185 build thread since 90% of the parts are in

[stephaniegarcia06]

Moved, got the tank drilled (thanks, Ace) and inside on a stand and most of the pieces to out it together.

185g 48x30x30
Dual 1.5" drains with 1" returns

Lighting: 4 x Kessil A360Ns per the conversation I had with the kessil rep. Goosenecks for now but ideally they will eventually hang from the ceiling and drop into the harry potter closet behind the wall.

Filtration:

Ace made sump with BIG refugium filled off of manifold from return
Reeflo Orca skimmer
Reef Octopus waste collector with auto shutoff
2 x Geos Reef UMC 420 reactors for carbon off manifold

Return pump and other circulation:

Reeflo Dart
2x Vortech MP40wES

Rock: However much is in the 75 minus a few lbs for the 28g; 150lbs of reefrock.net rock. Some will go in the 28. Also have a dry tonga shelf piece that I will have to aquascape in. Have some ugly rock to go in fuge with lots of various macros. Bought the mortar from marco rocks.

Sand: 200# to go between the fuge and DT plus a 5 gallon bucket of rinsed sand from the 75. 75 is currently bare bottom as it wasnt going to be set up long.

Fish: getting rid of everything in the 75 but the (non apstasia eating worthless but cool looking) filefish and the bonded pair of maroon clowns for now. Other additions are up in the air.

Corals: staying away from sps. I like softies a lot and have a few lps now. The most recent addition being a jason fox jack o lantern with 50+ eyes. Also recently purchased a large 12" + rbta. She is pretty awesome and my clowns think shes wonderful.

CUC: I really want Halloween hermits. Im a big fan of Halloween which is the only reason I hought the jack o lantern lepto. Other than that the norm.

Controller: RKE with net module, ALC, lunar module.

Dosing: for now by hand. May add something in the future if I need more simplicity

ATO: JBJ with a small rubbermaid tub hokding water. I initially had the ok to plumb through the wall into the harry potter closet but now he's having second thoughts. Best not to rush him on the decision so for now I will deal.

Stand: nowhere close to being done. Will finish after everything else. A little backwards but it gives me a lot more space to plumb.

Picking up PVC order from home depot tomorrow. Siliconing in new Ace made overflows and starting plumbing this weekend. Will be slow going but I will update as I make slow but steady progress.

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21507

[ramsey]

Wow, this is going to be an awesome build! Talk about doing it right. Following! Also, with just softies and LPS, you might not need to dose anything as far as calc/alk/mag goes. Don't make the mistake of just following the dosing directions on the container. I've been there and done that. Now I test everything I can, especially alk since alk stability is important.

[stephaniegarcia06]

Shouldn't need to dose you are correct; but I have been known to change my mind on occasion :D and the 28g will have sps so...

This is also the first time in life I have been fortunate enough to be able to afford the expensive stuff and a large number tank.

The 75 was a steal and already had some stuff that came in handy. Like a refractometer, the RKE less the alc and net module, and a lot of testing supplies. Selling stuff I haven't needed had made me recoup my money so im getting stuff like the livestock and reefkeeper wayyyy under retail.

I sold the old lights on the 75. Here it is with 2 of the the pendants going on the 185 not quite ramped to 50%

21508

I am HOPING to have a picture of the plumbing setup mocked up for thoughts by the end of the weekend.

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[footballdude2k3]

If I had a stand that open, I would do one of two things, either use magnets to attach the paneling for easy removal, or make everything have doors, no fixed sides, like rocketengineer's stand on rc. You would never complain about needing room to move around.

[stephaniegarcia06]

Didn't get it plumbed. Didn't get a ladder to scrape old silicone, install bulkheads and overflows. Did get the laminate tile put down, but to do a 32"x82" section it has taken me since Saturday. We are still in boxes from the move as a lot of big sales things have come up, so my husband has been having to work long days and the next two Saturdays. That means the kiddo is my job and working on any tank has been severely limited. I'm still trying to catch that stupid hippo tang on top of everything else. And now my husband has invited some of his family down, so I'm going to go see my grandmother in Austin with the baby. They are more than welcome to unpack and clean my house!

I also managed to jack up my truck the other day - which is at the body shop being taken care of - and my husband left the sprinkler system running all night so the sod installation scheduled for today was delayed until tomorrow. I let the dogs out back into the mud not thinking, and now I have a new hole in my backyard and two muddy dogs. Husband isn't quite home yet. The good news is the kid is already tired, so as soon as he gets home its bath and bedtime. Then maybe I can get something accomplished house wise.

So what I mean is - anyone want to come plumb this thing for me? :bigsmile:

[stephaniegarcia06]

Bulkheads in. Old silicone from overflow scraped off glass. Waiting on husband to get home to help install new overflows. Drlling sump return for bulkhead tonight or tomorrow. After that it should go quick with plumbing. I bought more than I think I will ever need. Still planning on at least one more trip to home depot.

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[stephaniegarcia06]

Oh right. Manifold mocked up

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/08/4yjage4a.jpg

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[Scutterborn]

Sorry. I'm just catching up. Your running a dart for your return pump?
That's going to be an awful lot of flow through the sump. I'm running a snapper on mine and have it throttled way back. Like 50% or so. Are you running a closed loop system or power heads?

What are the various outputs on your manifold for?

Ps. Avoid Halloween hermits for a reef.

[stephaniegarcia06]

Forgot to update post re: pump. Actually decided to go with the snapper for the reason you listed.

Will have to dial pump back some but also keeping in mind the top of my tank is over 6' (1700ish gph at that height.) Skimmer needs up to 600gph. Plumbing takes away some more as do the reactors. I think its decently sized for my tank.

Manifold for skimmer, fuge, hose bibb to run water out the front door via a hose for water changes (I am that lazy) and the two geos reactors (will run off one ball valve inline.) Extra spot for "just in case" because I do not want to replumb this thing.

Why no halloween hermits? I was dead set on those guys and from what I read I thought they were reef safe? Educate me!

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[aquasport24]

Am in the same shoe right now with mine 240g, about to build me a manifold too. I'll be using Gate valves instead of Ball valve for more accurate flow,especially those that go to skimmer and reators. I went ahead and add some silicone to bulkhead seals too just incase.I went to HD and Lowes 4 times already in this nice cold front weather we having here, and still not got all my plumbing done,btw Lowes has a better selection than HD by far. Only place that has Gate valve around here is Grainger.

[stephaniegarcia06]

I ordered almost everything from flexpvc.com. It's easier for me that way. Order everything I think I need (plus stuff I cant get at HD or Lowes) and supplement going to the big box stores. That website will have anything you'd ever need to plumb your tank at competitive prices. The only thing that sucks is their restocking fee on returns...so order gate and ball valves from them, get your general fittings local (or do what I did and ordered online from HD, made them go pick it all and picked it up at the front desk. I was in and out in 5 minutes.)

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[Scutterborn]

While online sources have pretty much cleared the Halloween hermit "reef safe", I've been told numerous times that people have owned them then started missing polyps.
Ymmv.

I didn't realize you we're plumbing the return into the skimmer. My 185 has the SRO5000 with the BB HY-5000 pump. I seem to assume that all skimmers have their own dedicated pump. :)


- Ben -

[stephaniegarcia06]

I am actually up in the air about purchasing a sro external. The footprint on it wouldn't have it hanging of the stand. This one will hang of the back 3/4" due to the footprint of my tank.

Well sucks about the hermits. Guess I could always throw them in the sump? Read my pm about my Halloween tank and you'll understand why I want em.


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[Scutterborn]

I am actually up in the air about purchasing a sro external. The footprint on it wouldn't have it hanging of the stand. This one will hang of the back 3/4" due to the footprint of my tank.

Well sucks about the hermits. Guess I could always throw them in the sump? Read my pm about my Halloween tank and you'll understand why I want em.


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Lol. Yeah. I hear ya.


- Ben -

[allan]

I had an external pump on my tank, at about 6' high, way too much flow. But if you're sending the output to several areas then you should be good. I'm also a little curious as to how you're plumbing to the skimmer through your manifold. Introducing the air for the bubbles, and some device to make the smaller bubbles, seems like it would defeat the purpose.

I had a tank with your dimensions, and loved it. Looking forward to this build.

[stephaniegarcia06]

Plumbing from the 1" barb hooked up on the left of the manifold to the 1" barb input on the skimmer. There's a good picture on RC that I went by for plumbing. Will have to find and post later.

Im not sure I am following you on your other questions? It's also been a long night so...

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[Scutterborn]

Is this the skimmer?
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/08/e6ybyget.jpg
Looks like it already has the air intake on it. Just gotta plumb it in and dial in your flow.

[stephaniegarcia06]

No. Mine is a discontinued skimmer. Has a 1" barbed inlet. Pic later. Daycare shopping now

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[stephaniegarcia06]

Here. Mine has orca gold versus the snapper but still needs and additional feed pump

http://www.customaquatic.com/estore/control/product/~product=PS-MTORCA-200

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[stephaniegarcia06]

Grandma was slow but she was old. bulkhead drilled in sump.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/14/upe4ypag.jpg

I do have a piece of 1" pvc hanging out of the right return bulkhead.... but that's it.

I'd anyone needs to borrow monster pvc cutters (if I ever get done with them), the ones I got from flexpvc.com are da bomb and went through the 2" pipe like it was nothing

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[stephaniegarcia06]

New skimmer should also be here Thursday....how long before it gets noticed?

Setting the line at 1 week.

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[Zack]

Is this a DIY stand?

[stephaniegarcia06]

Yeah. I didn't buuld it. Paul at reefs 2 ubdid. Im plumbing then skinning

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[Zack]

Do you have tools to skin it? I have a frame of a canopy and stand done but I'm tooless and stink at woodwork. If so maybe someday can you help me do some cuts?

[stephaniegarcia06]

I do have tools to skin it. I actually used the stand as an excuse to purchase a miter saw, jigsaw, and cordless tool kit that has a small circular saw with it along other things. That and my dad should be here soon. We used to build decks together and are going to put one on the new house.

I am no Ace when it comes to woodwork and design but just skinning is easy. You are more than welcome to come over and make cuts. I am less than 5 minutes from the new braunfels home depot as well.

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[Zack]

Sweet!! Its nothing huge, just need to end up 6 pieces cut! I can pay in coral, $, or drinks!

[stephaniegarcia06]

Babysitting? :D

I keed. No $$ needed. We can coordinate when u come get your fish

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[stephaniegarcia06]

For anyone following. Skimmer I went with. The cone was just too much to stomach at $719. Not that this was much better

http://www.aquacave.com/Reef-Octopus-SUPER-SRO-2000EXT-External-Protein-Skimmer-P3339.aspx

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[Big_Pun]

does your husband know about the new skimmer... lol

[Zack]

Babysitting? :D

I keed. No $$ needed. We can coordinate when u come get your fish

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Got it! It wont' be for a few weeks as I need to get the wood! If you gave me the date in advance I'm sure me and my fiance could baby sit lol, she loves kiddos.

[Scutterborn]

For anyone following. Skimmer I went with. The cone was just too much to stomach at $719. Not that this was much better

http://www.aquacave.com/Reef-Octopus-SUPER-SRO-2000EXT-External-Protein-Skimmer-P3339.aspx

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Good call. I have this one which seems very similar. Workhorse for sure.

http://www.aquacave.com/Reef-Octopus-SUPER-SRO-5000INT-In-Sump-Protein-Skimmer-P2587.aspx

[stephaniegarcia06]

Oh right. Durso and one overflow in. The other will be in tomorrow. Had a little snafu so had to get one slightly different made

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/14/va6ybute.jpg

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[stephaniegarcia06]

Mock up. Nothing is glued. Critique it please. Its the first time I have ever plumbed a tank other than the 28 I did. I took ideas from other people's tanks mainly on RC.

I have the sump in the back as I want to be able to reach mechanical things easier. So they are to the front. I need hangars for sure and you can see the drain sagging in the back. I also need to put in ball valves on the drains and returns just dont know where yet. There also a union on the left drain you just cant see it in the picture. There will be another pipe going down into the second filter sock holder, I just didnt cut it because the ups man showed up with goodies.

I have plenty more unions, pipe, 90 and 45 elbows, tees etc. So dont be shy about making suggestions.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/15/5anatu5e.jpg

I realized something putting this thing together. It is going to be a pain in the rear getting it off this stand (or any stand really) in the future. The bulkheads arent flush with the bottom and this thing is on a tall stand.

Im already planning on just paying someone to deal with it. I think I have moved the last fish tank ever on my own.


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[stephaniegarcia06]

There is also a union on the return line on the right that isnt in the picture (smaller pipe)

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[Scutterborn]

Definitely support the pipe with hangers. That's a lot of torque on the glass.

[stephaniegarcia06]

I have some... in a box somewhere. Its out now just needed it in for pictures

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[aquasport24]

I just finished mine plumbing and manifold. I used Spaflex instead of pvc for less vibration and better withstand against torqued .You can bend Spa flex to avoid elbows. I also try not to have any 90 degree elbow.Do you have one or two returns coming from the tank ? You have any strainer at the inlet? It good to have some type of strainer at the inlet,bc the used Sequence i got with my tank had a hermit crab inside the impeller housing,causing alot of noise..lol..I had my 2 drain lines just like yours but making too much noise so am going to add two Sanitary tee at the end to eleminate the noise.Sanitary upper end will cap with 1/4" hole and air hose.

[stephaniegarcia06]

There is a strainer on the durso pipes to prevent any unwanted guests getting in the drains. The return is loc line to pvc so shouldn't have any issues there.

Just picked up the second overflow so will install that tonight. Skimmer should be here tomorrow or Friday.

Skinning it and hoping to get it wet this weekend. After that will start aquascape with reefrocks dry rock and figure out lighting. Need to get realtor's electrician husband to install an outlet higher up on the wall for lights. Eventually I want a canopy suspended from the ceiling with the lights hidden in that. An outlet on the wall behind it means I can hide cords.

That may take a while if evidenced by how long it is taking me to get this one going.

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[aquasport24]

I meant the return line at pump to the bulkhead.

[Zack]

I know you just sold an MP40, and had three left, yet the 1st post only lists two, are you going to run three on this tank?

Btw, tall stand looked awesome, always good to see things without having to bend down :)

[allan]

Btw, tall stand looked awesome, always good to see things without having to bend down :)

Tall is always better! ;-)

I used heavy duty zip ties and screws to e leave the weight on my pipes. Simple, easy, and looks a lot better than duct tape.


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[stephaniegarcia06]

Nano - yeah I had purchased four. Decided three would be enough so sold one.

Allan - that's a great idea. If I can't find these other deals I will get some from home depot when I return extra plumbing later today.

I am assuming mine looks on since nobody has said anything about it