JWreck Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 Hey everyone, I'm finally far enough along that I think I can post some actual progress on a build thread! I'm starting small (or that was the intention) with a mixed coral and fish tank - though I do plan on only having just a few fish since it's a smaller tank. I'm mainly in it for the coral. ? I started with a 29 gallon freebie tank, and quickly realized I needed bigger all around. So I now have a 40g breeder with a Glass-Holes 1500gph overflow kit. The 29g went to someone else for better use. Pump: I plan on running a mag 7 pump submerged that I bought new. Sump: I'm using an Aqueon sump I bought from another member here. Lighting: I went LED, and the Chinese black box at that. Seem to have decent reviews over on Reef Central and they have the same diodes as some higher end lights, and are customizable (I plan on swapping some colors later). These are the Mars Aqua brand from eBay. I built a light hanger using galvanized steel piping from Home Depot that I plan on painting or wrapping later. It's sturdy and I don't think it looks too shabby. I didn't want an enclosed hood for my tank starting out (we'll see how long that lasts). Well anyway, I'll post some individual pictures and status updates in the comments below. Thanks for stopping by! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWreck Posted February 20, 2016 Author Share Posted February 20, 2016 Here is the full view of everything so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Jimbo662 Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 Wow, that's a great looking stand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWreck Posted February 20, 2016 Author Share Posted February 20, 2016 Doors open view of stand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWreck Posted February 20, 2016 Author Share Posted February 20, 2016 Back view of stand with plumbing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWreck Posted February 20, 2016 Author Share Posted February 20, 2016 Plumbing....I kept it simple. A couple of ball valves, a couple of unions and that's it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWreck Posted February 20, 2016 Author Share Posted February 20, 2016 Wow, that's a great looking stand. Thanks! I commissioned my dad to build it for me...wanted it to be simple and sturdy. It's fairly large and very heavy. I wanted it a little taller than normal so that the tank was more eye level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Jimbo662 Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 It's perfect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWreck Posted February 20, 2016 Author Share Posted February 20, 2016 And the final piece....rock! About 50lbs of pukani rock to put in. I was messing around with the structure a little bit this morning. Looking for feedback...any thoughts? PS - Don't make fun of how I prepped this. I didn't want to be scraping rock across the glass while building a structure so I improvised. Fortunately the floors are coming out in a couple of weeks for wood, so good timing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 I saw this tank in person. It's a stunner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWreck Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 I saw this tank in person. It's a stunner! Thanks, Ty! Hopefully you feel the same way once it's actually got livestock in it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BobcatReefer Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 That stand was the first thing that caught my eye as well. Very sharp! I like the aquascape planning tape! Pretty good idea there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWreck Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 That stand was the first thing that caught my eye as well. Very sharp! I like the aquascape planning tape! Pretty good idea there. Thanks! Let's hope I don't trip over the rock in the middle of the night. Just needs to stay in place until the morning! ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWreck Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 Updated my potential rock build. Added a bridge. Need more rock if I am going to use this design. I'd like for there to be a little more height on either or both sides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 I kind of like the separate islands better. Though I do like the thought of adding more height to both as you mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jolt Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 I like the open space in front Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWreck Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 I kind of like the separate islands better. Though I do like the thought of adding more height to both as you mentioned. Ugh I'm thinking the same thing too. Maybe I'll start with the two isolated pillars and find some rock that I can build a bridge with eventually? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 I kind of like the separate islands better. Though I do like the thought of adding more height to both as you mentioned. Ugh I'm thinking the same thing too. Maybe I'll start with the two isolated pillars and find some rock that I can build a bridge with eventually?Mine used to change every 6 months so you're probably not going to get much solid advice from me. [emoji12] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWreck Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 I kind of like the separate islands better. Though I do like the thought of adding more height to both as you mentioned. Ugh I'm thinking the same thing too. Maybe I'll start with the two isolated pillars and find some rock that I can build a bridge with eventually?Mine used to change every 6 months so you're probably not going to get much solid advice from me. [emoji12] Lol! That's what I'm trying to avoid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jolt Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 One thing I regret on my rockwork is too much vertical surface. It's really hard to put coral on a straight up wall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWreck Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 One thing I regret on my rockwork is too much vertical surface. It's really hard to put coral on a straight up wall Yep I've seen lots of nice looking examples of vertical rock but usually they're bare. I want more space for coral and I'll add more depth with differing sizes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltwater snoopy Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Looks great im having trouble with my return into my sump , i didnt have check ball valves in both return an feed , my main is about 45gal tall. I replace sump tank to bigger 35gal tall bow front, i have about 100 lb of live rock , in my 29g bio an my little display tank 45 tall , managed to keep all rock alive but having a tough learning curve, Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWreck Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share Posted February 22, 2016 I didn't place any check valves into my return. I'd rather drill a hole to kill the siphon than worry about maintenance and reduced flow on a check valve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJohnson Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Updated my potential rock build. Added a bridge. Need more rock if I am going to use this design. I'd like for there to be a little more height on either or both sides. You can chisel the bottom left rock in half and place one half on the top left to give it more height and leave the other piece where you have it right now. Idk I like both scapes [emoji3] Sent from my XT1045 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWreck Posted February 27, 2016 Author Share Posted February 27, 2016 Got the rock all together and in the tank today. Gotta do a little work at the office today then going to pick up sand on my way home. I'm pumped! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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