748S911 Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 Since joining the Old School Pico Contest I've been feeling nostalgic and looking to set up a bigger reef system like it was 1999. Metal halides, T5's, Kalkwasser you get the picture. I've been thinking about an upgrade tank for sometime now, but had a hard time picking a system that I will be happy with for sometime that's inexpensive, bigger but not huge and easy to manage. I wanted the same ease of use that I get from my EVO 13.5 but with more space for corals,fish, and more room in the rear chambers. Most of the AIO's out there didn't quite check all the boxes or out of the budget. I will be keeping this build on a tight budget, but also try and make it as nice as possible in the process. That being said I will be using most of the equipment I already have or in use. My vision for this build will be lots of flow, light, and mainly sps dominant. I think it will be cool to have a nano still running metal halide/t5/led. It will be interesting to see colors and growth from all three lighting options at same time. I'm very excited to see this build come together, here are the specs. Tank 40 gallon breeder peninsula with an AIO insert custom made by @This guy is extra salty This way I get the best of both worlds, keep cost low and get the much needed space I was looking for. Stand Petco Brooklyn stand I will make a custom skin with pvc board Lighting Floating canopy made with pvc board T5/led fixture I made for my EVOreef 4-24watt T5 bulbs with a dsuny eBay led. 400 watt radium metal halide fixture. Flow Ice cap 1k Aqamai KPS Return pump TBD This is all I have for now will update as this build progresses. 2 Quote Link to comment
748S911 Posted June 7, 2019 Author Share Posted June 7, 2019 I need to replace my mh bulb and I need some help wich bulb to pick if they still make them. My t5's are blue plus and coral plus ati. I can get ati actinics too. All bulbs are 400 watt single ended mogul e39 20k radium? Old faithful? 10k XM? Natural sun? 14k ushio? I don't really know how to describe the ushio bulb but the tips on acros with this bulb is beautiful I'm leaning toward radiums. 1 Quote Link to comment
748S911 Posted June 8, 2019 Author Share Posted June 8, 2019 Damn!! ushio 10k and 14k is discontinued. Looks like ushio 20k is still in production. Quote Link to comment
Tigahboy Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 Looks like the "old school" theme from the pico contest has won you over. Do they even sell single-ended MH bulbs anymore?? LOL. Looking forward to seeing this develop. 1 Quote Link to comment
748S911 Posted June 8, 2019 Author Share Posted June 8, 2019 Sure did! lol got the old school reef bug. Most of them are discontinued, I might have to go with Radiums for this reason alone. This is gonna be a fun build. Right now I'm still deciding on what mfg. tank to get. I went to Home Depot to check out the 1/2 inch pvc board and I love that stuff. Should be easy to work with to make a skin for my stand and canopy. I think the 4x8 sheet will be enough to make stand and canopy. 1 Quote Link to comment
748S911 Posted June 11, 2019 Author Share Posted June 11, 2019 My finger tips are throbbing....gonna do the bottom tomorrow. WE HAVE RIMLESS! Saved a lot of money with this breeder coming in at 45 dollars!!!! cheapest rimless in this size LANDEN aquariums at 499 on amazon with free shipping, almost an ADA. UNS- if anyone has them! Then shipping is a whole nother hairball.. about 900. Custom???? Lol over 1k!!! Pass! As fast as I'm upgrading at this rate, I'm building new systems every month and a half LMAO!!! So.. 45 bux, petco has there Brooklyn stand at 50 (just ordered) and with a full pvc board 48x96 skin for 75. Not sure if anyone is familiar with pvc board but it fire retardant, waterproof, uv treated, mold proof, won't fade, it's amazing stuff! And super super light. I'm coming in under 200 for a rimless tank and stand with canopy! Not bad... What do you guys think? 1 2 Quote Link to comment
748S911 Posted June 11, 2019 Author Share Posted June 11, 2019 Whoever built this tank, they were pretty clean with silicone lines. My janky pico is ridiculous, soo janky...lol 1 Quote Link to comment
Ratvan Posted June 11, 2019 Share Posted June 11, 2019 Looks nice and clean, great saving for a small amount of work 1 Quote Link to comment
748S911 Posted June 11, 2019 Author Share Posted June 11, 2019 So true, I think this has to be the ultimate budget reef tank! 1 Quote Link to comment
748S911 Posted June 13, 2019 Author Share Posted June 13, 2019 Custom AIO in progress....Thanks for the update pics, looking amazing! @This guy is extra salty 1 Quote Link to comment
This guy is extra salty Posted June 13, 2019 Share Posted June 13, 2019 On 6/10/2019 at 10:42 PM, 748S911 said: My finger tips are throbbing....gonna do the bottom tomorrow. WE HAVE RIMLESS! Saved a lot of money with this breeder coming in at 45 dollars!!!! cheapest rimless in this size LANDEN aquariums at 499 on amazon with free shipping, almost an ADA. UNS- if anyone has them! Then shipping is a whole nother hairball.. about 900. Custom???? Lol over 1k!!! Pass! As fast as I'm upgrading at this rate, I'm building new systems every month and a half LMAO!!! So.. 45 bux, petco has there Brooklyn stand at 50 (just ordered) and with a full pvc board 48x96 skin for 75. Not sure if anyone is familiar with pvc board but it fire retardant, waterproof, uv treated, mold proof, won't fade, it's amazing stuff! And super super light. I'm coming in under 200 for a rimless tank and stand with canopy! Not bad... What do you guys think? Expanded pvc will rot if it gets wet or is constantly in a damp environment Quote Link to comment
748S911 Posted June 13, 2019 Author Share Posted June 13, 2019 Damn...lol, for 75 bucks it's hopefully last long enough until my upgrade Quote Link to comment
This guy is extra salty Posted June 13, 2019 Share Posted June 13, 2019 What is the thickness? 5mm? Quote Link to comment
This guy is extra salty Posted June 13, 2019 Share Posted June 13, 2019 you need a dc return pump Have you seen this? https://www.amazon.com/JAJALE-Submersible-Amphibious-Controller-Hydroponics/dp/B0772YHLZD/ref=mp_s_a_1_16?keywords=dc%2Breturn%2Bpump&qid=1560455348&s=gateway&sprefix=dc%2Breturn&sr=8-16&th=1&psc=1 Quote Link to comment
748S911 Posted June 13, 2019 Author Share Posted June 13, 2019 1/2 inch pvc board.. should def last 1year or 2. 1 Quote Link to comment
748S911 Posted June 13, 2019 Author Share Posted June 13, 2019 1/2 inch pvc board.. should def last 1year or 2. Quote Link to comment
748S911 Posted June 13, 2019 Author Share Posted June 13, 2019 9 minutes ago, This guy is extra salty said: you need a dc return pump Have you seen this? https://www.amazon.com/JAJALE-Submersible-Amphibious-Controller-Hydroponics/dp/B0772YHLZD/ref=mp_s_a_1_16?keywords=dc%2Breturn%2Bpump&qid=1560455348&s=gateway&sprefix=dc%2Breturn&sr=8-16&th=1&psc=1 I'm red getting this dc return.. the 500 gph one. Thanks for the killer find. I have a jebao dc return I'll see if it fits first. It prolly won't tho. Quote Link to comment
748S911 Posted June 13, 2019 Author Share Posted June 13, 2019 The orange and white color combo alone is reason why I'm getting it lol. 1 Quote Link to comment
This guy is extra salty Posted June 13, 2019 Share Posted June 13, 2019 Orange and white you say? 1 Quote Link to comment
748S911 Posted June 13, 2019 Author Share Posted June 13, 2019 This is really looking good! 1 Quote Link to comment
This guy is extra salty Posted June 13, 2019 Share Posted June 13, 2019 I should have this out the door by tomorrow media rack lid for insert 1 3 Quote Link to comment
ef4life Posted June 13, 2019 Share Posted June 13, 2019 This is going to be a cool tank build, I will be folllwingbthis one for sure. 1 Quote Link to comment
Tigahboy Posted June 13, 2019 Share Posted June 13, 2019 On 6/10/2019 at 8:42 PM, 748S911 said: My finger tips are throbbing....gonna do the bottom tomorrow. WE HAVE RIMLESS! Saved a lot of money with this breeder coming in at 45 dollars!!!! cheapest rimless in this size LANDEN aquariums at 499 on amazon with free shipping, almost an ADA. UNS- if anyone has them! Then shipping is a whole nother hairball.. about 900. Custom???? Lol over 1k!!! Pass! As fast as I'm upgrading at this rate, I'm building new systems every month and a half LMAO!!! So.. 45 bux, petco has there Brooklyn stand at 50 (just ordered) and with a full pvc board 48x96 skin for 75. Not sure if anyone is familiar with pvc board but it fire retardant, waterproof, uv treated, mold proof, won't fade, it's amazing stuff! And super super light. I'm coming in under 200 for a rimless tank and stand with canopy! Not bad... What do you guys think? Nice job! But if you were really reefing like it's 1999, you would've left the rim on! 12 minutes ago, This guy is extra salty said: I should have this out the door by tomorrow media rack lid for insert @This guy is extra salty nice work! 1 1 Quote Link to comment
748S911 Posted June 14, 2019 Author Share Posted June 14, 2019 56 minutes ago, This guy is extra salty said: I should have this out the door by tomorrow media rack lid for insert It’s like Christmas came early 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯.... orange and white is gorgeous.... I was actually thinking about getting Miami white clown fishes from Miguel Hurtado, and this might be the excuse I was looking for to getting them. If I can’t make it to Miami to pick them up I’ll get platinums or Wyoming whites not sure 🤔 but Orange in my clowns for sure now. 50 minutes ago, ef4life said: This is going to be a cool tank build, I will be folllwingbthis one for sure. You and me both. 43 minutes ago, Tigahboy said: Nice job! But if you were really reefing like it's 1999, you would've left the rim on! @This guy is extra salty nice work! “LIKE” being the key word here lmao... Quote Link to comment
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