150w
•Auto Top Off: Gap Controller Level Loc, on 15 minutes every 6 hours
Wall tank will be going in
Backside
04-25-2012
I picked up a couple like new mp60w. $1200
Removed 3 of the MP40W off the 90 and replaced with one mp60 on lowest setting. I did crank it up high and it moves a ton of water.
Finally got the date for closing on the house next week so I went ahead and finalized the tank today.
96x24x24, tempered back, starphire front, All edges machine polished
external overflow coast to coast,drilled for 3x 1.5" Schedule 80 bulkheads. 64mm/2.51" (Installation hole size) so 65 mm holes.
euro braced drilled with 4x 3/4" returns, 1 in each end of back bracing, 1 in each front corner of the side bracing
34mm/1.33" (Installation Hole Size)
Black vinyl applied to remainder of back panel and side panels
Shipped to depot in Wyoming MI for client p/u $3270
Production aprox 7 weeks. Should make it done right around Fathers Day.
Even though I have a Ca reactor. I also was considering 3 part dosing and continuous water changes.
From BRS I picked up 3 of the BRS 2 Part Doser (1.1 mL Per Minute).
and 2 of Top Off Doser (50 mL Per Minute) for water changes. $245
05-02-2012
Paid deposit on the tank, of course their quote is in Canadian, Stupid paypal exchange rate. $1635 CAN, $1710.53 US
Ahh its only money right??
On a better note. I picked up 300 Lbs of live rock. ($350) Which I now have in a 44 Gal Rubbermaid trash can ($42) soaking in 10% bleach water. After a few more days I plan on giving it an acid bath.
I also picked up a large Blue glow Frag Rack ($65) which I planned on using for the frag tank. But wanting to get rid of the 2 frag racks on the sides of tank and the 3 infinity racks in the sand bed. It somehow inspired me to remove the live rock from the left half of tank to make room for it. I had to chisel and saw to remove the sps in-tacked, only causality was my large setosa, which is now a bunch of smaller frags. In retrospect ,I probably should of waited until after the family gathering in 3 weeks to make it a half frag tank. The larger colonies were attached to frag plugs allowing them to sit in the rack. Just the large Red Planet I had to glue to another piece of live rock since it takes up so much space. The removed live rock will getting cleaned in the second batch of sterilization.
I was also able to pick up a Scopas tang ($20) which lived in the sump with my platinum clowns until I could see that it was eating. It was added to the main tank last night right before the lights went out. The Yellow tang and powder blue were none too keen about an additional tank mate showing some aggression. I fed them and put a full sheet of Nori to help distract them. Also turned the lights out and they have been out all day today. And with the rearrangement of the rocks to help with being territorial. Since this will only be temporary housing for a few months, I felt it would be fine.
Had some Ebay bucks to use up So I spent ($10) on the 4 3/4" bulkheads for returns
Confirmed the Tank drawing Glass being sent to production next week for notching and drilling
05-07-2012, 12:40 PM
Closed on the house on Friday and took a closer look at the wall. Some bad news. There is an air duct right in the middle of the wall. So instead of putting it in wall wife says I can remove some carpet build a stand and put it in room. Sort of a bonus since that will gain me some sqft in the fish room. But now I will have to build a stand and matching hood. Won't be too difficult since it will need to be skinned black to match the bar.
Called Miracles and made a last minute change to tank. No Vinyl on sides, and Starfire side panels. Only cost $88CAN to upgrade. Not bad. Had the evening off and went to Casino. $650 more for tank fund.
Yesterday I removed the rock soaking in bleach water, rinsed and now its soaking in tap to remove and leftover chlorine before acid wash. Took remaining buckets of dry rock I had laying around and put them in bleach water.
Purchased a used ReefLo Barracuda/Hammerhead Hybrid ($310)
05-11-2012,
Just going to put some holes in the wall for the plumbing, which will be much easier than moving the air duct and putting in that header. Looks like I will be building a steel stand for this. Working on the plans right now. Should be 2" square tube, Looking at 36" height.
Finished with the live rock giving it muric acid bath. Cleaned it all up.
Before:
During:
Reef Specialty is having a 10% mom day sale. I was waiting for a decent sale to purchase some items. Went ahead and bought
Super Reef Octopus XP-5000 External Protein Skimmer
Octopus Automatic Skimmer Neck Cleaner: Neck Cleaner-OCT-CL250
Will make a light rack with aluminum T slot
($883.96)
Did a quick sketch of the stand and called to get prices on steel. Cheapest was about $285 for 96' of 2x2" 11ga or .125 vertical supports every 2 feet.
05-23-2012
Ahh Memorial Day Sale at Premium Aquatics 10% off so I emptied the saved items from my wish list.
They were out of the 30# reef flakes, so I ended up getting the live. Then went half mini flakes
Tropic Eden Live Reeflakes 20lb 7 $29.99 $209.93
Tropic Eden Miniflakes Aragonite Sand 30lb 4 $37.99 $151.96
Bought a few other things as well ($352)
BRS group buy this week, and then I had a $5 coupon that expired today. I hope I didn't pull trigger too soon and they come out with 10% off sale on monday.
1.5” Schedule 80 Male Pipe Adapter 202542 4 $17.60
1.5" Schedule 80 Pipe (5 feet) 202702 3 $18.00
1 1/2” Schedule 80 Cepex Ball Valve 202402 2 $61.20
1" Schedule 80 Pipe (5 feet) 202701 4 $20.00
1.5” George Fisher Wye Check Valve (Swiss made) 202452 1 $73.15
1.5” SCH 80 Bulkhead Slip x Thread (Slip on the Flange/Head side) 202922 3 $32.40
3/4" NPT connector for 3/4" Loc-Line Modular Hose 202807 2 $2.40
3" Flare nozzle for 3/4" Loc-Line Modular Hose 202801 2 $7.20
Y Fitting for 3/4" Loc-Line Modular Hose 202806 2 $6.40
PVC Glue Pint - Weld on 711 202620 2 $19.98
1.5” Schedule 80 Tee S x S x S 202632 2 $14.40
Schedule 80 Slip Reducing Bushing 1 1/2" x 1” 202603 1 $3.60
1” Schedule 80 Street Elbow Slip x Spigot 202475 1 $2.40
1” Schedule 80 Union Slip x Slip 202521 2 $8.00
3/4” ABS Bulkhead Thread X Slip (Thread on the Flange/Head side) 202947 4 $16.00
3/4" Schedule 80 Pipe (5 feet) 202700 4 $18.00
3/4” Schedule 80 Tee S x S x S 202630 2 $4.80
3/4” Schedule 80 Street Elbow Slip x Spigot 202474 6 $9.60
Schedule 80 Slip Reducing Bushing 1 1/2" x 3/4” 202602 2 $7.20
Clear PVC Primer Pint - Weld on P-70 202621 2 $19.98
Clear 1/4" Screen Netting 6.5' x 6.5' 220106 2 $37.98
Dr Foster was still having sale on salt so I picked up 3 cases of Instant Ocean ($119.97) shipped
Most of the plumbing will be Flex pvc. Found this Ultra Flex PVC at Marine Depot Picked up 1.5" for drains, 3/4" for returns
FT1384 3/4 Inch I.D. Ultra-Flex PVC Pipe Tubing/ ft 30 $50.70
FT1387 1-1/2 Inch I.D. Ultra-Flex PVC Pipe Tubing/ ft 25 $72.25
05-29-2012,
Steel $320, Paying someone to weld it up. Priceless... Actually $300, reasonable. Saves me from the headache of at least a day. Should be done by this weekend. Gives me time to coat with truck bed liner. 96 feet of 2x2 1/8" steel aprox 300#
