280G+ Starphire In-Wall Build by ReefArtist

[ReefArtist]

I haven't updated in some time so here it is. Just finished wiring the fish room and I'd say it's about 95% done as far as pulling all the cable. We are talking over 300 ft! I had gone to HD to purchase more once I ran out of the 250' @ 68 bucks and their 100' was 52 bucks. I can tell you now that I went for the second roll of 250' cable. Anyone needing any that is local - I'll have some left over I'm sure.

Here's my electrical layout and later tonight I'll post some photos of the work in process now.


On the right side of the tank I'm thinking of adding an additional outlet. I think it would help when I plug items in that are in the tank.
I have 4 circuits going into the fish room.
Circuit 1 - 15 amp AC Unit (GFCI)
Circuit 2 - 20 amp (QT, Frag tank, Protein Skimmer (Dart) - all GFCI)
Circuit 3 - 20 amp (Main tank lights GFCI/1 pump Non-GFCI)
Circuit 4 - 20 amp (Refuge, sump, grasses GFCI/1 pump Non-GFCI)

[erics3000]

Wow looking good nice job.

[mflamb]

That's some quality planning!!!

[chrismhaase]

Gotta love engineers! Carol maybe you could supplement the cost of the tanks with a tank designing and diagram consultation! This would be a great idea for people who just don't completely understand how everything comes together, are new to the hobby or would like to have diagrams of their system. If so I take a 10% manager's fees. JK.

[mflamb]

I would pay for a poster size drawing of my system!!!

[erics3000]

if you make it on word, power point, or what ever you can go to office depot and they will print it on a larger printer and then you can frame it. You know that a good idea, I think I will do that with my plumbing. It is not that complicated

[erics3000]

My plumbing is not complicated I mean..

[ReefArtist]

Thanks everyone - Yeah I'm a nerd! just can't get it out of me - sometimes I think it a curse, then when I have to work on the tank it comes in mighty handy .

Yeah I agree, might have to take it to a print shop, frame it and put it on my wall! Now that would put me into super nerd status!

OK, here's a few photos to prove I haven't been on vacation - pulling cable is HARD work!!!


This is the top of the fish room - just a few cable runs - HAHA!


Some of the rough electrical


Subpanel for the Fish Room. I probably had room in my main panel but I figured it would be better to do it now rather on a small addition. This is a 100 amp subpanel, but I'm only using 75 amps.


This is the subpanel for the kiln. This is how the kiln is turned on and off! It's a lot of power and I guess they figured instead of relying on the kilns controller it would be best to completely break the connection. I looked for a panel that had a lever but of course Home Depot/lowes didn't have it.

Everyone is probably wondering why I included the kilns connections - well it's going to play a very big part in the final touches of the cabinets.

Hey Eric - everything was sent today and BTW - thank you!

[erics3000]

No, Thank you..

Kiln. What are you into Pottery???

[ReefArtist]

Oh, I do fusible glass art and sculpture clay art. The kiln will be used to make my glass doors. I haven't designed the art work yet but it will most likely be more of a contemporary design. The clay design I'm working on right now is of two birds flying, flowing into a branch to land. I still have a month or so before it's finished. It's all fun and now, with the addition of the larger kiln I don't have a size limit. That is very nice!

[chrismhaase]

Carol, looking good. Keep up the great work.

[erics3000]

Wow that is going to be pretty cool.

[dandy7200]

Excellent work. So you making putting your artistic glass touches on the display? Glass canopy and door art would is going to be groovy.

[ReefArtist]

Thanks everyone. I must say this has been very hard work and anyone deciding to go big - in Florida do it during the WINTER! It is so HOT in my garage right now, but I can't wait to see my fish and corals in the big tank.

Dandy7200 - It is going to be so much fun when I get to the living room side of this build. What I'm planning is the cabinets below the tank to have my glass inserts and I want the theme to be like a grasses area (Bottom of ocean). Then above the tank - maybe inserted into the feeding/canopy area have either a cityscape or sky - but very Abstract. It's going to be fun and I'm hoping to get everyone's input when I get to that part. Very groovy .

[ReefArtist]

Over the weekend we were able to finish wiring the breakout box feeds to the main house panel - the fish room now has juice! Thanks to a great electrician friend of mine . I don't like playing with the big power

The walls are now all insulated and they have their first coat of primer and textured wall material.

We are hoping to get the exterior walls up tomorrow (Yellow board - thanks BruceM for the heads up). I'll also will make sure all wires are in the proper locations before walls are put in place.

This week will be very heavy with work as it's my last big week before I have shoulder surgery - Sept 24th! After that, things will slow down a for a time - not sure how long before I can start using it again.

Later in the week I'll post some photos of our completed work - things are starting to come together!!!!

[chrismhaase]

Carol, I am glad to hear you are making progress. Sorry to hear about the shoulder surgery. That stinks. Carol if you want, on Sunday I am open to help. Saturday I have to go to a baby shower, which I am trying to get out of. None the less if you need help send me a pm.

If you have a lot of work maybe you could get the club and its members to rally together and knock out a bunch of work. Just an idea.

[ReefArtist]

Chris,
That is so nice of you and if I need up being laid up for a long time I might have to call on you. As it is I have to go into the hospital on Sunday the 23rd, have surgery on the 24th and if all goes good out either the 25/26th. I'm trying to get to the point that I can open the fish room to work on it (have the AC working). That will be very nice and I can't wait.

Thanks again for the offer and I'm hoping it will not be that big of a deal (3 days max in hospital - back at it). Might be a dream but we'll see.

[chrismhaase]

Well I know that we all wish you the best. The 23rd is my birthday, so I will remember to think of you and wish you the best. Give me a call if you need anything.

[erics3000]

Just try to take an easy after your surgery for a little. Hope everything goes good for you..

[ladyfsu]

Hope you are doing well Carol.

I find this thread simply amazing. Great stuff!

[token]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

[ReefArtist]

Thank you very much for the well wishes - I will try and rest after this, but it's not in my nature .

I spent the night in the hospital and surgery is at noon. My surgeon just left and he had to tell me he had found another area that he would have to fix - I just said to fix it all now!

I'll be talking to you all in a few days. Again thank you all!

Carol

[chrismhaase]

Carol,

I am sure you won't see this before the surgery, and if you do you are addicted. I want to wish you a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. Let us know if you need anything.

Chris H.

[rjohnsen]

I just wanted to let all of you know that Carol (ReefArtist)came through surgery today just fine. Of course, that is easy for me to say as I'm not the one in pain. Her shoulder was pretty messed up but the doctor said he was able to take care of most of the damage. Before long she'll be building the tank stands for the fish room I know she is grateful to all of you for your good wishes.
My thanks as well.

Robin

[mflamb]

Thanks for the update Robin. I know you're taking good care of her.