New (tank and reefer) 90 gallon build

[jwilson]

I completely agree and even though I admit to only reading part of the DSB material - mostly because I did research on method's with Delbeek and Sprung's books and other sources and have made up my mind on that part of the system, I am absolutely very grateful for Jim's willingness to share what's working well for him and for going through the trouble of gathering and posting the links for my use.

Even if he was trying to talk me into something that would be ok with me because I'm a pretty passionate person and advocate for what I believe will help someone.

 

[jwilson]

Aquascaping

I have scrap plywood around so my plan is to make a plywood base the size of the tank and then lay out the scape on that. Then my plan was to use the sump to cycle the rock while I finish up the tank plumbing but I'm thinking that it may be easier to lay it out on the wood and then just move it to the tank and do all the cycling in there. I'll epoxy together rocks in groups that can still be managed as a unit, to put them into the tank I can use two sets of hands or even a 2x4 with a few ropes holding them.

In addition to any general advice you guys can give me I have a few specific questions.

How far away from side and rear walls should I leave the rock so that I have flow and room to clean the glass? How about from the center overflow?

How far below the water surface should I have the tallest rocks?

What's a good epoxy brand? It will go together and cure dry.

I've got several rocks that are taller than wide or Vee shaped. I want to mount some of them standing alone in the tank so I definitely need something to hold them up even if I cut the bottom square. I thought I can put a vertical stake (screw) in some acrylic plate and use that and maybe make a wider base that would be hidden in the sand using mortar. Let me know if a sketch would help the program removes the spaces in my diagram so I edited it out.

If that sounds reasonable does anyone know where I can locally find the Thorite mortar Emaco R400 and Acryl 60 that's talked about on Marco Rocks? (I'm in Summit/South Plainfield areas) Or is there a better/easier way to do it? Also, how thick an acrylic base would I need and what screw size? I'm thinking 3/8" think and same dia nylon screw.

Thanks a lot!!
Jim

 

[downbeach]

I'm using some strong magnets (http://www.kjmagnetics.com/products.asp?cat=164) to help hold up some of my Pukani against the back. I also used some 3" PVC fitting around the bottom of the overflow chamber to get some water flow in those dead area's, and I also drilled some 1" holes in the pipe to get some flow behind and through the rocks using a PH that I could access.

Here's a picture of the PVC:

 

[mfisher2112]

I don't worry about the rock on the back glass. I let it lean right up against it. As for the sides, my rule of thumb has always been test with my arm. If I can get my arm in the tank against the side without touching the rock, I have enough space. Sometimes magnets just don't do it, and you may need to get your arm in there with a scraper or scrubber to get coraline off the sides. I let the coraline grow on the back glass, just not the front or sides. But again, that's pure preference.

I have scrap plywood around so my plan is to make a plywood base the size of the tank and then lay out the scape on that. Then my plan was to use the sump to cycle the rock while I finish up the tank plumbing but I'm thinking that it may be easier to lay it out on the wood and then just move it to the tank and do all the cycling in there. I'll epoxy together rocks in groups that can still be managed as a unit, to put them into the tank I can use two sets of hands or even a 2x4 with a few ropes holding them.

In addition to any general advice you guys can give me I have a few specific questions.

How far away from side and rear walls should I leave the rock so that I have flow and room to clean the glass? How about from the center overflow?

How far below the water surface should I have the tallest rocks?

What's a good epoxy brand? It will go together and cure dry.

I've got several rocks that are taller than wide or Vee shaped. I want to mount some of them standing alone in the tank so I definitely need something to hold them up even if I cut the bottom square. I thought I can put a vertical stake (screw) in some acrylic plate and use that and maybe make a wider base that would be hidden in the sand using mortar. Let me know if a sketch would help the program removes the spaces in my diagram so I edited it out.

If that sounds reasonable does anyone know where I can locally find the Thorite mortar Emaco R400 and Acryl 60 that's talked about on Marco Rocks? (I'm in Summit/South Plainfield areas) Or is there a better/easier way to do it? Also, how thick an acrylic base would I need and what screw size? I'm thinking 3/8" think and same dia nylon screw.

Thanks a lot!!
Jim

 

[jwilson]

Catching up where this project left off..... I have the light suspension system up, and the plumbing done. I checked the main drain for leaks and it's tight. I am concerned with some threaded connections, but we'll see what happens when I turn the electricity on.



I also finished plumbing the sump and fuge right after this picture was taken.


Next up is electricity. How is it usually done when you have a two floor set up?
I was thinking that by necessity, for the controller for feeding etc. I obviously need to have return pump control at the tank. I thought I could have local control at the pump by using a switch that shuts off the circuit. Speaking of that, I figured I would put the main return and the skimmer on their own circuit. Put heaters and lights and other accessories on a couple of other circuits. Again, is there any standard rule of thumb like comes to reliability and splitting circuits so you don't have calamity when a heater or something goes?
Thanks

 

[trivan]

Looking good. I think there are a number of schools on how to split breakers. I think most who separate them out agrees that the main pumps should be dedicated so something like a heater going doesn't trip the main flow. I plan to have 2, 1 for the critical life support systems (i.e. pump and flow) and then another for everything else.

BTW, that skimmer looks huge in the picture.

 

[jwilson]

Thanks. And yes the skimmer is huge! The reason is that I got a good deal on the package of used equipment that included the sump, the skimmer, two or three BlueLine HD40 pumps, the gate valve for the skimmer and some full union ball valves. The skimmer is by Marine Technical and it's their HSA-1000 I figured that I would be using a bit of extra pump Hp but all in all, an oversized skimmer isn't a big deal. I talked to the folks there - they were VERY nice and helpful, and said it should be fine on my 90 gal.


Getting back to the electricity.....that's just it on the circuits though. I want to split them but as it is all controller power must come from one line, so either it's on that circuit or it's not controlled unless I do some fancy wiring. The way the controller works (Reef Keeper 2) the whole thing is essentially a single power strip with controlling relays to power the outlets on or off. Thus, you either put everything on the strip on one circuit, or you have to use the controlling strip to power additional relays that then control, or switch, the power (from a different circuit) to the devices.

The other potential issue that I see is the length of the existing ethernet cable on the RK2 controller. Finding an extender shouldn't be a big deal. I wonder though, since this is now out of date, if I would be better off just biting the bullet and buying a new controller - one that works with my iPhone, for example.

 

[trivan]

If you want to see my apex set up, which I have started to set up for a new sub panel let me know, you can't be more then 4 mins from me.

I also have crimping tools to make cat5e cables if you need to make a really long network cable. I might even have cable left over.

I can't imagine having a tank w/out controls on my phone, it vital to me when I'm away from home, so I can see what is going on.

 

[jwilson]

Sure, thanks for the invitation. I would be happy to see your set up. Even if I don't go to a new controller, it looks like the main ones (RK, Apex, Reef Angel) etc all connect similarly, I would love to see your tank.
I am going to get my electrical sorted out, and finish the set up, and then work on the controller later.

 

[trivan]

You have a PM