Sac-Town 225

Poriferan · Mar 12, 2013

I have decided to document my first large tank build. The internet forums have been invaluable to my success in reef keeping so I am hoping this thread will continue that trend.
The tank is a 225 gal starfire peninsula plumbed currently with closed loop. Dimensions are 72x30x24.

Sadly I will not have a place to set it up as a peninsula so at least one side will be unviewable.

My saltwater tank history starts in 1989 and has included a 55, 100, 85, 35, and 40 gal displays.
Current tanks are RSM 130D (4+yrs)and newly online 40B.

The plan is to set this up and eventually make it in wall. I hope to put a majority of the sump equipment in the garage, but that is still open.

The tank/stand is to be delivered on Saturday so I will update pictures then.

For now an equipment shot of the skimmer and a couple pics of the current tanks to keep interest. :xd:

Skimmer to be powered by Reef Octopus Bubble Blaster 5000

Current shot with dirty glass :squigglemouth: of the RSM 130

Current Shot of the 40B which will be used as a frag tank and may be incorporated in to the system.

Please feel free to criticize, approve of, and comment on any aspect of this build.

revhtree · Mar 13, 2013

This ought to be a great build! I'm tuned in!

Poriferan · Mar 13, 2013

revhtree said:
This ought to be a great build! I'm tuned in!

Thanks, I spent several hours last night helping the current owner break down, drain, disconnect, disassemble the stand skin, and finish preparations for the tank move on Saturday.
I picked up a lot of corals :clap2: This is a cell phone pic of a couple. Miami Hurricane is in the center, I think he said the one on the front right is from the first chalice collected(Echinophyllia aspera)... he said it wasn't too pretty but has nostalgic appeal :tongue: I will try to get some of others tonight if they have settled down from the move to the 40B holding tank.

stylaster · Mar 13, 2013

Great choice in skimmer pump, good luck with the build~

Poriferan · Mar 16, 2013

A little update before the big tank move tomorrow. I will try and get pictures of the move, but I am sure once you a couple they all look about the same...

A few cell phone pics of a few of the corals I picked up, followed by a bit more equipment.

Poriferan · Mar 16, 2013

Last Pic is where the tank will sit.

Here are a few more

Poriferan · Mar 18, 2013

Tank move went flawlessly. It is in its new home and the cleaning has begun. I am working on putting in a fish room/garage utility sink to make sure my wife stays happy. Then I will start the design and building of the sumps stand, closed loop, and returns. I will try to get a picture of the tank in my house up tonight.

Poriferan · Mar 21, 2013

A little more progress. I picked up the rest of the equipment. second sump, Dart and Barracuda pumps for return and closed loop. Oceans Motion valve. All the old plumbing parts.
I also finished cleaning the tank. The starfire glass looks nice. I met the original owner of the tank and was told it is made entirely of starfire glass including the bottom and the overflow. Not sure why, but OK.
Here is a shot of the tank with my ugly mug finishing up the cleaning.

Will be picking up the dry rock this weekend so stay tuned for the interior design.:bigsmile:

Poriferan · Mar 26, 2013

Update, if anyone is following along. I picked up the rock this weekend along with my old acrylic 330 (cracked):sad: and stand.
I put a lot of restoration into the old stand and luckily it held up to being outside under an open air covered carport. I will be using for this for the tank now.
Bad news is the barracuda I got for the closed loop had a bad seal for many years and was run leaking for all that time. This rusted the pump shaft so bad that it will never be usable and Reeflo said cant really be replaced. I am now looking into in-tank water movement.

The rock consists of previously live cooked rock and homemade cured rocks.

Poriferan · Mar 26, 2013

I put the old light rack on and hooked up the VHO's for fun also.

Poriferan · Mar 26, 2013

Not too happy about not being able to edit my hasty typos...:blah:

Aquaph8 · Mar 26, 2013

Nice looking build, what typos

Poriferan · Mar 26, 2013

Aquaph8 said:
Nice looking build, what typos

Thanks x2 :clap2:

Poriferan · Mar 26, 2013

Any suggestions on putting some kind of mat under the stand? I was thinking something to catch small drips caused by arms in the tanks. Anyone have issues with using one and the floor being damaged?

jm23 · Mar 26, 2013

Build looks great. I just put towels down on the ground when I know I am going to make a mess, otherwise a few drips here and there won't damage the floor as long as you clean it up right after you are done. As for drips from my arms I have a towel around my neck and wipe my arm as it is coming out of the tank, no drips on the floor or glass that way.

Poriferan · Mar 26, 2013

I always try to do that...:tongue: Do you think the mat would potentially trap water under it and cause damage to the wood? My small tank has a mat like an entrance mat, but I wonder if water could seep under it then have no way to evaporate if there was a rubber mat. The same goes for the stand though as any water would be inaccessible once it got under.

Poriferan · Mar 27, 2013

This is my first run at the rock work. Any thoughts. I am thinking to go for the minimalist approach in the display and put the bulk of the live rock in a sump.

The right side will be the overflow and return area.

Looks off at this angle but the rocks should come with an inch or 2 of the surface with around 23 interior inches.