RobW's 280 Gallon Build

[Fudsey]

Just read through your build ! !

I must say, your attention to detail is impeccable ! ! ! OUTSTANDING work ! !

Following along from here on out ;)

 

[RobW]

Going to read your tank processes on the weekend, when I have the time to read and take notes. Very good build!

Thank you!

 

[Alexreefer]

Updates?!!!

 

[RobW]

None yet. Been busy working all weekend. Plus the weather here has been less than desirable. Lots of rain! The high humidity isnt the greatest for trying to finish the inside of the stand. Going to try to get some more done tomorrow after I get home from work.

 

[AZMSGT]

Holy Moly, I just looked through your thread. That stand is built like it's going to hold 20X the weight of your tank. WOW.. Your craftsmanship is excellent, being a woodworker I can really appreciate your time and effort in this stand. Keep on keeping on my friend!

 

[N2950H]

I also just stumbled across your build, and you do some very clean work. I'm a metal fabricator with ambitions of being semi-adequate with wood. This build thread is inspiring, well done.

 

[RobW]

Holy Moly, I just looked through your thread. That stand is built like it's going to hold 20X the weight of your tank. WOW.. Your craftsmanship is excellent, being a woodworker I can really appreciate your time and effort in this stand. Keep on keeping on my friend!

Thank you!

I also just stumbled across your build, and you do some very clean work. I'm a metal fabricator with ambitions of being semi-adequate with wood. This build thread is inspiring, well done.

 

[RobW]

So I was was reading through another thread about Apex vs. ProfiLux... decisions, decisions. I got to tell ya, after looking through all the profilux products, i think I'm sold on it. I really like the looks of the hardware, especially the lighting! The Mitra LX7206's look like they have some extreme power and a lot of functionality. Exactly what I am looking for to punch down through 36" of tank depth. Plus I really wanted to use the eco-tech Vectra pumps and they have the controller interface to work with them as well. Not saying anything bad about Apex stuff but I feel the GHL products will better support my needs. Lol! I really need to decide on gear because I am coming to a point where once I build the display tank it will be time to start ordering gear. I know it is a lot of money to shell out over time. Now it is back to the drawing board again. Filtration equipment will still be the same but control, lighting, dosing, and possibly top off and water changing design may end up differently now.

 

[RobW]

Was thinking about starting off with the 70" ocean blue light bars in the beginning. Relatively inexpensive to get lighting started in the tank at the beginning. After the tank starts to mature a little and gets through its cycle I can use those lights for livestock for a bit. When it comes time to start stocking the tank with corals, I then can add the Mitra Lx7602's. Probably 3 of them lengthwise down the centerline of the tank and leave the ocean blue light bars on either side. Should make for some nice coloration and growth.

 

[RobW]

Originally for the return pumps, I was planning on using dual Vectra L1's (3100 GPH each). I was reading that they didn't interface with Apex at the time or something to that effect. So I decided that I would run Apex pumps. Their COR20 is only 2000 GPH. I'm running a 25 watt pentair sterilizer on each return line valved off the return lines with gate valves and flow sensors to dial in the proper burn time and then looped back into the return lines before hitting the display. My issue was with the head pressure from valves and bends that there wouldn't be much tank turnover. At least with the Vectras I have a little more volume of turnover. Also having the dual return pumps keeps my system turning over in case I have one pump fail I can limp along for a couple of days till a replacement showed up if I didnt have another on hand. With the other 3 pumps running (1 for L2 for the skimmer, 1 M2 and an air pump for the bio reactor, and 1 L2 for the manifold for media reactors and such. Then a few MP40's in the tank, there should be no shortage of recirculation and/or oxygenation. All the pumps will be on battery backups even though I have a standby generator on the house. God forbid we have a bad hurricane and I burn through 500 gallons of propane keeping the house running, the tank can continue to run for a bit longer. I have a long way to go here. This is a very time consuming project. It will not be finished overnight. I am by no means that well off where i could just dump all that money in one shot but, I dont want to rush the build. This is my dream tank and I want it to be as close to perfect as it can be. I do not plan on moving from this house. So this tank is permanent!

 

[Janci]

So I was was reading through another thread about Apex vs. ProfiLux... decisions, decisions. I got to tell ya, after looking through all the profilux products, i think I'm sold on it. I really like the looks of the hardware, especially the lighting! The Mitra LX7206's look like they have some extreme power and a lot of functionality. Exactly what I am looking for to punch down through 36" of tank depth. Plus I really wanted to use the eco-tech Vectra pumps and they have the controller interface to work with them as well. Not saying anything bad about Apex stuff but I feel the GHL products will better support my needs. Lol! I really need to decide on gear because I am coming to a point where once I build the display tank it will be time to start ordering gear. I know it is a lot of money to shell out over time. Now it is back to the drawing board again. Filtration equipment will still be the same but control, lighting, dosing, and possibly top off and water changing design may end up differently now.

Welcome to the German side!! Lol
I have no experience with the lights, but GHL has a complete package for all possible reefing needs.
The controller is awesome! Once you get around to understand the programming, it is a breeze.

 

[RobW]

Welcome to the German side!! Lol
I have no experience with the lights, but GHL has a complete package for all possible reefing needs.
The controller is awesome! Once you get around to understand the programming, it is a breeze.

I may be going overboard. There is a lot of equipment to remember. I may have to do something in Visio just to keep all the plumbing path, electrical, and equipment in order. Lol! I usually do that when I am building audio/video racks for custom homes that shows all my connections so we have a blueprint for programming.

 

[Janci]

I may be going overboard. There is a lot of equipment to remember. I may have to do something in Visio just to keep all the plumbing path, electrical, and equipment in order. Lol! I usually do that when I am building audio/video racks for custom homes that shows all my connections so we have a blueprint for programming.

Isn't that the fun part in building a reef tank?
All the details that need to be thought/planned about.

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Isn't that the fun part in building a reef tank?
All the details that need to be thought/planned about.

Bingo!

 

[RobW]

Isn't that the fun part in building a reef tank?
All the details that need to be thought/planned about.

Yes, actually it is. Sometimes I am just a little OCD though.

 

[RobW]

Sorry guys, no updates today. I literally just walked in the door from work. I'm beat. Believe me, I want to get out there and move along a bit. Theres just not enough hours in the day.

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Any updates, Rob?

I'm guessing you've been slammed with work and other life events and hope all is well!

 

[Dsnakes]

Following along! That will be a deep tank.

 

[RobW]

Any updates, Rob?

I'm guessing you've been slammed with work and other life events and hope all is well!

Yeah, I can't breathe bring right now! Work is so busy it's not funny. I'm looking to hire a few more guys. I need 2 more really good journeyman electricians and probably 2 good helpers that are eager to learn. I start totally green, inexperienced helpers at 15.00 per hour. Journeyman electricians I start around 22.00-25.00 per hour depending on their skillset. We give regular raises, holidays, vacation, bonuses, commissions if they bring work/clients, etc. Working on medical insurance now. Need enough guys to make it affordable. Right now it's just 4 of us. My partner and I. His wife takes car of the office and we had 1 guy dedicated to Crestron programming. We are all programmers but it's hard to wear too many hats. We do so many different things. I could probably even use someone in the office for C.A.D. drawings. We design and draw all of our own jobs out. We actually make a full set of drawings for these homes with all the automation equipment, connection points, assigned ip addresses, you name it. We offer a lot more than your standard electrical or A/V company. I have 3 home builders that we do work for. All the homes are usually between 5,000 - 15,000 square feet with the occasional 20,000 - 30,000 square foot home. We also do commercial work. Small businesses, offices, storefronts, etc. Very rarely do I get to do industrial. I like doing it but, dont have the manpower for that at the moment. Plus we want to keep quality control. I do not tolerate sloppy work! Anyway, enough rambling. I have to head off to work here shortly

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Thanks for replying. Sounds like you're experiencing some "good" problems about any business owner likes to get.

I see you're in Lighthouse Point. Is that the Lighthouse Point in FL? Have you considered posting a message in the Lounge here asking if anyone might be interested in a job?