Another Build Thread....AtlCPA's 180 in wall has begun

[AtlCPA]

Ok, I've been waiting a long time to start this process. Began building a house in late 2017. We're all in and the tank build has begun.

Quick run down of what I have planned at this point:

-180 gallon Aqueon freshwater, drilled in the back by LFS for synergy reef overflow.
-90 gallon sump (60x20x18) custom by Elite Aquatics in Utah. They did a great job.
https://www.facebook.com/Elite-Aquatics-241732935839455/
-60 inch aquatic life t5 hybrid with Ecotech G4 pro's. Starting with 2 Ecotech's and will get a third once I get enough SPS.
-2 MP40's. Will probably add another pump of some type along the bottom back of the tank
-reeflink
-Neptune ApexEL
- I have about ~150-160lbs of dry rock from BRS
- Skimz Zeovit reactor (will be a zeo system like I've been running on my frag tank)
- two 20 gal long QT tanks. Have a third, but running out of room.
- Reef Octopus 202-S
-Marine depot controller board to be mounted on the wall
- misc other stuff

Ok, now let's get to some pictures.


Not sure my wife is ever going to stop putting blue tape on the wall for the painters to come back and fix.

plumbing has begun

Contractor overbuilt the stand, but I'm going to leave as is. The 2x4 don't get in the way so far.

Beautiful sump built for me by Elite Aquatics. Highly recommend them.

QT tanks, frag tank, RODI, sink.....not all organized yet

let me know any thoughts you may have.

 

[dantimdad]

Awesome!

I am following this one.

One question: How do you get the sump in and out if something happens?

 

[AtlCPA]

Awesome!

I am following this one.

One question: How do you get the sump in and out if something happens?

What you can't see in my pics is on the right side the stand is open so the sump can slide in or out. I wanted the biggest sump I could fit and thus why there is also a few inches behind the tank where I have to drill the plumbing down through the stand. I think the plumbing is going to come out nicely though compact under the stand. I'll have more pics of that tonight.

 

[Teri NewbieReefer]

Incredible. Will be following this one.

 

[dantimdad]

Ah. Makes sense.

 

[BestMomEver]

Nice build... I can dream....

 

[AtlCPA]

Better pic of the QT and frag tank. I realized the pictures I uploaded were too small

 

[dantimdad]

Very nice QT/frag area. Wish I had a basement.

 

[AtlCPA]

Slowly but surely. Return line and emergency line plumber. 2nd drain line will wait until tomorrow

Gate valve and unions in. I realized because I had to drill through the stand, I wasn’t comfortable making a big enough hole for the unions to come through, so if I ever did need to take apart the plumbing I’d have to cut off the unions under the tank.

 

[AtlCPA]

Unions added underneath so I can slide the entire sump out if needed

 

[AtlCPA]

Wife is being extremely patient, but if I don’t get all this junk installed and out of the basement, I’m going to start hearing about it soon. This weekend I should get it all knocked out.

 

[dantimdad]

Unions added underneath so I can slide the entire sump out if needed

Doing the same thing. My water change regimen will be to drain the sump and skimmer and slide out the sump and clean it once a month. (the fuge is separate) I hate a dirty sump. I will do supplemental water changes every weekend of about 10%. The sump change will be about 15-20%.

 

[dantimdad]

Why not waste half a union on each and move them up closer to the overflow box and put a union right next to the top of the stand?

Just a thought.

 

[AtlCPA]

Why not waste half a union on each and move them up closer to the overflow box and put a union right next to the top of the stand?

Just a thought.

good thought. I will look into that.

 

[AtlCPA]

Progress. Slowly but surely. Man it’s a lot of work to set up this tank.

Plumbing done. Total of 9 unions. Hopefully that covers most scenarios.

Marine depot controller board for apex, mp40’s and a couple other things. May figure out how to mount the reeflink. Not sure what I’m going to do with the humongous radion power units.

Aquascape done and water going in. I tried to make a cool aquascape but it always ends up looking like a pile of rocks to me.

I’m running RODI straight in and will mix the salt in the sump. I just don’t have a good way to mix 200 gallons of water before it goes in. Same for the rocks. Some are cured, some aren’t, but I don’t have a good way to cure that much rock other than in the tank.

 

[dantimdad]

Looks like your wife is still mad at the painters!

Good progress. Keep it up!

 

[AtlCPA]

Looks like your wife is still mad at the painters!

Good progress. Keep it up!

Yes, I think the painters quit and aren’t willing to come within 10 miles of our house

 

[AtlCPA]

Install complete. Drain and return plumbing perfect, not a single leak so far.

The synergy reef overflow has a tiny leak from the bulkheads. I’ve tightened as much as I can. I’ve read these can leak but will work themselves in. It’s a tiny slow.....no even a drip really. I’m hoping that resolves itself.

The T5 fixture mount was a little bit challenging, but not too bad.

Apex running, Ecotech live working, all good there. A little cord management in my future, but I love the Velcro stick to the wall for power supplies and reef link. Works well.

And then there was lights!

Aqua life T5 with 2 G4 pro’s. If my tank is ever overtaken by SPS, i’ll add a third g4.

Brackets mounted into the studs to hang the lights. Not 100% centered, but it works.

Amazon fire apex screen mounted

 

[newbreefer316]

Build looks good. Are you going to add some type of plastic to serve as both a vapor barrier for the insulation over the tank as well as keep anything from falling down into the tank?

 

[AtlCPA]

Build looks good. Are you going to add some type of plastic to serve as both a vapor barrier for the insulation over the tank as well as keep anything from falling down into the tank?

I was wondering about that as I was hanging the lights.

Do you think it would be better just to remove the insulation? I don't know that it serves much purpose. Putting up some plastic wouldn't be too difficult.

Thanks for asking the question.