My 150 gallon Reef Savvy tank build

[Chriscrna]

Really nice and super clean, and I love the way the DT looks w/o anything in it. I cant wait to see how the canopy looks once it it up.

A couple of thoughts not criticisms at all.
Personally I always get a nervous little when you have water and power in close proximity. With regard to your sump room is there a reason you chose to leave the wall open where it was not already finished? Putting up anything would seem to make things cleaner and help prevent any spills, drips, or sprays from possibly hitting your your electrical or the drywall on the other side of the wall. There is that 4'x8' plastic wall paneling that goes up fast and relatively cheep and would provide some water protection.

All of the PVC lines seem to be free floating, any issues with the weight of the lines especially once they are full of water. Any issues with vibrations?

What type of plywood did you use to skin the stand, I really like the grain on the finished side.

Criticism helps me learn....I encourage it. [emoji106]

Water and power in proximity makes me nervous as well. But that's just the nature of this hobby. However, I plan to build some sort of splash guard around the middle outlet and the Apex Energy Bar 8.

I put a lot of thought into that wall behind the sump. For starters: I really wanted the return pump on the back of the sump because 1) it is more aesthetically pleasing for me not to see it, and 2) it was easier to plumb straight up to the tank. I left enough room between the sump and the wall to squeeze in and access the pump. But I quickly realized that performing maintenance like that is not practical and a huge pain in the butt.

The room on the other side of the wall is a storage garage leading to my backyard. I cut out a section of drywall that I can remove and easily access the pump. That is the only reason I left the wall open in the sump room.

The return lines are supported at the return pump and the tee at the skimmer shelf. The drain lines, however, were free hanging from the overflow box. There wasn't a lot of movement or vibration, but I did not like the fact that they were hanging from the overflow box. So I racked my brain trying to figure out a way to take the weight off the overflow box. I found these 1 inch pipe clamps at Lowe's and threaded a 4 inch bolt through them. The bolt rests on the frame of the tank stand. So even though they are still hanging free, the weight has been relieved from the overflow box, which is all I really cared about. There is barely any movement in the pipes......no issues with vibration whatsoever.

Plywood is called blond wood from Lowe's.

 

[Chriscrna]

Apex is up and running wirelessly.

 

[KJ]

Apex is up and running wirelessly.

Nice!

 

[Isaac_P._Martinez]

What a great thread!

 

[Chriscrna]

What a great thread!

Thanks!

 

[CastAway]

Just an observation. I work with Mechanical engineers. They literally gasped at the 90 on the pump suction. LOL

It's not just the head loss, as that would be the same regardless of the location in the line, but the proximity of the pump impeller to the 90 might cause some cavitation, at least it can in some applications. Can't say it'll happen in this instance, but as a rule, that's a no-no.

If you get any fine air bubbles in the display that you can't address, then this fitting might be something to think about.

(not being a critical jerk or nay-sayer man, believe me)

 

[Chriscrna]

Just an observation. I work with Mechanical engineers. They literally gasped at the 90 on the pump suction. LOL

It's not just the head loss, as that would be the same regardless of the location in the line, but the proximity of the pump impeller to the 90 might cause some cavitation, at least it can in some applications. Can't say it'll happen in this instance, but as a rule, that's a no-no.

If you get any fine air bubbles in the display that you can't address, then this fitting might be something to think about.

(not being a critical jerk or nay-sayer man, believe me)

Ahhhhh, I did not know this. I have unions all over it. Plus the sump can be plugged from the inside.

No troubles at all so far. But if it becomes problematic, it won't be too difficult to change.

 

[Diesel]

It needs a backsplash
I know a guy who did that, he also has granite around his tank as ledge
Great build my friend, I enjoyed the last 40min of reading this.

 

[cee]

Chris,

Things are looking outstanding! Makes me want to do another big build. I can't wait to see it in a year's time when it begins to fill in.

Dave

 

[Chriscrna]

About half way done with this piece

 

[Andreww65]

Nice scape. Using putty or super glue on the rocks?

 

[redwingrob40]

Wow, very nice tank build! Very well done and clean, really love the stand. Can't wait to see this tank progress!

 

[Chriscrna]

Wow, very nice tank build! Very well done and clean, really love the stand. Can't wait to see this tank progress!

Thanks

 

[Chriscrna]

J-B water weld and Loctite ultra gel superglue.

 

[Chriscrna]

My solution to keeping detritus from accumulating at the bottom of the sump.

Raises the rock about 2.5 inches off the bottom. I'll have two circulating pumps at the bottom keeping everything stirred up.

 

[FMF0331]

Tagging along

 

[Chriscrna]

Yeah I think that will work out ok. Hard to see, but there's a nice place for both heaters.

 

[Chriscrna]

I'm very pleased with how this turned out.

Planning on a minimalist aquascape upstairs.....so all leftover rock will go in here. [emoji2]

 

[Chriscrna]

With the frag rack

 

[fragit]

Looking really good, how the pump working for you? I'm going to be getting mine soon and still trying to decide on make and model.