Finally got a fishroom - my 500/g build (1 Viewer)

[Luman01]

Thanks John! I've spend about 17-18 hours a day reading about this hobby! I've been in the saltwater world for a about a year! And I've gone through 4 tanks setting up my 5th lol! But when I talk to newbies like who are In the hobby less then me they ask me wow u must have atleast 5 years in the hobby! I'm like wow really thanks I've started about 1 year ago! But I've been in the freshwater realm since I was 3 yrs old and at he end of my freshman year I was like I need some thing more challengeing and more ways to spend my dads money! Lol! So I got in to this! lol I love This hobby it's really relaxing! Anyway back to your thread lol!

 

[Luman01]

How big of skimmer are you gonna go?

 

[madehtsobi]

I'm on wood floors... warped now lol oops


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[RR-MAN]

How big of skimmer are you gonna go?

For now I have a Cone Reef Octopus 3000 internal from my previous tank. It's a beast. It was handling around 320/g of water volume and I had around 15 large angels/tangs. I would like to upgrade to life reef skimmer in the near future.

I'm on wood floors... warped now lol oops

Oh shoot, lol!!! I don't care about the floors it's all good.

Hey John if your going to do pen style why dont you take the overflow boxes out, patch the holes and then put a ghost overflow on one of the ends?

Jason,
What a great idea man but it involves a lot of work especially modifying the tank structure versus painting the small overflow area black . Aesthetically it will definitely look nicer but for now I keep it as is.

I modified the previous tank with the ghost overflow and I was not impressed with the additional flow. And it was very costly to drill tank/oveflow box/sch. 80 bulkheads/larger pump...

Here's the skimmer:

 

[Reefahholic]

So if you're going under the tank, might be wise to make the stand taller. I know you wanted it shorter, but being able to work in a sump and changes socks, skimmer cup, prune algae, clean, change media, etc... sure is nice!

I vote for tall stand.

 

[Luman01]

You can get away with a shorter stand If you put the skimmer in the closet. And you have direct access to the socks and reactors!

 

[Luman01]

If you have plans of the stand with all the dimensions can you post a pic of that?

 

[RR-MAN]

So if you're going under the tank, might be wise to make the stand taller. I know you wanted it shorter, but being able to work in a sump and changes socks, skimmer cup, prune algae, clean, change media, etc... sure is nice!

I vote for tall stand.

You win...the stand will be 42" tall.

No plans for the stand yet.

Electrician is coming by Saturday to install 3 - 20 amp outlets. I want one 20 amp outlet in the ceiling for the lights. I don't want to drag the light fixture wires all the way down. Is 3 - 20 amp outlets enough???

 

[Luman01]

Well I would put a fourth just in case.

 

[Ostentum]

I ran 2 20 amps on my 260g. That was 1 for the chiller, return pump and skimmer. And the other for 3 halides, 3 leds and 4 vortech mp40s.

 

[RR-MAN]

I ran 2 20 amps on my 260g. That was 1 for the chiller, return pump and skimmer. And the other for 3 halides, 3 leds and 4 vortech mp40s.

Oh I see.

I'm calculating around 1900 watts without the chiller so 1900 watts/110 volts ~18 amps. I will have a dedicated 20amp outlet for the chiller but will not plug one in unless my tank temp goes above 81. So for now total of 3-20 amp should be more than enough.

 

[RR-MAN]

So I'm thinking about 3 large islands. Tank will set as peninsula so have to consider both sides.

Is there a rock per gallon calculator? I would like to order all at once.


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[Luman01]

The rock per gallon ratio would be 3/4 of a pound per gallon. If you want to go to 1 pound per gallon that's up to you but that's a lot of rock! Go to infinity fish they have 1000 pounds or so of dry rock of you are going dry. For live ocean life got in 1000 pounds of live Haitian reef rock. Up to u!

Lucas. Happy reefing!

 

[RR-MAN]

The rock per gallon ratio would be 3/4 of a pound per gallon. If you want to go to 1 pound per gallon that's up to you but that's a lot of rock! Go to infinity fish they have 1000 pounds or so of dry rock of you are going dry. For live ocean life got in 1000 pounds of live Haitian reef rock. Up to u!

Lucas. Happy reefing!

I will start with 400/lbs and see how far that takes me. I want lots of free space for fish to swim in a 8 ft by 4 ft

 

[steved350]

Honestly the pound of rock per gallon calculations are a stretch. With new technology now days you can get by with very little rock if you use bio-blocks in that swimming pool of a sump you have. I'm with you, I like an open tank. I think 400 is plenty. Look into the bio-blocks. 150000 sqft per cu.ft of block. That's huge


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[RR-MAN]

Honestly the pound of rock per gallon calculations are a stretch. With new technology now days you can get by with very little rock if you use bio-blocks in that swimming pool of a sump you have. I'm with you, I like an open tank. I think 400 is plenty. Look into the bio-blocks. 150000 sqft per cu.ft of block. That's huge


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Yeah definitely want to do minimal rock work but at 4ft wide I don't want it to look too empty. I will definitely look into the bio-blocks

In other news, the electrician showed up today to install the 3-20 amp outlets including one in the closet for the water change station and ro di unit.

 

[johntdaballa]

Man I had thee chance to see this tank in person!! This thing is massive !!! Can't wait till this is up and running .


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[Mark L.]

Can't wait to see this come along John. Love tank builds!

 

[d2mini]

Congrats John! Glad to see you finally found a house. Marsh pool parties!

I really miss my fish room. You'll love having that.
Although.... the location of my house more than makes up for it.
Now if I could just afford more rooms in this area. lol!

 

[RR-MAN]

Thanks Mark! It's coming along nicely. I ordered the rock and the stand build will start soon. The guy has to build it inside since it will be 4ft wide it won't through the door.

Can't wait to see this come along John. Love tank builds!

Thanks Dennis!!! Yes finally man...this is my third house and final. I will never ever move again unless I win the lottery.
Marsh pool party sounds great...soon.

Yes very excited about the fish room. Putting everything together is the fun part...

Yeah you moved from 4000 sq ft to 2000 sq that's a big change. Your house is in great location hopefully the investment will pay off.
My uncle owns a couple of investment homes really close by you on Richelieu Street.

Congrats John! Glad to see you finally found a house. Marsh pool parties!

I really miss my fish room. You'll love having that.
Although.... the location of my house more than makes up for it.
Now if I could just afford more rooms in this area. lol!