TCU Reefer's 215g teardown - Updated 8/14/09

This thread is copied from RC so you can also check it out under the Large Tank forum as well.

The time has finally come. Moving out of a one bedroom apartment into a house definitely constitutes a tank upgrade. Going from a 29g to a 215g should do the trick.

Here are some initial construction pics (*EDIT*see below). The tank should be arriving late November. I can't wait!

Here are the plans for this tank:

SPS Dominant

-Melev sump? Still talking to Marc about this
-Quiet One 6000 return

-ASM G4-x skimmer w/ gate valve and recirc mod fed directly from overflow

-Closed loop powered by Reeflo Dart
-OM 4 way (Version 3 & 4) Thanks to Cass and Paul at http://www.oceansmotions.com for the great customer service and free drum!
-1 2" inlet, 4 1" returns (2 on the back center, 1 on each side)
-Plumbed with spaflex


Lighting

-3 x 250 watt MH (still checking out bulbs)
-4 4' VHO (2 actinic, 2 aquasun) powered by IceCap 660

-DIY lighting rack
-Melev RO/DI unit

This closet is going to run on 2 dedicated 20 amp circuits.

Whatever I've left out is what I'm still researching.

Any suggestions?

[DeMarcusR]

is it just me or are the pictures missing?

I can't see them either.

They work for me. Shouldn't they show up if I just copied the IMG tags from RC?

Can anyone else see the pictures besides me?

Let's try this again.



























Can everybody see these?

yup.... That's a long wall!

[Rick]

Just a question, that looks like you are putting that tank into a long closet. How are you going to get that 215 in there? I know how much one weighs.

Rick,

I plan on just sliding the tank into place from the front.

Also, I had an engineer come out and he said the weight would not be an issue.

The construction looks good but I really don't think there's enough room in the closet. Once the tank goes in (and you could get it in from the outer wall I guess), how will you take care of the lighting, plumbing, etc... There seems to be no room behind the tank in the center. Won't this be a problem? You'll also have to deal with the humidity issues and keeping it cool. You won't have any access to the tank (and under the stand) from the front and limited access from the rear.

Hope it all works out.

Regards,

just guessing Rick, but I've seen people insert it from the front wall and slide it in. I assume that is why he doesn't have crown molding around the hole yet.

Looks like it will be great and you have a nice equipment list to pull it off.

[Rick]

That answers that. I thought the hole was already the tank glass size.

Soji-I've given this a lot of consideration. Although there isn't much room directly behind the tank, I still have plenty of room on either side for maintenance (3' by 2' on each side). I'm trying to plan my setup to where a majority of my equipment and sump are on the ends for easier access. The way I look at it, I have more room in that closet than people who just have access underneath their stand. I hope I'm right.

As far as humidity issues, I've installed a vent fan in the ceiling and will also be running several fans for circulation.

Salty-You're right about the molding. After we get the tank in place, we'll put the crown molding around it. Maybe even a shelf on the bottom like the in-wall at Tranquil Scape.



[/quote]

[Marc]

Here's a not so common suggestion, since you aren't so far along yet. You may hate it, so just ponder it briefly then cast it aside.

Have the tank stick out 1/3 to 1/2" out from the wall. This will give you viewing from three sides, while still giving you depth behind the wall, and space behind the tank to work on it.

My fish room is 6' x 7', and every once in a while I think about moving the wall 2' futher back into the garage to get more space in there.

Alternately, you could add a second door to the opposite side for access to that end, perhaps.

Steve, it looks awesome to me! I would actually go by the plans that you initiated and make changes if you see fit. The tank is very heavy but I am sure that you arent going to fill it until you are comfortable with everything. I like the plans that you have made. Sounds, from talking to you, that you have done lots to make this all happen correctly. Btw...that is one long wall!!!
How much larger is the hole that was cut than the actual tank measurements that we gave you???

Edit

Marc-
I thought about having the tank jut out of the wall but the fiance didn't like that idea at all. Although this is my project, she does have significant say on those types of major decisions. I guess I'll try to make it work with the space I've got. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Frank-
Why you up so late man?
We cut the hole with an extra 3/4" on all sides so it won't be too tight of a fit when we slide the tank in. We'll just cover up the gaps with molding.

[masharp1126]

If it's not too late, you should really try to build in some type of front access. I've got an in-wall tank with access from the back only and it's a PITA. If I had it to do over again, that would be the biggest priority for me.

I can just see the contortions you'll have to do to get to the front glass on a stepladder from inside the closet- much the same contortions some of us make to reach the back of the tank. Difference is, I'm not too worried about how the back of my tank looks.

I don't have front access on my tank and its not that big a problem for me. How high did you build your stand? Thats the only thing I don't like about mine. I have to stand up on a step ladder just to feed the fish and I'm 6'. On the humidity I added a a/c vent in my closet and we keep the house so cold it also helps keep the temp in the tank down. I had problems with the humidity at first but I found that if I keep my closet door open then its not that bad. Its kind of hard when I walk in the closet and my cat is walking around the edge of the tank

The stand is 40" tall. The reason I built it so high was because I wanted the tank to be at an optimal viewing level when standing instead of having to crouch down. I know maintenance will be a b*tch but that's the price I'm willing to pay. Anyone here a back specialist?

The stand is 40" tall. The reason I built it so high was because I wanted the tank to be at an optimal viewing level when standing instead of having to crouch down. I know maintenance will be a b*tch but that's the price I'm willing to pay. Anyone here a back specialist?

I just measured mine and its alittle over 4ft high. Thats also why I put mine that high. It gets on my nerves alittle but over all its worth it.

I'm already starting my planning of my new in wall tank. Behind this wall I have a storage area that is heated and cooled just like the inside of the house. Its located right under the stairway. I'm planning this in about 6 months. It's going to be a fish only tank.

Evan,

How do you like your ASM G4-x?

What are the dimensions of the sump it is operating in?

I'm still needing a sump to house this beast.

The asm skimmer is working very well, I guess. I don't have much of a bio load yet so its hard to say. Maybe someone else will chime in but I'm getting 2 cup fulls of filth a week. The sump I have is a Model G modified by Marc. I love the sump, Its great!

Sorry heres a link from Marc's website on the sump.
http://melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/ch ... _sump.html

[Marc]

Admittedly, I've made a lot of sumps, but did I get this mixed up somehow? I thought it was made for Kevin, aka chevytrcks. Or did I make a second one perahps?

One thing that concerns me, Evan, is your comment about the cat. A guy posted a thread last year on RC about a dead cat floating in his tank. It fell in and drowned, and the skimmer went nuts and his tank had some minor issues. You might want to see about putting something along the top edge of the tank to keep the cat out. Fortunately, the guy had the sensibilities not to post pictures.

Yes, Marc the sump you made for me was the same sump you made for Kevin. I've already taken care of the cat issue. I was shocked when I walked in the room and he was just walking around the tank with all the wires from the halides and all.

TCU - I think it looks great. Keeping up with magfloating the glass will go a long way in making the glass care a lot easier. I saw a post on here somewhere where a guy hooked a razor blade to his mag float to scrape off Coraline. You may want to consider doing the same so you won't have to reach over the tank from the back. If you did that, I would imagine it would make the maintenance part a lot easier. I like your idea f using a closet. It should have a lot more room than under the stand. I really think you will enjoy this. I am envious
-Chuck

Chuck-

Thanks for the positive encouragement. I needed it.

I'm definitely going to invest in a good cleaner magnet to keep the front glass clean.

I'll post more pics of some of the equipment I recently received here shortly.

To be continued....

(Side bet on the Cowboys/Broncos game Thursday?)

Not sure if everyone has seen these, but they are new to me and I thought they were cool. No Idea if they work, but looks like they would make scraping Coraline off hard to reach places much easier. http://www.oceansmotions.com/

They are great I bought one after seeing them at next wave last Feb. They work great!!

Steve

FireFish, that is what I was talking about. That way, you wouldn't have to reach a scraper over the back of the tank to get to the front.
-Chuck

[Servo]

IMO front acess is a must! Again, you are welcome to come by and check out my in wall. Then go to anyone else's home that has an inwall and compare. The best way to truly define what is best for YOU is to explore all possiblities. I think with the space constraints in the back you will need front access.

Used to do maintenance on a tank with no front access that was under a stairwell, that tank was the biggest PITA. You will not regret going with front access, but I guarentee you will regret not having it.

Thanks for the suggestions.

At this point, I am committed to having no front access since it's kind of late to change the plans. I'm sure I will pay for it in the future.

Ryan, when is a good day/time to come check out your setup?

I am in the process of building my light rack and I also picked up the bike pulley from target to mount it on. Pure genius! Thanks Servo!

Alright. Haven't made too much progress lately (too busy with the new house, school and work) but I'm slowly getting my equipment together.

Also, Frank called yesterday and said my tank will be arriving at his store tomorrow!! Unfortunately, we're having a party on Saturday and we're using the stand/hole in the wall as the bar. Probably pick it up on Monday.

Anyways, here's a what I've got so far.



From left to right:
-Tiger shark magnet
-ASM G4-x skimmer with gate valve and recirc mods
-Sequence Dart for the closed loop
-2 200w Ebo Jager heaters
-Oceans Motions 4 way (version 3)
-Quiet One 6000 return pump
-Salifert Ca and kH test kits (they were backordered on the cycle test kits but they're comin')
-Icecap 660 to run 2 72" actinic VHO (bulbs are at Frank's, I just have to pick them up)
-3 Icecap 250 MH ballast (3 10,000k Ushio SE bulbs should arrive tomorrow)



Here's a pic of the preliminary stages of my DIY lighting rack (thanks for the idea Marc and Servo!)

Just put in my order for my Melev sump model F.

There's a few more things I'm missing....live rock, sand, plumbing supplies, salt....anything else?

I know there's probably a bunch of things I'm missing. Your advice is welcome.

On another note, if I'm using Photobucket, do I resize my pics before I upload them to Photobucket? What's the easiest way to upload pics from your camera, to My Pictures, to Photobucket and get them sized appropriately?

[Marc]

Don't forget to rotate the MH reflectors to perpendicular.

Windows XP has a free resizer on their support / upgrades page. You can resize one or a folder full of images before you do a single thing. I usually download the images to my PC, photoshop them, then upload them for others to see.

Don't forget to rotate the MH reflectors to perpendicular.

Marc,

I haven't done anything to the lighting rack since you came over so that picture was taken before we talked.

I'll be sure turn the reflectors perpendicular this weekend when I put it together.

Thanks

What is the reasoning for turning the reflectors perpendicular to the tank length?

[Rick]

Some reflectors are made to work perpendiculiar to the tank and some others are made to work vertically. But they are not all the same.