230G Rimless Starphire AquaForest (56K!)

[khoile]

Updates:

04/09/08 - Flash back - pictures of my 75G
04/11/08 - Got Tank!
04/20/08 - Pentair Experiment - Can the modules be join using Megaloc?
06/01/08 - Finished Stand Frame
06/21/08 - Stand is 90% done - Staining next
07/13/08 - Finished Stand, stained and lacquered.
07/28/08 - Light mounted and Stand inplace
08/25/08 - Getting there...
09/12/08 - Finally brought in the tank!

Hi,

I've been lurking around long enough, and thought I finally post my own journal for a change. Thanks alot to everyone on this board for providing helpful information. I'm a newbie at planted tank, my first planted tank is a 75 gallon, and it wasn't every good. I hope to do better this time.

My tank will arrive this Friday, for now thanks to Google Sketchup I've model the tank and its components.

Some specs:
Tank:
230 gallon
72"Lx30"Wx25"H
Starphire front and sides

Lightning:
Current OuterOrbit T5 - 3x 150W MH + 8x 39W T5

Filtration:
Full pentair modules powered by Sequence Snapper

Fauna:
TBD. Maybe altums

Flora:
I have no idea, I'm not good at plant names, so typical planted tank, stems, HC, etc..

Ok onto the images:

Tank:


Plumbing diagram, thanks Scolley for the level sensor:


The above is clickable if you want the fullsize version.

I'm not sure where to buy a 1 1/2" "normally open" solenoid, so if you know a place, please let me know.

Questions/Comments?

Thanks for looking.


References:
Here I list the links/articles/reasons that I use to make my decisions. Hopefully it'll be helpful for those who are doing the same.

Tank: 3/4" (19mm) thickness came from an article by Warren Stillwell. I've made a calculator for rimless tank glass thickness here.

Light: I've decided on MH due to its shimmering effect. I choose Current OuterOrbit because it's an all-in-one fixture (MH/T5/moonlight) and mainly because I got it cheap on ebay. I'll be modifying the fixture to remove the loud fan and make the ballast external.

Pump: Based on the calculator use. Sequence Snapper provide the gph bang for the wattage. Dart is also an option, but I believe I'm better off buying 2x Snappers.

[Raul-7]

Dream tank! Looking forward to seeing this develop.

No clue on the solenoid, but you're going to need a pressure-rated pump not a flow-pump (the Snapper is max 11' of head) to run that massive filtration system. Take a look at the Reeflo Marlin.

Who's building the tank BTW?

[khoile]

Thanks... yeah I was afraid the pump can't handle the system. I am hoping I don't have to go to pressure rated pump (ie energy hog). I've already purchased the pump, so I guess I'll test it out first.

Concepttanks.com is the tank builder, they have good price and very on time, I thought I could prepare before the tank arrive, but look like the tank will be in the garage for a couple weeks. I'll give another update when I receive the tank.

[intermediate_noob]

You have obviously done your research, but can all the Pentair modules be installed horizontal like that? I thought for some reason that some of them, specifically the mechanical modules had to be installed vertically?

No criticism, just a question really. Great tank, great threat, subscribed!

[macclellan]

I thought you were storing spent fuel rods at first...

[AaronT]

It looks like a good setup so far. I think you could do without the chemical filtration though. The UV should keep the water plenty clear for you.

[nellis]

Originally Posted by khoile

Thanks... yeah I was afraid the pump can't handle the system. I am hoping I don't have to go to pressure rated pump (ie energy hog). I've already purchased the pump, so I guess I'll test it out first.

Good luck. I just caved in and bought a pressure rated Blue-Line for the reef I'm building. With that many canisters and turns I have a feeling you just may... but keep your fingers crossed.

[mrkookm]

With that many canisters and turns I have a feeling you just may

I agree with Nellis here, if I were you I would return that pump and get a pressure rated pump. With that many modules the Snapper pump is not going to work well....thats if it even starts pumping anthing at all

If it were my setup I would be looking at the Wahoo/Marlin, Panworld 200/250 PS or Iwaki 70/100RLT.

[frozenbarb]

762 watts of light o.O is that too much maybe?

[MOsborne05]

Wow, looks like you are going all out! I can't wait to see it when you finally get it up and running. Altums would look great if you can find them, although I'm partial to discus in big tanks

[khoile]

Thanks for all the comments,

I really hope the pump works . If not maybe I just get another snapper to power half of the loop? It's too late to return the pump now, I bought it months ago. I got almost all the hardware piling up here in my room waiting for the tank and the stand (to be built).

As for if the Pentairs work horizontally, I believe they will, I haven't seen any document that suggest other wise, it would be suck if it didn't as I really like the current setup now. I can change the filter pretty easily since everything is accessible from the front, can you say 60 second filter change . I'm even thinking about getting another chem module for the top loop, since look like I'll be permanently gluing all these together, rather overdo it than to find out it needed in the future.

One thing I need to add the the plumbing diagram is the ferts, I totally forgot about that.

Anyway, here's an update with the beast in its natural habitat.



I'll try to find pics of my 75G tank, I've never run into serious algae problem before, so I'm pretty scare now, with highlight, etc... I think I maybe getting into alot of trouble here .

[sick lid]

That thread title practically screamed out from across the room. Subscribed.
How thick is the glass, and how much $$ for the tank?

[Raul-7]

A good point was brought up regarding the mechanical and chemical modules being horizontal, won't that make it tedious to change the media without removing the entire module?

[Plantshrink]

awesome. I am following along.

[moogoo]

Pretty awesome tank setup. I wish I had the time, money and space for such a thing, but unfortunately I don't.

Just a note, I would be concerned bout putting your tank so close to the fireplace, but if you don't use it, shouldn't be an issue. Doesn't seem like you would need to with your location anyway.

Keep us updated!