View Full Version : ReefKnot's First Build - 50 gallon
ReefKnot
06/05/2011, 10:42 AM
I've actually already finished the entire build, but I had been taking pictures as I went. Just recently decided I'd put them up in a build thread. This is my first real build, and build thread, so bear with me please. I'd love some feedback on the tank, but please keep in mind, its my first real build. I made a few mistakes and had to work around what I had.
Lots of thanks to MarkGP for teaching me a lot about building a tank
Bit of the backstory leading to the build: My first tank was a 29g, which I started in November. I was given instructions on how to set it up by my LFS, and by early March, I realized that the way I set it up wasn't the best way. The tank was quickly going to pieces and I was thinking about starting a new tank. I had began buying/selling and trading equipment in February and in March I came across a 50g sump, sitting in a guys back yard full of dirt and leaves and snow. I cleaned it up, and spent almost 2 months slowly building the system.
Specs
Tank: 50 Gallon 44"x14.5"x18.5" (Apparently custom built size)
Lighting: Two Dual 48" T5HO
Sump/Fuge: 29 Gallon (my old tank) holds 20 gallons
Skimmer: Bubble Magus 3.5 Cone
Return Pump: Mag Drive 9.5 to 2 returns.
Flow: Two Vortech mp10w ES
Overflow: 700gph Glass-holes kit
Stand: DIY
Rock/Sand: 45lbs Marco rock, 50lbs Aragonite sand 1.5"-2", 15lbs LR
PICS:
Just finished cleaning out the sand and dirt.
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/2-SideView.jpg
Removed the baffles and cleaned up the glass. There was a hole already drilled into the top corner, which I had to work around.
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1436.jpg
I had the hole for the overflow and a second return drilled, then painted the back. I put the overflow and returns in just for the pic.
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1493.jpg
ReefKnot
06/05/2011, 10:48 AM
Built the stand using squared 2x6's on the legs, and then tripled up 2x6's as the frame. Very effect way to build a stand.
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1510.jpg
Stand top is on
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1512.jpg
Putting together the return line. I put the extra valves to help control flow and to make it easier to take the unions off.
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1548.jpg
The 50g and my old 29g which will be converted to a sump.
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1553.jpg
Return line plumbed in.
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1556.jpg
Drain is installed.
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1564.jpg
ReefKnot
06/05/2011, 10:54 AM
Lighting Left to Right: ATI Blue plus, ATI Aquablue Special, KZ Fiji Purple, ATI Blue Plus
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1573.jpg
My first attempt at the return plumbing and sump. Baffles went in alright, although they are all the same height, which I didn't know not to do, they still work great. The return line did not.
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1591.jpg
The reef I constructed. I used some reef safe epoxy to bind it all together.
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1601.jpg
Starting to fill.... very slow process.
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1617.jpg
Epic fail. Too much flow, it was a mess.
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1622.jpg
Rebuilding the return system.
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1629.jpg
ReefKnot
06/05/2011, 10:57 AM
New return set up
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1639.jpg
Couple of doors I picked up for a great price.
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1640.jpg
Adding the salt
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1648.jpg
Up and running, the return works much better now.
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1652.jpg
New return and sump set up
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1659.jpg
Adding the sand.
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1678.jpg
papawheelie
06/05/2011, 10:58 AM
Looks good.. Where are you at with it now?
ReefKnot
06/05/2011, 11:02 AM
Seeding the tank, and the sand settled
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1692.jpg
Standing to work on the stand.
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1700.jpg
Stand is painted. The boards in the middle are removable.
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1706.jpg
Finished product. I dont have a great camera, so it had a hard time with the light.
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1711.jpg
Building a sump light out of an extension cord and a lamp socket
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1714.jpg
Sump Light
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/Michael_Wrenshall/IMG_1724.jpg
Thats about it. I really feel it turned out great, for being my first attempt at a build.
ludiNano
06/05/2011, 11:12 AM
Wow looks great that stand could hold an elephant.
papawheelie
06/05/2011, 12:15 PM
LOL! That stand probably would hold an elephant! Seriously though, looks really good. are you doing a fuge in the middle chamber? looks kinda deep..
ReefKnot
06/05/2011, 02:17 PM
Yeah I'm going to do a fuge in the middle chamber.... I didn't know that the baffles needed to be different heights, although it is working just fine. It was my first real build. I had a 29, but the way I was told to set it up was very different and it didn't go well.
Glad to hear that it looks good, Thanks!
papawheelie: It is all done. The cycle ended a week ago, I've got some snails in there at the moment.
The stand: I spent a few summers working with a company that built decks and porches. So I used some of the weight distribution techniques on the stand. Its sturdy.
MLconstruction
06/05/2011, 03:19 PM
Coming along great. Im also in construction and I am pretty sure you could park your truck on that stand. Never have to worry about that thing failing!
MarkGP
06/05/2011, 05:54 PM
This turned out really great Mike! Awesome work on everything!
ReefKnot
06/05/2011, 10:38 PM
Thanks Mark. Really appreciate the advice, and how much help you've been.
MLconstruction
06/06/2011, 04:38 PM
love that bulb combo. Im def gonna use that next.
ReefKnot
06/07/2011, 01:04 PM
Yeah its a really good bulb combo. Since my camera isn't a very good, its hard to get a picture that does the lighting justice. But in person, it really brings out all of the colours.
allsps40
06/07/2011, 01:26 PM
Came out nice for a used sump. Good work.
ReefKnot
06/07/2011, 03:32 PM
Came out nice for a used sump. Good work.
Yeah, you would not believe how well it turned out. The picture I took of it with the baffles still in, that picture was after I had cleaned it. There was about 2 inches of old fuge mud, soil, sand, snow, leaves, twigs..... I spent about 2 hours cleaning it before I took that first picture. It really turned out well considering the state I found it in.
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