View Full Version : My 2nd "hole in wall" - hopefully slightly bigger
petergillett
12-07-06, 16:01
Well, the 4x3x2 hole in wall was finished back in March, and now the time has come to move house! No I'm not mad - wasn't thinking about moving back then!
Anyway, still at the planning stage at the moment but the room I'm looking at has a rather convenient "cupboard room" behind it, so I'm thinking that'll be my tank room. The wall is a stud so can be moved slightly to give me more room. The edge of the cupboard is an external wall so I'm think about using a bit of outside.
Hopefully I'm going to squeeze a 72L x 30W x 24H in. Sump will hopefully be a 60 x 15 x 15 or there abouts with either DSB / Plenum and macro. Skimmer, rowa, and Ca reactor will all be gravity fed as before. Thinking about sticking a small shed/box against the wall outside to house skimmer, RO topup, SW mixing tank so that all the regular wet/messy stuff is outside. This should also help with fresh air to skimmer, and the humidity as I could stick fans on a sump out there. May even put the halide ballasts out there to get rid of the heat of them.
It's just thoughts at the moment but 99% a reality. Will use all my current equipment unless someone comes in and says "cool tank, is it included in the sale?". Obviously I'd still take my stock rather than leave in the hands of a novice, but it'd be a nice way for someone to get into the hobby!
Will update with progress as I think of it!
Your mad!!:D
Do you like building tanks more than keeping them?:D
petergillett
26-10-06, 12:17
Well the tank order has just gone in.
I've done much measuring and have decided that I can fit a 72L x 30W x 24H.
The house will only contain the tank and lights. I'm splitting the tank room horizontally so that there will be a platform 3'6 off the ground and the tank will sit on that. This will give me standing access across the whole back of the tank. Underneath will then be free for general storage.
All the sumps and other bits will go out of the wall, underground for 2' under a path and into my shed. That bit's completely unknown at present but I'll fill in as it's decided!
Peter, I assume hold in the wall take 2 will be in the garrage again.
What does it cost (roughly) to make good the hole? I assume RSJs ect and time, materials, labour etc all add up.
How about adding a conservatory and make that a fish room?
petergillett
26-10-06, 12:53
This one is a "hole in a cupboard"! I've got a store room 7' x 3' behind my office. The divide between the store and office is a stud so I'm moving it a little further (limited by a window) to get the tank in. I intend extraction in/out to remove hot/wet air and replace with cool air when necessary. Everything else will be in the shed.
Making a stud wall good is as good as free. Stick a saw through it. As long as the hole you make is tank size, making good is just a case of a few quid to build a frame round it.
If it's structural it would really depend what it's supporting. My garage wall was block but not supporting further structure upstairs - joists in same direction and no wall above. The steel lintel was £50? £100? can't remember but not a massive amount. It took probably a day for 2 of us to put it in and cut the wall out, but to be honest we wasted loads of time using the wrong tool! Labour was zero as I did most of it myself, along with the initial help from my father-in-law for the wall cutting bit. There was probably another £100-£150 or so of wood, fixings, etc.
Have had a tank near a conservatory before and all I can say is condensation! Not that it can't be done, others here keep theirs successfully, I just found I was always fighting it.
petergillett
02-01-07, 11:44
Well, the new build starts tomorrow. My brother is coming to help as he's a dab hand at DIY. The tank has been here for a while now - suppose I better stick some paint on the ends today as they'll be covered as soon as it's in.
Off to the timber merchant in a bit to get all the wood.
Not really settled on my sump designs yet. Was going to do glass but Keith (Windsor) is away, so I'd have to find someone else who'd make them quickly. Can buy the glass and build but haven't got drill bits. I'm wondering if it would be easier to simply buy plastic containers? Can buy off the shelf, and easy to drill. Are they better insulated? Only drawback would be being forced to use certain sizes rather than specifying them, but is that that bad?
Obviously will be photographing the build!
Keith is back in the UK around the 19th of this month. Keep the updates coming, Your last display was amazing.
Jay
Well, the new build starts tomorrow. My brother is coming to help as he's a dab hand at DIY. The tank has been here for a while now - suppose I better stick some paint on the ends today as they'll be covered as soon as it's in.
Off to the timber merchant in a bit to get all the wood.
Not really settled on my sump designs yet. Was going to do glass but Keith (Windsor) is away, so I'd have to find someone else who'd make them quickly. Can buy the glass and build but haven't got drill bits. I'm wondering if it would be easier to simply buy plastic containers? Can buy off the shelf, and easy to drill. Are they better insulated? Only drawback would be being forced to use certain sizes rather than specifying them, but is that that bad?
Obviously will be photographing the build!
ac aquatics built my tank and sump, took a few weeks for delivery but that gave me the time to sort the lighting and decorating out.
good luck, cant wait to see this one progress
petergillett
05-01-07, 18:45
Your last display was amazing.
Thanks Jay!
petergillett
05-01-07, 19:24
Brother couldn't make it as he'd got his shifts wrong, so a slight delay.
Anyway, have finally made some progress. Viewing room is tidy and ready for bashing. The fish room is clear of everything. The sump shed has been measured for insulating and boarding. Just made the tank base ready to start measuring the legs. I've got to cut through the floating floor to stick them on the concrete base (the room was originally a garage), though from experience garage floors aren't level so can't pre-build the stand - will have to measure and cut each leg separately.
Sorted my sumps. Have got a pile of plastic containers for now. Will see how they go and convert to glass at a later date if anything is an issue - no intention of changing them unless there is an issue. Was also a speedy solution - have them now, fit my design, easy to drill. My old tank needs to be completely empty by the end of the month, so have to get a move on!
petergillett
06-01-07, 17:20
Demolition has started. Forgot to take a before shot, but the wall is now down. Got to start cutting the floor now to take the legs.
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/walldown.jpg
petergillett
07-01-07, 14:06
Made the holes in the floor. Was a bit annoying because there's a joist in the way of the front ones, and the bricks supporting the floating floor in the way on the right hand side! Suddenly thought I could support the floor on the left hand side and lay over the joists, then spirit-levelled the floor and decided not to as it was all wonky!
Having to improvise a little instead! The right hand legs have come in by a couple of inches. The front legs will have to be 4x2 instead of 4x4, so will put another support in somewhere.
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/holeinfloor1.jpg
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/holeinfloor2.jpg
petergillett
07-01-07, 19:36
Moved the feet to more suitable positions to fit better with the joists, and to make it easier to cut them to the correct sizes to get a level. Due to the concrete ex-garage floor they are all different lengths!
Had some help from Redgill earlier which was very handy as it help progress considerably. Anyway, the stand is in.
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/stand.jpg
petergillett
11-01-07, 12:52
Drilled the wall last night for the pipework and the extractor fans. Got a couple of helpers round today and lifted the tank in.
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/tankin.jpg
Cool.
are you going to have access panels above the tank or keep it a solid wall and access from the rear only (no smutty remarks please guys!)
sometimes i wish i had access from the front of mine, its such a pain in the ass cleaning the front glass from the back of the tank
simon garratt
11-01-07, 13:56
sometimes i wish i had access from the front of mine, its such a pain in the ass cleaning the front glass from the back of the tank
Muzzy.
Why dont you just get a heavy duty algae magnet and milliput a blade holder onto it...Works superb..:)
Peter..its comming along superb m8...keep it up.:D
Regards
Si.
petergillett
11-01-07, 20:13
Muzzy - not going for front access. Rather seal the room off from any wet, smell, or noise. As for cleaning glass I use a steel bladed magnet and it scrapes anything easily, including calcareous algae.
Thanks Simon - working as fast as I can. Unfortunately not about tomorrow, so no more progress until Saturday.
Anyway, started the "sump room". Put a new floor down, boarded the walls and ceiling, filled with insulation and ran some temporary electrics.
Here's my brother in action!
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/boardroom.jpg
think i may have to try the blade on magnet approach, cheers guys.
petergillett
14-01-07, 16:49
Had a quiet day yesterday as was helping a friend with his calcium reactor. Did a bit of electrics work which was a load of messing around only to find the bulb in the light had blown. We had been using it up until the point at which we boarded that wall, so it had happened between taking it down and putting it back up! Oh well, all working now.
Got the tank extractor in. It's a humidistat version so I've wired it for permanent on so that it'll kick in if humidity rises, and also a plug for switched live to turn it on if the room gets to hot.
Pressing on today, got some of the sump stands built. Hope to have it finished today - just thought I'd update whilst I stopped for a cuppa!
petergillett
14-01-07, 19:24
Didn't quite finish the stands, but well on the way. The wood is mostly cut to finish it off, so hopefully tomorrow.
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/halfsump.jpg
MaidstoneMarine
14-01-07, 23:17
looking good Peter. keep the pictures coming.
petergillett
15-01-07, 21:58
Redgill came round again this evening to help finish the sump room. All the wood structure is done and the walls are finished boarding. Just got to start the plumbing now.
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/sumproomempty.jpg
petergillett
21-01-07, 12:57
Got the second extractor in. Built the "pipe box" between the tank and sump shed. Siliconed the weir into the tank. Sorted most of the plumbing. Just got to fix a few bits of pipe in place and it's fill with water time....
petergillett
22-01-07, 18:48
Had an annoying afternoon yesterday and today with the plumbing. All the bulkheads and solvent weld were fine. Just problems getting the flexi stuff to seal. Some generous use of PTFE and wire clips seems to have done the trick. Wished I'd used the green/clear hose rather the the ribbed black flexi, but a) thought the ribbed stuff was supposed to be more durable, less prone to algae, and b) when I went to buy it all I could only get the sizes I wanted in ribbed. Oh well!
Anyway, the sumps have water flowing round them. Will check tomorrow to make sure it is still all there. Stuck a heater in there too as the temperature is heading a little low and wouldn't want to come back to ice!
Also tested the weir box and it's nicely sealed - which was good.
petergillett
27-01-07, 14:51
Been siliconing sump tanks together today with the help of Redgill.
Had originally intended to use plastic containers. Was a bit rushed for time and unable to plan for Keith (Windsor) to build before he went on his holidays. May have been too late to wait for his return, so sorted an alternative. The intention was to start with the plastic and if need be change to glass at a more convenient time.
Anyway, after a plastic versus heater escapade, a hole, and some leaking water, I decided that the change should be now! As it happens everything else is fine, as is the container that's been sat full of water in the bath for the last month, but just too risky.
Ordered a load of glass Wednesday, picked up Thursday, and got to it this morning. Managed to get 6 of the 7 tanks built, but unfortunately a couple of missing bits means that the 7th will have to wait til Monday.
7? Yes, 7. Bit like the SG tower design but due to space logistics there's a bit of side/side flow as well at top to bottom. At the moment anywhere in the house where there's a flat surface - there's a tank on it!
1. Incoming water from tank. Drilled to gravity feed skimmer, phosphate reactor and calcium reactor. Sectioned off so it overflows into a DSB. Then flows to ....
2. Fuge / macro tank. Two outlets to tank 3 and 4.
3. Water change tank. Tapped inlet so that it can be isolated. Second tapped outlet for draining. Flows into 4.
4. Main sump for heaters, some LR, return etc. and space for the extra volume to sit when switching off the pumps.
5. More of a tray than a tank, but somewhere to sit the skimmers and reactors. Excess spilled, leaked, etc. water will flow straight back to the sump.
6. RO tank for topup, plumbed into RO.
7. SW tank for mixing new water, also plumbed into RO.
A couple of pictures
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/sump-main.jpg
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/sump-dsb.jpg
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/sump-ro.jpg
petergillett
30-01-07, 17:24
Sumps all in place and bulkheads siliconed in. Just got to plumb.
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/sumps.jpg
Into the blue
30-01-07, 17:51
Looking good! It's going to look great when it's up & running! I hate this...i just want to start my tank build, not hole in the wall action;) , just regular cabinet jobby! I'm chopping at the bit:D
petergillett
30-01-07, 23:10
Thanks! What's stopping you getting started on yours?
Into the blue
31-01-07, 21:04
CASH...but i've just got paid now so not bad. Going to order equipment & tank within the week. Get down to DIY shop for the MDF, paint & varnish. Then got the 2 weeks off, from last week of feb, to get the job done. As well as painting the walls, glossing the woodwork & laying the carpet!
Don't worry i'll be snapping away while sorting the tank out. I know how voyeuristic UR members are!;) ...no pun intended!
petergillett
07-02-07, 23:21
Finally got the plumbing done again and have water flowing around the sumps. Checked it a bit ago and all was fine. Water is still stone cold but hopefully the heater will pull it up by the morning.
Also finished building the framework for the wall. Will get a photo uploaded tomorrow.
whoa that is looking mighty fine, was that your first attempt at silliconing, looks very neat from where i am sitting!
petergillett
07-02-07, 23:33
We'll not "zoom in" on anything then and keep first impressions lasting!
It was the first attempt at siliconing anything significant. I've put edges on sumps before to hold covers. Neatness wasn't that important but came out fairly well. Only problem was the guys who did the glass didn't have a 43mm drill so I resized very quickly and specified one of the holes incorrectly. After ordering fittings from CC I decide it was cheaper to fix the hole than order new tank connector and ball valve! Must have taken me at least an hour to get the piece of glass (small at 350mm x 150mm) out of the tank, so we must have done a reasonable job with the silicone!
No leaks on any of the sumps:D :D we must be good;) post a pic quick so i can see it all full and running
petergillett
08-02-07, 11:06
Not there at the moment, but will do later. It's started snowing which is putting me off going out!
Only leak I had was the small bulkhead (RO pipe size) that feeds the calcium reactor. I forgot that the RO fixings sort of double click into place. I didn't think it had secured when I fitted it, but it didn't seem to want to push further. Unfortunately it's the lowest bulkhead so all the water had to come through it before I could sort. Luckily it was only 3 or 4 litres and I managed to channel it into one of the tanks. Pulled it out and refitted it feeling for the two resistive points, and all was fine!
That is the downfall of having everything outside lol but it has stopped now so let everyone see
petergillett
08-02-07, 13:38
Had to bring another sump online to check but hosepipe was frozen! Many buckets later and near death slipping I've got enough water in there. Got the sumps circulating with an old Aquabee. Might even fill the tank today - who knows!
Some more photos. The wall between tank and room ready for boarding. Going to board after transfer as access from the front will be a big bonus.
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/wallboard.jpg
The main sump for housing live rock, heaters, return pump. The "tray" above is for sitting skimmer etc. on so that leaks get caught and can end up back in tank.
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/sump-water1.jpg
Top sump is inlet from tank on the left. This gravity feeds skimmer, phosphate, and calcium reactor. Overflows onto DSB. Down pipe into the macro/fuge. This then feeds to sump and water change tank.
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/sump-water2.jpg
I am just starting to get a little jealous now.Never mind at least i will get to see it from time to time when all is finished.
petergillett
08-02-07, 16:20
You can always come see it when you want!
Thanyou but can you hurry it along a little now as i want to come and get all my freebies out your old tank.Also i need you to get it finished so we can start the gym lol
petergillett
13-02-07, 16:34
Got water flowing round today and all working fine and no leaks! Drain down tomorrow. RO will be working overtime to get some spare water ready as I'm bound to need some extra. Hopefully fish move house on Saturday!
wooo hooooo where's the little dancing smilie when you need it?
petergillett
13-02-07, 16:56
One of my "fish buddies" can't make it, so it's down to just two of us to do it. Luckily it's only a mile and a half, so much back and forth. Would be handy with 1 stripping, 1 transporting, and 1 rebuilding, but such is life.
So, save the smilie til after the weekend when I hope to post "all went without a hitch"!
Looks like you've done a cracking job Peter, is the paneling done yet?
petergillett
13-02-07, 17:18
Cheers Andrew! Not panelling yet for two reasons. 1. The access will be handy when I move the stock. It's a lot easier to see what you're doing from the front. And 2. I want a built in cupboard in the alcove to the left of the tank (nothing to do with fish stuff, just a cupboard). It would make sense to establish exactly how big this needs to be so that I can board in one go, rather than joining it up later.
Looking good Peter. Your sump(s) look quite professional! Waiting with eager anticipation to see it all up and running.
[quote]
"It took probably a day for 2 of us to put it in and cut the wall out, but to be honest we wasted loads of time using the wrong tool!"
Peter
Your project looks like its taking real shape, I like it!!!:D, might nick some of your ideas :D :D
You mentioned in an earlier post on this thread that when you did your previous hole in the wall you spent longer than necessary cutting the hole in the wall and that this was because you were using the wrong tool. I am embarking on a whole in the wall project, interested to know what the "right" tool was?
I intend to insert needles, supported by acros, make the whole and tidy it up with a large angle grinder (I know these generate loads of mess!) so I might just do it the old fashioned way with a hammer and bolster! Ive got a local builder that will help, but I am interested to know, how you would have done it.
Water cooled chainsaws for brick/block are available but none available locally, they generate loads of mess anyway!! Brick dust and bricks are one thing to cope with but brick dust/brick and water is another!!!!!!
Regards
Rich
petergillett
14-02-07, 11:23
Thanks Keith - not up to your standard yet! (Just need another 29 years 364 days practice)
Rich - thanks, nick away! We tried to use a low dust wall cutter (think that was what it's called). It has two curved blades that move in alternate directions. Heavy and very awkward to use. It was only thermal blocks so ended up using a reciprocating saw - pretty easy though the cement ate the blades! I'm probably not the best person to reference for the wall cutting as it was a straight forward none load bearing wall.
petergillett
17-02-07, 17:13
Almost ready! RO speed delayed me a bit as it didn't make water fast enough, so put the move off until tomorrow. Saying that, was probably a good job as the last few bits took too long!
Got the T5s up. Just got a couple of whites in at the moment whilst I hoover out the tank and have a general clean up, and then will switch them to actinics.
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/emptyt5.jpg
Also finished off the working platform at the back. The right hand side is removable (to allow access to storage under tank) and can be set at two heights. The left section is set to almost tank height. This means I can kneel and work towards the top, or stand and access the tank from waist height giving good reach to the front. I have normal ceilings so this means bending over the tank, but a really useful working height. (Also need to stick another coat of paint on the back)
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/backstand.jpg
Just going to put the wood in to hang the halides from, a board on the wall for fixing all the Stream drivers and stuff, then wait for tomorrow!
looking fab, I love your work station idea, I have a rickety old ladder and I still will not be able to reach the back of mine.
(I was very tempted today by B&Q's scaffolding on wheels)
Am I right in thinking thats a loo behind your fish room? How cool would it be to view your tank from the Jon!
petergillett
18-02-07, 00:29
looking fab, I love your work station idea, I have a rickety old ladder and I still will not be able to reach the back of mine.
(I was very tempted today by B&Q's scaffolding on wheels)
Am I right in thinking thats a loo behind your fish room? How cool would it be to view your tank from the Jon!
Thanks for the comments! I've used ladders in the past but always found that you keep wanting to move them slightly when you're at the top. The platform just gives me full access.
Yes, that is a loo! The "door" (I'll use the term lightly because it's smaller than a typical door) was an access to the store room that is now the tank room.
Peter whats the black oblong object on the right hand side in your tank?
petergillett
18-02-07, 00:46
It's my weir box. It's about 18" x 2" and about 4" deep. The water flows just shy of horizontal straight out of the wall. It's looking black because it's black silicon - doesn't hide my shoddy siliconing like the clear stuff does! The black is the seal between the bits of glass so will hide when corallined up. Also most of the excess is on the inside!
You could always cover the weirbox with some blue perspex to help it blend in.
petergillett
18-02-07, 01:00
Good point. I don't think it will be an issue. I have a clear weirbox on my current tank and you can't see in it! It's just being highlighted because it's empty and clean.
petergillett
18-02-07, 11:29
Just having a tea break and a cool down - seems to be a bazillion degrees in here today!
Icecaps in and halides on!
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/icecaps.jpg
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/halides.jpg
petergillett
18-02-07, 12:13
And the T5s replaced with actinics.
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/actinic.jpg
Busy weekend Huh!
I've never considered the pos of a fire in my tank but its good to see you taking precautions.
petergillett
19-02-07, 01:06
Been a busy day! Redgill arrived at 4pm - late start but had to be done today and he was working this morning. Everything now moved. All went according to plan but have only just finished. Sumps running, skimmer on, but will need to do streams/Aquatronica tomorrow.
Didn't even make a mess!
Got some eggcrate in
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/eggcrate.jpg
Redgill filling the tank - slowly - pump swap needed!
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/move1.jpg
A little bit more
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/move2.jpg
All in, but very cloudy!
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/move3.jpg
looking reet grand!!!!! :)
petergillett
19-02-07, 10:20
Cheers Scoob!
Going over to see it in a short while, see if it's cleared a little. A pile of carbon might not go a miss either.
petergillett
20-02-07, 21:09
Not the best picture, but it's taking shape.
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/fullpic.jpg
petergillett
25-02-07, 23:41
Having a bit of a dilema about a very shallow sandbed. Like the sparkly look of sand but ripped it from the last tank because of Tunze problems. Contemplating putting one in but not sure if I'll regret it later.
could always do what maidsone originally did, glue sand to acrylic sheets - like sandpaper effect. dunno if he still has it though or covered it over with real sand
looking good so far, keep up the good work!
Looking good!!! Keep the pics coming!
Mode
chris@bluzoo
06-03-07, 20:14
Nice 1 Pete, looks like you got everything covered there.:thumbsup: Your last set-up was great, but this one is something else. :applause:
Kindest regards always Chris
chris@bluzoo
13-03-07, 18:45
Any more updates Pete? :)
Yeh come on Pete pull your finger out and get some updated pictures up !!!!
petergillett
13-03-07, 20:55
Cheers guys for the comments. Have just moved in so boxes everywhere. My camera is somewhere. Wanted to finish the wall before I did more pictures, but if I stumble upon my camera.....
petergillett
15-03-07, 13:57
No tank pics - might just wait til the wall is there. But here's a few sump pics!
Equipment - skimmer, phosphate, calcium. Sits in a tray to collect spillage and send back to sump. RO/DI to left.
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/sumproom-equip.jpg
The DSB and macro tanks.
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/sumproom-dsb.jpg
The main sump. Heaters, some live rock and return.
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/sumproom-main.jpg
Extra water. Bottom left new saltwater. Bottom right RO. Top extra volume, can be isolated and drained with a tap to the drain, then refilled from bottom left.
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/sumproom-water.jpg
And finally some electrics (which probably need tidying!). One of the plugbars, light, humidity fan.
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/sumproom-power.jpg
Thats a lot of stuff! Looks like your set up very nicely there.
Well done, matee mighty fine job you've done.:worship: :thumbsup:
chris@bluzoo
19-03-07, 22:37
Now that's what you call a deep sand bed :D, I will have to pop round soon Pete and have a butchers:) , if thats ok;) . Keep up the good work.
Looking great Peter :thumbsup: Well thought out! But I wouldn't expect anything else :laugh:
Dave
petergillett
21-03-07, 08:45
Thanks all! Chris - welcome whenever.
chris@bluzoo
22-03-07, 20:04
Thanks all! Chris - welcome whenever.
Right, now I have to find some time :D :D
Looking good, can't wait to see it boarded up from the front
petergillett
01-04-07, 07:32
Bit tied up on other decorating at the mo, and office isn't quite clear enough to get a good run at it.... but it's coming....
so you aren't just holding out on the front shot then to keep us on our toes :D
petergillett
02-04-07, 07:29
Nope, looks exactly like the last picture at the moment!
Peter Luter
29-04-07, 21:49
Hi Peter.back in the land off the living,your fishy friend Peter Luter.Gas work backed off now .TANK LOOKES BRILIANT!!!! is the sump in the shed ? did our idea work o.k.Love to come and see you .Give me a ring and i will anoy the neighbours with my bike.
you make a complicated system look so easy to build pete :D
petergillett
30-04-07, 00:27
Hi Pete. Good to finally see you online! Will give you a ring.
petergillett
30-04-07, 10:03
you make a complicated system look so easy to build pete :D
I don't think it's really as complicated as it looks. Also having done one before, a second is much easier. Also having built up all the gear I wanted over years, I think the planning becomes easier as you know exactly what you want where.
To break it down into the work involved
The tank is
1. A 72L x 30W x 24D - Windsor built and drilled.
2. Side drilled with thin 18" weir box
3. Eggcrate to lift rock
Lighting
1. 2x250W halides on Diamond reflectors with 2 Icecap ballasts
2. D&D 2x54W mega twin
The sumps are
1. DSB
2. Macro lit 24/7
3. Water change tank with tap to drain
4. Sump with LR, heaters, top up float.
5. Top up RO tank
6. Saltwater mixing tank
Equipment
1. 2x6100 Streams and Wavebox
2. AFP850 skimmer gravity fed
3. FR509 Phosphate gravity fed
4. Korallin 1501 Calcium Reactor gravity fed
5. Ocean Runner return pump
6. RO-Man 4 stage RO
7. Aquatronica, 2 bars, ph, temp and water
8. 2 humidistat extractors
9. B&Q clip fans
10. "Coke bottle" feeder with pump
Structure
1. Stand made from a load of 90x38 timber straight onto the existing concrete floor.
2. Stud wall to enclose tank from room
3. 3 holes drilled in external wall for water in/out
4. Shed lined with insulation and reboarded
5. Sump stands made from 90x38 timber
Ok, that sounds quite a bit, but not much different to many tanks here, even some of the smaller ones. It's just slightly larger scale and more spread out. There are a number of tanks on this site with brick bases, RSJs, load bearing walls, etc. sliding lights, closed loops etc. - none of that required here. A hidden stand is probably easier than a display stand as it can be as messy as you like. The sump room has far more space than an under tank sump - you can stick anything anywhere really.
So, all in all, not as daunting as it may seem. It's also a lot easier to work out when it's your own design rather than someone elses.
chris@bluzoo
08-05-07, 19:03
Any more pics Pete, there must be some more progress by now m8 :)
chris@bluzoo
08-05-07, 19:04
Hi Peter.back in the land off the living,your fishy friend Peter Luter.Gas work backed off now .TANK LOOKES BRILIANT!!!! is the sump in the shed ? did our idea work o.k.Love to come and see you .Give me a ring and i will anoy the neighbours with my bike.
OMG, never thought I'd see the day, Welcome aboard m8 :D :D
Chris
petergillett
10-05-07, 21:09
No new pics. Might get the wall finished when I get back from my hols!
Hi Peter.back in the land off the living,your fishy friend Peter Luter.Gas work backed off now .TANK LOOKES BRILIANT!!!! is the sump in the shed ? did our idea work o.k.Love to come and see you .Give me a ring and i will anoy the neighbours with my bike.
yay hows it going m8? we need to get pics of your tank on here it's amazin :D
Ray
chris@bluzoo
03-06-07, 23:29
Hiya Pete, I thought you had new pics and a vid, come on let's have a look :p :) :) :)
petergillett
06-11-07, 18:27
Finally made some progress in amongst everything else I've been doing round the house.
The wall is boarded and my cupboard is in. Just fill, paint, coving, frame and should be sorted!
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/wallboard3.jpg
http://www.petergillett.karoo.net/newtank/wallboard2.jpg
chris@bluzoo
06-11-07, 21:45
Hiya Pete, how are you:). It's about time we had this update:D. The tank looks awsome, I can't get over some of the growth, they are really taking off. Thanks for showing us :) :)
It looks fantastic! Even better to come when all decorated etc.
tank looks stunning m8 :thumbsup:
always fanced a hole in the wall tank,but i dont think next door would be to pleased if i put a hole in the dividing wall:laugh:
tank looks great m8:thumbsup:
fireproofcujo
30-11-07, 15:40
Looks smashing even without the wall finished :worship:
petergillett
02-12-07, 17:33
Thanks for all the great comments guys!
It's nearly there now. The wall is filled and painted. The coving and stuff has just gone up today. The frame is made but just needs sanding and painting.
I'll have a full photo up very soon.....
yellowtangs
16-02-10, 23:01
Look forward to seeing the finished job, but a great tank nonetheless.
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