Clint's 120 to 280 gallon in wall tank upgrade build thread (1 Viewer)

[GotFrogs]

I think this thread is a little over due. My ~10 year 120 gallon mixed reef has served me well over the past 10 years. It is the largest tank I have ever kept and with the exception of the leak it sprung a few years back, has served me well. The tank is an Oceanic eurobraced tank that I purchased used on MARSH. It is mounted in our living room wall and has a ~ 200 sqft "fish room" behind it.

Picture from March 19, 2006

Picture of 120 during its peak about 6 years ago

As for the upgrade, I have ordered a 72"X30"X30" tank from Reef Savvy. The lead time when I ordered was ~6 months so I don't expect the tank until around May/April time frame. The tank will be eurobraced like my current tank, starphire on the front panel and blacked out on the other three. I have specified two ghost overflows but am not 100% set on this and may submit a change request. Let me know what your thoughts on the overflow are.

My most recent project in anticipation of the build was to install a fresh air exchanger. I have always had a problem with low pH and I think this may have be caused by elevated CO2 levels. To reduce the CO2 levels, I purchase a Panasonic FV-04VE1 WhisperComfortTM Spot ERV. Out of fear of it pumping in chemicals from outside (such as the mosquito sprayer), I connected a Airbox 1 Stealth Edition 500 CFM 4" flanges HT4496 to the air inlet.


The install ended up being much more work than I expected but it is all behind me with the exception of mounting a nice grill/vent for the 4" air intake under one of my attic soffits.

Many more posts to come!

 

[billw]

It may be difficult managing 2 independent overflows, especially if you plan on running a full siphon. I had Felix build me a 5 foot external overflow box with 2 20 inch weirs cut into the back panel on an 8 foot tank. I'm extremely happy with the results.
https://www.facebook.com/ReefSavvy/...7593742962216/659720394082879/?type=1&theater


sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tab. Expect terse answers and frequent tipos!

 

[GotFrogs]

Billw, thanks for the feedback. Do you have a picture of the back of the tank after the install? How many drain lines do you have connected to the overflow?

 

[GotFrogs]

Thanks for the "like" FJW. The 440 pounds of sand I purchased from you will be the first thing that goes in it!

 

[billw]

I can get you some pictures. I plumbed it in a standard 3 drain beananimal configuration. Inch bulkheads and inch and a half pipe. I'll see if i can dig up some pictures, if not I'll take some.

sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tab. Expect terse answers and frequent tipos!

 

[TexanReef]

Amazing tank, that 120!

Looking forward to your build.

 

[billw]

Sorry about the dust. Picture was taken during construction . It's a bit tough to get the gist of the overflow from these pictures but you may get the general idea. The plumbing you see in the first picture is the return.

 

[GotFrogs]

Thanks for the quick reply and pictures. I will call Felix and see what he recommends.

 

[Reefahholic]

I would do one ghost with 2 drains and 1 emergency.

External is the way to go.

Ive had low, moderate, and high flow through my sumps. IMO a moderate flow works well.

I have a 225/G with Mag 18 and it's just about right.

In the tank is where the high flow needs to be.

 

[GotFrogs]

Speaking of sump flow, I picked up a variable speed pump with 10V Apex controller interface over Black Friday weekend. I plan on using it as my primary return pump.

I also got a bunch of 1" red PVC from BRS for the plumbing. I plan on taking my time with the plumbing and making it look as nice as possible.

 

[d2mini]

Another vote for one long overflow with bean animal plumbing.
I prefer toothless.
A long, toothless overflow does a fantastic job at surface skimming the water.

 

[RR-MAN]

Great dimensions Clint. Some people don't like tall tanks but I love it. The fish and corals show much better when it comes to viewing.

Why reef savvy if tank is in-wall and visible only from one side. Reef Savvy tanks should be displayed as center piece.

 

[notmyname]

Nice! Looking forward to watching this go up. Love to hear about the air exchanger, that is a great idea!


Tracy Rhodes
Crystal Sea Texas

 

[GotFrogs]

Great dimensions Clint. Some people don't like tall tanks but I love it. The fish and corals show much better when it comes to viewing.

Why reef savvy if tank is in-wall and visible only from one side. Reef Savvy tanks should be displayed as center piece.

All good points. I plan on having a "deep" sand bed like my current tank so there will not be 30" of water when all is said and done. I just picked reef savvy because I don't want to worry about the integrity of the tank. I have a 300 DD Marineland tank and it keeps me up at night. This tank will have euro bracing and an aluminum rim. Hopefully it will last me forever.

 

[GotFrogs]

Here are some more pictures of the air exchanger. The first one is what it looks like mounted to the ceiling. The second picture shows the AirBox that has a carbon filter in it and the 4" insulated ductwork. The third is the exchanger shown from the attic.

 

[GotFrogs]

Today I spent some time drawing up the sump for the tank. It is based off of the Zero Edge Series 7 sump but is linger than their largest standard offering and has a few other modifications. What do you think? I plan on ordering it next week and would appreciate any feedback on it. I already have their 26" version and am very happy with it and their customer service.

PDF of Sump Drawing

 

[billw]

All good points. I plan on having a "deep" sand bed like my current tank so there will not be 30" of water when all is said and done. I just picked reef savvy because I don't want to worry about the integrity of the tank. I have a 300 DD Marineland tank and it keeps me up at night. This tank will have euro bracing and an aluminum rim. Hopefully it will last me forever.

My thoughts were the same as yours. Mine is built like a tank! (M1A1 that is ). I put it on a steel stand with an inch of plywood underneath with an inch of closed cell neoprene on top of that. Solid as a rock.

sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tab. Expect terse answers and frequent tipos!

 

[GotFrogs]

Billw - Where did you get the stand from? Reef Savvy want ~$2K (shipped) for an aluminum stand. I plan on drawing something up this weekend silimiar to this stand but with a 4" front overhang (to make up the difference of the wall thickness), no back brace, and using 3 X 1.5" steel material. Thoughts?

 

[billw]

Billw - Where did you get the stand from? Reef Savvy want ~$2K (shipped) for an aluminum stand. I plan on drawing something up this weekend silimiar to this stand but with a 4" front overhang (to make up the difference of the wall thickness), no back brace, and using 3 X 1.5" steel material. Thoughts?

I had a local weld shop fab it out of 2 inch 11 gauge (I think?) for $600. 2 inch is overkill but much more pleasing to the eye. 1 inch is good enough but looked weird to me .

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[billw]

I think they offer an extra year warranty with their stand, but I didn't buy from them for the warranty. I wasn't really impressed with their stands anyway. Particle board doesn't handle moisture very well.

sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tab. Expect terse answers and frequent tipos!