GoToSleep's 700g Build Thread (& complete remodel)

Hey GTS you were kidding about the damsels weren't you? Years ago I had a 150g tank and the damsels were so territorial I had to get them out of the tank and that was a nightmare. I couldn't imagine trying that with your tank. Also I have a Marine Pro 300 skimmer and it goes in the sump like yours does. It takes a while to get it setup right but you'll figure it out. Make sure you designate a conveinent socket for it which I probably didn't have to mention as I use it frequently.

 

Damm thats one huge setup
Great work on the thread just spent the last few hours reading though
Cant wait to see some fish in thier
Great job dude Mut be getting very close.

 

I've seen surge protectors that have hendheld remote on/off buttons. I was already thinking about this for my MH ballasts. It might come in handy for the skimmer as well. This is going to be a back burner issue for me for the time being because I have a controller on order. I'm hoping that it will allow me easy access and control of power functions for the things that I would otherwise have to crawl into inconvenient locations in orfer to pull power cords out of the wall.

 

Amcarrig -- Roger was a big help to me in the early stages of this project. I fully expect that you and hubby will swing by to see it the next time you're down in the Old Dominion.

 

Please, please can I be there to see the look on Joe's and Jan's face???????;D

Too funny!

 

I mentioned the plug for the skimmer because I have to pull it when I clean out the cup which is often enough for concern. I also put the main pump on the same outlet group for quick turn off if needed. Here are four pictures I just took of my setup:
The first is the Marine Pro 300 and you can see the skimmate is thick, I keep my level at 6 1/2 to 7". It took several months to get it this dark because a new tank setup takes a while to mature.
The second shows the overflow going into a chamber of bioballs to cut down the bubbles before it gets to the fuge. I'm a little anal about having an extra floss that I change every other day.
The third shows the electrical power supply. The top plug is the skimmer which is easy to get to and the main sump pump is below with an on/off button for quick shut off.
The fourth is my tank which sits on a 36" stand with a 15" canopy. I hope this can be of help to you or anyone else.
Question: How are you going to do water changes or with your setup do you think you won't need to?

 

Wait...1 male and 14 females? I thought it was supposed to be 1 male and 72 virgins...I mean damsels...?

 

The display tank has a drain plumbed in. I turn a valve under the stand and drain the tank straight to outside. I have a 200 gal vat that I use for my replacement salt water and by turning another valve I can divert this water into the display tank to replace what I drained out. I can do anywhere from a 1% to a 30% water change just by turning 2 valves and never have to lift a bucket or get my hands wet.

The salt water vat is plumbed to my RO/DI with an auto shut-off. When Its time to refill, I just turn on the RO/DI, come back 40 hour later and dump in 4 bags of salt.

 

A few shots of the tank today



The skimmer is still running wet. I came out this morning to find foam bubbling out through the vent holes in the lid.



I've got the bubble problen solved on the refugium side of the sump at least. This is a good shot of the 40 lbs of coral rubble that I dumped in there last week.

 

My twins love the MagFloat.