New Tank Build (1 Viewer)

[DLAdams]

New Tank Build

Pics will be posted soon.

Tank - 78"x32"x30 - 3/4 acrylic
Sump - 1/2" acrylic
Stand - Oak Plywood - Cabinet quality

Looking for some suggestions on a closed loop. I am pretty much at the point to where I have to decide on a closed loop or not. If I do a closed loop, I probably will not go with a motorized ball valve but I still think it will be better than the traditional overflow return.

Closed Loop???
Advantages/Disadvantages
Pump Suggestions... durability and DB's. Looking for quiet and dependable equipment.

More comments and updates to come.

 

[jdeveaux]

I love closed loops. If setup correctly they are great for avoiding the use of power heads.

I use the Oceans Motions 4Way to control the alternating flow and I'm currently driving it with a Reeflo Snapper pump.

I don't hear anything from mine.

 

[DLAdams]

Ok fellow Marshians.... In a pinch on lighting but here is the scoop.


Ok, I am easy. With comments from you and Scott300, I decided on a closed loop. Ordered a OM 4 way which is on the way. I got 2 CL 1100p pumps but I am having a hard time deciding on lighting.

My main lighting question is should I go with 3x250 or 3x400 with a tank that is 32 deep. Right now I plan on keeping a few softies and some sps (basically what I have in my 210 right now on all T5s). What I want to avoid is buying one light and plugging it in and saying dang I wish I had more or less light.

I plan to cut the 4th side and assemble it tomorrow so as planned months ago, I hope to post some pics. Next comes building the custom stand.... Anyone got any good suggestions for Hardwood cab trim here local in Houston. The skin will be 3/4 Oak Plywood. Guts will be 2x6's with some being doubled for extra support. And yes I will crown all vertical supports.

Suggestions appreciated but may not be considered. Just kidding guys. I am getting impatient about this project as well as other friends from Marsh..


Regards everyone and God bless all....





Any suggestions on lighting is greatly appreciated.

 

[dh]

I cannot wait to see this tank up and running. Hurry up Darrell

 

[Scott]

With a 32" deep tank 250's would be OK (barely IMO) but you can't go wrong with 400's and Radium makes some beautifully blue bulbs for that. Also, I don't want to discourage you, but with a tank that big you may want to consider two closed loops on OM 4-ways.

 

[DLAdams]

Jeez Scott you are killing me. Trying to do this on a budget is killing me. Physically as far as the plumbing goes, I dont think I have enough room for 2 CL's because it is viewable from both sides and limited clearance on the two ends.


The problem I have is I have about 24 inches of clearance between the top of the tank and the ceiling above. The tank is not sitting under a normal 8ft ceiling because it is in an area where I remodeled in order to put the tank between two rooms. I really want to go with a fixture but I am getting the feeling I may need to build something for a retro setup...


Dennis, this is a secret project for you. You will not lay eyes on it until totally complete... Just kidding, you can see it any time. I am just very nervous right now because it seems like things change daily and anything can go wrong. Newtons Law... Or Darrell's law. If it can go wrong it will go wrong and hopefully I learn from my mistakes.

 

[DLAdams]

Pics of the build..

Long ways away from being completed. You will notice that I have left as much of the protective paper on as I could. Hopefully this will protect it during the transport from the garage to the house.

I am still deciding if I should build the stand/cabinet myself or hire a carpenter because I really dont feel like messing with it. But I am hoping to have this inside my house within the next month so I can start the nightmare of plumbing it. Right now, I hope to have it up and running my Jan 1...

 

[Scott]

Looking good so far. You might want to consider a photobucket account for the build, you're gonna run out of room on your MARSH account.

 

[mpwolken]

Where did you get the plexi? And, do you know where to get 1.5" thick plexi?

 

[DLAdams]

Quick update.

Water test coming soon. Hope I dont flood my street and all the water stays where it belongs.

I did decide to go with the 2x400 + 2 T8 Giesemann fixture. Bought 2 new 20k Ushio bulbs

I have a big question about my OM 4 Way. For a tank this size and using 1 OM, what flow from the pump should I be looking for? Any pump recommendations. I need to go ahead and get this pump ordered as I want to be plumbing in 2-3 weeks.

Thanks all

 

[DLAdams]

I verified with OM that there is no minimum as far as flow through a OM 4 way goes. The only question is how much flow do I want to flow through the main tank.

Any suggestions on volume? I currently have 2 1100/gph pumps. I will get good flow from the one that goes through the OM and the other will have quite a bit of head pressure so the flow will be cut down.

How many GPH on a tank ~400g???

 

[jdeveaux]

I'm running 3600 GPH Dart on my OM 4Way and I've thought about even bumping that up some. My tank is 120 gallons.

You have to be really careful on the intake design for your CL if your going to have sand in your tank so touch base with me for some thoughts on that if you want to have a sand bed.

I ran into some problems with mine and sand getting stuck in the OM which is fairly easy to clean but annoying at the same time.

I have a new design planned for my intake when I get up the time and courage to go through the hassle to pull all of my LR out so that I can change the intake.

 

[d2mini]

Cool! Can't wait to see it progress.
I don't have the balls to make my own tank. I barely had the nerve to trust the stand i built for my little 46g. lol

 

[stdreb27]

Personally I think you'll need more flow than 1100 gph pumps for a closed loop. I'd be checking out a reeflo pump for sure.

 

[reefgnome]

I have a barracuda on my 300g and not too much flow. If I was doing what you are I would go with a hammerhead at a minimum.

 

[DLAdams]

STB - Point well taken. I think you are with the majority.

After talking to Paul at Oceansmotion I have decided on 2-OM 4 ways and 2 DART or Snapper pumps.

Plus others (Scott) recommended the same thing

That is why I started this thread is to get everyones opinion. Use what I feel is good nonbiased opinion and discard the rest.

 

[DLAdams]

Well, it has been several weeks but I finally completed all the support and sealed the tank. Tomorrow will be the big water test day...

 

[dh]

Hurry Man, I can not wait that long

 

[Guest]

did it leak ??

 

[bag151]

If you haven't already purchased your pumps I would strongly suggest a Dart or Larger. Snapper is my return pump but just doesn't cut it in terms of large flow. I had a barracuda already from my 180 so I plumbed it in for my 336 CL.

Honestly I wouldn't put in a closed loop if I did it all over again. Wastes to much energy. Barracuda produces 4300gph@ 235watts. My 4x Tunze 6105's produce 13800gph @ 180watts. Sucks up front in the initial cost, but you can't beat the flow and efficiency.