Lasers 1000+ Inwall Starfire

Laser · Mar 24, 2014

Well here we go! Just moved and have finally been able to clear all the equipment and corals from the old house. I have moved them into a temporary setup consisting of a frag tank and a 100 gallon rubbermaid horse trough. The frag tank is completely packed and the 100 gallon is packed with colonies. I have now setup the 225 and have all liverock and refugium plants running. I have added new sand to the display and will wait a few weeks for the tank to go through mini cycle before transferrring livestock back into the 225.
On to the new build.
I have ordered a 1000 gallon Starfire front dimensions 11 foot long x 4 foot wide x 36" tall. The tank will be built locally by AGE complete with metal stand and 350 gallon sump. The tank will be delivered within 3 weeks. Skimming will be provided by a Bubble King 4000 int. I will run bioballs and carbon through seperate reactors and dose with prodibio supplements.
Flow will be provided by a vortec 60 on each end as well as some sort of high powered Tunze for the back wall of tank. Most likely 2 or 3. Lighting will be 4 400 Watt Metal Halides running 20K bulbs on the back half and 4 AI 56's on the front for supplement.
Exhaust fans will be installed prior to tank arriving as well as plumbing for drain.
I will aquascape with half liverock and half fake rock. Aquascape will be 3 seperate island reefs to provide plenty of open swimming room for fish.
All corals have been put into temp setups until the old 225 can be moved for temp setup.
What is a new post without pics....Here you go.

Laser · Mar 24, 2014

Early build pics of garage wall prep

Laser · Mar 24, 2014

225 has been moved into garage to allow for temporary storage of corals and fish

Laser · Mar 24, 2014

wall being built

Laser · Mar 24, 2014

Sealer paint has been added to the completed framing

Laser · Mar 24, 2014

225 QT has been setup to house all the corals and fish...Water station made for the QT as well..

Laser · Mar 24, 2014

electrical work now complete

Laser · Mar 24, 2014

Floor has been epoxied in preparation for the spill that will be coming at some point.

Laser · Mar 24, 2014

build on the wall is nearing completion. This weekend I was able to install 2 exhaust fans over the 1000, install 1/2" pine on ceiling covering the tank area 11' x 4'. This will allow me to have a easy way to hang the lights when the tank arrives. I still need to caulk around edges and seal paint the wood and then the area will be complete. I was also able to finish off the walls next to where the tank will be with FRP board. This was put up after the entire area was seal painted and caulked. I believe I have as waterproof construction as I can get. FRP board was also installed on the 14" beam supporting the structure at the top of the tank area. This made the 2 side walls next the tank tie in and make the wall complete looking. Cant wait to get it seal painted and then caulked.
Next project will be to install the drain from garage, shower liner under stand, and then prepare the rest of the garage walls with sealer paint tinted to match original color which was a tan color.
Then the countdown should be on for the tank arrival.

Laser · Mar 24, 2014

Shot from outside garage

D_Reep1106 · Mar 24, 2014

awesome! first of many subscribers! did you get your idea from the Dallas aquarium where they have their 1000+gal tanks for each area of the world? cant wait for the progression!

TJ's Reef · Mar 24, 2014

WOW! This is going to be an awesome build thread I can tell already, great dimensions for a large Reeftank. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to your journey here.

Cheers, Todd

Laser · Mar 24, 2014

Next up was getting the water out of garage for water changes. I have a septic system with aerobic so did not want salt going into main system and watering yard. I installed a third septic tank where salt water is treated and then passed to main systems.
This will allow me to tie the drain into main return pump to allow for easy water changes in the future.:israel:

Laser · Mar 24, 2014

Sump design has been submitted to AGE. Here is a sketch

Laser · Mar 24, 2014

Electrician will be here this week to move the new 30A circuits up from 12"to 24" from floor. Sump will be 18" tall and that will allow me to access the plugs where they are not behind the sump that is 40" wide.

He will also install one more 30A dedicated circuit with conduit run for lighting.
The 2.5HHP Aqualogic chiller is set to exit the manufacturer in California on Feb. 26th so timing for new tank install and plumbing will be perfect. Electrician will come back and install 220 and hook all up for me when it arrives.
When sump and stand arrive I will be able to mount all the apex EB's and modules and get it all ready for the tank.
In the meantime I have made 300 gallons of RODI ready for the sump arrival. I will be obtaining one more 200 gallon storage vessel at least in the new future after tank is in and settled.

Laser · Mar 24, 2014

AGE sent progress pics of build

Laser · Mar 24, 2014

Aqualogic 2HHP chiller arrived!! This heat pump unit has a condensor just like a home ac that is housed outside. I will control my heat and cooling with this unit. This is one of the few items that the APEX will not control as it pulls 70A!!:tongue: