Paul's 4x2x2 Ecosystem

[Mountainman01]

Hi, Just thought that i'd share the first few pics that i have so far and let you all see where i'm up to at the moment.

The tank that was originally planned was a 300ish Gal corner tank with a 6x2x2 sumpout in the garage. Alas, certain factors ruled that this was not to be (Finances, wife none too happy, finances, baby, finances etc etc!! :D )

Along came plan B in the form of a 4x2x2 (100Gal). I bought the tank second hand when it was just over a year old. It had never had any salt water in it and had only been tap water tested, so it's immaculate.

The tank is built out of 10mm glass with a 20mm base. It was built for some one else that specified that they wanted the 20mm base. It's nice to have the added security of it though (blo*dy heavy tho! :blink: )

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/11th Jan 04b.JPG

It has 4" x 15" central weir with a modified twin durso standpipe setup, running through a gate valve. The previous owner informs me that he had about 1200GPH running through it and reckoned he was only restricted by the power of the return pumps. He also said that once the gate valve was adjusted properly, it was whisper quiet. This was a big plus and definately helped sell the idea to Jen.

As part of the deal I had to replaster and decorate the lounge (to go with the new sofas!!) before the tank could go any further. After it sitting in the garage for a couple of months I finally found the time and motivation to get cracking.

Heres where the tank is going. Thats the plaster drying out and not a severe damp problem ( I hope :unsure: :P )

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/11th Jan 04a.JPG

Whilst the plaster was drying and I couldnt get on with anything else I thought that i'd better get on with the stand. It's constructed using 38mm x 63mm x 2.4m CLS timber. This was a fairly cost effective way of doing it as they were £1.58 a length, 10 lengths bought to allow for a mistake or two!! :o :rolleyes:

The top of the stand is in the form of a 4 x 2 sheet of 18mm thick marine ply, this was about 12 quid. I did consider going for mdf but thought that for a little more expense I could get something a lot stronger and more resistant to swelling should it get wet. It is 3ft high to hopefully limit the risk of our little boy throwing anything in or trying to catch the fish!

Here are a few pics of the stand with out the top fitted. The reason for the stepped in box section at the rear is to allow the twin pipes from the weir to decend under the tank.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/11th Jan 04c.JPG

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/11th Jan 04d.JPG

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/11th Jan 04e.JPG

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/11th Jan 04f.JPG

I'm fortunate enough to have a concrete floor so no reinforcement needed.

There is enough room underneath the stand to accomodate a 36"x15"x18" sump comfortably, with room above to install a top up tank later on. There is also floor space under there to stand a calcium reactor and any other gubbins that may be considered useful in the future!! :D

The tank is going to be lit by a 46" Gieseman 230 plus pendant with twin 250w 10000k and the sump return is in the form of an aquabee3000 and an eheim 1060.

As for the rest of the gear, i'll tell you when I get it!

Paul

[Anna]

Hi Paul,

Just came across this post - looks very impressive - keep those pictures coming ;)

Anna

[kosh42]

Leave then air vent open in the summer to aid your cooling... Will be very handy to reduce humidity if you have to whack a fan on the sump...

What are you doing for your electrics? Any dedicated sockets or running on extension leads...

Looks like its gonna be a nice one... Bet you're itching to get water in it... Know I was at that stage ;)

Tim

[zimreef]

Hi Paul,

Looks as though you're going to have a really nice setup there - seems you have got a real bargain! :P ;) :)

Hurry up with the decorating and keep the pics coming as you progress!

Cheers

John

[Mountainman01]

Hi,

Tim, The sliding vent is being replaced with a fairly large electric bathroom fan so it will act as an extractor when the temp starts to climb. The electrics will be run from the main consumer unit. I will set up a dedicated circuit for my box of water. It will consist of 6mm twin and earth cable, routed through existing trunking, through the kitchen wall, ending up under the tank.

This will then be connected to a split load consumer unit, one side of which has and RCD fitted and the other a double pole isolater. I intend to split all the equipment up so that all the usual suspects for electrical shocks will be on the RCD side (heaters, lights :ph34r: ). I will wire one sump return pump to each side of the unit so that if one side goes down, I will (fingers crossed :unsure: !!) still have one running until I discover the problem.

Just picked up the Gieseman unit today and I'm absolutley chuffed :D (Big thanks to John). The good thing is, Jen likes the look of them and thinks they will suit our new room!! :P They don't half kick out the light! B)

With regards to the decorating, would probably got a lot more done today if you hadn't twisted my arm to stay and look at that great tank of yours John!! :D

Thanks for the comments, keep em coming and all suggestions greatfully received. I will update as and when things move on.

Paul.

[kosh42]

RCD's and earth probes... The only way to go ;)

Keep us updated once the decorating's done and you can seriously start on the tank without being told you haven't finished the last job :P

Tim

[Mountainman01]

RCD's and earth probes... The only way to go ;)

Prehaps the only way not to go, Tim :ph34r:

A few extra quid to hopefully prevent injury or even death to me, or more importantly my wife and child.

As a Paramedic I have seen the results of some nasty electric shocks, some of the burns can be horrific.

A big plea to anybody who reads this post, if you haven't already, install some form of safety measure for your family, you and your livestock. Don't be the one who says "It'll never happen to me" because you may be right.... it could be your kids!

Lecture over, i'll get back in me box!! :D

P.s Tim without being told you haven't finished the last job

Have you met my wife?! :P :P :huh:

[Mountainman01]

Thought i'd post a few pics of my lights, very sad i know ^_^ , but i really do like them! :D

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/L1.JPG

Actinics
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/L2.JPG

Just a second after switch on, not a patch on how bright they get! B)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/L3.JPG

Side profile
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/L4.JPG

I couldn't get over how heavy they are. Definately no room for error when screwing into the ceiling joist! :wacko:

Sorry to bore you! :unsure:

Paul.

[Steve K]

Hi Paul - looking real good so far. Looking forward to meeting you at the next South West division Reef Anorak Meeting (RAM - Hey a new Acronym) on the 27th of this month.

You can check my tank out and see how to avoid floods. After 2 or 3 floods in my understairs cupboard I decided to go with the "bunding thing" with fail safe float switches. Like you I am paranoid about the leccy/water mixing scenario.

I avoided the redecorating the lounge bribe with my Yvonne by moving house :D :D :D

Steve.

[Mountainman01]

Thanks Steve, looking forward to meeting you too. :P

Unfortunately its all come to a bit of a grinding halt at the moment on the tank front. The car needed new tyres <_< and the insurance is due for renewal soon. No spending on gear for the tank at the moment :(

I'm keeping a close eye on the club thread for further details as i'm keen not to miss this one!!

Paul.

[Mountainman01]

Well, time has gone on a bit now and I have finally managed to get around to doing more to the tank.

Don't get too excited as the tanks are still not in place let alone actually having water in them!! :lol:

My sump tank is being built as you read this by Martin Simpson at Plymouth Marines. The sump dimensions are 100cm(L) x 40cm(W) x 50cm(D) Going to have three chambers with two baffles between each.

Have now got the electrics installed under the tank, with a little help from my son Cameron. (Thanks mate, Daddy couldn't have done it without you! ;) )

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/01a.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/03a.jpg

Also thanks to my wife for being patient with all the mess that has been created in the process. ( I know, I know... It sounds like a bleedin' oscars acceptance!! :P )

Hopefully will be full speed ahead over the next few weeks, with a view of getting it up and running. A friend of mine is shutting his system down to go travelling around the world, so he offered to sell me his livestock, for which I am very thankful. :cheers: Mate. I'm just sorry that my gain has to be at someone elses loss of their beautiful reef. :(

Halides are now hanging, as luck would have it a joist was in exactly the right position. ( Did I say luck? I meant as a result of superb planning :dance: :lol: )

Hopefully the next time I post I will have something significant to show for my efforts.

:thanx: Paul.

[kosh42]

I see from the pics that I wasn't the only person to have an overbuilt table in the corner of the room for a few months then ;) Keep us updated...

Tim

[shaun2]

come on paul. time that tank was wet...

kuta
i phs
c es
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shaun

[Mountainman01]

The only way the tank is going to get wet this weekend is if the garage roof has got a leak!! :lol: :o

Thanks for the boot up the bot buddy :thumbsup:

Paul.

[Mark J]

nice work there m8!

your lucky with only having to do a bit of plastering etc b4 setting up the tank! You should have seen what I had to do b4 the wife would let me even THINK about getting my bigger tank! (walls removed, floors concreted etc etc etc etc & etc!!!!!)

Looking forward to seeing some new pics of it wet! :)

[Mountainman01]

The tanks finally in!!!! :D

After months of it sitting in the garage, it's now where it should be. Sump is built and in place too.

A big :thanx: to my brother in law Doug. Bit bloomin heavy, eh?

Word of advice, if you can get hold of some glass suckers when moving the tank, do it! They were such a help.

Here are a few pics.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/08.JPG

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/09a.JPG

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/12a.JPG

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/17.JPG

And heres one of the sump for us geeks! :D ;)

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/18.JPG

Sump measures 100cm x 50cm x 40 cm

Plumbing to happen later this week, fresh water testing after that :unsure: :P

Paul.

[shaun2]

nice work mate,

any news on the stock??

cant wait to see it progress, handy being so close.

shaun

[kosh42]

Very nice... Even the sump partitions are neat... Mine are caked in tons of silicone :rolleyes: Keep us posted...

Tim

[xxmattyxx]

Nice.....lookin forward to seeing more

Matt

[Mountainman01]

Thanks for the nice comments. Tim, the sump was built by Martin at Plymouth Marines, he did a good job,eh? ;)

Splish splash!!! :D :D Tank is wet and my plumbing is watertight!! (phew!)

Fresh water testing and flushing of new pipework.

Made a spray bar but was not impressed by it. The flow from it was next to nil.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/bar.JPG

I think all the elbows in it killed the flow dead, so .....

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/fill.JPG

:thumbsup: Much better flow, and seeing as I plan to have a stream in the system at some point in the future i'm not too concerned at the moment.

Paul.

[SMARKHAM]

Looking good mate bet you cant wait to get it setup and stocked. I notice you live in devon my bro lives in braunton will be going for my hols there. Any good marine shops close by ? apart from taunton ?

[Mountainman01]

Sorry for the delay in replying Smarkham. I'm not sure what shops are up around that area. If you get the chance to get down to Plymouth give Martin a ring at Plymouth Marines on 01752 344841.

Sorry can't help further mate

Paul.

[Mountainman01]

Well, after a long couple of days over the weekend I've got the stock transferred from a mates tank and into mine.

A big THANKS to John for the stock and support and JIM for all the hard work during the strip down and transfer. :thumbsup: :cheers: :thumbsup:

I'm only going to make this a short post as i'm knackered, so enough blurb from me, heres some pics! ;) B)

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/May2.JPG

JIM acclimatising stock and transferring

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/May9.JPG

The day after we transferred it all, spent the morning scaping. Think it looks all right :unsure: :unsure:

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/May6.JPG

Just a quick pic under actinic.

All the corals seem to be extending far better than I expected. Everything seems to be settling in well. Still, time will tell!! Fingers crossed! :D

I'll get some more pics on when I have time

Cheers Paul.

[zimreef]

Looking good Paul - amazed how much of your tank has been 'filled' up. Looks really good and particularly like the rock structure as you've aquascaped it. Good job! Certainly looks really nice and open and like it's been set up a lot longer than just 2 days :D :) . The two gorgs on the RHS look almost natural :P .

I'll have to pop in and see it in the flesh next time I'm passing. ;)

Which side is the stream on? How's the gorg on the extreme LHS doing in the bright lights?

Cheers mate

John

[Mountainman01]

Thanks for the nice comments John. I'm really impressed by how it's all settled in so well this early on. All appears to be going well, but don't want to tempt fate :unsure: Still haven't seen the money cowrie yet :(

However on a brighter note, the shrimp gobie has set up home at the base of the rock on the right side as you look at the tank. You can't quite see him from the front but you can from the side of the tank :P :wub:

He's darted out a few times to gobble up a passing morsel when I was feeding this evening. Fingers crossed that the Alpheus will soon be in there with him, if not already.

The gorg over on the left has hardly had it's polyps away yet!! Doesn't seem to be bothered by the light at all. Lots of things starting to emerge from the rock now! B)

Spotted an acro crab briefly in the green A.Millipora last night too, and the three sexy shrimp have formed a nice little group living in the branches of the brown Milli.

Will try and get more pics up soon.

[J I M]

GREAT to see it settled down OK Paul :thumbsup: , It was a nice shade of murk on Saturday :o !! Not my best side you have in the pic :lol: !!

Also glad to hear the stock seems to be all OK, not surprising you havent seen the Pistol yet as it took most of the morning to find him during the move, then it was him that found us :wacko: !!

The Gramma's not eyeing up the sexys is he after the upset of the move, filling his belly might help him to cope :blink: :lol: !

It really does look quite full to say the size differences in the tank.

[J I M]

Any more updates Paul :P ?

[Flam3h]

Originally posted by Mountainman01@Apr 15 2004, 19:18
Made a spray bar but was not impressed by it. The flow from it was next to nil.

I think all the elbows in it killed the flow dead, so .....

Hi Paul,

What pump were you using on this Closed loop spray bar?

Cheers

Jon

[Mountainman01]

Hi Guy's

Thanks for the interest taken. Sorry I haven't replied but my computer is up the spout at the moment!! <_< :angry:

Jim, feel free to come and have a look any time you want mate.

Jon, the pump powering the spray bar was an Eheim 1060. I have a pair of them each powering an outlet into the tank ( see pic earlier in thread :) ). Seems to be pushing a decent amount of flow now, but this is supplemented by a Stream.

HTH Paul :thumbsup:

[slappy]

Any updates on your tank now Paul :whistling:


Tony :thumbsup:

[Mountainman01]

Funny you should ask Tony but.....er.......no! :lol:

I've just asked a friend who has a digital slr to come around and take a few pics for me. Hopefully after he has done that I'll be able to post a decent update.

Cheers Mate.
Paul :thumbsup:

[slappy]

ok Paul :D will wait for the photos then :thumbsup:

Tony