Bills CDA 225 gal 72x30x24 tank upgrade/SPS Dream Tank!!!

[fishguy242]

2-3 years ,i said,while back coming soon!!"bills wet and wild 600 gallon upgrade";Woot;Woot;Woot

 

[Billldg]

2-3 years ,i said,while back coming soon!!"bills wet and wild 600 gallon upgrade";Woot;Woot;Woot

LOL!!! That won’t happen unless I finish the basement.

 

[Billldg]

I moved the rock that was circled in blue back to where it will be located. I like the scape.

 

[fishguy242]

nailed it!! looks great

 

[Billldg]

nailed it!! looks great

Like any one of us with our tanks, I could probably pick it apart, LOL!!! ;Hilarious

I will use superglue and crushed rock rubble to cover as much of the mortar as possible.

Then when you put it in the tank and add water it looks different.

 

[Billldg]

The sections in blue have already been secured. I still need to find a secure the sections below in such a way so their are only several pieces to move into the DT and keep what I wanted. The pieces in the photos above are secure as well, just haven't taken a up to date scape pic.

 

[Paulie069]

Well, today is the day. I finalized my order and put a down payment on what will be my dream tank. I ordered a Crystal Dynamic Aquariums 225 gal tank along with metal stand. Below is what I plan on installing in the tank.

Tank and stand:
Crystal Dynamic Aquariums 225 gal 72x30x24 tank with starphire glass
Modular Marine 24 in overflow/ Blue pvc
Metal stand with Cardiff wood wrap/ black paint
Lighting brackets welded to stand

Filtration and such:
Bashsea Signature series SS-48 sump/ Black and Blue color
Bashsea 10 gal ATO tank/ Black and Blue color
Bashsea carbon reactor/ Black and Blue
Tunze 3155 ATO
Ecotech Vectra L2 return pump
Reef Octopus Regal 200SSS skimmer
4 Ecotech MP40 powerheads

Inside tank:
180 pounds Marco Shelf rock
Several pieces of Marco foundation rock
60 pounds live rock to seed tank

Lighting:
Aquatic life non dimmable X18 T5 61 in fixture
Probably 5 XR15 G5 Blues

I will remove the Apex and modules from my existing tank and install in this tank.

May the upgrade fun begin. ;Woot ;Woot ;Woot

What size sump

 

[Billldg]

What size sump

Bashsea Signature Series SS-48, 4ft sump

 

[Paulie069]

Bashsea Signature Series SS-48, 4ft sump

How many gallons is what I’m trying to figure out,, I’m going from a 65 with a 30gal sump to a 280 and I have a sump that will hold 45gal is that big enough or do I need bigger

 

[Billldg]

How many gallons is what I’m trying to figure out,, I’m going from a 65 with a 30gal sump to a 280 and I have a sump that will hold 45gal is that big enough or do I need bigger

I am guessing over 40, probably 50 or so. My Trigger Sapphire 34 sump, which is a foot smaller held over 30 gals.

 

[Paulie069]

I am guessing over 40, probably 50 or so. My Trigger Sapphire 34 sump, which is a foot smaller held over 30 gals.

Thank you for your experience and advice

 

[TexAgReefer]

I moved the rock that was circled in blue back to where it will be located. I like the scape.

Looks great! Really like what you did on the right side there!

 

[Billldg]

After I get my aquascape finished my next project will be to get a 61 in Aquatic Life hybrid fixture and rewire it so it is a true 2 channel light. I will rewire it so the outside bulbs and inside bulbs are on different channels. They come wired so the front side and back side are on separate ballast. I will wire it so one front and one back will come on and then the same for other pair of bulbs.

 

[Mr. Fishy Fish]

Bill, I hooked up the Regal 300SSS and I have to say it's the biggest skimmer I've ever seen, you probably made the right choice lol.

 

[Billldg]

I just decided to make another slight change to my setup, as it would make the most sense. I will order a Pan World pump for my mixing station and keep the Cor 20 in the DT. I will use a Pan World pump because of the the head height. It has a 38 ft max head height, and having to pump the water from my basement upstairs and over roughly 50 ft, I wasn’t sure if the Cor 20 would be enough. I will still have control over the Pan World pump as it will be plugged into a eb4, so I will be able to turn it on and off as needed. So now, instead of running 2 Ecotech M2’s, I will run a Cor 20 and a M2, so I will be able to keep a battery back up on one pump and that will be enough to turn the tank over during power outages if they happen. Hopefully I will have my mixing station completed next weekend.

 

[Billldg]

I ended up working till this morning, so I decided to not come into work today. Got a few hours sleep and woke up at 6:30 am, which is my normal time, as I automatically wake up at that time. So I decided to start working on my mixing station today. I forgot to get some PVC glue and cleaner, so I will be installing the Apex modules and hopefully the RO/DI system. The reason I say hopefully is that I have to make 90 gals of water before I move it, so hopefully it will be made in time for me to move it downstairs. I have to make the water because I am ordering 20 pounds of Live rock and I need the water to start cycling it. The Live rock is for the 40 gal breeder I am setting up so I can hopefully save some of my corals when I do the upgrade. I am not so worried about the LPS as they are more tolerant to new tanks, sps not so much. Yes @fishguy242 , I will take some pictures, LOL!!! ;Hilarious

 

[Billldg]

@fishguy242, pictures as promised, LOL!!! ;Hilarious ;Hilarious ;Hilarious

I installed the mounting boards for the RO/DI system, on the left, and installed the mounting boards for the Apex modules, in the center. I hooked up the modules to my Apex and programmed them as best as I could with nothing hooked up, hardware or sensor wise. Hopefully I will be able to get enough water made to move the RO/DI system downstairs and mount it. I will fasten wiring eventually, lol. I had to run a extension chord to plug the EB4 module in as there is no outlet close buy and I didn’t feel like, temporarily, becoming an electrician and finish the elec in the basement. Sorry, I can be lazy, LOL!!!;Hilarious;Hilarious

 

[Billldg]

Oh, almost forgot, the reason the PM2 module isn't centered to the EB4 is because I may install a FMM module so I can install optic sensors and a solenoid for the RO/DI water supply.

 

[Billldg]

I cut as much PVC as I could, didn't cut the section going from the pump to the container as I don't have any measurements. The pump should arrive tomorrow. I moved the RO/DI unit downstairs to the basement, but I haven't finished the tubing yet. I will need to pick up a Sharkbite and install it on my water source for the RO/DI unit. I also cut the holes and installed the bulkheads in the containers. I also plan on installing 2 more stages of DI resin, thus the reason for the space on the right side of the single DI stage.

At least I can say something of this new build will be finished, LOL!!! ;Hilarious ;Hilarious ;Hilarious

Waiting on my tank is like waiting on Christmas as a kid.

 

[Bleigh]

Awesome! I can't wait until I start purchasing for my dream tank build. Basements are rare in Charlotte. Main reason I miss Atlanta is that I don't have a basement anymore.