Starting ~800 Gallon Custom Reef Tank Build

najer · Dec 12, 2018

I've had a vectra M1 for about 2 years now, silent and not skipped a beat.

ravi197699 · Dec 12, 2018

I have that on my list as well. how often you have to take it apart to clean and service? I will have to buy 2 L1's to support my needs and equipment...

mch1984 · Dec 12, 2018

Man I missed some updates on this, looks like you are getting close to getting some water in it. I haven't had the need yet to buy that big of a pump, but when I do I plan on going reef flow. I have done some research and they seem to be very reliable and have great reviews.

ravi197699 · Dec 12, 2018

I have 3 reeflo hammerheads and 2 dolphin amp masters but they are loud and I will hear the hum which is preventing me from using these pumps...

BigMo · Dec 12, 2018

ravi197699 said:
I have that on my list as well. how often you have to take it apart to clean and service? I will have to buy 2 L1's to support my needs and equipment...

I like this option, it’s from a reliable brand with lots of good reviews

ravi197699 · Dec 12, 2018

What you guys think of Red Dragon Speedy 230w DC pump?

BZOFIQ · Dec 12, 2018

Abyzz A400 is the right pump for this build.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/a400-3m-dc-controllable-pump-abyzz.html

ravi197699 · Dec 12, 2018

thank you BZOFIQ , that is an option but red dragon gives more gallons/ hour but I would consider that as well, I will google reviews from other reefers but definitely an option..

ravi197699 · Dec 17, 2018

Hey guys, I know it is slow progress but I am taking time to put things together and make sure that I won't regret it later, I put together my light rack where my light fixtures will be resting on and it will be on rail so that I can move it to left side to work on the tank if I need to do anything like mounting frags etc., it is not very heavy and simple rack and I will be mounting 2" x 2" anodized aluminum angle 1/8" thick that will be screwed on the inside of the rack and lights will be resting on the aluminum angle lip, light rack is 96" long and it came with 4 roller wheels and light rack will be attached to the rollers, still need to figure it out how I am going to do that, But I have little more brain storming to do on that part. Size of the rack is 52" x 84" , I made it little short so 4" on each side it is short. I did mount my room humidity and temperature controller to control the humidity in the room and I will be adding window fan that will exchange air based on the temperature of the room as well. here are some of the pictures of the progress.. getting very close to get this tank wet..

mch1984 · Dec 17, 2018

Slow and steady wins the race, looking good.

najer · Dec 17, 2018

As above!

BigMo · Dec 17, 2018

ravi197699 said:
Hey guys, I know it is slow progress but I am taking time to put things together and make sure that I won't regret it later, I put together my light rack where my light fixtures will be resting on and it will be on rail so that I can move it to left side to work on the tank if I need to do anything like mounting frags etc., it is not very heavy and simple rack and I will be mounting 2" x 2" anodized aluminum angle 1/8" thick that will be screwed on the inside of the rack and lights will be resting on the aluminum angle lip, light rack is 96" long and it came with 4 roller wheels and light rack will be attached to the rollers, still need to figure it out how I am going to do that, But I have little more brain storming to do on that part. Size of the rack is 52" x 84" , I made it little short so 4" on each side it is short. I did mount my room humidity and temperature controller to control the humidity in the room and I will be adding window fan that will exchange air based on the temperature of the room as well. here are some of the pictures of the progress.. getting very close to get this tank wet..

Hey ravi, A massive Tank like yours deserves a good amount of time to consider the best available options. With the dedication, time and work that you have put into this project I can bet the results will be awesome. Good luck.

ravi197699 · Dec 17, 2018

BigMo said:
Hey ravi, A massive Tank like yours deserves a good amount of time to consider the best available options. With the dedication, time and work that you have put into this project I can bet the results will be awesome. Good luck.

Thank you BigMo, I know there will be few tweaks that I might have to deal with but nothing on larger scale..

ravi197699 · Dec 18, 2018

so... I was able to paint the light rack with three coats of white oil based paint,, now I was able to sand it down so takes are the lint off the paint to make it feel and look smooth and sanding helps a lot.. only 1 side which is bottom of the stand is left and I will paint that tonight and then start working on mounting rack for the light and then plan about how to hang light so that I can adjust the height of the rack without having any hard time, if you guys have anything to share on what I can use to hang the rack from sliding rail and able to adjust the height of the rack easily that will be awesome...

ravi197699 · Dec 19, 2018

Gm reefers, I am looking to buy battery backup for my DC pumps ,such as Vectra L1, Ecotech mp60 etc. Which is good quality UPS battery back up that will keep up during power outages and surges...

BigMo · Dec 19, 2018

ravi197699 said:
Gm reefers, I am looking to buy battery backup for my DC pumps ,such as Vectra L1, Ecotech mp60 etc. Which is good quality UPS battery back up that will keep up during power outages and surges...

Have you considered gas powered-electric generator? I personally don’t like UPS because when you most need them the battery is dead or not working properly.

ravi197699 · Dec 19, 2018

I have 22kw stand by generator already installed but DC pumps and their drivers don't like surges and sudden failures, so I want to install battery back up just to protect sudden shocks and surges..