cmaxwell39's new tank build

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cmaxwell39

Guest
Well, two months ago I ordered a 50 gal breeder to be set up as a SPS tank and it finally came in (I know that it shouldn't take that long, but there was a mix up in ordering or something
).
Anyway, since it took so long I went ahead and got a 30ish gal to be the sump/fuge and I have been researching eqipment and have most of that purchased. Some of it I purchased used off the classifieds here and some I have purchased new. So now that I finally have the tanks it is time to get serious about getting this thing up and going.
Last night I had a guy I know that does cabinets come down and measure what I need for a stand. I had thought about doing it myself, but he needs a furnace and AC put in his house (my kind of work) so we are going to trade some labor and I don't have to try to make something pretty. Most of the time I can make things functional, it all the little details that make a project look pretty that I just can't seem to master.

Eqipment list so far:
DT-- 50 gal breeder (36x18x18) New
Sump-- 30ish gal (35x12x20) New
return pump-- quietone 4000 New
Lights-- Nova Extreme Pro w/ geisman bulbs Used
Skimmer-- ASM G2 Used
heaters-- 2 stealth 100w
Still need to purchase power heads. I am still debating between just getting some regular koralia or getting the new controlable ones. I am kind of waiting to see how the budget is, but I am leaning towards the controlable ones. We'll see.
I will also be building DIY pvc overflows for this tank. I am going to leave enough room behind the tank so that if I need to purchase a HOB I can install it, but I want to try the DIY ones first.
Thats about it for now. How about some pictures:




 
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cmaxwell39

Guest
Here is the design for the sump/fuge. I have basically copied what I did with the sump/fuge on my 75. I havn't had any problems with it, so mess with what works.
 
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cmaxwell39

Guest
Tomorrow I hope to be making a trip to Lowes and getting some PVC to start the overflows, paint to paint the back of the tank and starting on some of that stuff. Only so much that I can do until the stand is done, but at least things are finally under way. Thanks for looking and feel free to comment on ideas or design things that I may have overlooked or there is a better way to do them.
 
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cmaxwell39

Guest
Got a little bit done today. Made a trip to Lowes and got a bunch of PVC and fittings to make overflows and eventually do plumbing with. Also got paint and a few other odds and ends.
First project on the list was to make a couple of DIY pvc overflows. After figuring out all the dimensions they were actually really easy to make. It only took about an hour and a half including all of my figuring. I really hope these work well. If not I will just buy a commercial HOB overflow to get my water to the sump. Here are some pics.




 
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cmaxwell39

Guest
Since the overflows went pretty smooth I decided to paint the back of the tank as well. Hardest part here was just taping everything off. It came out pretty well I thought. A couple of drips in the paint, but not anything that anyones going to see. It is on the back after all. Pics...



 
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cmaxwell39

Guest
Well that is all for today. Tomorrow or Wed I will be going and cutting some glass for the sump fuge so that I can put that together. I need to get some eggcrate as well. Forgot that when I was at Lowes today. I even made a list which is unusual for me.
Oh well, I am sure that there will be other stuff that I end up needing anyways. Once again, comments/critiques are welcome. Enjoy.
 
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cmaxwell39

Guest
I need to drill a vent hole in the high point and in the cap. In the vent hole at the high point a check valve will be installed to allow a siphon to be started. Once the siphon is started the check valve will keep air from getting into the overflow. If you do a search DIY PVC Overflow you will find some info on them.
 
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dennis210

Guest
Looking good! Question though? Is that an amp in the first pic? Saltwater plays hell on electrical pieces!!! I like the glass being painted instead of taped on backing!
 
coraljunky

coraljunky

Active Member
What type of paint are you using on the plumbing? Will it leech? I like the idea of using a 50g breeder as a display. Fyi your sump is a 37g
 
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cmaxwell39

Guest
The paint is krylon fusion and from the research I have done it will cure completely nontoxic in 7 days. It will be at least that until the overflows see water.
Also, yes that is an amp in the background of the first pic, but that is not where the final resting place of this setup will be. I am just storing the stuff in our spare room which is a collection place for all the stuff that has no where else to go. The tank is going to reside in the living room when all is said and done, so no worries about the saltwater and the amp.
 
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dennis210

Guest
Have you considered having the tank drilled? It would make things easier.
 
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cmaxwell39

Guest
Didn't want to drill the tank in order to use as much of the footprint as possible. I figure the DIY overflows will hide behind the rocks easy enough. And a HOB will be up and out of the way for the most part. My 75 is a RR and I really like that, just wanted to try something different with this one. Thanks for the idea though.
 
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dennis210

Guest
I like the idea of having more room within the tank! Keep the pic's of progress coming!
 
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cmaxwell39

Guest
Work has been crazy the last few days so not much has happened. Got the rest of the coats of paint on the back of the tank and the overflows and got my glass cut for the baffles in the sump. I was hoping to get the baffles in the sump today, but I need to mow the grass so it will have to wait another day.
Does anyone have any opinions on the new Koralia controlable pumps and controller? I have done quite a bit of looking at them and have found very few reviews or even people with experience with them. I am thinking about getting a basic controller and 2 number 3's for the water movement in the tank, but it is a lot of money to spend if they are not worth it. I could probably just get by with a couple of regular number 4's or a couple of maxijet mods. Some input here would be great. TIA.
 
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dennis210

Guest
the Hydor Koralia's are great, maxijets (even modified) are just ok, the Seio's with the magnetic attachments are great. I have no experience with newer controllable PH's. I burned out regular ones putting them on timers. Right now I am currently using 4 hydor Koralia's, 2 Seio M1100's, and one maxijet 1200 across back of tank in my 210. and two hydor Koralia's in my 65. Of everything I have seen and read I think the idea of an above tank surge - like Carlson's surge device - to be the best erractic natural way of adding currents throughout the tank.
 
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cmaxwell39

Guest
Thanks Dennis for the opinions. I have one Koralia now and I really like it. I just didn't know if the controlables would provide better enough random flow to make them worth the money. I may just go with a couple of koralia 3's or 4's for flow.
 
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cmaxwell39

Guest
Update-- Got the baffles put in the sump tonight. My caulk job leaves a lot to be desired, but it will seal and no one is going to see it. I don't think my skimmer or return pump are going to care what their new house looks like on the inside.
Who knows though they might go on strike and refuse to work until I clean it all up.

Anyway, here are some pics.

 
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cmaxwell39

Guest
I have an idea on getting flow behind the rocks and want some input on it.
I was thinking of bring the return line down the back of the tank and branching it off at a few different levels to have some flow across the back glass behind the rocks and then just letting the powerheads take care of the flow for the top and front of the tank. I will include an attempt at a paint drawing to illustrate. Let me know what you think. I am still interested in opinions on the controllable Koralias as well.
 
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