Current tank build thread with new pics added (1 Viewer)

[trb]

I've been planning and collecting parts and equipment for the past several weeks, and finally got to the point I could start building my stand. The pans are for a dual tank setup, 60+ gallon RR on top and a 29 gallon sump with 2/3 of it as a display, 1/3 for skimmer return and bubble traps. I'm separating our displays because we have a snowflake eel up top with a few corals, and I want a few crustaceans (part of the eels diet) along with our orange "UT" chocolate chip sea star isolated from my corals.

I promised the boss that I would not get a "bigger" tank, so the solution was to keep the footprint the same as my current 40 gal breeder, but add in a skimmer (PM ES-100 w/Mag 9.5 and external collection cup) and everything else necessary for the second tank (Quiet one 4000 return, plumbing, etc.)

Plans:

Drilled the tank:

Built an overflow:

Stand under construction:

Test fit of tanks and equipment:

A little something different, hopefully it will work out OK, I have 3 pairs of drawer slides rated at 100lbs each pair:

The drain and return lines will all be flexible pipe. I still need to cut out and assemble an acrylic "drip pan" for everything to sit inside on the bottom. It will be 3/8" white acrylic and will have a 2-1/2" lip around the perimeter to hold any drips or minor leaks.

Luckily I have very little cash $$$ in the stand. Everything I either got as scraps from my brother in law's job (plywood, acrylic) or I had around the garage (drawer slides, screws, misc wood, crown molding, etc). I had to buy 3 - 2x4s and the gel stain I am painting it with. At least I can make up for the rest of the blown budget on the stand build!

Hopefully I can finish the drawer between the tanks and get all the trim work done tomorrow, stain it, then get busy with the plumbing during the week.

Any ideas, comments, suggestions?

Thanks,

Thomas

 

[flexrac]

looking good!

 

[trb]

Well, after a delay due to a cracked sump, work, and other things, I now have the tanks plumbed and water running! Stand is about 70% finished, I still need to install the bottom trim, build the drawer, and cut out a door on the side for the skimmer collection cup removal. Hopefully I can get most of it done this weekend/ next week, then stain it and move it inside.

 

[decimal]

nice work on the acrylic and design. looks great

 

[Guest]

What do you have going on in the overflow box?

 

[trb]

What do you have going on in the overflow box?

I guess you mean the plumbing? Left is the secondary overflow - an open pipe to the sump. Center is a Durso overflow, and right is the return. I cut the secondary a bit shorter than I needed to, so I put a coupling on top of it.

I did get the woodworking all done, and one coat of stain on it today. Hopefully I can get the second coat on it tomorrow, clear after that, and move it inside later in the week.

 

[trb]

Well, I'm nearing completion of the tank. Got the stand all stained, moved inside, filled with saltwater, moved some live rock, and a few fish over. But we ended up with a casualty. Our snowflake eel was inside a rock I moved, and it was out of water a bit while I scrubbed some hair algae off of the rock. I didn't see him and he didn't crawl out when I shook the rock before removing it. He came out after I put it in the new tank, but today, I guess he suffered the consequences of being out of the water for a while.

Anyway, we will be getting a new one hopefully as soon as we finish moving the old tank to the new tank.

Pics:
RIP

Full tank shot:

The rest of the live rock will be stacked in front of the overflow, to cover it up a bit more kind of like an "avalanche" .

drawer & DJ switch:

Side view:

Sump/ bottom tank:

Drawer:

Now time to monitor the tank before I move everyone else and the corals over. Hopefully I can finish moving the rock & fish by Christmas so we can add my son's Christmas present, a flame angel Brian at 3CC ordered for me!

 

[jamesw]

Very cool! I like the drawer

Cheers
James

 

[d2mini]

This looks great! Love all the sliding stuff. Bonus points for originality!

 

[SnMan]

Two thumbs up! You have some really neat ideas included. I will have to keep them in mind whenever I build a new stand. It looks GREAT!

 

[trb]

Thanks. Since the bottom tank will be used for display, (how much of a display is still up for discussion, the boss wants doors on it!) I wanted to be able to easily clean the glass on the front and sides, thus the slide out bottom tank. The skimmer equipment will be a bit harder to get to since it is behind the bottom tank, but I did put plastic "gliders" on the bottom of the stand. I can slide it around on the floor fairly easily, eventhough the total weight is probably around 1,000 lbs.

I did decide to put the collection cup outside the stand (don't tell the boss!) and I still have to figure out a way to set up my auto top off reservoir. I'm thinking about making an acrylic tank, approx 6" x 9"x24" tall, and mounting it behind the overflow so it will not be too visible. I have about 8" between the tank and the back wall. I figure that will hold about 5 gallons of water.

A question for you guys. Long term (6 month) plans involve making a custom sump/display tank for the bottom, about 30x24x18, divided into 3 parts. Intake/ skimmer section, refugium, and lower display/return section. I got some chaeto from a couple of members, but I tried putting it in the bottom tank, and small pieces just broke off due to the high flow. I wanted to use the chaeto to cut down on the nutrients and curb the hair algae. I read on Steve Durso's website about having the overflow section as a refugium, so I wonder if that would work better. Or maybe putting the chaeto in a nylon bag or something? Any other ideas?

I also have to work on the micro bubbles. The drain was generating LOTS of them eventhough I set up a bubble tower with rocks, so I ended up restricting the primary drain (it is a fully submerged siphon now) and using the secondary drain to take care of the extra, kind of like the BeanAnimal drain on Reef Central (but without the 3rd emergency overflow, for now). Very few bubbles now, but when I turn on the skimmer, TONS of them get through! I'll probably try a filter sock on the return this weekend and work on the plumbing some more. Why can't this be easy! LOL!

Thanks!

 

[jamesw]

I would really take a look at making teh skimmer and other life support equipment more accessible. Having to move the tank just doesn't sound like a good option.

Cheers
James

 

[trb]

I wish I could, but with the space restraints and what I wanted to do, this was the best I could work out. The boss frowned at my other idea of putting it in the middle of the study. Maybe I could make an "end table" to put adjacent to the tank and put the skimmer in it?

It really only takes a few seconds to move one side of the tank about 2' away from the wall so I can get to the skimmer & pump. Turn off the return and let it drain so it won't splash, then put my back into it and slide it away from the wall. LOL! I've done it about 5 or 6 times so far and I'm no heavyweight. Just have to go slow with it. Everything is glued and screwed together, so I think the stand can handle it.

 

[jamesw]

Over time that can't be good for the joints on a glass tank :-( Just thinking out loud.

 

[trb]

Well I moved everything over a couple of days ago and "finished" my aquascaping. Amazingly, the rocks pretty much locked right into place where I wanted them for the most part. Still need to glue some of my frags down, but the #$%& Clarkii does not like me in his space, he's been attacking me like crazy! LOL!

FTS:

Clarkii:

Top of the "mountain":

One of my $5 frags:

side view:

lower part of "mountain":

another $5 frag:

side view, top of "mountain":

large snail from steved350:

bottom tank FTS:

close up:

 

[3CC]

Lookin good

 

[majikmike9999]

TRB, I am trying to remember but didn't you have a major crash a few months back with the livestock? If so congrats on the great rebound, your tank looks great with a lot of detail and thought. hope it all works out for you, any chance of a side door to access the skimmer?

 

[trb]

TRB, I am trying to remember but didn't you have a major crash a few months back with the livestock? If so congrats on the great rebound, your tank looks great with a lot of detail and thought. hope it all works out for you, any chance of a side door to access the skimmer?

Thanks Mike! Yes, I had something, probably an ammonia spike when the tank was about 2-3 months old that killed everything but the eel and inverts.

I thought about adding a door to the back edge, and even planned on one, but of course when I put the 2x4 supports for the sides, I put them under the corners of the tank. DUH The base is 25" deep, and the tank is 18". That leaves me with only about 7" behind the supports, not enough for a door. But I guess I could put a door between the supports and access the skimmer when the tank is pulled forward. That would give me about an 11" opening. I think that migh be a good solution.

So far it is working well. Skimmer is not pulling much, probably 2" of dirty water in my collection cup since I got it set up on Monday. But then I only have 4 small fish and am not feeding too much to cut down on the hair algae.

 

[majikmike9999]

Well glad to hear that the "boss" let you stay in the hobby after the last episode, I know my wife has threatened more than once that my tank might end up at the curb

 

[trb]

LOL! I hear you clearly! She wants us to get rid of the freshwater tank now, but it has some of my son's original fish from his Christmas present 3 yrs ago.