My 400g build

[sdnd]

Hi all...just wanted to start a thread on my latest build...been taking it slow since I want to do it right the first time.


Tank first day moved in.

So I'm using 1" black flex hose for my return with a Y splitter, going to use a dc12000 for return.
I've had luck with flex hose on my last tank so decided against using PVC. Drains will be 1.5" corner overflows with Maggie mufflers, we'll see how quiet it is.

So I put in 120lbs of sand so far as a starting layer to start my aquascaping.


FTS.


Right side


Middle right structure


Left side


Left side angle

So I've been having a lot of trouble aquascaping.

Thought I'd reach out to everyone and get some critiques, comments, and ideas to get a good scape.

Please share your thoughts!

Next up is fill more with sand, get my sump made by Jason87, hopefully by this weekend.

Thanks for tagging along.
Any input to improve on this build is appreciated especially from those who have large tanks.

[jada1]

Looking good so far I would use acrylic rod pilars to help with aqua scape use the rule of thirds , and have the structure from tall on the back to short on the front to create a depth of illusion
I would highlight the rocks that you think looks really nice..and also what you will keep should dictate how you set up your aquascape . Goodluck and take your time with it

[beezer06840]

Looks great! If you are planning on keeping a lot of angels or tangs, where aggression could be an issue, I have had a lot of luck in the past creating lots of tunnels throughout the rockwork to help mitigate that aggression

[KorL]

+1 for acrylic rods. Can create some nice overhangs

[DaveMorris]

Looks great to me. I wouldn't change a thing.

[sdnd]

Yea it's so hard imagining how it'll look when filled up. But I guess it's a start. Now just need to fill with more sand and epoxy some of the bigger rocks down.

[CruiseX]

I did rods for my build. Can't recommend them enough. Especially if you are stacking rocks. One shack of the ground could dislodge a rock and a glass tank could put you out of business. Things look great! 400G.....drooling.....

[Sat Cong]

Get 'Er done, son!

Nice tank...Subscribed to this thread and BOOOOOLT UP!

[SD_LuNaTiCz]

Looks very clean, I would make more caves with your aquascape for your fish to swim thru plus I looks really nice one everything is up and running

[sdnd]

It's been awhile since my last update so where should I start.

So after getting the rock scape done I bought more rock from Jeff so I changed it up a bit. Can see the new layout a bit in the latter pictures.

I then started working on the drains. Since the overflows are on the corner, the drain pipes are visible on the side. Since I'm trying to be anal about everything decided to paint the drain pvc with some Krylon fusion paint.







Next was work on the sump. At first I was going to use one large sump with three chambers but then found a build pay on here if someone doing a double sump system and decided why not since u had an extra sump laying around.

Props to Jason for help on the sump build. After a couple of tries we got the baffles the way I wanted.



First sump will be for the left drain into a rock tower chamber as discussed by melevsreef. Which drains into the skimmer chamber.

Skimmer will then output into the next sump into another rock tower for the second drain coming from the right. This then drains into another section might use this for reactor pumps, not sure yet. Currently has the heater in it. This then goes over into the fuge then goes thru bubble trap and finally the return section.











Lastly, been working on trying to get all the electrical all tidy and neat so it'll look clean. Think this has been the hard part for me since room under the tank is really tight.

I will post pics one everything is zip tied up and talk is running.

For now I have finally gotten the tank wet!





So far the last picture is the most updated of today. 100g so far and still a lot left. Getting more water tomorrow and going to get some help with the rest. If you can please pm me. Can pay for gas and beer!

Think that's it for now. Comments critiques are welcome. Want to get this up before the end of the year!

[nanoreef1]

Looking great!

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[naso tang]

Wow looks awesome! Nice build, lots of space!

[KorL]

Nice start. What's the measurements of the display tank?

Also question regarding the pic with skimmer and sumps side by side. The skimmer output drain would loop over into the next sump? By gravity? I don't think that would work. It'll flood the skimmer and actually the first sump as well because the water level of the skimmer drain is higher than the sump wall.

I think you would have to drill both sumps and connect the 2 sumps with bulkheads and pvc.

[sdnd]

Yea I was concerned too but, I tested it outside first or else correct I would need to drill both and connect it. My loop over is connected to the skimmer output...which is pretty strong since I modified the skimmer to use a larger size pump. So it will push enough to water to feed the second sump thru the loop. I guess I will find out if it works but a water test outside seemed like it was working.

DT is 96.5x31.5x30.5.
Big sump is like 60x18x18
Small sump is roughly 30x16x18

Thanks for the input Karl.

[diegoluv]

I'd be really careful with that sump to sump transition. Unless I'm missing something, it seems like the skimmer pump failure would be pretty disastrous. Is there a reason you dont want to connect the two sumps at the bottom with a couple bulkheads? At the very least it will give you some redundancy.

You mentioned you were tight on space too, maybe just run the larger sump and use the extra space where the second sump is for a calc reactor, media reactors, or even an external skimmer if sump space becomes an issue.

Just a couple thoughts. Your tank is beautiful BTW.