180 Gallon School Library Build Thread

[MuralReef]

I am currently in the process of building a 180 Caribbean Biotope tank in our schools library.
Tank
180 super tall 48" X 24" X 36"

Sump
ADHI Model 60 refugium

Return
Reeflo Dart or Snapper I have both on hand but am leaning toward the Dart.

Lighting
2 x 250 MH bulbs to be determined
1 x 150 MH
2-48" Current TrueLumen blue LED

Controller
APEX

Skimmer
TBD

Other plans:
I am currently planning to use a 40 breeder as an external fuge to house mangroves and macro algae that will gravity feed into the DT. The tank has been drilled and I am using a Glass-Holes 3000 overflow. I have not drilled for return lines yet.

 

[MuralReef]

So the first question I have is I want to use a 40 Breeder as a display fuge adjacent to the main DT and I am not sure how many return lines to drill for. I have 2 x 3/4" and was thinking one for the DT and one for the display fuge since the fuge will gravity feed into the DT. The DT return would run full open and the fuge would be throttled back both running from a manifold off of the Reeflo Dart.

 

[Shep]

Hmm I wish I knew more ([HASHTAG]#reefsquad[/HASHTAG] might know) but the tank sounds like it will be really cool so far!!!!

 

[143MPCo]

How many drains on the main DT?
Also how many returns on the DT?

Really all that you will need is one (1) for the bulkhead running to the return pump, after that you can "Y" off the return to how ever many lines you need back to the DT.

The drains should just be gravity drops into the sump (socks if you plan on using them) so no drilling for them would be needed.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I see no pictures!

I do need to visualize this. You will have a Glass-Holes 3000 that will drain directly to the sump below. I believe this overflow has two 2" drains. The pump will then pump through a manifold and return water to the DT, but also to a 40B along side the DT. The 40B will then gravity feed into the DT (so it will be higher than the DT). Is that correct?


If so, one 3/4 inch return is all you need to the 40B. You don't mention the overflow for the 40B, but I'd almost want another Glass-Holes on that as well....the 700.

As far as returns to the DT, as mentioned, you could always tee off the return and spread out that flow. I did that with my tank.....single return pipe with four split Loc-Lines.

 

[MuralReef]

For whatever reason the pics I uploaded via my computer are not showing in tapatalk and I can't get pics to upload via tapatalk.

The 3000 does have the 2" bulkheads. I was thinking of doing either 1" or 1 1/2" bulkhead with a strainer. I could also build an overflow out of acrylic.

 

[143MPCo]

For whatever reason the pics I uploaded via my computer are not showing in tapatalk and I can't get pics to upload via tapatalk.

The 3000 does have the 2" bulkheads. I was thinking of doing either 1" or 1 1/2" bulkhead with a strainer. I could also build an overflow out of acrylic.

Download the new iPhone app from the iTunes App Store, works better IMO

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/reef2reef-saltwater-aquarium/id596749923?mt=8

 

[143MPCo]

The 3000 does have the 2" bulkheads. I was thinking of doing either 1" or 1 1/2" bulkhead with a strainer. I could also build an overflow out of acrylic.

That's what I did, but either way would work... some pic's of the over-flow I built (maybe a way of getting the students involved in making one?).

 

[MuralReef]

That is a pretty overflow! Unfortunately the kids are out for summer break already and I want the system to cycle over the summer so I need to get it wet ASAP!

 

[143MPCo]

That is a pretty overflow!

Thx!

 

[143MPCo]

I want the system to cycle over the summer so I need to get it wet ASAP!

I feel the Glass-Holes 3000 will be the way to go!

 

[MuralReef]

3000 ready for installation.

Stand painted and ready!

 

[MuralReef]

Decided to go with 1 x 3/4" return on the DT and 1 x 3/4" return on the 40 breeder I will probably go with a 1" drain on the breeder that will gravity feed the DT.

 

[MuralReef]

These were the humble beginnings.

 

[143MPCo]

Wow, that came out great!

 

[Breakthecycle2]

How are you doing 1 3/4" returns? The returns are 2" on that overflow.

 

[MuralReef]

You can push up to about 1400 gph through 3/4" plumbing the 2" overflow lines can handle up to around 3000 gph.

 

[MuralReef]

So here are where things are at. The tanks and stands are in the library now to get the plumbing done.

 

[143MPCo]

Wow, great start to what is sure to be a outstanding system!

 

[MuralReef]

So this tank has been running since the summer of 2015. I am terrible at updating R2R since I am pretty active on my local club forum. Here are some pics.