Planning a new tank... aka the world's longest AO 220g Starphire build log

[fjr_wertheimber]

Hey guys, long time no see!
Let's see, where were we... Last time I was active around here I had a 60g Aquarium Obsessed Starphire cube (24"x24"x24")... Well, because of military travel and upcoming deployment, I sold that tank :cry_smile:, and am now in the process of planning my next tank...

So, here's the plan:

Tank
220g Aquarium Obsessed tank (60"L x 48"W x 20"H), external overflow, Starphire glass on three viewable sides, Euro-bracing.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y210/ReefWaters/59674736_photobucket_13210_.jpg

Lighting
6x AI SOL Blue LED fixtures

Controller
Neptune Systems Apex controller

Flow
2x Vortech MP60 pumps

Sump/Refugium
Still in the planning process... Probably going to be around 75-100 gallons total...

Return pumps
Still planning... I'm debating on using two smaller pumps for redundancy... Thoughts?

Skimmer
Undecided... Any suggestions for a decent skimmer, preferably at a less than utterly obscene price?

Stand/canopy
Will be custom made by me to fit the decor of the house I get when I return from Iraq


Can't wait to get back and get started on it!!

[Europhyllia]

Looks like really unique dimensions! Fantastic!

I really like the Sicce Syncra pumps and am using one as my return pump and one for my skimmer.
I just upgraded to a spray injection skimmer and really love it (AquaC). It's sort of middle of the road as far as price in that size range goes.

So when will you be back?

[CoryDude]

I really like the Sicce Syncra pumps and am using one as my return pump and one for my skimmer.
So when will you be back?

++ on those pumps. Got a 4.0 for my return and I can't wait to add a 5.0 to replace a Mag 9.5. For a skimmer, may want to look at the Octopus Recirculating Skimmers. Looks like a lot of performance for under $600.

[Europhyllia]

Advanced Aquarist had some good articles on skimmer performance this year. Might want to check those out before shelling out the cash ;)
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/1/aafeature#h6

[aquasport24]

Niceeeeeeeeee, i like big cube.

[txg8gxp]

That will be a awesome tank. Great lighting choice!!!

[fjr_wertheimber]

@Europhyllia Thanks for the input on those pumps, I'll definitely check 'em out. Yeah, the tank has some really unique dimensions. I was looking forward to getting a deep dimension tank, as I wanted the fish to have lots of rock work to swim through/around (I intend to have a number of tangs, as well as some schooling fish), and I really lucked out when I found this tank for sale. I loved my old AO cube, so I was really thrilled when I found one like this, and the shallow depth will work well for the LEDs, too (which worked nicely for me, as I really wanted LEDs on this tank). I should be back sometime in early February, and should pick up the tank sometime mid-to-late February. It's going to be a bit of a drive (the tank is currently in Augusta, GA) but for the price and quality of the tank I think it's going to be well worth it. I saw that report in Advanced Aquarist before, I'm still trying to wrap my head around some of the math there... LOL Interesting stuff, I'm trying to figure out how that will affect my skimmer choices.

@CoryDude Thanks for the recommendation. Oh, and I like your signature line. LOL

@aquasport24 Thanks, man. I'm looking forward to it!

@txg8gxp I certainly hope it will be! I've wanted the AI LEDs for a while now. How do you like yours?

[hobogato]

wow, this is gonna be fun to watch - as already said, great dimensions to work with

[Europhyllia]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around some of the math there... LOL

I know what you mean. I've read the print version several times and still am not sure how the values in the summary chart match up with the conclusion, specifically why not greater importance is given to the last column (average % drop in TOC) so if you figure it out, share it! ;)

[ErikH]

NICEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE :D

[txg8gxp]

I love mine. I wouldn't run any other style of lighting, they have been working great for me. My sps growth is just awesome.

[fjr_wertheimber]

Okay, Karin, so then it would appear that you and I both agree on that... I, too, was wondering what the deal was with that. I figured that % drop in TOC would be the prime indicator of efficiency and would thus be the criteria you should be judging with, but hey, what do I know, I'm just a dumb mud-slogging Soldier... LOL

Thanks, Ace, honored to have you along for the ride...

[stoneroller]

Great to see you on the boards, AJ. I look forward to tagging along on the build. Nice tank....

[fjr_wertheimber]

LOL @ ErikH... Thanks, man. I hope it'll be that nice. :-)

So how do you guys like those Sicce pumps as opposed to the Eheim 1262 for example? I had a 1262 on my last tank and really liked it. Nice and quiet, reliable, it was a good pump. I'm kinda tempted, since I have so much open space under the huge footprint of that tank, to go with a pair of external pumps like the Panworld Blueline 40HD. That way I've got the redundancy without adding heat to the system. Thoughts, guys and gals?

[hobogato]

as far as heat goes, i was running an external pump for my closed loop. it was a velocity 4 (well known for its issues of adding heat to the water - i know weird for an external). i changed it out with a sicce 5 (running it externally also) and my average tank temp dropped about 5 degrees. it pushes a lot of water too, and it's very quiet. not sure if it what will work best in your situation, but i thought i would let you know how it has worked for me :)

[olaggie01]

I thought I recognized that tank. Considered the drive but couldn't make it work. Good luck on it. Let me know if you need any help. I'm in Georgetown as well.

[Europhyllia]

Yes you can install the Sicce external or submersible. I ran a Panworld pump once but it was just too noisy since my tank is in the dining room.

I had an Eheim for a skimmer and if I remember right the foot print was much larger than an equivalent Sicce (4.0). Energy consumption is about the same (sicce/Eheim) and I know the Eheims have proven to be really reliable pumps so since you got all that real estate available anyway I think either one would work fine for you.

[Kristy]

Wow... welcome back AJ! We drove up to your neck of the woods (well not your CURRENT location! :) ) once or twice for just the right piece of equipment or livestock at just the right price, but a road trip to Georgia for a tank shows a reefer who is seriously committed! This looks like an awesome project!

[fjr_wertheimber]

Hmmm... So that's yet another vote for the Sicce... I think I just might have to seriously consider those... How quiet are they compared to the Eheims? Honestly, if they run cool, I'd rather run them internally than externally. That way they're less likely to leak/pump water all over the place in case of failure, and if they do the majority of it will (hopefully) be caught in the sump...

[FireWater]

As for the Sicce pumps - I ran an Eheim 1262 on my old tank and will be running a Sicce 4.0 on the new tank.
I did not have any issues with my Eheim and they are both great pumps but, the size to power ratio is what sold me on the Sicce.

[neogenix]

Hey! looking good, out of interest, why'd you pick the neptune systems controller?

[fjr_wertheimber]

Hey neogenix,

I was actually originally going to go with the Profilux III, but the Apex now does everything I wanted the Profilux for at a much better price point (interfaces with the Vortechs and the AI LEDs, network connected, etc.). How'd you like your AI SOL Blues?

[Mr Cob]

Awesome tank....reposting pic just cuz...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y210/ReefWaters/59674736_photobucket_13210_.jpg

[neogenix]

They've not actually even arrived (been waiting > 6 weeks now), and should be arriving early next week. If things go according to plan, that is... :P The word on the street is that there're stock issus up the chain from AI, although, who knows why it's taken them so long to get to me... I ended up with the RKE for pretty much the same reason, however the Profilux has significantly more control from the web from what I understand, which would be really useful for me.

[fjr_wertheimber]

Hey Neogenix, any update on your AIs yet?

As for me, a few changes in plans... One, I've decided to not go with the AIs... Why, you ask? Well, I've decided to test my patience and my sanity, er, rather, I've decided to go the DIY route and build my own LED setup.
http://pathfinderpics.smugmug.com/photos/1095640653_2DxU6-O.jpg Although, I'm going to do a bunch of DIY CAT4101 drivers powered by 2 PFCs, rather than all the Meanwells...
http://pathfinderpics.smugmug.com/photos/1095640590_NtYt5-O.jpgBear in mind, this is looking down the narrow end (if something 4' wide can be considered narrow).
So, the plan being, with the drivers set up the way I'd like, and controlled either via an Apex or a DIY Arduino controller, I'll be able to selectively dim and brighten throughout the day to give the impression of the sun traveling across the sky throughout the day.

Now, my only decision is whether to build my stand myself or to have a steel stand welded up... Anyone have a good source for a welder in Austin or San Antonio?

[Europhyllia]

Nice. That's a lot of bulbs!

[FireWater]

Wow, you will definitely have to log that build of the LEDs please. Looks impressive.

[txg8gxp]

Looks like it will be a great build. Your blue/white ratio looks good, and it sounds like you got the controller all figured out aswell.

[fjr_wertheimber]

Yeah, gonna be quite a few LEDs, but the nice thing about wiring this way, every line is broken up into three sets of six LEDs, (i.e.- each line is made up of 6 Royal Blue, 6 Cool White, and 6 Blue), and with each set of six dimmed separately I can not only adjust the brightness and slowly fade the "sun" across the "sky", but I can also adjust the color temperature throughout the artificial day (i.e.- the "golden hours", as photographers know, at the start and end of the day), as well. Plus it will give me more flexibility with programming "clouds", "storms", etc. It's not only going to take me quite some time to build, but to program as well, but once it's all done it should be pretty sweet, and something that I haven't really seen anyone do yet.

Thanks for the compliments on the plan so far, guys, but I can't really take all the credit. I liked the AI Sol Blue so much that I'm basically stealing their design, as far as color balance, optics, etc. I'll be using the same LEDs they use, in the same ratio, the only difference being that I'll use 60 degree optics throughout. That way if I angle in the two side pieces 30 degrees my coverage should drop straight down along the edge of the tank without wasting too much light as spillage outside the tank, yet have good even coverage throughout the tank itself. Should make for some good traveling shadows throughout the artificial day, too.

Can anyone think of anything I've missed so far? Any suggestions for changes/improvements?

[txg8gxp]

Sounds like you have done your research. It will be a great system. I can't wait to add a profilux controller to my system for cloud/storm/etc programming

[Europhyllia]

Can anyone think of anything I've missed so far? Any suggestions for changes/improvements?

Can it really be 'golden' with so many cool Whites? Why not consider Neutral Whites? Depending on BIN neutral whites can be almost as cool as cool whites or almost as warm as warm whites so check out bin. I've been following this thread on RC on color here (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1885076&highlight=neutral).

Just a thought because you asked. Of course it will be fantastic either way... ;)

[neogenix]

I'm excited to see what it looks like :)

[fjr_wertheimber]

Hey Karin, thanks for the input... Yeah, I know the cool whites are going to still be pretty blue, but I figured at depth you're going to still be pretty blue even during the "golden hours", so I'd just warm up the colors a bit during those times by dropping the blues and bringing up the whites a bit, rather than going for a true warm white... I've actually been following that same thread, and really went back and forth on the color, but I think I'm going to keep it this way... but, then again, I've got months 'til I'll be able to start on building it, so who knows what'll change between now and then? LOL :)

[txg8gxp]

One thing to remember is the NW and WW don't have the same lumens output of the XPG cool whites.

[Europhyllia]

True - but he has like 3 gazillions of them! lol

[fjr_wertheimber]

Nah, not 3 gazillion, only 216. :) Or, to put it another way, the equivalent of about 9 AI Sol Blues. :bigsmile: Although with a whole metric ton more of soldering (and headaches) involved... :what_smile:

Anybody around here an electrical engineer? LOL

Side note, I was just looking at the AI site... Anyone else think the skunk clown on their front page with the lopsided right eye looks a bit, well, retarded? LOL