System Build

clueless · Jan 31, 2015

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in the system built in my home on 12/27/2015. The job was designed and managed by Chriskid,who was helped out by a number of CTARS members. The job was quite extensive,connecting 3 tanks to a common sump in the basement. What made the job so difficult was there is a 60 gallon tank in my bedroom on the third floor, a 60 gallon tank in the kitchen on the second floor, and I bought Emery's 120 gallon tank for the first floor. There was over 300 feet of piping run,and they were using bits and pieces i had aquired over time I was going to get out of the hobby a year ago,after some horrible dealings with reefs to go when my nephew introduced me to CTARS. I don't know if that was a blessing or a curse,as I only had a 40 gallon breeder tank,and money in my pocket.Now i'm broke with 240 gallons of display tanks. I read reef2reef every day but have never posted,because I don't feel qualified to give advise only my ill-informed opinions. I attend all meetings with the exception of the last meeting(i was paly-zapped with flu like symptons,how appropriate). I now have a different bug,and will be far more involved with CTARS. Enough with the monologue now the real reason for the post I would like to thank the folowing people for the work and effort on my system. I was not there so if i forgot someone please let me know. Chris and Missy,Greg(the plumber) James(the electrician)Jeremy,Jason,Phil,Randy,Emery(and whoever helped him break-down and transport) and ?,anyone iI missed. We are ironing out some bugs,so i will start posting pictures when everything is stable,growing and complete Thanks again Rich (clueless):cheer2::cheer2:

HtfdWhaler · Feb 1, 2015

NICE!! sounds awesome, I am sure they did a great job.

CONGRATS AND GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR NEW SYSTEM!

Red88rick · Feb 1, 2015

sounds like an awesome system. I look forward to you photos.

Vaiodude · Feb 1, 2015

Your welcome Rich. It was quite a build!

JerSaint · Feb 1, 2015

Your welcome Rich.I had a bunch of fun and can't wait to see your systems again when they are in full swing! I hope my placement of corals in the 120 wasn't to incredible bad! Have fun with the tanks and keep your sleeves wet!

TJ's Reef · Feb 1, 2015

WOW! This sounds like an incredible Team Project, cannot wait to see the pics and read all or most at least of the details involved here.

Cheers, Todd

sassAwrasse · Feb 1, 2015

Glad to hear you are ok, and secondly the build was a success. Can't wait to see pics!

I misplaced your number, but I didn't forget you were looking for colorful zoas. I'll see you at the next meeting.

IrishReef · Feb 1, 2015

Rich not a easy task to get all that piping were it needed to be!! I am very happy I could be of help completing your dream project. I will definitely have to stop over in the spring to see how things came along ..If I could pipe aquariums as a part time job that would be awesome. As every person that helped out were very nice people, they treated everyone like family....I don't belong to ctars yet , but those of you thinking about it should some,great people and knowledge
Hope to see you all soon a the frag meet..
The Plumber......

DarkTang · Feb 3, 2015

Bump need pics

chriskid · Feb 4, 2015

hey rich do you want me to post some build pics? what a project this wuz, and still is....lol

clueless · Feb 4, 2015

Only if the are g-rated, since I was a "no-show I dont have pics of the crew on task!

clueless · Feb 16, 2015

going to be selling 120 gallon tank with livestock,lights protein skimmer sump etc,everything iI bought with system. Will be posting pictures and discription later,just wanted to get idea if anyone looking prior to parting out or putting on Craigs List

james30ct · Feb 16, 2015

clueless said:
going to be selling 120 gallon tank with livestock,lights protein skimmer sump etc,everything iI bought with system. Will be posting pictures and discription later,just wanted to get idea if anyone looking prior to parting out or putting on Craigs List

Wow, that wasnt up long. Replacing it, or just getting rid of it?

clueless · Feb 16, 2015

just isn't working out as planned, i'm not sure it was a good idea to integrate sps/lps/mixed in one common sump. things seem to been introduced into my initial 2 tanks that were not there before. system still not working right,i need the time to stabilize what I started with. I certainly appreciate every thing you guys did for me. The new tank has some issues and to resolve them would be financially prohibitive.. some has to do with timing,but that tank is not a good fit I will end up replacing at a future date but I will do much more research prior to jumping in. I will buy brand new in the future. by the way putting up solar panels to drive system did a lot of research will share my findings with you at next meeting thanks again,Rich Griffiths 860 884 4942

Munchie1976 · Feb 16, 2015

For the amount of manpower, time blood sweat and tears put into this project all I can say is...I'm disappointed :sad: Not to mention the fact that we all nearly died from the task! A new tank isn't going to change anything in my opinion, that system is beautiful. Those men did an absolutely amazing job from one level to the next. Not to mention just a few months ago, that very tank and the coral in it was a CTARS tank of the month winner. I would seriously reconsider this rash decision before you throw away all the work everyone just did...

HtfdWhaler · Feb 17, 2015

Yea man don't give up!! Looks like a lot of work went into that build, hate to see all that go to waste... There's up and downs in this hobby, stay with it.

clueless · Feb 17, 2015

I'm not giving up I intend to continue with the hobby,and hopefully at some point be a competent reefkeeper. My post was just facts related to my current situation. I'm usually much more methodical in my approach,but unfortunately this hobby has led me to be somewhat careless. The system is piped to service 2 display tanks on the 2nd and third floors. The third system was incorporated to go into a small living room on the first floor approximately 12 feet from the sump. this was a project that was going to happen within 4 years just prior to my retirement I bought the 120 and livestock so i would have experience with a large tank when i finally pull the trigger on a pre packaged system like Nuvo. I was at fault for reacting to percieved opportunity prior to doing some investigation. I than was looking at an "American Home Makeover" installation immediately after making my first irrational decision. This put a lot of pressure on the folks who were helping me out. To them i am very grateful,and i want them to know I'm not throwing the baby out with the bathwater. My intent was to have a pretty much a stable,quiet,low maintainence system. I will get there,but as I stated in my post, timing was off. I've spent hours working on the system,but really am somewhat clueless. I will get the overflow system correct,than i will get the top-off system correct, i will either set the skimmer up properly or replace and my sump is in an unheated crawl space which was very convinient,but unheated so i have figure out what to do there. Aesthetically the 120 is not a fit for the room it is in.My intent was to just enjoy the system,not cut and sell frags ( i certainly am not qualified at least not at this time) So as I stated in my post, timing is off. I did call everyone that was involved in the install,with the exception of one i did not have a phone number for,to see if they were interested at a substantially reduced price from what i paid prior to posting.My second call is people within the club. I would like to keep the 120 system intact, as given the time, space and fit it is a very good deal for someone. I did not buy it to chop,cut sell and hopefully whoever buys it will see it the same way. It was the april 2014 "tank of the month" so listed is what it is. Not all the components are there IE: chiller and same is the case with livestock. it still is a beautiful tank just maybe not for me. If i end up parting it, those who were involved,who were not compensated, will get frag packs at no charge. This is not a personal issue,was never stated as a personal issue and anyone who sees it that way has my phone number and can give me a call. These forums are for discussing issues and concerns and hopefully will remain that way. If I have offended anyone please feel free to give me a call as that was never my intent. I see the club as an excellent vehicle to be part of a community,and an invaluble resource as I pursue this hobby. I cannot give advice on the hobby as i do not feel qualified, but will contribute any way I can Thanks for your concern

chris82079 · Feb 17, 2015

if i was involved in that project i would be pretty upset if you took it down so soon.....keep at it!!!!!! persistence pays!!

sassAwrasse · Feb 17, 2015

clueless said:
These forums are for discussing issues and concerns and hopefully will remain that way. If I have offended anyone please feel free to give me a call as that was never my intent. I see the club as an excellent vehicle to be part of a community,and an invaluble resource as I pursue this hobby. I cannot give advice on the hobby as i do not feel qualified, but will contribute any way I can Thanks for your concern

As it may be disappointing for many to see this come down so quickly (myself included), it is your decision and should be respected. I hope you continue to post on the forum, be a part of the club, and look forward to seeing you at an upcoming meeting.