Rev's 400+ Gallon Basement Inwall

mokrytzki · Apr 11, 2016

I havent much constructive to add so i will bump because im mucho interested in this build and follow along. Btw congrats on the new home.

mfinn · Apr 11, 2016

Congratulations on the new house.

d2mini · Apr 11, 2016

Awesome house!!!! Congrats!!!

Definitely have several separate circuits for all your equipment.
And make sure humidity is controlled. That's a lot of water.
Plan on a nice table space for maintenance, tinkering and fragging, along with a nice frag tank plumbed into the system.
Auto water change system for sure.
You also have plenty of space for a nice remote fuge which could negate any need for any reactors. Keep things natural!
I'd also recommend a Profilux controller. Their build quality and reliability just can't be beat. That's a lot of livestock that is depending on you. Check them out when you're at Reefapalooza!

Battlecorals · Apr 11, 2016

revhtree said:
A couple grand? Yea I need another route!

All skimmer options are open!

Well then at least a couple, hardware store type ones at least

Your new house will thank you I promise. And hey if you ever want to talk skimmers let me know. Happy to anytime.

Pat Clark · Apr 11, 2016

Congrats rev on the house. One thing I see instead of a chiller is walling off where the garage is after you install the tank, basements can get really chilly in the winter and since your tank will be on the un fished side of the wall. Lots of heat to keep it warm.

dbl · Apr 11, 2016

Congrats David on the home purschase. You'll get plenty of advice on the new tank!

Oceansize · Apr 11, 2016

If I had all that room, I wouldn't just make water changes easy, I'd make them completely automated! (dosing pump, float switches & controller connected to some large plastic trash cans)

Xingu · Apr 11, 2016

Instead of getting one large skimmer, think about several smaller ones. You would have to do some research to see if several smaller pumps would be less of an electric draw than one large pump. It would also give you the option of turning one off when heavy skimming isn't needed. Just a thought.

deerhunter06 · Apr 11, 2016

congrats on new house, I'm building similar tank at the moment. Things I have come to learn, 30 inches is deep be prepared to get wet if you need to get to the bottom. Also lighting a reef with corals near the bottom or clams may be difficult and more expensive for a 30 inch deep. Two reasons I went with 24 rather than 30. I'm using a RO 5000sss skimmer it does a good job but with a large sump you may want to go with the 6000. For a pump I have a Reeflo hammerhead/barracuda hybrid remember you can always dial down you can never dial it up. Good luck look forward to seeing more.

Macropora · Apr 11, 2016

Congratulations on the new house. Go for a 12 foot tank and you won't have to upgrade for a long, long time...

Good luck on the new build!

reefmania59 · Apr 11, 2016

I am another one who is going through a similar build. I am getting a 96" x 36" x 27" tank. I should be getting the 3d drawings in the next couple days. I am going with the 27" height rather than the 30". This is what I have on my 220g and that depth is really a pain. I have a Reeflo Orca 250 Pro skimmer that is rated for 800g (now the My Reef Creation - MRC - Orca Pro II skimmer). I also use a hammerhead/barracuda hybrid to pump water from the basement fish room to the 1st floor DT. There is a lot that goes into the planning for sure. For example, I had originally thought of going 30" wide. This would allow me to reuse my Lumen Bright Mini Pendants plus T5 supplement. By going 36", I now have to consider using the Lumen Bright Large reflectors. But the potential for aquascaping the wider tank is very appealing to me. I will concede that there is excitement and anxiety over some decisions, but in the end, it will work out.

deerhunter06 said:
congrats on new house, I'm building similar tank at the moment. Things I have come to learn, 30 inches is deep be prepared to get wet if you need to get to the bottom. Also lighting a reef with corals near the bottom or clams may be difficult and more expensive for a 30 inch deep. Two reasons I went with 24 rather than 30. I'm using a RO 5000sss skimmer it does a good job but with a large sump you may want to go with the 6000. For a pump I have a Reeflo hammerhead/barracuda hybrid remember you can always dial down you can never dial it up. Good luck look forward to seeing more.

billrob71 · Apr 11, 2016

Congrats on the house, as far as the tank bigger is better

and you can not go wrong with a 36 inch front to back.

SeahorseKeeper · Apr 11, 2016

Congrats!!

hybridazn · Apr 11, 2016

Skimmer? I know what I would choose...

Nyos 300

Reeflogic · Apr 11, 2016

Nice! Congrats on the new home Rev!! Looking forward to the build! I'm with @reefmania59 , are you wanting the 30" deep for any particular reason? Over the years, I've learned to despise deeper tanks!! Maybe go slightly shallower and add a foot or 3 to the length

Plan, plan, plan and then plan a little more!!!

RUGDOG · Apr 11, 2016

I mostly am replying to get the updates but having had a 30 inch deep tank I will concur with previous thoughts. When slumping in my basement and running multiple tanks/pumping up a floor to display I also ran a hammerhead.

jsker · Apr 11, 2016

Man you have your own loading dock. The house has an interesting layout, perfect for a pump room and in the wall tank. That is a real good find

JPSika08 · Apr 11, 2016

With my former system I used a Super Reef Octopus Ext-8000, it's a work horse.

Fin · Apr 11, 2016

Congrats on the new home! It is beautiful. Definitely want to follow along to see this one come together.

I have a 30" deep tank and I have regretted that decision for 10 years. Just too deep. Hard to get to the bottom and bottom at the back wall is almost impossible from the front. My new tank will be 24". Never had a big dog tank like what you are talking about, so I can't be much help there.

Let the build begin!