Another 225 Tank Project!

[Foster]

01/20/04 - Sand / Surge: Not much progress on the big stuff, tons of little things to finish. I finished up on the surge and plumbed it, I will begin water testing the whole thing tomorrow. Additionally, I picked up 480 lbs od Pure Aragonite sand from Tropical Paradise .I want a 4" DSB in the display, and 6-8" in the fuge.

[chucklez]

If I may ask, What are the supports in the stand made of? 4x4's? And how far apart are they spaced? I am currently in the final planning stages of building my 1000g tank (20'Lx3'Wx2'H), and am interested in knowing how your stand is constructed.

-Chucklez

[steve68]

i cant wait to see it set up it is looking good !!!

[Foster]

Originally posted by chucklez
If I may ask, What are the supports in the stand made of? 4x4's? And how far apart are they spaced? I am currently in the final planning stages of building my 1000g tank (20'Lx3'Wx2'H), and am interested in knowing how your stand is constructed.

-Chucklez

The back of the tank stand is made of 2x4s 8" on center with 1/2 sheer on both sides nailed 6/12.

The from is made of 4x4s 24" on center, with a 4x4 header. All of the 4x4 framing is lagged together with 7" bolts.

Here is a pic of it framed to give you a better idea.

[Foster]

01/21/04 - Water Test: I filled the tank up today, fired up the circulation pump and got the surge going....whoaaa! The surge takes about 6 mins to fill, and about 60 second to empty, the flow it provides is great, I tried to take a picture of it right when its start (so you can see the bubbles). The over flows were able to handle it, but I need to lower the durso standpipe a couple of inches. I took a pic of a overflow with just the return going, and then another with the surge also running. I have a couple of small adjustments here and there, but the whole setup works great!

[SUMMERS]

Originally posted by platapus
01/21/04 - ....whoaaa!

You said it.

[gumbybc]

Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! It is looking great.

[steve68]

cool !!!!!
the fun begings now right

[SUMMERS]

Is the surface turbulence being caused by the surge alone or is that a combination of the return flow as well?

[Foster]

Thanks, thanks!

Originally posted by SUMMERS
Is the surface turbulence being caused by the surge alone or is that a combination of the return flow as well?

Mostly the surge.

[Mikeydog]

Couple quick questions if you don't mind. On your float switch setup, is that 1" acrylic pipe you used for the float extensions down into the sump, and then just put a 1" pvc end cap and tap it out to whatever size the float switch is on??

And on your Kalk Reactor, what size pipe did you use internally and what size bulkheads are those in the bottom??

You have done an amazing job. Thanks for this great thread..

[Foster]

Originally posted by Mikeydog
Couple quick questions if you don't mind. On your float switch setup, is that 1" acrylic pipe you used for the float extensions down into the sump, and then just put a 1" pvc end cap and tap it out to whatever size the float switch is on??

And on your Kalk Reactor, what size pipe did you use internally and what size bulkheads are those in the bottom??

You have done an amazing job. Thanks for this great thread..

Thanks....

NP.....

1. On the float switch stems, that is just 3/4" clear PVC that I have left over from another project, just plain end caps, that I drilled out for the float.

2. All of the PVC on the kalk reactor is 1/2", and the bulheads in the base are also 1/2" (the mag2 is 1/2")

[Foster]

01/26/04 - Surge / Canopy: I got the surge dialed in, I had a problem with breaking the siphon on that 2" pipe. Installing a 1/2" tube at the weakest point of the siphon and running it
down the just before the intake, seem to do the trick. Additionally, In installed the grated on the overflows to keep critters out. The grates are made from of 3/8 black eggcrate.

[Foster]

Canopy: The pics below are the beginning of the canopy. Once the tank is installed into the house, there will be no room to remove the canopy as a solid unit, so I have decided that I
will build it as 4 separate panels that will all interlock together with tension draw latches. The back panel is made of 2x3 that runs down the back of the tank. It will it will be packed with
foam to help cut down on any noise. The other 3 panels will be made of MDF and 2x2.

[xxaquanutxx]

Just spent the last 45 mins reading through all the post.. from the begining.. kudos! Astonishing... Just the planning all the piping and wiring alone is reason enough for praise. Keep up the great work.. cant wait to see more !!!

[steve68]

looking good
so all that is left is the canopy?

[Foster]

Originally posted by steve68
looking good
so all that is left is the canopy?

Pretty much. After that I will break it all down, do the cabinet work on the stand, paint and seal everything, then move it in the house for final assembly. . . . that is going to be the fun part.

[steve68]

nice i cant wait to see more pictures

[minfinger]

FUN LOL...I think that's a mute point from the day you added water until the day everything dies. Fun might be taking it down and going out with all your extra money you have now, because you're not spending it on the tank LOL

[Foster]

Who says I dont?

[minfinger]

I said extra money, not money you get paid over the cost of your tank

BTW...I like the air tube idea on the Surge. Let me gets this straight. Air starts entering the tube before the top of the water reaches the bottom of the intake, right?

[Foster]

lol -

That is correct - it is easier to break a siphon on a 1/2 tube, that it is on a 2" pipe. Works like a charm everytime - I have had it going for 3 days!

[minfinger]

I had that same issue on my mine...I'll have to try that tube thing.

[shaw]

amazing tank, can't wait to see some life
shawn

[Foster]

01/31/04 - Canopy: Making progress on the canopy, below is a shot of the one of the latches that I will be using to secure the canopy together, as well as the top, side, and back. Part# 1844A52 Latch Steel,3-5/32 http://www.mcmaster.com