New 150 in wall (planning stage)

[dad&son]

I currently have a 55 gallon tank with approx 80 lbs live rock and a 35 lbs coral substrate for the bottom. The tank has been up and running for approx. 2 years. The tank is currently filter with a fluval 405 and a bac pac protein skimmer as well as a 6 gallon hang on refugium. The tank also has 4 power heads for additional water circulation. I recently purchased a reef ready 150 gallon tank that I will be building into a wall unit. Everything with the exception of the substrate will be going into the new tank from the 55, after it cycles. I am planning on cycling the 150 with an additional 80 lbs of live rock and 100 lbs of live sand. the carpentry aspect of the job I am all set with , except for one question I wanted to cover the bottom of my stand with 3/4 inch ply wood over to make a solid and sturdy base , but i see a lot of pics here where only the outside edge of the built stand is supported. Can I safely cover the bottom of my stand with ply wood?
My next and biggest question is this I would like to make my 55 into the sump for the 150 after the 150 is up and running I wanted to divide the tank into 3 sections one for skimming one for bio balls or possibly miracle mud and then the 3 rd for the return water to the tank I just have no idea if thats what I should be doing or how to plumb the system. I am assuming that since this is an open system I will be pumping my return water into the tank and the water going out of the tank will actually be basically a syphon. If anyone knows of a good book on plumbing tanksI would appreciate it or if you have a diagram that works for you. I appreciate your feedback.

 

[tree]

yes you can put plywood on top of your stand. You'll also want to get that thin Styrofoam to go under the tank. That will prevent any high spots in the plywood from causing stress on the tank
There are a lot of good threads on how to create sumps/refugiums & how to plumb them. check those to help come up with your plan. Good luck

 

[dad&son]

thanks for the suggestion

 

[acrylic51]

Tons of threads out here on plumbing.....You might want to consider a CL over the powerheads though......

 

[acrylic51]

Should have mentioned, and you've probably already thought of it, but you should leave yourself access to the tank from the front as well as the back....This is 1 area alot of people forget about during the build......

 

[dad&son]

had not actually thought of that what do you suggest a set back?

 

[dad&son]

tried looking for plumbing diagrams search on this thread didnt find any is this where I should be looking?

 

[dad&son]

After reading and more reading until my eyes were just about bleeding, I learned something new actually alot of new things. I was reading a post called plumbing 101 (excellent Post BTW) and it was dealing alot with formulas and sizing .After sitting there and reading and rereading I t hit me the tank which I wanted to get with the 2 small cracks was actually a 190 gallon tan actually 187 but close enough to 190 to call it that/ So 125.00 for a 190 gallon glass tank even with 2 small cracks almost sounds to good to be true. What do you think?

althought I am still a little :scared:

 

[chuckcac]

hey dad&son...
i posted a DIY thread a while back on my new sump/fuge called I heard Squidd is the MAN... theres some good diagrams in there somwhere...
also saltn00b has a great DIY thread... something like "saltn00b's multiphase upgrade " ... also great plumbing diagrams...
if youre into surfing the web check out melevsreef dot , well you know...
he has some AWESOME stuff on sumps/ fuges...

good luck

 

[dad&son]

Thanks will look up your thread and have read alot of squids stuff as well if you learn anything after doing this for a few years is before you do anything different plan ,submit replan , rework resubmit , ask some more questions replan and prey then order and build of course be redy to change for whatever pops up.Because SOMETHING always does.

 

[chuckcac]

Originally Posted by dad&son
Thanks will look up your thread and have read alot of squids stuff as well if you learn anything after doing this for a few years is before you do anything different plan ,submit replan , rework resubmit , ask some more questions replan and prey then order and build of course be redy to change for whatever pops up.Because SOMETHING always does.
sounds like my job... :hilarious

 

[sharkbait9]

make sure to water proof the inside of the walls. Moisture will grow mold spores.
My father learned the hard way.

 

[acrylic51]

Originally Posted by dad&son
had not actually thought of that what do you suggest a set back?
I was referring to leaving yourself access to the tank from the viewing area.....alot of people make that mistake IMO, but not leaving themselves and opening where they can get in and make adjustments.....It's kinda hard IMO to place things from behind the tank where you can't see them and relying on someone else is just as hard......I have a thread 240 fishroom that lays alot of the work out as well.