With Headaches and Lessons Learned a New Tank Build

Ditto

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This is the start of a new tank build thread. I currently have a thriving 150 Gallon custom Acrylic tank with own QT tank a small 30 gallon biocube, and now I am adding a third tank 72x18x17 with a custom 45 gallon sump and it own QT Tank (yet to be decided on equipment for)

The equipment list for the 72x18x17:
1 GHL P4 Controller
1 GHL Expansion Box (This is to control a new QT tank for this tank)
3 GHL Flow Monitors (One for the Return Pump to the tank, one to the reactors,
and one to the Chiller)
1 GHL Leak Detector with two sensors
2 GHL Mitras Lightbar 2 (Deep Antic and Antic)
2 GHL Mitras Simulation Bars (For moonlight simulation)
1 Kessil Reefgium light
2 ORP, 2 Salinity, 2 PH, 1 Oxygen sensor with plug in module for the P4
3 GHL Powerbar 5.1 to power everything
1 GHL Vortech controller
1 Chiller
1 Royal Exclusive Mini Bubble King 180 VS12
1 Royal Exclusive RD3 return pump
1 BRS Media Reactor (Carbon/Phosphate)
2 GHL Optical, and 1 GHL Float switch
1 GHL Air/Humidity Sensor with module to plug into the P4 (This will power 4
Fans in the hood of the tank and vent air in the event the hood or tank
temperature becomes to hot)
1 GHL Doser 2.1 (For 4 Part Triton)
1 GHL Maxi Doser (ATO/Skimmer Bucket)
1 GHL KH Kit (Doser and KH)
1 GHL Display
5 Magnetic Stirrers for dosing
2 MP40
2 Vivid Aquatic Random Flow Generators on the Return lines

The tank is being built by glasscages ordered on 2/26 . I went with them because the reviews even thou mixed on the forums, provided me the most reasonable price for the size of the tank I was looking for. The tank will be on a custom stand being built by them which is going to be 36” high, with separation of equipment from the sump area. It will also include a tank hood and glass canopy, also provided by them. The tank should arrive in about 2 more weeks.

For Rock, so many choices, I went with Marcorock shelf rock. This will be my first tank where I have not used live rock and even thou the results have been good I feel it has caused me a few headaches that this time around I would like to avoid and believe it has been more of a nuisance then what it is worth. I also want to Aquascape this tank this time around and not be rushed with live rock.

Below is a picture of how the sump area will be laid out:
tank_Sump_Area.jpg


In close I am using the headaches and lessons I have learned on my other tanks, and applying that knowledge to this tank build. My hope is to reduce some of mistakes and headaches I have done on my previous tank builds by not repeating them on this build, and with the help of the community help catch potential mistakes or headaches before they happen.

Some of Mistakes/Headaches I have learned in previous builds:
Acrylic even thou great is harder to clean and scratches to easily no matter how careful you are
Allow Clearance for your hands in cleaning the tank (I made that mistake on the 150)
Flow Flow Flow, (never to much)
Do you really get all those hitchhikers off the live rock?
Unions and Valves are your friends (If you think you may ever need one then you need to plan for it now)
Keep it simple but redundant, even thou the list of equipment above makes it look like not a simple build the end results will be quite simple, redundant and clean. I do sometimes get called away for work, and have friends and family do things on my tank. I needed that same flexibility on this tank, where I can monitor it remotely but also have my friends and family do some of the routine tasks without the fear of screwing something up.
 
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Ditto

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My Marco shelf rock has arrived today. I may have ordered to much though. I ordered a 60’kit a 30’shelf kit, a few pedestals and Marco bonding agent for the rock. (Pictures of the rock to follow)

Taking a pieces of sheet rock cutting it down to the size of the tank then surrounding it with 2” blue painter tape. I now have a tank border with which allows me to sculpt thebrock without the fear of having it touching the outer walls of the tank. I could do this inside the tank when it arrives but then I am taking the rock in and out to arrange possibly damaging the tank.

E84F6756-9893-41E3-8717-1C41478817D7.jpeg 01E1A3BE-C338-47BF-9DC9-522557D4D372.jpeg
 
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Ditto

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I am overall thoroughly impressed with the Marcorock (http://www.marcorocks.com/) even thou I lost some pieces in the shipment the assortment and sizes were great, and have some pieces pre cut also is an added bonus.

9C53C4DF-2AEA-467B-857C-3FEAA0C838B9.jpeg

3326A964-0E88-4412-8F2F-B4878305CF43.jpeg
A5004D6B-1C49-403A-A0E0-3DF8A21F6B44.jpeg
9F67C9E5-6160-41C7-921B-A8D3A29FF1AC.jpeg
7D3824EB-33DC-4587-8B97-7B7870D10F6E.jpeg
813CBFC1-EDD0-4537-A1C4-1BA3B710FCB9.jpeg
09D037FE-1669-4B2B-8859-994EECA7CF74.jpeg


And some that did not make it
B611E206-DF98-4AA4-9610-08D75C2335E1.jpeg

8EFEA89C-F12F-4E0C-A9A4-2340BAC48635.jpeg


EF179340-C43F-4B35-B8B2-F67162E68425.jpeg
 
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Daltrey

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I bought and picked up a 240 glass tank from glasscages years ago. It was a nice tank for the price. Had plans for a teacup stingray tank. Unfortunately after doing more research I decided they needed a much bigger tank.

I’m in the middle of switching over from apex to ghl. I really like ghl build and quality. It does have more of a learning curve than apex though.
 

JoshH

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Love the looks of this, following along and expecting no less details than your apex/GHL write up!:)
 
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@Daltrey with my switchout nearly complete from Apex to GHL, I have a few more post to do on my other thread, the quality of the device is great. I agree that it is a bit more to program then the Apex but now beleive that it is easier to do things in the GHL. I miss a few things that Apex does do better, but based on recent posts from the developers some of those few things are coming in the next release.

@JoshH thanks for kind words!! And yes the same level of details even on the GHL side (just no comparison this time heheh)
 
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The Vivid Creative Aquatics (https://vividcreativeaquatics.com/)
random flow generators arrived today.

Once the tank is setup I plan to post videos of the patterns they make. Quality of the plastic they used for theses is quite good.

FEBB4343-B041-43AE-97B1-C741D8BA109F.jpeg


It is a interesting patten when looking through the nozzle.
8CE17082-F6EB-452F-BE35-1986F3C4C1BD.jpeg
 
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The Aquadriver Helix 180 arrived today for the Royal Exclusive Skimmer when it arrives.

First impression and will do a video once it is up and running is that it is very well built. The unit came well packaged and the weight of the entire unit was quite impressive no light duty plastic in this construction.

I am gonna to use one of the Maxi Doser heads as the supply for the wash down ring setup.

Came double boxed with this box in another box with foam.

DB8AA999-A050-4836-A70D-22904E108A71.jpeg


Nicely packed no way it was going to be damaged in shipping!!

1ACFDA39-8258-4AFC-8BD9-50D008E5B757.jpeg

Heavy construction, everything is well aligned the screw threads are neat and well aligned. Cleans both the neck and the top of the skimmer lid.

A8C5B236-7A5F-4DB4-A4EC-FE00FAACAB84.jpeg
Standard 1/4” water input for wash ring to rinse the side of the skim cup going to be interesting to see how much pressure the maxi will have for this or if I am going to have to use a relay off my manifold.
B1D9BB24-2C44-4D72-B82A-84E879CF35AA.jpeg

Can not wait to post the video with the setup and operation. I have used a Avast and now this one so going to be interesting comparing the two.
 
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My tank is expected to ship next week per glasscages. In the mean time equipment is rolling in for the new tank build:

AE07C5E4-964F-425F-89AE-1C02B79C6FA9.jpeg
88A64276-AE87-4C0E-AAC4-A9B54328CAD1.jpeg
My red dragon return pump has also arrived, it going to be a bit of an overkill for this tank but wanted to feed everything off one pump that I could control. I have a second one also already as a spare as it also the same type of pump that is used on my 150. I have had great success with the red dragon pumps and the one on my main display has been a workhorse and dead silent.
C5631BC0-CEB1-4A7E-B159-132A8D893047.jpeg
 
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Happy Easter everyone!!

I did reach out to glasscages on Friday and my tank is still drying and will be shipping out early next week.

I have finished shaping and scapeing and begun the rock curing procuring process.

I have the water at 80 degrees and with a Mag9 providing the circulation in each tuperware vat (3 total).

I plan to have my rock soak 2 weeks before begining the seeding proccsss with a water change in the middle. This is just to get any dust, grime, cat hair(I have a cat hhehe) off the rock.

FE51790B-0F0F-48A3-9A4B-39C64ECC377F.jpeg


I have also received my dosing containers on Friday: (Eshopps)

Surprised on how plastic smelling they are so they will be receiving a hot water bath before installing. I am using 3 of these dual units with magnatic stirrer under each section.
1A54EFF0-6E15-4CCF-8334-C48993FBAE08.jpeg


I am also designing another ATO/AWC station for this tank. No more carrying buckets. I am working up the design now and will post.

Last: I have multiple GHL shipments due this week, a shipment from BRs and with any luck a tank will also arrive.
 
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My Glasscage tank has arrived:

My Tank is Born:
Glassc1.JPG

This is a 6 Foot Tank, 72x18x18 on a 36 Inch Cabinet with a 18 inch hood (Low Iron on the Left, right and Front)
glassc2.JPG

I had them place a second wall underneath the Cabinet so that I can place my equipment. I was going to have them do shelves but wanted to do them myself based on my equipment layout.
glassc3.JPG

Overflow will be two 1 1/2 Returns and 1 One Inch Return
glassc5.JPG


I am going to do a video of the tank tomorrow to show the tank overall and the seams.

Observations:
Some of the door cuts have some over cuts as seen in the picture but are hidden with the doors themselves.
A few nail holes need to be filled better but i can do that as I am staining the tank
I like the Euro bracing on the top of the tank and the double glass border on the bottom.
I am surprised that the overflow is not in the middle of the tank.
The packing was quite well, Styrofoam surrounded the entire unit, with thick cardboard on a nice pallet.


I would buy from them again.
 

WWIII

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Officially jealous! I've been eyeing their 100 and 125 wide tanks for my basement. Congrats man, can't wait to see it come together!

I wonder if there are overcuts on the backside? Someone maybe cut it "backwards". I'd be a little bummed about that too, but if they are covered hopefully won't cause you too much annoyance. As long as they build tanks better than they woodwork!
 
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WWIII

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Did I miss what you plan to keep in this new tank? Mixed tank, fish only, sps? Looks like a killer sps/fish tank!
 
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@WWIII
I had to look if the cuts were on both sides on the door openings and it was. I wish they did not over cut but I am thinking I may be able to putty and stain them so they are not seen.

This is going to be mixed/fish tank but I am leaning heavily on in the sps side.
 
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