New Large Reef Tank Build

Well Guys n' Gals, its been nearly a year since a \"New Reef is Found (In Tullamore)\", and with the construction of the new house well underway, Its time to think ahead and draw up some plans for the move early next year. Proposed System will be 84\" x 30\" x30\" (1200 litres plus 600L sump/refugium). Here's the story so far.

New house under construction. Wall between Kitchen/Diner and the Utility Room


A couple of hard hours with a consaw (dirty noisy job). Architect had a heart attack when he called later that evening !!!!


View from Back of Tank from Utility room to Kitchen/Diner.


A rough sketch of the proposed tank (84\" x30\" x 30\")


A rough sketch of proposed Sump layout. (72\" long x 26\" width x 26\" depth)

As you may have noticed from the photos above a third tank will sit above and beside the main display. This will be the Refug / Cryptic Zone. I am think of using a couple of closed loop systems for water circulation, but the thought of all that plumbing is giving me nightmares. Has anyone out there any experience of using closed loop design.

Anyone that has goggled \" Muzzys Reef\" will see what I'm after but on a larger scale. Any advice you guys/Gals can offer will be greatly appreciated. Don't expect think to happen fast. This will be a year long project. Steel has been ordered and should be delivered next week.

I'll keep you all posted as things develop.

Kind regards

Seany

looking foward to following your thread seany.

ps. where are you planning to get your tank..

I love tank's built into a wall. It gives a room a whole new dimension.
There are a couple of things with the set up worth mentioning. I'm sure you know them yourself, it's more for the onlooker.
In the sump where you will have the macroalgae (assuming you will have a light over it) it wouldn't be a bad idea to use black glass as dividers to block the light penetrating the DSB. The bacteria don't like light. That's why you find filters never have clear casings.
I like the idea of having the refugium up at the top of the tank. If you have the light on a reverse light period or even on 24/7 the light from this can be like a night light for the fish. They may even see it as moon light.
If the return from the refugium is dropped directly in to the tank you can get small air bubbles entering the tank. Not always a good thing. A small U bend to the surface will do the trick and stop the bubbles floating around the tank.
It wouldn't be a bad idea to use all the same pumps and have a spare impeller shaft handy. I find this is the first to go when you are pumping at any height, and you will be pumping a good height. Also don't go by the pumping height's suggested by the manufacturers of the pumps. They tend to exaggerate a lot.
When you hear a pump start to make a rattling sound it is usually the impeller shaft and not the impeller.

Best of luck with the up grade and i look forward to your posts.

Darren.

Looks Great Seany.

If it turns out anywhere as good as your existing tank it'll be fantastic.

Let me know closer to the time, I'll get you a competitive price on the tank and sump.

@ phildevan

Haven't a clue !!!!

@platty252

Cheers for the good advice. I'll certainly keep them in mind

@ Dave

Thanks. It will be sometime early in the new year. I'll be looking for a big discount!!! Its gonna take alot of live rock / coral / fish to fill this one!!!!

@ Everyone

Any ever setup a closed loop water circulation system. Need alot of help with this aspect

Regards

Seany

Seany,

Excellent !
Looking forward to the journal of this new exciting adventure.
Have you calculated how much 'pure ammonia' you will need to input into this tank ?!!!!

Valerie

There is not a lot involved in putting a closed loop together.
Something like an intake of an external filter,a bend or elbow over the top of the tank,piping down to the intake of the pump. From the outlet of the pump some piping, a bend over the top of the tank and down into the tank with an elbow fitted to direct the flow.
I have one set up but about 20% of the flow feeds my sump which is over the tank. You could do the same to feed the water to your refugium.

Here is a link that shows it a lot better than i can explain it. I would skip the addition of the airline and check valve. Just syphon start the pump before you drop the outlet in to the tank.

ozreef.org/diy_plans/water_movement/wate...culation_system.html

@ Valerie

Might need a few Volunteers!!!

@ Platty252

Thanks again for the advice. I'm planning on drilling the tank side for the returns, but more resecrch required. Many thanks for the link, looks good.

regards

Seany

Steel cut and picked up today from steel engineer



This baby cuts steel like a hot knife through butter !



Closeup of steel been cut.

This piece is one of 3 x 88inch lengths which will go under the tank for support. There is also 1 larger grade steel of 104 inches length which will be positioned over the tank supporting the overhead wall.



All loaded up and ready to go

Until next time

Seany

Seany I cant wait to see the finished product.This project looks fab,Im following it with a keen interest.
Gavin

Thanks Gavin,

A long way to go yet.

This is the kind of end result I'm aiming for with regards to an aquascape.



Once can dream anyway !

Regards

Seany

looks like a hell of a big project, best of luck, i'm enjoying this thread

Excellent illustration Seany. You even included the hardwood floor in the next room. Deadly .
I like the idea of the returns from the sump been under the rocks.

Warning




IF you are technophobic - do not scroll down





This is NOT what I want to end up with in my utility room !!!!!














Regards

Seany

OMG!!!!!! Are they chimneys each side of the tank!!!! Looks like it could take off!!!!! Did NASA build it???

Talk about over kill. I don't think sealife have that much equipment.
Funny thing is the tank doesn't look that large.
Seany do you have a photo or link to the front view of the tank.
Anyone know what a sinusoidal valve is?

this is a very interesting and well illustrated thread. well done seaney and platy too for some great input.

sinusoidal valve ?
Haven't a clue and have no wish to know either. This link should help
www.cvreefers.org/showthread.php?t=248

As I'm rapidly going off the closed loop idea due to the fact that I don't trust my plumbing skills, I'm thinking of just using powerheads, unsightly but easy. Was back on \"Google Sketchup\" last night and added the sump and skimmer.



Regards

Seany

Skimmer Moved, Ca Reactor Fitted, Closed Loop started and Refugium built.
If only it was this fast in real life !!!



Refugium Plumbing Detail viewed from other side



Seany

Looks great keep up the good work can't wait to see the end product.

I would say there would be some mosture in the air from this size marine tank with lights on full, maybe an idea would be to put and air extractor system in place hooked up to when your lights are on or with a timer to deal with it now rather than later. Trust me especially if you have a wooden floor that you don't want to raise.

p.s. Keep adding the pics they are great.

Des

Thanks Des,

As the tank will be located in the utility room, I have planned an extractor in the external wall of the room to draw hot,humid air out and dry, cool air in. Where will also be a washing machine and Dryer located in this room so I don't want humidity problems.

Kind regards

Seany

The Wife has agreed to let me move the washing machine and the dryer into the garage if I build her a "laundry room". The utility is now my Marine Fishroom! All Mine. Yippee!!!

Seany

A Marine Fishroom nice
Will you fit a bar in there and we can all visit?

Limerickbandit,

Don't be giving me any more great ideas!
Unless I tell her the vodka is for nitrate reduction

reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php



Seany

Well done Seany your post are in comparbly to any thing here perhaps, even better than American salt water forium best posters keep up the good work its always enjoyable to seen a keen poster/salwater fanatic:cheer:

a lot of work on this, kudos on the "diplomatic" takeover of the utility room... loving this thread but its giving me way too many expensive ideas... now could i persuade herself to let me get a 10x3x2... probably be the cheapest sexchange op ever if i tried:S

I know its an old thread, but i was just wanted to get some update.