Row12 (ezzy) 280 Gallon SPS Build Thred

[row12]

I mentioned in my Welcome post that I would start a build thread. Please bare with me as this is my first official build thread. Between purchasing a house and landscape/hardscape construction, I havent had time for a reef tank. The dust has finally settled (literally) and I'm ready! First off, I was forced back into the hobby because LeeMar decided to shut down their aquarium production line. After missing the deadline to place an order by a day, I scrambled on the forums for a LeeMar starphire eurobraced tank. Thanks to @StrictySalties I found a brand new Leemar 280 gallon (72"x30"x30") Starphire, Eurobraced, black back, black silicon, diamond edge, and center overflow with 1x1.5" hole and 1x1"hole. The tank was supposed to be 60" instead of 72" so Matt at Coral Collection had it sitting in his shop. I didnt like the 30" height (prefer 24") and the single overflow with only 1x1" hole for a return, but beggers can't chosers and I'm grateful for the tank. My goal for this setup is to be patient and buy the best possible equipment that I can afford without having to upgrade later. I also plan on keeping mainly SPS with a medium-high bio load of fish.

Here's the equipment list:

Tank - Leemar 280 Gallon (72"x30"x30") Starphire Eurobraced, center overflow with 1x1.5" and 1x1" holes
Stand - Big thanks to Tony (unbearable) on Sdreefs for building my frame. Solid construction, perfectly level, and ready for skin.
Protein skimmer - Havent finalized my decision but I'm leaning on an ATB 10.5 deluxe
Lighting - ATI LED powermodule 8x80 watt with 4x75 watt LED
Sump - 100 gallon custom Advance Acrylics
Calcium Reactor - GEO 618 (I kept from my previous setup)
Return pump - havent finalized but i'm leaning on the Fluval SP6 or wavelince DC
Flow - 2xMP60's
Controller - Apex (I kept from my previous setup)

Part of the hardscape contruction included building a concrete platform outside the house behind the wall where the tank is located. I included a drain that taps into my sidewalk drain and a 15 AMP circuit breaker as well. I plan on keeping my equipment outside to minimize noise and having to haul water inside the house during water changes.

Again, please bare with me and I will be posting pictures as I make progress.

Looking forward to everyone's input!

 

[pgr11]

Sounds like a great build. Looking forward to it

 

[row12]

The current issue that I'm facing is the drain line. Like I mentioned, the tank has 1x1.5" and 1x1" holes drilled inside the overflow box. I want opinions on the type of drain setup that I can have that will minimize the noise as much as posible and maximize the flow. I was thinking between the following 2 options.

1) Use the 1.5" hole with a durso standpipe and use the 1x1" for my return line
2) Use both holes for a herbie style drain with the 1" as backup. The only concern that I have using this method is that it's recommended to use the larger hole as the emergency and the smaller hole as the siphon. With this size tank I'd prefer the 1.5" drain as the siphon to maximize turnover rate. 1" drain on this size tank just doesnt seem adequate to me as I prefer med-high turnover rates.

Let me know what you think

 

[AddictedtoSalt]

Herbie style. Use the 1" for drain and the 1 1/2" for emergency. This is how my 125 is. Im running a RO DC10500 return wide open and the 1" easily handles it. Place a strainer on the end of the drain in the overflow, Place a good quality gate valve on the 1" drain as close to the sump end as possible with the end of the drain about 1" underwater in the sump. The emergency should be 1/2" - 1" below the bottom of the weir in the overflow box. It will be dead silent.

 

[lurking]

sweet sounds like a fun build to follow along with. Welcome again to Socalireefs

 

[row12]

Interesting. Do you know much flow a single 1" can handle? Also would I have issues if I were to use the 1.5" as the siphon and 1" as a backup? Does the emergency need to be submerged in the sump as well?

 

[row12]

I've been extremely busy with the tank but I'm making progress. Here's a pic of the area where the tank will be located. I removed the carpet around the area since we will eventually upgrade the flooring.

 

[row12]

Carpet complete!

 

[row12]

Got the tank on the stand on 10/31. It took four of us to lift it into place. I placed an insulation barrier material between the concrete and stand to help prevent the wood from rotting. I still need to finish painting the bottom of the stand.

 

[Fly5150]

This is something bean animal posted about full siphon drains.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[row12]

Yeah I saw that after doing some research. I decided that I'm going use the 1.5" as the full siphon drain and 1" as backup. I know I'm chancing it with only 1" emergency but I want more flow.

This is something bean animal posted about full siphon drains.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[row12]

I picked up my Sump from John @ Advance Acrylics on 11/14. Well worth the drive from San Diego. 1 week turnaround, great communication, and amazing quality!

 

[row12]

Matching refugium. He messed up drilling the hole in the front but I'm just going to patch it with an Advance Acrylics sticker LOL. All good!

 

[lowbudget]

View attachment 39222 Matching refugium. He messed up drilling the hole in the front but I'm just going to patch it with an Advance Acrylics sticker LOL. All good!

he could of patched it for you.

 

[row12]

Started the leak test and still perfectly level

 

[lowbudget]

View attachment 39223 View attachment 39224 Started the leak test and still perfectly level

its like .02567889 degress off to the left.

 

[row12]

he could of patched it for you.

He offered to but it wouldnt have looked good. It wasnt his fault, I should've specified better on my drawings.

 

[row12]

its like .02567889 degress off to the left.

Hahaha..close enough!

 

[lowbudget]

He offered to but it wouldnt have looked good. It wasnt his fault, I should've specified better on my drawings.

next time kick him in the chins for me and say du ma

 

[Riblet]

Looking good!