In wall tank build.

Discussion in 'Tank Pictures' started by reefmann, Jan 24, 2011.

  1. 501scionxb

    501scionxb Moderator

    Re: Re: In wall tank build.

    They look really good. I should've snatched them lol.

    Raffle grabber
     
  2. reefmann

    reefmann Guest

    Newbies

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  3. reefmann

    reefmann Guest

  4. reefmann

    reefmann Guest

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    Just an update...

    Here is three and a half months of growth on my bubble gum milli....

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  5. reefmann

    reefmann Guest

    Three month progression on the full tank...
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  6. monkeybone87

    monkeybone87 Administrator

    Any updates?
     
  7. reefmann

    reefmann Guest

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    Almost a month after Calvin asked.. Its been a min.. I have had to get back in the swing of things. I am seeing an alk swing that I am trying to get under control and lack of water changes during the summer months made a few corals get really light. Its still going great though.
     
  8. reefmann

    reefmann Guest

  9. Reefmann

    Reefmann Plankton

    I am going to revive my old thread.

    Many of you might not know me and many of you were around when this tank was set up.

    Since its installation, both I and the tank have been plagued with what seemed to be problem after problem.

    Shortly after this tanks first year of operation, I tore out most of my softies to make room for SPS. Shortly after most of the above pics were taken I was diagnosed with cancer and over my year long battle the tank took a nose dive. I just didnt have the will to want to get out and work, the wife did all she could but it was inevitable and eventually we pulled, fragged and got rid of everything that wasn't hardy enough to make it.

    This kind of pushed this tank to the back burner until we picked up again and decided to start adding some soft corals back the next winter. While the tank started looking great, disaster struck again when in the middle of last years hot summer the chiller somehow became unplugged and nothing really alerted us until we noticed that corals seemed to be basically melting. At that point the tank went back on the back burner as we salvaged what we could for a second time.

    That puts us to where we are today. This winter has been good to us the cold has never really been an issue and always given a chance to rethink and re-inspire us. We have changed quite a few things around and actually picked this tank back up into part of our daily lives. It kills me to see what it once was and what I wanted it to be however, I am confident that with the steps we are taking that this tank will once again gain its former glory.

    For starters the front tank of the sump became a Nitrate sink. We are still battling these with water changes but we have totally cleaned it out in place of simple rock filled baskets with good flow around them as seen here.

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    I have taken the steps to also add new modules to the Reef Keeper, I jumped on a good deal for a Net module for email alerts and for online monitoring, about 3 more PC4s for advanced controls of every piece of equipment on this system and we will be adding a Mini Split unit in the room for AC and Heat help in a few weeks. We are bound and determined that Summer will never strike again.

    I also dosed Randy's two part when this tank was running mostly SPS and had clams but have opted for a calcium reactor that I purchased here from David (reefjunky2) to help make things a lot easier and just to overall tie up the hassles that were keeping the mixtures right and pumps set correctly and going for rock solid numbers.

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    I also have a few experiments that I am looking to try out, such as a Algae Turf Scrubber and some other things but right now the wife and I are excited to start actually fixing the problems that we have been having, automating the system better and adding a lot of the necessary equipment we needed back when we built the tank in the beginning.

    This is the tank as it is today, hope to show you more as we continue to bring this tank back to life and start back keeping a thread on its progress.

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    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 19, 2015
  10. whippetguy

    whippetguy Super Moderator

    Looking forward to watching it come together again. It was one of the tanks that really inspired me when I started in the hobby.
     
  11. huntindoc

    huntindoc RRMAS BOD Membership Director Staff Member

    Glad you're feeling better and able to enjoy your tank again! Just went thru the entire thread, awesome build! Hope the revival goes smooth!
     

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  12. Reefmann

    Reefmann Plankton

    The planning of the system out again and getting down to the nuts and bolts of what we need to accomplish to have a hassle free enjoyable tank is my favorite part. we have learned a lot about this tanks moods over the past and are finally just going to fix it all for good. From here on out I think this tank will fluris. New parts should start rolling in in about a week. Lots to do. Should have an update this weekend and you guys will see what I have been working with.[/SIZE]
     
  13. Reefmann

    Reefmann Plankton

    Got a really good deal on this RKL, it came with the net module, an SL1, and two PC4s for a really good price, way cheaper than if I bought it all seperate. Got 90% of it installed day before yesterday, the small wireless bridge to connect it to the home router should be in today. Also, I mentioned we are adding an AC/Heater to the garage to help the chiller and heater on the tank out more. I am hoping to start on this this weekend if all goes well.

    Other than, that I isolated the Chiller from the outlet it was on, after adding the deep freeze we were pulling way too much juice. Ordered a Malanaurus Wrasse, he should be in this morning and other than that things are progressing. In another week things should be about to wrap up in the upgrades outside the tank (there were not many, just expensive ones) and we can move on to upgrading what is IN the tank!!

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  14. Reefmann

    Reefmann Plankton

    Little Photo of the outside unit going in, we have almost gotten it fully installed. Cant wait to get it running!

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  15. huntindoc

    huntindoc RRMAS BOD Membership Director Staff Member

    Wow, this is an epic rebuild. You'll love the melanurus wrasse. I have a Vrolik's(very similar) and he's an incredible fish.
     
  16. graciesdad

    graciesdad Treasurer Staff Member

    That ac unit will really help a lot.
     
  17. Reefmann

    Reefmann Plankton

    It is wall to wall unit in the fish room too, Its specs were 6" minimum from the side and from the top, this unit fit just within those specs. Its rated for 12,000 BTU and is a heat pump too. Its large enough for the whole garage if I want to open the doors on the fish room or close them up and just cool the room itself.

    The fan will blow basically right over the metal halides too being mounted right up at the ceilling level. I got it all wired, not this evening I have to get the lines insulated really well, taped, vacuumed and charged. I should never have to worry about the tank getting hot again.
     
  18. Reefmann

    Reefmann Plankton

    Just a few photos, kinda a walk through of the system as it is today.

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    Still a lot of touch up work to get it finished, small things to get online, little parts here and little parts there but overall we have just about gotten the major work finished. I cant wait to get done with all the things we are going to do and see it all come together. Our garage has looked like this for 4 years now.... It doesnt seem like that long ago.
     
  19. Reefmann

    Reefmann Plankton

    We got the AC going last night and OMG how much of a difference it has made already. Today will be the test when the Halides kick on at 2 and its 85 degrees out. I am hoping that the chiller doesnt even have to kick on!
     
  20. Reefmann

    Reefmann Plankton

    Well, went to fire up the Calcium Reactor last night and it leaked...... I hope I can repair it, seem it was already done once there so maybe some sort of stop leak might work.

    Went to fire up the refugium light and notice bulbs were not burning, the unit was shot, had to toss the old Odyesea fixture.

    Back to the basics....

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