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RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

argi — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:22:00 GMT

Sounds good..can't wait to see it. The tank is progressing nicely.

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:17:34 GMT

The outer shell is not built yet. It will consist of really nice stained wood and trimmed out to the max. That's coming hopefully this weekend!!
But really want to make sure all the mechanics are working

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

argi — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:30:11 GMT

Sweet!!!

When you say "outer shell" for the canopy, is that shown in the picture or is there another piece not pictured?

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:52:04 GMT

Holy crap... I totally forgot the final plubing pics of underneath the tank

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:50:18 GMT

oh I forgot to show the sump room. We stripped out everything and used the old 120 display tank for the sump. The plan for this room is to have the RO top off and the new saltwater tanks to be as automated as possible. Just a switch or ball valve and water ready.
Also I plan on having a small fish wall. Two 30 breeders for coral propgation and one 55 gallon for a refugium.
Here's some pics...

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:44:05 GMT

ok folks!!! I got a big update!!!

FTS

more pics around tank

And my light tray. The idea is for a 2 part canopy. The lights will be on one and the outer shell will be the other. I figure this will be easier to work in the tank and easier to remove the the top..

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Noctiluca — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:51:16 GMT

Sweeeet, looks like your making alot of progress. Can hardly wait to see the compleated project.Good work.

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:31:33 GMT

Well finally making some head way now!!!
Just a couple of pics to show the update

11/2" tubular steel stand

plumbing parts for the 4 way

table with all my supplies

Kalk reactor and Calcium reactor

Tank with 4 way plumbed

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:11:08 GMT

Ok so the wait hs been long but some progress has been made!!!!!!!!!

The 4 - way is ordered and should be here tomorrow.
The sea-swirl is here. I will use this for my return from the sump room
The locline is here for the returns from the 4 - way. We are going 1 1/2" from the 4-way to 3/4" round nozzles
The bulkheads and the CO2 regulator is coming (thanks to Marinedepot) plus a PH monitor
And the best of all!!!!!!!The tank gets drilled tomorrow evening for FREEEEEEE!!!!!!!

Will post pics in the next day or so

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:44:36 GMT

Yea thats for sure!!! Lucky me though,,, he is starting up a new fish store and he has asked me if I could help him. I said "well of course!!!" and thinking to myself,,,I need a oc 4-way,,some choice LR,,,fish,,,corals,,etc..... But would a good friend take advantage of a friend??????????

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

argi — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:13:23 GMT

Now what else can you do for him so he buys the rest of your equipment, LOL.

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 13:16:42 GMT

Well not much has changed but I have gotten a huge part for the closed loop!!!! The barracuda pump!!!! This pump pushes 4300 gph!!! I think for a 5' 150, this flow on a 4way is going to rock!!! And the best thing is the cost. FREE!!!!!!! I helped my good buddy out one Saturday at his house and in return he buys me a pump. Talk about a good trade!!! Here's a couple of pics of the pump

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 15:11:17 GMT

Yea thats true! This marco rock is actually fiji rock that is dead. So it very porus and very light. works real good especially on the wallet!!

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

argi — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:42:09 GMT

I have found some rock tends to go a long way, while others don't. I have never used macrorocks, so I am not sure how dense the rock is.

Aquamend certainly is a great item. Can't wait to see this all come together for you.

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:46:33 GMT

Those rocks on the left side by the glass on actually aquamended together!!!! They are standing on their own I can get reall funky with the rock work with this stuff!!!

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:44:43 GMT

I do appreciate people who look for the details!!! Picture quality not that great!! But the rock is actually about 2" from the left side of the glass. That's one thing I will avoid is "rock walls". No rocks touching the glass. That side of the tank is where I want to put the intake for the CL. It's going to be hidden by rocks but none actually touching the glass. Its pretty scary to see that 60lbs. of rock didn't cover very much!!!

On a side note,, I am going to hide one CL return in the rocks close to the overflow box. There's a small opening where the return pipe should fit nicely in between the rocks. That a place where I could use some foam and epoxy with sand to hide the pipe work. Should be cool

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

argi — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 12:53:07 GMT

Everything is looking good, but I do have one comment/suggestion. It looks like you have the rock right up against the glass (on the left side as you look at the tank). You might want to consider giving yourself about 4-6" away from the glass so you can get in there and scrape algae.

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 06:15:52 GMT

No big changes as of late but have been playing with the marcorocks. Layed it out and am very surprised by how little 60 lbs. went. I need at least 60lbs. more and I still want two BIG pieces to go in front of these rocks

here a shot from the top

heres a shot level from the side

and a bad FTS

and a pic of my QT tank(55 gal.)

and a couple pics of my sump room

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

argi — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 20:12:01 GMT

I hadn't heard that. I will see if I can find any other "issues" people have had.

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 11:46:10 GMT

I just read over at RC that the great stuff foam spray will break down in time. Does anyone have proof to agree or disagree with this???? I would hate to spray this stuff and make walls only to have it fade away

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

argi — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 04:14:52 GMT

Everytime I am in Home Depot I look to see if they have the pond Great Stuff, but it is not pond season quite yet in the North East. Once they get it in, I am going to play around with a can to see how easy it is to use. I guess the stuff floats, so you will want to make sure it either bonds to the glass of the tank or put some rock or something else to weigh it down.

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:05:56 GMT

The next thing to look at is this greatstuff foam spray. I show this tank build thread the other day and the owner used this foam spray against the left side glass to hide the intakes for the CL.. In than painted it to much the LR he was using. The idea of painting the foam was to make it look ok until the coraline algae started growing over it. Anybody here have any experience using this stuff??? I thought I could use it to hide the overflow and the intake for the cl. All though I have not decided where the intake is going but if I put it on the back wall,,I fell like I can hide it better using this and LR.

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

argi — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 05:20:49 GMT

I've never built on out of steel so I am not sure what the cost would be, but I agree that price seems a little low.

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 05:08:44 GMT

I have traded work with a couple of friends in turn for a brand new barracuda pump and a oceans motion 4 way with 4 new dual omni flow nozzles. So now I should get started on making the stand. Am considering going with steel but will need to see what the cost will be. My friend has told me it would only be around 200 bucks but to me that seems a little low

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:26:38 GMT

Ok so I got my first( of two) shipments of rock from Marco Rock. I am very happy with the rock!! I ordered 60 lbs. and got 63lbs. The pieces are all large and the smallest one is still bigger than a softball. excluding the frag rumble....

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 07:33:49 GMT

Thanks argi

I will be using the flow acclerators on the return pump from the sump. I think I may use the OM flow nozzles. I do want to do more research on them first though.

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

argi — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 06:17:48 GMT

Very neat idea indeed. Also I just wanted to share this thread on RC about the flow accelerators (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1333210). Looks like they may work for you.

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 06:01:30 GMT

The four holes in the overflow were intended by the original owner to be used like this; The big one for the intake to the sump,,,the two holes on the ends are for the returns,,,and the one in the center is for cables and anything else coming from the stand to the top. I actually think that is a pretty cool idea!! You can run all your plugs thru the tank instead of the outside of the tank.

Now what I need to decide is what holes I can use and which ones I should cap I want my returrns similar to the tank I mentioned earlier in RC

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

argi — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 03:09:29 GMT

The tank already has those holes drilled? Do you know what are the three smaller holes inside the overflow intended for? The other holes outside the overflow would help to get flow behind the rockwork which isn't a bad idea. That is where a lot of stuff can sometimes settle out due to lack of flow.

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 19:48:07 GMT

So I did some measuring on the tank today and mark where the existing holes drilled in the tank. I think the ones in the overflow are ok. The two holes in front of the overflow may not be in a good location. The other hole on the right side of the tank may be to close to the side with my ideas of the rockwork. Here is a drawing of the tank as it is.

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 17:53:22 GMT

So I tried to make some rock No thanks!! I think it is way too much work for the finished product. Of course the rocks are still drying but I feel confident that they are going to look like poo. So I started to collect dry fiji rock for the tank. I ordered 60 lbs. of marcorock!!!!!! I feel that might be enough to do the back row of rocks. We'll see in three days how they look!!

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 06:23:09 GMT

So I thought since today its going to be like 75 outside that I would try my hand at making some rock... I have all the material together and I just want to get this bug out of me. I know I couldn't create the rock to look as good as mothernature but you never know till you try!! I'm only really concerned with the two or three islands that are going to hide the returns. I must be pretty stupid t try this because my good buddy has already said that I can cherry pick all the rock I need from his LFS for his cost!!!! Thats a great deal!!!!

If the rocks turn out nice,,,I'll post some pics. I still need to post pics of the tank. 4 pages long thread with no pics!!!! So unamerican!!!

Thanks argi for all the good advice!!!!!

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

argi — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:33:48 GMT

So a single Barracuda instead of two Darts? Sounds reasonable to me. I like the idea of the OM's and if I had to do my 220 over (well I eventually will have to since I sold it, LOL) I will probably go that route instead of building a return manifold out of PVC that sits on the upper rim (or just inside) the tank.

I will have to look at that tank build thread a little more (I actually have other work to do, so I don't have the time to look closely, LOL).

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 06:42:20 GMT

OK so this is what I have come up with now. What about a barrcuda pump with a 4 way from OM. This tank build from RC uses this setup in a similar sized tank as mine and he states that he has had to turn down the pump because of too much flow!! Sounds good to me

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=66bfc035de62d2d25a6791dd69fd2feb&threadid=1148228

But I think I would do the placement of the returns a little different. I want to hide them better than that. He does have a wavebox in his tank but I think thats more for the show of the wave than for flow. Could be wrong though.

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

argi — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 05:24:30 GMT

Initial cost of the closed loop would be less expensive, but long term I am not sure. Running two Dart will have a max wattage of 320 watts running 24/7. Running two Tunze 6101's 24/7 will have a max wattage use of 72 watts or two EcoTech's 70 watts max. So on a daily basis if you run the powerheads instead of the Darts it would be ~200-250 watts less. Depending on what you pay for your electric that could amount to a pretty big savings, or not much at all.

I think as long as you have the holes properly placed and can direct the flow you will be fine. Talking with the tank manufacturer on hole placement can go a long way in determining this or viewing other peoples tank with closed loops.

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:20:19 GMT

My return pump is a little gaint 4- mdq-sc. It flows around 800 gph. I like the idea of those enductors. I want to put the returns into the rock work. I really want to go with the cl's but I guess I need the assurance that it's going to work. It would be cheaper for me to go with the CL's. I could use those enductors on the six returns and that would increase the flow BIG TIME!!!!

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

argi — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:54:04 GMT

While it will somewhat depend on where you put the return lines, more than likely yes it should provide good movement. If possible I would make sure the returns can will have the ability to rotate so you can direct the flow where needed.

The closed loop will be in addition to your return pump correct? Depending on what you are using for your return pump, you may want to look into using some flow accelerators to help get more flow within the tank.

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:29:09 GMT

Oh yea I forgot,,IF I went the CL's,,,it would be 3 returns, not 4 per pump Maybe more flow would come out of the returns???

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

Mr. Tang — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:27:41 GMT

The sad reality is that I can get the two Dart pumps for like under 300 bucks. If I went with the tunzes or vortechs,,BIG BUCKS. DO YOU think the two CL's would be enough flow for a mixed tank??? Even after the corals start getting BIG????

RE: Mr. Tangs 150 euro-braced custom reef tank

argi — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:37:43 GMT

Can't you just make up your mind .

Believe me I know the feeling. I have used Tunze 6000's in the past and couldn't believe the flow they create. I initially bought two for my 135 (72x18x24) tank. Two was too much flow for my tank and ended up just using one. I had it position on the top left front of the tank and it pushed water from the top left to the right side, hit the right side glass and came back along the bottom of the tank from right to left. It created quite a bit of flow. BUT it certainly stuck out in the tank. Wasn't as bad once the coralline started growing on it though.

The rock will initially stick out since it is very white, but once coralline starts to grow on it, or if you put some zoo's or some other coral on it to cover the rock it isn't as bad.

If you don't like the look of the powerhead in the tank you could also look at the VorTech powerheads. I used two of them in my 220 along with my return pump for all the flow in the tank.

While I think the Tunze is a higher quality product right now, the Vortechs are coming around and they really have worked out the bugs they had in the past. If there is a problem with either (tunze or vortech), both have very good customer service to back up their product.

HTH,