Snake's 240gallon Tank Build!

[snakeblitz33]

Hello Everyone,
I'm going to be bringing my 240 gallon aquarium home at the end of this month. I have a lot of equipment and things that I can use for it. So, here is what I am thinking about doing:
240 gallon, tank stand, canopy.
4x250watt 20k metal halides
4x54watt T5 supplimentary
110 gallon long sump (already has baffles for skimmer chamber, fuge, heater, auto top off, and return housing.
Reeflo Dart pump on sump (3800gph)
Reeflow Hammerhead Pump (5800gph) for the closed loop system.
Other Attributes:
The display tank is going to be bare bottom.
The sump will have a 10"+ deep sandbed in the refugium.
Now only will the closed loop come from bottom up, but I am going to also put locklines around the top of the tank to spray onto the corals as well. I might even put an oceansmotions 4way unit on it, if it's worth it.
For now, it's going to be whatever corals that I have from the shop since I'm closing down, but I want to make it an sps dominated reef tank.
I will get pictures as soon as I can. Thanks all for any advice!

 

[justin podolan]

Hey there cant wait to the the build!!!

 

[mie]

Must Hurry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[snakeblitz33]

ok, ok, I'll hurry, jeez!! lol
I'm fixing to post some pictures of some of the equipment that I will be using.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Two pictures of Reeflo Hammerhead 5800gph at 0 ft head. It's going to be used for the closed loop system. I'm going to put a diagram up of the tank that is coming home with me and the new plumbing that I'm going to do.

One pic of the Reeflo Dart pump, 3800gph. Going to be used as a return pump on the 110gallon sump.

 

[snakeblitz33]

This is a pic of the lighting system that is going to go on top of the tank. 4x250watt 20k metal halides, XM Bulbs. Icecap ballasts. By the way, that is a pic of the top of the tank. Essentially, I am just moving the tank, but I like to think of it as starting new.

 

[snakeblitz33]

This is a diagram of how I am going to do the plumbing. It looks a bit hairy, though it isn't. You don't see the width from the top view.
As you can see, I didn't draw in the two corner overflow boxes. The red triangle like thing in the center of the tank is the strainer. That drain is approximately 1 1/2" PVC.
The other two holes on the bottom are 3/4" bulkheads. If you have any questions - feel free to ask!

 

[sweetheart]

Awesome!!! When do you plan to put it together?

 

[snakeblitz33]

Should be toward the end of this week that I get everything broken down and over here.
Today we are cleaning a place for it to be put.

 

[gatorwpb]

Sounds like a great tank and great build.

Couple quick thoughts...
First, Id ditch the caluerpa in the fuge altogether. The threat of it going sexual is too much to risk. Also, it can get into the display and start growing in the LR and other places which you just wouldnt want and wont happen with cheato. Cheato is the best and really dont need to have a variety of macro.
Also, an ER RC80 is undersized for that large of a system, expecially if your goal is sps dominated long term. But if you already have it, thats an upgrade you do do down the line. Just check what footprint the sump will allow.
Post pics when you can!

 

[snakeblitz33]

GatorWPB, I have never had caulerpa go sexual on me in my six years of experience. I like the look of it, and I actually don't mind it getting in my display tank.
I actually haven't used a protein skimmer in the last three years on any of my personal tanks. Using one is not really something that I do, so I'm adding it to this system because I want to. I'm only going to have my yellow tang, a six line wrasse, one false percula, one mandarin, one lawnmower blenny, one yellow watchman goby and that's it.
This tank has been running with de-chlor tap water for eight months without a water change. I have a little hair algae, but that's it. The corals are doing great!

 

[snakeblitz33]

wow, usually there is like- a ton of comments saying "can't wait to see it" "I think this is going to be great!" "Update please!" etc. etc. on everyone elses threads. I guess it's just me. dang.

 

[girlina4x4]

Hey! Louisiana isn't that far from me, so when I want my next tank, could you just stay for a few weeks and put it together for me?! Do you like dogs?
Haha, seriously though, I love watching new tank builds and I am very jealous!

 

[snakeblitz33]

hah,
I wish I had a vacation! lol. I haven't had a day off work in a year.
Thank you, thank you.
Update: I have just finished clearing a space in my house. I emptied a whole bunch of other tanks that I have and am reselling them. I only want one large tank in my house.
Apparently, the only place that we have in my house for a tank this size is in the "sunroom." Don't worry, it's all walled up and insulated and the windows are all closed.
I will be moving it this friday, saturday and sunday. I will definately take plenty of pictures!!!

 

[dennis210]

Okay "I can't wait to see it" !
The system sounds absolutely awsome. MY only comment or concern is the caulerpa macro algae. Send a message to Scopus Tang on here and ask him about it going sexual also! I have now seen it go in 5 systems. Pea soup water for about a week. Then the stuff grows over everything and chokes off corals. Only seen it with the grapevine variety but oh what a nightmare.
Also looking over the flow diagrams "will you be installing compression fittings on either side of pumps for easy removal"? Only asked as everything else was diagramed and only one pic showed one on the out side of the Reef flo Dart?

 

[snakeblitz33]

I have arranged to get some chaeto from a friend. I am not concerned about caulerpa going sexual. I've been around long enough to see Scopus Tang's thread when it first began. Thanks though.
As far as compression fittings - are you talking about Unions? Yes, I will be using one before and after each external pump.

 

[justin podolan]

Its friday now cant wait too see some pics..

 

[snakeblitz33]

Not as many corals have sold out of the tank that I wanted them to and I don't have any friends that can hold some of the corals until I can get the tank set back up - so it might look like I have to start tomorrow with everything.
I'm going to take some preliminary pictures of getting everything started. and getting ready for the move. I just have to get my camera... AT HOME!
I got to tear out the dry wall and unscrew it out of place before I can move it, and I got to do some other preliminary work before that!! I hope I can start moving tomorrow so you all can see some build pics!

 

[snakeblitz33]

Does anyone think that I don't have enough flow for my barebottom 240? I personally think I do, but does anyone else have opinions?
What are ya'lls opinions on remote deep sand beds? I have enough sand to fill a 2ft by 19" space approximately 10" tall. Would a deep sandbed like this be better for the tank OR a refugium in the same place?
Protein skimmers before or after the refugium? etc. etc.
I just want to spark up some conversation in this thread.

 

[kogle]

What are the dimensions of the 240? For bare bottom SPS tank I'd say you're right at the lower end but I think it would be fine. Those hammer head pumps are great. Also you mentioned an OM 4 way valve. I remember talking to the guy that owns OM and he said something about having to use an upgraded version of the OM 4 way becasue of the flow. 5800 GPH right at the valve would wreak havoc on it. You know what, now that I think about it the 4 way is the correct one. I've got the super squirt which is the lesser of the two. All in all I think you will be fine SB.
So how about those pictures???