Stephen Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Ok, so I finally got my tank up and running! It's my first tank and it took me forever.. I'm really proud of it and hopefully I won't kill any livestock. I built a majority of the stuff myself and I'll try to show you how I did it. Here is what I started with. You will have to excuse me I accidentally deleted a lot of the construction pics of the stand. Here is what I have. After I got the sides up I painted the stand with primer and then semi gloss black paint. Here I cut holes in the back for plumbing and the side for fans. <br> Here's the fans installed. <br> I also added this air vent. <br> Doors and Bracket. <br> Finished Product.. Well, atleast that's what I thought.. I ended up having to drill 4 more holes on the back two for the 3/4" inlet and return on the closed loop and two holes on the bottom left for electrical use.. I must say the planning of the sump/fuge and plumbing were some of the most complicated and frustrating tasks I've ever endured. I'm so glad it's over.<br> Here is a drawing of my initial design. >br> I had a wet/dry system that I converted to a sump/fuge. <br> <br> <br> Bulkhead for return and i added some baffles, a bubble tower and drilled the fuge section that I closed up for another bulkhead. This will direct the overflow from the fuge straight into the return chamber bypassing the skimmer. <br> Here I modified the bulkhead because I had clearance issues with the baffles. <br> Showing the 1" overflow line from the fuge to return chamber. <br> Here's some pics of the equipment and plumbing. Overlflow box single 1" return split with a T to fuge and bubble trap in skimmer section. There are valves on each line to control flow. <br> From left to right it goes return line, return #1 closed loop, intake for the loop, overflow and finally return #2 closed loop. Return line is 1" with a valve and the closed loop is 3/4" with a valve on each return. Here's some pics of me creating a light bar to hang from the ceiling supporting my dual 150w metal halides. I constructed the frame out of 1" square aluminum tubing from home depot. I drilled it then painted it black. I hung the bar from the ceiling using eye screws and black chain. <BR> My live rock, just waiting to be in my tank! 60 lbs. <br> Timer for lights and fans. <br> We have Water! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Eckreef Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Very nice work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 WOW!!! Great job...keep us posted...I like all the visuals... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barderer Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 I like the hardcore look. No frills tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted June 25, 2009 Author Share Posted June 25, 2009 I put that pregnant shrimp you sold me in my fuge. Maybe they will be able to spawn there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesL Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Woo wee ... that's a lot of pictures But it makes for great build documentation! The spot you have the tank is perfect, almost like it was always meant to have a tank there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mFrame Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Agreed, that niche is the perfect spot for your tank, and you obviously spent a lot of time and thought on this. The only thing I would have done different is to paint the white pvc. Very nice work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 (edited) yeah i just picked up some krylon fusion, i'm going to paint the pipes black when i get a chance.. i was just so anxious to get it set up! Thanks for the comments! Edited June 26, 2009 by seahorsejl Fixed the pictures for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 (edited) yeah i just picked up some krylon fusion, i'm going to paint the pipes black when i get a chance.. i was just so anxious to get it set up! Thanks for the comments! Edited June 26, 2009 by Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhart032 Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Nice work, i like the aquascaping. lots of holes and crevices.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markisthebeast Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 this tank looks great man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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