renman303

Mike,

Thank you so much for your hospitality. John and Brian, informative as always. Seeing this setup really makes me anxious to get my 225 of the same, in place!

Here is the drawing of what the rough look of the overflow will look like. It will have a Durso and the sound of the wave cresting the side can be regulated simply by placing sponge in the overflow which can also act as a preliminary filter. Three of the corners of the Eurobrace are "slotted" for the addition of the 2 Tunze's that I will have in the tank.

I have started an album that is currently attached.

Hey Robert and Cindy,

Thanks for the great info! Not sure why my clams (I have 3 now) in my 55 are doing so well? They are only under T5's. I'll keep that in mind though. May have to change out a bulb later?

I actually have some EDPM now as I'm building a waterfall, stream in my front yard. I can use that for the back glass but won't need it for the bottom as AGE tanks have a 3/4" PVC bottom. Easier for drilling and lightweight as well.

I like the idea of the dowels, I'll have to get some as I've had numerous "landslides" in the 55 already. I'm really looking forward to having a tank that I can actually put rock into and still get my hand in to clean the glass. This 13" wide 55 is not so good for aquascaping. Also, I only have about 3" of front sand area to put clams and softies.

If the two Tunze's can't cut it, I also have a few SEIO 1500's that I can use to supplement the water flow. Kind of hard to tell exactly what it will do at this point? I know at Kingfish, they have a 200+ gallon that is running on one Tunze alone and man, every thing in that tank all the way to the sand is shifting back and forth! It looks so realistic!

This will be a mixed reef. I was thinking that the Tunze's (6212 and 6101) would be enough? I understand that the 6101 is the same as the 6212 but without the box. Down at Kingfish they have a huge tank that is running on one Tunze 6212 and a small Korela...something or another???

The calcium reactor will be added in about 6 months time. I thought I'd suppliment for the first few months.

Dave

Here is a list of what I plan on putting in the new 225 gallon setup. This is on order. Any thoughts here?

Quantitiy Description

3 Lumenarc Mini Reflector (Single Ended

3 Radium 400w MH Bulbs - 20k color

3 Blue Wave 1 400w Ballast

2 48" Reefgeek T5 Retrofit Kit. 4 bulbs total, 2@ 420nm and 2@ 460nm.

1 Deltec AP851 Protein Skimmer

1 Tunze 6212 Wavebox

1 Tunze 6101

1 Tunze 7091 Singlecontroller

2 Tunze Magnet Holder, Large

1 Dual Bracket Filter Housing

100# Lala Live Rock and Tonga Deep Water Live Rock

200# Arag-AliveBimini Pink sand

2 TLF Phosban Reactor 150 tL4311

1 Hydrocarbon 2 G.A.C. T11173 4L

1 ROWA Phos 250ml

Here are my kids....Well, Gina is my kid the others are pets.

Dave

renman303

Hey Andrew,

Yea, I at least had a Starfire front put on. Couldn't see a reason to do the side with the overflow or the back. I'm going to black out the back anyway with Limo tint.

Dave

The tank is a custom 225 at 72x24x30 tall with an external overflow off of the left side. This is not only for ease of maintenance but you'll literally be able to hear the "surf" coming over the wall. It reminded me of the morning surf in Cancun! The front wall is Starfire glass with a Eurobrace on top.

I sat down with John at Kingfish today and ordered most of my stuff. The tank, AGE is now ordered.

I'm getting three sets of Luminarc Mini's, running 20k Radium Mogel Bulbs. I'm also adding four T5's for Actinic lighting. I should be right at 1360 watts of light!

Protein Skimmer is a Deltec 851. Running it will be an Eheim 1262 pump. I will also have another Eheim 1262 pump for the return to the tank from the sump.

Water movement will come via a Tunze 6212 Wavebox on one end and a Tunze 6101 on the other just to get rid of any dead spots.

Not sure of the name of the Calcium Reactor or Phos Ban setup but I'll post more when I have the invoice.

Lots of Pink Figi Sand and an additional 50+ pounds of live rock to add to the estimated 100 pounds that I already have.

Seriously Geeked!!!!!

Yea James,

In fact, just the vertical supports and two sets of "joists" if you will about 2' from each end going front to rear. Essentially having 2' on center supports, 4 across.

Cindy,

The Home Depot carries them. James is correct, they are called Utility Sinks and are made of Fiberglass, I believe? They are $40 plus whatever cheapo faucet you want to attach to it, some 1.5" PVC for a drain (check your's first for size) and two flex lines for the hot and cold water. Tax and all it shouldn't cost more than $75. They come with "L-Bracket" steel legs that literally just snap into place.

Here is the link to THD. They are $48.20!

Utility Sink - Link

I have just discovered that the Stand that I just bought, while very nice will probably not work without some modifications. The entire stand is made of 3/4" Plywood including vertical supports (2 front and 2 back) running the length of the stand and the corners are essentially doubled up 3/4" plywood. The tank is a Perfecto Prestige and is rated for 220 gallons but, is for an all glass tank that is supported ONLY on the outer edges.

Here is the problem..... My new tank is being constructed by AGE and is a solid PVC bottom without edge support. Thus, the entire stand must be supported through the center as well.

I'm wondering if I shore up the corners and 4 center supports vertically with 2x4's and run two- 2x4's under the top from front to back on edge, would that give me enough support?

This should be a cheap fix but, I want to make sure that I do it correctly.

I've posted some new info and pics about the start of my build on Photobucket. See my blog, Renman303's Blog.

Dave

My tank will have the same effect that Andrew's has. They tell me at Kingfish that they will cut the overflow with a waterjet. So, it's very precise and smooth.

Dave

Andrew, that looks great!

I'm going to have the left side of the aquarium cut down about 1.5" and meshed in to keep the fish in. The Tunze will push the wave over the left side. Not sure how well that will work, but it sounds cool !!!!

DAve

Andrew,

Sorry I mistakenly referred to you as James....

I spoke with John this morning at Kingfish and we are going to do a full 215 with the entire left side as an external overflow so that you can actually hear the tidal surges. I love the sound of that! So, that is referred to as a "Calfo"?

Dave

Just wondering since I'm upgrading my 55 gal to a 215...my 55 has the typical external overflow on a "show" aquarium. I was considering the internal overflow but I hear a lot of people don't like how much tank space it takes up?

Other than the aesthetics of not seeing plumbing, is there really any advantage to the internal overflow system? It seems like the cost tacking on $300+ dollars is not worth the loss in tank space? I can get a Brick style show tank from DSA for $1100 or it's $1400 for internal overflow.

Granted, even an external overflow must have an internal component in the tank but, you are not having to use a 8"x12" box because of drilling through the bottom and allowing 2"-3" from the edge.

I was going to have my overflow off of the entire left side of the tank as you face it. Putting a Tunze on the far right to push the wave into the overflow.

Here is a link to the external that I was thinking of using: LifeReef External Overflow

Anyway....just looking for some thoughts on this.

Getting my 72x24 stand this weekend. Next....who to build the tank....Thinking DSA as they are literally 1/2 the price of AGE.

Thanks for the offer but, I'm looking for at least a 215 gallon. Like a 72x24x30 or even an 84x24x30.

Does anyone have a DSA with no bracing or Euro-braced?

Going to start my stand here in the next week or so. I know that I spoke with someone at Aarons home while moving his setup. I believe it was "Craig"? Forgive me if I'm mistaken.

I'm going to have to build for a ~240 gallon tank. I was going to use 4x4's on 2 foot centers. I guess 2x4's on edge would do for the majority of the frame. I also want to veneer it and put on standard cabinet doors for ease of staining.

Thanks for any input here.

I've made over 50 lbs for my 55 gallon and it has coraline growth all over it. I use cement, oyster shell, sand and water softner salt. I use softner salt mainly because I like the large holes that it leaves. If you want the salt smaller, place it in a wrapped towel and lightly hammer it to size. Willow had it right, keep it fairly dry but not crumbly. It cost about $10 to make 50 lbs.

I cure it in a 50 gallon trash can with a SEIO 1500 pump and some live rock from my tank. I leave it in there for at least 4 weeks to ensure that the salt has dissolved and of course do water changes too.

I think like anything in life, keep it balanced. Buy some nice Tonga live rock, and make some. It works great!

The Nova Extreme does not have individual reflectors but, one reflector the length of the lamp. I only have 4-54w bulbs (2-10k and 2-420nm Actinic) over my 55 gallon and no issues. I even have 3 clams which are fat and happy!

It's good to hear these things before I plop down some serious coin. I will go with the Tunze!

Interesting...I also found out that because my entry way is tiled that removing that my cause permanent marks from the thinset. Now I'm looking at tile again but am not sure what will hold up to the weight of the new tank being about 3000 lbs. I think Aaron had marble put in his entry way in Leander?

Aaron???

Go to Drs Foster & Smith web site. www.drsfosterandsmith.com

I have ordered everything from Live fish and inverts, to dog food and bedding to my Nova Extreme T5 setup. They are prompt, courteous, will buy back even fish with a 14 day money back guarantee! I have a 48" T5 setup and my Actinics and 10k's were about $18 each. Here is the link directly to the bulbs:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/pet_...3578+3733+13821

I would buy this in a heartbeat for $400 ! Unfortuneately, my new tank is going to be somewhere between 26" and 27" wide.

Best of luck, you won't need it though, this is a great deal.