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john miller
06/06/2011, 09:38 PM
Well I went ahead and pulled the trigger on a shallow tank. I'm really drawn to the look of those tanks and have wanted one for quite awhile and was fortunate to come across a really good deal on one. This will be my first shallow tank, first drilled tank and first larger (for me anyway) tank. I currently have a 37 gallon FOWLR and 28 gallon Nano Cube running.

Here it is, it's 48"x24"x12".
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3570.jpg

Along with the wood stand I also purchased a 48" tall steel stand and I'm still trying to decide which one to use. If I go with the wood I'll strip it completely and build a 10" platform to put it on and if I go with the steel I'll cut 10" off it. Either way I'm going to end up with a 38" stand that will be the perfect height to look at from my desk.

Here's the tank:
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3575.jpg
It has a 3/8" x 3" euro brace on top with corner gussets and a 3/8" x 1 1/2" on the bottom and two 3" holes in the 1/2" bottom glass. Besides needing a really good cleaning the tank is in great shape.

It was originally a display tank in a LFS that went out of business and was only about six months old when removed. They used both holes for drains and pumped back over the top. Since I'm not going to need anywhere near that much turnover I was thinking of using one for a drain and the other for a return. Sound doable?

Now bear with me since this is my first attempt but with a 3" glass hole I'm going to need 2" sch40 bulkheads, right? The plan is to have some 3/8" glass cut to lay on the bottom to match with the brace on the bottom to level it out and then have glass cut for corner overflows and then cover with acrylic. I thought about doing straight diagonal pieces but realized I might loose to much space doing it that way.

Also couldn't I reduce the 2" standpipe down to 1 1/2" to save space since the 1 1/2" should still give my adequate drainage? Trying to get my head around this drain thing has taken up most of my time, since a flood would probably cause WWIII in my house, so I haven't even begun to figure out the return, or sump size, return pump, etc.

Still reading and researching so any and all suggestions appreciated.

1st timer
06/06/2011, 10:34 PM
You could try acrylic(black) to go around your drain pipes. It will be much easier than trying to 'even' out around the hole. Just bend it then set it in place mark, cut, silicone in place.
If it were me I'd just put a bulkhead in one and cap it off, use gutter guard or something to keep stray animals out of it, I'm thinking not much gonna stop up a 2" drain pipe.
I would also just run my return over the top

john miller
06/07/2011, 10:38 AM
Thanks for the response.

I saw a link on here somewhere that had sheets with the teeth already cut. I thought I saved it, but didn't, and now I can't find it again. Anyone remember?

On the bulkheads I was going to order a slip/thread 2" for the drain side and a thread/thread 2" for the return side. On the return side I like the idea of using the existing hole and having matching corner boxes. The plan, if I can work it out, is to put at least two loc-line adjustable return lines through the side of the return corner box using uniseals.

Everything sound right so far?, and what about reducing the drain from 2" to 1.5", any problem there?

john miller
06/11/2011, 01:31 PM
Any help with where to get the acrylic sheets with the teeth already cut or opinions on the plumbing?

john miller
06/29/2011, 07:04 PM
I decided to go with the wood stand. Since the tank is so shallow I built a platform to set the stand on. It's built out of 2x10 and 3/4 plywood and trimmed in 1x to match the stand.

http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3610.jpg

http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3609.jpg

http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3608.jpg

It has been sanded down and primed and I may paint it tomorrow. The inside will be bright white and the outside flat black.

I've got all the plumbing above the tank ready to go with the drain reduced down to 1 1/2" and the return to 3/4". Still working on the layout below the tank to the sump.

I'm going to order the acrylic from Tapp Plastics and have it custom cut so all I'll have to do is bend it. The plan is for a 1/4" black 45 degree overflow with 6" across the face and 4" on each side in each back corner. The return side will be full height all the way up to the euro brace (12"), but for the drain side how much lower do I need to make it? I'm thinking about using a 20 gallon high for a sump with either a mag 5 or 7 return pump.

allsps40
06/29/2011, 07:12 PM
Interesting dims on that tank, super shallow for the size. Tagging along on this.

ludiNano
06/29/2011, 10:25 PM
So lucky I've been looking for a tank w/ almost those same dem for my frag tank. Looking forward to watching this tank grow.

john miller
07/03/2011, 07:41 PM
Thanks for the replies. I got a little done last week. Still have a few spots to touch up.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3622.jpg

It actually came out a little better than I expected so I couldn't resist going ahead and putting the tank on it.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3625.jpg

I went ahead and pulled the black trim off the top and started cleaning it up so I could decide if I wanted to leave it off. Well I discovered why the trim was there in the first place.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3631.jpg
Looks like someone had an "Oops" when they had the glass cut so it looks like the trim will be going back on.

I've got the bulkheads on order and they should be here around Thursday so I went ahead and mocked up the overflows. Excuse the crudeness.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3629.jpg
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3628.jpg

As soon as I figure out how to determine the height of the overflow then that will be ordered. Going with a 20 high for a sump since that's the biggest tank I can fit through the door but still deciding between the mag 5 & 7.

bubb
07/03/2011, 10:00 PM
The finish on the stand came out real nice. What did you use to finish the cabinet?

john miller
07/04/2011, 10:59 AM
Thanks. I took the finish off with 120 grit sandpaper, two coated with Zinzer Prime Coat 2 primer (which I already had) and two coated with Valspar Decorator flat black interior latex (Lowes) using a cheap 2" nylon bristle brush. It took about 1 1/2 quarts of primer and 1/2 a quart of paint.

john miller
08/27/2011, 09:49 PM
Finally got the 20 high and picked up the glass baffles I had cut this morning. After doing some reading on here I picked up some GE 1 silicone for the baffles so I'll get to work on that shortly.

Still undecided on how to do the overflows. The more I think about it the more I like the idea of doing the return over the back instead of trying to use the other drain hole but now what to do with the other hole. Should I plug it off or keep it? If I kept it then it would be plugged off with a bulkhead and surrounded with overflow and kept dry just in case I ever needed it. Or should I just get a 6" piece of 1/4" glass and just silicone it over it?

While picking up the glass baffles this morning I was talking to him about the overflow and he said it would be easy to cut three pieces and 45 one edge so I could make the overflow out of glass if I wanted. If I decided to go that route could I use the GE silicone to put the three pieces together or would I need more of an adhesive type product? Or should I just order the black acrylic and be done with it?

john miller
09/03/2011, 08:37 PM
Inching closer. Got a little time to do a few things today.

Got the base set up and leveled.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3781.jpg

Loosely installed plumbing to make sure it would fit. Using street elbow into the tee it only had about a 1/8" from touching the glass. I cut them both down with a mitre saw which helped a bunch.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3790.jpg

With the euro bracing it is going to be quite challenging to get the plumbing in. I'm pretty sure that the elbow can't be glued to the pipe before installation. I'm hoping I can just press it on tight enough.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3792.jpg

Sump ready to be put together.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3793.jpg

Finally I got the conduit attached to the stand and the lighting hung. I'm going to take it down and paint it black. The bulbs ended up being 8" from the top of the tank so that should put them 9 1/2" from the water surface. I also decided to install the other bulkhead and just cap it off top and bottom just in case I would ever need it.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3794.jpg

After much internal debate I'm going to order the black acrylic for the overflow. Will the GE 1 be strong enough to attach it or should I buy some RTV108?

acpoweradapter
09/03/2011, 08:45 PM
Nice! Looks great so far.

Dan49
09/03/2011, 08:56 PM
things are looking great, very clean lines

Curious George
09/04/2011, 05:07 AM
Wow! That's a very dramatic looking tank. That last picture is really cool. I like it.....alot.

john miller
09/04/2011, 05:33 PM
Thanks, I appreciate it.

I've always been drawn to shallow tanks. I was planning a 30 breeder (36x18x12) before I opted for the easier AIO Nano Cube. Everything in the Nano Cube (except sand) will be transferred into the 60.

Today's bit started with the best intentions.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3799.jpg

After everything was said and done I believe a one armed blind man could have done a better job. I've got silicone everywhere. All over the glass, inside and out, and all over me. I ended up with that stuff in my hair, how in the hell did I get it in my hair?

I have a new found respect for the people that put these tanks together and that build their own sumps without getting it everywhere. Anyway, here it is. I'll be filling two chambers tomorrow to check for leaks.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3807.jpg

john miller
09/07/2011, 12:05 PM
24 hour test is good, no leaks. I found a few air bubbles on the bottom of one piece so I opened them up a put another dab on top. I'll give it a few more days just to be safe.

john miller
09/11/2011, 01:50 PM
5 days and no leaks. It may not be pretty but it works.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3808.jpg

I got the stand and sump in place and it dwarfs the 28 gallon Nano cube. Being in a low ceilinged basement makes it appear that much larger. http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3815.jpg

Here is the inspiration for the color scheme.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3816.jpg

I'm not happy with the way that the 1/2" conduit turned out for the hanging light fixture. I tried making it with the pre-made corners and it's just not strong enough to hold the light properly. So I'm switching to 3/4" and trying to find a conduit bender.

My black acrylic should be delivered on Tuesday for the overflow and the jig for bending it into shape has already been made.

I just placed my order at Premium Aquatics for the Eshopps PSK100 skimmer, Mag 5 return pump and 80# of CaribSea special grade reef sand. I also have a reactor for carbon/gfo, DI add on and all new filters and membranes for my RO unit, filter sock holder, and carbon/gfo saved in a cart at BRS.

As far as flow goes the the mag 5 will do about 350 gph with head loss and I currently have two Koralia 3's (850 gph) and two Koralia nanos (265 gph) available to use. I'm thinking that one of the 3's and one of the nanos should be more than enough, right?

john miller
10/01/2011, 07:04 PM
Been working on it here and there when I have time. But things have been slow going.

Bought my 1/4" black acrylic cut to size from Tapp Plastics, clamped it in the gig I made and fired up the torch.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3910.jpg

I did learn some very important lessons while doing this for the first time. When heating from the underside once the acrylic starts to bend move the heat to the outside and within 30 seconds it will lay right over.

Second; a torch and a wood gig is just asking for it.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3926.jpg

Because the wood kept catching on fire I did get a little distortion.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3928.jpg
The acrylic had already become pliable when the wood started catching fire so I had no choice but to continue.

Overall I was happy with the outcome.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3931.jpg

Installation
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3933.jpg
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3932.jpg
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3936.jpg

After my conduit problems I decided to quit messing around.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN3938.jpg
Dug out some 1" square tubing and welded them up.

Here is how it sets as of now.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN4039.jpg

If everything works out I'll start leak testing the tank tomorrow. If it holds I'll move the tank to the stand next weekend and then will be put on hold for a few months. Here's why:
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/nano%20cube/DSCN4031.jpg
My Banggai cardinals had babies and I'm going to try and raise them.

Dave VG
10/01/2011, 07:45 PM
Very nice setup. Can't wait to see it up and running. Banggai cardinals are cool to nice job.

john miller
10/04/2011, 05:33 PM
Thanks. Me too, but no matter how bad I want to it has to wait.

Here what I got done over the weekend.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN4071.jpg
Used the extra metal stand to leak test it. And sure enough it leaked, right here
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN4072.jpg
The only good thing was it was the plug not the bulkhead. After several attempts it was finally good.

And then after 24 hours I found this
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN4094.jpg
Not really enough to mess with but when I drain it I'll put a little dab there to stop it.

And finally it looks like the overflow came out pretty even after all.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN4074.jpg
I am going to be fastening something to the overflow to hold some plastic gutter guard to keep the fish, crabs & snails out, hopefully.

lotsoftats
10/05/2011, 02:26 PM
following along.....I am picking up the same dimension tank next week......What equipment are you using on this build.....skimmer,lights,controller...etc....may steal your ideas.....lol

Mike

john miller
10/05/2011, 05:38 PM
Thanks.

I'll be running an Eshopps PSK-100 in sump skimmer & mag 5 return pump. The light is a no name 48" 6 x 54W T5 with two workhorse ballasts. Controller is a Reef Keeper Lite. I have two Koralia 3's and two Koralia nanos and will use some combination of them.

BTW, nice username. Covered myself, full sleeves, back, etc.

john miller
10/10/2011, 06:38 PM
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN4130.jpg

Finally got it in place. I scraped the stand up pretty bad getting it there. Man that thing is heavy. Need to get my door hinges on order and I may piddle around with the plumbing a little but this is where I stop until I get those banggai raised.

Needless to say I'm very pleased with how this project has turned out so far.

steelerfan1
11/12/2011, 10:00 PM
looking good john.

can't wait til you can continue.

xxL0CKHARTxx
11/12/2011, 10:43 PM
Tagging along

Zackb911
11/12/2011, 11:04 PM
Love me some Shallow!

sra127
11/13/2011, 07:17 AM
shallow tanks are great. i started with a 14 biocube, upgraded to a 90, but then recently added a 3rd tank (your welcome florida power & light) with dimensions of 24x24x12 and i love it. i personally would have suspended the light from the ceiling instead of using those brackets, makes a real clean look imo. i love the ease of the shallow tank/no canopy it makes clean up, water changes and aquascaping a breeze

john miller
11/13/2011, 08:30 PM
looking good john.

can't wait til you can continue.

Thanks.

Those babies are still smaller than a dime so I still have a few months to go.

john miller
11/13/2011, 08:37 PM
i personally would have suspended the light from the ceiling instead of using those brackets, makes a real clean look imo.

If you look at the picture close that bracket on the left is about 6" from touching the ceiling. The tank is in a basement and directly under the main a/c duct for the house, only 6' of clearance.

john miller
11/25/2011, 09:32 PM
Here is the layout for the plumbing that I plan on working (hopefully) on this weekend. Let me know if anything pops out as looking odd, strange or just plain stupid since this is my first sump.

Drain side:
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN4263.jpg
I have a 2" bulkhead that I'm reducing down to 1 1/2". I just now noticed the 2" cap so what else have I overlooked.

Pumping over the back and to a refugium:
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN4265.jpg
I thought the outlet on the mag 5 was 3/4" so that's why it's all in 3/4", so should I take it back and swap it out or just buy an adapter and leave it?

Thanks

allsps40
11/25/2011, 09:45 PM
Looking good man, coming along quickly. I used electrical conduit for my lighting rack and have had no issues but my lights are lighter than yours I think.

john miller
11/26/2011, 10:04 AM
Thanks.
I didn't have a bender and tried using the pre made corners and the weight of the lights made it sag to much.

Trying to figure out now how to rig up some moonlights. The NanoCube right beside it has them and I really like the look.

john miller
11/27/2011, 06:12 PM
So here is the first dry fit.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN4269.jpg

http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN4267.jpg

http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN4268.jpg

While standing back and looking at it I decided I didn't like it. With the 20H centered in the stand it made the space around it pretty much unusable. So I wanted to move it to one side. The only trouble was the corner braces on the bottom. So plan B.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN4271.jpg

This allowed me to move it to the far back left corner so now it only takes up the left side of the stand. So now I'll have more room for a larger top off tank (thinking 10 gallon) and space for a reactor down the road.

This also solved a potential problem with the drain. During the rough in I had very little room for error. Now I can do this.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN4277.jpg
Straight down into a filter sock. This is going to be a pretty low flow sump so hopefully I won't have to much noise.

I had to extend the one pipe so I took the opportunity to put in another union.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN4276.jpg

Still trying to figure out a way to help support the weight of the plumbing to keep the strain off the pump. So for right now this has to do.
http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx106/jmillers62/60%20gal%20shallow/DSCN4274.jpg

Got the door hinges, an 8 switch panel and the filter sock holder and loc-line coming next week. Still trying to figure out where to mount the RKL.

SteveNMegz
12/19/2011, 05:15 PM
cant wait to see this tank get wet!

john miller
12/20/2011, 12:57 PM
Probably not as much as I am!

I'll start back on it after the holidays. Bought a set of clowns and a mushroom leather for it last weekend.

Floowid
12/20/2011, 02:57 PM
So I am curious. You have the return coming up over the back, right on top of a perfectly good hole drilled into the bottom of the tank. Did you consider running the return up through the other hole? You could reduce down to one inch pipe, T off the top, paint the whole thing black, surround it with some rock, etc.

john miller
12/20/2011, 09:26 PM
I believe I have considered every possible scenario there is, with that being one of them, and actually that was my original plan but utilizing another (taller) overflow so they would match. But I finally decided that it would take up to much additional area and went ahead and capped it.

Now I'm thinking about using it as an emergency drain instead. Sooner or later I'll get my act together and finish this thing.