Starting ~800 Gallon Custom Reef Tank Build

[mch1984]

Ok, if I agree with this but, since I have no idea what I'm talking about, does that make it false? Lol

Now I'm confused, apparently I have no idea what I'm talking about.

 

[najer]

Ok, if I agree with this but, since I have no idea what I'm talking about, does that make it false? Lol

Now I'm confused, apparently I have no idea what I'm talking about.

It only takes 2 or 3 of the reef2reef dark under current to show up on a journal and boom, seriousness and common sense are out the window!

 

[crusso1993]

It only takes 2 or 3 of the reef2reef dark under current to show up on a journal and boom, seriousness and common sense are out the window!

You may be overshooting with 3 and, in my case, I feel fairly confident going with 1!

 

[mch1984]

It only takes 2 or 3 of the reef2reef dark under current to show up on a journal and boom, seriousness and common sense are out the window!

Are you trying to say I'm running with the wrong R2R crowd?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Great construction going on here. I thought my new tank at 48” deep was big. Many ideas here

 

[ravi197699]

thank you vetteguy53081, what size tank you have?

 

[vetteguy53081]

thank you vetteguy53081, what size tank you have?

Current large tank is 360, and was t have my new tank last weekend but seller dismantled canopy and stand thinking he was making things easier for mover not realizing he created 42 pieces in which I pad for 5 items to be moved. He has reassembled and we are rescheduling shipment this afternoon.
New tank is a custom 660g acrylic unit

 

[ravi197699]

nice tank, lots of wood used on the canopy and stand...

 

[NeverlosT]

Ravi please check your L1 to make sure that it is the new version (has black plastic as impeller shaft chamber).

I made a thread about the differences, but basically a first gen L1 was SUPER dodgy (I melted down two during just normal return pump use), and the new version is better (less likely to melt down, but still will clog up and run the impeller dry.

Please see my thread here (shows difference between 1st gen and 2nd gen L1:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ecotech-vectra-l1-new-version-improvements.364222/

And another:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/vectra-l1-after-1year.294834/

The bad news, Royal Exclusiv turns out isn't much better quality wise.
Just bought an RD3 100W Flow pump, installed it, volute leaked like a sieve (they had not solvent welded it together well, just in spots). They replaced it, but workmanship on the volutes is not impressive for a pump that costs that much. Customer service excellent though.

If I had it to do again? Id either try a Fluval SP6 or just swallow a LOT of pride and drop a LOT of money on an Abyzz.

 

[ravi197699]

thank you NeverlosT, I called Ecotech and gave them the serial number of the pump and date and they confirmed that this the latest version of the Vectra L1, that gives me piece of mind, I don't want to fire it up and next thing I know that it is locked up.. but thank you for letting me know,

 

[crusso1993]

Ravi please check your L1 to make sure that it is the new version (has black plastic as impeller shaft chamber).

I made a thread about the differences, but basically a first gen L1 was SUPER dodgy (I melted down two during just normal return pump use), and the new version is better (less likely to melt down, but still will clog up and run the impeller dry.

Please see my thread here (shows difference between 1st gen and 2nd gen L1:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ecotech-vectra-l1-new-version-improvements.364222/

And another:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/vectra-l1-after-1year.294834/

The bad news, Royal Exclusiv turns out isn't much better quality wise.
Just bought an RD3 100W Flow pump, installed it, volute leaked like a sieve (they had not solvent welded it together well, just in spots). They replaced it, but workmanship on the volutes is not impressive for a pump that costs that much. Customer service excellent though.

If I had it to do again? Id either try a Fluval SP6 or just swallow a LOT of pride and drop a LOT of money on an Abyzz.

Thanks for the info for those who were unaware of the L1 issues. Personally, I would never buy and EM product but I know many reefers that do.

 

[ravi197699]

I am planning on adding Royal Exclusive Red Dragon RD3 Speedy 230w pump on my system down the road, 1 pump will run everything, I have heard good things about that pump and its quiet. but for now these pumps will have to do...

 

[ravi197699]

hello R2R,Happy Saturday, I got some more goodies, these are 3D printed brackets for heater controller, Reef link, Neptune Apex Display Holder and 2 magnetic probe holders that will hold 8 probes all together, these got delivered today and guess what I am mounting these tomorrow...

 

[justingraham]

Who’s ur 3D guy?

 

[ravi197699]

here you go, this is his ebay store..

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Magnetic-P...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

[justingraham]

Just as I thought
Here is his real webpage
http://printed3d.parts/

Stratos is the man if u have something u want custom hit him up he is a pleasure to work with

 

[ravi197699]

I agree, he knows his stuff, so far i am very happy with stuff i got but there will be many more items i will order...
I bought bunch of stuff from this seller as well, he is pretty good and all my brackets for ecotech power bricks and Jebao came from him,
https://www.ebay.com/sch/rexroillc/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

 

[ravi197699]

Hello R2R, Happy Monday and finally my tank is wet... I am done with final touches in the tank and I started filling the tank with RO water, It was very exciting moment for me and at the same time I am nervous, So I ran the RO for 4 hours and I was able to till the tank 12 - 14 inches high, I took measurement tape and measured the height of the water and all 4 corners, front side, back side measured at same height which is good thing and I turned the RO off around 830 last night, I don't like to leave Ro on while sleeping due to its high pressure and I like to supervise to make sure all the connections are secured and intact and it gave time for tank with 14 inches of water to settle on the stand as well. Woke up in the morning and checked around and checked the floor and so far so good.. I am impressed with RO System I have and I am sure you have seen same comment in the past from me as well, output out of the membrane is 0.003 and output out of DI filter is 000, I could not be happier with these readings. My wife is off today so I told her to turn the RO on and there are only 2 steps, Turn feed ball valve on and turn on the switch to RO and that is about it so that she can turn it off when tank is full or for any other reason.. I am expecting tank to be full or close to full by end of the day tonight. here are some of the pictures of the tank and my track for lights is finished and I am able to move the light rack completely away form the tank..

 

[mch1984]

How exciting, congrats on getting water in. I think we are all looking forward to seeing this beast full.

 

[crusso1993]

Hello R2R, Happy Monday and finally my tank is wet... I am done with final touches in the tank and I started filling the tank with RO water, It was very exciting moment for me and at the same time I am nervous, So I ran the RO for 4 hours and I was able to till the tank 12 - 14 inches high, I took measurement tape and measured the height of the water and all 4 corners, front side, back side measured at same height which is good thing and I turned the RO off around 830 last night, I don't like to leave Ro on while sleeping due to its high pressure and I like to supervise to make sure all the connections are secured and intact and it gave time for tank with 14 inches of water to settle on the stand as well. Woke up in the morning and checked around and checked the floor and so far so good.. I am impressed with RO System I have and I am sure you have seen same comment in the past from me as well, output out of the membrane is 0.003 and output out of DI filter is 000, I could not be happier with these readings. My wife is off today so I told her to turn the RO on and there are only 2 steps, Turn feed ball valve on and turn on the switch to RO and that is about it so that she can turn it off when tank is full or for any other reason.. I am expecting tank to be full or close to full by end of the day tonight. here are some of the pictures of the tank and my track for lights is finished and I am able to move the light rack completely away form the tank..

After such a long build process you have got to be stoked! Congrats and here's to no leaks.