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55g shallow reef build (1 Viewer)

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Lambianz

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Well looks like I'm in the right place for builds, seems like most of them are my size, a 55g shallow reef tank.. Dimensions 40'' X 17'' X 17'' rimless.. And a closed loop system.. I like to call it closed loop because there will be no filtration overflow.. The only filtration to the tank is the water changes and a striving cleaner crew.
No fish, strictly corals. Now some may say impossible but I've seen it done. Is this my first tank build, no, well the tank I had before was a tear down and an instant re-setup. And I learned a lot with that set up.. To bad Ike had to be a terrible hurricane and shut down my tank that I completely did for the second time trying to save what was giving to me, not maintained very well..Oh well lessons learned.. Soooo here goes. I've acquired these tubs from work completely forgetting we have these by the thousands, our resin comes in these tubs...I will be getting a couple cheap powerheads this weekend, salt and a RO DI unit to get the dried live rock started for
curing. Well yes, a lot of tubs for a lot of rock, but will only be using one tub for this procedure.. Other tubs will later be used for auto top offs and water changes.. I do not plan to use a auto top off system with just plain RO DI water, the top off will be premixed saltwater ready. I will have monitors set up throughout the system to monitor salinity levels as well as other water parameters. I'm placing the order for the tank this week, with the lights and RO DI 5 stage unit, the top end gph powerheads will come later. I will start building the stand this weekend... More photos to come
 

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frankc

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Maybe I misunderstood your comment "the top off will be premixed saltwater ready", but the water you use to replace evaporation definitely needs to be just RO water or your salinity will constantly climb until everything is dead.

And I hear you about Ike - I didn't have any corals back then but I lost all my fish except my clown, who is still going strong today.
 
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Lambianz

Lambianz

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Hello, yes my mixes will be monitored along with the salinity that fluctuates from water evaporation. Whatever my readings are I will make the changes during a slow top off.. What I'm shooting for is sort of a water top off with a water change at the same time.. Keeping both at a slow
transition while maintaining water parameters...Can it been done, we'll see.

But here is my new rock I'm getting ready. Have it in a vat, and my LED lighting came in this morning too.. Plus I'm getting ready to build the stand this morning. Tank arrives Monday at work....
 

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Lambianz

Lambianz

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Building stand, trim will go on after tank is in position
 

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Lambianz

Lambianz

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Prep finished, just have to add the trim after the tank is in and paint with oil base paint and a brush.. Stand is in its position
where I want the tank to be.. Seems high because I don't want to be bending over to maintain it. Plus I think will look better
eye level. . It you notice the staircase behind the tank/stand, behind that wall is a closet where my tubs will be. Holes drilled through
the wall for the lines to go through. One will be for the auto top off pure RO DI water, and the other tub will be salt water
with the auto water changes... When I brought the stand in it was spot on level, the perks of using a miter box for straight
cuts...
 

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Lambianz

Lambianz

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Tank came in today, a little higher than I wanted, but i think once the rock and water are in, it will look even better
 

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Cody

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Looks nice. Since you already have the frame, @Cody could build you some super nice shaker doors. He loves projects.
I would rather eat cat poop. I strongly believe that I'm going to have PTSD about making shaker doors in the future haha
 

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Prep finished, just have to add the trim after the tank is in and paint with oil base paint and a brush.. Stand is in its position
where I want the tank to be.. Seems high because I don't want to be bending over to maintain it. Plus I think will look better
eye level. . It you notice the staircase behind the tank/stand, behind that wall is a closet where my tubs will be. Holes drilled through
the wall for the lines to go through. One will be for the auto top off pure RO DI water, and the other tub will be salt water
with the auto water changes... When I brought the stand in it was spot on level, the perks of using a miter box for straight
cuts...
You're looking at maybe 500 pounds of weight on top of that stand, and sheer strength is not your friend in this situation. Compression strength (the strength of the stand when the weight of the water and tank push down directly from above) is absolutely solid, but sheer strength (think about someone running into the side of it) is very weak. One good hit from the side and it might fall like a domino. Keep in mind, the energy from the hit will be added to the potential energy of the tank. If you hit the side and get it to move maybe 1/2", which isn't impossible to do with that design, then the 500 pounds on top is going to work to push the stand over, plus it will have a mechanic advantage and act like the hand at the end of a lever pushing it over.
 
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Lambianz

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You're looking at maybe 500 pounds of weight on top of that stand, and sheer strength is not your friend in this situation. Compression strength (the strength of the stand when the weight of the water and tank push down directly from above) is absolutely solid, but sheer strength (think about someone running into the side of it) is very weak. One good hit from the side and it might fall like a domino. Keep in mind, the energy from the hit will be added to the potential energy of the tank. If you hit the side and get it to move maybe 1/2", which isn't impossible to do with that design, then the 500 pounds on top is going to work to push the stand over, plus it will have a mechanic advantage and act like the hand at the end of a lever pushing it over.
yeah I had a 54g that was on a particle wood frame, and then I thought it would tip over, and it was on carpet. But this being on
a hardwood floor and all is made out of 2X4's and 2 1/2 inch wood screws, I feel a little more content with this stand then I did the other one
Plus the top of the tank is on like a subfloor design. Framed out then set on top of the header design legs... I am though going to shim it if need to be, before the water goes in, but as you see in my previous photos of the build, the stand was spot on with leveling it...Note: have you been to
a local fish store lately, I've always thought their builds of the stands were pretty cheezy...
 
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Cody

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yeah I had a 54g that was on a particle wood frame, and then I thought it would tip over, and it was on carpet. But this being on
a hardwood floor and all is made out of 2X4's and 2 1/2 inch wood screws, I feel a little more content with this stand then I did the other one
Plus the top of the tank is on like a subfloor design. Framed out then set on top of the header design legs... I am though going to shim it if need to be, before the water goes in, but as you see in my previous photos of the build, the stand was spot on with leveling it...Note: have you been to
a local fish store lately, I've always thought their builds of the stands were pretty cheezy...
You mean the new pre-fabricated all in one tanks and stands? Those are made out of particle board plywood. I’m sure they’re fine to support the weight, and I’ve made plenty of stand out of plywood, but they make me a little nervous. I make stands for 200ish gallon tanks out of 1x4s and plywood and they’re solid for both compression and sheer strength.
 
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Lambianz

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Got some goodies this weekend, more to come though.. Not everything was bought at the same place. Some at Bulk Reef Supply
and some on Amazon. I thought the salt was coming in too, well at least the emails said it was.. But got the RO DI setup
and making water.. Even though salt hasn't arrived I'll still keep it in a bucket with a powerhead...The photo with the staircase
closet is where the auto top offs will go. Other side of the wall is where the tank is.. Have 2 more powerheads coming and a API
Master test kit, along with Calcium, Mag, and Alk test kit. I think I got a phos tester too. Some media socks and media material.
 

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Lambianz

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Mixing salt water, say anyone have a good pc of advise on rinsing sand?. I've haven't done this method before, since never set up a tank fresh. Just a tear down and reset up.. Now mind you, my sand is thick aragonite.. 2mm.. I wanted heavy since I'm going high flow
 

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Lambianz

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Happy Saturday everyone, me?, been up half the night firing up the tank. Very quiet too...
 

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Lambianz

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Thanks,. probably get some softies 1st. then most definitely a good cleaner crew. Got some additives for the water to
raise the calcium and alkalinity up. it's coming up though.. Once numbers are stable for SPS's then I'll add some cool
color corals
 
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Lambianz

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I guess this is good news when you turn on the tank lights, and you see this on your Acan's
 

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Lambianz

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They're hungry
Yeah I hit them with phyto feast twice a week, and I do the Red sea AB energy+ recommended doses<<< That food is cool with
solid LED blue on. It sort of glows...But so does the Acan's and torches. I did my water test this morning, everything is doing good
for water parameters norms...
 
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