110g reef tank build (New pics!)

[fjr_wertheimber]

Okay, so as those of you who've read my posts about T5 lighting and tank stands know, I'm currently in the process of setting up my first saltwater tank. I decided to start a thread detailing everything from start to finish so that I can look back on it in the future and see where I made mistakes, what I did right, etc., as well as hopefully passing along some useful information to someone else like me who's starting off from scratch.
Before I start off, I'd like to send some thanks out to Lee Hoy, Brian from Kingfish, and Misti from River City Aquatics for all the help and guidance they've all provided so far. Plus the stuff they sold me. After all, without stuff to mess with, what's the point?

The Stand
Some of you may have seen these diagrams before, but I'm reposting them here to consolidate things in one thread. The stand is being built by me, and (as of now, at least) is pretty close to this design (so far).
http://www.ajmerrifield.com/stand.jpg
http://www.ajmerrifield.com/standbottom.jpg

The Stuff
Okay, so the "stuff" area is pretty thin as of the moment. Mostly these are planned purchases, with a few that I've already picked up.
RO/DI unit: 100gpd RO/DI unit from Melev. Everyone keeps saying that water quality is of the prime importance on a SW tank, so I figured I'd be happiest knowing exactly how well maintained the RO/DI unit I'm getting my water from has been.
Controller: Reefkeeper2 by Digital Aquatics (thanks, Kingfish!). This will control three Maxi-Jet 1200s with the 1600 upgrade kit on a pulse timer, and 1 constant flow, as well as the lights, moonlights, cooling fans, heater and (possibly, I'm debating) chiller.
Lights: Right now I'm planning on building a panel to house six 80 watt T5 retrofits 6" off the water (the panel will move out of the way when the stand is opened). This panel isn't shown in the sketches above, but I'll update those and post them soon.
Sump/Refugium: TBD
Skimmer: TBD
Tank: 110g tank that I picked up from RCA for über-cheap. I've picked up 50 lbs of base rock (nice stuff, too) from Lee Hoy, need to get another 50-75 lbs of live rock and intend to do a 5" DSB with Pavestone pulverized limestone from Home Depot. Brian from Kingfish was nice enough (and handy enough with a drill and acrylic) to drill my tank and build me an overflow box with two 1" bulkheads as well as a third 1" bulkhead below the overflow box to facilitate easier water changes (one thing the Army has taught me: the easier something is to do, the more likely it is to get done with regularity. Tell a private to mow the grass with a pushmower and you'll end up with waist-high grass pretty quickly. Put him on a riding mower and you can practice your putting on the perfectly mowed surface). I'll post pics of my planned plumbing diagram for analysis/suggestions shortly, but for now here is a pic of the tank as it stands (lays?) now:
http://www.ajmerrifield.com/download.jpg
Fish: TBD
Coral: SPS, Type TBD
Inverts: TBD

Yes, I realize that there's a WHOLE lot that still needs to be done, but it's a start.

Okay, now here's a question for this illustrious group:
Assuming two 1" bulkheads from the overflow box, what would you recommend for a return pump? I'm thinking about using one of the bulkheads with a ball valve to adjust flow rate and dumping that into the refugium, and using the other bulkhead to dump into the sump. Thoughts?

[Texreefer]

looks like you have a great start.. keep us updated

[Bill S]

Couple of thoughts: On your stand, where you can, put some plywood on the sides to brace the legs. The 2x4s will take an INSANE amount of pressure, but even way overbuilt like you have, you need lateral support. My 215 has an Oceanic stand, and it has only 8 2x4s as legs. But, it's very well braced on the front and sides.

On your overflow, I'd suggest that you put a "y" in, instead. Put the ball valve on the fuge end of the "y". That way, if your other drain gets clogged (and it will...), you won't overflow. Make SURE a single one of your drains will hand the full volume of your pump.

[seamonkey2]

On your canopy DO NOT do it that way, from my experience, with a canopy that opens that way is a pain in then long run, every time you open the canopy with the lights on you will get a tan, also turning them on and off is a pain, have a canopy with a front opening and you'll be happier

good luck

Jose

[alton]

On your pump question, I use a Pan World 50PXX on my 158g. It seems to match the two 1" bulk heads my tank has.

[fjr_wertheimber]

Okay, so the silicone has had a chance to cure, which meant it was time to paint the back of the tank and take some pics to share with the group...
http://www.ajmerrifield.com/download-3.jpg
The tank from the front. Yes, I know I need to clean the top of the tank. Anyone got any suggestions for getting that stuff off there? :at_wits_end:

http://www.ajmerrifield.com/download-4.jpg
Close-up shot of the overflow box with the eggcrate attached to it. There's also a plexi cover that goes over the whole thing, but that needs to be trimmed a bit, as it catches on the trim ledge.

http://www.ajmerrifield.com/download-5.jpg
Top view of the overflow box with the bulkheads in place.

http://www.ajmerrifield.com/download-6.jpg
View of the overflow box and bulkheads from "behind the scenes". You can see the spiffy new black paint job, the hole where the bulkhead for water changes will go, and the nice clear area behind the overflow box so I can see if anything is smart/dumb/crazy enough to get in there.

Questions, comments? Three sustains, three improves? (Sorry, it's an Army thing for After Action Reviews.)

[lhoy]

Yea, use vinegar to clean the tank and you won't have any problems.
Brian did awesome on your overflows!!

Lee

[Bill S]

Lookin' VERY nice.

[bronck83]

Are your bulkheads on backwards?

[Bill S]

I think you are right... They ARE in backwards. I looked at them and thought they looked weird, but couldn't figure it out.

[erikharrison]

Are your bulkheads on backwards?


LoL, it was looking WAY too clean. They are in backwards.

[fjr_wertheimber]

Actually, Brian from Kingfish recommended putting them in that way to keep the plumbing closer to the back of the tank, that way I can run the PVC pipes through holes in the tank stand, rather than having to go around (behind) it. I've got bio balls in them, too, to keep smaller stuff (snails, etc.) from being sucked in.

[lhoy]

Don't use the bioballs, you can get some strainers to go in them.

Lee

[fjr_wertheimber]

Woohoo, just made my first major (read: most expensive so far) purchase to date on the tank: LIGHTS.

I've wanted to go T5 HO or VHO from the start, so on the advice of Grim Reefer, the resident T5 expert (and a few other folks) from ReefCentral, I went with the following:
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Sunlight_Supply/Tek_2_Retrofit_Kits/60_inch__6x80W_Tek_2_T5_Very_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w!_Bulbs_by_ReefGeek (http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Sunlight_Supply/Tek_2_Retrofit_Kits/60_inch__6x80W_Tek_2_T5_Very_High-Output_Retrofit_Kit_w%21_Bulbs_by_ReefGeek)
T5 very high-output fluorescent retrofit kit complete with Sunlight Supply Tek 2 individual parabolic reflectors for each bulb made from 96% German reflective aluminum, two IceCap 660 electronic ballasts, a power-cord, wire bundle and heat sink for each ballast, moisture proof end-caps, standoffs and choice of bulbs from any of our current selection of high-quality lamps. Kit sold complete except for mounting screws. Some assembly required. IceCap ballasts engineered to "over-drive" each bulb to approximately 100 watts for superior output. Because the bulbs are being over-driven cooling fans are required to maintain both bulb output and bulb life. (Don't settle for inferior T5 electronic ballasts, like the Workhorse, that are commonly sold with other T5 retrofit kits.) Multiple ballasts allow for independent lamp control. Produces virtually no noise.

I also got two IceCap fans (4" 50-120cfm) to cool 'em (once again, on Grim Reefer's suggestion).
Lamp-wise, I got the following combo:
(front of the tank)
ATI Blue Plus (ballast 1)
GE 6500K Daylight
ATI True Actinic (ballast 1)
ATI Pro Color
ATI Aquablue (ballast 1)
ATI Blue Plus
(rear of the tank)

Okay, starting to get waaaaay too excited about lights.

[lhoy]

Nice, can't wait to see how they look fired up, see you tomorrow.

Lee

[fjr_wertheimber]

Okay, so here's what's either here (or on the way):

110g tank (70"l x 18"w x 20" h) with custom overflow (by Brian at Kingfish Aquarium)
6 x 80w T5s with TEK 2 Reflectors and 2x IceCap 660 ballasts
EuroReef RS80 with gate valve
Eheim 1262 return pump
JBJ Arctica 1/10hp chiller (Hey, I'm running T5s, not MH)
Two Little Fishies PhosBan reactor (for carbon)
MaxiJet 400 (for PhosBan reactor)
Eshopps RS300 sump
Portable Refactometer
Melev 100gpd RO/DI unit
HM Digital In-line Dual TDS meter
Reefkeeper 2 with pH and temp probes
60 lbs of base rock
1 bucket Red Sea Coral Pro salt

Still undecided:
Pumps/powerheads/wavemaker (Suggestions, anyone?)

Still to buy:
60 lbs of live rock
Enough live sand for a 5" DSB (yikes... that pulverized limestone is looking better and better...)

Still to build:
The stand and canopy

[fjr_wertheimber]

Progress (with a capital P no less!):
http://www.ajmerrifield.com/progress.jpeg
Still a lot more work to do, a lot more bracing to do, but it's LEVEL in every direction... w00t!!

[erikharrison]

Use KILLZ, you will be thankful you did!
Powerheads? Koralias 2x #4s would do you VERY well.
Bigger Skimmer, and more rock.

[tomanero]

AJ,
Looking good. Congrats.
Couple of quick suggestions...

1- check out http://coralreefbazaar.com/index.php?
Frederick is local (and a sponsor) and by the looks of it his pricing beats reefgeek on T5

2- Since the tanks still empty I'd look into a closed loop for circulation. Drill a couple of holes, one single pump outside the tank, no ugly powerheads.

3- Are you going to put a hinged front on your canopy. As mentioned above, you'll probably find it annoying getting a tan every time you open the hood. There are a few ways you can go. I can give some insight if your interested. Let me know. Your welcome to come check out my diy setup since it's the same 110 tank as yours.

You're on your way. Welcome to the camp.

[fjr_wertheimber]

Okay, so new updates:

Got my chiller today (thanks, Lee!)
Ordered 2x Koralia 4
Ordered 2x Maxi-Jet 1200 with the 1600 upgrade and magnet mounts (to be plugged into my Reefkeeper 2 for alternating flow duties... I won't say "wavemaking", I'll reserve that for when I get the Tunze Wavebox)
Received my RO/DI unit today

OH, and (you'll all be glad to know) I picked up some Killz paint today, too... Heheheh

[fjr_wertheimber]

Use KILLZ, you will be thankful you did!
Powerheads? Koralias 2x #4s would do you VERY well.
Bigger Skimmer, and more rock.

Already bought the Killz, ordered the Koralias, the RS-80 is basically the exact same as the RS-100 (the one a lot of people have recommended I upgrade to) same pump, and the reaction chamber is only .2 gallons larger on the RS-100. So, we'll see once it's up and going, but I think it'll be okay. To start, at least.

As for the rock, I've already got 70 lbs of rock, that's why I just need another 60 or so. Plus, a bunch of rubble for my fuge.

[fjr_wertheimber]

New stuff arrived! w00t!!
http://www.ajmerrifield.com/stuff2.jpeg
Waiting on my doorstep...

http://www.ajmerrifield.com/stuff.jpeg
Scattered all over the garage floor...

[fjr_wertheimber]

Okay, so new update... I no longer have my Reefkeeper 2. What happened to it, you ask? Well, in planning out my design and what would control what, I came to the realization that the RK2, while great, was short on plugs and some controls that I wanted. Doh. Well, it worked out pretty well, though, as I sold it to my girlfriend and it's now currently running her 29g nano (quite well, I might add. I'm not sure how/why, but since we've had the RK2 running her tank the temp has dropped about 2 degrees...??).
Okay, since I no longer have a controller, what does everyone suggest, controller-wise? I'd like pH, ORP, temp, would like to be able to control 10-14 outlets (eventually more) and moon-phase simulation would be nice. Neptune Aquacontroller III? Jr? Profilux? What are y'all's thoughts?

[fjr_wertheimber]

Okay, so I finished my tank stand today. Well, finished building it, now comes the painting. *sigh* Does anyone have a few hours they can spare, 'cause 24 hours in a day just doesn't seem enough for all I've gotta do...
So, enough whining, on with the pics:

Completed tank stand (beer is there to show scale. Really.)
http://www.ajmerrifield.com/20feb/picture-1.jpg

Stand with the doors open (Sides and front open. All doors are big enough to move the sump (36"x14"x18" through without problems)
http://www.ajmerrifield.com/20feb/picture-2.jpg

European hinges, better shot of the sump, yes, I caulked the bottom to hold in any inadvertent leaks long enough for me to empty 'em out before they soak into the floor.
http://www.ajmerrifield.com/20feb/picture-3.jpg

Better pic of the sump. It's an Eshopps ES-300 with some custom work (extra baffle, probe holders) by Brian from Kingfish.

http://www.ajmerrifield.com/20feb/picture-4.jpg

Holes drilled from plumbing and electrical
http://www.ajmerrifield.com/20feb/picture-6.jpg

Once again, it's there to show scale. Really.
http://www.ajmerrifield.com/20feb/picture-7.jpg

Supplies for the plumbing and canopy
http://www.ajmerrifield.com/20feb/picture-10.jpg

More plumbing supplies. The assorted mess is what occurs when the gf informs you that you've got 30 minutes to make room for her car in the garage. Doh.
http://www.ajmerrifield.com/20feb/picture-11.jpg

Eggcrate? What could possibly be going on here... Hmmm...
http://www.ajmerrifield.com/20feb/picture-12.jpg

Foam! Rocks! Mess! (Note to self: if you stand too close to the foam sculpture, you can truly become a part of the art. Or, your t-shirt can at least. Doh.)
http://www.ajmerrifield.com/20feb/picture-13.jpg

Different view
http://www.ajmerrifield.com/20feb/picture-14.jpg

The center "island" in progress
http://www.ajmerrifield.com/20feb/picture-16.jpg

Foam/rocks in progress
http://www.ajmerrifield.com/20feb/picture-17.jpg

And to give you an idea of the scale:
http://www.ajmerrifield.com/20feb/scale.jpg

And, as an added bonus, since everyone always asks for a FTS, here's a FTS of the girlfriend's nano:
http://www.ajmerrifield.com/cory_nano_20feb08.jpg

[Bill S]

Man, the beer wasn't even open...

Lookin' good!

[apedroza]

Looking good!!!! I like how you incorporated the LR into the foam.