Just a little grow out system build.. open to advice and suggestions
- Thread starter bvysochin
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Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks! Glad you like it
Just coral.. we'll probably try to stick a couple small cubicle tanks somewhere for fish QT for when we try to add new fish to the system..
Thanks! There's definitely some cool LFS out there that helped inspire this design. We wanted more of a personal showroom feel
Thanks Cody. It was a bit nerve racking at first, and we spent hours and hours watching videos as well. After getting the local quote for $6k+, the choice was clear. If you ever have any questions, feel free..
Thanks! You're definitely invited once stuff is up and running. You're only a hop, skip, and jump away.
Thanks
Sorry I missed this a while back Cody.
For each of the 12 main tanks, we ran one 20 amp circuit, for lighting, which is bypassed from our standby generator (NOT powered when on stand-by power). Those are the three outlets on the left side, all at different levels, in each aisle. Then, on the right side, there are three more outlets, which are all on one 20 amp circuit, for powerheads, reef sustaining equipment, etc, which ARE on back-up power. Then, the large 2 gang outlet boxes (4 outlets) towards the bottom, are on a separate circuit for sump equipment, return pump(s), skimmers, reactors, etc., and WILL be powered in event of power outage.
Thanks!
Thanks! Glad you like it
Just coral.. we'll probably try to stick a couple small cubicle tanks somewhere for fish QT for when we try to add new fish to the system..
Thanks! There's definitely some cool LFS out there that helped inspire this design. We wanted more of a personal showroom feel
Thanks Cody. It was a bit nerve racking at first, and we spent hours and hours watching videos as well. After getting the local quote for $6k+, the choice was clear. If you ever have any questions, feel free..
Thanks! You're definitely invited once stuff is up and running. You're only a hop, skip, and jump away.
Thanks
Sorry I missed this a while back Cody.
For each of the 12 main tanks, we ran one 20 amp circuit, for lighting, which is bypassed from our standby generator (NOT powered when on stand-by power). Those are the three outlets on the left side, all at different levels, in each aisle. Then, on the right side, there are three more outlets, which are all on one 20 amp circuit, for powerheads, reef sustaining equipment, etc, which ARE on back-up power. Then, the large 2 gang outlet boxes (4 outlets) towards the bottom, are on a separate circuit for sump equipment, return pump(s), skimmers, reactors, etc., and WILL be powered in event of power outage.
from a pile of dirt back yard to that beautiful mini aquarium showroom now that's priceless one if not everyone here has a dream to have something like this in there back yard i know i do. Great work with all that attention to detail and the best part is yet to come when the corals get there new home this is amazing to see thanks for the build.
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- Joined
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Small update.. got the tanks picked up and set in place. Phew.. glad that part is over!
Loadin em up..
This truck was pretty massive.. 24' box truck with lift gate.
Had to build a small pallet/platform to get the big ones lifted up into place.
Glad we went with 3/4" glass bottoms.. these things hardly flex at all, if any..
Thank god for whoever invented this piece of machinery.. Lifting 535 lb empty frag tank 8' into air..
Next one will be easier and easier..
We expected the tanks to be almost level to how we wanted them.. but we knew there would be gaps underneath the plastic trim, from previous experience..
So for peace of mind, and to help spread the load.. we decided to take action. This may or may not be necessary.. we didn't want to take any chances.
Incase any one wants to use this stuff in the future.. $18 for a big roll at homedepot, near the concrete tools/section.
We would have used the typical foam board, but we didn't want it coming apart over time, since the edge was going to be exposed.. plus, this stuff looks better.
Cool sunset tonight.
This is why the fragging station is by the big windows
Our first fish.. catfish
Starting to plan our sumps and plumbing..
Loadin em up..
This truck was pretty massive.. 24' box truck with lift gate.
Had to build a small pallet/platform to get the big ones lifted up into place.
Glad we went with 3/4" glass bottoms.. these things hardly flex at all, if any..
Thank god for whoever invented this piece of machinery.. Lifting 535 lb empty frag tank 8' into air..
Next one will be easier and easier..
We expected the tanks to be almost level to how we wanted them.. but we knew there would be gaps underneath the plastic trim, from previous experience..
So for peace of mind, and to help spread the load.. we decided to take action. This may or may not be necessary.. we didn't want to take any chances.
Incase any one wants to use this stuff in the future.. $18 for a big roll at homedepot, near the concrete tools/section.
We would have used the typical foam board, but we didn't want it coming apart over time, since the edge was going to be exposed.. plus, this stuff looks better.
Cool sunset tonight.
This is why the fragging station is by the big windows
Our first fish.. catfish
Starting to plan our sumps and plumbing..
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Yep. Top tanks will be lit 100% by metal halide with high flow and bare bottoms. We plan to put little sps frags up there and leave them alone... with that size tank, I'm hoping we have enough room between them to where we can put them in and completely forget about them, allowing them to grow into nice healthy colonies. At least, that's the plan. Like most reefers, a lot of our sps do better once you leave them alone..
The access will be easy, but it's hard to explain and describe without pictures. There will basically be a rail attached to every middle and bottom orange beam. I am going to custom order aluminum bar grating platforms that are lightweight and small enough to lift, and store, to attach to the rails to span the entire aisle. If you look closely, the aisles are all the exact same size for this reason, plus or minus a quarter inch. A little 2 foot step stool is the most that will ever be needed to get onto the platforms to the higher tanks. Or 4 foot to get directly to the top platforms.. I wish we didn't have to do it this way but we have a limited foot print were working with.
Thanks, it's been a while since you've been over here.
Yes, correct!! This is for our pleasure and at our leisure only. As soon as it becomes burdensome and tiresome, it will negatively affect our interest in the hobby, which we do not want . The very top tanks are going to be pretty much off limits except for us. Honestly, we plan/hope to not have to go up there ourselves often. We are going to be attaching a mirror to the ceiling(s) above each tank to help us view stuff at a glance, without having to climb up there.
Ha! Thanks a bunch. Can't wait to get at least one tank wet.
The access will be easy, but it's hard to explain and describe without pictures. There will basically be a rail attached to every middle and bottom orange beam. I am going to custom order aluminum bar grating platforms that are lightweight and small enough to lift, and store, to attach to the rails to span the entire aisle. If you look closely, the aisles are all the exact same size for this reason, plus or minus a quarter inch. A little 2 foot step stool is the most that will ever be needed to get onto the platforms to the higher tanks. Or 4 foot to get directly to the top platforms.. I wish we didn't have to do it this way but we have a limited foot print were working with.
Thanks, it's been a while since you've been over here.
Yes, correct!! This is for our pleasure and at our leisure only. As soon as it becomes burdensome and tiresome, it will negatively affect our interest in the hobby, which we do not want . The very top tanks are going to be pretty much off limits except for us. Honestly, we plan/hope to not have to go up there ourselves often. We are going to be attaching a mirror to the ceiling(s) above each tank to help us view stuff at a glance, without having to climb up there.
Ha! Thanks a bunch. Can't wait to get at least one tank wet.
