View Full Version : A new glass box with salty water
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I hope you’re sitting comfortably, Tony B is in a very lucky position and boy oh boy am I soooo pleased....:)
Me, a humble Ultimatereefer gets to spend well into a hefty five-figure sum of some one else’s money on building a reef tank. He he!:D
PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING: I am building this for a friend; he has 4 retail outlets and is opening a 5th shop in Kent in the new year. Because my friend is not a sponsor, I can not say or hint as to what firm it is, not even via PM, so please don’t ask.:)
Equipment and tank spec:
The tank will be on site around January 2007, it will be 8 foot long, 4 foot front to back and 42 inch of water depth (tank will be around 50 inch or so to hold in the waves).
The sump will be 7 foot long, by 3 foot by 3 foot. No deep sand beds just live rock and algae scrubbers.
Lighting has been ordered today from an X board sponsor (thanks for your help Rob), it will comprise of 12 400w halides (8 BLV 10ks and 4 BLV 20ks).
Water movement will be via 8 Sequence 15ks, 6 will be on closed loops and 2 for returns and to get the water lapping a bit I’m going for 4 Tunze Waveboxes. There will be additional pumps too, for example an ITT will be used to power some very cool skimmers....read on for more details!
Heating will be via a gas boiler.
Cooling will be via fans and a couple of large Aquamedic chillers.
The system will have a bank of skimmers, 2 Aquamedic 5000 twins and 2 Aqua C spray injection skimmers from the USA.
Mineral addition will be via 3 Schuran Jetstream 2 calcium reactors.
A couple of large fluidized PO4 reactors.
There will be a few other bits of kit used too (Tunze auto top up, Aquamedic Ozone etc...etc...) but I won’t bore you with all the finer details just yet....
The system will be maintained by me for around the first 6-12 months, at which point I hope to hand over to a reef geek who works in the shop full time. I will of course keep my grubby hands dipping into the tank for the foreseeable future beyond this time frame, as I am a reef pervert.
With the collection of water moving devices, powerhouse reactors and heavy skimming, there are no prizes for guessing the system will be housing mainly stony corals.
I have planned the design of this system over a few months, a very important factor was to keep it as simple as possible and to use methods and equipment that I know works very well and gets sps growing fast with tarty-bright colours.
Once the build has started I will of course be adding pics.....lots of pics.....
Watch this space!;)
Heating will be via a gas boiler.
Class, just class. To hell with those nasty glass jobbies and inline bollox. Fire up a Vokera and unleash the hounds............
........ or is it that gas is cheaper to buy then electricity ?
watching with interest :D
you truly are very fortunate mr B. a reefers dream come true :)
pics please :D
Reef bloke
15-12-06, 23:32
Wooo hooo nice one Tone,any closed loops in there.
P.S I heard you and Ben got well slaughtered at the works doo lol.
read it properly doughnut :D
"Water movement will be via 8 Sequence 15ks, 6 will be on closed loops and 2 for returns and to get the water lapping a bit I’m going for 4 Tunze Waveboxes. There will be additional pumps too, for example an ITT will be used to power some very cool skimmers....read on for more details!"
Reef bloke
15-12-06, 23:43
Ah balls,thatll teach me.I was just looking for the big numbers,i.e how big the tank was and how much Tony was getting paid to set it up.
if he's being paid, i'll do it for half price :D :D
simon garratt
16-12-06, 00:09
Tony..If you miss one single update..
Ill ban your ass without flinching.....;)
Regards
Si.
Simon
Is Tony CORGI registered ?
simon garratt
16-12-06, 01:53
Simon
Is Tony CORGI registered ?
More like 'Shitzu' from what Ive heard.....:D :D
(I'm only Kidding Tony....:p )
Good luck with the build...but don't call on me if you get stuck....Your on your own Pal...;) ;) (ever heard of the word...'scapegoat'..);) ;)
Si.
Pics will come.....all in good time.....
I am doing this FOC as it's for a friend, not getting paid a penny - tbh I owe the people involved, especially Mollop. Mollop has helped me a lot in the past, even helped me move house, and fish tanks. Further more, even if I did not "owe" the lfs in question, I would still have done this for free. I am not joking, I am so excited some nights I struggle to sleep just thinking about it....Oooooh! I am so happy! :D :D
P.S I heard you and Ben got well slaughtered at the works doo lol.
Yes I had a couple of drinks..... TIP: Do not play Ben at pool and expect to win, especially when drunk :o
Tony..If you miss one single update..
Ill ban your ass without flinching.....;)
Regards
Si.
Yes my lord.
Updates should happen every week. The tank is now (thank god) going to be built on site by Seabray in Jan 2007. At first, it was going to be built in China.... just imagine trying to move a tank that size????
I will take a few pics of Seabray at work, I will capture the whole build, take it from start to finish.....well there should be no finish, it will just keep going ;)
As it's in Kent do you have your permit to travel?:p
Yes, but only just.... I wont tell you how Annika reacted when she heard I'd be in Kent most weekends during 2007, only just starting to walk ok now :o
Logging off now as X Factor final is on :p and I'm not joking ;)
Sye Davies
16-12-06, 21:35
someone shoot him....quick:D
Mrs Ziggy CGA
16-12-06, 23:43
Yes, but only just.... I wont tell you how Annika reacted when she heard I'd be in Kent most weekends during 2007, only just starting to
walk ok now Bugger! means you won't be seeing us for a while then:p . Seriously though, lucky sod, wish we had the same budget to play with;) , will be watching with interest, see what ideas we can nick:cool: pass on our best wishes please. Hope it all goes well Tony, have fun, looking forward to watching the progress.
Logging off now as X Factor final is on :p and I'm not joking ;) Leona, Leona, Leona. Winner from day one, Ray was a worthy second place:) .
simon garratt
17-12-06, 00:30
Ray was a worthy second place
Well, Xfactors finnished. (personnaly i think there was something 'Evil' about him..:confused: )
Wheres the first update...? Scetchup plans, drawings, scanned fag packet sketches.....
comonnnnnnn.....:D :D :D
Si....
Ps: im only giving back what you guys give me all the time..;)
Wheres the first update...? Scetchup plans, drawings, scanned fag packet sketches.....
Well, if you think I'm soddin about doing 3D images all day then you have another thing coming..........
However.............
Just for simon.......................
I've done a quick 3D picture so he can print it off and stick it to the fridge at home......................
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/Tank.jpg
mysticwave
18-12-06, 09:12
Tony
Lucky you, if you ever need a helping hand, give me a shout!! I can be your tools caddy!! :D :D :D As I'm planning to have a hole in a wall in a couple of years time, I need the experience to build up my confidence.:o
CC
mysticwave
18-12-06, 09:29
Mikew, if it really has to come to this, I will just have to call upon my good friends from my county and sort you lot out!! I'm sure Lucky Eddie has got a few swords lying around......:cool: :cool: :cool:
I'm sure Lucky Eddie has got a few swords lying around......:cool: :cool: :cool:
Watch out Mike, CC could have Triads after you're ass, Lucky Eddie is samuri master ;)
simon garratt
18-12-06, 10:08
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/Tank.jpg
Not bad tony, although from a leak prevention point of veiw......Id have a rethink on the tank shape....maybee some strait sides and square corners.....That one will be a bugger to silicone up.....:D
But, i love that all inclosed stand....truly stunning in a 'Deltec flame orange' sort of way...
:p
mysticwave_2
18-12-06, 10:15
What with the Dartford Space Time Continueum shift, You'll never know when or where we might cross the border, only that it will be 2 hours different from when whe left.
Tony empty your in box maidstone marine is pming
Cleared a few out :)
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/Tank.jpg
Not bad tony, although from a leak prevention point of veiw......Id have a rethink on the tank shape....maybee some strait sides and square corners.....That one will be a bugger to silicone up.....:D
But, i love that all inclosed stand....truly stunning in a 'Deltec flame orange' sort of way...
:p
wow a sneak preview, we are lucky. i think the shape is fine tony, go for it :D :D wish i was so artistic :rolleyes:
sounds hectic! have fun Tony ;)
Us retired students can only watch in envy at the size of this thing. :(
Reef bloke
19-12-06, 01:45
Exactly the same thing my wifes sister says to her when im walking round the house in my boxers..
This thread has been rated as:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/62/BBFC_18_2002_onwards.png
Some tanks may be unsuitable for young children.
OK guys, quick up date, this is the back panel of the tank.
The 12 red holes will be for the 6 Sequence 15k closed loops. Pumps will be taking water from the lower red holes and returning to the upper red holes.
The left row of intake holes (remember they’re the lower holes) will take water and re-circulate into the set of holes on the opposite side of the display and vice versa for the opposite side, thus pulling water from one end of the tank to the other.
I have chosen to plum through the rear panel for two reasons, easier to install plumbing and all the pumps will be located on the floor just behind the aquarium for ease of maintenance/service.
The 7 green holes will take 2 inch pipe work. These are gravity feed pipes and will take water to the sump, they will have 90 degree elbows on pointing up, each over-flow outlet will have egg crate inserted to prevent fish from taking the water ride of their life! The reason for the green holes being about a foot below water depth is to enable fine tuning of the final water height (I can adjust the length of pipe, increase or decrease as required) in the display aquarium; depending on how hard the Tunze Waveboxes are run, this could affect the final water level.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/Backofkenttank.jpg
looking good. why not mount the pumps immediately on the back of the tank, on a board some how to cut down on pipe length and for ease of priming.
looking good. why not mount the pumps immediately on the back of the tank, on a board some how to cut down on pipe length and for ease of priming.
They will self prime, regardless of if they are mounted as you suggest or as I do. I hear what you're saying on plumbing, good idea. I may do just that :)
I need to recruit a photographer for the build.... some one good at taking pics, who either lives in or close to Kent..... Any one up for it?
Lucky Eddie
20-12-06, 13:20
Tony, I cant believe your mate (Is it who I think it is ????) is letting you get away with this.
You are just building the biggest bleedin frag farm you done have to afford !
Like the drawing.....was it a pirate copy of Autocad ? If so, I think the disc may be corrupt.
Tony, I cant believe your mate (Is it who I think it is ????) is letting you get away with this.
You are just building the biggest bleedin frag farm you done have to afford !
Like the drawing.....was it a pirate copy of Autocad ? If so, I think the disc may be corrupt.
Yes Richard, this is who you think it is. Last time I talked to Nick he said as long as I make it look the bol….s he does not mind spending the cash. The store will be managed by Gavin (you met Gavin a few weeks ago) he also manages the other Kent store. To be honest it just works out very handy; it’s one less job for Gavin to do (as he’s project managing the new store, fitting it out, building contractors/trades people etc) and one job I get the horn over planning, let alone building it and stocking it! :D
The drawing was done on Excel, not CAD (as you can guess). Like me, the drawing is a bit crude :rolleyes: but gives Seabray a clear and accurate plan to work off.
The vision I have for this tank, is to create a very nice large display with bright coloured SPS and LPS. Once people walk into the store, this should hit them and create a lasting impression.
I am very confident that the tank will be a success, just using up-scaled methods of what I am doing now; high flow, quality live rock, potent reactors and very stable conditions.
Once the tank has been running for a short while and parameters start to stable out, I will try it on some of that super tough green stag horn acropora (same colony as the frag I gave you). If this takes I’ll slowly introduce more sps and some nice lps. ;)
Lucky Eddie
20-12-06, 17:05
The drawing was done on Excel, not CAD (as you can guess). Like me, the drawing is a bit crude :rolleyes: but gives Seabray a clear and accurate plan to work off.
Didnt mean that one................I meant the first one !!!!!!!! :D
Didn't realise it was for the new place. Thought it was for Nick's house !
Dead handy tho'...........might need to find a home for some big fish in the future !!!!! :D
Design looks sound tho'. Just hope you get to use some proper salt in it. :)
Design looks sound tho'. Just hope you get to use some proper salt in it. :)
Got that sorted already ;) will be RC
there are far better picture takers than me but alas you wont be able to stop me turning up snapping away :D i can take mike in my camera bag :D
MaidstoneMarine
21-12-06, 07:43
Scoob is yer boy for the pics, but he will need a young good looking assistant, failing that i will help him
Thanks for the nomination mike. much appreciated!
Quick update:
Rob (fastlight) delivered the halides today. Was hoping for some pictures but my photographer ran out of time.:rolleyes:
Stand has been ordered (4 inch box section steel). ;)
In a couple of weeks, once there is something to see I’ll update thread with pictures. :)
yup, now thats a threat, no-one needs maidstone marion and her merry men arriving on their doorstep in the wee hours :D :D :D
Reefer Madness
04-01-07, 11:14
Will be watching this one closely:cool:
Will be watching this one closely:cool:
I know, that's what scares me :o
so some bloke watching scares you but you're not bothered about maidstone marion and her gang of hairy cross dressers:confused:
Is there something you ain't letting on?:eek:are the shoes actually yours:D
Well, now you mention it, there is something I ain't letting on ;)
maidstone marion and her gang of hairy cross dressers:confused:
No, not the razors, this statement ;) and be warned..... I have a picture :D :D
Oh whoops! :D :D Who's the leader of the AGM pack? :p
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/MODS.jpg
mysticwave
04-01-07, 12:20
haha Tony that picture makes me laugh!! u must have lots of time in your hands!!!
haha Tony that picture makes me laugh!! u must have lots of time in your hands!!!
A fellow UR member gave it to me ;)
MaidstoneMarine
04-01-07, 13:00
come on tony. hurry up with the pictures we need to see some progress.
Who is this maidstone mary? Any chance of an introduction?
:D :D wow, photo shopped twice this year already, i must be quite the looker.
i can see mr clark on the left, and can understand the cowboy outift but who's the ugly gimp on the right??? :D :D :D
petergillett
05-01-07, 13:48
Only just stumbled across this thread - think this board is getting quite busy these days so there's sometimes too much to read, and far too little time to read it!
Will be watching with interest!
UPDATE:
Captains log, star date 14 January 2007......(ignore the dates on the pictures, I should have set my digital camera up correctly, the build took place Saturday 13 Jan 2007).....
The pictures we’re taken by me (hence they’re not the best) and to top it off I was suffering with a bad upset stomach, so I felt rough.
It is quite nice to see my planning and design come together so well.
I forgot to take pictures of the lights even though I was playing with them!
I’ll stop the talk, as they say a picture paints 1000 words, so here we go, watch and you’ll see an 8 x 4 x 42inch tall tank go up before you eyes.....
Here’s a picture of the stand (taken from uderneath) made from 4 inch box section steel, powder coated. Don’t ask how much it weighs:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/Standpic1-1.jpg
Seabray arrived bright and early, the build started about 9.15am, here they are carting the glass into the shop:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/PIC2.jpg
The first item to be placed on the stand is a pre-built base with a powder coated steel frame. This is made from two pieces of glass, I forget the thickness now, but with the steel frame I feel safe in saying it must of easily weighed well over 250kg:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/PIC3.jpg
Here’s the base in place with a picture of some stupid Irish **** behind it (that’ll be me), in case you’re wondering why I have that silly look on my face, I’m grinning because I have wind:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/PIC4.jpg
Another picture of the base, there’s a 50 pence coin there to help give it scale, look at all that silicone......
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/PIC5.jpg
Seabray are pumping in silicone around the base in preparation for the rear panel, massive thick lines of it about an inch thick, I lost count of the amount of tubes they used.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/PIC6.jpg
And here we have two pics of the rear panel being lifted into place, these panes of glass weighed so much!
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/PIC7.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/PIC8.jpg
The rear panel is carefully placed onto the silicone....
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/PIC9.jpg
Next is the right hand panel to go up, again expertly put in place. The more observant people may notice that the ginger guy looks like he’s going for the other chaps groin.:eek: ... he’s not though, it’s just the way the picture came out! :D
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/PIC10.jpg
And as if by magic the left panel is up too:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/PIC11.jpg
Here’s Seabray at it again, pumping the front of the base full of silicone in preparation for the front panel:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/PIC12.jpg
With the front panel in place, the tank is really starting to look good, I am starting to feel excited now, I can’t describe how this makes me feel, I’m such a lucky person to be involved with this project (luck of the Irish?).
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/PIC13.jpg
And at last, here’s the lid. You will see that the powder coated steel frame is lined with glass; this is to offer protection to the metal work from the salty water.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/PIC14.jpg
The frame had the same copious amount of silicone applied before being carefully placed on the tank. Here you’ll see Seabray pressing it down into place:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/PIC15.jpg
Here are the boys placing tape to mask the top line of silicone, in this shot, you should be able to gain some perspective of the tank size, this shot is taken down the 8ft length of the aquarium:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/PIC16.jpg
And another:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/PIC17.jpg
And.........PING!..........Here we have the final product (and yet again I have got into another photo)......
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/PIC18.jpg
The sump is coming in a couple of weeks, the size is 7x3x3. I will be taking more pics when this happens, I’ll get some shots of the lights and any other equipment that’s knocking about at that time.
The size and scale of this tank is something you need to see to fully appreciate. I cant wait to see how it will look after 6 months, then 12 months, 24 months......
Hope you enjoyed this, I sure did! :)
Any questions feel free to ask on this thread.
Sye Davies
14-01-07, 19:54
wow:cool:
MaidstoneMarine
14-01-07, 20:58
looking good there tony.
Will this be a stand alone system? If so what change regime will be in place? What about things like RO Top Up - is the reservior auto-filled or will someone in the shop have to do this?? I'm curious as to how much will be automated on this system and how much will be left to a person!
Reef bloke
14-01-07, 21:22
Good work Tony,didnt think you would be going in due to your dodgy tummy.
Blimey, I am gob smacked at the size of this tank. Be interesting reading over the coming months.
One question you say that you intend to heat the system with a central boiler. Aren't they full of copper pipe? I am sure you have thought about! Just wondering whether there is specific boilers etc.
Dave
looking good there tony.
Will this be a stand alone system? If so what change regime will be in place? What about things like RO Top Up - is the reservior auto-filled or will someone in the shop have to do this?? I'm curious as to how much will be automated on this system and how much will be left to a person!
Not sure what you mean by stand alone, it will run by itself and not be plumbed into the rest of the shop system, if that's waht you mean?
Evaporation will be done from a container holding enough RO to cover about 8 days top up. I'm not a fan of any more electronic control than is needed. My concern with an auto top up running off the mains (via ro unit) is that if the top up sensor malfunctions, the tank fills and fills with RO......
The CA reactors will run off ph controls to make life easier long term for people in the shop (as mentioned I'll be there @ w/ends, but long term want to hand over the running to someone who works f/time).
Good work Tony,didnt think you would be going in due to your dodgy tummy.
Had a roll of loo paper sat beside me for the drive in, just in case :eek:
Blimey, I am gob smacked at the size of this tank. Be interesting reading over the coming months.
One question you say that you intend to heat the system with a central boiler. Aren't they full of copper pipe? I am sure you have thought about! Just wondering whether there is specific boilers etc.
Dave
Dave,
The boiler will work with heat exchangers, the heat exchangers will sit in the water; these are not copper ;) it's reef safe metal, think it's titanium iirc :)
Another bit of info:
3 phase supply had to be brought into the building due to a high power demand, I have one phase set aside for the tank! ;) I expect final load to peak at around 11-12KW if all the electric kit is on at once (not forgetting heating is with mains gas)...... :D
Update time again... :)
Left home (Chelmsford) about 9.30am, with an unbelievable amount of faffing about in between, we did not get onto the tank build site until mid day (it should be just over an hours drive from my home). The faffing about consisted of stopping at Gravesend in Kent to collect the Sequence pumps, chat to a few people, have a cup of tea and chat some more. Then from Gravesend we went to a timber yard to pick up some material and tools, from there we drove down to South East Kent.....
Whilst driving down to the site, I said to Gavin.... “We definitely have methalated spirits on site?:confused: ”..... “Yes Tone, loads of it:cool: ”.....
Get on site and it’s not meths, it’s white spirit!:rolleyes: Oh Bowlox! :( To be fair, it was died blue; so I can see how he made the assumption. So with no meths, I decided to leave the plumbing for another day.
There was a couple of pallets that had arrived for me, sent by Aquamedic. So I started to unpack these.
You would not believe how long it took to unpack the kit. There were loads of boxes.
I will be placing the chillers on top of one another; a wooden frame will be built. Here’s a couple of the large chillers that Aquamedic do, they we heavy MFs:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/1.jpg
So we’ve covered the chillers, now for the heating, the gas boiler and it’s plumbing:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/1A.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/1B.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/1C.jpg
Here’s a box of Aquamedic bits’n’bobs, some probes and an Ozone generator, chemicals (Alk, Calcium, Magnesium, Iodine etc)....
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/2.jpg
Here’s my Ozone reactor, an Aquamedic TF Shorty:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/3.jpg
The only plumbing I did do, was the intake strainers for the closed loops. I did not bother cleaning these (just gave them a rub with a dry cloth) as they will be under vacume pressure inside the tank, so a 100% seal is not critical, so long as they are held in place that’s all that’s important. As you can see, these are siliconed onto a 1 ½ inch T-piece:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/4.jpg
I don’t know why, but there is something about large skimmers that I find attractive; it evokes a nice feeling and it is pleasing on my eye. Just in case there are any other skimmers pervs, here’s a couple of x-rated snap shots of the pair of AM 5000 Twins (and what a nice pair they are):
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/5.jpg
And another!
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/6.jpg
The American skimmers are yet to arrive on site, but fear not, once these arrive you will get some pictures of these also....
Here’s some of the lighting components, the Lumenarc reflectors:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/7.jpg
The halide contactors:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/8.jpg
The bulb holders and wiring blocks:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/9.jpg
The ballasts:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/10.jpg
The 400w BLV bulbs:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/11.jpg
Last picture for today, is of the Sequence 15k pumps, 8 of these pups will be used in total:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/12.jpg
so jealous, i want to play with all that new equipment!
MaidstoneMarine
28-01-07, 20:22
thats a lot of equipment. bet you've had fun with that today!
Reef bloke
29-01-07, 00:03
Blimey the national grid is gonna take a hit when that goes online!
The LFS I'm doing this for will soon be an UR sponsor (spoke to Doh, I passed his details on); so in the unlikely event people have not worked out who this is for, they will know soon ;)
mysticwave
29-01-07, 12:41
Tony, that is one serious build!! need a hand of doing anything, just give me a shout!
CC
Tony, that is one serious build!! need a hand of doing anything, just give me a shout!
CC
You never know, I might take you up on that offer..... :)
I'm not there this weekend, but will be the next weekend
you are one lucky lucky boy!!!!! skimmer porn!
you are one lucky lucky boy!!!!! skimmer porn!
Just wait till you see the yank skimmers, these will be run off an ITT pump! Talk about flow and pressure, makes the Sequence look like an eheim! :D :D
anymore updates:rolleyes: :D
Ian
WOW :eek:
Top work Tony, excellent stuff :D
I think I've discovered that I am a skimmer perv though :o :o :D
Bring on the FOAM :D
Yes, was there all day Sunday. Was rushing around all weekend.
Will try to upload some pics later tonight when I get home from work, will detail what has been done so far..... ;)
Watch this space :D :D
EDIT:
Can't do tonight, out for dinner - pics will have to wait until next weekend now.
Verbal update (pics will come next weekend, just too busy this week in the evenings):
Chillers no on stand, one on top of another.
Gas heater installed, copper pipes run to display tank ready to accept heat exchanger.
All 19 tank connectors installed in tank, some plumbing started.
Still waiting on sump! :) :rolleyes:
let me know when you are going down next, i wanna see your hard work before they ruin it with livestock :D :D
let me know when you are going down next, i wanna see your hard work before they ruin it with livestock :D :D
This weekend and every/any weekend mate.
Meet you there next weekend if you like, we can all meet for breakfast in the canteen at the garden centre; they do v.nice poached eggs & beans and bacon.....MMMmmmmm! :)
You can be david bailey for the day! Save's me the job! :) :D :D
This weekend and every/any weekend mate.
Meet you there next weekend if you like, we can all meet for breakfast in the canteen at the garden centre; they do v.nice poached eggs & beans and bacon.....MMMmmmmm! :)
You can be david bailey for the day! Save's me the job! :) :D :D
could probably do next saturday afternoon, after 2:30 or something??? need to check with the boss but i don't think i'm pre-booked :)
could probably do next saturday afternoon, after 2:30 or something??? need to check with the boss but i don't think i'm pre-booked :)
Should be fine, see you then buddy! :)
Do you know where you're going/location? :)
MaidstoneMarine
12-02-07, 18:56
hey thats not fair. I probably won't get a pass from the wife for something fishy after this weekend.
then tell her its something religious and if she goes against you, she will be struck down??? might work, ya never know?
The LFS I'm doing this for will soon be an UR sponsor (spoke to Doh, I passed his details on); so in the unlikely event people have not worked out who this is for, they will know soon ;)
I recognise one of the faces in those pics, so unless some crazy professor from Oxford has changed the rules of mathematics and 2+2 no longer = 4, I can guess who its for ;) , not the location though
That'll be Gavin, he manages the Kent region. Given your location I dare say this is who looks like a face you know, just to make sure, Gav is the chap with the big gob and built like a tank, about as gentle as a tank too; amazed the tank went up in one bit with him around! (Sorry Gav, but you do have a nack for breaking things, my thumb, my car window, the handle on my car, Johns dinner plate, the van window......I wont go on! :D :D :D )
Update time again; this covers work done a week last Sunday and Saturday just gone (yesterday).
Yesterday I spent a lot of time talking to the CEO who was there (Mick), talking about all sorts, reef damage, coral bleaching in the wild, livestock imports and the impact this has on well managed reefs, filteration, dry goods from china, aquarium salts, etc etc. Amazingly, two blokes chatting for ages and not once were women, cars or sport mentioned :confused: All this chit chat impacted on the day; did not get as much done as I had hoped.
I think within 3 weeks, the system will be ready for a tap water test (to check for water leeks).
Inside of the tank: This picture shows some of the gravity feed outlets at the top of the tank, the bottom of the tank shows the closed loop grey intake strainers and just above these you can see the outlet pipes for the closed loops. Each one of the six closed loops will run a sequence 15k, which is about 15000lph. I have considered some of the hydrodynamics and allowed three 1 ½ inch outlets per closed loop pump, giving about 5000 lph per outlet or, 18 lots of 5000lph all firing in different directions.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/1-1.jpg
Another shot of the internal plumbing:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/2-1.jpg
Here’s a shot of the galvanized lighting rig, this will hold all twelve of the lumenarc reflectors/400w halides:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/3-1.jpg
This is the 7x3x3 sump, not much else to say other than it’s big & heavy and made out of glass:laugh: :
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/4-1.jpg
The closed loop external plumbing proved challenging and enjoyable to do; I had to considering the need for routine maintenance within the limited space at the rear of the tank.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/6-1.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/5-1.jpg
These copper pipes will accept the plumbing for the heat exchangers (gas fired).
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/7-1.jpg
Lastly, here are the chillers in place on a wooden stand:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/8-1.jpg
Hairy Monster
21-02-07, 15:52
WOW! thats some build! ive never seen a tank that needs steps to get out of it!!!
Loving this write up, keep it coming!
WOW! thats some build! ive never seen a tank that needs steps to get out of it!!!
Loving this write up, keep it coming!
I'm down Kent again this Sunday, so I'll be working away on this nano!
Top work again Tony :dance:
Is this available for public viewing ie if I nip up there one lunchtime is there any opportunity for a nose or is it all under wraps :fear:
Top work again Tony :dance:
Is this available for public viewing ie if I nip up there one lunchtime is there any opportunity for a nose or is it all under wraps :fear:
Under wraps, there's still a lot of building works going on. I'm there Sunday tho! :dance:
You and Scoob will be down not this weekend but next wont you? :confused: :)
Intrigued by your picture of the internal plumbing here Tony:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/2-1.jpg
If these are the outlets to closed loops I'm not sure that they are going to act as you may expect them to. The water will NOT automatically split into 3 separate paths but will take the path of least resistance, i.e. straight ahead - you may even find that the right angled splits will act as a "venturi" and draw water IN. If I've misread this and am teaching my grandmother to suck eggs huge apologies!!
John
Intrigued by your picture of the internal plumbing here Tony:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/2-1.jpg
If these are the outlets to closed loops I'm not sure that they are going to act as you may expect them to. The water will NOT automatically split into 3 separate paths but will take the path of least resistance, i.e. straight ahead - you may even find that the right angled splits will act as a "venturi" and draw water IN. If I've misread this and am teaching my grandmother to suck eggs huge apologies!!
John
Yes this is a design issue that I have kept in mind. I have no qualifications in hydrodynamics but I have a rough idea of what is likely to happen. I am mindfull that I may need to "tweak" some of the outlets (create resistance at the easiest exit point, likely add a dollop of sillicone inside pipe to act as a flow restrictor) to ensure the flow gets diffused; this will be looked at in more detail during my tap water test.
Well spotted :thumbsup:
You and Scoob will be down not this weekend but next wont you? :confused: :)
Sounds good to me :dance: :dance:
mmmmmm, skimmer porn to look forward to :worship: :bouncy: :eheheh:
Sounds good to me :dance: :dance:
mmmmmm, skimmer porn to look forward to :worship: :bouncy: :eheheh:
There's big rolls of tissue, so you'll be ok :o :censored: :hysterical: :roflmao:
arent you worried about copper leaching out of the pipes into the tank?
great setup itl look great when its done:applause:
simon garratt
23-02-07, 08:38
Tony. you could just insert (silicone in as a temporary fix) a reducer in at the ends of the straitest sections to create the desired back pressure. im 99% sure your going to end up in a 80/10/10 situation looking at the image.
aka
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/2-1aa.jpg
Failing that Id be inclined to pull off the fittings. and then (if 40mm) go to a 50mm tee with a reducer at each side going back to 40mm and then two 40mm elbows.
Fitting the larger diameter tee will reduce back pressure from water hitting the internal face as it enters the fitting.
looking good so far m8.
keep up the good work.
Si.
Crikey, i havent posted in ages, but i thought i would put up a tip that i used to fiddle with flow rates when i had my tank.
Cut some smaller length sections of the pipe, a few cm long. Put a piece of pipe into the outlet with the least restriction on it (dont solvent it in yet, if at all). This will reduce flow in this outlet slightly as it reduces the internal diameter of the outlet. Now get another piece of 2cm long pipe and cut a section out of it so that when you look down its length it is a "C" profile instead of an "O" (if that makes sense). This will allow you to squeeze the pipe to a smaller diameter and it should then hold itself inside the now restricted outlet without solvent, restricting it even more. Using a few of these "C" sectioned bits of pipe and a bit of fiddling its easy to see how much restriction you need. The good thing is you can take them out and fiddle around with them even underwater while the water is flowing throught the system. I ended up leaving the bits of pipe in there un-welded and they did the job for the lifetime of my tank.
Hope that helps
Mark (thinking about coming back to marine when he moves house at the end of the year)
Crikey, i havent posted in ages, but i thought i would put up a tip that i used to fiddle with flow rates when i had my tank.
Cut some smaller length sections of the pipe, a few cm long. Put a piece of pipe into the outlet with the least restriction on it (dont solvent it in yet, if at all). This will reduce flow in this outlet slightly as it reduces the internal diameter of the outlet. Now get another piece of 2cm long pipe and cut a section out of it so that when you look down its length it is a "C" profile instead of an "O" (if that makes sense). This will allow you to squeeze the pipe to a smaller diameter and it should then hold itself inside the now restricted outlet without solvent, restricting it even more. Using a few of these "C" sectioned bits of pipe and a bit of fiddling its easy to see how much restriction you need. The good thing is you can take them out and fiddle around with them even underwater while the water is flowing throught the system. I ended up leaving the bits of pipe in there un-welded and they did the job for the lifetime of my tank.
Hope that helps
Mark (thinking about coming back to marine when he moves house at the end of the year)
Thanks for the tip buddy :)
So but this is so out of my league I can't offer any helpful comments except.
Champion Job mate!
Here’s another week’s update.....:whistling: :rolleyes:
I hope you're getting bored of plumbing (lord knows I am:o ) so THANK THE LORD all the closed loops are done, gravity feeds to sump are started!!! :dance: Next on the plumbing list is a common rail pressure pipe to feed skimmers and chillers and finish off the gravity feeds to the sump.
This week I connected all the double union threaded pump connectors to the sequences and plumbed them into the closed loops, see the pictures:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/Dscf1631.jpg
And another of the closed loops:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/Dscf1633.jpg
The halide mounting frame has been offered up to the tank and sits in place just lovely, the halides should be relatively easy to hang off it, and here’s a picture of it:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/Dscf1627.jpg
There are massive amounts of plug sockets being installed, good job too!
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/Dscf1636.jpg
And another showing the trunking/plugs:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/Dscf1635.jpg
More next week..... :applause: :) :thanks:
keep it comming tony, I'm counting on you to make Essex proud!
Good work fellow Essex dude. Keep on with the updates.
Wow.. the money this must cost looks like some one must have been out cracking safes, keep it up
kjh
Wow.. the money this must cost looks like some one must have been out cracking safes, keep it up
kjh
Costs are big....but then so is the tank!
Pluming alone is WELL into a four figure sum...
For a fellow reef keeper to replicate this, I dare say you'd need to budget for at least £30k and that does not include rock or fish/corals etc
:eek: Sorry but dont you just love it when LFS do something thats so easy to obtain for the average Joe!:D :whistling:
What LFS is this tank in?
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/Dscf1627.jpg
Tony,
That top row of outlets looks very close top the top of tank, are you sure you not designing a fountain :thumbsup:
RichB....
Tony,
That top row of outlets looks very close top the top of tank, are you sure you not designing a fountain :thumbsup:
RichB....
Rich,
You aint read this thread, if you DID you would know that these are the gravity feed pipes to sump ;)
simon garratt
27-02-07, 10:02
Come on rich...sort ya act out. anybody can dee that Tony is building a scale model of the pompidou centre (somthing i myself was accused of when i built my last system)..
Keep up the good work Tony. it going to be a cracker..
I take it that all the internal plumbing is going to be hidden behind a reef wall setup...? Are you modeling it on any specific images/locations you have visited, or are you making it up as you go along (taking the creative stance).
regards
Si.
:eek: Sorry but dont you just love it when LFS do something thats so easy to obtain for the average Joe!:D :whistling:
I talked my friend into doing this, it took a fair bit of talking:o .
Thing is April, imho a nice display does a lot for the hobby; that's what got me into reefing ;) years ago I spotted a nice display tank and it tugged on my heart strings..... then I took the plunge and set one up in my lounge.
The size of a tank is relative to the room size imo, a 2 foot cube would look lost in that shop. The shop/site needed something big and dramatic to create an impact.
Lets not forget, that the methods and equipment used on this tank is the same as a smaller tank; rock lights skimmer reactors etc, just scaled up according to budget and room size; there is no reason why a tank like this can't be reproduced on a smaller scale for the home; a 4x2x2 would be an 8th of the size and costs would also be MUCH smaller. ;) :)
I take it that all the internal plumbing is going to be hidden behind a reef wall setup...? Are you modeling it on any specific images/locations you have visited, or are you making it up as you go along (taking the creative stance).
regards
Si.
Si,
There is a side of me that wants to leave it like it is, so all can see my work of modern art! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
All pipes/plumbing inside the tank will be well hidden :)
Seriously tho, aquascaping..........I have a plan, something that I have been finking bout for some time.......it is being kept CONFIDENTIAL ;), but all I will say, there will be a few bits of old rock and stuff.....shapes and styles.....all will be posted in due course buddy :)
simon garratt
27-02-07, 10:30
Oh, now your just being nasty...:mad:
Come on....spill the beans..:D
Oh, now your just being nasty...:mad:
Come on....spill the beans..:D
All good things come to those who wait.......
Pateince is a vertue……
But then there’s also some other old sayings…..
We might die of old age before this thing is done! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
imho a nice display does a lot for the hobby; that's what got me into reefing ;) years ago I spotted a nice display tank and it tugged on my heart strings.....
I completely agree:D , it's looking at all these big boys on here that inspired mine, That and, a post of yours that I read a while ago about doing a fab tank on £2000. (see I know your a campainger for budget sometimes too:thumbsup: !)
I just ment that mosts ppl will see it and not realise how much :o (time, effort, planning as well as cost) goes into something of that scale.
I'm hoping my own will come out under £3000:lookaround:, but that was/will only be posible by some bloody good advise from here:thumbsup: and a lot of hard work.
It maybe be an idea to edit this thread and stick a copy next to the display when your done, and show what Ideas could be stollen and used on a tank at a more attainable budget.
I'm not knocking you mate:hug:, I think your doing a fab job and I'll get ppl in the shop spending money keeping our LFS's in business!:worship:
Anyway come on tell us about the rock!
there isn't a rock, just a large sunken submarine
April,
Thanks for your post :wave:
I did not think you were knocking me:) ; I just wanted to add something to the thread to move it away from other people saying negative comments about the build and costs.
This is such a major risk for my friend, he has taken such a gambe and ivested heavily in this shop in an area of Kent where there are no other LFS shops; there is no active market and the shop could fail, although fingers crossed it wont. Coupled with this gamble, is his nutter friend (me) who talked him into this tank that has run into tens of thousands of pounds......Jeeezzz, I hope the shop works, don't fancy moving this set up if it closes!!! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Seriously though, I don't think the shop will fail.
Enough talk of business and his risks, back onto the tank....and the rocks.....:eek:
You will still have to wait and see......:p
there isn't a rock, just a large sunken submarine
No, it's a galvanised/reef safe 2 seater german car that will form part of the reef
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/227cf3a7.jpg
I knew I'd palm my dodgy car off to some mug! :laugh: :hysterical: :laugh: :hysterical: :laugh:
MaidstoneMarine
27-02-07, 11:41
if it does go belly up tony you won't have to move the tank very far. Maidstone is only a short drive from tenterden :)
But I'm prettier than Chris Tony!
MaidstoneMarine
27-02-07, 11:59
But I'm prettier than Chris Tony!
we'll just have to leave that to the judges on the 24th :)
simon garratt
27-02-07, 15:10
But I'm prettier than Chris Tony!
we want pictures.....:D :D :D (well, not actually that fussed about Chris)
Si.:)
April watch out here we go! :laugh: Told you about these lot on UR! ;)
simon garratt
27-02-07, 15:20
Just living up to my reputation Tony...:D :D
Si.
Just living up to my reputation Tony...:D :D
Si.
Best hope your future WIFE ain't the type to check your posts :nono:
But hey, if there's any rude pictures or naked flesh on show, some one please PM me too :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
S@~! now I've gone and raised expectaion. I'm going to wear a bag on the 24th! Dont want to disapoint anyone!
never met April, will do soon no doubt but chris is a moose so i'm happy to cast my vote now. :)
never met April, will do soon no doubt but chris is a moose so i'm happy to cast my vote now. :)
I'd hold off if I was you scoob, Thanks anyway!:o
seriously, you ever heard of 'rocky and bullwinkle', well, he aint no squirrell!!!!
simon garratt
27-02-07, 15:41
Did you mean.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/districts/petersburg/images/moose.jpg
Or
http://www.bear-tracker.com/mouseface1.jpg
Scoob.....?
still never mind... April's skirting round the subject hoping we'll forget...;)
Wheres the piccies..:annoyed:
Si.:p
still never mind... April's skirting round the subject hoping we'll forget...
So Si, not going to see your tank then? Ohhhh yes it STILL not finished is it?:D :p
Anyway Tony any more updates?
simon garratt
27-02-07, 15:50
Oh, very nicely dodged...
:thumbsup:
Edit : Sorry Tony...ive completely polluted your thread with non relevant drivel.....(or should that be dribble..?):o
PS: hands up all who think April is a closet 'high street honey'...:D
No more updates till weekend - I work in a bum job doing recruitment during the week, but hey it keeps food on the table and blubber on me belly! He he!
I only get to play with this big tank at weekends.....
As for SiG tank, taking ages I agree, yes it's dragging like a snakes belly - pulyafingaowt m8! :laugh: :p
Edit : Sorry Tony...ive completely polluted your thread with non relevant drivel.....(or should that be dribble..?):o:D
Even the best oceons in the world have poop pumped into them, so if it's good for the Red Sea, it's good for this thread! :laugh: ;)
was about to send a myriad of pm's but i'll update here, its easier. tell me to remove tony if you like :)
i am picking up corsetts at 10 ish, be at tony's at 1020 ish i imagine, chrises at 10:40 ish. fanny around at his with mikew then leave his probably around 11(ish :D) will be with you about half past all going well :)
MaidstoneMarine
27-02-07, 20:11
he'll be there at noon! I guarantee it!
and... I can't believe that I've been stuck in meetings all afternoon and not one muppet has stuck up for me.... cheers guys :D think it's time to bring jen back!
stuck up for you where???
noon shmoon, only if corsetts needs a hand with his girdle
MaidstoneMarine
27-02-07, 20:19
:d:d:d:d:d
noon shmoon, only if corsetts needs a hand with his girdle
:censored: :tomato: :laugh:
was about to send a myriad of pm's but i'll update here, its easier. tell me to remove tony if you like :)
i am picking up corsetts at 10 ish, be at tony's at 1020 ish i imagine, chrises at 10:40 ish. fanny around at his with mikew then leave his probably around 11(ish :D) will be with you about half past all going well :)
Fine, see you then chaps! I might pop in & see Andy Piper on way home Sat, need to see if he's about Sat or working....
why? where we going first mike :D :D :D
simon garratt
28-02-07, 10:43
As for SiG tank, taking ages I agree, yes it's dragging like a snakes belly - pulyafingaowt m8! :laugh: :p
patience is an aquired Skill Tony...Not a pre-requisit...(thats my excuse and im sticking to it....)
:D
simon garratt
28-02-07, 10:51
Christ... If thats the case it'll be full and stocked by next week...;)
Be like one of those phot's you see in Nick Dakins book...
Its either a very nice aquarium..... (or it was put together 5 mins ago for the photo)
Nah, im only kidding Tony.:D ..This is gonna look superb when completed i recon..:worship:
Regards
si.
Si - he IS from Essex;) ;) ;) :scratchhead: :scratchhead: :hysterical: :hysterical:
Hey watch your step......:eek:
Bloody midgets :annoyed: :laugh: :laugh: :p
Nah, im only kidding Tony.:D ..This is gonna look superb when completed i recon..:worship:
si.
I hope so :o :laugh:
but at least being short means i couldn't climb the ugly tree and fall as far as you did:cool: :cool: :cool:
Mike lets not start this one again please :banghead:
Anyway I notice you've not added to the mugs!
Mike lets not start this one again please :banghead:
Yeah Mike, listen to April :p :ner: :naughty: :nono: :p :p :laugh:
Arrrrhh Mike,
You always seem to be the last to know! Si stiched me up propper last time hence the "Not again" comment.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/showthread.php?t=202550
Anyway Sorry for all the spam Tony!
Sorry:o :o oky doky,
LOL Bless you sweety:D
TONY B: the tank looks seriously cool, bet its a pleasure working on something like that! your a lucky man, bet its seriously hard work though!
THE REST OF THE KENT/ESSEX MASSIVE: i dont know any of you guys, but honestly you have me in bits with your banter, *thinks back to the CGA open day thread* i was gonna come to the open day, but then comments like this appeared : Jesus, what must the outsiders think :D ....there's mike after the blokes starfishes and advising him to have bullet proof pants and then warnings being issued to watch the mrs when bent over looking at lower tanks, :D :p (posted by tony b)
i just couldn't put my misses in harms way like that! :o
I will make the effort to come down your neck of the woods one day, and someone will have to act as a guide, and show me round all these ridiculously big tanks you all seem to own!
Really wish i could make the open day, could have travelled round and perved at this beast of a tank :( oh well
the swamp thing :)
*Edit*
Sorry for posting random crap on here, feel free to ask a mod to delete it tony b, dont wanna bring the thread into disreput! just my brummy ways! :o
*Edit*
Sorry for posting random crap on here, feel free to ask a mod to delete it tony b, dont wanna bring the thread into disreput! just my brummy ways! :o
That's quite alright, all adds to the comic giggle:laugh: :laugh: ....that what gives things a nice feel imo:p ....and hey, this is a BB and they're designed for ramblings!
Yes, that CGA thread had me folding too, Scoob Mike etc, crikey you will need new underpants if you meet them, as you will likely pee them with laughing so hard!:laugh: Talk about the comedy club! :laugh: :laugh:
Tony, just call us little and large - only funny:D :D :D
You both need to get on stage....Sod Harry Potter naked, this would out-sell his panto! :laugh:
as you will likely pee them with laughing so hard!:laugh::
Note to self *pick up Tener lady on way to CGA*
Reef bloke
03-03-07, 18:52
Well tis was the time for a Muppet inspection of Tony's work.After being woken slightly early by a very sprightly MikeW were off to Chris's(MMarine) to meet up and to collect Mikes new sump.Once we had re fueled on tea and ogled Chris's superb Tank it was time to get Mikes sump out of Chris's shed and be on our way.This took a little longer than expected as the whole thing turned into an episode from 'The Chuckle brothers' complete with 'To me,to you' behavior.
Sat nav was set and off we shot(Pavlo,reefbloke,Scoob,Corsets,Mikew).We left Maidstone at home as he was doing his nails or something.
We manage to loose Scott on the way as he was trying to be flash and beat us there.He was no match for the power of TOM TOM and rolled in 10 mins later.
After a warm welcome from TonyB,Gavin and Martin we all marched over to the glass box.This thing is big!Standing so tall we got a pain in our necks staring up at the lighting canopy.Sequence pumps littered the rear of the stand,huge chillers hiding just out of eye shot and tall skimmers loomed large in the shadows at the rear of the tank.
Before we new it Mike was climbing into the sump determined to prove he could get in there.Hats off to Tony for putting all the effort and planning into this tank but i cant help feeling he's had great fun doing it.Kids and sweet shops spring to mind.
Anyway ill let the pics do the talking and thanks for the rundown of the tank Tony and allowing us to view your impressive glass box,it should make a very breath taking display all going well.
tank
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/tank27.jpg
sump
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sump23.jpg
perspective shot inc pavlo
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/pavtank.jpg
Its a bit tight around the back,a Krays style shot of Scott,Pav and TonyB
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/aroundtheback2.jpg
Male bonding,Reefbloke,Mikew and Corsetts doing his best to hide.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/aroundtheback.jpg
Twistedpro
03-03-07, 19:04
Looks great, one thing i have noticed is the tank is sitting very high which means unless your 7ft tall ur will be looking up at the underside of corals rather than being able to look down onto them.
Wow thats a beast Tony:thumbsup: :worship: , Agree with Twistedpro though I'll get a great view of the sandbed:o .
Oh theres a thought, in every marine shops theres always children, I can see it now mums holding their kids up to the glass. can you say sticky fingers:annoyed: !
Other than that it looks ace, I'm dead jealous!:applause:
Now you really get a real sense of scale on those photos:thumbsup: , looks awesome
mysticwave_2
04-03-07, 00:22
Looks great, one thing i have noticed is the tank is sitting very high which means unless your 7ft tall ur will be looking up at the underside of corals rather than being able to look down onto them.
Its known as the MikeW experience :whistling:
MaidstoneMarine
04-03-07, 00:41
blimey... that shot of paul in front of the tank really does put it into perspective... it's a monster!
gutted to have missed out on the trip... the nails have come up trumps though :D
gutted to have missed out on the trip... the nails have come up trumps though :D
:laugh: doing your nails over going to see this beast of a tank! somethings wrong there! :whistling:
good shots mr bloke :) two things bother me tho.
firstly, why is pavlo peeing in the sump:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/sump23.jpg
and secondly, i may have missed it at the time, but why is there a hologram of my face in the lower corner of the tank:
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/tank27.jpg
Reef bloke
04-03-07, 14:50
The hologram is the Muppet seal of approval Scott,im afraid your mug is acid etched into every tank we visit.Did you not know?
Yup, big thanks Tony, thats a top project. I felt very privelleged to have a look at this leviathon behind the scenes :worship: :worship: :worship: :worship: :worship: :worship:
I feel a bit guilty about this, but I've managed to secure an exclusive sneak preview of the top secret aquascaping.
As expected, the Essex influence is very strong, and will feature a hybrid Clacton pier/Maldivian biotope.
It's only an artists(:blink: ) impression, but gives an idea.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/tonespier.jpg
A mated pair of snowflake eels peer out from the legs of a discarded pair of Kappa tracksuit bottoms snagged on one of the pier piles whilst a pair of stunning regal tangs cruise above the dumped remains of a cut 'n' shut XR3i.
If you look very carefully, you can see that a hermit has adopted a Burberry cap as a make shift home :)
All in all, this should be a belter :thumbsup: :winky: :laugh:
:D :D :D perfect corsetts, perfect!!!
Reef bloke
04-03-07, 16:55
Corsetts your a very bad man but i couldnt help but chortle lol
Thanks for the Kent lot for popping in and my lord, your new camera takes good pics Tone ;)
A few noises have been made about the height of the tank, so to explain.... take a look at Pauls eye height; his vision hits about half way of the tanks water depth.
The main reason for having it this height was to upset Mikew :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Only joking Mike!
It was so the tank can be seen from all over the shop, no matter where a customer stands they'll see this beast ;)
Yes, you will get to look up at the corals, and down at them unless your short. Every evening I lay on my sofa and look UP at my tank; all my corals appear above eye height from this position, looks great imo.
As far as kids go.....I don't care for them much, chuck'em in the bloody sump! :laugh:
Of course I'm joking again, get up on dad's shoulders eh? ;)
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/pavtank.jpg
UPDATE TIME:
No pictures, not much work was done either as there was a load of muppets distracting me! I played with a few bits of pipe, and made some "C" reducers for the closed loop outlets, that was about all I done.
Now for the real reason: I went out on the raz the previous night, I was so hungover and tired I could hardly speak properly; just ask Scoob "How do I get to Andy's from Essex, no, the M25, no this site in Kent I mean" :o
Jeepers I was spannered from the night before:laugh: :o
On the way home, went in to see Andy (Pipsreef) and his heaving mass of corals.....WOW! Talk about well grown in! Awesome tank, so much growth!....Thanks for the beer as well and spending your time showing us around the system ;) Nice swimming pool in that garden of yours, if you're reading, is there any chance you'd consider a summer pool party for the reefers? :cool:
More to come next weekend, thanks again to all who showed up see you all soon! :worship:
If we get a nice summer I expect we will have a few BBQ's and pool parties as we do every year and I will probably invite a few reefers/muppets to liven the place up.
It was good to meet you at last keep up the good work
Happy Reefkeeping
Andy
petergillett
04-03-07, 23:39
Why not put a "viewing platform" in front of the tank? A couple of steps will allow people to get up close and personal. There's a LFS up this way that has a raised section of floor in front of all the coral tanks.
Reef bloke
05-03-07, 00:04
Not a bad idea,maybe ramped all around so peeps dont go arse over head into the tank.
Why not put a "viewing platform" in front of the tank? A couple of steps will allow people to get up close and personal. There's a LFS up this way that has a raised section of floor in front of all the coral tanks.
Might do...........:whistling:
OK people, update time again:wave: , week 6 of the tank build.
No complications or obstacles to over come, this weekend was refreshing, as I had no hangover as I avoided the pub all weekend!:thumbsup: Amazing eh?:yes: :thumbup:
Left home about 10am, arrived in Kent just before 12noon after stopping once for a coffee and loo break.
Visually from the customers perspective, not much has changed to the tank, but ya see, all the work is going on around the back at mission control!;) .......
The ballast have been installed, all 12 of the 400w beasties.... and don’t they look lovely!
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/ballasts.jpg
Here you’ll see that the wiring is virtually all done. You know when you see 3 phase/415volts coming onto the tank, that you’re running lots of serious hefty pro equipment, kind of says a lot about the project and scale of things...
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/415v.jpg
Next on the up date is F*&KING :censored: PLUMBING AGAIN!!!!!:mad: Kind of getting a touch miffed at how long the pipe work is taking me:o , just want the plumbing done already!:rolleyes:
I was hoping that some one else might have lended a hand and glued the closed loop pipes (it's an easy job, Gavin ;) ) to save me time and let me crack on with the next phase of the project (yeah, cheers Gav:mad: .....only joking big guy, please dont thump me:laugh: :o :worship: ) but apparently there was no one available to do this mundane task, so Tony B got lumbered with it! Doh!
Gluing up pipe work takes a lot longer than you think; about 1.5 hours for each closed loop!:eek: Yes you read it right, 1.5 hours for each closed loop!:confused: I am still amazed that it takes this long....maybe I got kidnapped by aliens or something for an hour or two, who knows!:laugh:
Any way, enough of the chitchat, one more photo of the glued pipes – the crosses are to indicate which joints have been glued.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/Gluedpipes.jpg
looks like your really cracking on Tony,
I know what yu mean about plumbing :mad: its driving me nuts too!:laugh:
looking good though:thumbsup:
MaidstoneMarine
11-03-07, 23:28
90 minutes per closed loop? you need to pull your finger some more... stop messing around and get this finished already :D
those ballasts do look pretty though :D:D
Did the shop open this weekend?
looks like your really cracking on Tony,
I know what yu mean about plumbing :mad: its driving me nuts too!:laugh:
looking good though:thumbsup:
Thanks April :wave:
90 minutes per closed loop? you need to pull your finger some more... stop messing around and get this finished already :D
Yeah yeah, I know :o :whistling:
Did the shop open this weekend?
Hi Paul, Yes it did, opened on Saturday. The shop has changed a lot since you were in last.
Gavin has worked like a trojan to get things done, I am amazed at how much work he's done 12+++ hour days, not going home in the evening (staying in hotel so he can get early start etc), he has given 9999999%.......
MESSAGE TO GAVIN: YOU LOOK AND SOUND TIRED, TIME TO GIVE YOURSELF A PAT ON THE BACK AND TAKE A BREAK BUDDY!!! ;)
Lookin good Tony. Must be great to be able to work on a project of that magnitude. Keep the updates rolling in.
Mart
Lookin good Tony. Must be great to be able to work on a project of that magnitude. Keep the updates rolling in.
Mart
Yes, I often wonder if I am dead and went to heaven :laugh: :laugh:
UPDATE TIME:
This weekend was great, tap water test - the tank is wet! :thumbsup:
Closed loops all done! At last! :applause: :applause:
Not tested the overflows (it's not that full up yet, about 75% full). :dance:
The closed loops work a treat, best of all no leaks. Looks like I've managed to balance the closed loop outputs and 6 loops of 15,000lph split into three 5000lph creates a "mass" of moving water, awesome.
Did take pictures but with mothers day and being too busy (getting up at 7am etc) I just did not get time, so next week will be a double update!
Week 7 & 8 Update time again...................
Tap water test OK, no plumbing leaks although one of the Sequence 15Ks are leaking; the place where the drive shaft enters the impellor housing, this is where it’s leaking from – not very good, this will be going back to Pumphouse.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/1-3.jpg
Got a delivery of a pair of Schuran Jetstream 2 calcium reactors....boy these are big! I’ll be running these off PH controllers. As expected I had to modify the reactors to accept PH probes:
This is the top of the reactor, why it has a tap on I just do not know?
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/2-2.jpg
Best way I found to get the probe in the reactor and at the right height is to remove the tap, then with the parts that are left glue them together with solvent weld and hey presto the reactor will take the probe correctly.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/3-2.jpg
Here are the reactors in place after being modified:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/4-2.jpg
Light reflectors are all up, just need wiring in and bulbs screwed in.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/5-2.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/6-2.jpg
Also got delivery of this brute, an ITT AV200. Read the specification on the 2nd photo; it will pump up to 18 meters of head!
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/7-2.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/8-2.jpg
The ITT Will be used to run the pair of chillers, CA & PO4 reactors and 4 skimmers.
That’s all for this week folks!
so many nice bits of kit to play with! like a kid in a sweet shop! havent checked back for a while, loving the updates!
where is this tank?
gonna have to come see it when its done!
Oh Why Wont One Of Them Tanks Fit In My Front Room
Yeah where is this being built?
Yeah where is this being built?
I can't tell you where exactly or who it is for (non-sponsor), but it's in South East Kent ;) ......
I can't tell you where exactly or who it is for (non-sponsor), but it's in South East Kent ;) ......
Can you by PM?
South east Kent means nothing to me way up here in Warwick
Non Sponsor so I can understand no names but passing on the village doesn't break any rules.
Think on the adverts i have seen its something like tenterden
Well if it's not breaking rules yes I confirm it's in Tenterden, Kent.:rockon:
Well if it's not breaking rules yes I confirm it's in Tenterden, Kent.:rockon:
Were getting warmer....
Were getting warmer....
Tis ok I know now
Anymore updates/photos Tony?
Update time again:) .
Tony having a Moan:
Progress has been slow due to Tunze not delivering the auto top ups, contractors/employees/fairies “using” my pipe work/fittings, and new pipe work not getting delivered. On top of this I’m awaiting rock from Germany, and skimmer parts from the West Midlands (UK).
:whistling:
:whistling:
:whistling:
More moaning:
The last couple of weeks has seen the first hour or so being spent on site trying to establish if things have been moved, lost, or if some one else has used (stolen) my materials............... Frustrating?..............You bet it is!:mad:
Enough excuses:o , the tangible results update herewith:
All the over flows from the tank have been set to what I feel is about the right height, allowing for waves. The gravity fed drains from these overflows are feeding the sump, no leaks from these.
All closed loops are running, so far no more Sequences have leaked. Both the tank and sump are full of RO water and await some form of mechanical filtration to remove fines and dead flies, dust etc that has accumulated. I will temporarily run some form of large canister filter with just floss and carbon before I add salt. I will then run all the RO in the system through DI resin prior to adding Instant Ocean salt.
The halides have been wired in and I must say, they look stunning and produce a very nice light. In the end only 11 luminarcs were used, as opposed to the planned 12, this was due to space restrictions. I say only 11 luminarcs but lets not forget, that is 4400 watts of BLV halides.
Return pumps: As mentioned above, I’m still waiting on pipe to plum in the two Sequence 15ks (one of which leaked, so Pumphouse are due to send me a replacement).
The ITT is still sat in its box; some one “borrowed” my 90-degree elbows. The reducing t-pieces are on order.
Two of the tunze waveboxes have been temporarily fitted but again, I await magnets from Tunze to affect a permanent installation. It was great fun playing with these, I captured a few pictures with the tank fully illuminated with water lapping. The water is also being moved by 6 closed loops, giving about 90,000lph turnover and that is excluding the returns.
The first two pictures show the view from the front of the aquarium (a hood is yet to be fabricated to act as a screen for any light spill from the halides). In these two pictures you can see how much the water is moving, there will be four waveboxes used in total.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/Dscf1973.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/Dscf1974.jpg
The next two pictures are from the side of the aquarium; I think this gives a clearer illustration of how much water is being moved by the two wave boxes:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/Dscf1976.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/Dscf1975.jpg
Lastly I'd like to say a HUGE thank you to Gavin who has tried to keep all my various demands and requests met, an to a large extent he has done so. With out your help (and Nick's purse:laugh: ) none of this would have happened, you shared my vision, thanks buddy :worship: :worship: :worship:
I cant wait to get the last bits done now, I'm almost there, nearly ready for stock! :applause: :dance:
That’s all for now, more updates soon! :dance: :dance: :dance: :wave:
Reef bloke
15-04-07, 20:41
looks very impressive mate,thats some water being shifted.No doubt ill be down to cast an eye over it when you done.
Looks like youve worked blinking hard!
Tony
Tony,
Have you decided what stock you are going to have yet?
looks very impressive mate,thats some water being shifted.No doubt ill be down to cast an eye over it when you done.
Looks like youve worked blinking hard!
Tony
Thanks for your comments mate - sure pop down one weekend, I think Jim (Hihat) might be coming soon too, have a chat over a cup of tea or coffee :)
Tony,
Have you decided what stock you are going to have yet?
Yes mate. There will be some more fish addedd, but the main filling will be a few shoals of:
Pajama Cardinals :thumbsup:
Yellow Tangs :cool:
Green Cromis :dance:
Athias :wub:
I will add one lipstick-naso as a show fish. I would like to add a few Gem tangs too. There'll be a few bottom dwellers; dragonets, blennies/gobies etc. Also a few little bright fish, like some dotty backs and a small amount of yellow tailed damsels.
I would like to add a pair of clowns and give them a torch coral to host in, I doubt I'll add a nem.
There'll be no angels; the bright coloured examples will be a risk to put in this reef:annoyed: .
I am going for a selection of brightly coloured fish that will be fairly active, nothing too demanding or risky. :dance:
Once this firm becomes a sponsor of UR there will be an open day, so any one wishing to pop down can do so and meet other reefers etc. :)
Corals will be a mix of various SPS and a selection of LPS. I'll have a number of clams too. There will be very little soft coral, I will likely add some red sea pulse and maybe some nice ricordias but thats about all in the way of soft stuff.
looks very good awesome spec and so many toys lol:D
Cheers for that Tony
Looking forward to the open day :)
I will likely add some red sea pulse
:eek:
Don't do it mate - 2 years down the line you'll be :banghead: and blasting all the liverock with a pressure sprayer to get rid of the damned stuff...
Regards,
Keith
:eek:
Don't do it mate - 2 years down the line you'll be :banghead: and blasting all the liverock with a pressure sprayer to get rid of the damned stuff...
Regards,
Keith
I was thinking a small rock, isolated away from the rest of the reef to prevent the spread. I have some red sea pulse atm in my tank, it's not too bad, nothing like weed-xenia that spreads like butter on a hot day!:laugh:
Still avoid it? :confused:
I was thinking a small rock, isolated away from the rest of the reef to prevent the spread.
:D :D :D good luck with that :D
tried that very thing, hmmm, i got a regal angel in the end who as a by-product scoffed the lot in one night!
:D :D :D good luck with that :D
tried that very thing, hmmm, i got a regal angel in the end who as a by-product scoffed the lot in one night!
:laugh:
Indeed! It just takes one polyp drifting on the current...
Why not go for gorgonians (sic) like the purple photosynthetic type. That would provide you with the swaying movement in the currents that I imagine you are looking for and would be a contrast to the SPS 'sticks'. It would be nice to see them growing in a tank that could accomodate their size.
Regards,
Keith
Yes, you're prob right re the rsp... Just not worth the risk I guess....
I'll skip that one then!
Like that idea of your Keith ;) how hard are they to find and do they do well in aquariums? Do they need feeding? If so what?
Yes, you're prob right re the rsp... Just not worth the risk I guess....
I'll skip that one then!
Like that idea of your Keith ;) how hard are they to find and do they do well in aquariums? Do they need feeding? If so what?
You see them now and again. Clayton was also selling frags of one type a while back.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=608
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1516
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=606
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1524
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=603
Keith
You see them now and again. Clayton was also selling frags of one type a while back.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=608
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1516
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=606
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1524
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=603
Keith
I like the purple ones but the brown ones are not ideal for my taste/theme of this tank.
Thanks for posting the information, as with most of your posts, very helpful! :worship:
How can you not add a nem' - if ever a tank was big enough to safely house a nem' this is it - stop acting like a girl and grow some:mad: give those clowns a proper home:)
i dunno, i bet you will be dancing round your white handbag come saturday:D
and P.S.GETONWITHITWOMAN
To be honest, I don't think I would add a nem. They grow to big and, in every established tank (mine included) I've seen, end up stinging corals left right and centre. Most nems (bar the little brown ones Scoob has) will be in excess of 12 inches within 12-18 months.
Yes, I'm getting on with it!!!! Down there Saturday all day, so if any one wants to pop down and help me wash some gravel, I'd welcome the help! ;) :wave:
Hi Tony:wave: ,
I've got to say I was very impressed seeing the tank in the flesh:) . It really does show a huge amount of planing and dedication:thumbsup: .
Sorry to hear about the set-backs, but it sounds like you have them under control now. I will probably take the wife to see it at some point in the near future:).
And thank you very much for the tour of the workings, again I was very, very impressed:worship:.
Jim:) .
Very short update – ZERO progress, a backwards step!
Arrived on site to find that the wrong fittings had been delivered, not enough 1.5 inch pipe work was available...................and...................
Two of my closed loops outlets had been knocked off when a helper was carefully placing gravel in the tank, so carefully, it looks like he swang out of the closed loop plumbing on the rear. And I’m not joking. Two circuits of pipe work damaged.
The above was no great surprise, accidents happen n'all.... HOWEVER.....what I was very surprised with is both the Tunze wave boxes had failed! Bran new and hand built, German engineering eh? What’s that catch phrase they use at the end of that German car adds????........Vortsh sprung made these after the pub is a phrase Tunze should coin! The reason they failed is because the Tunze stream has formed a blister, on the inside of the propeller shaft housing; check out this picture, the blister is circled in red:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/Dscf1982.jpg
There was a smidgen of progress, half plumbed in one of the Sequence 15ks for the return, then ran out of pipe work.....
Had to drain the tank down again to re-fit the closed loops outlets and enable the repair for the leaking closed loop pipe work, as for the closed loop outlets, this time I drilled the buggers and used miliput and coral branches to act as reefsafe rivets!
Hihat (Jim) popped down around 4.30pm, so we had a chat and a coffee before popping round his home to see his tank and his new skimmer, a Skim 3 – VERY nice bit of kit, talk about air, my lordy! Jim’s tank looked lovely,:thumbsup: a good selection of fish and a mixed reef with SPS LPS and soft corals, all doing well – a very nice tank.:dance:
Jim, thanks for your hospitality and letting me into your home:worship: , your wife makes a cracking cup of tea, lovely to meet you both and I look forward to seeing you at Scoob's BBQ.:wave:
Well folks, that’s about it, more fun and fingers crossed MUCH more progress to come next week!
Gavin, I know you'll read this........thanks for the grub last night, I am amazed that you can cook so well, talk about a hidden tallent! :dribble: :w00t: :dribble:
I popped down yesterday and had an ogle,Its going to be one hell of a reef when its up and running. A few misshaps and probs at present but that always happens on a big project no matter how careful you are.
Well done Tony, Gavin and all the staff involved the shops a credit to you.
Happy Reefkeeping
Andy
I popped down yesterday and had an ogle,Its going to be one hell of a reef when its up and running. A few misshaps and probs at present but that always happens on a big project no matter how careful you are.
Well done Tony, Gavin and all the staff involved the shops a credit to you.
Happy Reefkeeping
Andy
Very kind words Andy, thanks for your praise :worship:
If it the tank ends up half as good as yours it will be very good ;)
dirtysanchez5825
19-05-07, 13:41
looking very good cant wait to see the thing fully kitted out
Hows the tank getting on Tone'? no updates for ages???
Hows the tank getting on Tone'? no updates for ages???
Up date coming later today
Update time again:dance: .
Had a few issues which have S L O W E D the project, my holiday to France:cool: …… and the set back with the closed loop plumbing:mad: (read previous posts) this has now been repaired. I’ve been in that tank so many times now I feel like I am a fish:weeping: !
Still waiting on Tunze to send wave boxes (they send light sensors instead):annoyed: .
Note to self: When ordering rock from another country, order enough to do the job (only got about one third the amount needed):o . Talking of rock, here’s a few pictures, it is lovely rock, VERY porus, all reef-bones to make aquascaping easier and create more interesting structures, the plug on the plate rock is there to give scale, nice big pieces!:grin:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/Tankplaterock.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/rok.jpg
The two damaged closed loops have been repaired:sleepy: , tank filled and tested for leaks, all fine no leaks, tank drained again ready and waiting for rock and scaping.
At last the rest of the plumbing for the returns has arrived, so I finished chopping and gluing 1.5 inch pipe and tested for leaks….and there is none! Here's a picture of the two Sequence 15ks used for the sump returns and their plumbing:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/Returns.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/plumbin.jpg
Auto top up fitted
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/topup.jpg
And another toy has arrived:winky: ……..a large Aqua C skimmer from the states. Speaking to guys on Reef Central these things “Kick ass man” so I am desperate to see these working; it will be interesting to see how they fair against the Aquamedic 5000 twins.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/Skimmer.jpg
More updates soon, I’m there again next Saturday so if any people are about feel free to pop in for tea (we’ve binned that vending machine, now have a kettle so can make a decent brew):) .
you have a kettle :D i'll try my best to swing by :)
you have a kettle :D i'll try my best to swing by :)
Cant say for sure if there'll be cake, but I'll try and bring some!
Another update and progress is coming along nicely. I am really enjoying it and as each week passes and more progress is made, I get more excited!
I still await more reefbones and waveboxes (I still can’t believe how long Tunze are taking). Once the reefbones arrive, I am going to do the aquascaping in one weekend, and, I can’t wait!:dance: It will remain confidential for now but I think (know) it will be pleasing on the eye and provide interesting viewing perspectives.;)
The last 2 weeks have been spent plumbing in a lot of the equipment behind the scenes, so from the customer’s perspective it looks like chaff all has been done:laugh: , of course, that is not the case.:)
The below pictures are of the Aquamedic 5000 twins, the outlets have been plumbed with rigid pipe work. The pair of outlets are plumbed into a single 1.5inch pipe using a t-piece, this 1.5 inch pipe will flood into a length of 3 inch pipe that is going to function as a common drain (all skimmers, chillers, reactors etc will use this), which returns water back to the 7x3x3ft sump.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/1-6.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/2-5.jpg
The next picture is that of the ITT pump, this is a beast of a pump:devil: (performance details are mentioned previously on this thread). It will be a slave to the pair of Aquamedic 5000 twins, a pair of large Aqua C spray injection skimmers, one Aquamedic shorty (used as an ozone reactor) a pair of Aquamedic chillers (also previously mentioned) and a large Deltec phosphate reactor.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/3-5.jpg
In the following pictures you should be able to get a better perspective of some of the plumbing arrangement, you can just make out the pair of Aquamedic 5000 twins and the ITT pump with some of the plumbing.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/5-5.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/6-4.jpg
Last on the update this week is a picture of the Aquamedic shorty skimmer, this will be used only as an ozone reactor and will not be set to collect skimmate. Although the skimmer will run 24/7, ozone will only be dosed for a couple of hours each day at low levels. Again you may see that the outlets have had the same treatment as the 5000 twin skimmers, with the pair of outlets going into 1.5inch pipe that feeds into the 3 inch drain/sump return pipe.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/brazao123/7-3.jpg
I would like to say a big thank you to Gavin and Nick who have put up with my demands for endless materials and they have also helped out when possible, I do appreciate your efforts guys.:worship: :thumbsup: :worship:
More updates soon! :wave:
Just in case none of you had guessed, this is for swallow aquatics:)
Monster project mate! i just read it from start too finish, Im very impressed!!
Nick Seaby
21-06-07, 14:59
Just in case none of you had guessed, this is for swallow aquatics:)
At last we can finaly say and yes it is Swallow Aquatics at Tenterden:dance:
Here are the details
Swallow Aquatics
Tenterden Garden Centre
Appledore Road
Reading Street
Tenterden
Kent
TN30 7HT
01233 758422
Nick
At last we can finaly say and yes it is Swallow Aquatics at Tenterden:dance:
Here are the details
Swallow Aquatics
Tenterden Garden Centre
Appledore Road
Reading Street
Tenterden
Kent
TN30 7HT
01233 758422
Nick
Now you all know the address, there's no reason not to pop in. I'll be there every weekend for the next 3-6months at least, I am happy to spend some time talking to visitors, so feel free to pop in and see me and the tank :wave:
Looks stunning Tony, but would it not be better to have some redundancy for all that equipment using a single pump?
Keep the pictures coming
Danny
p.s. does that mean you will have to change your signature.
Looks stunning Tony, but would it not be better to have some redundancy for all that equipment using a single pump?
Keep the pictures coming
Danny
p.s. does that mean you will have to change your signature.
Yes, I had though about that, I will have to order another ITT to slip in there if that one fails, as the chillers and skimmers will have no feed. Good point and it DOES remind me :o
Nick, can I have another pump please, just as a spare incase the ITT fails? :worship:
Nick Seaby
21-06-07, 16:19
Yes, I had though about that, I will have to order another ITT to slip in there if that one fails, as the chillers and skimmers will have no feed. Good point and it DOES remind me :o
Nick, can I have another pump please, just as a spare incase the ITT fails? :worship:
I will get you a spare powerhead instead mate......how about that???:laugh:
I will get you a spare powerhead instead mate......how about that???:laugh:
That will be promptly inserted up your............. :ph34r: :oops:
Nick Seaby
21-06-07, 16:25
That will be promptly inserted up your............. :ph34r: :oops:
How rude!! :p :p
Have a word with Gav and he will get it ordered for you
How rude!! :p :p
Have a word with Gav and he will get it ordered for you
Yes will do fella ;)
Thanks Nick :thumbsup:
sweet so now it is official we can stop getting updates from the monkey and start hearing from the organ grinder :D
on a serious note, anyone with a weekend day off looking for some reefy fun, pm tony b and get yourself down for a visit when he is there, he says he is happy to speak to visitors, of course he is, he gets to skive for an hour or two :D :D :D
he gets to skive for an hour or two :D :D :D
Ladies, let's not forget I am doing this FOC and not getting paid any cash, I'm doing this purely for the love of the hobby and to help Nick and Gav out.
Yes, I am enjoying it massively alright. :cool:
I will skive as much as I bloody well like! :p
Nick Seaby
21-06-07, 17:04
Ladies, let's not forget I am doing this FOC and not getting paid any cash, I'm doing this purely for the love of the hobby and to help Nick and Gav out.
Yes, I am enjoying it massively alright. :cool:
I will skive as much as I bloody well like! :p
And he does :thumbsup:
And he does :thumbsup:
Charming!:eek:
I drip with sweat round the back, lugging stuff about and chopping up pipe work, nice to know you appreciate me hard work! You've got beans on toast next time you're over for tea, every one else will have steak! :p
Nick Seaby
21-06-07, 17:20
Charming!:eek:
I drip with sweat round the back, lugging stuff about and chopping up pipe work, nice to know you appreciate me hard work! You've got beans on toast next time you're over for tea, every one else will have steak! :p
I almost felt sorry for you then........nah!!! :laugh:
You know we appreciate you mate so is steak back on the menu???
I almost felt sorry for you then........nah!!! :laugh:
You know we appreciate you mate so is steak back on the menu???
Yes, of course it is! But that's only because we're round Gavin's next Tuesday :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Came down to the shop for the first time last Sunday - that is gonna be one hell of a display tank :thumbsup:
:applause:
Nick Seaby
21-06-07, 18:17
Came down to the shop for the first time last Sunday - that is gonna be one hell of a display tank :thumbsup:
:applause:
I think I was speaking to you on Sunday about the tank. You said that you came down just to see it. Was that you?? Thanks we just cant wait to get it up and running!!
I think I was speaking to you on Sunday about the tank. You said that you came down just to see it. Was that you?? Thanks we just cant wait to get it up and running!!
i want to be around for the unveiling of this, it will be rather special, well done Tony and team:thumbsup:
Nick Seaby
21-06-07, 18:34
i want to be around for the unveiling of this, it will be rather special, well done Tony and team:thumbsup:
Well I'm sure we will do something at the time when it is ready.....not quite sure what yet but I'm sure we will think of something. Or answers on a postcard to Swallow Aquatics :thumbsup:
If I'm ever down that neck of the woods I'll have to have a nosey...
Well I'm sure we will do something at the time when it is ready.....not quite sure what yet but I'm sure we will think of something. Or answers on a postcard to Swallow Aquatics :thumbsup:
Drum rolls and a curtain thing to draw open, then champers and nibbles:whistling:
and of course 50% off all live stock 75%off buckets of reef crystals.
We can only dream.
Happy Reefkeeping
Andy
80% off all tunze products if paid with cash on the day :)
80% off all tunze products if paid with cash on the day :)
You can have the blistered ones im sure :)
80% off all tunze products if paid with cash on the day :)
Cor blimey, is that all? :laugh:
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