75 gallon build

[jesserettele]

I finally started after planning for about a month. I intend to run the 75 display with a 75 sump/fuge for a reef system (mixed).

I have visited Mr. Cob's tank, Kristy's, and phippsj's that have all played their part in my motivation and would like to say thanks for sharing ideas. I have also spoke with Richard, Reefone, and dipan.

I would like to do a custom aquascape consisting of custom egg crate forming, foam back ground (and maybe floor), and create some tunnels/caves. I don't want any dead spots or detritus buildup and would like options for reef propagation as well as entertaining for the livestock.

I already have both tanks and have built the stand. No I am plumbing in the accessories which so far include coralife 220 skimmer, PM calcium reactor, CL system with pan world 200 PS, 8 54 Watt T5's for display and 2 power compacts for the fuge. I plan on running two socks, then a 4' long fuge, skimmer, then return all in the 75 sump.

Planning on; updating display light to 4 54 watt T5's and 2 250watt HQI's, updating the skimmer pump to a cerda 5000 needle wheel, adding auto top off RO/DI, Oceans Motions super squirt 4-way. In the future I plan on adding an interface controller like the RKE and possibly LED's (I would like to see PAR readings confirm their effectiveness).

I wanted to start this thread because I enjoy seeing what others have created and I also invite constructive criticism and would like MAAST's experienced members ideas as well as to help me avoid making mistakes.

[txg8gxp]

Wow, that is going to be awesome. Tons of goodies.. Only 8 t5's...you can do better than that.hahahaha

[jesserettele]

more pics

[hobogato]

looks great so far, will be fun to watch your progress

[jesserettele]

I know, all I need is a gift card to the LED store :bigsmile:


Wow, that is going to be awesome. Tons of goodies.. Only 8 t5's...you can do better than that.hahahaha

[jesserettele]

The next step is figuring out the design of the sump/fuge (where to put dividers, baffles etc..) and what I would like to keep in it for macro.

I also need 4 1 1/2" schedule 80 double threaded bulkheads.

[dipan]

Looking good so far. For sump/fuge layout, consider looking at melev's website (http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/f/sump_f.html) for basic configurations.

[jesserettele]

Looking good so far. For sump/fuge layout, consider looking at melev's website (http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/f/sump_f.html) for basic configurations.

Yes, great site and I have read through and seen most of his designs. There are so many options and it is really hard to go wrong by what I have seen/read. Thanks for the help.

[dipan]

Yes, great site and I have read through and seen most of his designs. There are so many options and it is really hard to go wrong by what I have seen/read. Thanks for the help.

Guess you can't really go wrong, but the basic design of refugium on one side with a notched tooth overflow and a static chamber on the other side for skimmer/socks/rocks seems best. This way, with the return in the middle, you can adjust/decrease the amount of flow to your fuge.

[jesserettele]

Progress has been very slow but may pick up now.

Here's some updated pics of the 75 gallon scratched tank that I bought used for $100, removed the plastic rim, and turned it into a sump/fuge. I will plug the two holes in the back with glass after I drill my returns in the display.

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gal%20Sump%20Refugium/DSC04705.jpg
http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gal%20Sump%20Refugium/DSC04704.jpg

I also decided to add 9 casters to my stand to increase flexibility and access

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20stand%20build/DSC04698.jpg
http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20stand%20build/DSC04697.jpg

[jesserettele]

Here's the display with some plumbing layed out before I start drilling. There are 4 bulk heads at the bottom that will be the returns/inputs for the CL system, 2 bulk heads at the top corners for the returns, and if you can see I drew out where I am going to cut out two channels for the over flow that will flow into an external overflow box. The two channels are 1/2" X 18"

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/DSC04699.jpg
http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/DSC04701.jpg

[jesserettele]

I drilled all my bulk heads and the pilot holes for my built surface skimmer.
http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/DSC04722.jpg
http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/DSC04725.jpg
http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/DSC04721.jpg
http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/DSC04729.jpg
http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/DSC04730.jpg
http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/DSC04733.jpg

I hope to start plumbing it up this weekend.

[Mr Cob]

Looks great. Bet you can't wait to get some water in there!

[jesserettele]

You can only imagine! I have to fill it to check for leaks, then drain it to do the foam work, wish me luck.

[jesserettele]

So here I am cutting the 1/2" wide 18" long channels that connect the 1/2" pilot holes.
http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/DSC04734.jpg
http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/DSC04735.jpg



Things went GREAT on the first two cuts which were the bottom of the two 1/2" channels. There were a few small glass chips on the inside but not too bad. Then I thought I would tape both sides to hold the glass better and add more water while cutting the second/top channels.



Then half was through the second cuts CRACK! :hypnotyized: AHHHHH! My first problem.


http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/DSC04739.jpg
http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/DSC04742.jpg


Now I need to post in the DIY section for some help fixing this mess.:confused:
I want to dress up the chipped edges with a trim of some type or just take it to be machined and smoothed out.

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/DSC04741.jpg
http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/DSC04737.jpg

[jesserettele]

Still not wet but a little closer. And now I am wanting to do an external DIY wave box like in this thread on RC http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1411393 (page 13) anyone have experience or feedback with this?

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/DSC04954.jpg

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/DSC04952.jpg

[Europhyllia]

Wow that looks very professional.
I was just going to say how brave you were for doing all this drilling and cutting when I saw the crack. Yikes. Glad you found a way to fix it.

[Mr Cob]

Looks insane Jesse! great custom job!

[jesserettele]

Thanks Rob and Karin, I'm still contemplating weather or not the chips on the overflow have created a stress riser and the whole project needs to be scrapped and just bought from someone who professionally builds rimless. Glasscages.com sells edging that I could silicone on to cover them up and reinforce?????? What do you guys think?

I just want to get some water swirling around!

[Mr Cob]

Maybe Ace will chime in soon, he has built tanks from scratch and builds entire towns...lol

[txmike]

I think he may have built the ark as well.

[Europhyllia]

Now that just makes it sound like he's ancient... :D

[jesserettele]

Good news bad news,

This just arrived for my CL
http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/DSC04959.jpg

But, I used the wrong silicone for my external overflow
http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/DSC04960.jpg


and need to remove it and redo it using momentive RTV108
http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/mgrtv108silicone.jpg


And I need to change my stand, it is overbuilt but not structually sound becuase it doesn't have pylons/columns under the supports..........:hypnotyized:

[Europhyllia]

Oh man poor you. That must be a disappointment having to do all of this again!

[Mr Cob]

That stinks! What's wrong with the Silicone you used? I just picked up the same stuff (I think) for my glass sump I'm making.

[jesserettele]

I found out the hard way (uncleof6 on RC pointed this out and gave me the info so I could research it a little), Consumer Silicone at HD or Lowes is not structual for external structures but works well for internal baffles and stuff. Commercial Momentive RTV 100 series silicone is structual and is what most aquarium builders use. I pulled off all 4 pieces of my external overflow last night in about 2 minutes, it was very weak, scary. I am picking up a tube of momentive RTV 103 black today at Grainger. It took one business day to bring it in and for $9.99 a tube of 10.3 oz (caulk gun size).

[Mr Cob]

I found out the hard way (uncleof6 on RC pointed this out and gave me the info so I could research it a little), Consumer Silicone at HD or Lowes is not structual for external structures but works well for internal baffles and stuff. Commercial Momentive RTV 100 series silicone is structual and is what most aquarium builders use. I pulled off all 4 pieces of my external overflow last night in about 2 minutes, it was very weak, scary. I am picking up a tube of momentive RTV 103 black today at Grainger. It took one business day to bring it in and for $9.99 a tube of 10.3 oz (caulk gun size).

Would it be wise to use that for baffles as well? In sump?

[jesserettele]

No I don't think it is necessary but wouldn't hurt anything either. It is about twice as much as the consumer grade stuff.

[jesserettele]

Finally got some water in this thing. Here I am checking the closed loop system. So far no leaks. Sorry for the poor quality video.

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/th_MOV05192.jpg (http://s946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/?action=view&current=MOV05192.mp4)

[Europhyllia]

water... it makes all the difference ;)

[jesserettele]

And here I passed the return and overflow leak test. Now I need foam.......

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/DSC05193.jpg
http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/DSC05195.jpg

Here is a video, sorry again for the poor quality and the camera getting blurry constantly.

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/th_MOV05197.jpg (http://s946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/?action=view&current=MOV05197.mp4)

[Mr Cob]

Jesse....that looks really great. I hate to see you put anything in it...because it will just cover up that pretty plumbing job you did! Nice flow too. I'm jealous. Wish I had the patience to plumb...I take the easy way out with tubes, much more rewarding to take your time and plumb it though.

[jesserettele]

Thanks Rob! I have had to just realize that this is a long project and that if I were to go with my first thought of just getting it up and running that I would regret it later. It's funny how this project started out with a free stand, light, and pump, and has turned into a rediculous project that is trying to incorporate little bits and pieces of fellow reefers experience. I have a long way to go and still have so much to learn. Thanks to everyone for your input and feedback.

[Europhyllia]

I see you have made great progress! Your purple long tentacle anemone is lovely. I am sure it's enjoying your hard work and the perfect flow patterns. ;)

[jesserettele]

My daughter loves the purple anemone especially since her old bicycle was the doner:)

[jesserettele]

I finally saved up enough for some more goodies;

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/IMG_0627.jpg

Eheim 1262 return
5 stage RO/DI with booster pump
auto top off
TDS inline and handheld

Not pictured, but way cool ATI T5

[Europhyllia]

Oh nice! Lots of goodies :)

[jesserettele]

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/IMG_7744.jpg

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/IMG_7743.jpg

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/IMG_7725.jpg

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/IMG_7700.jpg

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/IMG_7708.jpg

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/IMG_7734.jpg

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/IMG_7731.jpg

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/IMG_7729.jpg

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/IMG_7736.jpg

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/th_MVI_7737.jpg (http://s946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/?action=view&current=MVI_7737.mp4)

[Europhyllia]

put some water in it already! lol

[jesserettele]

Here's some water! And the start to some live rock.

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/IMG_7762.jpg

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/IMG_7760.jpg

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/IMG_7756.jpg

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/IMG_7755.jpg

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/IMG_7753.jpg

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/IMG_7751.jpg

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/IMG_7754.jpg

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/IMG_7752.jpg

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/IMG_7749.jpg

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/IMG_7750.jpg

http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad302/Jesserettele/75%20gallon%20build/IMG_7745.jpg

[Mr Cob]

dude...you are a perfectionist! Everything...I mean EVERYTHING looks great! So slick and clean looking. Right on. Thx for posting the RO/DI station picks...I need to set mine up still and I think I will copy your design/layout.

[Europhyllia]

Oh NICE! Love me some Pukani. This is going to be awesome :)

[jesserettele]

Thanks guys! I think I like the hardware part the best. I can turn 2 valves and go from mixing the salt water to pumping it into the sump and an ATO stops it at 15 gallons for water changes.

[Scream311]

Geez ! I'm sooooo jealous !

I want a Water Station like that ! Awesome work

[SoLiD]

update?

[Mr Cob]

Not sure if Jesse is on much anymore....he tore this system down, we got the water station and his sweet sump :)

Hopefully Jesse makes a come-back soon, he was very creative and resourceful