Lbacha’s 310g GlassCages SPS build

[lbacha]

Here are some pictures of the sump I’m considering having made. The refugium divider will be removable to add flexibility. I set up the return area so the water will be forced past the heaters and I can put media on the egg crate above the heaters prior to it running into the return chamber.

Length - 60”
Width - 24”
Height - 16”
Water volume @ 9” - 54 gallons
Total water volume - 95 gallons

This will give me 41 gallons of extra containment which means my tank can drain over 3” before the sump overflows (I don’t plan on letting this happen as I will have a siphon break on my returns so I should be in good shape

 

[lbacha]

Took som par readings with just 3 OR3 bars mounted 20” over the tank (2 blue plus and a reef day) the par was 250-300 at 6” under the water and 150-200 at the sand. I’m starting out with 4 bars on the new tank so I’ll probably be a bit lower than I want which I expected. Still decent numbers since they will be fairly even the full length of the tank.

 

[lbacha]

Just got the bulkheads for the closed loops on my new tank. I’m using Hayward schedule 80 PVC bulkheads and all I can say is these things are a beast compared to your typical ABS bulkhead. I also found som 90’ sweeps which should help ensure high flow. These 1.5” bulkheads fitting and Random flow generator are massive I may change to 1.25” outputs and fitting and 1.5” intakes. The nice thing with the Hayward bulkheads is the 1.25” and 1.5” use the same size hole so I don’t have to decide at this point.

Bulkhead

90’ Schedule 80 Sweep

ABS 1.5” bulkhead next to the 1.5” Hayward

I have 4 x 1.5” Cepex true union ball valves so I can easily remove whatever pump I decide to use

 

[Stang67]

All the parts are so much fun to assemble.

 

[lbacha]

All the parts are so much fun to assemble.

Yes it is, I think designing the tank is more fun than running it. It is much faster when you decide to change things. Once it is running you just sit back and wait which doesn’t satisfy my need to tinker lol.

 

[lbacha]

Just started ordering some parts since there are a lot of Memorial Day sales. Lots of plumping parts, some more live rock and I decided on a Aqua UV 57 watt UV sterilizer to use for parasite prevention since I’m planning on a large fish population

 

[lbacha]

I have something g to play around with this weekend. My tangs are going to hate me as I’m going to be trying my new lights over there tank to get some par readings.

I can’t wait to see how these compare to the OR3’s I have

 

[Yooper Reef]

I have something g to play around with this weekend. My tangs are going to hate me as I’m going to be trying my new lights over there tank to get some par readings.

I can’t wait to see how these compare to the OR3’s I have

Are those the OR4? I ordered some but have not received them yet

 

[lbacha]

Are those the OR4? I ordered some but have not received them yet

Yep they are the OR4’s with 90 degree lenses. They said they are ready the ones with 70 degree lenses won’t be ready for another week or so

 

[Yooper Reef]

Yep they are the OR4’s with 90 degree lenses. They said they are ready the ones with 70 degree lenses won’t be ready for another week or so

I’m very jealous. I love my Atlantik icon

 

[lbacha]

Took advantage of the holiday sales to get some plumbing, I’m sure I’ll need more but this is a good start. I also have 4 cepex 1.5” true union valves and a 1.5” spears gate valve on the way.

 

[lbacha]

Got another 40 pounds of rock. I now have 40 pounds of foundation and 120 pounds of normal Marco rock. Time to start working on my structure, I’m going for an open structure that doesn’t go much higher than 50-60% the height of the tank since I want the SPS to have plenty of room to grow. I’m planing multiple small structures that will look like one large structure in the tank. This will slow me to remove rock structures if one become overgrown with something I don’t want.

 

[lbacha]

Getting closer, moved the big vivarium to the other side of the fireplace and ripped down the short wall. I put the mockup where the tank will eventually be and I really like the look of it. Going to be the centerpiece of our main living area

 

[aztoza]

Getting closer, moved the big vivarium to the other side of the fireplace and ripped down the short wall. I put the mockup where the tank will eventually be and I really like the look of it. Going to be the centerpiece of our main living area

Awesome!

 

[AlyciaMarie]

Getting closer, moved the big vivarium to the other side of the fireplace and ripped down the short wall. I put the mockup where the tank will eventually be and I really like the look of it. Going to be the centerpiece of our main living area

This is going to be awesome! What's your timeline for structural completion?

 

[lbacha]

This is going to be awesome! What's your timeline for structural completion?

Tank should be done in a month or so, I just have to pick up the 80/20 stand and the sump will be ready in a week. The hope is that it will be wet by Labor Day, at this point I have almost everything I need so the tank is the critical path.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I can't wait to see the tank inside your house!

 

[lbacha]

I can't wait to see the tank inside your house!

Me too, lol

It’s going to make my current display tank look really small

 

[lbacha]

I’m sure I’ll end up needing more but here is most of the plumbing for the new tank. The 1.5” cepex ball valves are for the closed loops. Don’t want to take any chances with cheaper valves when I need to clean the pumps.

 

[lbacha]

Well BRS put Orphek Atlantic ICONs on sale for $600 so I decided 3 of them should be just right with the OR bars I already have. I have an older Atlantic V4 and I really like the looks and how my coral grow under it.