415 Gallon Plywood Tank Build

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Wow, I hope you got a complimentary shoulder rub with that purchase.
lol, very nice. Completely jealous as always.
Still curing that second set of rock?
 

2quills

Well-Known Member
Dayuuum...I'm going to run a line from my house to yours. Maybe that bad boy can skim my tank to while you're at it. Nice skimmer!
 

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
So, are you using instant ocean or some top of the line far too highly priced over our head salt that is imported from somewhere exotic like sri lanka?
Just kidding. Thats just envy talking.
 

marvelfan

Member
Yeah.. that skimmer is awesome. Wish I had the funds for something like that. What do you think of Reef Octopus. When I finally do upgrade to the proper size for my new tank I was thinking of going with an out of sump model, due to some space restrictions. I'm eyeing up a Reef Octopus DNW200 8" Recirculating Protein Skimmer. Its a littel bigger then what I need for a 125, but I though it would be worth upsizing a little. I'm sure you have been looking at a zillion skimmers over the last several weeks or months.
I was looking at the Vertex Alpha 170, but its a bit too pricey for me.
Nice Choice! Bet your excited to get that new toy!
 

acrylic51

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/1880#post_3509905
Dayuuum...I'm going to run a line from my house to yours. Maybe that bad boy can skim my tank to while you're at it. Nice skimmer!
Reeflo would have to build 1 heck of a pump to push it that far.....But I would......
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
http:///t/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/1880#post_3509903
Wow, I hope you got a complimentary shoulder rub with that purchase.
lol, very nice. Completely jealous as always.
Still curing that second set of rock?
Rock is still curing.....Have to run a little dechlorinator in there first....
 

acrylic51

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarvelFan http:///t/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/1900#post_3509937
Yeah.. that skimmer is awesome. Wish I had the funds for something like that. What do you think of Reef Octopus. When I finally do upgrade to the proper size for my new tank I was thinking of going with an out of sump model, due to some space restrictions. I'm eyeing up a Reef Octopus DNW200 8" Recirculating Protein Skimmer. Its a littel bigger then what I need for a 125, but I though it would be worth upsizing a little. I'm sure you have been looking at a zillion skimmers over the last several weeks or months.
I was looking at the Vertex Alpha 170, but its a bit too pricey for me.
Nice Choice! Bet your excited to get that new toy!
Hmmmm Honestly wouldn't even bother with a DNW skimmer......Cones are more efficient, and the recirc part....There was never really any proof how much more efficiency you gained by running a skimmer recirc. With that said you have the added expense of a pump to feed that skimmer you mentioned so the price went up again......This was a thought process I had been going through with my skimmer selection.....The DNW200 is way overkill and worry some about stability.......A tad bigger is ok, but that's double if you believe the numbers......
I have run recirc skimmers, external skimmers, and added headache and expense to a degree.....A big limiting factor I see with a lot of in sump is water depth the skimmers need....1 thing I didn't care for is the water depth of the Octopus skimmers....I prefer to run a little deep water in my sump, because I have the room.....Certain skimmers such as Skimz, Bubble Magus, and a couple others will tolerate deeper water, and that comes down to the pump used.....I would if set on the Octopus line look at a cone and not look back.....I'd be looking cone regardless of what brand unless you were going to run something like the Orca skimmer by MRC.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
http:///t/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/1900#post_3509917
So, are you using instant ocean or some top of the line far too highly priced over our head salt that is imported from somewhere exotic like sri lanka?
Just kidding. Thats just envy talking.
Nope just Reef Crystals is the plan.....Nobody can honestly prove that 1 salt mix is better than another.......
 

marvelfan

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///t/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/1900#post_3509948
Hmmmm Honestly wouldn't even bother with a DNW skimmer......Cones are more efficient, and the recirc part....There was never really any proof how much more efficiency you gained by running a skimmer recirc. With that said you have the added expense of a pump to feed that skimmer you mentioned so the price went up again......This was a thought process I had been going through with my skimmer selection.....The DNW200 is way overkill and worry some about stability.......A tad bigger is ok, but that's double if you believe the numbers......
I have run recirc skimmers, external skimmers, and added headache and expense to a degree.....A big limiting factor I see with a lot of in sump is water depth the skimmers need....1 thing I didn't care for is the water depth of the Octopus skimmers....I prefer to run a little deep water in my sump, because I have the room.....Certain skimmers such as Skimz, Bubble Magus, and a couple others will tolerate deeper water, and that comes down to the pump used.....I would if set on the Octopus line look at a cone and not look back.....I'd be looking cone regardless of what brand unless you were going to run something like the Orca skimmer by MRC.....
Nope just Reef Crystals is the plan.....Nobody can honestly prove that 1 salt mix is better than another.......
Thanks for the info. I'll take that into account. May be doing some skimmer shopping soon. My tax return is looking good this year thanks to some education credits
, so maybe I can fanagle some $$$ out of it before it goes towards my wedding later this year. (One can dream). I'll take a look at the list you recommended and do some more research as to the operating depth. I'm pretty sure I'm at about 10 or 11" of water in my first chamber of my sump. Not much room to raise a skimmer up by using a platform or some other method, but I'll have to recheck some measurement and then shop around. I saw one manufacturer sells a space-saver model, but I can't remember the specifics at the moment.
I'm running Red Sea Pro Coral Salt on this new tank. I used Reef Crystals before. I've been reading through some of the forums posts about salt mixes and everyone has good and bad experiences with all of them. I'll have to see how my corals do, but I'll also be 2-part dosing for the first time and I'm not sure I have much to compare against.
 
S

siptang

Guest
Shawn - I gotta say it's a long process but done right. Your rock work looks almost artistic and the carpentry skills are off the wall. I would be too scared to tear down the house like you did but you did it very well and hats are off to you sir.
 

acrylic51

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Siptang http:///t/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/1900#post_3510068
Shawn - I gotta say it's a long process but done right. Your rock work looks almost artistic and the carpentry skills are off the wall. I would be too scared to tear down the house like you did but you did it very well and hats are off to you sir.
Thanks.....Tearing down is the easy part....Putting it all back together can be the challenge.....Rock work is coming along.....Right now I'm trying to "repair" some damage I did to the canopy getting it out in the garage....Hopefully with some sandpaper, wet wash cloth and the iron I can work some magic.........
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarvelFan
http:///t/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/1900#post_3509951
Thanks for the info. I'll take that into account. May be doing some skimmer shopping soon. My tax return is looking good this year thanks to some education credits
, so maybe I can fanagle some $$$ out of it before it goes towards my wedding later this year. (One can dream). I'll take a look at the list you recommended and do some more research as to the operating depth. I'm pretty sure I'm at about 10 or 11" of water in my first chamber of my sump. Not much room to raise a skimmer up by using a platform or some other method, but I'll have to recheck some measurement and then shop around. I saw one manufacturer sells a space-saver model, but I can't remember the specifics at the moment.
I'm running Red Sea Pro Coral Salt on this new tank. I used Reef Crystals before. I've been reading through some of the forums posts about salt mixes and everyone has good and bad experiences with all of them. I'll have to see how my corals do, but I'll also be 2-part dosing for the first time and I'm not sure I have much to compare against.
Kiss that skimmer goodbye......No just kidding!!!!!! Most of the time you see the space-saver it's the Octopus line, and they just mount the pumps underneath or inside on some models to save space......I really like the design of the Skimz how it's mounted underneath, but also the drain or exhaust of the skimmer is underneath the skimmer as well......Waiting for Corey to fire his and give us some good feedback......
As far as salt I agree.....To many varying reports about good and bad, and just as anything in this hobby.....There's just no 1 size fits all is my take on it......I can remember when Tropic Marin Pro came out and it was all the rave.....Trends, but the "old stables" have stuck around all these years......
 

acrylic51

Active Member
Ok.....Some long overdue pics......Here is a quick shot of some of the rock inside the DT......Not sure if I posted the pic yet, I know Seth and Corey had a peak, but pic was from my phone, so here's a shot with my good camera..... Still have the other batch soaking and still some odds and ends to play with and tweak, but will turn my attention back to the rock work as it gets a little closer to water time!!!!!


I did finally get my order in from BRS....I had ordered another 500w heater and new digital Finnex temp controllers, also received my Litemeter III with auto top of pump and water change pump, so the pieces are coming together for the water change method I want to employ.......Still have a few details to work out ranging from where to pull the water from; meaning directly from my mixing vat in the laundry room or install small holding tanks in the fishroom itself to hold the water change water........


Finnex temp controller....I bought 2 of these to put the heaters on separate controllers, but will be backed up for accuracy with an Apex controller......
 

al&burke

Active Member
Awesome, you are sick Shawn with all your gagets. Still don't get the size need someone standing next to it. Is that cross member on the stand a 2x10 or 2 x 12
 

acrylic51

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/1900#post_3510415
Very nice. looking good. Can't wait to see the rest of it.
Thanks Seth......
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke
http:///t/376802/415-gallon-plywood-tank-build/1900#post_3510413
Awesome, you are sick Shawn with all your gagets. Still don't get the size need someone standing next to it. Is that cross member on the stand a 2x10 or 2 x 12
Sorry Al the granddaughter is currently sleeping, well suppose to be I hear her bouncing around upstairs, but I do promise to get her down here for a pic........The front beam you see actually is 2x10.....When I was building the stand I was being cheap......
Didn't see the sense in spending big money on lumber I was going to chop up, and the local HD around here when I guess they get damaged or picked over lumber they'll cut it down into like 4ft sections and sell them off for .50 a board.....I just happen to stroll by the cart that day and seen enough to do the cross supports, and only had to buy 1 board (2x10) full price to build the frame.....The legs are actually 2x6 w/cripple studs.......
 

acrylic51

Active Member
Ok guys just a couple more pics......I had been hunting searching for a new skimmer and she arrived about 7;00 courteousy of UPS........

This is the skimmer box it came in.......3' x 2' x 2'.........A box inside a box........

Upon opening the box, I was rather impressed by the packaging job.........Very well protected........Guess what.....Nothing broke on this 1.

More of the unpacking process!!!!!!!!

Finally getting down to the goodies..........
 

acrylic51

Active Member

Here's a few pics of the skimmer unwrapped......


A quick pic of 1 of the 2 Red Dragon pumps.....

Shot of another angle of the skimmer....The red tubes you see are where the pumps actually hook to the skimmer......

Here's a size reference.....A soda can sitting next to the skimmer.........

A quick shot of just the collection cup......12" collection cup......Next on order will be the neck cleaner and a new lid......
 

acrylic51

Active Member

You can see on the volute of the Red Dragon pump that it has 2 little nubs( air intakes).....1 is and can be used to inject ozone into the skimmer if you'd desire.....No plans or intentions to doing that at this stage.....but it's always nice to have the ability
 

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I'm impressed. Looks like it has good functionality. Large collection cup! It dwarfs that soda can!
Lets see it installed on the tank sometime soon... and skimming some fish waste out here in the next say.... week?
 
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