My build log... swapping tanks, upgrades and going bare bottom

[8mpg]

Well, a little background. I have a 55gal w/29gal sump. Been up and running for a solid 8 years. Neglected for the last 5. Well about a month ago I started getting my butt in gear and reviving the tank.

Copied from my first post when I started trying again:
Well, over the last couple years I ahve been way to busy with school and the tank has been neglected. I just started scrubbing and cleaning. Its a 55 gal with 29 gal sump/fuge. In all honesty, the tank seems to be doing quite well for not having a water change in probably 5 years. At first the no water change was a test from what I had read. Some people strictly believe that there is no need for a water change...I guess I can partially say its true.

The tank:
55gal mixed
1 false perc clown (6 years old)
1 damsel (the fish is darn near 9 years old)
2 RBTA's (grown to about 10" diameter and then split)
Mushrooms that are out of control
a bit of Xenia (sp?)
120lbs of live rock
3" sandbed
AquaC Urchin skimmer with MJ1200

edit: PH 8.0
Amm 0
Nitrate .5
SG 1.020
Nitrite 0

So the tank is established and has been going 8-9 years. The darn damsel was my guinea pig after the first cycle. I just put in a solid 8 gallons of fresh saltwater (RO/DI) because the tank was low (low salinity and well as low water level). The salinity is just a hair low still and hopefully will bring it up at the first water change.

Now I have a diatom bloom. I just ordered a dual reactor from BRS for GFO and Carbon. I cleared out most of the Chaeto that was nasty looking to my surprise...lots of it is still nice and green.

So...my question. How big of a water change should I do? Im worried about shocking the tank. Im thinking 10% every other week. I need to take my water to get tested (I dont have kits anymore) so I dont have any readings. Im going to swap out the filters in the RO/DI for some new ones before the change.

one other question....how much circulation should I shoot for in the tank? I need new powerheats. All I have running is the return pump currently which is a mag7 . Im thinking 2 K4's?

Pics
Here are the pics...not the greatest..just a quick snap with the phone.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/IMG_0075.jpg
Half the anenome
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/IMG_0076.jpg
Other half...sucked in last night...not sure why
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/IMG_0078.jpg
Out of control mushrooms
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/IMG_0079.jpg
Little coral that died because of the anenome moved...It was easy 5-6 times the size before
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/IMG_0080.jpg
Other color mushrooms with diatoms
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/IMG_0081.jpg
Fuge...it looked cleaner before I tried taking care of the tank again
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/IMG_0082.jpg

Since then I have amped up the flow with two Koralia K4's, added a small yellow tang (please dont lecture me on this)...

Having algae problems, but I believe it is because the tank might be going through a mini cycle. Green slime in the fuge and a bit on the sand bed.

One of the RBTA's moved to the sump somehow...he loves the spot too...been 3-4 days and he hasnt moved. He has opened up more than he ever has since the split.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/524cf6dd.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/8d21552d.jpg
That catches you up to about....yesterday :D

[8mpg]

Moving on... the new inspiration comes from.... PETCO'S $1/Gallon SALE!!!

I read about the upcoming sale a few days ago and thought to myself...this would be a great time to pick up a new 55 and replace my old scratched tank. Then that lead to having to drill the new tank...thats when all heck broke loose and it was a full on challenge.

The plan now:
New 55g display tank
New 40b sump (DIY)
New Stand (DIY)
New Canopy (this is on hold until later...need to get teh basics done) (DIY)
Beananimal overflow and plumbing (modified with an internal baffle and external box) (DIY)
Going bare bottom (read teh 40 or so page thread on how to do it)
Need to find a new skimmer (Im on a budget... a really low one)

So this is what I have so far:
Tanks... $105 for 2 :D
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/0ae265e5.jpg
Started the stand...used the basics of the DIY one by RocketEngineer
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/29b1e9a5.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/17ad5c7c.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/4c723001.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/cd652bd1.jpg

The stand is basically (9) 2x4's, a $10 sheet of 5mm utility hardwood and a scrap of wood for the inside base that was laying around. With a box of exterior screws, the total was about $30. Tomorrow it will get more money and more wood. The 40b is 18" deep so the stand is 20" deep. I like this because it adds more stability to the tank (sits on carpet upstairs). The tank is getting covered in teh back and on top to try and reduce noise and light from the sump. The top covered part will have the 3 holes from the plumbing and one for the return pump.

Started making water today and started pulling live rock from the tank to "cook". This is going to suck... My bathroom/rock cooking station
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/b9e71293.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/a4a8cd27.jpg

[8mpg]

Little work this morning... I miscalculated on a darn 1x3, so I need to make one more stop and pick up another. Boarded up the interior, laid down some caulk to seal it up before paint, and got the trim nailed up. Just need to finish up the trim and paint the inside today. Had a little router accident today on the bottom right of the face...but it will be covered up by a door.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/92ece118.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/e13ecb8e.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/e430364f.jpg

Now the question is to stain or paint the outside? Two doors or one big removable door?

[8mpg]

Well...washed some of the rock today...probably 30-35lbs worth. Used a 3 bucket setup. The water wasnt mixed to proper salinity. I eyeballed it. Used about 2 gallons in each bucket. First bucket got ugly right away. Wasnt until the last big rock that the third bucket got nasty.

Call me cheap/lazy, but Im going to try and keep the water and see if the cloudy water will subside enough to siphon the crud out. My goal is to wash the rock 2 times a day for the next week while the next tank is built. I plan on doing some formations using PVC and fiberglass rod. Its not coming back apart when its done.

So, trying to speed up the process a little. Pics
After the wash:
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/7c155447.jpg

First bucket with the water drained out. There was about 1/8" to 1/4" of junk in the bottom of the bucket.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/c3028adc.jpg

[johngh]

I picked up the exact same setup at Petco today! I also intend to do a 55g display with a 40gb sump/refuge. I used to have a 55g with 29g sump when I lived in NYC but lost all my livestock when we had that big blackout a few years back; all except for my very first saltwater fish, a Maroon Clown, that I've had for 9 years now. I moved to PA about 4 years ago and the clown has been living in a 10g since the 55 didn't survive the move.

I saw that incredible $1/g sale at Petco and that was it...time to get back into the hobby!!! I was actually on RC looking for ideas when I came across your thread...funny that we had the same idea...i'll be following along...

[8mpg]

Time for updates... been going slow, but I guess that is always how it goes. School and work is keeping me busy.

So I got the sump going. The baffles are made of 1/4" smoked lexan. I know its not the preferred baffle choice, but it was free... and free is for me. I had to sand the paper off the lexan so the pieces are frosted look. Used Dow 732 until I ran out then followed up with some All Glass Sealant from Petco. I would have picked up GE RTV-108 but Grainger isnt open on weekends. Glass shop quoted me $45 for glass baffles. They charge per square foot and round up. Each baffle is 153"sq...so they charge 2sq ft at $5.45/ft. Free lexan > $45 glass

Starting the skimmer side with bubble trap:
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/e048a0da.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/a4a1748d.jpg


Finished
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/1f11590c.jpg


Going with an internal/external overflow. Im still waiting on the acrylic to show up from UPS. It hit my area on Friday night...so it should be in tomorrow. Here is the show of the infamous BeAnAnimal overflow. There will be a 5" tall angled acrylic baffle in the tank for a coast to coast overflow.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/699dab57.jpg
Plumbing started...just waiting to break down the old tank for the 2 gate valves that I already have.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/7bcb9d39.jpg

I ended up with Sch80 unions because they were cheaper than the sch40 ones at Lowes. Im shopping at Ace Hardware from now on for plumbing stuff. Not only do they have more, but on average, they are cheaper. Never would have thunk it :D Now I was worried about not being able to get the bulkheads out later on if I ever needed to... I tried looking for a screw on fitting to the outside where the bulkhead nut goes. Its not a standard pipe fitting. So my genius idea was a couple screw on fittings just in case. Well after getting the whole thing together, the darn fittings dont fit through the 1 3/4" glass holes. So, that was a waste. Note to self. Buy threaded x threaded bulkheads. Ah well...next time.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/7bcb9d39.jpg
Its all 1" piping with the exception of the unions. I stepped them up to 1 1/4" because the 1" ones shrink down the tubing diameter to 3/4" or so inside the union. Just didnt like that. So, stepped it up with a few reducers and its a minimum of 1" all the way through. I have some copper tube insulation that will fill the wood holes. I could only find the 2" hole saw in the garage....so thats what I used. I guess Im the biggest cheap___ when it comes to reefing. I cant afford to buy a new $10 hole saw for the hole.

So far:
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/4f887810.jpg

The cabinet face will be a completely removable door. No swinging door. It will use a wooden French cleat design. I want full access to the sump with nothing in the way. This is what I hate the most about my current stand. The doors are about 12" wide and 18" tall...just not enough access.

[jdm1114]

great work

[8mpg]

Coast to coast is done. Originally I wanted to just do an angled baffle... Would have been easier with the external overflow not attached. Oh well, this still looks good.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/c2deff67.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/a6e3f9b5.jpg

[8mpg]

Getting it ready...never have enough water. Mixing 40 gallons of fresh salt:
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/5957de09.jpg

Shot of the finished overflow. BeanAnimal style
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/579a5c20.jpg

Side view
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/e4516448.jpg

Its running. The fish did well for the 36 hours in the tote
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/5e334ce5.jpg

Have a new light getting delivered today so I can get the ugly work lights off and get some better pics. Working on the DIY cone skimmer still, then will make doors for the cabinet.

[8mpg]

Got a ReefKeeper Lite Plus from a board member. Works great so far.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/a7c92db0.jpg

One of the PC4's. I thought to myself that I wouldnt need more than 4 outlets...boy Im glad I have 8
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/4946c103.jpg

Other side with switch panel
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/99fdde82.jpg

Will work on wire organization this weekend.

What it looks like right now:
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/a36b643c.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g314/8mpg/9e624d0e.jpg

[OckMed]

nice

[reefcat]

you did a great job!!!!!

[Pallobi]

i love barebottoms :)

[mallorieGgator]

looks amazing!

[dwolson2]

very nice! I have a 55 sitting in my garage and have been debation C2C, with the bean anima and the external overflow. I really like how it looks! Where did you get your overflow from? How much was it? Do you have problems with light not reaching the back? My current 29 has a c2c with the plumbing inside, and the whole back side gets no light(almost a 1/4 of the tank!)
Thanks!

[8mpg]

Wow...didnt figure this thread would come back up.

I build the overflow box. Just 4 pieces of cut glass from a local glass shop. Its all held together with some silicone (DOW silicone..forget the number). Drilled the holes in the bottom glass. If I had to do it again... it would be TALLER

[dwolson2]

what about the overflow in the tank?

[dwolson2]

taller or deeper? and why?

[8mpg]

got some black acrylic off ebay and glued it together.

The overflow is not tall enough for a "safe" beananimal style overflow. It needs to be 6-7" tall...not 5" like I have mine. It works, but barely.