Hello All,

I am a brand new member (sent 30.00 last month haven't heard anything).

I have been around this hobby for many years and never have had the time or setting to build a setup that I could be proud of. I am currently building a 220g 72x24x30 mixed reef that will be in a sitting room on the 2nd story of my house. here are some picts of the progress and where I am at with the build.

First off the stand - I Originally was going to have this in front of a window and would be able to see it on 4 sides. I would be able to see if from the Deck where we spend a lot of time with friends and family. So I built it "finished on 4 sides" here are some picts of the progress. the stand is built out of 2x and poplar - I know that some build out solid wood with out 2x's .. I just don't trust by woodworking skills ...

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0098.jpg

Here is a pict were we were going to set the tank .. however it took up way too much room -

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0135-1.jpg
http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0126.jpg

And starting to put a finish on it .... Gold .. Stay with me here :)

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0136.jpg

The Gold pulled through the black top coat here is a pict of the progress- will send some more when I am done

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0161.jpg

Here is a shot where the tank will sit - still need to build the raised panel doors for the front and sides -

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0159.jpg

Now onto the basement -

1st the support ... 2x10 sandwiched between 2x4 -

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0156.jpg

Added a sink in the basement as well as its own discharge system that the Tank will be plumbed into

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/sink.jpg

Water anyone - 2 - 150g tanks - Top one is RODI and the bottom is Salt water - the top fills the bottom by gravity.. works very well ! you can also see the 70 QT tank -

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0101.jpg


Here is an overall picture of the set up -

The top right is a 40g Refug (cant really see it )
then you have the Sump (large ... very large... )
and below the sump you have a 100g rubbermaid bin that is cooking some rock right now ... I think that I am going to plumb that into the system to add another 50 gal or so .. the white box is a Air Exchanger that will get rid of any humidity in the basement -

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0168.jpg

quick snap shot of the QT tank

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0177.jpg

here is my Apex command center - work in progress already have the WXM, PM1 and PM2 set up and is running the QT Tank - I will have 3 Vortechs running on the DT with a reeflo hammerhead gold running the system - I have another reeflo hammerhead on order for backup -

the lighting will be all LED with 4 or 5 AI bringing the light these will be controlled by the APEX via the VDM Module -

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0170.jpg

I should have the Plumbing Complete this weekend ... any questions please ask ...

I hope that I can pick up a TON of Frags at some meetings in the near future

still trying to figure out how i want to aquascape - I have a bunch of cut marco rocks and about 150lbs of reg marco rocks -

I look forward to meeting everyone at a future meeting -

B

Woww. Very excited to watch this one progress!

:eek2:

saaaaaaweet!

looks great.

Looking good!

Gonna look good! There are several fellow reefers close by to you and if I can ever be of assistance please ask.

Oh....... Welcome to the ARC!

This is an awesome build! It's nice to see a few starting up again............Welcome!

Welcome to the ARC.

Looking good! We love pictures. Thanks for sharing.

.. I just don't trust my woodworking skills...

:confused2:

thanks everyone -

Should I have posted this in the members tank forum ? I really want to get some feedback as I progress through the build ..

Thanks

Welcome. Can't wait to see more. Looks awesome so far.

Nah this is the perfect place. Please post away any questions you may have. We'll definitely post our thoughts and experiences to help out the best we can. Better yet you keep building and we'll learn something from you:yay:.
Thanks for joining. Hope ya make it to the holiday party.
thanks everyone -

Should I have posted this in the members tank forum ? I really want to get some feedback as I progress through the build ..

Thanks

GREAT setup... I think that a utility sink in a fish room is PARAMOUNT!!

This looks great! Have you decided how you are going to do water changes and what you will do with the waste water? I've got a 210 in office and water changes are the most time consuming for me. It looks like you plumbed the salt water to the sump so I assume you can fill that way but couldn't see how you were planning on removing water from the system.

Welcome to the club!

Loving the build! Cracked me up, scrolling through I got to the gold and got this look on my face like I was hit with a big whiff of steamy sauerkraut, but then when I got to the next pic I was pleasantly surprised.

Well, Jeff, some of us like sauerkraut. :D

Well, Jeff, some of us like sauerkraut. :D

Hey, don't get me wrong, I love it too... but like egg salad & most cheeses, if you aren't actively eating them they can really bring a tear to your eye. LOL :yuk:

"What's that smell?!?!"
"It's either bad meat or good cheese" :D

"What's that smell?!?!"
"It's either bad meat or good cheese" :D

:yay:

Love the reference!

Sorry, back on topic!!:hijacked:

Looking great so far!

JeF4y, brianjfinn

I stopped by the site to check and see if anyone had responded to my posts - and got a laugh out of the Kraut comment - how did you know that I am indeed German - well German/English/Jewish ...

the Stand only pulls gold on the edges (made to look like it is painted over bronze) - my wife didn't want a flat black stand and canopy - so I decided to go with the rustic look -


Rbredding- yea it was a must for me - again it is connected to its own ejector system along with the tank - this sink was a cheepo from a big box store not too deep but it should do - I still need to run the Hot line to it .. right now it just has the cold plumbed - I am going to build some workspace to the left of it -

Bobz,

Actually what you are looking at the sump ( will post some closer up shots) are 3 drain lines that are plumbed into (an independent ejector system) along with the sink... there is a wall drain that runs the entire back wall - so all I have to do is turn a valve and water will run the the ejector system- Also, My future Frag tank will be plumbed to the wall drain as well.. the QT however is not... if I want to fill the system (for large water changes ... which I am not planning on doing) more on this in a min... I have a hose that hooks up to the salt container (150g) and gravity feeds the bottom Rubbermaid bin to the level I need -

the holes were already in the sump and they are in different chambers .. so i figure this would be a great way of getting rid of any waste from time to time that may collect there -

as for water changes I am going to Run a continuous water change with the Litermeter III - I will have numerous safety controls via APEX - I of the Litermeter pumps will send water from my 150g salt to the Sump and another pump will take water out and send it to the sink or wall drain (back syphon can not happen due to the pumps (parastalic) I will prob add this later but I feel that instead of shocking systems with large water changes 10-15 at once ... it's better of time... all depends of Nitrate levels I am seeing ...

while we are on the subject - I am using this connected Directly to RODI

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0102.jpg

this has a float valve /float switch /solenoid/ and Timer via apex - I also will have waterbugs more float switches and 2 solenoids and auto shut off on RODI - not to mention Apex monitoring TEMP PH SALINITY and controlling when water can be added to system - the unit is called Level- Loc that I will be using for my ATO -

Here are some more shots - again taken with iphone so I will get some SLR shots - at various stages

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0113.jpg

UV: - note plastic is going up to protect system and Insulation from each other -

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0171.jpg

Another shot of the Room where the tank will sit ....

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0144.jpg

View from Front Door .. I might to start using this entrance to the home more often :)

Better shot of the Tank stand and canopy Finish ....
http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0123.jpg


How the sump is connected to the wall drain-
http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0093.jpg


Odds: and ends - Quick shot of my BC14 with DIY LED system - few months ago -
http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0090.jpg

and Finally my daughter looking on as dove the GA Aquarium

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/DSC_0148.jpg

This is another one of those awe-inspiring systems. Very nice handy work, and you have no reason, from what I can see, to doubt your wood working skills. Congratulations, and I very much look forward to watching this one come to completion, and watching it grow.

thanks Brianjfinn,

so can I count on you for some frags!!!!! haha I am going to need a lot to fill up the tank :)

I would love to put my sump in the basement. Do you think you will have a problem with the water rushing down to fast from your tank to your sump?

Absolute...a beautiful build. Thanks for sharing.

Dont think so .. I am going to use the "Herbie" method ... one of the main reasons is that I want this thing dead silent ... the only noise i want to hear is the Vortechs ramping up and down .... the Herbie (do a search on RC) get your reading glasses on because its a long one ... simply put... I am going to use both drain and returns that are drilled in each overflow as drains in my system (so 4 drains) I will bring the returns over the back via Sea Swirls and loc line ... two of the drains (the 1inch) will have a gate valve attached.. what you do is close the gate slightly and rase the water level over the standpipe so no way for air to get into drain system on these two line ... the other two drains (3/4) will be above the water line and will act as Emergency Drains ... the 1 inch lines will go all the way to the sump and will be underwater there as well .... so no AIR and no noise ...
and the benefit of e-drains - I have seen 300g tanks in bedrooms and you can not hear anything .... so no more wetting the bed :)

if the E-drains are ever needed they will give you the lovely sound of water and air rushing down a pipe - and will give me a audible alarm

by setting the system up in this way I will be able to move a ton of water if needed to the sump - not my intention though ... my feeling is ... it's not about flow through the sump is about flow via CL or powerheads - I will be able to "bleed off any unwanted water going to the DT by the Manifold station that will house my UV / and Reactors -

So to answer you question ... i am not sure :) the sump isn't directly under the DT is has about 30 feet or so to travel -

I am sure i am going to have to adjust the system .... hope to have everything figured out well b4 the first oz of salt hits it...

thanks Brianjfinn,

so can I count on you for some frags!!!!! haha I am going to need a lot to fill up the tank :)

Sure thing! You'll have to wait until they grow some (they're only frags themselves at the moment) but I've got a few you might be interested in.

Love your avatar by the way.

A little update ....

About 90% done with plumbing .... Still waiting on tank uggghhh
Air exchanger is up and running and plumbed to the outside

Pipes have been run from dt stand to the sump (3 lines to sump and 1 to pump )

Question ... I would like to build a medium size frag tank to grow some corals out and to frag for friends in the hobby...

Would you plumb this system into the main system or would you keep it separate ... Either way i will prob plumb it into the discharge system for easy water changes ... I am going to build The frag tank out of acrylic ...

What would you guys do ?

i would put the frag tank on the same system. easier to maintain.

Where are you getting your tank from? Just asking, I'm kinda looking for a bigger tank.

Where are you getting your tank from? Just asking, I'm kinda looking for a bigger tank.

Are you wanting to go custom? If so talk to chris @ fish scales he builds tanks and they are great.

i would put the frag tank on the same system. easier to maintain.

+1, much easier to move corals out of the DT to the frag tank without having to acclimate.

Ok same system it is... As for the where I was going to get the frag tank .. I was going to build myself with acrylic ... 3 foot wide 4 -6 feet long 12 inches deep ... Has anyone ever brought the drain line from dt to frag tank instead of sump ... Then the frag tank would drain to sump via opposite side... I am trying to get by with 1 pump ( hammerhead gold) I have an extra if it ever goes down .... In the dt there will be 3 vortechs for water movement ..

Ok same system it is... As for the where I was going to get the frag tank .. I was going to build myself with acrylic ... 3 foot wide 4 -6 feet long 12 inches deep ... Has anyone ever brought the drain line from dt to frag tank instead of sump ... Then the frag tank would drain to sump via opposite side... I am trying to get by with 1 pump ( hammerhead gold) I have an extra if it ever goes down .... In the dt there will be 3 vortechs for water movement ..

You will have a lot of detritus build up in the frag tank. As long as you run it bare bottom and have all the frags raised up on a rack then high flow should be able to prevent it from settling in and raising the nitrates.

Why not just split the return? Its not like you NEED to be pushing that much water through your return display really.

Yea I am thinking about that as well ... I have a refugium... Uv .. Manifold ... All running of the hammerhead .. It just depends on how much I loose on head pressure and the long run to the dt on 2nd floor ... I should be ok ...

Correction 1st floor of house ...

If memory serves the hammerheads push around 1800 gph @ 1 story so even if you diverted off 400 gph to the frag tank you are still looking 6x turnover with the overflow. How many gallons is the frag tank?

Doesn't exist yet ... I have a perfect space of about 4 feet wide by 5 feet or so that I could put a tank ...I would think 12 inches deep is all I think I would need

this is going to be one heck of a tank! my only question is: do you think putting near a window in the front is a safe idea? lots of thiefs can easily see that from the road and steal those expensive parts. good luck with your build!

Enjoyed seeing the pictures. I have a 210 currently with a frag system and they are plumbed together. I really like your water storange/change capabilities. I am about to embark on a 400 gallon upgrade as we finish the basement. It will be an in wall and I will have a fish room that can easily be turned into a bedroom for resale. I look forward to your progress. Thank you for sharing.

How is the build going? updates? I just picked up a used 220 today and am ready to embark on sumping, fragging, and returning from the basement. Interested to see where you are.

Hey Brian, it was really mice meeting you today! Hope those acans and scoly work out!

Thanks Mockery - you and your dad need to come over soon and check out the setup - bring frags :)


so I am finally getting around for a big update on the build - Sorry for the delay on updating the build progress-

well here is what is new with the build -

Decided that I wanted the skimmer to have it's own sump so the wife and I built a bottom sump for the Frag tank and Refugium to drain to- Picked up supplies at calsak and fumbled my way through it - I have a new found respect for those that can build with Acrylic - thought that It didn't turn out to bad ...
it measures about 2 feet by 4 feet - since I had the room I decided to build it big ... heck you never know what the "next tank will be"

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0192.jpg


The next project was the Frag Table - Fragging has alway interested me - I want an area that I can grow out corals b4 I put them in my tank so I can see what they will look like ... I might be crazy but I really don't want to frag out of my main take ... unless I have to intervene and stop coral chemical warfare!

you can see the frag table in the shot above here are a couple more

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0188.jpg

Water Test -

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0191.jpg

I moved the QT Tank over by the sink and placed the Frag Table (4x4) where it was under the HRU -

here is a full shot of the setup - The rock in the frag tank is there cooking ... been cooking for about 3 months before it hit my tank -

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0203.jpg

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0200.jpg

Again trying to be energy efficient - hahahaha - I decide to put a light rail over the frag tank - found one cheeeeeeep online - look like it had never been ran -

Here is a pict - I think its a pretty common one in our hobby -

Here is a pict- Sorry for the Crappy pictures - you get the idea -
http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0267.jpg


another addition is the Very large Carbon reactor - picked it up from BRS - I will say I am extremely impressed with the quality of the on the unit - I have this "T" off the manifold along with the UV and Calc Stirrer - I have room to add more Ball valves in the future for other reactors as well -

Added a single HD bought t5 fixture for about 20 bucks to light my refugium -

here is a pict - need to build a reflector - although its not near as bright as the pict shows -

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0264.jpg


I decided to add Filter socks - yes I promise to change them out every 3-4 days :) simple design - water drains from the top sump and frag table to the far left and then runs over the sock holder and then to the rest of sump - added plenty of holes in case socks get really dirty - used some scrap acrylic and routed out the hole for the sock to fit flush - not perfect but it will do the trick - the refugium bypasses the socks and drains directly to bottom sump -

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0202.jpg


ITS HERE !!!!!

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0222.jpg


On Stand

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0223.jpg

with Live Stock - So the System has been running about a month now - everything seems to be running very nice - the DT is so quiet you cant hear any water moving at all only the sound of the vortechs running -

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0243.jpg

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0254.jpg

Right now only two AI are running ( more on order) - still playing with settings - everything is being controlled by the APEX - the ability to control the Blues/whites/ royal blue independently is awesome.. the apex will have this feature soon ( i think beta firmware is out there now)-

thats is all for now folks - sorry for the long post but needed to get everyone caught up - next projects are the canopy and doors (raised panel) I am going to mount the Aqua illuminations as high as possible so i can get the light spread I want- right now they are about 2 inches off the water - I would like them to be at least 12-14 inches off the water to get the spread that I want

question does anyone have a par meter in the club ? If not I will call Sanjay Joshi and borrow that 3k one that he uses :)

the Skimmer should be here soon - I was told that it would be complete today -

all fish made it through the 3 month QT and are now in DT eating like pigs :)

I have a new batch of fish in QT now that are now in week 2 of QT -

I will try and take some better shots of the DT with my SLR and mess around with the white balance so you can get a better understanding of what these light look like -

Take Care

WOW! Impressive. I'm almost done with my build. All that's left is my plumbing the sump into the DT. I love starfire....

yes Starfire makes a huge difference ... my sides are not starfire and the front is ... night/day difference ... the fish look like they are floating right in front of you ...

good luck on the plumbing -

yes Starfire makes a huge difference ... my sides are not starfire and the front is ... night/day difference ... the fish look like they are floating right in front of you ...

good luck on the plumbing -

All my sides minus the back glass are starfire. It was the only reason I sold my 92g corner tank and upgraded. I loved my corner tank, but love starfire more. And yes I will have fun with plumbing. I don't know why but I seem to find plumbing to be the easiest.

:thumbs: I absolutely love it!!!

Sweet!!

There are a few PAR meters floating around, and if you don't have luck finding one to borrow, Tim at Aquariumsmith has a rental unit... very reasonable IMO. At least he did, I assume he still does.

Thanks guys ... Got word today that the skimmer will be here next week can't wait to fire it up ...

Love the tank...would love to know where you got the 150 storage bins from...i have a very similar setup however in need of storage bins

Northern tool on cobb pkwy ...they are outside with the heavy
Equipment

Love the tank...would love to know where you got the 150 storage bins from...i have a very similar setup however in need of storage bins

They also carry them at Tractor Supply.

Where did you get the acrylic? Very nice BTW for your first try.

Nice...i will be going up to both...qq...did you build the stand or buy it...love the stain...

Thanks guys ... Got word today that the skimmer will be here next week can't wait to fire it up ...

What skimmer are you planning to run?

For your first try with acrylic you did a great job.

Thanks!

I picked up the Acrylic at Calsak plastics they are in Gwinnett-

yea a few choice words were used during the building of the sump and Frag table - but knock on wood they hold water at full capacity for a week (water test) - plus they really are only about 10% full while the system is running - what is nice even if check valve fails on drain lines the bottom sump has plenty of room for everything to drain below drain lines -


built the Stand myself Pine frame with poplar skin and molding- and working on the canopy this weekend - I am thinking of 18 inch high canopy so I can have a ton of room to hang the AI... will prob Add some vents on the top to keep the LED ultra cool - the next project will be the Doors - they will be raised panel doors 4 on the front and 1 for each side - I have the bits and routers to do the trick - still also need to build the shelf that will cap the stand and hid the plastic frame of the tank... also will be wide enough where I can set my Maker Mark cocktails to observe the tank ... same rustic finish will go on everything -

then light sand and a clear coat to protect finish -


the Skimmer will be the INS750 From Reef Dynamics - here is s pict Jeff sent me during testing - bottom Line I wanted a In sump skimmer that had a foot print that can fit well in my upper sump - and a "true rating of at least 600g" at moderately stocked tank. here is a sneak peek from Jeff... it stand 36 inches tall and pulls over 3100 lph so it should do the trick ... nothing sexy just a skimmer that will make an *** load of tiny bubbles with good contact time- also I wanted a company where parts are quickly avail if I need them- and I didn't want to break the bank- the collection cup is a foot wide- and lastly made in USA - the INS will be sitting in a constant water level of 8.5 inches ... another reason for the upper sump ... it will always be the same level - (2.5 inch drain line to bottom sump )

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/INS750_MED-09.jpg

Good deal...the stand is beautiful...as i'm sure will be the doors and canopy...trust me if i read it..i would have thought you bought it or had it custom made. Now all you have to do is put the in the matching bar to hold the makers mark (bottles)....great build...would love to come by and see the setup...very inspiring...not too far away in smryna/marietta area...if you even need a hand with some glad to help...

Thanks Ike - yea it was a ton of time and effort to build - the best thing about projects is you learn from them ... and you get to buy new tools :) still working on the design of the canopy in my head - but will start on it this weekend -

another project I am working on is a Shadow box for the back of the aquarium to add more depth ... seen some pretty interesting threads on this - the shadowbox is about 50% done ... going to be interesting to see if it looks good or not ...

I have to finish the canopy first though - the shadowbox will tie into the canopy

Great skimmer...Great build you my friend get :thumbs: lol

What an awesome setup! I'm definitely following along. Thanks for sharing with us!

- Brad

I, too, love my AI lights! Great build!

I've been following along as well. Great build. Beautiful tank. Can you hear gurgling of water at all, or are you only hearing the heads pushing water? This is something that I want to accomplish with my next build. I have an open room in the basement as well.

That skimmer is a BEAST!!!! I was just reading up on it...thats certainly what i need...:-)

Actually when i shut down the vortechs i cant hear anything ... Since i am using the herbie method both the inflow and outflow are under water so zero air in the drain lines ... Again ... I don't run extreme flow rates to my DT I let my vortech give me the flow rates in the tank ...

With herbie method their is zero noise even with a basement sump ... The loudest thing on my tank are the vortechs ... Love the pumps but they are way too loud ...

I will see if I can take a video and take the camera around the tank so you get an idea

Yes the skimmer should do a great job!

Edit: <embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid1093.photobucket.com%2Falbums %2Fi430%2Flivingroomocean%2FIMG_0244.mp4">

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Edit: <embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid1093.photobucket.com%2Falbums %2Fi430%2Flivingroomocean%2FIMG_0244.mp4">

Edit: Here is a video

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Hello everyone - I need some feedback here - It seem that my Stand is off Slightly ... do you think I am ok here - the tank is 6 feet long and the picts below are a 6 foot level (upside down and right side up Always heard you are to take the avg. of the two for your reading ) do you think I am going to run into trouble due to this . I notice the overflow fill a little faster on the right but its not huge difference ... I put some foam under the tank and plywood on top of the foam hoping that it would help - it might be the floor might be out a little as well - looking of some feedback on this one - this is a marineland 220 - the tank has had water in it for the last month or so -

Let me know your thoughts



http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0291.jpg


http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0289.jpg

in the bubble is in the bubble...

shouldn't be any issues as long as your corner joints are all vertical within the width of the material.. (by the height of the side)

I say you fix the problem until you can get it as level as you can!!! My tank was in the SAME problem and I was told it was leaning too much! I then shimmed it and it is almost perfect!

I worry about shimming it .. It would create void both sides of shim .. If i shimmed the low side then i would have to shim all the way down to the high side where there are voids...

Edit: What would you do ????

Edit:

Edit: It looks to be out about 1/4 inch ... All the way to the right ..keep in mind this is a
6 foot tank ....and using a 6 foot level....

So this arrived today -



http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0301.jpg


http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0303.jpg

I will try and take some more shots when the kids go to bed -

NICE...... i swear when i find some money under a rock im getting one of these bad boys....

this should produce a couple of bubbles ....


http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0304.jpg

Edit: Jeff did a great job Making it ... everything is built like a tank - packaging was perfect -
I will try and get it in my sump in a bit -

Edit:

Edit: Collection Cup ....

http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i430/livingroomocean/IMG_0306.jpg

Shim the stand, and then you will not have a gap under the tank. Nice skimmer BTW...

Jason

Not sure how to post video but here it is -

Its alive ..... I am sure it will take a while to break in ...


IMG_0307.mp4 video by livingroomocean - Photobucket

Sweet! You have way too many toys....you should give me some... :D

hey! looks good! can u post pics of the herbie set up? i have tried finding pics on RC, but most are sigle overflow ones... thanks
mike

1mbrews8,

I will get some pictures for you ...

But it's pretty simple you basically us both bulkheads in each overflow as drain lines. So in my case I have 4 drain lines. Two of the drain lines (1 in each overflow run all the way to the sump - 2 separate lines ) these could be called emergency drains ... These are attached to the standpipe that is about the same height as overflow ... The other two are the main drains and I cut down the standpipes down to half the height of the overflow.. These two drains are "y" together and run through a gate valve that then goes to the sump 1 1/2 inch line... You now can control the height of the water in overflow by the gate valve I run the water to just under the overflow grill.. So no air gets into the drain line (main drain line at sump discharge is under water as well) ...so the system is running on full syphon. I cannot hear and water running to basement at all unless i put my ear under the tank stand . The only thing I hear on the system are the 3 vortechs .. If you search for herbie its the same for one as it is for two ... Just that you tie the two drain lines together ... I have shut down the two main drains all the way and the two emergency drains handle the flow just fine ... And it gives the loud audible warning of a toilet running so I will know the something is up ... I hope this helps i will try and get some quick Picts up this weekend

gotchya! I had the same thoughts.. the only thing i am thinking of doing "different" is not to tie the main drains together. The drains on mine are 1" pipe coming down and 3/4" pipe coming down. I will use the 1" as the main drains and the 3/4 as the emer. The biggest pipe we had on us was 1 1/4" so we could have tied the 2 1" together and then used that, but descided not to - do to more flow with them seperate...
I read that it might be a bit harder to even the overflows out, but it shouldn't be that bad right?? :o) thanks
mike

Yea if they are off you will need to add a couple of ball valves..
I went ahead and added a couple just incase ... Sounds like your setup is fine
Can't remember are you running a basement sump?
Just remember the discharge of the main drain lines need to be under water or you you
Could get air in the line ...

Also it takes a good while for the air to get out
So make tiny adjustments an leave alone for a couple hours
Once it's set it's set unless you change how
Much flow is coming from return pump

I will get some picts up today

Finally everyone is out of qt tank and in the dt tank

It's nice to only keep 1 tank running :)

Next project is to clean the basement
And get everything organized

yup, basement sump, qt, frag, fuge set and a lot of cleaning too! :o) thanks and can't wait to see pics!
mike

Have you hooked up the AI's yet... cant remember.... how many did you use for your setup? Im seriously thinking about them but I have yet to see anyone who has put them on a "big tank"...my tanks foot print is 8ftx36'x40'...

Just watched the video, that skimmer is a beast! Awesome setup!

Any updates on the tank? I am about to move in a month, and still plan on a set up like yours. Thanks for introducing the herbie Method. I have mentioned it to a
Few more people, and they had never heard of it. But they are using it now.

Tank is running well - I have been slowly adding some Frags. I will try and post some fts soon - AI's are doing a pretty good job I have 4 over the Tank now. I do a 20-30g water change weekly (takes about 5 mins to do :) . Knock on wood all the fish have flourished in the tank.

I haven't had to touch the Herbie setup since the tank has be established.

I hope to add some more Frags soon !

LILROBB hooked me up with a ton of nice frags (all seem to be doing pretty well so far)

How did you go about reinforcing your floor, and at what size tank do you need to reinforce your floor?