Midwest 200 Gallon Peninsula

[Deep dive coral]

CHRISTMAS IN JULY.

I got a phone call this morning from the LTL Freight driver saying he had a delivery for my at my shop.

I got a pallet of goodies from MRC

They packed everything extremely well and then shrink wrapped the whole pallet

Refugium Pump

Skimmer

Skimmer waste chamber

Skimmer pump

Media Reactors

And finally my sump

Really really nice. Clean edges, MRC does nice work.

 

[special-ops-s2k]

Really really nice. Clean edges, MRC does nice work.

Yeah it’s a beautiful sump! Can’t wait to get some water flowing through it!

 

[special-ops-s2k]

Today was moving day. Got everything prepped to finally get the glass on the stand!

First had to cut the access slots in the drywall between my living room and the utility room that holds my control board so the MP40s can be through the wall and the tank can sit flush against the wall.

Then I uncrated the tank for the last time and we got it up on a harbor freight lift cart...

We gathered the troops together for a quick photo before we moved the tank into the house...

Having the cart made fast work of the move and nobody had to kill themselves manhandling the tank into place.

Tank looks great and fit perfectly. Did a quick test fit of an MP40 to make sure my slots were good enough. Fits like a glove and the tank can sit only 1/8” away from the drywall! It’s like the pumps aren’t even there!

Now my question is does everyone think I can run all 4x MP40s on the wall end and get enough flow? Or will I need to run 2x at the far end and 2x on the wall end to get the best performance? It’s a 72” long tank.

That’s all for now and thanks for your input on my pump dilemma!

UPDATED WITH MORE PHOTOS.

 

[special-ops-s2k]

Well I'm at 3.5 weeks since I started cycling my rock in the 150g Rubbermaid tub... Up to this point I've been feeding the bacteria with a couple table shrimp. I decided to test the bacteria ability to convert ammonia so dosed Dr Tim's ammonia up to around 6ppm (was shooting for 4 but the rock must displace more water than I thought)

I actually took a sample before adding the ammonia and after then tested them both at the same time.

0 to start and between 4-6ppm after!

12hrs later before I headed to work I tested again....

Looks like .25ppm or slightly above... So we are getting there! By the time I get my tank filled it should be ready to go

 

[Antics]

Wow! Really awesome build thread. I'm glad I stumbled across this one.

 

[special-ops-s2k]

Wow! Really awesome build thread. I'm glad I stumbled across this one.

Thank you! I replied to your message as well, sorry for the delay. If I can be of any help just let me know!

 

[special-ops-s2k]

Ok small update... I just got back from vacation and am moving along plumbing the display tank.

I purchased 6 freshwater mollies and converted them to saltwater yesterday, they are now living in my live rock tub and feeding the cycle.

Today when I was testing the live rock water I noticed a tingling in my finger (small cut) and checked for voltage with my multimeter... 48v with heater and vectra plugged in 29v with vectra alone! These are both brand new items?! Less than 6 weeks in use... Is this an issue I should be concerned about? I plan to use the S2 as my reactor pump.

Your input is appreciated!

 

[Ponraj A]

Beautiful Built !!! watching it

 

[Deep dive coral]

Ok small update... I just got back from vacation and am moving along plumbing the display tank.

I purchased 6 freshwater mollies and converted them to saltwater yesterday, they are now living in my live rock tub and feeding the cycle.

Today when I was testing the live rock water I noticed a tingling in my finger (small cut) and checked for voltage with my multimeter... 48v with heater and vectra plugged in 29v with vectra alone! These are both brand new items?! Less than 6 weeks in use... Is this an issue I should be concerned about? I plan to use the S2 as my reactor pump.

Your input is appreciated!

What were you using as a ground to check voltage. Also there is something called a shunt resistor that connects to a fluke meter. In essence it's a large resistor rated at 500 ohms to make sure that you not picking up ambient voltage. I personally always run an aquarium ground rod in the system as a back up.

This is exactly what I use.

Rio RV2735 Rid-Volt Titanium Grounding Probe

 

[special-ops-s2k]

What were you using as a ground to check voltage. Also there is something called a shunt resistor that connects to a fluke meter. In essence it's a large resistor rated at 500 ohms to make sure that you not picking up ambient voltage. I personally always run an aquarium ground rod in the system as a back up.

This is exactly what I use.

Rio RV2735 Rid-Volt Titanium Grounding Probe

I was using the ground in the outlet on the wall that the extension cord both the heater and vectra are plugged into... I tested it in the neutral and hot and got 125v then tested the tub of water and got the voltage readings I posted. I just didn't know if I should contact vortech or if 29v is normal "induced" voltage for a pump this size?

 

[Deep dive coral]

I was using the ground in the outlet on the wall that the extension cord both the heater and vectra are plugged into... I tested it in the neutral and hot and got 125v then tested the tub of water and got the voltage readings I posted. I just didn't know if I should contact vortech or if 29v is normal "induced" voltage for a pump this size?

I've seen Street Lights induce 120v. It's all about the amps and ohms that's why I said try a resistor. BUT i would definitely contact vortech and the heater company.

 

[special-ops-s2k]

Working on the stock WB7226 overflow plumbing... Had to adapt to US Plumbing sizes so this is how I did it.

For the 7226 the drain lines are both 40mm and the return is 32mm so from Coralvue I ordered 2x 40mm Unions and 1x 32mm union. I also ordered 2x 40mm to 1 1/4" pipe adapters and 1x 32mm to 1" pipe adapter.

You use the top half of the Unions you bought to replace the 1/2 of the union glued to the stock in stand plumbing then glue in your adapter and now you are set to use custom plumbing in standard US sizes!

I leak tested and filled my mix station with 110g of RODI water and I'm currently mixing a batch of 55g of new salt water. I hope to get my plumbing done in the next week or two and leak test the tank, then I can fill it with water and start the process of moving all my cycled rock into the display tank!

 

[Ultrawalrus]

Following. Can't wait to see the end result!

 

[special-ops-s2k]

Hung the Refugium lights today and made a rough model of the acrylic stand I'll be having made to hold my reactors above some piping on my skimmer. I'm trying to maximize use of space in my stand and also make everything easy to maintenance.

Enjoy! I am working on it every chance I have in between my work schedule and hope to get water in it very soon! Big batch of plumbing parts will be delivered Friday so I should have enough to complete all the plumbing.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Very nice build

 

[Greenreef75]

Looking good, are those the or bar for the refugium

 

[Jimbo662]

Amazing!!!

 

[special-ops-s2k]

Looking good, are those the or bar for the refugium

Yes they are the Orphek OR60 light bars with a custom spectrum blend.

 

[special-ops-s2k]

Did some plumbing today.

Skimmer plumbed in:

Drains plumbed to sump:

Just need to plumb the manifold off the return pump to feed the skimmer and my 2 reactors... Also plumb the UV closed loop... Then I can get some water in this thing!

 

[coseal]

dang!