Nick's Leemar 150G Build

[nkkm]

Hi all

Time for my tank build thread. I currently have a 50G Cadlight cube that I have had for a couple of years but felt the urge to upgrade as it was getting full and we have a bigger living room since the recent move. I picked up a used 150G Leemar eurobrace last week, here are the specs:

LeeMar Tank

- 48" x 30" x 24"
- Eurobrace
- Starfire on front and sides (front was recently replaced as it apparently had a chip, was replaced by leemar)
- Center overflow with single bulkhead. Returns in corners in eurobrace.
- Black painted back (some chips in the paint, any advice what paint to use to touch up?)

Sump: 40 gallon acrylic. See pics below, return is external. Any opinions on how to organize it with the current layout?

Stand: Wood stand, wanted to make it a little more modern and didn't like the edges covering the bottom of the tank so currently stripped down and staining it ebony. Will be applying some polyurethane tonight. Still undecided what to do about the doors.




Lights: Undecided i currently have AI Sol over my cube, happy with LED but never tried anything else. Thinking of picking up two Radion Gen2. ATI LED Powermodule is tempting but dont think I could handle replacing bulbs every year. Suggestions?

Skimmer: No idea, suggestions?

Controller: Currently have an Apex controlling the ATO

Return Pump: 1 Velocity

Currently thinking that flow will be provided by 2 vortech mp-40wes I think. Have an MP40 and MP10 WES on my cube and think its really helped the coral growth since I added them.

Mixed reef, with SPS.

Still trying to work out the best sand and rock for aquascape. Currently have Seaflor special grade in the cube.

Any help, ideas on plumbing etc would be greatly appreciated. Now to work out how to get it upstairs!!

 

[robert_ellis]

Glwb... Seems your starting off correct!

 

[nkkm]

Thanks Robert! Polyurethane done, will be looking at the plumbing tonight.

 

[nkkm]

Could really use some advice on the plumbing, does this seem like a good approach?

 

[nkkm]

Any plumbing experts out there?

 

[jeffreylam1132]

What's the gph on your return pump? Reason I've asked, because with all those 90 elbows, there are going to be a lot of restriction on your flow. See if you can put in some 45 elbow instead. I would also throw in a couple of schedule 40/80 union at the two return for easy maintenance/cleaning/repair etc....

This is optional but highly recommend installing a ball valve so you can have the option of dialing down your flow rate just in case you need too. Get the one that has double union for easy breakdown in case you need to repair your pump or just take it apart for cleaning. Also optional is a check valve, but make sure your sump can hold all the back siphon from your main display if there's a power/pump failure regardless if you have a check valve or not.

Other than that, everything looks great!

 

[nkkm]

Thanks for the reply Jeffrey.

I am not 100% sure on the gph but I am pretty sure its a Velocity T4. Its an external pump and the label says Laing, looking at their website rates it at 18GPM so 1080GPH i guess.

I'll look into the 45 elbows, am i doing it right using the PVC or should i be using tubing instead? (My current cube has tubing). When you mention the ball valve is this for the return? I was also thinking of adding another T junction off the return to feed my BRS reactors as well. Will look into check valves today, I am guessing this is for the return as well to stop the siphon?

Sorry for the noob questions, my previous build was less that ideal plumbing wise, just don't want to make any mistakes on this one

 

[nkkm]

Finally got the tank upstairs and getting the sand and water in! Really feeling how slow my RODI unit is now

 

[nkkm]

Ok, i think I may have made a stupid mistake. All along in my head I thought the wall i was putting it against went all the way down to the garage and was a supporting wall. Not sure what planet I was on when i thought this through.

Here are pics of where it is place, really worried now. Should i tear the new tank down tomorrow and move it somewhere else? Last pic is from inside the garage looking up at where the tank is sitting.

 

[Izek]

Looking good so far can't wait to see it up and ready

 

[nkkm]

Looking good so far can't wait to see it up and ready

Thanks Isaac, me too!

 

[nkkm]

Ok, i think I may have made a stupid mistake. All along in my head I thought the wall i was putting it against went all the way down to the garage and was a supporting wall. Not sure what planet I was on when i thought this through.

Here are pics of where it is place, really worried now. Should i tear the new tank down tomorrow and move it somewhere else? Last pic is from inside the garage looking up at where the tank is sitting.

View attachment 20801 View attachment 20802 View attachment 20803 View attachment 20804

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks

 

[robert_ellis]

Seems like you would be ok since the stair beams are right there. You also have the ceiling joists supporting the tank. Just keep an eye on it for a bit and if you noice the drywall on the ceiling in the garage cracking you know you need to fix some stuff. I think you would be ok though.

 

[jeffreylam1132]

Thanks for the reply Jeffrey.

I am not 100% sure on the gph but I am pretty sure its a Velocity T4. Its an external pump and the label says Laing, looking at their website rates it at 18GPM so 1080GPH i guess.

I'll look into the 45 elbows, am i doing it right using the PVC or should i be using tubing instead? (My current cube has tubing). When you mention the ball valve is this for the return? I was also thinking of adding another T junction off the return to feed my BRS reactors as well. Will look into check valves today, I am guessing this is for the return as well to stop the siphon?

Sorry for the noob questions, my previous build was less that ideal plumbing wise, just don't want to make any mistakes on this one

Sorry, I didn't get a change to respond to your question. IMO, pvc looks a lot cleaner and more sturdy and if sealed and glue right, less change of leaking comparing to tubing. Yes, ball valve is at the return and I usually put it close to the pump as close as possible for easy maintenance. If your pump is strong enough, I would definitely look into making a manifold to feed off your reactors or whatever else you need it for. Let me know if you need some pics and help. I have 150g and can definitely give you some points if you need to. Check valve is also at the return to prevent back siphon from your return.