ckimble's 280 reef - build thread

[ckimble]

I wanted to document and share my upgrade from my current 90g (http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/IMG_0328.jpg) reef to a shiny new 280g. My current tank has been up and running for about a year now, and I am quickly learning and outgrowing that setup. The 280 dimensions (72x30x30) fit what I was looking for as I like what the 30" width allows for aquascaping. Carlos @ RCA is giving me the hookup for the tank and misc equipment. The tank has been on order for several weeks and should be available the week after Xmas. The wait has been timed perfectly as several of the large components will be DIY.

On to the details so far...

Tank:
Euro-braced 280G 72x30x30, center overflow, and will be drilled for closed loop
Custom-built sump and stand by yours truly

Filtration:
Deltec AP851 I scored used from Reef Central

Flow:
Oceans Motion 4-way powered by a dart pump
Return will be powered by a snapper pump
Possibly will be adding a Tunze wavebox in addition to the OM depending on flow characteristics

Lighting:
3 x 400W PFO ballasts
Luminarc III reflectors
14K SE Hamilton bulbs
VHO Actinics
Custom Canopy TBD

Control:
Digital Aquatics ReefKeeper II

[ckimble]

I wanted to tackle this project full-on and DIY as much as possible. Not necessarily to save money, but rather to have things exactly like I want them. Case in point the stand. Looking at what is available in this size pre-built, I wasn't happy with my options. Most designs out there are all frilly with lots of crown molding, raised panel doors and a general foo-foo design. Not to mention small door openings, and merely adequate structural design. I came up with my own plan and below is the photo documentary of the build...

Start of the framing
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0170.jpg

Framed out
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0174.jpg

It is great to have kids...
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0244.jpg

Complete
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0246.jpg

[ckimble]

I have been playing with acrylics for a couple months now, building "stuff" I find I need for the reef or otherwise. It is amazing what you can do with this material. I am getting better at the technique so it was time to knock out the sump for my new tank. I wanted to incorporate a refugium in the design and came up with this layout. I just filled it with water this weekend and it is rock solid. The overall dimensions are 48x24x14.


Can't wait to put it to work....

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0316.jpg

[hobogato]

Great job on the stand and sump!! looking forward to your progress.

[sharkboy]

Nice work! Will you be building a canopy for the lighting?

[RayAllen]

Another handy man; Stand and sump look great. A 90g to a 280g- Nice upgrade. 30" will alow for some neet aquascaping. Looking forward to the progress.

[ckimble]

Nice work! Will you be building a canopy for the lighting?

That is the plan... I built one for my 90 and am very happy with it. The one for this tank will be far more complex, as I want to build a light rack and have the ability to move the lights out of the way for good access. So many things left to do to get this up and running.

[ckimble]

I also have the switched power strip and RKII mounted in the stand. My biggest complaint on my current tank is the way it is wired. It is a royal pain to remove devices for cleaning and such. With this setup I wanted to have everything terminate in a single location and use good cable management to make maintainance easier. I believe this should work out nicely

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0302.jpg

Here is the block digram on how everything will be wired...

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/280-electrical.jpg

[erikharrison]

Do you work in I.T.? That write up looks like visio! :) Did you put a door on the side for access? It looks like it, and that is a GREAT idea. Really anticipating to see what you do with the canopy. Mine is very tall, and it is easy to put BIG rocks in and take them out without having to remove the canopy.... Can't wait for more pics!

[aquasport24]

Where do you get that switch power surge from ?

[ckimble]

Where do you get that switch power surge from ?

I ordered it online from Guitar Center. It can be found here. (http://www.guitarcenter.com/American-DJ-PC-100A-8-Switch-ON-OFF-Power-Center-100313636-i1155517.gc)



Do you work in I.T.? That write up looks like visio! :) Did you put a door on the side for access? It looks like it, and that is a GREAT idea. Really anticipating to see what you do with the canopy. Mine is very tall, and it is easy to put BIG rocks in and take them out without having to remove the canopy.... Can't wait for more pics!

You guessed it, I am in IT. I use Visio all the time in my job, so it was natural to use it to map the wiring out. Honestly kinda disappointed in this one. My drawings are usually much more elaborate. :)

Yes the stand does open on the end so I can get the sump in.

Wide open baby!
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0247.jpg

[erikharrison]

Very, very cool.

[ckimble]

I added some corner supports and brought the sump in to the house to test fit it in the stand. It came out perfectly. Now if I could just get the tank I could start plumbing things up..

End Shot
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0335.jpg

Skimmer access
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0338.jpg
Tub O' rock waiting...

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0341.jpg

[MissT]

looking great, Craig!

[semperfimarine1]

very very nice. cant wait for more pics!

love the stand also!!

[Carlos_at_River_City]

nice rock.....

[ckimble]

nice rock.....

LOL..

[MissT]

nice rock.....


:rofl:

[razermouse]

Killer setup and very nice work!

[ckimble]

It's here... :thumbs_up:

and Superman needs to comb his hair.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0434.jpg

[Carlos_at_River_City]

lookin' good

[ckimble]

I have been making nice progress on acquiring, building, and getting the tank ready for water. I have most of the big equipment to get things plumbed out, just waiting on an order of union ball valves. They are supposed to arrive tomorrow, so hopefully by the end of the week I can fire it up and leak test my work. There is too much to update, so I will just show you the pics of where I am at...

6000GPH of flow
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0431.jpg

This is a great deal for anyone here in Austin. Austin Home Brew has these 55G barrels for $10 a piece. They hold extract for the brewing process, and clean up very easy. I plan on using one for the RO/DI reservoir top-off, the other will be plumbed in for mixing SW and doing water changes.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0453.jpg

I build this media reactor to run PhosBan, but it came out so nice, I plan on building a second for charcoal.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0458.jpg

For the drains I am going with the Hofer Gurgle Buster. They are basically a Stockman turned upside down. I have read nothing but good stuff about this style of standpipe, so I figured I would give it a shot.
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0466.jpg

Here it stands today. I went with the limo-tint on the back to hide the closed loop plumbing, and am happy with the way it came out. Very smooth and much better than painting the glass.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0480.jpg

The rest of my plumbing parts should be here tomorrow. My goal is to finish the plumbing by this coming weekend so I can leak test the system.

[hobogato]

very nice! like that media reactor :)

[ckimble]

very nice! like that media reactor :)

Have you seen that design somewhere before? :shades:

[BIGBIRD123]

Funny thing, though. The one that I have like that, the marks on the top flanges line up....LOL! j/k. Great job!

Steve

[ckimble]

Funny thing, though. The one that I have like that, the marks on the top flanges line up....LOL! j/k. Great job!

Steve

LOL... I don't charge any extra for that feature :lauging:

[BIGBIRD123]

LOL... I don't charge any extra for that feature :lauging:

It just goes to show that not all of this stuff is an exact science...Nice work. I have my 280g from RC coming in soon, where'd you drill for the closed loop? My tank will be a peninsula with calfo on one end. The CL intake on the end and the returns are 8" in from each corner.

Steve

[ckimble]

Carlos told me your tank was supposed to show up first, but I guess some things on your build delayed the shipping. Your layout sounds sweet, I am very curious to see how it comes out. Below is how I had them drill for the CL. It is designed for the OM 4-way barrel-roll effect.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/CLdesign.jpg

[bozack]

Those new gurgle pipes... are they the latest and improved form of the Durso concept?
Hadn't heard of those before and were thinking about making em on my new tank.

[ckimble]

Those new gurgle pipes... are they the latest and improved form of the Durso concept?
Hadn't heard of those before and were thinking about making em on my new tank.

Here are a couple of links to check on these standpipes and a pic to give you an idea how I built it. That is 2" pipe.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1225992
http://home.everestkc.net/jrobertson57268/HGB/

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0464.jpg

[ckimble]

It has been a while since I posted my progress on the upgrade. Things are moving along, just slowly. The last couple of weeks has been busy with work so I haven't been able to get as much done as I hoped. One of my biggest challenges has been trying to quiet down the drains to the sump. I tried several methods to silence the water as it falls in the sump. My wife had the final say as I tested the various methods to muffle the noise. Three times I got the look of "are you serious, that thing sounds like Niagara Falls" Finally thanks to this (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=917381&highlight=prugs) thread I came up with a solution. If you have the room, this device works awesome. I also built a manifold to feed the skimmer, CaRx, carbon, and phos-ban reactors. Other than some little miscellaneous tweaks I am calling the plumbing complete! Up next, I need to get the ReefKeeper II wired and pull electrical lines through the wall to control the return and CL pumps. I am also planning on putting the MH ballasts in the garage, so I need to run some lines for that as well.

End shot of muffler
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0551.jpg

Manifold
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0556.jpg

[ckimble]

This build is going on almost 6 months now... but I am getting very close to making the big move. My 90 is so crowded and I am sick of moving corals around to give them room to grow and not touch each other. Anyway tough problem to have right?

I've got a bunch of updates to share.

Last week i got the canopy wired and installed. It isn't 100% complete but close enough to get some light over the tank. I have a temporary 175W MH over it now to get the algae bloom started. I built the doors for it this weekend and just need to stain and seal them. Should be done with that mid-week.

Here it is before I wired and mounted the actinics and brought it in the house.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0653.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0656.jpg

Given the 30" depth of the tank I needed something that opened wide for access. I am very happy with the result.

I think I have the flow taken care of now as well. I picked up a Wavebox last week and got it dialed in. I hate the way they look, but you can't beat the flow they make in the tank. Coupled with the OM closed loop, my canary-in-the-coal-mine green chromis is loving life swimming in the flow.

Here is the current shot with everything in place.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0683.jpg

and a little vid of the Tunze in action

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/th_wavebox.jpg (http://s237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/?action=view&current=wavebox.flv)

[engwife36]

WOW, that is really turned out nice.

[ckimble]

So after mounting the final door I can finally say the wood work is complete! The only thing left is to do up top is to wire up the ballasts and fans when they arrive later this week.


http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0688-1.jpg


Here is is with all the doors open.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0690-1.jpg

Last weekend I finally plumbed in the chiller I bought from GreenMako. I even got the water change plumbing in like I wanted. It is tied into the chiller plumbing and works like a champ.

Behind the scenes plumbing:

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0692.jpg

Close-up of the chiller and water change valves.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0693.jpg

[Paul28]

I love the set up very nice, very good wood work you have done there:bigsmile:

[cpreefguy]

Very Clean set-up, I like it

[joelb]

Wow!!!

[thesponge]

That's a fantasic looking tank. Great job!!

[MissT]

great job, Craig! Tank looks fantastic. When are you planning on moving in livestock?

[ckimble]

great job, Craig! Tank looks fantastic. When are you planning on moving in livestock?

I have already moved my Powder Brown that was cramped in the current setup. He is very happy with all the new swimming room. I am just hoping he doesn't get too territorial being the first fish and all. I will probably do the big move next weekend, just need to go get some temporary holding bins for all the stuff.

It is nice to see it all coming together since I have been working on this for 6 months or so now. Looking forward to sitting back with a cold one and watching the corals grow.

Thanks for all the nice comments...

[ckimble]

Last night I moved everything over. I spent about 6 hours getting everything transfered to the new tank. I pulled out all of the corals and placed them in holding bins with heaters. The next 3 hours I spent swearing at the tank trying to get the aquascaping just right. I still am not 100% happy, but it is good enough for now while I let everything settle in. The rest of the time was spent figuring out where to put the corals so things look balanced and somewhat natural. This will be an ongoing process, as I never really stopped tweaking it in the old 90g. I am mad at myself for not getting a picture of the 90 before I tore it down.

Before:
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/IMG_0328.jpg

After:
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0712.jpg

Right:
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0717.jpg
Middle:
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0718.jpg
Left:
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/txkimbles/280%20Build/IMG_0719.jpg

Let me know what you think, I am open to ideas...

If anyone is interested I have a huge rock (~8-10 inches) covered in GSP for sale. Plus, lots of frags I need to mount

[bigmoe21]

i think it looks pretty cool..it made me think of the flintstones the color of rock that is..but it does look nice IMO..and man that wrasse is, politically correct, HEALTHY!..

[Paul28]

Very Nice