my first marine tank build thread ...

[dipan]

As far as the eventual spill (I've been thinking about this since the 10 gallon saltwater rinse I gave my living room (fortunately I have a tiled first floor)) this is what I was considering for my in wall system.

The other side of my potential wall is a large pantry. I was thinking about placing a shallow plastic basin beneath the build. My washer/dryer is upstairs and the washer sits in a shallow metal basin to capture spilled water. Basically a floor made of plastic that extends about a foot further than your setup's footprint with a two inch lip.

Would something like that work for your fish room? A simple sensor is needed that when it becomes wet it will shut off your pumps and sound an alarm... or perhaps the latter and leave the former for you. I'm thinking if you aren't home though...

That's a good thought. I hadn't thought of that. What I was thinking of is sealing all the walls where the bottom 2x4 meets the ground around the fish room except for one small 1ft area or so where the wall divides the fish room with the garage. That way, if water spills, it will collect a little, depending on the slope of the floor, but excess will drain into the garage where the floor is sloped to drain outside. Hopefully it will never happen as a major spill would be catastrophic for the tank if I'm not home, and I don't know what that saltwater would do to the landscape around the house.

[dipan]

Wondering what equipment I should start purchasing ... any advice?

I was thinking a nice quiet powerful efficient return pump. Maybe a Snapper, Iwaki? I have a Blueline pump, but it's probably not powerful enough and it seems to heat the water at least 3-5 degrees ...

I was going to talk to Jeremy at B&B about a standalone skimmer. Hope he's doing OK. Maybe a Profilux, RKE, or the new Neptune system, but I'll probably wait on the computer for now. Still at least a few months away from a completely setup system.

[dipan]

Wow ... closed loop recirculation. A revelation when you find out something new that just makes sense. Another newbie discovery! Hmmnnn. Anyone have any opinions on a couple of Reeflo Snapper's for a 200 gallon 45"x30"x36" tank ... one for circulation (closed loop) and the other for the filter/sump circuit? That way, I could bridge the two circuits with a ball union that is normally closed and if one pump dies, I can just use the other to drive both circuits until a replacement arrives. I like the redundancy idea.

[JeffCo]

For the return, the snapper may be fine, but you probably want a bigger pump for the closed loop. Maybe the barracuda or something around that size.

[dipan]

For the return, the snapper may be fine, but you probably want a bigger pump for the closed loop. Maybe the barracuda or something around that size.

Probably sound advice. Ordered 2 Reeflo Dart Golds to handle the closed loop and return needs. Picked up a used Dart as a backup in case also. Have to order the OM 4way, maybe today. I've spent days here and on RC just learning about the many facets of this hobby in the last few weeks. So much to figure out. Hopefully building permits will be acquired from the city for the fish room in the next week or so. I've started buying stuff, including an aquarium controller and an RO/DI system.

I've got to order the water storage tanks, probably today.

Not entirely sure about skimmer at this point. I've researched many of the "great" (expensive) skimmers out there, but was hoping someone would chime in and recommend an affordable, energy efficient, reliable (not too much tinkering) one for a large system. Not sure I want to spend megabucks on a skimmer ...

I wonder if I need a chiller, also, but I'll probably just set up the system first and wait & see. Maybe pick one up used.

[brewercm]

I'm using the Octopus Extreme and have been happy with it. Not sure what your total water volume will be put you could check on the Model 300.

Lots of skimmers out there but this and the ASM are the only two I have a lot of experience with. The ASM would be another nice choice I just like the build of the Octo better myself.

[dipan]

So bummed ... Just found out how much it will cost to have the fish room built. Not sure I can do it now. :(

I figured maybe 3-6K for a 12x5' room in the garage, with plumbing, AC/heat, and 2 20amp circuits. What do you guys think this should cost? I can do stuff myself, but time is a big factor and I don't really want to do the electrical/plumbing.

[Jarob]

Just ask around here on MAAST!! We have a ton of skilled people who im sure could save you money in the end. Sounds like a really cool build, hope it happens!

-Jarob

[PhilipB]

this build sounds awesome! cant wait to see it go up. what price range are you trying to stay in? im not soliciting but im a general contractor and am willing o give advice or tips if needed. there are actually quite a few of us on here. let me know what i can do for ya. again i cant wait to see this go up!

[PhilipB]

and definetely multiple 20 amp circuits. i have 2 dedicated quads each on their own 20 amp breaker. makes me sleep better. im probably going to add a subpanel but im waiting for time and extra parts from one of my electricians