Snake's 75g build thread

snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I'm thinking that I might put one of those door lock things on it from the inside. I'll have to open one side of the cabinet doors from the kitchen, and unhinge the side that goes to the living room... if I need access to both sides of the stand for whatever reason, I'll still have the ability to do so. And, it will pull that door in more at the top at the same time. I have to start getting creative with how I am going to lock things up because of my daughter. She is starting to get mobile and I don't want anything bad to happen to her or the fish tank while I'm not looking.
The other side I'll also have to get creative about how I am going to lock it. I'm not completely sure yet what I want to do. I will have to go to the local hardware store to their locks and hinges section and spend a few minutes thinking about it.
Today, when I get out of class, I'll be sanding it down as best as I can and shaping the corners of the trim to match. I hate that there are some small gaps, but I was using scrap wood from other projects - and it shows a little bit of my personality as well, I guess. Lets just say it wouldn't pass if it were a customers stand.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Thanks buddy. I really appreciate it. I think the stand is "ok" not extremely great but it will hold up a bunch of water. At least it will be done by this weekend.
I have a limited budget, and I wanted to spend the majority of my money on equipment and livestock instead of wood. I'll make it look halfway decent because my wife wants me to. lol If it were up to me, I would have put the 2x6's together and called it done. lol
I have to get that canopy done this week for my client. I'll have to finish everything but that one piece of trim. The longer something sits in my workshop the more torn up it all becomes. I'm ready to get it out of my way so that I can concentrate on a new project.
 
tannersmith200

tannersmith200

Member
I have a 75g reef tank that I just put together this past week. It consists of various SPS corals and LPS corals (mostly frags plugged into the rock).
I bought the tank from Petsmart. It's probably the same tank you bought. I have two LED lights (mixture of 12K white and 405nm ultra violet).
I am getting a squamosa clam and 7 green chromis this week. I made a youtube video of it this past weekend using my droid (not good quality)
Check it out
enjoy
 
tannersmith200

tannersmith200

Member
Obviously there is no sump on this tank since my heater is dangling in the current. I am only running a skimmer (HOB aqua remora C) and weekly water changes as filtration. I assume having 7 green chromis and corals wont hurt my water qualtiy at all.
 
novahobbies

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/60#post_3492746
I think when I become a biology teacher and have my own classroom, I will add a small tank in the classroom (with permission, I guess) so that I may create a few lessons around it. If you think about it, a saltwater aquarium has a lot of biology involved. Photosynthesis, respiration, climate/evaporation, You can make slides of algae and bacteria, study anaerobic zones, the nitrogen cycle, the carbon cycle, ... yeah. LOL. Yes, I am a nerd.
That's a fantastic idea. I remember my 7th grade biology teacher had a completely enclosed biosphere tank that he set up every year for his students. It was sealed with only minimal gass exchange, and the entire population of fish, snails, and zooplankton was dependent on the algae and plants for food and filtration. He would have the class observe and take notes on that tank over the course of the year, and at the end of term he would open it up, we'd go to the creek, and set everything free (It all came from the creek to begin with, lol)
These days I know a few classes and schools that maintain large size saltwater tanks as part of their curriculum. Personally I think it's brilliant, and encourages the "right" kind of long-term future hobbyists.
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
Hey Seth, when you become a teacher and get your tank let me know. I know of a grant that you can apply for to help with some of the costs of the tank.
The stand is coming along nicely. Too bad you don't live closer or else I would hire you for my next build. :)
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
thanks tanner.
Quote:
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/80#post_3492942
That's a fantastic idea. I remember my 7th grade biology teacher had a completely enclosed biosphere tank that he set up every year for his students. It was sealed with only minimal gass exchange, and the entire population of fish, snails, and zooplankton was dependent on the algae and plants for food and filtration. He would have the class observe and take notes on that tank over the course of the year, and at the end of term he would open it up, we'd go to the creek, and set everything free (It all came from the creek to begin with, lol)
These days I know a few classes and schools that maintain large size saltwater tanks as part of their curriculum. Personally I think it's brilliant, and encourages the "right" kind of long-term future hobbyists.
I like the idea a lot.
they have biobottles too. check it out!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemmy http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/80#post_3492970
Hey Seth, when you become a teacher and get your tank let me know. I know of a grant that you can apply for to help with some of the costs of the tank.
The stand is coming along nicely. Too bad you don't live closer or else I would hire you for my next build. :)
ok, sounds awesome!
 
S

smallreef

Guest
That picture needed a drum roll, lol
crazy difference!!! glad your getting there,,, the stand is looking good too!
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
besides getting the polyurethane done today, I also painted the ******** white. I used pretty much all leftovers from various builds for this project - besides the plywood.
Also... I got some other little door things done here and there and some lights installed.

They are pull switch ceramic sockets - and work perfectly for what I want to do with it. They will give me enough light to see inside the stand at night. I'm not running a refugium this time, so I am counting on these to help me do maintenance at night. I'm pretty excited about this small detail. You can see the cord coming out of one of those sockets. It's ok - I'm going to use some little electrical staples to keep them up and in place.

I added door fasteners to the bottoms. That way when I close the door, the doors won't ever swing outwards. It will also keep the doors from opening during transport. I'm happy with this small feature of the stand.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I got another small injection of funds. :)
Ill be getting the stand home tomorrow. Im hoping my wife or a friend will help me drill the tank thursday or friday. I think i will go order a couple panes of glass tomorrow.
Maybe by this weekend it will have some water.
I might have some money to go ahead and build a canopy and order some halide bulbs and sockets next week. We will just have to see. I dont really know about it though. I mean, i want to go ahead and get some light but at the same time i know i will be buying leds soon and i dont want to wste the money. Its going to cost a pretty penny for leds. I might end up making my own diy unit. I dont know.
Im getting pretty excited. :)
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Thanks Al.
Ive never used 2x6 before but now i think that is going to be my standard. If i can get a plainer ill be set!
 
sweatervest13

sweatervest13

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/80#post_3493114




Ohhh.. So shiny!!
Looks real nice Seth!! The white paint makes the stain pop as well as the poly.
That skimmer is a big boy, you are going to love it.
What are your thoughts about a LED unit like Nova bought. I found it online for like $165.00 free shipping and the same place has a CREE unit for like $10-$15 more (not as many LED's but still CREE!!!). How much for MH bulbs and sockets?? You would probably need two units, but you could start with one and in 6 months or so add a second. I am pretty close to pulling the trigger on getting one.
Keep up the good work.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/80#post_3493194
Ohhh.. So shiny!!
Looks real nice Seth!! The white paint makes the stain pop as well as the poly.
That skimmer is a big boy, you are going to love it.
What are your thoughts about a LED unit like Nova bought. I found it online for like $165.00 free shipping and the same place has a CREE unit for like $10-$15 more (not as many LED's but still CREE!!!). How much for MH bulbs and sockets?? You would probably need two units, but you could start with one and in 6 months or so add a second. I am pretty close to pulling the trigger on getting one.
Keep up the good work.
LOL! Thanks buddy for commenting on this thread. It makes me happy when anyone gives me a comment, good or bad. If I didn't want comments, I wouldn't be sharing. lol.
I think I am really going to enjoy that skimmer as well. I have really put a lot of research and thought into this model and I know that it will really work out for me. I just have to learn how to dial it in really well and figure out how to rig something up to keep it from splashing so bad in the sump. Metric fittings don't help at all. lol. But, I learned of a modification that I can use to add a T to it and a vent - so I'll be sharing that detail here pretty soon. I actually put this skimmer on my 20g tank. The air intake is really loud - it almost sounds like a fan going. lol. I am going to stuff some cotton into the air damper and see if that quiets it down some without affecting the skimmers ability to skim. Another thing that I noticed is that 8" of water might not be enough for the skimmer to skim well... I may have to go up to 9" or even 10" of water in my 20g long sump skimmer chamber to really get what I need out of it. Just little tweaks that I'll have to work on here and there.
I added some of that polyfil acrylic fiber pads they use for quilts and man, I tell yah, it is really catching some nasty stuff! Best part is, it's cheap and you can get a lot of it.
As far as the LEDs,... I am kind of hesitant to buy an LED unit that does not contain more than two color spectrums. I may look into the Chinese CREE LED Dimmable units that can be used with a controller - but even those are getting up there next to a Vega or Radeon. I might just save up for a decent American made (put together) LED light fixture than go with one of those knock-off units. I think for the hardware I need, the metal halide bulbs, and the sockets will run me a little over $200. I know - that's the price of one of those units. LOL. And... it's only $300 away from a decent LED fixture. Heck, who knows, I might get a tek light with some ATI T5 bulbs and a couple of stunner strips and call it done. lol
I did find a six bulb T5 unit with "grow lamps" for $200. I'd have to replace the bulbs - but then again, the bulbs for it would cost nearly $200 more. So... kinda stuck on just investing in LEDs while I can get the money.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I am tempted to skip my next class and work on my stand a little more before my 1pm class. We're watching a movie anyway. At least I could eat with my family and get the rest of the hardware installed.
 
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