Stuart Bertram New Tank Project | D-D The Aquarium Solution

Stuart Bertram New Tank Project $Sump 2\Is a caulerpa sump.\Note that both sumps are connected together to balance the water flow$
Caulerpa Sump
Sump 2\Is a caulerpa sump.\Note that both sumps are connected together to balance the water flow $Sump 1\This contains the new prototype skimmer which is the equivalent of the AP1004 but has only 2 new Deltec pumps rather than the 4 Eheim 1260's.\The skimmer is gravity fed with water directly from the overflow of the Aquarium via a bypass pipe which ducts away any excess water.$
Main Skimmer Sump
Sump 1\This contains the new prototype skimmer which is the equivalent of the AP1004 but has only 2 new Deltec pumps rather than the 4 Eheim 1260's.\The skimmer is gravity fed with water directly from the overflow of the Aquarium via a bypass pipe which ducts away any excess water.

Lighting System
The lighting system is suspended on runners so that the lighting can be moved out of the way for maintenance of the tank

4 weeks - Nozzle
It does not take long for the nozzles to blend into the rockwork

4 weeks - April 09

Top View of Rockwork

RHS Top View

Middle Outcrop

Left Hand Side

Rockwork with Water
This is the initial fill of the tank having completed the preliminary rockwork structures. $This shows another view of how the aquascape both bonds the rock together forming a stable structure but also gives the impression of a single rock rather than a balanced pile of rubble.\In total I used about 50 packs of aquascape on the tank. It would have been impossible to rock this tank with water in and so the main part was done quickly over about 6 hours and then the water put back in.\All of the rock from Calico had been cured for about 4 months.$
Rockwork 4
This shows another view of how the aquascape both bonds the rock together forming a stable structure but also gives the impression of a single rock rather than a balanced pile of rubble.\In total I used about 50 packs of aquascape on the tank. It would have been impossible to rock this tank with water in and so the main part was done quickly over about 6 hours and then the water put back in.\All of the rock from Calico had been cured for about 4 months. $This shows a close up of the rock and the lower pipe nozzles which point up into the water column. The plastic is soon covered by coralline algae.\I used both grey and purple Aquascape on the rock which I mixed seperately and then lightly blended them together to give a mottled effect.$
Rock and Nozzles
This shows a close up of the rock and the lower pipe nozzles which point up into the water column. The plastic is soon covered by coralline algae.\I used both grey and purple Aquascape on the rock which I mixed seperately and then lightly blended them together to give a mottled effect.

Rockwork 2
$Rockwork starts to go in.\In total there is 300Kg of Rock which I hand picked from Calico in Cumbria.\Note that by bonding the rock with Aquascape Epoxy the whole structure looks more like one large rock rather than lots of small pieces.$
Rockwork 1
Rockwork starts to go in.\In total there is 300Kg of Rock which I hand picked from Calico in Cumbria.\Note that by bonding the rock with Aquascape Epoxy the whole structure looks more like one large rock rather than lots of small pieces.

I used a kids swimming pool to make 2000 lts of water. I later regretted this as the resultant water had a slight smell and I was concerned about leaching from the plastic. I ran lots of carbon and it does not seem to have been a problem but I would not necessarily do it again.

Making up water
I used a kids swimming pool to make 2000 lts of water. I later regretted this as the resultant water had a slight smell and I was concerned about leaching from the plastic. I ran lots of carbon and it does not seem to have been a problem but I would not necessarily do it again.

This view shows one side of the closed loop system. There are 4 Deltec HLP 8070S pumps in total producing about 32,000 litres per hour. Note that two pumps share a common large suction pipe. Each pump outlet then splits into 2 pipes, one running to the bottom of the tank and to the front and the other brought in at higher level.

Closed Loop Pumps
This view shows one side of the closed loop system. There are 4 Deltec HLP 8070S pumps in total producing about 32,000 litres per hour. Note that two pumps share a common large suction pipe. Each pump outlet then splits into 2 pipes, one running to the bottom of the tank and to the front and the other brought in at higher level.

Closed loop pipework from the inside showing that all pipes come over the top of the aquarium rather than drilling holes in the tank which affects the strength.

Closed Loop Pipework
Closed loop pipework from the inside showing that all pipes come over the top of the aquarium rather than drilling holes in the tank which affects the strength.

Tank in Position

Tank Base Detail

Delivery 3

Twin overflows are fitted to ensure that there can not be the risk of one blocking. Each overflow is capable of taking the complete overflow volume. This also reduces the head of water in the tank that will need to be held by the sump in the case of a power failure.

Twin Overflows
Twin overflows are fitted to ensure that there can not be the risk of one blocking. Each overflow is capable of taking the complete overflow volume. This also reduces the head of water in the tank that will need to be held by the sump in the case of a power failure.

The frame has been constructed with walkway supports to hold the closed loop pumps and to create a platform so that it is easier to access the tank.

Frame with walkway supports
The frame has been constructed with walkway supports to hold the closed loop pumps and to create a platform so that it is easier to access the tank.

On a tank of this size 7ft x 5ft it is necessary to fit wires to support the tank once filled as glass stress bars would not be strong enough and run the risk of snpaaing under stress and their own weight.

Support wires fitted
On a tank of this size 7ft x 5ft it is necessary to fit wires to support the tank once filled as glass stress bars would not be strong enough and run the risk of snpaaing under stress and their own weight.

Sump and Skimmer in Position
The sump and skimmer are in position under the tank.

Internal feet
The 2 internal feet are accessible for adjustment via 2 hatches built into the base board.

Adjustable feet
12 adjustable feet are fitted to the tank

Having got the tank into place the next job is to level the stand. It is important that the whole tank is level to prevent stress on the glass. To achieve this the tank is fitted with 12 adjustable feet.

Levelling the Stand
Having got the tank into place the next job is to level the stand. It is important that the whole tank is level to prevent stress on the glass. To achieve this the tank is fitted with 12 adjustable feet.

The solution to getting the tank off the pallet was to cut the pallet in two then jack up the middle and move the pallet to the ends. Once in this position we lowered it to the floor by reducing the height of the wood at either end in stages.

Delivery 4
The solution to getting the tank off the pallet was to cut the pallet in two then jack up the middle and move the pallet to the ends. Once in this position we lowered it to the floor by reducing the height of the wood at either end in stages.

With one of the panels of the crate removed you can see the 5 ft short side of the tank which is protected by packing pillows and cling film. The Aluminium stand can be clearly seen.

Delivery 2
With one of the panels of the crate removed you can see the 5 ft short side of the tank which is protected by packing pillows and cling film. The Aluminium stand can be clearly seen.

The new Deltec tank arrives on the purpose made pallet direct from Germany. The tank is crated already on its stand so that it can be positioned as a single unit.

Delivery 1
The new Deltec tank arrives on the purpose made pallet direct from Germany. The tank is crated already on its stand so that it can be positioned as a single unit.