New LED powered 150g SPS Tank in Georgetown

[olaggie01]

Hi All,
I have been slowly purchasing equipment for a tank upgrade. This will be my 5th tank, ranging from a 10g in 2001 (complete disaster), 120g in 2005, 60g in 2007, 40g in 2009. I was looking at the downgrade trend and figured that I might as well go big while I had the chance.

Tank:
150g (36x36x27) - 1/2" glass, black silicone, 3x1" sch 80 bulkheads for Beananimal drain built by a Local tank builder in Dallas

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/PB100062.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/PB100061.jpg

Stand:

1" tubular steel stand fabricated by an Austin local

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/PA260010.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/PA260011.jpg

Stand/Canopy/Bookshelves
Since the tank is in my home office, I'd like to match the cabinets/doors (knotty alder) along with having 2 small bookshelves flanking the tank. This will allow me to store office/fish things but also provide some space where my ATO tank and electronics will be housed in the deadspace behind the bookshelves. (See sketchup below)

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/sketchupoftank.png

Layout with proposed sump:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/b96871fe.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/10752739.jpg

Sump:
40g (24x24x18) Tamco Sump from US Plastics. I purchased a used sump from an Austin local but the layout of it wasn't right, so I'll be selling that soon. The Tamco sump will allow me to drill easily into the side of it for my return pump and allow me to have additional water volume for water changes, etc. I plan on running all three drains into the sump with a Beananimal drain system

[olaggie01]

Skimmer:
ATB 840 v1.5

Lights:
48 LEDs - Built by Jason Johnson (Reddevil3443)

22 NW – XPG

6 CW – XPG

20 RB – XPE

Assembled on 3 heatsinks, with 12 LEDs on 2 of the heatsinks, and 24 on the 3rd. The 2 – 12 LED heatsinks will flank the 24 LED heatsink along with 2x24w T5s (already had from a previous build)

I will control the LEDs with my Profilux controller in order to dim the LEDs to get a proper color.

During build:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/DSCN0982.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/DSCN0979.jpg

Continued:

Operating LEDs at Marsh Christmas party:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/leds_marsh2.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/leds_marsh.jpg

[olaggie01]

Proposed layout in canopy:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/f86f99d1.jpg

Return pump:

Reeflo Snapper powering the main tank, reactors, water change and eventual frag tank through a manifold system

In-tank flow:

2 x Tunze 6105 controlled by the profilux

2x Tunze 6055s controlled by the profilux (from previous tank)

I also have 2 x Tunze 6025 if I have any dead spots (unlikely)

Controller:

Profilux EX II with EVG card to control LEDs and Tunze control

CA/ALK/MG:

Profilux 4 channel dosing pump controller

Avast Marine Kalk reactor

Top-off/ATO:

15 gallon square black Tamco tank (11.5x11.5x18)

Profilux float valve to control water level in sump

[Europhyllia]

what's a beananimal?

[olaggie01]

Aquascape:

Minimal rockwork in tank, bonsai style main island with 2 smaller islands highlighted by the LEDs

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/DSC05429.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/IMG_1623_redimensionar.jpg

Coral:

90% SPS (tabeling acros along with some branching formosas)

10% LPS (chalice, acans)

Current Fish:

False Perc (already have)

Lubbocks Wrasse (already have)

2 PJ cardinals (already have)

Red Sea Pygmy Angel (already have)

[olaggie01]

Potential Fish:

Orange Shoulder / Powder Blue Tang

Copper Banded Butterfly

Scripps Rabbitfish

A pair of Angels (compatible with my Pygmy?)

Anyone have any thoughts on the fish that I have listed below?

My current fish are listed first. I would like to keep these, and possibly, find another perc in hopes of them pairing.

FYI, all pictures of the potential taken from LiveAquaria.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/clown.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/Fish-40g/lubbock.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/p-66609-Pygmy-Cherub.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/p-39336-cardinalfish.jpg

Potential fish:

Pair of these guys: (Depending on the compatibility with my pygmy)

Lamarcks
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/p-67311-Lamarcks-Angel.jpg

Or

Bellus
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/bellus.jpg

Always wanted one of these for valonia control

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/p-80618-magnificent-foxface.jpg

[Europhyllia]

nice! love that you used so many NW LEDs :)

[olaggie01]

Maybe 1-2 wrasse(s) depending on how the personality with my Lubbock

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/p-75917-wrasse.jpg

Had one of these in my 120 and loved him

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/p-39354-Christmas.jpg

Maybe 1 tang:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/p-74214-Powder-Blue-Tang.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/p-73707-blue-caribbean-juv.jpg

Pair of Mandarins (likely ORA if possible)

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/p-39624-red-mandarin.jpg

Always liked CBBs (if I can find one eating frozen)

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/p-26163-copperband-butterf.jpg

Should be getting my sump/plumbing parts today as well as the LEDs. Not sure when the pump will be here, hopefully tomorrow as well so that I can get this thing moved out of my garage.

[olaggie01]

Got some plumbing done last night, glued some of the drain and the return manifold. I need to get the sump and pump in place before I start gluing any more. Drain lines and return lines sketched out.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/0e702022.jpg

Also marked out where I want to bend the acrylic for my overflow and bent one side. I decided not to put the Tunze pumps in the overflow since it would not be easy to remove them to clean them due to the eurobracing on the tank.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/acde3b37.jpg

Found a use for my old T5s though.

They used to light my tank, now they light the stand.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/3e4dbec3.jpg

Got a couple of packages in the mail today. Sump, plumbing parts (although not my gasket) and my top-off tank. Expecting my LEDs later today when FED-EX delivers.

Sump:
Has a bit of a bow to it, but I suspect it will straighten out once I get water into it. Plus, I'll only run the water level at 12" or so.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/636f97bb.jpg

[olaggie01]

Sump in place:
Fits nicely with just enough room for my return pump
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/0df1d878.jpg

Plumbing parts:
2" true union ball valve, 1.5" TUBV, couple of 1" ball valves and a 2" gasket for the sump
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/9cae6667.jpg

Top-off tank with and without lid:
Thinking about installing a uni-seal on the bottom with a piece of clear acrylic as a sight glass

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/f9a6fcb5.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/12ae6459.jpg

Overflow bent on one side:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/7b64c9c8.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/c45f9953.jpg

Got a 2nd package from Fed-Ex today. This time it was my lights. They were packaged perfectly. Only 1 optic fell off, amazing, considering I've seen our Fed-Ex guy throw our boxes up to the porch. This package was a bit heavy, so I doubt he could have thrown it far, but he could have played soccer with it.

Top of LED array with fan and project box with wire connections. Each array has at least 1 fan and a project box to connect to the main supply box.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/bfbaffc1.jpg

Here is a picture of the small project box with the military style plugs

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/b6194c29.jpg

All 4 drivers are housed in this project box, as well as the power source and an on/off switch. Very nice and compact.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/6cbcfe5e.jpg

This picture shows the lines coming out of the project box, 3 larger wires are for connection to each of the LED array. The 4 inputs are for dimming via the 0-10v through my profilux.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/2e6c2dce.jpg

Here is the inside of the project box. The other side of the project box is the same, 2 drivers mounted on the project box.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/31640d4a.jpg

[olaggie01]

Got the lights up on the tank yesterday and picked up the Snapper pump. Just need to finish the overflow box and pick up some 2" pvc to feed the snapper so that I can start on the plumbing.

Here is an iphone photo of the lights on the tank. As you can see, the iphone does an excellent job of picking up the brightness of the light.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/5dfcc1a8.jpg

Also, here is the layout again with the completed LED fixtures. I think I may need to widen it a few inches to accommodate the T5s.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/07ff5160.jpg

For some reason, something is really slowing me down on this build. I wonder if I can grab a picture of it next time I see it.

Ahh, the elusive, time/money sink makes an appearance outside in the garage.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/IMG_7004.jpg

And a little more normal shot:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/IMG_7008.jpg

[olaggie01]

I installed the movable rack yesterday and have the fixture in the correct position for the new tank. Just need to move the new tank into the office, which should happen this weekend if it doesn't rain.

LED hung:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/da4fb359.jpg

Rock for foam background:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/87684d16.jpg

Also had to re-do the overflow box since it was leaking. Got the plumbing done and am disassembling to move to the office.

[olaggie01]

nice! love that you used so many NW LEDs :)


what's a beananimal?

Guy on RC. Designed an overflow system.

I like the NW LEDs. They add a very nice color and help out the "blueness"

[Mr Cob]

wow! great build! Love the light rack. You don't hold back do you? Nicely done. What's left to do besides the background?

[alton]

Looks nice keep the pictures coming, I too love the light rack.

[txav8r]

WOW! This is a great build thread!!!

[justahobby]

Man, if we had a thread build of the month there would be no contest. Thank you for the pictures. Us simple minded folks can follow along better that way

[Big_Pun]

i love pictures, reading is for the birds! i like that overflow design very slick. hope i can see this in person some time, my G/f is from cedar park so im there ocassionally visiting her mom.

[jlh81]

Man thats going to be a sweet setup Thats the tank i wanna get. Can't wait to see more of this.

[olaggie01]

wow! great build! Love the light rack. You don't hold back do you? Nicely done. What's left to do besides the background?

Thanks Rob. I'm hoping that it will allow me to slide the lights out of the way when I need to do some maintenance on the tank.

Why would I want to hold back when there are all the sweet builds on maast? I am a bit competitive ;)

Background and move the tank to my office. Should happen this weekend. My current 40g tank is in the same place as the new tank so I need to move that today and transfer the corals to a holding tub. Next week I'm in Houston so I'll probably leave everything in the tub till I get back and then I cantransfe it to the new tank.

[olaggie01]

WOW! This is a great build thread!!!


Looks nice keep the pictures coming, I too love the light rack.

Thanks Justin and alton

[olaggie01]

Man thats going to be a sweet setup Thats the tank i wanna get. Can't wait to see more of this.


i love pictures, reading is for the birds! i like that overflow design very slick. hope i can see this in person some time, my G/f is from cedar park so im there ocassionally visiting her mom.

Sure thing stangchris. Just let me know when you are up here next.

Thanks joe

[olaggie01]

Played around a little with the rock and PVC today. Got a plan in my head for aquascaping but we will see what happens.

Rock on PVC

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/07709935.jpg

Same

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/5920d3b7.jpg

Covered PVC

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/969ad1e7.jpg

[olaggie01]

Minor setback today. Tried to move the tank across the yard, and figured that the grass was dry enough from the rain this weekend but I was wrong. Got the tank loaded up into the back of the truck and started across the yard, only to make it through the gate and have no traction.

But I did get the overflow re-siliconed and the background put on. I even moved the 40g over since the 150g will be in it's place, albeit on Sunday instead of today.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/7066cbae.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/40dde19c.jpg

[justahobby]

What did you cover the PVC with? Are you going to do anything else to it? I haven't seen this done before.

[olaggie01]

It's a coral glue or something like that from KZ. I bought it years ago but haven't done anything with it before. I figured I would try and put some on PVC instead of foam or concrete. We will see how I incorporate it, if I do.

[olaggie01]

So with the help of some friends, we got the tank moved on Sunday. It wasn't too bad with 4 of us, with 2 of us it is a bit heavy.

And Rieston says "Yyyyeeeaaahh"

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/cf6c2f33.jpg

but one problem, not enough water yet.

And Rieston is unhappy again

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/75b2dc6c.jpg

So begins the time consuming water production in a cool winter evening.

Got some of the rocks into the tank and filled them with all the SW I had on hand.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/f52cfd37.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/3f4cfa90.jpg

Got the sump installed with the pump and drains

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/24b1032a.jpg

[olaggie01]

Here is the initial aquascape. This is looking from the top on the left side.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/8201cece.jpg

I have some LR that I'll be adding once I break down my 40g, but I like how it is so far. I have some other ideas about the back wall.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/9bde6b57.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/00521e58.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/af0ead0b.jpg

Got the LEDs up as well, hopefully today I'll have the profilux back running.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a153/Rush2005/150g%20upgrade/84058688.jpg

[hobogato]

coming along nicely - great job documenting the build as well!

[Kristy]

Wow, this build thread is incredible!

Couple of comments:
1. Knotty alder, love this wood, great choice in your office!

2. Re: livestock additions... go with the bellus pair. You'll be SO much happier over the plain looking Lamarck's. I love my bellus angel and she has had NO issues whatsoever with the three dwarf angels in our tank, so I suspect your compatability would be the same. I was more concerned with adding her after our powder blue tang, who seems to want to terrorize any new blue fish, but even that was worrying for nothing.

[olaggie01]

Thanks Ace. Are you still building media reactors?

[olaggie01]

Thanks Kristy. I really like the knotty alder as well.

Great info about the Bellus, I have wanted a pair for a long time and hopefully I'll find a nice pair that are eating well. Unfortunately, I lost my pygmy angel the other day when I was out of town and I had a power outage in the office. I have a UPS but didn't have it hooked up to the 40g tank.

[hobogato]

Thanks Ace. Are you still building media reactors?

no, sorry.

[joelb]

good job! pls keep us updated on the progress and growth pics :)

[olaggie01]

good job! pls keep us updated on the progress and growth pics :)

Thanks Joelb.

Well, this tank switch has not been nice to me. I lost my pygmy angel the other day when the power went out and things have been going down hill since then. Thought I lost my wrasse when I moved tanks (but luckily he survived).

About 90% of my SPS are gone, and I don't expect the other 10% to make it. Tank is too new I'm afraid. I used about 20 lbs of LR that I had in my 40g but I suppose it wasn't enough. I was hoping to have both tanks up and running for a longer time to allow the switch to be more gradual, but it didn't work as planned. The 40g was going down hill and I needed to make a decision and get things into the 150.

I suppose the next few months I'll focus on fish and getting things stablized along with building the skirt around the tank and the bookshelves. School has started up again and I've got several work trips already planned for Feb/Mar so that should help the time pass. Perhaps by the summer I'll be ready to start with SPS again.

[ErikH]

Your tank looks great, sorry about the losses though. Things will get better! :D

[olaggie01]

Thanks Eric.

I have had this annoying drip from one of my double union ball valves on the return plumbing so I figured I would take it apart and re-lube the threads and o-ring with silicone grease. And when I got the intake side apart, low and behold, I noticed that I was missing an o-ring. Guess that is why the ball valve was leaking. I called US Plastics and they are sending me a replacement o-ring. I can't believe I didn't notice it when I was installing originally.

[Europhyllia]

Wow. Didn't see the update about the disasterous move until now. You must be so bummed out. Sorry. I hope you got some frags from your SPS colonies to start over with.
Boo :(

[olaggie01]

Thanks Karin, unfortunately, all the SPS are gone. My LPS/zoas are fine and I've lost 2 fish now (wrasse/pygmy angel). I'm heading to India for 2 weeks later this week, but after that, I plan to start restocking the tank. Hoping the last few weeks have started to stablize the tank and re-introduce the bacteria to the new rock.