As some of you already know,  I was able to raise enough support to buy a new tank to replace the 240 that is in our marine lab/classroom.  The old acrylic tank has become very scratched and has a structural crack on the top.  (all repairable but the same problems are likely to come back and are so noticeable in a reef tank. )

I contracted Miracles in Glass (based in Canada) for the build.  I wanted something a bit wider and a bit taller to give us enough room to have a nice display but still run some experiments etc.

The tank we settled on is a custom order tank that is 8' x 3' wide x 30" tall and is set up to be a penninsula style tank as the 240 was. Built of  3/4" starfire glass on the three viewable sides.  Euro- style bracing on top.  By the on-line calculator considering the wall thickness rather than going by outside demensions that gives me a tank volume of 412 gal.  The build-in overflow has three 1.5 inch drain holes. 

I plan to use a dirso (spelled wrong but am ok with that) style muffling system to keep the gurgle to a minimum.

I am going to keep my dart pump to power the closed loop which will have two 1.5 inch drains and 10 return lines (1").   Flow will be controled by an ocean motion four way device.  I know that some people are very critical of this unit for being prone to getting clogged up but since I am bare bottom and not using fresh live rock I don't think I will have nearly as much sediment around to give me trouble.

I will re-use the 240 but will turn it into a very densely planted mangrove tank.  The aim is to have 100-200 trees in the 8 foot run. and thus be a pretty good vegitative filter.  And look really cool.  Plus this can then become the home for sponge, epiphyte algae and small fish breeding programs.

the display tank will drain, in part,  to the mangrove tank and part directly to the sump.  I have not settled on what tank to use as the sump.  I am thinking between 75 and 125 but not sure.   I do intend to light  a section of the sump and use it as a frag grow out station (not for damaged or qts of course)

I will use the same baracuda pump as the return pump and will continue to tee off of it to feed the Orca 250 skimmer (rated to 900gal)   Additionally,  I will use a second tee to drain off overflow to allow the pump to run at full power but not swamp the tank if the three drains can not keep up.  I may add a small ozone generator to the skimmer as the tank  matures and increases the bio load.  or swap the skimmer for a larger rating demending on demand.  Up for debate if you care to chime in...

I will continue to use the controled tunze powerheads to create additional flow (12,000 gal/ hour) .  With the current controller system I can slave an additonal four pumps if needed as the coral mass becomes thicker and it slows the flow of the tank down

Cal/Alk will be boosted by Geo 618's.  If needed I can add an additional reactor body to either or both to increase their output

Lighting will continue for now with the three 400 m/h.  I plan to add extra t-5 lighting later next fall.  Not sure if there is real value in adding any sort of moon light type of device but its not out of the question at this point

I welcome  input or criticism on the tank.  A fair number of things are set in stone as  they are already present,  so you may argue about them but not likely to change at least until later in the fall when we can do another fund raiser  

I have no clue as to a total water volume right now since I will not be filling the 240 more than about 1/2 way up to avoid damaging the repaired top, have not settled on a sump size, and will not know how far from the top I will set the water level in the display tank.  I am guessing around 550-650 which should give us a nice stable environment to work with. 

tank should be here Around the second or third week of June and I will post pics at that point

wish us luck!

Briney Dave said :

As some of you already know,  I was able to raise enough support to buy a new tank to replace the 240 that is in our marine lab/classroom.  The old acrylic tank has become very scratched and has a structural crack on the top.  (all repairable but the same problems are likely to come back and are so noticeable in a reef tank. )

I contracted Miracles in Glass (based in Canada) for the build.  I wanted something a bit wider and a bit taller to give us enough room to have a nice display but still run some experiments etc.

  I may add a small ozone generator to the skimmer as the tank  matures and increases the bio load.  or swap the skimmer for a larger rating demending on demand.  Up for debate if you care to chime in...

Dave, I don't have a clue what's involved with an Ozone generator, but is it something that could be kept in a school?    

I am not all together sure of the legal use either.  One unit was pulled in the past but health department really did not have a clear right to do that.  (did not measure O3 levels in my room) This was during their gun slinger days when they had Rachel's law to come in and rid the world of dangerous things such as hand soap and aquarium salt that does not have a safety sheet on file for.  (yes, I was wrote up for having soap on my sink and a bucket of reef salt)

On a straight note: It is a concern,  but knowing how its injected into the massive air flow of the skimmer it will have a tremendous amount of contact time to break down plus I would not be using a dose close to what is recommended most often by those who use it. 

In the past I used a timer and started dosing a couple hours after school and ended around mid night or so giving the room nearly 7 hours to turn over before anyone would be inside and breathing that air.  Nothing smelled funcky (aside from me of course) indicating too much hanging around in the air in the morning.

Talk about creating ultra clear water though.  It rocks

O3 is certainly not the best option for smaller tanks,  but might be here.  This would not be part of the first stage of the system either,  but down the road if the bio demand is slightly out pacing the skimmer I currently have. 

I have a quick question for our stand builder.  I want to use wood panels to cover the tubular steel stand and was wondering what stain type will hold up the best to the saltwater and uv of the lighting system

I can not do anything fancy just use screws to attach flat stock birch or similar plywood but be able to remove the panel to service the sump pumps and recharge the top off system

Briney Dave said :

I have a quick question for our stand builder.  I want to use wood panels to cover the tubular steel stand and was wondering what stain type will hold up the best to the saltwater and uv of the lighting system

I can not do anything fancy just use screws to attach flat stock birch or similar plywood but be able to remove the panel to service the sump pumps and recharge the top off system

I'd recommend Spar Varnish, or something suited for exterior use. Then a stainless steel screws.

I look forward to a real build thread on this project. 

My hope is that the whole build will only take a day or two max.  Start very earily one day moving everything out of the 240 to staged 55's and a couple trash cans

rip out the old stand and cabinets, use hydrolic jacks to roll the new tank and stand into place.  Level it then glue in all of the plumbing.  refill and restock.  I think I can salvage a couple hundred gal of water from the old system and have the rest made up and waiting

Briney Dave said :

I contracted Miracles in Glass (based in Canada) for the build.  I wanted something a bit wider and a bit taller to give us enough room to have a nice display but still run some experiments etc.

I am going to keep my dart pump to power the closed loop which will have two 1.5 inch drains and 10 return lines (1").   Flow will be controled by an ocean motion four way device.  I know that some people are very critical of this unit for being prone to getting clogged up but since I am bare bottom and not using fresh live rock I don't think I will have nearly as much sediment around to give me trouble.

You sound like just the man to talk to.  As you may know, I'm in the process of designing a 240 build.  Haven''t decided where to have the tank manufactured.  Want internal corner overflows, starfire class and an Ocean Motion closed loop system.  Is Miracles Glass going to pre-drill your 10 returns?  How do you know where to place them?  I'm also confused as to how you will have 10 returns with an Ocean Motion four way.  I was debating the six way.  Any chance you'd be willing to meet with me in person to help set me straight?

Kimbers

Miracles is drilling mine.  I would not take the risk myself.  Its one thing to drill a 55 that can be replaced, but this is a bit different. 

I constulted with both a designer with miracles and a flow engineer at ocean motion.  Together we went with a flanking of holes paralel to each other along the length with the two larger return holes near the center

We settled on the number so as to be able to push out from under the rock piles and have some holes that will push straight up to break the surface. 

As for going off the shelf verses a custom I can't answer that for you, but I will share why we went this way.

I have short arms LOL and thus do not want to not be able to reach the bottom.  Ok, the real reason is tht I am a firm believer in the value of gas exchange in the overal health of the tank.  Being wider than tall gives me a real edge in reaching that goal

plus I wanted a specific three hole overflow system to get a big turn over into the sump and mangrove garden

having seen starfire in person I knew that was the glass to go with.  clearity is comparable to acrylic but no scratches

Not sure where you live at but am willing to meet.  I can show the blueprints to the 412 and chat about your set -up.  Next week is pretty booked but finals week is in two weeks and is much more calm and quiet

Briney Dave said :

I constulted with both a designer with miracles and a flow engineer at ocean motion....

Not sure where you live at but am willing to meet.  I can show the blueprints to the 412 and chat about your set -up.  Next week is pretty booked but finals week is in two weeks and is much more calm and quiet

  

Dave,

I completely agree with letting the builder do the drilling.  Especially in a tank of that size.  No doubt, we're on the same page there.  As a result, custom is the only option for me, as well.  Now that you've consulted with a designer from Miracles and a flow engineer from Ocean Motion, we've definately got to talk!!!  You've just made yourself an invaluable resource!  I'm in Toledo, but those that know me realize I'd drive anywhere to get this one right.  I'd love to see the blueprints to the 412.  Sounds like mid-June is a better time frame for you.  Are you a high school teacher?  Looks like you're from Bellevue?  Is that where the 412 is going?  Please post lots and lots of pics.  Can't wait to see your build come together!

Kimbers

The 412 is for my classroom (and yes its in Bellevue)  and should be in around the second week of June (I am hoping) as the 17th my students and I are leaving for Abaco to meet Dr. Turner.  We will be gone for seven days.  I would hate to think that strangers were unloading the tank and moving it around without me being there.  Worst case, I delay the shipment date until we are back on that.

I do have to drill out what ever sump tank I settle on and need to get going on that build as well.  The mangrove tank will not be ready to come on line when the display tank goes in but I will plumb for it now so I we have to do is slide it into place and fill it.  then  open the valves and let the flow go

I am not much of a pic poster but that will change when this tank gets in. 

I am glad to set time aside to meet you,   Other than next week most times will work.  I have some commitments but there should be some time to meet

Dave,

OHHHHHHHH,  Please let me know of the date of delivery and set up.  I'm a pharma rep and Bellevue is part of my territory.  I'd love to be there to watch this be put in place and plummed.  Surely I could work out my routing accordingly!     I'll have to live through you and your students until I can garner the cash to buy my tank.  Soooo excited.  Which Dr. Turner are you going to see.  If it's the one I know... he's awesome and then some.  Your students are sure to have an amazing time.  How can I become one of your students?  Sounds like they have an awesome teacher!

If time allows, I'd like to help if I can when the time comes. I just don't know yet what Saturdays I have off in June.  

Just like Fish Tales I'd like to be there when it starts to come together, after all it's not every day you can see a tank this size.

RJS8540 said :

If time allows, I'd like to help if I can when the time comes. I just don't know yet what Saturdays I have off in June.  

Just like Fish Tales I'd like to be there when it starts to come together, after all it's not every day you can see a tank this size.

I don't know what Briney Dave thinks of this, but I sure would love for you and I to be there.  After all, you will be a significant part of my build!  Can't wait.  Hope we can watch this go up together!

The more the better as far as I am concerned.  Right now its all in Miracles lap as to how soon the tank gets here.  From that point I will try to figure if I go for it before or after the trip.  More likely to be after the trip.

I still have to order the sch 80 bulkhead fittings, the ocean motion four way device, and get my father in law going on making the stand. 

Plus the grounds crew is going to cut my door out so we can take the tank in on the stand and not have to try to lift it more times than we have to.  My original plan was to take it in on its side but at 950 lbs I would rather not have to try that LOL

sound sweet just had to make it bigger than mine lol you have a pm about the sump

sort of like the scene from pirates of the carabbean with the dueling spy glasses LOL

Really, I had a chance to go bigger when the structural crack opened on the top of the acrylic tank and I just could not say no  

There are a couple pm(s) flashing on the top of the page: heading there now. 

there must be some activity on my tank this week.  I was asked to fill out all the info and tax id numbers to get through US Customs.

Still no ETA though. 

I could possibly come out to help get this tank set up, depending on when it is I would try to work things out. Would love to see a tank of this size go together. One day I want to have a large tank, probably not this large but at least I can get some ideas for when that time comes.

Great to hear,

no better teacher than seeing it first hand.  I learned so much by visiting a couple of tanks; both what to do and what not to do

Plus I get free labor or at least only the cost of some goodies off the grill labor  LOL

As soon as I have a date in mind, I will post it.  I will try my best to work around the majority's schedule. 

This is beginning to sound like a tank build party!  I'll bring the camera since you've already admitted to not being so great with pics.  I'm a bit worried about the time frame since I'll be out of town the weekends of June 5th and 24th.  I know your trip falls between those dates.  Do you know if you're specifically looking at setting up over a weekend or weekday (since school will be out for the summer)?  I hope getting this beast through customs won't create unexpected delays.