Paul’s 240 gallon upgrade!
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Dubs83
Valuable Member
Thanks! I’m beyond excited.
Still debating my aiptasia problem. Although, I did decide on a heating solution! Going with the heat exchanger just have to figure out if it’s going to be a problem with an indirect water heater.
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Dubs83
Valuable Member
Yea, so I’ve looked over the thread you posted earlier and it seems the hot water heater he’s using has heats the water and stores it using its own burner. My water heater is more a storage unit that relies on my furnace/boiler to heat the water and then store it in the tank. My hot water is still supplied by the water tank I just want to make sure I can put a recirculating pump on that loop as there are several pumps from my furnace to the hot water tank. I’m having my furnace checked for the winter and will ask the guy about it next week
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Dubs83
Valuable Member
I know this has been slow but I’ve been away for the last two weeks. I did get two important updates today. The tank has been shipped and expected to arrive on Wednesday. The other big update. Stand is done and ready for pick up.
I get home on Monday and plan on seriously attacking this. Stay tuned.
I get home on Monday and plan on seriously attacking this. Stay tuned.
OP
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Dubs83
Valuable Member
So, I’m coming home tomorrow (Monday) and I have a lot to do. On the flight to Southern California I started to make a list of the things I need to do and decided I was going to take this in bite sized chunks. I’m having a hard time finding some muscle as it seems everyone is going away or working (a lot of my friends are in the same line of work so their away a lot) so this will be a low man power utilization scenario.
Here’s the plan moving forward.
Monday:
I get home late. Going to play some men’s hockey and catching up on lost rest.
Tuesday:
- pick up stand from powder coating
- pick up 3-4 dollies and possible a jacking dolly if I’m able to find one
- turn the water off and plumb into the hot water heater to cut back on electric heating in the winter
- attach plywood top to the stand and silicone gaps
- attach plywood top to the new sump stand and plywood backing
- rinse the new live rock soaking in bleach and treat with prime
- throw all equipment into vinegar bath
- begin copper treatment on QT tank
Wednesday
- grab 3 buddies and pick up aquarium
- clean up the pillars supporting the floor above and protect against rust
- paint plywood top
- finish faux beam to place over the new aquarium
Thursday
- move live rock into brute can with power head and heaters to keep bacteria alive.
- move livestock into another brute can
- breakdown the 125g and sump room
- rinse sand and clean the 125
- thorough sump room clean
- Devils game in Newark
Friday
- Paint the back of the new aquarium
- plumb the sump room
- turn 125 gallon tank into sump
- attempt at positioning the aquarium and hopefully have it start getting wet
- work on aqua scape
- finish cleaning equipment
Saturday
- fill aquarium and hopefully make it salty
- add bacteria and media
- finish aquascape
- plumb the top
- work in APEX mounting and wiring
Sunday
- bring sump online
- hopefully moving livestock back into the DT
Monday
- relax
- league game
Agh, seems like a lot of work. We’ll see what I can accomplish and I’ll keep checking the boxes. If you guys see something else I should be doing or shouldn’t be doing. Please let me know.
Paul
Here’s the plan moving forward.
Monday:
I get home late. Going to play some men’s hockey and catching up on lost rest.
Tuesday:
- pick up stand from powder coating
- pick up 3-4 dollies and possible a jacking dolly if I’m able to find one
- turn the water off and plumb into the hot water heater to cut back on electric heating in the winter
- attach plywood top to the stand and silicone gaps
- attach plywood top to the new sump stand and plywood backing
- rinse the new live rock soaking in bleach and treat with prime
- throw all equipment into vinegar bath
- begin copper treatment on QT tank
Wednesday
- grab 3 buddies and pick up aquarium
- clean up the pillars supporting the floor above and protect against rust
- paint plywood top
- finish faux beam to place over the new aquarium
Thursday
- move live rock into brute can with power head and heaters to keep bacteria alive.
- move livestock into another brute can
- breakdown the 125g and sump room
- rinse sand and clean the 125
- thorough sump room clean
- Devils game in Newark
Friday
- Paint the back of the new aquarium
- plumb the sump room
- turn 125 gallon tank into sump
- attempt at positioning the aquarium and hopefully have it start getting wet
- work on aqua scape
- finish cleaning equipment
Saturday
- fill aquarium and hopefully make it salty
- add bacteria and media
- finish aquascape
- plumb the top
- work in APEX mounting and wiring
Sunday
- bring sump online
- hopefully moving livestock back into the DT
Monday
- relax
- league game
Agh, seems like a lot of work. We’ll see what I can accomplish and I’ll keep checking the boxes. If you guys see something else I should be doing or shouldn’t be doing. Please let me know.
Paul
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Dubs83
Valuable Member
Update 10/09/18:
Okay. Let me fill you in on my day.
I slept in. Didn’t let my fiancé sleep because I apparently made sure I slept on every square inch of the bed. I have a decent excuse though. I haven’t been home in two weeks which makes a guy miss his bed! So, I spring out of bed and start going through the check list. I eat breakfast and watch an episode of the Ozark (because I’m a procrastinator) and make my way out the door to pick up the stand. As I reverse out of the driveway and put the car in Drive, my phone rings... I don’t recognize the number so let it go to voicemail. More on this later.
I pull into the powder company and see it!
On the truck she goes. I pay the man and hop in the truck. My phone vibrates alerting me to a voice mail. “Hmmm” I navigate to my VM and as I hit the play button I read the iphones poor attempt at translating it... ITS HERE!
I go to the shipping companies website and sure as ssshhh.... it’s here! Delivered last night and ready for pick up.
Off to secaucus! My god was I giddy. I’ll skip the boring stuff and get to it
Where is this ramp?!
C’mon!!!
Omg! omg! omg! The tank isn’t that tall lol, I think they built it high to keep anyone from stacking anything.
It’s in!
And we’re off!
This is basically where I am now except the truck is in the garage. Have some buds coming over for “buds” later this week. I plan on painting it tomorrow while it’s on the truck and will move it into the house when I get the help. 532lbs ( not sure if that includes the pallet but I’m assuming it does)
Anyhow, here are more pics of the stand. Again, this is a local guy in Sussex County, NJ and did an awesome job. Shoot me a PM if you want his info
Paul
Okay. Let me fill you in on my day.
I slept in. Didn’t let my fiancé sleep because I apparently made sure I slept on every square inch of the bed. I have a decent excuse though. I haven’t been home in two weeks which makes a guy miss his bed! So, I spring out of bed and start going through the check list. I eat breakfast and watch an episode of the Ozark (because I’m a procrastinator) and make my way out the door to pick up the stand. As I reverse out of the driveway and put the car in Drive, my phone rings... I don’t recognize the number so let it go to voicemail. More on this later.
I pull into the powder company and see it!
On the truck she goes. I pay the man and hop in the truck. My phone vibrates alerting me to a voice mail. “Hmmm” I navigate to my VM and as I hit the play button I read the iphones poor attempt at translating it... ITS HERE!
I go to the shipping companies website and sure as ssshhh.... it’s here! Delivered last night and ready for pick up.
Off to secaucus! My god was I giddy. I’ll skip the boring stuff and get to it
Where is this ramp?!
C’mon!!!
Omg! omg! omg! The tank isn’t that tall lol, I think they built it high to keep anyone from stacking anything.
It’s in!
And we’re off!
This is basically where I am now except the truck is in the garage. Have some buds coming over for “buds” later this week. I plan on painting it tomorrow while it’s on the truck and will move it into the house when I get the help. 532lbs ( not sure if that includes the pallet but I’m assuming it does)
Anyhow, here are more pics of the stand. Again, this is a local guy in Sussex County, NJ and did an awesome job. Shoot me a PM if you want his info
Paul
OP
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Dubs83
Valuable Member
Thanks! Off the Petco now for $1/gallon sale. Figured I’d pick up two 40bs and two 20Ls for some TTM action. Then, I’ll finish up plumbing for the heat exchanger.
Hold off on the TTM- humblefish no longer recommends due to increased prevalence of velvet.
14 days copper, then all move to new tank, treat prazipro or other as necessary for 14 days. All clear 14 days after last med removed.
I double checked literally the day before picking up my first fish and had to reconfigure. Glad I caught it.
Ymmv, of course, and it’s up to you.
14 days copper, then all move to new tank, treat prazipro or other as necessary for 14 days. All clear 14 days after last med removed.
I double checked literally the day before picking up my first fish and had to reconfigure. Glad I caught it.
Ymmv, of course, and it’s up to you.
OP
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Dubs83
Valuable Member
Wait a min... so no longer 30 days in copper at 2PPM? I just finished prazi and started first dose of copper yesterday. You’re saying I maintain copper at therapeutic levels for 14 days and then observe?
Yes. As long as you move the fish to a completely new QT tank, 14 days is all you need for ich and velvet.
I’ll get you the link- give me a sec
Here you go-
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-quarantine.189815/page-93
Post 1845 onwards
I have s few follow up Q’s in there that expand in the new protocol
Last edited:
OP
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Dubs83
Valuable Member
Thanks for that! Just browsed through it at the Petco parking lot lol
No problem.
I had just finished setting up my ttm station and getting water made when I figured I’d double check. Then I had to order meds, a Hanna checker, another couple hob’s. This was last week. Waiting on the qt to cycle (biospira and fritz900) before picking up a few fish next week.
I had just finished setting up my ttm station and getting water made when I figured I’d double check. Then I had to order meds, a Hanna checker, another couple hob’s. This was last week. Waiting on the qt to cycle (biospira and fritz900) before picking up a few fish next week.
OP
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Dubs83
Valuable Member
So excited for you, enjoy!
Thanks!
OP
OP
Dubs83
Valuable Member
Well, I’ve been rather silent but that’s only because I’ve been busy.
Needless to say, I haven’t done as much as I’d like with the upgrade but here’s a list of progress and I’ll include some pictures where I can.
Stand- I’ve sealed, mounted, and secured 5/8” plywood to the top of the steel frame. I’ve also secured the backing to the back of the frame which was painted with white flex seal. I also started cutting out 2.5” pieces of ply to make a drip tray at the bottom of the tank. I’ll upload pictures when I get home again.
Aquarium- couple of problems here. The builder had made a mistake drilling the over flow holes. They’re 1/2” too high which renders my current overflow useless.
Here’s the tank compared to the template.
I contacted the overflow manufacturer to see if they could perform some custom work and after explaining what was happening, they said they can accommodate. I then called the aquarium builder and they offered to pay for the over flow. Relief!
The second isn’t necessarily a problem as much as a slow down. The aquarium is HEAVY. And I do not want to move it twice. Therefore, it’s still sitting on the pick up in the garage continuing its curing process until the 125 is broken down.
Heating- I tapped into my hot water heater and began plumbing the hot water recirculation loop. Here’s a picture of the circulation pump a long with a motorized ball valve
Pictures here is a T coming from my hot water tank into a recirculating pump then a motorized ball valve. It ends with a Sharkbite fitting and I intend to run PEX into the fish room and through a titanium heat exchanger.
And here’s the titanium heat exchanger
Thanks to everyone patiently answer my questions about this part of the upgrade.
Fish room:
Not much to update here. The 125 is not quite ready to be broken down so I can’t shut the system down. I did pick up an additional 40b and .two 20 gallon tanks to help with the movement of fish and coral. I’m away for a week with Friday off, so I plan on taking care of some odds and ends then. The QT is almost done with its round of copper and the fish look great. Once they’re done, I will move them into a 20 gallon observation and prepare the two 40bs to temporarily house the current occupants of the DT. This way it’ll give me an opportunity to break down and prepare the 125 to be a sump. I’ll also have some time to rethink my fish room.
Sorry for the slow progress (and lack up pictures)
Paul
Needless to say, I haven’t done as much as I’d like with the upgrade but here’s a list of progress and I’ll include some pictures where I can.
Stand- I’ve sealed, mounted, and secured 5/8” plywood to the top of the steel frame. I’ve also secured the backing to the back of the frame which was painted with white flex seal. I also started cutting out 2.5” pieces of ply to make a drip tray at the bottom of the tank. I’ll upload pictures when I get home again.
Aquarium- couple of problems here. The builder had made a mistake drilling the over flow holes. They’re 1/2” too high which renders my current overflow useless.
Here’s the tank compared to the template.
I contacted the overflow manufacturer to see if they could perform some custom work and after explaining what was happening, they said they can accommodate. I then called the aquarium builder and they offered to pay for the over flow. Relief!
The second isn’t necessarily a problem as much as a slow down. The aquarium is HEAVY. And I do not want to move it twice. Therefore, it’s still sitting on the pick up in the garage continuing its curing process until the 125 is broken down.
Heating- I tapped into my hot water heater and began plumbing the hot water recirculation loop. Here’s a picture of the circulation pump a long with a motorized ball valve
Pictures here is a T coming from my hot water tank into a recirculating pump then a motorized ball valve. It ends with a Sharkbite fitting and I intend to run PEX into the fish room and through a titanium heat exchanger.
And here’s the titanium heat exchanger
Thanks to everyone patiently answer my questions about this part of the upgrade.
Fish room:
Not much to update here. The 125 is not quite ready to be broken down so I can’t shut the system down. I did pick up an additional 40b and .two 20 gallon tanks to help with the movement of fish and coral. I’m away for a week with Friday off, so I plan on taking care of some odds and ends then. The QT is almost done with its round of copper and the fish look great. Once they’re done, I will move them into a 20 gallon observation and prepare the two 40bs to temporarily house the current occupants of the DT. This way it’ll give me an opportunity to break down and prepare the 125 to be a sump. I’ll also have some time to rethink my fish room.
Sorry for the slow progress (and lack up pictures)
Paul
OP
OP
Dubs83
Valuable Member
Forgot to mention, if you look through my previous build, the fiancé wanted a beam across the tank and suspend the light from the beam.
Something like this
Well, I’ve put some work into and here’s what we got out of it. Let me know what you think.
Stained
First coat of polyurethane
Something like this
Well, I’ve put some work into and here’s what we got out of it. Let me know what you think.
Stained
First coat of polyurethane
Victoria M
5000 Club Member
That is gonna be so pretty.Forgot to mention, if you look through my previous build, the fiancé wanted a beam across the tank and suspend the light from the beam.
Something like this
Well, I’ve put some work into and here’s what we got out of it. Let me know what you think.
Stained
First coat of polyurethane
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