Aurora Quest 450 Gallon Classroom Tank

[MuralReef]

It is that time. The new tank and stand has arrived. I don’t think I will officially start the rebuild until July since I have plans to leave town for a bit and would like to be able to check in daily once the new tank is up and running. Today the new 450 gallon monster donated by CORAL and manufactured by Planet Aquarium arrived.

 

[MuralReef]

My plans are already changing since the stand is different than what I have and my current sump won’t fit under the stand.

 

[MuralReef]

I am thinking I will either put the sump under the raised platform behind the tank or reconfigure the sump and fuge from the old library tank so everything will be contained beneath the stand.

 

[MuralReef]

My concern is that the sump from the library an ADHI sump that is 42” x 18” won’t be big enough during a power outage.

 

[Dr.DiSilicate]

WOW! What a generous gift!!! This is goona be awesome!

 

[MuralReef]

WOW! What a generous gift!!! This is goona be awesome!

I’ll never be able to retire!

 

[halmus]

View attachment 12271

What are the dimensions of the tank again? 4’x8’? How many gallons are anticipating surplus in a power failure?

 

[MuralReef]

View attachment 12271

What are the dimensions of the tank again? 4’x8’? How many gallons are anticipating surplus in a power failure?

4’x6’. I haven’t calculated the surplus but that is why I’m leaning towards a little more space behind the tank and the bigger sump. Plus that would leave more space under the tank for other equipment.

 

[halmus]

Roughly 15 gal per inch depth.

If you’ve got the floor space, outside of the tank would be awsome.

Just kick a few kids out of school and free up the front row of chairs.

 

[TheRealChrisBrown]

Can you use the old stand? Or is that a no-no?

 

[JuanGutz]

Amazing!

 

[MuralReef]

Can you use the old stand? Or is that a no-no?

We weren't sure if it was just old acrylic or if that was why the tank failed. Either way the new stand is nicer and fully powder coated. I plan to use it and repurpose half of the old stand to use as a platform for accessing the tank from behind.

 

[MuralReef]

Jetman also helped out and had two new 20 amp quadplex outlets installed so I will have all the power that is needed. View attachment 12273

 

[MuralReef]

I am also thinking about changing my lighting. I recently obtained 3-400 watt MH ballasts but only 2 pendants. I am thinking about losing the 72" fixture. It weighs a ton and isn't as bright as my 2-250 watt pendants. I have two other 250 watt pendants at home. So I am thinking of doing 2-250 watts in the back, 2-400 watts in the middle, and 2-250 watts in the front. I will probably keep the T-5's running down the center between the MH pendants.

 

[zombie]

If you set at least one of the return lines so it skims the top of the water and can easily break siphon, you won't lose much to the sump when the return turns off. The way I have my tank configured, Only 1.25 gallons goes into the sump from my 3'×18" 65g. That corresponds to a 1/2" drop in display level. If you set yours up in a similar way, you only need 7 gallons of reserve to prevent a flood. That would be 2.25" of reserve in your sump.

Sent from my SM-G965U using MASC mobile app

 

[SkyShark]

Awesome! What’s the plan for moving livestock into the new tank? Are you going to try to avoid adding some of the corals back that became pests (yellow polyps, etc.)? You’d probably have to start with new rock then, right?

 

[MuralReef]

Awesome! What’s the plan for moving livestock into the new tank? Are you going to try to avoid adding some of the corals back that became pests (yellow polyps, etc.)? You’d probably have to start with new rock then, right?

I have been thinking a lot about that. I’ve thought about removing those yellow polyps since the grow everywhere and replacing the rock. I’m thinking about the same thing with some of the palys since they are everywhere too. The only problem is if I do that the tank may need more time to cycle than I have to leave fish and corals sitting around.

 

[SkyShark]

Yep. That would be tough. Do you have any of the marine pure blocks in your sump?

 

[Dr.DiSilicate]

Marine pure blocks are great actually... also, anyone around with cheep live rock? I think Charlie may have some.

 

[MuralReef]

I currently have 3 marine pure blocks in the sump and can get some dry rock so that’s not the issue.