Out Of The Tidal Pool

[BigC]

Hi Guys,
Most of you may know me from the Nano Section, where I regularly post in my thread "Dawn on the Reef" I feel that the time is right for a major upgrade.
Soon I am about to embark on a major project whereby I will be locating a brand new 4x2x2 tank complete with sump in the intergral garage. The garage is on the opposite side of the hallway where my current tank is situated. The plan is to have two holes drilled in the Hallway wall (Coremaster) which will have 2x20" Brass Portholes complete with Brass Liners for viewing purposes.

My first job is to build the main tank and get all the initial bulkheads fitted. I have cut and polished the glass (10mm) and am about to order the fittings as soon as I research flowrates and patterns.

This is a huge undertaking, and as I'm sure you'll realise will take some time and at certain points seem dormant. As and when funds become available I will add to this thread.
I want to fully catalogue this build hence this early posting

Main Tank Volumes before displacement
Volume in litres: 453.069545
Volume in imperial gallons: 99.674303
Volume in US gallons: 119.701336

I hope you will follow along both to help and to learn as this thread progresses
Regards
BigC

 

[SkiFletch]

Sweet, out of the tidal pool indeed

 

[kewskills]

WOW don't do things easy do you. what a project to undertake, I shall follow excitedly.

Cheers, Karl

 

[bae1994]

woow how cool, i just thought you should get a glass dome that goes in wards big enought to put your head in so you can see what a fish can see that would be amazing they have one at birmingham aqaurium zoo

 

[ben1987]

will there be pics of the actual tank build? i always wanted to see the best ways

 

[BigC]

Thanks Guys, Come along for the ride......
I like to do things a little different and off the cuff as it were Kew. You should know me by now Ben, it will be a pictorial thread as always.
For the flow I'm thinking of going with a Vortech MP40W as the electricty consumption is a lot less than running a sequence pump and an Oceans Motions 4 Way.
http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9L2FaZwfwo
Regards
BigC

 

[VictorMeldrew]

ideal BigC, I am really looking forward to the pictures of the build, i love the idea of the port holes. I only wish my garage was connected to my house, its about a 100m away in a block with no power anyway best of luck with this one mate and may it be algea free from the start, i will be watching this every step of the way, great project

I take it you are keeping your nano running?

Regards
VM

 

[BigC]

Hi Vic,

I take it you are keeping your nano running?

Sadly M8 the Nano will be dismantled.
But not for some time yet, this is going to be a bit long winded. LOL
Regards
BigC

 

[rabbut]

*Watches with interest* I assume you have the brace bars on order/stored elsewhere? Will be interesting to see how other people do their tank builds, may give me a few tips/tricks

All the best
Rabbut

 

[ben1987]

what lights are you planning? pair of 250's?

 

[SkiFletch]

what lights are you planning? pair of 250's?

Or perhaps the tronics gumption to try an LED array?

GREAT call on the MP40 for that size tank BigC. You wont regret it

 

[BigC]

*Watches with interest* I assume you have the brace bars on order/stored elsewhere? Will be interesting to see how other people do their tank builds, may give me a few tips/tricks laugh.gif

I have decided to go with one wide brace in the middle which, in effect, will form less shadows from the Metal Halides.
Was thinking of going with a couple of 250 Luminarcs but may just decide to go with an off the shelf hanging (2x250 & T5 combo) Luminaire.
For the input/output I'll be going with a corner weir, I just forget the dimensions at the moment, with 2x40mm drains and a 25mm return, A mate of mine has a tank set up with this config with gate valves and its ultra quiet.
Yeah Ski I originally was drawn toward the Oceans Motions 4 Way but by the time you add up all the electricity costings then I had to rule it out. So I think the MP40 is the way to go.

I'm looking forward to making a start on the tank atleast, but I will have to wait until I get the bulkheads and then I have to send the base away to get drilled (CNC)
Hopefully within the next couple of weeks.

Regards
BigC

 

[SkiFletch]

Oh yeah BigC. When i ultimately move into a home and build a 180 in a wall (years from now, don't hold your breath), I'll also use an MP40 for pulsing flow. Same cost as JUST the OM device, and like you pointed out, WAY less electricity.

 

[1entra]

Here we go again again BigC... I will be waiting and watching with great interest to see how this project develops...

Dont you think the portholes may be a bit small for the viewing purposes and would you rather not be able to see the whole tank in one view? just a thought mate. Best of luck to you anyway...

 

[BigC]

Dont you think the portholes may be a bit small for the viewing purposes and would you rather not be able to see the whole tank in one view? just a thought mate. Best of luck to you anyway...

Hi 1entra,
I want to clear the hallway of having a large cabinet and just haveing the walls drilled and portholes seemed a logical idea. I suppose a straight forward hole in the wall rectangular viewing hole framed would have been ideal but with the additional structural and electrical constraints it would have meant it turning into a logistical nightmare. So The Portholes have come in as a second option really. I've seen it done with a more contempory look with round holes and brushed steel circular framings. but I want mine to have a nautical feel. hence the chandlry. Besides I'll probably spend more time behind the scenes anyhow.
Regards
BigC