Back at it with a 240.

[xraymatt]

I figured it was about time to get back into the game. Last summer, my wife and I bought a house, so I took the opportunity to negotiate a tank upgrade into the deal! I ended up stumbling upon a 240 that I had seen up close and personal years ago. On one of my coral trading expeditions about 8 years ago, I purchased a few frags from a guy that had a beautiful 240 gallon full blown reef. Fast forward to this past summer; while searching for a "new" tank, I came across this guy's tank. I called him up and told him that I had seen his tank years ago and I would love to own it. He made me a deal I couldn't refuse and I brought it home.

One of the deals with the wife is that I agreed to wait to set it up until the solar (which we purchased as soon as we bought the house) was operational. Months passed and finally at the end of December the solar was turned on. Just as I was planning the build, I found out I had torn a tendon in my elbow and would need surgery, so I would once again wait.
Surgery was 2 weeks ago today, and I can officially say that the build has begun!
I completed the plumbing with mostly the use of 1 arm, but I'm confident in the design. Today I'm working on constructing the canopy and hopefully by the end of the week I'll add the water.
I've watched countless build threads over the years and couldn't wait to do one of my own.
I'll post pics throughout the journey. It's nice to be back!!

 

[xraymatt]

Hopefully my plumbing design works out. There's two 1 1/2" overflow drains that drains to the sump. The return pump is an Iwaki 40 RLXT, which will return water to four different points of the tank creating pretty good circulation. There's also a closed loop system plumbed into the back. All that along with a WP-40 wave maker should create a pretty good current. Time will tell.

 

[xraymatt]

I usually use photobucket for the pictures, but it's taking a dump today, so crappy thumbnails will have to work for now!

 

[xraymatt]

Alright, photobucket is back on line. Back to the normal pics.
Here's a couple pics of the plumbing process. It's been a slow pace since I had elbow surgery a couple weeks ago, but nothing will stop the build!!
Water should go in this week!

 

[xraymatt]

Quick update:
The elbow is healing well and the tank is doing great. I'm sure you don't want pics of my elbow, so here's a few of the tank!

I picked up some nice coral from Ryan in Riverside.

Too bad this piece broke during transport, but now I have two nice pieces!

 

[Speaker73]

Just a FYI. you know that most tendons take 6 weeks to heal. Hope your tennis elbow feels better!

 

[Reeferfourlife]

Nice tank. Did you make the stand and canopy?

 

[xraymatt]

Tell me about it, Troy!! Surgery was almost 6 weeks ago! Surgeon still won't let me do any physical therapy or go back to work until next week. It's been a mixed blessing having time off of work, but I wouldn't want to have that surgery again!

Simon, I did make the stand and canopy. It's not completed yet and definitely not "pro status", but it works!! Thanks for the complements!

 

[Smite]

Looking good man!

Looks like MH on the sides, what's the box in the middle?

 

[Smite]

Nevermind just saw they are ballasts

 

[xraymatt]

Nevermind just saw they are ballasts

I've always been partial to halides. The chiller makes heat in the tank a non-issue, and solar panels on the roof allows me to run the AC without power concerns.
I have a pair of PFO dual ballasts that I might try soon, but everything seems happy right now, so I'm not messing with it!
Thanks for the complements!!

 

[peter]

Nice set up. Xray tech by any chance? Just wondering because of your name.

 

[xraymatt]

Nice set up. Xray tech by any chance? Just wondering because of your name.

Thanks Peter! Yes, I've been an X-ray Tech for the past 18 years; trained in the U.S. Navy.

 

[peter]

Thanks Peter! Yes, I've been an X-ray Tech for the past 18 years; trained in the U.S. Navy.

Oh sweet. Where do you work if you dont mind me asking? I graduate in 4.5 months :]

 

[xraymatt]

Oh sweet. Where do you work if you dont mind me asking? I graduate in 4.5 months :]

I don't mind at all, Peter. I'm the Radiology department Manager at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage. Keep an eye on emc.org for any openings coming up. Best of luck!

 

[peter]

I don't mind at all, Peter. I'm the Radiology department Manager at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage. Keep an eye on emc.org for any openings coming up. Best of luck!

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[christian7144]

Nice tank. Hope your healing up great. Happy reefing


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[xraymatt]

Nice tank. Hope your healing up great. Happy reefing


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks Christian!!

 

[xraymatt]

Newest addition: Mr. Foxface.

GSP finally came out.

Here's a little overview of the equipment:
Right side: overflow dumps into a chamber filled with bio-balls. I started off with a filter sock, but I found myself having to clean it every other day. I decided to add the bio-balls as an experiment to see if they will trap as much debris as the sock. I used to be dead set against bio-balls, but I've been very pleased so far. The small pump in the second chamber is sending water to the chiller. The third chamber has a light for a refugium.

The middle section contains the Octopus protein skimmer. This thing is a beast!!

The left side is where the return pumps are. My return pump is an Iwaki and the blue pump in the back is for the closed loop. I plumbed in an outlet that I can use to drain water for water changes. I just connect a garden hose and open the ball valve. It works pretty good.

I finally got the calcium reactor dialed in. After keeping reef tanks for almost 16 years, this is my first calcium reactor. I'm looking forward to see how the corals respond. Of course my wife asks me "you're not going to keep that right there, are you?" haha!!

 

[xraymatt]