DIY 120 reef build......
- Thread starter turningtim
- Start date
turningtim
Active Member
Been kinda slow this week but I did manage to get the stands painted and the backs of both tanks painted. I had a bit of a problem with the acrylic sump. I just couldn't get it to bond, but after talking to my acrylic guys got that fixed with some of their "homebrew" solvent.
Somehow they got in a new type of cast material and my weld-on 4 wouldn't touch it. They had said I wasn't the first to have issues so they gave me the "good stuff" and it worked like a charm. So now thats in a box but still have to do the baffles and such. The sump turned out to be around 45 gals.......
Tim
Somehow they got in a new type of cast material and my weld-on 4 wouldn't touch it. They had said I wasn't the first to have issues so they gave me the "good stuff" and it worked like a charm. So now thats in a box but still have to do the baffles and such. The sump turned out to be around 45 gals.......
Tim
mrinelfrlz
Member
glad it worked out
any new updates?
any new updates?
turningtim
Active Member
Hey Folks been a while and unfortunately I haven't gotten much done on the tanks.
I have however installed a new RO/DI unit down stairs to keep up with these tanks. So now my wasteless RO unit will be for top off and Kalk and the new one will produce water for changes. Also put a float valve on my mixing tank so it some what auto. With new plans in place an ATO system is also in the works.
I have almost finished the sump. All the baffles are in and the fuge wall installed. I'm considering making a bubble tower and some added do-dads like heater holders and such.
I guess the best news is that my wife is totally on board with both tanks and we've come up with a plan. We plan to have the tanks have a "built-in" look and will have the old carpet ripped out of the family room then the tanks then new carpet. But the down side is that the laundry room has to be done at the same time. So I got more than I wanted but, tripled my work load.
So I'm tiling the laundry and will start ripping out some of the carpet next week. In the meantime I'll be hitting the tanks this weekend. I need to get the 80 done and ready to move.
I'm taking before and after pics of all the demo and construction..
Stay tuned!
Tim
I have however installed a new RO/DI unit down stairs to keep up with these tanks. So now my wasteless RO unit will be for top off and Kalk and the new one will produce water for changes. Also put a float valve on my mixing tank so it some what auto. With new plans in place an ATO system is also in the works.
I have almost finished the sump. All the baffles are in and the fuge wall installed. I'm considering making a bubble tower and some added do-dads like heater holders and such.
I guess the best news is that my wife is totally on board with both tanks and we've come up with a plan. We plan to have the tanks have a "built-in" look and will have the old carpet ripped out of the family room then the tanks then new carpet. But the down side is that the laundry room has to be done at the same time. So I got more than I wanted but, tripled my work load.
So I'm tiling the laundry and will start ripping out some of the carpet next week. In the meantime I'll be hitting the tanks this weekend. I need to get the 80 done and ready to move.
I'm taking before and after pics of all the demo and construction..
Stay tuned!
Tim
ameno
Active Member
ah, remodel the house for the tanks, no big deal just a little extra work
I have some of that going on myself, the only problem is the wife decided we could put the tank were are old closet was so it would be out of the way of the rest of the remodeling, then move the tank to the living room. now I'm thinking the tank fits good were it is and I should have remodeled that area first because by the time it's all done I'm gona have to move it.
Looking forward to pics of the progress, I finish my canopy last weekend, I think it turned out good being my first piece of furniture to build, built it to match the rest of the house, check it out on my thread see what ya think
I have some of that going on myself, the only problem is the wife decided we could put the tank were are old closet was so it would be out of the way of the rest of the remodeling, then move the tank to the living room. now I'm thinking the tank fits good were it is and I should have remodeled that area first because by the time it's all done I'm gona have to move it.
Looking forward to pics of the progress, I finish my canopy last weekend, I think it turned out good being my first piece of furniture to build, built it to match the rest of the house, check it out on my thread see what ya think
turningtim
Active Member
Hey folks, I'm still here! Had a couple issues but should back on track this week. Will post any progress.
Tim
Tim
wattsupdoc
Active Member
Staying tuned in here.
I had to refloor the utility room a few weeks ago myself. Australian Cypress. BEAUTIFUL stuff. I got the "not quite good enough" pices for free from a job we're doing. I ended up with about 600 sq. ft. I hate doing floors, but I love the look!
turningtim
Active Member
Hey there all! Well I wanted to give a small update and be prepared to think wow what a nutjob!
First my health is OK. I had a couple of pretty scary weeks but the Docs think they know what is up. The consensus is that my Thyroid is recking havoc on my body. So with some more blood work and meds I should be as right as rain in a few more weeks. So I'm fine!
Now with all this down time and basically just laying around being sick and tired I have a new improved plan that some how I got past my wife.
In the process of doing the renovation on the laundry room and parts of the fam room I have found a way to plumb both tanks down in the basement. So thats just what I intend to do. I will still use all the parts a pieces I have now and just add bigger return pumps to move the water up stairs. I have not recalc'd the backwash and may have to modify the sump system but I think this will be minor since I always give more room then necessary.
Both tanks are ready to be installed and both sumps are also ready.
The down side is that I will not be able to install until after the new year. But oh well I think it will be worth it.
Taking a vaca for a week to decompress. I'll run numbers and such then.
Hope all is well with everyone!
Tim
First my health is OK. I had a couple of pretty scary weeks but the Docs think they know what is up. The consensus is that my Thyroid is recking havoc on my body. So with some more blood work and meds I should be as right as rain in a few more weeks. So I'm fine!
Now with all this down time and basically just laying around being sick and tired I have a new improved plan that some how I got past my wife.
In the process of doing the renovation on the laundry room and parts of the fam room I have found a way to plumb both tanks down in the basement. So thats just what I intend to do. I will still use all the parts a pieces I have now and just add bigger return pumps to move the water up stairs. I have not recalc'd the backwash and may have to modify the sump system but I think this will be minor since I always give more room then necessary.
Both tanks are ready to be installed and both sumps are also ready.
The down side is that I will not be able to install until after the new year. But oh well I think it will be worth it.
Taking a vaca for a week to decompress. I'll run numbers and such then.
Hope all is well with everyone!
Tim
wattsupdoc
Active Member
Good to hear you are doing allright Tim.
Hang in there budy. Keep us posted.
mrinelfrlz
Member
glad your doing better!
i like the new plans a basement sump sounds GREAT! to me
i wonder Y?
i like the new plans a basement sump sounds GREAT! to me
i wonder Y?
turningtim
Active Member
Thanks all! I'm doing a bit better and have now be diagnosed a diabetic. So currently on oral meds and doing better everyday.
Started pricing pumps and things so I'm a go. Rewiring my Tek T-5 light today with a Icecap 660 so that should be fun.
Thanks for the well wishes and hope all had a good Holiday and Happy New Year!
Tim
Started pricing pumps and things so I'm a go. Rewiring my Tek T-5 light today with a Icecap 660 so that should be fun.
Thanks for the well wishes and hope all had a good Holiday and Happy New Year!
Tim
ameno
Active Member
Hang in there, hope your back to normal soon. all I have left with my tank is the kalk reactor, which i've stated building today. but I need to get to town and get a few more parts and were having are first winter weather so I don't know if I'll make it or not, starting to get cabin fever.
wattsupdoc
Active Member
Sorry to hear about the diagnosis. But glad to hear your better. My Dad is able to control his diabetes just with diet. He was on meds at first I believe, but they were able to take him off them. It runs in my family. Really though with just some changes it's not that bad of a thing. I have a friend whos 10y.o. son is diabetic too, gotta be tough for a kid. He's a prodigy though. When he was 6 he got a keyboard for a gift, he instantly began picking up on it. Whenever we have a family event, he allways plays something. It's absolutly amazing to watch a (now) 10 y.o. play Missouri Waltz and nail it!
Very gifted young man there. He like to wear a cape when he plays.
I dont know many classical songs but he sure does. Just thought I'd share that.
Take care of yourself !
Charlie
Take care of yourself !
Charlie
turningtim
Active Member
Keeping me honest there ameno!
Well i just cleared the area for the 80 of the slot car and train platform from Christmas and then I just need to grout the laundry floor and thats done.
I think I'm going with a couple of sequence pumps. A Tarpon for the 80 (shorter head) and a Wahoo for the 120. The CL for the 120 I think I'm going Mak4.
I did the Icecap ballast on my tek light. I changed out the 4 bulb ballast with a 660 and all I can say is WOW! I had to change my timers b/c after 2 days my SPS started to bleach. I hope I don't lose them.
Need to sit a design the fish room down stairs. So that will be next.....
Tim
Well i just cleared the area for the 80 of the slot car and train platform from Christmas and then I just need to grout the laundry floor and thats done.
I think I'm going with a couple of sequence pumps. A Tarpon for the 80 (shorter head) and a Wahoo for the 120. The CL for the 120 I think I'm going Mak4.
I did the Icecap ballast on my tek light. I changed out the 4 bulb ballast with a 660 and all I can say is WOW! I had to change my timers b/c after 2 days my SPS started to bleach. I hope I don't lose them.
Need to sit a design the fish room down stairs. So that will be next.....
Tim