402 Gal Deep In-Wall Build

[P.kapp]

I’m thinking about pulling the trigger on this stand that HPE has drawn up for me. It is cheaper than a steel stand after powder coating and removing a window to get it in the basement.

After watching some videos from Tidal Gardens, I like the idea of using some 3/4” type 1 pvc sheet on top of the stand. I’m curious what type of foam would be best to put on top of the pvc for a tank this size??

I want the stand to sit at about 42” tall with the leveling casters and the foam on it.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

I’m thinking about pulling the trigger on this stand that HPE has drawn up for me. It is cheaper than a steel stand after powder coating and removing a window to get it in the basement.

After watching some videos from Tidal Gardens, I like the idea of using some 3/4” type 1 pvc sheet on top of the stand. I’m curious what type of foam would be best to put on top of the pvc for a tank this size??

I want the stand to sit at about 42” tall with the leveling casters and the foam on it.

Man what a monster, I would consider getting a gym mat over foam. Some 3/4 inch should do the trick.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I’m trying to figure out how many plugs I’ll need. Right now the plan is to split the fish room on to two 20 amp breakers. The way it sits now, I have two 2-gang boxes right where the tank will be, and two 1-gang boxes on the other walls in the room. I will have my apex with 3 eb832’s to control most of the equipment. I also have the older eb8 from my other apex I could add. So I guess I’m wondering if I’ll need more plugs?

For equipment I will have:
-Two Cor20 return pumps
-Two 60” T5 hybrid lights with four xr30’s and two xr15’s.
-Reef Octo 5000 protein skimmer
-Two MP40w’s
-Two Maxspect xf350’s
-Two Apex WAV pumps
-UV sterilizer
-Heater
-Cal Reactor
-Auto top off
-Two DOS pumps. One for water changes, and one for dosing
-120w IceCap Algae scrubber
and probably some more things I can’t think of right now…

Whatever the number of plug outlets you think you need - double it.

Much easier to overdo it now than try to work around limits later.

Looks like a great build, cant wait to see it when you get it up and running.

 

[P.kapp]

Man what a monster, I would consider getting a gym mat over foam. Some 3/4 inch should do the trick.

I never thought of using a gym mat. I’ll definitely check into that! Thanks!

 

[P.kapp]

Whatever the number of plug outlets you think you need - double it.

Much easier to overdo it now than try to work around limits later.

Looks like a great build, cant wait to see it when you get it up and running.

You’re right! I eventually added two more boxes to double it up. Better safe than sorry! Haha.

 

[Blue Tang Clan]

Getting more plugs is easy after the fact. Instead, I would STRONGLY recommend another circuit (15 or 20amp) if you can still get wiring through the studs.

Because you don't ever use 100% of the circuit's max load (80% continuous is recommended) - lighting can take up an entire circuit.

 

[P.kapp]

Getting more plugs is easy after the fact. Instead, I would STRONGLY recommend another circuit (15 or 20amp) if you can still get wiring through the studs.

Because you don't ever use 100% of the circuit's max load (80% continuous is recommended) - lighting can take up an entire circuit.

I have it set up now with two 20 amp circuits. Do you think I need an additional circuit in there?

 

[Blue Tang Clan]

I have it set up now with two 20 amp circuits. Do you think I need an additional circuit in there?

If you still can, then yes. It is nearly impossible to add another circuit after drywall is up. I don't know your electrical setup, but if most of the room is in studs, you should have an easy time doing it. Even another 15amp borrowed from an adjoining room (or from the ceiling) will help.

With what you plan on powering, you will need almost all of your current electrical capacity, but the other important thing to keep in mind is redundancy. If one GFCI trips, you want to have other life support systems spread across other circuits -- pumps, heaters, etc.

Yes you can do this with two 20amp lines, but you'll be surprised how challenging it can be to have balanced loads given all the fun toys you have now...and all those you may buy in the future.

 

[Blue Tang Clan]

Circuit 1:
90W - Cor20 pump
835W - T5/LED Hybrid (4x75W T5s + 2x215W + 1x105W)
45W - Skimmer
38W - MP40
52W - Maxspect Gyre
35W - WAV pump
200W - Heater
30W - Calcium Reactor pump
========
1325W

Circuit 2:
90W - Cor20 pump
835W - T5/LED Hybrid (4x75W T5s + 2x215W + 1x105W)
38W - MP40
52W - Maxspect Gyre
35W - WAV pump
80W - UV Sterilizer (you might want to go bigger)
200W - Heater
5W - ATO
120W - IceCap Algae scrubber
========
1455W

There will be plenty of other things that you need to plug in. What if you need to use a shop vac to clean something up? How about a quarantine tank that requires a heater, pump, and a light? Maybe a frag tank in the future?

Just sayin -- if you can run another line (you could probably pull a 15 amp line down from that ceiling light) -- you won't regret having the headroom and flexibility

 

[P.kapp]

Circuit 1:
90W - Cor20 pump
835W - T5/LED Hybrid (4x75W T5s + 2x215W + 1x105W)
45W - Skimmer
38W - MP40
52W - Maxspect Gyre
35W - WAV pump
200W - Heater
30W - Calcium Reactor pump
========
1325W

Circuit 2:
90W - Cor20 pump
835W - T5/LED Hybrid (4x75W T5s + 2x215W + 1x105W)
38W - MP40
52W - Maxspect Gyre
35W - WAV pump
80W - UV Sterilizer (you might want to go bigger)
200W - Heater
5W - ATO
120W - IceCap Algae scrubber
========
1455W

There will be plenty of other things that you need to plug in. What if you need to use a shop vac to clean something up? How about a quarantine tank that requires a heater, pump, and a light? Maybe a frag tank in the future?

Just sayin -- if you can run another line (you could probably pull a 15 amp line down from that ceiling light) -- you won't regret having the headroom and flexibility

Good call!
I have the four 2 gang boxes that will be right by the tank on 2 separate 20 amp circuits. There is another outlet in the room that I will put on a different circuit for emergencies and little extras like you said.

I am planning on having a qt/frag rack setup in a different room that will be on a separate circuit as well. It will have a few small tanks for TTM qt, and coral and invert qt.

Thanks for the insight!!

 

[P.kapp]

I am working on getting a stand made for the tank. I found a local company that does extruded aluminum. I have watched the videos from tidal gardens and like the way they did theirs with the leveling casters.

The person doing my bid for me has the light weight casters in his bid, but I’m going to change them to the 1300 lb series.

The question I have is about the pvc top. They have some that is only 1/4” thick and I’m not sure if that is enough. I know Tidal gardens did type 1 pvc, but I’m not sure the thickness of it. I plan on putting the squish layer between the pvc and the tank. Any insight would be great!!

 

[McPuff]

If you still can, then yes. It is nearly impossible to add another circuit after drywall is up. I don't know your electrical setup, but if most of the room is in studs, you should have an easy time doing it. Even another 15amp borrowed from an adjoining room (or from the ceiling) will help.

With what you plan on powering, you will need almost all of your current electrical capacity, but the other important thing to keep in mind is redundancy. If one GFCI trips, you want to have other life support systems spread across other circuits -- pumps, heaters, etc.

Yes you can do this with two 20amp lines, but you'll be surprised how challenging it can be to have balanced loads given all the fun toys you have now...and all those you may buy in the future.

I agree here. I had 2 dedicated circuits added for my reef when I moved in to my house. I can split the needs across those two and I even use a third (house) circuit for a couple things. This generally ensures that I don't lose all power if an outlet pops.

 

[P.kapp]

I agree here. I had 2 dedicated circuits added for my reef when I moved in to my house. I can split the needs across those two and I even use a third (house) circuit for a couple things. This generally ensures that I don't lose all power if an outlet pops.

For sure! I currently have two 20 amp circuits, and one 15 amp circuit for the fish room. I have since added 3 more outlets for the “just in case” scenario down the road too.

 

[flagg37]

I am working on getting a stand made for the tank. I found a local company that does extruded aluminum. I have watched the videos from tidal gardens and like the way they did theirs with the leveling casters.

The person doing my bid for me has the light weight casters in his bid, but I’m going to change them to the 1300 lb series.

The question I have is about the pvc top. They have some that is only 1/4” thick and I’m not sure if that is enough. I know Tidal gardens did type 1 pvc, but I’m not sure the thickness of it. I plan on putting the squish layer between the pvc and the tank. Any insight would be great!!

I don’t think it needs to be thick. Just so the glass doesn’t come in contact with the metal.

 

[CayeCaulker]

I have always learned when it comes to electrical. Think what you need then double it. Even Tripple it. It's cheep while the walls are exposed.

I am super excited to see this project progress!! I can't wait.


I am doing some wiring for my 150g setup now. I put the tank and system on a sub panel and have it setup with a contractor for a generator. I don't have the generator yet but I am getting ready for it. No way I would risk loss like those poor people in Texas last year.

 

[P.kapp]

The tank will have a pvc bottom to it as well, if that makes any difference with the thickness of the pvc top of the stand

 

[flagg37]

The tank will have a pvc bottom to it as well, if that makes any difference with the thickness of the pvc top of the stand

My thinking is that you only need one layer to keep the glass from touching the metal of the stand. I’ve seen guys use thicker styrofoam but that would only help if there were high spots on the stand. If the top of the stand is perfectly flat then there’s no need for anything more.

 

[P.kapp]

Here’s a rendering of the stand, with the pvc options and the casters

 

[P.kapp]

We are making some progress in the basement, which means we are closer to getting a tank started!! Haha. The window type opening isn’t exactly how the tank will be viewed. I just told the sheet rock guys to leave some extra so I can cut it to the exact height I need when we install the tank and stand

 

[P.kapp]

4LBS Density Polyethylene Planks- Laminated

This 4lbs Density Polyethylene Planks-Laminated provides optimal cushioning protection against repeated impacts. It can be used for sports & leisure, medical, construction, military, and recreational packaging and cushioning.

foamforyou.com

Has anyone used this foam for their stands? I found some other foam that has a 4lb per sq inch, but it was only 1/2” thick.
This ‘foamforyou’ site has thicker options of 3/4” and 1” that I think would work for my tank.

Any thoughts??