150RR tall build. cant do this without YOU!

[james1990]

getting ready to plan my 150 upgrade. Im plumbing everything through the wall into an equipment room. Lucky me! this is my first big tank, so I turn to you for my success. If you would like a backround on my current nano, look up my thread. I also have the 48' 8bulb ATI powermod ready and waiting for this badboy! (thanks Dace!)

I'm starting to plan out everything. What do you guys suggest I do with my dual overflow? Should I plumb them together and run them into a single drain pipe into the sump? Or should I use dual drains to my advantage and run them into different areas of the filtration? Iv seen people run one into a fuge and the other into the skimmer/reactor section.

im making use of my 30gallon deep blue "frag" tank (24x24x13) RR with corner overflow and was thinking of having it above a rubbermaid 100gallon sump. the idea would be to have the skimmer/reactors/heaters and all other equipment in the 30gallon and use the overflow to drain it into the 100gallon sump and use that as a fuge/frag tank using my 12' LED fixture.

the theme is to use the equipment room to my advantage and go WAY overkill with filtration to support my SPS addiction and push my bioload.

im open to suggestions and in fact I need them. I also want to run a few other things by you: external return pump into a manifold. I want to leave open inputs for future equipment. two 65 gallon drums for RODI and for saltwater. I want to turn two ball valves to do water changes and nothing more.

Let me know if the video doesn't work
http://youtu.be/P9KnMZ6lBtc

 

[Adamc1303]

If you don't want to finish the attic yet you can always go with spray foam insulation which is the best insulation anyway. This way they can spray it but you wouldn't have to sheet rock it. Is there any reason you don't just make the sump and frag tank in the attic after that smaller hallway space where you want the slab sink and sump? I would put in the slab sink where you said you were and then your large mixing bins where you wanted to put the sump. Then put the sump and the frag tank in the unfinished area. This way your sump and frag tank are near each other which is easier to work on. You have plenty of space brother use it to the fullest this looks like it will be a nice build. You should definitely run a manifold off of one pump. Look into the Reef Life support system DC pumps they are really energy efficient and electronically controllable.

 

[james1990]

thanks for the input, i never thought of doing that. Would it be an issue to run the drain/return to the display that far horizontally? the attic floor is about the same height as the tank so how would I get the water to flow accordingly?

I need the attic for family storage but I will give this more thought. I dont see how I can control the temp swings in there without sheet rocking it and adding all types of insulation, which im not against, it would just take more time and $. Maybe it would make sense to put the RODI/saltwater containers in the attic and plumb them though the attic wall into the hallway.

 

[james1990]

AM bumpp

 

[james1990]

bump

 

[STHILL]

Id really reconsider putting anything in that attic space its going to be very very hard to regulate the temp in there
..

Sent from my DROIDX using Reefs

 

[NL146]

Id really reconsider putting anything in that attic space its going to be very very hard to regulate the temp in there
..

Sent from my DROIDX using Reefs

+1. You might have to install an A/C unit (after insulating the walls/roof). That would increase your budget though.

 

[Adamc1303]

thanks for the input, i never thought of doing that. Would it be an issue to run the drain/return to the display that far horizontally? the attic floor is about the same height as the tank so how would I get the water to flow accordingly?

I need the attic for family storage but I will give this more thought. I dont see how I can control the temp swings in there without sheet rocking it and adding all types of insulation, which im not against, it would just take more time and $. Maybe it would make sense to put the RODI/saltwater containers in the attic and plumb them though the attic wall into the hallway.

As long as it's pitched it will drain and return. The more the pitch the better though. Here's a spray foam picture. Once the attic is properly insulated it should be allot easier to keep at a stable temperature. Heat rises so in the winter it will be a little warmer then the rest of the house. I'm not sure how your heating system works but if the attic is on it's own zone then you probably don't have the heat on as often because the thermostat doesn't call for heat. IMO the winter can be tolerated. However in the summer cold air drops and heat will rise so even after insulation you will need to run an AC maybe with a chiller as well. If that's your spot for the tank and that suite all your needs then that's where it should go. It will be a little annoying dealing with it but it is what it is.

 

[james1990]

I'm hoping between an exhaust fan out the roof, a plus 1 sized chiller, and a AC unit, I will be able to keep temps under control.

I'm looking for suggestions on plumbing with the dual overflows

 

[masterswimmer]

Couple of things come to mind (in addition to the heating/cooling you're aware of).
1- Your floor joists under the tank run parallel to the tank. Not the best design for structural integrity. The floor around the tank could wind up being 'bouncy'. Without seeing the structure on the floor below the tank it's impossible to say for sure.
2- A 150 tall can be difficult to navigate within the tank because of the height of it. You might need a mask and snorkel to reach the bottom.

Good luck and have fun. Looks like a nice project.
Russ