Acer new 150 build

acer

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Ok - I have been doing a build thread on that "other " website. So, Figured with a bit a prompting from a certain Member/MOD I would have a build thread here as well.

First some basic background or the plan:

After much researching, etc. I decided to purchase a 150 ( 60 x 24 x 24) starfire tank from SC Aquariums. It is a custom build due to not using their center overflow/plumbing systems. Instead I had them move the Euro-bracing up to toward the top of the tank ( normally they recess it nearly 2 inches - so by the time you install an overflow your waterline sits 2-2.5 inches below the top of the tank). I also had them drill the back with 3 holes for 1.5 inch Bulkheads. I am having the internal and external acrylic overflow system with "Bean animal" plumbing made for me locally. It will be a 48 inch long smooth weir internal overflow ( maximizing surface skimming) with a 30 inch external overflow - with 2 x one inch drains for the full siphon drain and trickle drain, and 1 x 1.5 inch emergency drain. The drains will lead to the basement where I will have a 40 breeder sump tank holding the filter socks, media reactors, and skimmer which will gravity drain -> to a 75 gallon refugium which will hold several macro algeas and live rock , -> which I will have plumbed to a Reeflo Barracuda pump. I have flex PVC for the plumbing and using true unions before and after the pump so I can clean/maintain it. I will be posting pics, and posts on the mistakes made already to help other NOT make the same mistakes.
 

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Looking forward to the updates
 
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acer

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Ok , this is the basic downstairs configuration. I got free cabinets, painted them with acrylic appliance paint ( nasty stuff). I made the stand the 40 breeder tank is sitting on- so it drains via gravity into the 75 . The 75 stand was starting to get unstable. So I braced it and painted it with the same appliance paint.

IMG_20160802_210548191.jpg
 

hybridazn

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Yeaaaaa thanks for sharing this here!

This site is way better than those guys anyways lol :p
 
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This is downstairs - underneath where the 150 dispkay tank will be. Installed a dedicated new 4 plug electrical outlet box since the picture was taken. It will be located about 1 foot above the top of the 75 gallon refugium.

IMG_20160530_153205015.jpg
 
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Ok, it is obviously much easier to post pics here= yeah. Hmm how about short video, possible?

Anyhow more pics of new tank, stand, and canopy in the garage.
IMG_20160804_151310222.jpg
IMG_20160804_150254869.jpg


IMG_20160804_150240483.jpg
 
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Do u notice anything wrong with the canopy? Yep. They forgot to install the inside trim - so it will sit on the tank, not go over it. The trim is being sent.
 
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So the inside canopy trim missing was their error.

Here is a pic of one of my errors. Yep, I dropped it !!! Right after I finished testing it. Ahhhhh......***&&%%##*.

So today got some WeldOn #16. Tomarrow I see what skill I have with fixing acrylic skimmers.

IMG_20160729_121731564.jpg
 
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So far the skimmer is the only major brain fart. Lol.

Another milder mistake was is ordering my glass baffles for the 40 sump and 75 refugium tanks. Both measure 18 across , correct? So the inside width baffle measurements should be the same, right? So, i measured really carefully the inside width of the 75 = just over 17 3/16. Ok perfect. I ordered 4 ( 17 3/16 x 12 inch baffles for the 40. And 3 ( 17 3/16 x 18) baffles for the 75.

WRONG!! Due to the glass thickness, and some additional silicone, the 40 is wider than the 75 , by about 1/4 inch.

So , installing the baffles in the 40 was interesting, and without help (thanks Kevin) I would have given up and just bit the bullet and reordered new baffles.
 
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Pic of the baffles installed inthe 40 - thats alot of silicone. I will wait a week before testing them.

IMG_20160809_225246730.jpg


IMG_20160809_225154810.jpg
 

hybridazn

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To answer your video question, the best way to do it is upload it to YouTube and then direct link it here. It will show up as a video screen right in the post and won't direct you YouTube to watch it. It's pretty nice
 
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ok -I think I got the skimmer body repaired- now I have to figure out how to glue the skimmer bottom and the diffuser at the same time so the diffuser is in the right spot - so water coming into the skimmer from the pump goes into the diffuser. Have hand drawn a salt water mixing station - but it is too rough to post - funny - checked out numerous threads, posts, vids, and everyone does there station differently.
 

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Following along:) looks like you got a lot accomplished already! Where did you get your rock from? I am going to need some more when I finally get to start my upgrade, hopefully shortly after I get this dang surgery out of the way next week. Looking forward to seeing this up and running;) If you ever need any help give me a yell, I have terrible availability but I am always willing to help when I can lol.
 
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Ok, i will, i expect to have a small "tank moving party" . But thats weeks away. I want to have all the inhabitants of the current tanks all moved into the 75 , which will become the refugium after they are moved again to the 150. So :

- fix skimmer
- install baffles in 75 tank
- work on salt mixing station

.....wait...... till skimmer and baffles are cured. Then test sump/ fuge and plumbing and pump outside. If all is ok, move everything downstairs and put sand in 75. Add some rock and water to 75 from existing tanks with newly mixed salt water. Once system is heated, begin to add more rock ( new and existing).
 
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Well, hopefully, I got the Weldon in the right places, the correct thicknesses, etc. Had to apply Weldon on bottom plate around the circumference ( where it joins with the skimmer body) as well as the circle where the diffuser is placed. Then put skimmer body on the bottom plate, make sure its in proper place. Then , before Weldon dries, reach down the neck, release the diffuser from being suspended and place diffuser in its proper place. What do u think?

IMG_20160811_200334913.jpg


IMG_20160813_170726183.jpg


IMG_20160813_172252078.jpg
 
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hybridazn

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Well, hopefully, I got the Weldon in the right places, the correct thicknesses, etc. Had to apply Weldon on bottom plate around the circumference ( where it joins with the skimmer body) as well as the circle where the diffuser is placed. Then put skimmer body on the bottom plate, make sure its in proper place. Then , before Weldon dries, reach down the neck, release the diffuser from being suspended and place diffuser in its proper place. What do u think?

IMG_20160811_200334913.jpg


IMG_20160813_170726183.jpg


IMG_20160813_172252078.jpg


Looks good from here! Hope it works as it should
 
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