Planet Aquariums Crystaline 85 gallon build

[LoneStarReef]

So the day is finally here! Been a long time in the planning process but here are pics of my new Crystaline 85 gallon that was just delivered yesterday. Next I need to work on the sump plumbing. It comes with 2 1" durso drains but I might switch to another drain system. Suggestions are welcome!

Equipment:
Trigger Systems Emerald 34 sump
2 Kessil 360WE
Aquamaxx Skimmer
2016 Apex
Apex ATK
Aqua Mag return pump (might switch to Jebao DC pump for controllability)

 

[RyanCSGO]

nice tank!

 

[LoneStarReef]

Thanks! Really anxious to get it wet!!

nice tank!

 

[RyanCSGO]

Thanks! Really anxious to get it wet!!

I know the feeling, just set mine up a little over a month ago
looking forward to seeing your progress.
are you switching out the hose for hard plumbing?

 

[Greybeard]

I've got a custom 140g from Planet Aquarium. I'm very happy with it, so far... been up and running for a few months now. They build nice stuff. Factoring in pricing, and I think they're the best value in custom glass.

 

[Greybeard]

It comes with 2 1" durso drains but I might switch to another drain system. Suggestions are welcome!

Aqua Mag return pump (might switch to Jebao DC pump for controllability)

Durso drains work fine, but with a decent amount of flow, I've never been able to keep them quiet. My last tank, a factory corner-flo 60g cube, I modified to a Herbie style drain. Silence. My new tank, I'm using a pair of H2Overflows tied to an external overflow box, with a BeAnAnimal style drain. There's a little murmur in the H2Overflows, but not enough to bother me... and that's running at about 1600 gallons per hour.

Take a look at Current USA's eFlux line of controllable DC pumps. Price point is reasonable, quality is pretty good. Kind of a mid-range option.

 

[LoneStarReef]

I would agree! Love the quality of the stand and the silicone looks great too. Upgraded to the Trigger Emerad sump and they made a custom PVC tray in the bottom to protect our new floors. Will eventually put a leak detection monitor down there too.

I've got a custom 140g from Planet Aquarium. I'm very happy with it, so far... been up and running for a few months now. They build nice stuff. Factoring in pricing, and I think they're the best value in custom glass.

 

[LoneStarReef]

I plan on using a combo of hard plumbing as well as some reinforced tubing. Not sure exactly what yet. Thanks for your suggestion on Herbie overflow @Greybeard. Any videos that are helpful to watch to help me with the process?

I know the feeling, just set mine up a little over a month ago
looking forward to seeing your progress.
are you switching out the hose for hard plumbing?

 

[pelphrey]

I recently found out about this company. If/When I upgrade I may very well look at their line of tanks. Tagging along!

 

[Greybeard]

Thanks for your suggestion on Herbie overflow @Greybeard. Any videos that are helpful to watch to help me with the process?

Excellent Herbie document here:
http://gmacreef.com/herbie-overflow-reef-tank-plumbing-method-basics/

Herbie and beananimal work exactly the same way. The only difference is that the beananimal has an additional, 'should never be used for anything', emergency drain line. It's a nice additional safety, if you can swing it, but it should never be necessary. Properly designed, you shouldn't have enough water in the return section of your sump to overflow the tank, should the overflow become completely clogged. ATO systems can complicate this a bit.

 

[LoneStarReef]

Can't tell you how much I really like this tank. It comes prepackaged with a trigger sump and Aqua Mag or Sicce return pump. But you can mod it the way you want (I upgraded to the Emerald sump....comes standard with the Crystal). I looked at the Red Sea tank and the Waterbox but I like the opportunity to change sump options if needed.

I recently found out about this company. If/When I upgrade I may very well look at their line of tanks. Tagging along!

 

[Greybeard]

I would agree! Love the quality of the stand and the silicone looks great too. Upgraded to the Trigger Emerad sump and they made a custom PVC tray in the bottom to protect our new floors. Will eventually put a leak detection monitor down there too.

Silicone, glass edges, drilled holes... glass looks great.

I did not purchase a stand from them. My Planet Aquarium sits on 1.25" 11 gauge welded, powder coated square tube steel, with a bar top surrounding the tank on 3 sides. Not exactly the kind of thing you'd get in a factory stand

PVC tray is a great idea. My old cube sat on a plywood stand, coated with marine epoxy. It'd hold about 30 gallons of water before anything would leak out onto the floor. Since my current sump is not under the tank, it'd be a bit difficult with my new setup... but I do have a water alarm in my sump closet in case of leaks.

 

[pelphrey]

I actually just added the Neptune FMM module to my Apex with the LD-1 Leak detector. This is my first time using any leak detection and I have to say after an initial test it is promising.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/devoted-reefer-250.263426/page-25#post-4001107

 

[Cherub]

very nice tank! I almost pulled the trigger on one of these but ultimately chose red sea instead. Really great company, lots of Oceanic people went there. Congrats

 

[Greybeard]

I actually just added the Neptune FMM module to my Apex with the LD-1 Leak detector. This is my first time using any leak detection and I have to say after an initial test it is promising.

Or... the budget solution:
https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-RW...F8&qid=1504292974&sr=8-6&keywords=water+alarm

Email alerts are great, but I'm nearly always home, or someone is, anyway... so an audible alarm is plenty good enough for me.

 

[LoneStarReef]

Good call. I travel a lot for work so having the capability to be notified when I am away helps a ton...even if my wife and kids are home. And if it senses water it can shut down return pumps, skimmers, etc.

@Greybeard, thanks for your info on Herbie drains. Going to Home Depot tomorrow to get the necessary tools to do so. Do you use the ball valve? Some have said a gate valve works better than a ball valve. Thoughts?

Or... the budget solution:
https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-RW...F8&qid=1504292974&sr=8-6&keywords=water+alarm

Email alerts are great, but I'm nearly always home, or someone is, anyway... so an audible alarm is plenty good enough for me.

 

[Greybeard]

Happy to help. Gate valve. Much easier to adjust. True union gate valve, if you can swing it... Makes it serviceable.

 

[Greybeard]

Good call. I travel a lot for work

I feel for you.. used to travel a lot, was gone 2-3 weeks out of the month. As I've progressed in my career, less travel, and the ability to work from home were always priorities. I finally reached nirvana about 8 years ago. I go to maybe 4 job sites a year, for less than a week at a time, and I'm right here at home the remainder of the year. Home is outside of Buffalo, MO, at the end of a mile long gravel drive, with nobody on it but me. Yes, I've passed on higher paying gigs to get where I wanted to be... and it was worth it.

Reefing is tough, when you're an hour from the nearest LFS, and subject to 'rural' delivery routes. Once again... worth it.

 

[LoneStarReef]

So I am leaving my old gig to start my own company...so the travel should slow down a bit at some point in the future!! I have worked out of the home for a while now (when I'm not on the road). And coincidentally the tank is in my home office...I may not ever get any work done.

Looking forward to gleaning from your reefing experiences.

I feel for you.. used to travel a lot, was gone 2-3 weeks out of the month. As I've progressed in my career, less travel, and the ability to work from home were always priorities. I finally reached nirvana about 8 years ago. I go to maybe 4 job sites a year, for less than a week at a time, and I'm right here at home the remainder of the year. Home is outside of Buffalo, MO, at the end of a mile long gravel drive, with nobody on it but me. Yes, I've passed on higher paying gigs to get where I wanted to be... and it was worth it.

Reefing is tough, when you're an hour from the nearest LFS, and subject to 'rural' delivery routes. Once again... worth it.

 

[LoneStarReef]

So here is my plumbing setup. Doing a Herbie style drain method with the left drain as the full siphon and the right as the emergency. Used 1" spa flex tubing instead of regular PVC. Also used 3/4" reinforced Polaris tubing (left over from the pool) for the return line.