Aaron's 1,000+ gallon reef build

[Janci]

Nice tank catch.
That will do for sure.

 

[geekengineer]

yeah that was lucky find looks like it fits rather nicely.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

Sweet! I like how the girls can snorkel the tank!!! I’m looking forward to seeing the next 12 months pics.

 

[MimicOcto8]

Thanks guys. It was indeed a lucky and rather odd find. The guy that owns the tanks had them all empty sitting on a major electric energy company plant site. He had nothing to do with the energy company but he had an abalone farm on their site. He had to get clearance to go on sight. The guard at the gate gave me strict rules to follow this guy and only go to the farm and only park at the tanks lol. The guy selling the tanks used water off their pipeline (the pipeline ran 300’ out in to the pacific) to recirculate the water for his massive abalone farm. The farm is no more though. That’s a different story why he stopped that. Even after talking to him about it I was still highly confused how he had his farm on their site. Either way , lucky me.

 

[MimicOcto8]

Been working on the sump today. Hopefully I’ll have it up and running tomorrow. Pictures to follow in the AM.

 

[Alexreefer]

Looks great so far. lets hope all goes smooth now(fingers crossed, hope I don't jink you)

 

[Ready4Launch]

What are your plans for the tank when you and the fam go out of town or go on vacation??

 

[geekengineer]

What are your plans for the tank when you and the fam go out of town or go on vacation??

Lol I wonder if his plans are to go on vacation in the tank.. Good point however how are you going to handle water changes? Does having a bigger tank make it so you don't have to do it as often?

 

[MimicOcto8]

Lol I wonder if his plans are to go on vacation in the tank.. Good point however how are you going to handle water changes? Does having a bigger tank make it so you don't have to do it as often?

For the last decade I’ve had a career where I’m gone a week at time. I’ve learned how to have a successful reef even though I leave for 7 days at a time. I set my system up in a way where all that needs to be done is feedings while I’m gone. Also, The Apex allows me to shut things off if something goes wrong.

Water changes will be 275 monthly.

Here’s the sump so far.

 

[Alexreefer]

Looks great, How many pounds of live rock is in that sump. Sorry if this was already answered.

 

[MimicOcto8]

Looks great, How many pounds of live rock is in that sump. Sorry if this was already answered.

I’m not really sure. Maybe 100-150lbs

 

[Alexreefer]

Wow! When will you set up the skimmer? I need to see that thing working. I still can't get over how big it is

 

[Reefbuds]

So this looks like a naturally lit tank or what?

 

[MimicOcto8]

Wow! When will you set up the skimmer? I need to see that thing working. I still can't get over how big it is

It’s next on the list. Just ironing out some stuff with the sump and DT

 

[MimicOcto8]

So this looks like a naturally lit tank or what?

Radions with two T5 48” 2bulb fixtures.

 

[Deiblerj]

WOW!! Just wow. Can’t wait to see everything up and running. Makes my 40 breeder look like your systems QT

 

[MimicOcto8]

Got some mounts for the controllers. No more Velcro that doesn’t hold.

This is the second test run of the supports for the tops. This test run is with 1 3/8” closet rods. I painted them white with water resistant deck paint. They are working well except for the middle one. It says too much and is in the water. I will replace the middle one with a
1 3/8” iron rod.

I’m using acrylic sheets as my tops. Got them from a local vendor for a good price. They don’t full fit (front to back they cover 90-95%) but for the price I couldn’t pass them up.

 

[dragon99]

Maybe try a piece of fishing line in the middle thru the acrylic up the light rack for added support in the center?

 

[MimicOcto8]

Maybe try a piece of fishing line in the middle thru the acrylic up the light rack for added support in the center?

Thanks for the suggestion!

Definitely thought about that several times. Only reason I can’t do it is because of how difficult it would make it to remove the middle acrylic sheet. I tend to remove the lids often. So I’ll just spend $30 for the iron rod and be done with it.

 

[erictorres0311]

Oh man , might have to move truck out of garage
Looking good gonna have to check it out once it’s stocked