1000+ Gallon Display Plywood/Fiberglass Build
- Thread starter MattShack
- Start date
Willie McDaries
Well-Known Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build
thats a good idea using the 220v stuff....the hammerhead will run on 220v and lumatek makes a 220v version of their ballast,that would help out some on the power consumption
the dedicated circuits is something I still need to do with my tank,if I run all 4 of my MH's with everything else running,I trip a breaker
thats a good idea using the 220v stuff....the hammerhead will run on 220v and lumatek makes a 220v version of their ballast,that would help out some on the power consumption
the dedicated circuits is something I still need to do with my tank,if I run all 4 of my MH's with everything else running,I trip a breaker
MattShack
Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build
You're going to really trip the breaker when you plug that Hammerhead in.
thats a good idea using the 220v stuff....the hammerhead will run on 220v and lumatek makes a 220v version of their ballast,that would help out some on the power consumption
the dedicated circuits is something I still need to do with my tank,if I run all 4 of my MH's with everything else running,I trip a breaker
You're going to really trip the breaker when you plug that Hammerhead in.
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build
Looking good!
As for the water changes. At first I would shoot for once a month 20%. That is a major water volume to deal with. I would start off slowly and see where it leads you. I use to do 20% once a month on my 120 with great results for a long time. My new method with the zeovit does not allow me to wait so long with water changes.
Looking good!
As for the water changes. At first I would shoot for once a month 20%. That is a major water volume to deal with. I would start off slowly and see where it leads you. I use to do 20% once a month on my 120 with great results for a long time. My new method with the zeovit does not allow me to wait so long with water changes.
MattShack
Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build
Thaks for the info. That sounds like a good starting point.
Thaks for the info. That sounds like a good starting point.
kiwiman456
Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build
First of all, this is a cool build. Secondly I have some concerns about your electrical. you may know this, but one 100A circuit is not a good idea unless it is feeding a sub panel in your fish room. You would need much larger cable than normal. Also you do not want to put a normal 20A GFCI on a hundred amp circuit, you will start a fire :bmcflme:.
I would suggest multiple 20 amp circuits.
Not trying to be rude, but as an electrician I am concerned for your safety. If you have any questions on beaker sizes or doing load calculations for wire sizing please don't hesitate to PM me.
First of all, this is a cool build. Secondly I have some concerns about your electrical. you may know this, but one 100A circuit is not a good idea unless it is feeding a sub panel in your fish room. You would need much larger cable than normal. Also you do not want to put a normal 20A GFCI on a hundred amp circuit, you will start a fire :bmcflme:.
I would suggest multiple 20 amp circuits.
Not trying to be rude, but as an electrician I am concerned for your safety. If you have any questions on beaker sizes or doing load calculations for wire sizing please don't hesitate to PM me.
MattShack
Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build
Thanks for the advice. I didn't take it as rude.. That's what we're here for, to learn and share information.
I'm not an electrician, but I did build houses for years and wired many myself. I haven't sized the wire yet, I would have to research that and figure out the size for the length run I have. I'm not the best at electrical design, but I can follow instructions if I have some I'll give you as much info as possible and feel free to give me your suggestion.
My plan is to install the 100 amp, or maybe 2 50 amp mains at the meter base. Then run to a sub panel in the fish room, or 2 sub panels if I go with 2 50 amps. In the sub panel install multiple 20 amps and run to the recepticals. 1 50 amp will probably be enough. I just wanted to make sure I had enough in the fish room and not have to run anything later.
From the meter base to the fish room would be about a 100 foot run. I planned on using 12/2 with ground for all wiring in the fish room.
Please tell me if you see anything wrong with this. Also, would you suggest GFCI breakers in the sub panel, or use GFCI plugs?
Thanks for the advice. I didn't take it as rude.. That's what we're here for, to learn and share information.
I'm not an electrician, but I did build houses for years and wired many myself. I haven't sized the wire yet, I would have to research that and figure out the size for the length run I have. I'm not the best at electrical design, but I can follow instructions if I have some
I'll give you as much info as possible and feel free to give me your suggestion.My plan is to install the 100 amp, or maybe 2 50 amp mains at the meter base. Then run to a sub panel in the fish room, or 2 sub panels if I go with 2 50 amps. In the sub panel install multiple 20 amps and run to the recepticals. 1 50 amp will probably be enough. I just wanted to make sure I had enough in the fish room and not have to run anything later.
From the meter base to the fish room would be about a 100 foot run. I planned on using 12/2 with ground for all wiring in the fish room.
Please tell me if you see anything wrong with this. Also, would you suggest GFCI breakers in the sub panel, or use GFCI plugs?
funkpolice
Active Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build
man, you don't mess around!! Looking good. Be sure you don't keep up this pace once you get the water in!
bill
man, you don't mess around!! Looking good. Be sure you don't keep up this pace once you get the water in!
bill
MattShack
Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build
Thanks... I feel like it's going slow. I only have a few hours each afternoon to work on it.
Thanks... I feel like it's going slow. I only have a few hours each afternoon to work on it.
1ofManyNguyens
Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build
your doing that in a few hours each day?!?!? want to build me a house?! =D haha jk. Great build though
your doing that in a few hours each day?!?!? want to build me a house?! =D haha jk. Great build though
MattShack
Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build
Thanks
I feel like I am building a house.. :LOL:
Thanks
I feel like I am building a house.. :LOL:
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build
Your doing a fine job so far. I am curious, what does the wife say about the loss of space in that room?
I am also wondering how high up off the floor the top of that tank is? What is your plan for working in it? Have you considered building a platform with steps behind it?
Your doing a fine job so far. I am curious, what does the wife say about the loss of space in that room?
I am also wondering how high up off the floor the top of that tank is? What is your plan for working in it? Have you considered building a platform with steps behind it?
funkpolice
Active Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build
I'll be getting in to week three of tiling my kitchen and bathroom floor, so that shows you the kind of pace I work at. Beer, tile, beer, tile, beer, beer, beer, bed.
bill
I'll be getting in to week three of tiling my kitchen and bathroom floor, so that shows you the kind of pace I work at. Beer, tile, beer, tile, beer, beer, beer, bed.
bill
MattShack
Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build
She's coming around. I've been planning this and preparing her for a little over a year now.
As part of the negotiations, I have to remodel the entire room that I'm building the fish room in, complete with built-in entertainment center, new hardwood floors, etc. So, I guess you could say she's getting something out of the deal too. The room is mainly used by the kids, once I take out the area for the fish room, it will still be a decent size room approx 400 sq.ft left.
The tank is.. (had to go measure it).. 77 1/4" tall right now. It will probably grow about another 1 1/2" for a total of just under 79" tall. Currently the ceiling is 96", so that's only 17" from the ceiling. There are two upstairs walls that are 3' apart that are directly over where the tank will be. Right now it's just a void between the walls. I'm going to attach joist between the two walls and raise the ceiling over the tank a few feet to give plenty of room (there is enough room to go up about 6 or 7 feet if I wanted to). I figured since heat rises, this raised area would be a good location for my ventilation equipment. I have to remodel the room anyway, so this really won't be very difficult. I don't like tanks on short stands. I don't like to bend down to look in my tanks. The bottom of the viewing window is 42" from the floor, so the top is 72" from the floor.
She's coming around. I've been planning this and preparing her for a little over a year now.
As part of the negotiations, I have to remodel the entire room that I'm building the fish room in, complete with built-in entertainment center, new hardwood floors, etc. So, I guess you could say she's getting something out of the deal too. The room is mainly used by the kids, once I take out the area for the fish room, it will still be a decent size room approx 400 sq.ft left. The tank is.. (had to go measure it).. 77 1/4" tall right now. It will probably grow about another 1 1/2" for a total of just under 79" tall. Currently the ceiling is 96", so that's only 17" from the ceiling. There are two upstairs walls that are 3' apart that are directly over where the tank will be. Right now it's just a void between the walls. I'm going to attach joist between the two walls and raise the ceiling over the tank a few feet to give plenty of room (there is enough room to go up about 6 or 7 feet if I wanted to). I figured since heat rises, this raised area would be a good location for my ventilation equipment. I have to remodel the room anyway, so this really won't be very difficult. I don't like tanks on short stands. I don't like to bend down to look in my tanks. The bottom of the viewing window is 42" from the floor, so the top is 72" from the floor.
MattShack
Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build
Sounds like a good plan
Is there a better way? :LOL:
Sounds like a good plan
Is there a better way? :LOL:
aquanight
Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build
i just came across this thread thats an awsome tank congrats on the upgrade... wish i had the money or id upgrade.... you know what they say the hobby never gets cheap.. only expensive...good luck and congrats i look forward to future pics...
i just came across this thread thats an awsome tank congrats on the upgrade... wish i had the money or id upgrade.... you know what they say the hobby never gets cheap.. only expensive...good luck and congrats i look forward to future pics...
MattShack
Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build
Thanks aquanight... definitely not cheap
Thanks aquanight... definitely not cheap
burntricer
Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build
love the build, just curious, are you going to be accessing the front or the back of this ginormous tank? like when you do your testing etc?
love the build, just curious, are you going to be accessing the front or the back of this ginormous tank? like when you do your testing etc?
MattShack
Member
Re: 1000+ Gallon Display Plywood / Fiberglass Build
Thanks burntricer...
There will not be any access from the rear. The easiest access will be from one side, which of course is not the best. I want to be able to access from the front, I'm still trying to decide what will look good in our livingroom. I really don't want the look of cabinet doors above the tank. So, I'm still working on that a little. My goal is to have access from the front. The testing will all be done in the fish room, which will be beside the tank.
Thanks burntricer...
There will not be any access from the rear. The easiest access will be from one side, which of course is not the best. I want to be able to access from the front, I'm still trying to decide what will look good in our livingroom. I really don't want the look of cabinet doors above the tank. So, I'm still working on that a little. My goal is to have access from the front. The testing will all be done in the fish room, which will be beside the tank.