ps2cho Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 I am downsizing my 60G cube to a 40B until I have the funds to afford a dream 150G build. The 60G is far too big and heavy for the house move coming up soon, so its probably best for me to downsize and sell it now so theres enough time to find a buyer. Petco has the $1/gal sale for 2 more weeks, so nows the time to get started on this. I will get the stand built, then cycle the tank and after a few weeks a slow transfer of the livestock over followed by the SPS corals. Hopefully they transition ok. Plans: Tank: Aqueon 40 Breeder Sump: Eshopps R-200 Stand: DIY 2x2 with 3/4" Pine top plus canopy. Controller: Apex Lite Lights: Reefbreeders Photon 24 + 2x39w (36") T5 Retrofit using Blue+ and Coral+ bulbs. Flow: Vortech MP40WES + MP10ES Return: Aqueon Quietflow 2300 (600gph) Skimmer: SCA-302 Overflow: Modular Marine Overflow (Synergy Reef Clone) - 3x 3/4" drains and 1x 3/4" return. http://www.ebay.com/itm/191516666574?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Dosing: 2x BRS Dosers for Alk + Mg. =================================== Full Tank Shots: August, 2016 June, 2016 December, 2015 November, 2015 Here we go! Link to comment
plainrt Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 Tagging along. Love that overflow Link to comment
mystersyster Posted October 23, 2015 Share Posted October 23, 2015 I read a thread recently where someone calculated the vertical load the lowest grade 2x4s could hold. With eight supports, like you see in most diy builds, it could hold 18,600 pounds. Even if you go with 2x2 I think you'll be fine. Link to comment
ps2cho Posted October 23, 2015 Author Share Posted October 23, 2015 2x2s should be cheaper and save space as well. I want to make sure I have enough space under the tank to hide the electronics well. Anyone have a good build with a slick wiring plan designed into it? Link to comment
ps2cho Posted October 26, 2015 Author Share Posted October 26, 2015 BRS order set. Ordered 35lbs of Pukani, 40lbs of Carbsea Special Grade sand, and misc plumbing supplies. Stand built...interior painted white for what I have so far. I ended up using 2x3's and 3/4" pine for the top and bottom. Currently figuring out what mixture of walnut and mahogany I want to use, so testing on a scrap piece. Link to comment
ps2cho Posted October 30, 2015 Author Share Posted October 30, 2015 Plumbing arrived along with the 35lbs of Pukani, 5lbs of tonga shelf and 40lbs of sand. Might need more sand, but will see. Amazon has it on prime for a 10/15lbs bag so if needed I can get more pretty fast. Drilled the return hole right now. Came out alright for a first glass drill ever...a few chips, but its hidden by the bulkhead anyway. Just waiting for the overflow box on Tuesday, then I can drill the two 1" holes and it'll be ready to fill up. That means I gotta finish the stand this weekend! Link to comment
ps2cho Posted October 31, 2015 Author Share Posted October 31, 2015 The overflow box arrived today! USPS said Tuesday, so I am thrilled! Working hard to get the stand finished, because at this point, I have everything to get the tank started! Got the pocket jig on the trim (this is my first time doing a good job on the trim). Need to run back to HD and get more wood then I can get to staining! This overflow is awesome btw! No point buying the more expensive one on BRS when for $60/80 cheaper this modular marine on ebay is the exact same thing minus the magnetic top. Link to comment
HarryPotter Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 The overflow box arrived today! USPS said Tuesday, so I am thrilled! Working hard to get the stand finished, because at this point, I have everything to get the tank started! Got the pocket jig on the trim (this is my first time doing a good job on the trim). Need to run back to HD and get more wood then I can get to staining! This overflow is awesome btw! No point buying the more expensive one on BRS when for $60/80 cheaper this modular marine on ebay is the exact same thing minus the magnetic top. Following along. Pocket holes look great! That overflow looks really cool. If you wanted a cover you could PM MrReefer81 with the dimensions; I doubt it would be expensive. (He has a laser cutter). Link to comment
ps2cho Posted November 2, 2015 Author Share Posted November 2, 2015 Got impatient for the polyurethane to dry on the trim, so dragged the stand in and started filling her up! I will attach the trim in the next few days, then work on the doors. Can't wait to show you guys the aquascape, I think its awesome! Link to comment
Spencer7 Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 Got impatient for the polyurethane to dry on the trim, so dragged the stand in and started filling her up! I will attach the trim in the next few days, then work on the doors. Can't wait to show you guys the aquascape, I think its awesome! Well, it certainly sounds like it's off to a rocky start but maybe that's just because you're my scapegoat No but srsly, I'm following along and always excited to see a SPS tank in the making :3 Link to comment
ps2cho Posted November 2, 2015 Author Share Posted November 2, 2015 I started my cycle today. I put 2oz of an old fish filet I had in the freezer after washing the seasonings off the top. I also will be doing 2 capfuls of microbacter7 in addition. Will be a cool test to see how long it takes for the bacteria to grow and consume the entire piece of food and then ammonia and nitrites to hit zero. Once they are both zero for a few days I will start by moving my royal gramma over as he is the most timid fish from my 60G. Link to comment
ps2cho Posted November 3, 2015 Author Share Posted November 3, 2015 A little clearer today... The island on the left is pretty large...larger that I thought it would be in the tank, but I kinda like it. There is a big tunnel that goes through the middle although photo is hard to see it. Tons of overhangs and places to put corals on. Photos will get better once it clears further and lighting is better. Also I accidently drilled the return too low, so I am waiting on some flexible loc line to arrive so I can fill it up more. The sump will be transferred from the main tank in a few weeks so until then the water level needs to be lower to make sure the waves from the temporary WP-25 don't splash into the overflow and onto the floor. Link to comment
ps2cho Posted November 5, 2015 Author Share Posted November 5, 2015 Getting pretty clear now! I receive a fresh API set tomorrow so I can start running my ammonia / nitrite tests. I threw my last set away as it was years old and who really checks for NH4 when everything is running smooth on a multi year old tank ya know? What do you guys think of the aquascape? Tough to photograph without the reef light into the tank... I think my bendable Loc Line arrives saturday so I can fill the rest of the water up to the top. Link to comment
phillyclownfish Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Nice build. Cant wait to see some SPS Link to comment
ps2cho Posted November 6, 2015 Author Share Posted November 6, 2015 The cycle is definitely rolling! The Microbacter7 I am sure is helping speed this up. I am doing 2 capfuls each day as the bottle suggests...Well maybe a little extra over what it says, but I dumped that 2oz piece of fish in, so there is quite a lot of food for the bacteria to chew up. I can let the bacteria go nuts for 4 weeks with the food. Can't hurt right? Looks like 8+ppm ammonia and 5+ppm nitrites Link to comment
ps2cho Posted November 8, 2015 Author Share Posted November 8, 2015 Did some more work this weekend. Got the silicone down on the inside seams to create a bucket at the bottom that would at least hold a little water in case of a leak so it doesn't go on the wood floor. Next I got the electrical panel that I will be attaching my Neptune Apex and Vortech parts to so its on the opposite side of the sump away from splashes etc. Its not completely separated, but I have a vent with a 120mm computer fan that will rid of the moisture anyway, so this should be fine. Also drilled some holes for wiring each side, and attached my electrical cable raceway duct that I got off amazon. I think from here I just gotta finish the doors, and start the canopy. I am debating adding 2x39w T5's, one each side of the Photon 24 LED so it will allow the undersides of the coral to get some light and not die off as I am experiencing in my 60G tank. Link to comment
ps2cho Posted November 10, 2015 Author Share Posted November 10, 2015 I removed the decaying food and after 3 days ammonia is down to 1ppm, nitrites 5+ ppm and nitrates 10ppm. The microbacter7 is really speeding this cycle along since I am on day 9. Link to comment
PieMan2k Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Dang this is going to be a nice tank when it's setup. I don't know if I missed it or not but what are you using for your lights? Edit: nvm I found out Link to comment
ps2cho Posted November 11, 2015 Author Share Posted November 11, 2015 Veterans day off -- Canopy is almost finished. Pre-stain on and then I'll stain it with the mix of Dark Walnut and Red Mahogany. The LET T5 Retrofit kit arrives tomorrow. One problem I found however was that someone on a forum said the reflectors can be separated, but when I asked BRS, they said they are a dual reflector. I guess worse case I can use some tin snips and cut the reflector down the middle so I can get one T5 on each side of the Photon 24. Pics: Link to comment
ps2cho Posted November 11, 2015 Author Share Posted November 11, 2015 Cycle is getting close now. The Microbacter7 definitely works. Tank is on Day 11. I'd say either 0.25 or 0.50 ammonia. Nitrites still 5+, but I'd say one more week and Nitrites should be zero and I can slowly start moving livestock over. I'd like to move the Royal Gramma first I think. The clowns would have to go as a pair so 2 full size clowns off the bat might be too much for the bacteria to handle. A single Royal Gramma for 2-3 weeks might be a better choice. Link to comment
ps2cho Posted November 11, 2015 Author Share Posted November 11, 2015 Job well done today.... Plenty of space to allow me to hang the reefbreeders light and T5's. Link to comment
ps2cho Posted November 13, 2015 Author Share Posted November 13, 2015 Oh man.....This retrofit came out AWESOME!!! BRS was WRONG also -- they are separate reflectors. This worked out far better than I was expecting! And I still have a ton of space for the Photon24 LED in the middle Now I have lights on the tank, what do you guys think of the aquascape? Link to comment
ps2cho Posted November 14, 2015 Author Share Posted November 14, 2015 11/13/15: I'd say ammonia is zero and nitrites are 0.25 to 0.50. By sunday the cycle should be done and I'll do a 90% water change and I might attempt to transfer over the royal gramma if I can catch him Day 13 of cycle Link to comment
ps2cho Posted November 14, 2015 Author Share Posted November 14, 2015 Sump removed from the 60G, cleaned (for the most part) and in place. Hard plumbing almost done now. Later today I should have it running for leak tests. While cleaning my SCA-302 skimmer, I accidently broke off the guide pin that runs through the impeller arghh....I'm hoping that it will still work. I see no point buying a 3rd Atman pump for this thing and I'd rather just buy a better skimmer so hopefully it will work and hold me over for a little while longer til I can get the skimmer I really want. Link to comment
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