My new 140 Venture

[brewercm]

I figured I'd start this thread and kind of follow through with it during the process of gettin it up and going. Here's the deal so far.

Well, got the 140 in the house this weekend thanks to the fellow MAASTARDS who came to the rescue to help me haul it over from Jeff's place. Last night I finally had a couple of hours to do a good cleaning on the back and overflows so I could foam the back and make a false back rock wall once the coraline begins to grow. I put the foam in and am now letting it cure until later this week when I can get help putting the monster back onto the stand the way it's supposed to sit. In the mean time I'll be putting up the rest of the lighting etc. and getting it ready.

I'll have three 250 watt 14K Hamilton DE’s and two six foot URI super actinic VHO’s for the lighting. I wanted to switch over to the 12K Reeflux once it was time to change out the bulbs but figured since I had two already go with these. Ordered the extra bulb and other stuff I needed from Hellolights which came in yesterday. Did all this just to find out that one of the bulbs had burned out while using it on my small holding tank I had in the garage for a while. At this point I had already ordered another Hamilton so I went and ordered another so I guess I'll wait until next time to change bulbs to try out the Reflux bulbs since the other pre-existing Hamilton was fairly new alreay. Not too bad since I like the color of these also, was just looking for a little less blue, although these really color up the corals nicely.

I did get the foam laid into place last night (Thanks texreefer for answering tons of questions), and it should look great once I get it up and the alae begins to grow into place. I'll try to get some pictures tonight of the foam with the tank still on it's back. I do need to get back to HD and get a long piece of hose for my RO/DI to run temporarily from under the kitchen sink to the tank to start filling hopefully this weekend if I can get it all up and plumbed. I may have to cut some foam back out to fit the Tunze and Seio into place depending on where I decide to place them so the magnet and bracket will hold right but that should be simple.

The pump that came with it is a Sequence dart that will be teed off to the dual beckett skimmer and supply the return which is a manifold that sits above the tank and has six outlets that bo into the water from above using lockline for adjustments. I'll also be using a Tunze 6060 and a Seio 1500 from inside the tank for more flow. I'm going to see if I can find enough spa flex to run the tubing from the garage where the sump and return pump set and under my stairs and back to the tank. I want to eleviate as much head pressure as possible.

The drawing below gives a representation of how the plumbing will sort of look like. Best I could do with the tools I have at work to deal with. The pieces sticking down from above into the tank are the return nozzles from the manifold. BTW the second drawing below is the sump that will be in the garage.

[Texreefer]

sounds like its going to be great .. i'd like to see it once its up and running

[LoneStar]

Sounds like a plan! I'd be interested in seeing the foam pictures since I missed that meeting....

[brewercm]

I ended up missing it also. I had a lot of PMs to Texreefer to get the lowdown and make sure I wasn't messing anything up. My main concern was putting water in and seeing all this foam start floating to the top of the tank. I checked it this morning and it seems to be stuck to the surface pretty good. I still have it laying on its back (just not a big enouh boy to pick up and turn around myself), but I'll take a couple of shots tonight of what it looks like at the moment.

[Bill S]

Cliff, let me know when you want to rotate the tank, my wife and I will drop by. She's a PE teacher...

One thought on your sump. Look at relocating your chiller outside. Efficiency stinks in a hot garage. Also, with you sump in the hot garage, you WILL need a decent sized chiller. I always see this - the most INEFFICIENT use of an old 'fridge is to put it in the garage to keep your beer cold! It's actually cheaper to pick up a sack of ice on your way home!

[captexas]

Yeah, I'd like to see some pics of your foam work. I haven't seen how it is done, but have been curious. I'm setting up a little 45g tank now and I fear the expensive of live rock. Plus I'd love to figure out how to make a custom rockwork around the corner overflow.

[brewercm]

Well, last night with my internet service up and down with the storms I took the night to just take it easy. Forgot what that was like, didn't even bother to pick up (find) the camera to take pics. I'll get them tonight while it's still on it's back, then I'll take some once I get it up before putting water in. I put the foam all the way around the corner overflows also so they didn't look too odd sticking out there although they usually cover with coraline first. I guess I could go back and make them look a little more natural and rounded but they look OK.

I have a 1/3 HP drop in chiller so plenty of power but that leaves it having to be in the garage. Agree totally on putting a refridgerator in the garage, I've been told that alone can raise your elect. bill $50 to $75 a month because they are not designed to be put in the heat (not enough insulation in them). Freezers aren't quite as bad because of the amount of insulation they have built in already and many makers know that many of them are going to be put garages.

[erikharrison]

I still have it laying on its back (just not a big enouh boy to pick up and turn around myself),

That would be a pic to see! The word of the day that day would be ::HERNIA::

[LoneStar]

Foam Pictures!!!

:pics

[brewercm]

I'm hoping to get it on it's correct side tonight if I get enough strength to lift and turn it. I'll take some with it laying on it's back before I turn it up to normal.

[brewercm]

OK, here are some pics of the tank still on it's side with the foam in place.

[Texreefer]

cliff, did you throw sand on it while it was still wet,,, this REALLY helps get the coralline algae started

[brewercm]

Hey Cliff, is that just the "Great Stuff" foam and how many cans did it take?

Yep, that was four cans for that.




cliff, did you throw sand on it while it was still wet,,, this REALLY helps get the coralline algae started

Dang, now ya tell me. Should be fine anyway over time.

And here are a couple pics of it standing up now. Thanks a bundle bstreep for coming over and giving me a hand.

[brewercm]

Excuse the dirty glass. Haven't had it in the right position to do a good cleaning until now.

[Texreefer]

looks good cliff

[captexas]

So all that you used was the great foam insulating stuff? I'm kind of curious about this.

[Texreefer]

Come see my tank and i will give you the tour
here is partial tank shot of my foam

[LoneStar]

Come see my tank and i will give you the tour
here is partial tank shot of my foam

Did you use the white foam or a darker color when you did yours?

[Texreefer]

The same stuff that Cliff just used.. Sorry Cliff not trying to hijack your thread

[brewercm]

No problem at all. Nice for everyone to see the finished product once it's been up and going for a little while. Hope mine encrusts as well as yours did eventually.

[brewercm]

OK, very busy Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. All plumbing is up etc. and water is almost completely filled now. Here is a picture of the tank with all lights on prior to water being put in. I'll take another once it's full of water and I have more live rock.
BTW, anybody need to get rid of some life rock in a few days? ;)

[Wilk]

Great idea for the foam. Where did you come up with it? I assume it is safe for the tank after seeing the pics. Does any technique for applying it work the best?

[captexas]

Yeah, great way to hide overflows. Wish I had done something like that on the 45g I'm setting up, but after not having a saltwater tank in the house for a year or so I couldn't wait! lol :)

[reefingood]

tagging along. :)

[brewercm]

Texreefer's tank above was where I got the original idea. As you can see from the pic of his tank further up once the coraline grows in you can't tell the difference between it and rock.

[hankzilla]

Great technique thanks for sharing the picks. I've looked for the foam spray and have only found the Great Stuff in yellow. What did you use it looks like it's white, which is more attractive in the begining than a yellow wall?

[brewercm]

It was just Great Stuff from Home Depot.

[Texreefer]

it will come out white ,, as it is exposed to light(ultraviolet mainly) it will become more and more orange/yellow... that is unless its under water ;)

[DaBird47]

Looki'n good Cliff, OK man, time for new pics, just cuz you think that their not interesting doesn't mean we're not waiting on pins and needles.... :) WaterPics.....!!!!

[brewercm]

Right now I have a bulkhead leak in my right overflow so I have to get that fixed before I can go any further. Although the water is now to the top of the overflows. I'm hesitant to add salt until I know for sure I've got that leak fixed since water is cheaper than salt.

[Bill S]

Cliff, you probably know this, but make sure you don't overtighten bulkheads... That's when they start to leak.

[DaBird47]

Cliff, do you have it on the stand ? do you need any help...will be glad to help in any way I can... I'm not too far away...Danny

[Jeff]

cliff, the tank is looking great. i can't wait for the finished product.

[brewercm]

Thanks for the comments and offers. Right now it's just on hold until Friday and the weekend but I'm going to put some salt in since I can just keep the water level below the overflows for the time being. May have to cut back into plumbing but we'll see, even if that it shouldn't be a big deal.
Bill, it's the same one that was leaking before when it was at Jeffs. I'm thinking just possibly a bad seal. I have a new bulkhead and seal if the silicone thing doesn't work.

[Bill S]

I would replace the seal on it ANYWAY, just for good measure.

[brewercm]

Yeah, but that requires cutting. Probably gonna have to do it anyways so might as well do it only once, or I quess this would be twice.

[erikharrison]

That looks really nice Cliff. I am going to do the foam thing on my 75 gallon (purchasing on the 15th) and I am sure glad you guys have posted what you have. I am gonna try to see if I can get a ton of pictures to document the whole undertaking. I was thinking about doing a mid sectioned rock tank, with no foam on the back or anywhere. Just a bunch of foam rocks. Would styrofoam work as a base for the rocks? Reason I ask is because I would preshape the rock with styro, and then cover it with foam. My main concern is LR. I know Mike has some LR in his gigantor rubbermaid fuge, and I am curious if you can do straight foam, no LR at all. I know it's probably not highly suggested, but I would like to see if there would be enough nitrifying bacteria that would form in and on the foam. If I can do styro as a base, man o man, limitless possibilites for creation!

[LoneStar]

Just don't let it float away ;)

[erikharrison]

Could I use fishing line weights inside the "frockwork" (i am coining that term at this moment!!!!) to hold the "frocks" in place? yikes IDK considering Mike little adventure with the superglue...

EDIT: I just submitted an entry for FROCK into the urban dictionary =P

[Texreefer]

i guess it is possible if you have enough biological filtration outside of the main tank IE. "Gigantor rubermaid fuge".. Ace had the idea of embedding suction cups into bottom of structure and stick it to bottom of tank or you could build it around a brick so it would not float.

[brewercm]

Just a quick update. I finally had two hours last night to play with the tank and try to deal with the leaking bulkhead. I found out that the hole is a little large for the bulkhead and when I tighten it too much the gasket starts to fold upwards causing the leak. What I’m trying is I loaded up the gasket with silicone both between the casket and bulkhead and between the gasket and the tank. I’ve let the silicone set since that point and tonight I’m going to fill up that overflow section and check for any leaks. Salt has been started in the main portion of the tank since it has water and a couple of good pumps going to get it mixed etc.

If this doesn’t solve the leak I guess I’ll go out and try to find a sched 80 1” bulkhead since the size difference ion the threaded section may help completely solve the problem.
Thanks again to all that have offered your help on this monster.

[LoneStar]

So hows the tank been going?

[brewercm]

My first diatom outbreak has come and gone and now I have a bunch of green algae that's beginning to take hold. I guess this is week three of it being running now, so about what I'd expect at the moment. Gonna jump on the group order they're putting together for reeftopia. In the mean time I have five very happy mexican turbos that are pigging out on what is there.
I could probably use a little more live rock also, I'll jump onto someone who's selling some nice stuff next time I get the chance. Unfortunately having to sink $2500 into a new transmission this weekend so not a lot on the horizons other than getting it up and going.

I'll try to get some pics of the tank at the moment and the sump/fuge/skimmer area out in the garage this weekend, if I get 10 minutes to do it that is.

[LoneStar]

Unfortunately having to sink $2500 into a new transmission this weekend so not a lot on the horizons other than getting it up and going.


Yeah I hear you on that....

[erikharrison]

My first diatom outbreak has come and gone and now I have a bunch of green algae that's beginning to take hold.

What do diatoms look like in the tank?????? Is it the little white things that form on my glass?