Thatoneomahaguy Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 After about 7 years out of the hobby I am slowly starting to get back in. I start having fish tanks when i was about 10 yeas old (now 30) when I get a one gallon fresh water tank for my birthday. My interest started expanding and growing for years until after college when I had a 55 gallon tank. My success with marine tanks has always been minimal and strictly fish related. The only corals I could ever get to grow was GSP's. Looking back it the reasons for the struggles were extremely evident. Lack of knowledge and lack of the right equipment (money). I recently started a new job about 4 months ago and have found myself with extra time and money and needing a hobby. I started planning a tank. I decided that I wanted a 40 gallon breeder and sump. I loved how much room was in the 55 but hated the deep dimensions and shallow width. In retrospect I could see that my old tank had pretty much all the wrong equipment due to budget constraints so I started planning my list of equipment: Tanks: 40 Breeder display and 29 gallon tall sump Bought Return pump: Eheim Compact+ 3000 Pump waiting to be delivered Lights: Ocean Revive LED, either the $175 or $200 model Skimmer: AquaMaxx WS-1 RO/DI: BRS 4 Stage Value Plus RO/DI System - 75GPD The plan is to take a portion of each paycheck every two weeks and spend it on equipment and supplies. About three weeks ago started the journey and heres an update to what has been done so far. I was able to find the used tank. I bought a new stand. Built the sump with some acrylic I ordered in town. I measured and cut all the plumbing for the two 1" returns. I think today I will start cementing it together so that I can spray paint it black. The return pump will be here in a few days and I will plumb the return line. Next Friday I am going to order the RO/DI unit. This will give me time to button up plumbing and do some leak testing. Maybe run some water and vinegar for a bit to make sure both tanks are clean. I'll do my best to keep this up to date. Feedback and questions are always welcome. Also I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!! Link to comment
Thatoneomahaguy Posted December 26, 2015 Author Share Posted December 26, 2015 I also wanted to give a better explanation of the sump setup. Sorry the glass is dirty and water spotty Link to comment
HarryPotter Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 I also wanted to give a better explanation of the sump setup. Sorry the glass is dirty and water spotty Ocean revive has a Christmas sale, $158 instead of $200 for the T247 model! http://www.oceanrevivellc.com/goods.php?id=21 Link to comment
Thatoneomahaguy Posted December 26, 2015 Author Share Posted December 26, 2015 Ocean revive has a Christmas sale, $158 instead of $200 for the T247 model! http://www.oceanrevivellc.com/goods.php?id=21 I saw that when I was creating the post! Isn't the T247 usually $175? Thats what it looks like on the website. Its still a good deal! Link to comment
h3dgehog Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 Where did you get your acrylic? Did they do the specific cuts for you? Link to comment
HarryPotter Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 I saw that when I was creating the post! Isn't the T247 usually $175? Thats what it looks like on the website. Its still a good deal! On Ebay and other sites it looks to be $200 normally, but I could be wrong for sure Link to comment
Thatoneomahaguy Posted December 26, 2015 Author Share Posted December 26, 2015 Where did you get your acrylic? Did they do the specific cuts for you? Midwest plastics. They do really good work. I just called in dimensions and it was cut about two days later. The 1/4" clear baffles were about 12x15 and they were I think about $8 a pop. It made the sump build super easy since all I had to do was measure and glue it in place. Link to comment
h3dgehog Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 Midwest plastics. They do really good work. I just called in dimensions and it was cut about two days later. The 1/4" clear baffles were about 12x15 and they were I think about $8 a pop. It made the sump build super easy since all I had to do was measure and glue it in place. Thanks! Might have to check em iut for some small projects. Also - i was trying to find someone local to build a stand for me... Fairly new to town - do you have any recommendations? Link to comment
Thatoneomahaguy Posted December 26, 2015 Author Share Posted December 26, 2015 Thanks! Might have to check em iut for some small projects. Also - i was trying to find someone local to build a stand for me... Fairly new to town - do you have any recommendations? Unfortunately I don't know anyone that builds stands. Thats why I had to order mine. I would assume most carpenters could easily build one but I dont know any place where you can just hand them a design. Link to comment
Thatoneomahaguy Posted December 29, 2015 Author Share Posted December 29, 2015 I finished the plumbing for the two drain lines. Everything is cemented and painted and braced. Looks pretty slick. Maybe just some slight touching up to hide little spots of white. And thanks to the unions its easy to disassemble! I also got some goodies in the mail today from Marine Depot! Link to comment
Thatoneomahaguy Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 I ordered the RO/DI unit for my tank today. Should be here early next week. I still need to finish up the return plumbing. Its pretty much measured and assembled it just needs to be cemented and painted black. I should get a pic or two up later this week! Link to comment
Thatoneomahaguy Posted January 10, 2016 Author Share Posted January 10, 2016 I cannot wait to get some water in this tank! The RO/DI unit should be here Monday or Tuesday. I am hoping to get some shipping info from Spectrapure. I went to petco and picked up some basic stuff. Two 5 gallon bucks with lids for mixing water, a simple powerhead for mixing the salt white substrate (I will mix with some live sand from my LFS later), 100 gallons worth of Instant Ocean salt, thermometer, filter pad for fug, and magfloat. The plumbing turned out good for the most part. The only part I am unsatisfied with is hanger I made for the return line. It was tough to decide on the best way to do it since it was further away from the stand than the drains and angled. I am very happy at how it can all be broken down. I used a short piece of flexible pvc from the pump for help reduce vibration noise. And its held on by clamps so I can easily remove the pump. The pvc fits super tight in the bulkhead so I used flexible pvc coupling to ensure its water tight. I have never used this before so I'm a little nervous. I am thinking it just needs to be screwed tight enough to make it water tight. This also means that I can remove the drains and return directly from the bulkhead. I also have unions further down. Link to comment
Legot Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 How are your drain lines setup? are they just upturned PVC elbows? Link to comment
Thatoneomahaguy Posted January 11, 2016 Author Share Posted January 11, 2016 How are your drain lines setup? are they just upturned PVC elbows? These ones? Yea I used PVC cement and went from the bulkhead to a downward facing 90 and then 45's to get it super close to the tank. It made for clean look and it was easier to brace. Link to comment
Thatoneomahaguy Posted January 13, 2016 Author Share Posted January 13, 2016 I got my RO/DI unit today and boy is she pretty! We have an extra sink in the laundry room so I set up shop in there making water. I used the hose connector to connect to the cold washing machine line. I let the unit run for about an hour as directed and the TDS meter was showing zero. I used more the 5 gallon buckets for mixing the salt with a cheap water pump. I am officially wet! I mean the tank is. Link to comment
Simulated Fish Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 I am officially wet! I mean the tank is. Loving this tank build! Can't wait to see where this goes! Link to comment
Thatoneomahaguy Posted January 13, 2016 Author Share Posted January 13, 2016 Loving this tank build! Can't wait to see where this goes! Thanks so much! Link to comment
ReefWeeds Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 your username cracks me up Link to comment
Thatoneomahaguy Posted January 13, 2016 Author Share Posted January 13, 2016 your username cracks me up It was a long drawn out process full of philanthropic perspective and ideology that lead me to such a creative and bold username. When I typed it I knew deep downside that this must be what Michelangelo felt when he touched his paint brush to a canvas. Either that or Im really lazy Link to comment
ReefWeeds Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 It was a long drawn out process full of philanthropic perspective and ideology that lead me to such a creative and bold username. When I typed it I knew deep downside that this must be what Michelangelo felt when he touched his paint brush to a canvas. Either that or Im really lazy Now I like the username even more Link to comment
Thatoneomahaguy Posted January 13, 2016 Author Share Posted January 13, 2016 Now I like the username even more Ha! Perfect! Ill use to draw attention away from my tank if it doesn't turn out well Link to comment
ReefWeeds Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 Ha! Perfect! Ill use to draw attention away from my tank if it doesn't turn out well That tank will be awesome! Link to comment
Thatoneomahaguy Posted January 13, 2016 Author Share Posted January 13, 2016 That tank will be awesome! Aww shucks. Thanks! Im hoping so. I had one years ago and it was pretty ghetto due budget constraints and lack of knowledge. Its crazy how much better this one already is and its not even complete. Pretty stoked to order my LED and some rock on Friday. I got the display and refugium filled but didnt run the pump yet since I didnt have time to hangout and check for leaks. Ill get that finished tomorrow. Link to comment
metrokat Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 Nice build - coming along well. Link to comment
Thatoneomahaguy Posted January 13, 2016 Author Share Posted January 13, 2016 Nice build - coming along well. Oh no. The big hitters are starting to pay attention. The pressure is on Link to comment
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