My humble set-up in the garage

[chrisalmand]

About 4 months ago I decided to get back in to the hobby after a stint on the MIA(from the hobby) list. This decision was made because I can only play soooo much Halo in between studying for my Masters in Accounting. But I digress.

I then decided, instead of spending money on a awesome inside-the-home tank, I figured I'd have more fun playing in the garage. Namely because I could do all the DIY (ugly) stuff I have always wanted to (remote sand beds, air lift pumps, surge devices, etc) but the GF wouldn't allow.

I actually just got the last tank going 3 nights ago. Here is a rundown of the system.

210 gallon, in front, 84"x24"x24"
165 gallon, behind 210 (but raised above) 72"x30"x19"
180 gallon, back facing the sides of 210 and 165, 72"x24"x24"
3x 30 gallons, on wall
3x 25 gallons, on wall
120 gallon sump
ETSS 1400xr skimmer powered by a Dolphin 6250 series 4
2x Dolphin 6250 series 3 (returns)

My goals of this whole project are to:

(a) work on it only when school warrants
(b) patently and inexpensively as possible
(c) a product of (b), to learn about something to enable myself to DIY it
(d) grow corals

The only large chunks of change were spent on the pumps and freaking plumbing. I was unaware, until I began this project, how expensive 1-1/2" PVC parts are.

All 715 gallons are run by these 2 beauties

...and the skimmer runs on this bubbler

more to come and please offer suggestions and ask any questions you may have. I had a difficult find articles and threads on a "garage, sunlight set-up" so I figured this could help others out...

 

[chrisalmand]

Expenses so far:

1/2 HP chiller $100 (local fish store was consigning it for a guy that moved into a home with a tank and he was just trying to get it out)
210 and 180 $200 ($150 for the 210 and the 180 had a split seam so he sold cheap)
165 $200 (from LFS)
Skimmer (traded an almost new Reef Dynamics INS 250)
Pumps $800
Wall tanks (traded a friend a few things for 20 of these tanks he got free from some petstore closing)
PAR meter $200

 

[florida reef]

Nice! I'm looking forward to the updates!

 

[revsgirl]

Humble!? Looks like you could start your own fish store! I'm sure your going to be havin' a lot of visitors!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Oh it will be so much more fun in the garage!

 

[bige]

Looks sweet! Nice come back.

 

[REEFKEEPER10]

So you planning on supplying petco with fish and coral. Lol

 

[buddythelion]

Did you say... Halo?

 

[Skinpuppi]

Nice work. Where are the pics with them full?

 

[jformani]

humble...ha ha thats great!

 

[larryl]

Awesome setup I will be watching closely.

 

[chrisalmand]

Thanks everyone! No progress since the last post. In the middle of finals week :-/

 

[Mike&Terry]

Humble is a massive understatement, LOL! Good luck with your build and we're looking forward to seeing your progress! :bigsmile:

 

[revolution]

When your sump is double the size of the display I am planning.....?I am now thinking of upgrading even before I have bought anything.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2

 

[chrisalmand]

I say humble because a goal, or mind-set, for me is doing this project as inexpensively as possible in regards to both the capital investments and electricity. I am not knocking anyone for any reason, but I didn't want to go out and buy brand new tanks, 6 Vortechs, A Volcano Skimmer, etc. I wanted to force myself into a position where learning every in and out presented to me was essential (and no, in very little ways do we learn, the what or how, from a Vortech that is; a wavemaker, varies speed, broadens dispersment, and has no "wet-side" motor, all inclusive).

Again, let me say that I am not dissing anyone's "high-end" set-up, I envy it actually. But as far as knowledge and money.....I need more of both before I can delve into that realm.

Anyway, 3 finals to go (Corporate Taxation anyone?)! Then I can start playing with the 800 gallons of hotness awaiting me in the garage

 

[fsu1dolfan]

Digging the 800 gallons you get to play with....i'm surprised you didnt just seal off the garage and make the whole thing a tank LOL. Looking forward to some updates. Good luck with the exams and your tanks!

 

[chrisalmand]

Digging the 800 gallons you get to play with....i'm surprised you didnt just seal off the garage and make the whole thing a tank LOL. Looking forward to some updates. Good luck with the exams and your tanks!

Funny you mention that, was 2 seconds away from doing a 2000 gallon plywood tank instead.

 

[uall8up]

Very nice!! :bigsmile:

 

[Southside_Reefer]

nice, can't wait to see the full setup in action

 

[chrisalmand]

Thanks guys!

I have really neglected the set-up the past couple weeks. All the animals are happy, I just haven't been testing and such. But regardless, I have one more final (Accounting Information Systems) tonight at 5 (in the library right now) and I should be home free; for a couple of weeks at least.....