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My 170 Gallon Build Thread (1 Viewer)

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jhand

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Well with the help of some really great newer members here I got my tank picked up from DH today. I'm upgrading from a 90 gallon, the new tank is a 170 rimless.

Dimensions are 5'X24"X27".

Lighting consist of 3X250 Watt SE Metal Halides w/icecap ballast and 2 60" VHO's with a PFO ballast.

After getting the tank moved in I got the ballast mounted under the stand, overflows cleaned out, durso's installed, back overflow area of tank painted and the plumbing figured out.

Between long hours at work and waiting on the other equipment
it'll probably be about 2 weeks before we have water in it.

My new RODI from Buckeye Field Supply came in Friday, I got that hooked up yesterday.

Thanks again tmgrash (Travis) and rking77573 (Ray), yall are awesome, we'll definitely get together and go boating soon....not to mention try that homebrew out. :D

Some pics with one actinic VHO on.

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rking77573

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Looks really good so far. I can't wait to follow along. That VHO actinic really does look good. Now I'm looking at my tank and thinking of a retro project......
 

tmgrash

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Looks good cleaned up. That was a heavy dude. Wish I would have seen that "pan in the stand" before I just got mine all plumbed and filled. I'd start making water now if I were you. I wish I had made mine up before I got everything set up, just because once I got everything done it was hard to wait 2 1/2 days to get the thing filled..
 

dh

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It's look really good. I can not wait to see the tank up and running, Thanks
 
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jhand

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What are the advantages of using a external return pump?

I had also planned on using a in-sump skimmer but if I do that I will lose my big fuge area, with a large footprint skimmer the left over room would be to small for a fuge. Any recommendations on a good external skimmer....other than BK, ATB and the other $1200 skimmers.
 

rking77573

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I use an external pump and still tend to favor in sump submersibles. The safety factor just seems to be enough to overcome everything else in my opinion. The external pumps take up less sump space... but more cabinet space.... easier to find a more powerful pump, but they take more power to run and how much power do you really need for a return anyway? As far as the skimmer goes, how much space do you have in your stand? I cant remember but it might not be that hard to find something external if you know what footprint to shop for.
 

dh

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Hey J
Here is my take. External pump will help your temp cooler then internal pump. With the sump u have you just plug and play since the sump already drilled. About the skimmer. I have try the internal and external simmer in that set up. You have a tray under the stand so u don't have to worry about the leak. If you want to save power and use the internal skimmer and lost some space on the refugium. If you don't care about the power pump then use the external skimmer with big space for the refugium. Just call me or PM me if you have question on that tank. Good luck
 

tmgrash

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I just set up an aquac ev240, it can be used either internally or externally. Not long term useage here but so far it seems to be skimming like mad. Its made very solid, doesnt use any screws which is a nice feature. Its a little less than half the $1200 range :D
 
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jhand

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tmgrash said:
I just set up an aquac ev240, it can be used either internally or externally. Not long term useage here but so far it seems to be skimming like mad. Its made very solid, doesnt use any screws which is a nice feature. Its a little less than half the $1200 range :D

Thats a classic skimmer Travis and might be hard to beat, a part of me is wanting to try some of this new cone technology though. Trust me, i'm looking at everything.

You say not long term, what do you plan on going with down the road?
 

tmgrash

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I understand about trying new technology. To be honest I bought the biggest most powerful skimmer that I could fit under my stand, for under $1k. You won't have that issue with that tall stand. Its dimensions were just enough shorter than most of the other comperable skimmers. I do plan on using this long term I meant I just haven't yet.

Those cone skimmers do make sense
 

tas5tas

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Hurricone Cat 2 Internal or External, but the external is $100 more. Can't beat the price, construction, or performance of the Hurricone.
 

RR-MAN

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jhand,

Is it possible to suspend the light fixture from the ceiling? Is it a single fixture?

It bothers me to see rimless tanks with canopies. :D :) :D
 
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jhand

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RR-MAN said:
jhand,

Is it possible to suspend the light fixture from the ceiling? Is it a single fixture?

It bothers me to see rimless tanks with canopies. :D :) :D

I know it would be alot nicer that way BUT as nice as this light fixture is I really dont think it would look its best outside of a canopy :) Plus it would probably really flood my living room with light.

On another note, I think I have decided to go with a ATB 840 as far as a skimmer, it has a fairly small footprint and will still leave me with a 11" X 17" fuge area.
 

RR-MAN

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jhand Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 11:12 am Post subject:
I know it would be alot nicer that way BUT as nice as this light fixture is I really dont think it would look its best outside of a canopy Plus it would probably really flood my living room with light.

Yeah it will be too much light in the living space. My tank is in the foyer and my neighbors always want to know what is that bright light coming through the glass door.
 
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jhand

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Picked up a few things for the tank today. I took out one of the K4's in the 90 and put one of the new MP40's in, I was expecting alot of forward motion flow but what impressed me the most was the "undertow", it is pulling stuff backwards from the other side of the tank, on half power. Extremely happy with it so far, cant wait to put both of them in the 170.

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jhand

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I had a nice package at my door when I got home. My return pump, moonlights, PH monitor, Wireless thermometer, new heater and new VHO actinic bulbs came in.
I also picked up a nice little nano today.
I ordered my skimmer on Monday, it should be here early next week.

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tmgrash

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All the new toys are the best part. How much flow are you going to run through your sump? I am seeming to have a bubble problem running 1300gph through my 65gal sump.
Is the nano there to keep you preoccupied? I set up a freshwater tank in my sons room to fill up while I get anxious for mine :D
 
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