Rico's 240 Gallon Money Pit(Twin 90's)

[mseepman]

I can't say I'm versed enough in reefing to answer all your questions above, but I can tell you that I recently modded my light to go from PC's to T5HO and it was by far the best thing I've done for my tank. In combination with my MH, I can now really adjust my lighting look and get the "pop" that I wanted out of my corals. T5HO is the way to go in my humble opinion.

[ricosuave]

I got a package today. The mag24 for return pump...



The Aquamedic Sp3000 for ATO...



And 1 Sunlight reef optix 3 pendant kit...however, being as stupid as I am I assumed that this was a 3 light kit. Really, that was just the model number. Duhhhh!!!! I guess I'll order 2 more tonight.




On the left of the pic is my special helper, Max. He is going to help me build this 240

[ricosuave]

Here's the pics from framing.

The first is just getting started. I had a lot of trouble getting it level cause the slab wasn't done quite right.



these next two show some of the glue work and the compression method framing(not quite complete at this pic






for the top I put two layers of AC grade 3/4" plywood, glued and screwed. Made a perfectly flat, level surface.



on top of the plywood I put a 1/2" layer of styrofoam to help with any imperfections and to avoid a stress fracture in the future



here is the completed(framing, that is) stand with tank in place




Now, a pic of me and my bestest helper. He had to test out the tank(more like a swimming pool to him)

[Thomas]

Rico,
On that Aquamedic top-off unit you will see those two hoses for the peristaltic portion of the pump. They tell you to grease the hose before use but what they don't tell you is that you need to heat up the hose in near boiling water to soften it up. There has been problems with that particular hose cracking after it has been put into service. Mine of course cracked while we were on vacation. Good thing my neighbor was observant.
I now use the Masterflex 96410-15 hose instead. This pump also has a hard time until the hose is malleable.

[ricosuave]

Thanks, Thomas. I found a 25' package on ebay for $25. Brand new. I will definitely heed your warning.

[Thomas]

I've been using the same piece of hose for over a year now. This stuff holds up well. We use it on our swab stick making machines at work. You might want to plug this pump in and let it run in a bowl of water for a while to let the hose get used to being compressed. The pump is not the strongest thing and then when you go to install it it will be broke in. ( the hose )

[ricosuave]

Do you controls yours with a float switch/relay or with solenoid valves plumbed from your RO unit?

[Thomas]

I bought the one that came with a float switch wired into the unit. It came with a dripper or bubble counter I think it's called. It was about twenty bucks more than just the pump alone. It uses a float and a siphon. My float switch is hard wired in on the bottom of the pump housing. I would think you could cut the wires going into the unit ( one side only ) and splice in a float switch. Dr. Foster's sells the bubble counter. It's by the CO2 stuff. $22.00 though.
Mine is called the Aquamedic Niveaumat. I would contact them and see if you can get the parts from them. I would think they would be cheaper. Maybe you could return it for the Niveaumat.

[ricosuave]

Ive come up with an initial layout for the support room. I could use ya'lls opinions and advice. I'm struggling with how to set this space up and have it be user friendly.

[Gecko]

Since the tank is shown in its fixed position this leaves you with very few options. However I do like the layout and I wish I had a fish room.