75 Gallon Octo Tank

eonflux123 · 03/01/2014, 08:12 PM

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, or in my case, when your 2 yr old reef tank gets overrun by hair algae, time to start anew. After searching around and looking for inspiration on RC I could not chose what I wanted to build. Then I came across an octopus at my LFS and I fell in love! This cure little thing was at attention to anything happening by its cube and I made up my mind OCTOPUS TANK HERE I COME!!!! The first step was deconstructing my old tank and downgrading as it were my equipment (a 2x250 MH is crazy). After that, cleaning all the gunk and crap out of my cabinet, I have to “reset” my Live Rock. In the coming weeks I hope to guide you along my trek towards a better future!

eonflux123 · 03/03/2014, 02:09 PM

UPDATE:

Just got finished cooking the live rock and a lot of really gross detritus came off and am so happy it obliterated the hair algae as I was expecting! And as a good reminder, if you ever use the acid bath technique like I did, USE BAKING SODA! I could not believe how reactive the acid was after the bath.

dinger28 · 03/05/2014, 09:48 AM

Can't wait to see the tank setup! I always loved Octopi, and can't wait to hear how this one starts!

eonflux123 · 03/10/2014, 06:01 PM

Ok the rock has dried and clean, tank has been cleaned, time to plan/build the aquascape! I decided to do a rock wall and so far the pieces have been put together and now it is time to let everything cure! Here's the process of building the pieces and the material I used.

eonflux123 · 03/10/2014, 06:08 PM

And finally it is finished and drying! Im going to give it a weeks for the resin to fully dry then its off silicone and final placement! The hard part is almost over!

vipermaverickk · 03/12/2014, 07:08 PM

Can't wait to see how this turns out.

eonflux123 · 03/30/2014, 12:52 AM

UPDATE: Finally able to start siliconing in the pieces in the tank and it appears that epoxy is quite stiff when dry 😜. So with that I will not have it all done till Monday-Tuesday. Pic to follow.

eonflux123 · 03/30/2014, 12:56 AM

Side Note: I was able to sell off my .reef lighting fixture for a TEK Elite 4x54! Shout out to fishdoc11 for the great communication and overall kindness!

Fishy 1 · 03/30/2014, 06:37 AM

Awsome, looking forward to seeing this running with the occy in it

Iv like occys their so awsome.
Followiis one for sure :thumbup:

eonflux123 · 03/30/2014, 03:07 PM

Well sad news, I broke one of the panels that attaches to the overflow😢. So looks like it will be a week till it's finished. At least now I can tent my house (stupid California termites!)

Fishy 1 · 03/31/2014, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishy 1

Awsome, looking forward to seeing this running with the occy in it

I like occys their so awsome.
Following this one for sure :thumbup:

No idea why I quoted myself

vipermaverickk · 04/01/2014, 08:57 PM

Pictures not showing up for anyone else?

Fishy 1 · 04/02/2014, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vipermaverickk

Pictures not showing up for anyone else?

Not me

eonflux123 · 04/03/2014, 02:22 PM

I have been loading the photos via Taptalk so I will try it via forum next time

eonflux123 · 04/09/2014, 07:03 PM

MID-WEEK UPDATE:
So a lot has passed in the past week! I have decided that the Eshopps reef ready sump has to go due to my realization that it will not fit my needs. I am having my LFS make me a glass sump. In addition, this past weekend I had the Marine Expo by my house so I was able to pick up a new return for my system for cheap! I will be posting photos either tonight or tomorrow with progress , in addition to more information!

eonflux123 · 04/15/2014, 04:05 PM

Well after some fines and swearing, the tank is back in its cabinet! Everything looks great, but now the annoying part of plumbing comes into affect.

Also, I have attached the concept of how my new sump is going to look. Some constructive criticism on it would be very helpful. It will be all glass with a PVC water trap for the drain into the refugium. The gate on the left will be going to a UV sterilizer (forgot to label).

Fishy 1 · 04/16/2014, 07:03 AM

Looking good

Fishy 1 · 05/03/2014, 02:21 AM

Any updates mate?

Whiterabbitrage · 05/03/2014, 02:19 PM

Jealous! Following.

Fishy 1 · 05/05/2014, 06:03 PM

There has to be some updates

eonflux123 · 05/05/2014, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishy 1

There has to be some updates

Easy Mister Mister! Sorry been busy with working the past two weekends and I have my last week of classes, so expect a large update soon all!

Fishy 1 · 05/05/2014, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eonflux123

Easy Mister Mister! Sorry been busy with working the past two weekends and I have my last week of classes, so expect a large update soon all!

Good look forward to it

eonflux123 · 05/19/2014, 04:23 PM

Well I am officially on summer vacation, so here is what I have been doing for the past month! First, I finish setting up the “escape proof” top. Thanks to USA Plastics, I ordered some ¼” acrylic, latches, and Home Depot stainless steel rings. It looks great, and I have to really torque it to get the top up, and that is quite difficult for me.

Next, I also finished caulking my sump together. It is a Visio custom sized glass tank (16”x26”13”). The baffles are 11” high, the refugium has the water barrier that I made with an ABS 3” pipe that I cut, and have it set to fit my skimmer, return pump, and return from the UV sterilizer. I also have the sterilizer plumbed, but I have a feeling I will not be turning it on due to not finding anyone who runs it for cephs on a regular basis (reef ready though!!!)

In addition, here is an outside look at how the plumbing is set up. In addition, here is the drain that enters the sump and the riser I had to make so the skimmer sits at the correct height.

After I measured it all in the cabinet, I took it out ( as shown) and then spray painted it to match the Sch 80 PVC so it looks clean. I used Rustoleum spray paint, so I hope it turns out great!

That is all for now, I will be trying to post some more before Thursday, as I am leaving for a family vacation for 9ish days. If not, I will be updating in June, hopefully with substance in the tank!!!

eonflux123 · 06/19/2014, 08:41 PM

Hello everyone! Sorry for the late update but some health issues came about and some serious improvements to the tank happened so lets get started!!!

First, after looking back at my last tank setup, I have come to the conclusion I hate seeing unnecessary wires! So I went back to my local Home Depot, and was able to find a great product by Rustoleum. It is a rubber based spray paint, and after a coat of it, I was able to great an awesome look for my sump (don’t judge my crazy!)

And now the tank plumbing is complete! However, fate can be cruel…. Apparently a cracked drain bulkhead is a bad thing, and a slip/thread return was also a poor purchase years ago. So with some focused elbow grease, and many swear words I was able to fix these two issues and now the tank is all finished!

eonflux123 · 06/19/2014, 08:46 PM

Now, its time to get creative! I came to the conclusion that since this is going to be a bimac ceph, and since I live in SoCal (one of their native regions), I decided to wait for it…. Get local sand! I know this is crazy due to the pollutants on and around most beaches, but I look some serious precautions to make this clean. So after looking like a crazy person scooping sand into 5 gallon buckets and loading them into my car, I took it home and portioned it out and washed in hot water/vinegar solution, then rinsing it to get that out. I then added some PetSmart Top Fin Crushed Coral to it to add to the already many shells that are prominent in my local beach sand. Here is the result:

And the result is quite astounding! I am totally in love with the look of it! I added roughly enough sand to give it a 2-3” depth (finger for visual):

03/30/2014, 06:37 AM	#9
Fishy 1 The Reefer From Downunder Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Western Australia Posts: 2,256	Awsome, looking forward to seeing this running with the occy in it Iv like occys their so awsome. Followiis one for sure :thumbup: __________________ Rory "The day that I stop learning will be the day that I die" Current Tank Info: Newly Born Regency 220 "The Impulse Reef"

04/15/2014, 04:05 PM	#16
eonflux123 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Orange County Posts: 93	50% Done!!! Well after some fines and swearing, the tank is back in its cabinet! Everything looks great, but now the annoying part of plumbing comes into affect. Also, I have attached the concept of how my new sump is going to look. Some constructive criticism on it would be very helpful. It will be all glass with a PVC water trap for the drain into the refugium. The gate on the left will be going to a UV sterilizer (forgot to label). Last edited by eonflux123; 04/15/2014 at 04:12 PM.

04/16/2014, 07:03 AM	#17
Fishy 1 The Reefer From Downunder Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Western Australia Posts: 2,256	Looking good __________________ Rory "The day that I stop learning will be the day that I die" Current Tank Info: Newly Born Regency 220 "The Impulse Reef"

05/03/2014, 02:21 AM	#18
Fishy 1 The Reefer From Downunder Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Western Australia Posts: 2,256	Any updates mate? __________________ Rory "The day that I stop learning will be the day that I die" Current Tank Info: Newly Born Regency 220 "The Impulse Reef"

05/03/2014, 02:19 PM	#19
Whiterabbitrage Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,338 Blog Entries: 1	Jealous! Following. __________________ ~Morgan Current Tank Info: 150 gall, 30 gall sump; 30 gall refugium

03/05/2014, 09:48 AM	#3
dinger28 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Indian Land, SC Posts: 385	Can't wait to see the tank setup! I always loved Octopi, and can't wait to hear how this one starts!

03/12/2014, 07:08 PM	#6
vipermaverickk Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Texas Posts: 80	Can't wait to see how this turns out.

03/30/2014, 12:52 AM	#7
eonflux123 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Orange County Posts: 93	UPDATE: Finally able to start siliconing in the pieces in the tank and it appears that epoxy is quite stiff when dry 😜. So with that I will not have it all done till Monday-Tuesday. Pic to follow.

03/30/2014, 12:56 AM	#8
eonflux123 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Orange County Posts: 93	Side Note: I was able to sell off my .reef lighting fixture for a TEK Elite 4x54! Shout out to fishdoc11 for the great communication and overall kindness!

03/30/2014, 03:07 PM	#10
eonflux123 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Orange County Posts: 93	Well sad news, I broke one of the panels that attaches to the overflow😢. So looks like it will be a week till it's finished. At least now I can tent my house (stupid California termites!)

04/01/2014, 08:57 PM	#12
vipermaverickk Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Texas Posts: 80	Pictures not showing up for anyone else?

04/03/2014, 02:22 PM	#14
eonflux123 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Orange County Posts: 93	I have been loading the photos via Taptalk so I will try it via forum next time

04/09/2014, 07:03 PM	#15
eonflux123 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Orange County Posts: 93	MID-WEEK UPDATE: So a lot has passed in the past week! I have decided that the Eshopps reef ready sump has to go due to my realization that it will not fit my needs. I am having my LFS make me a glass sump. In addition, this past weekend I had the Marine Expo by my house so I was able to pick up a new return for my system for cheap! I will be posting photos either tonight or tomorrow with progress , in addition to more information!

05/05/2014, 06:03 PM	#20
Fishy 1 The Reefer From Downunder Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Western Australia Posts: 2,256	There has to be some updates __________________ Rory "The day that I stop learning will be the day that I die" Current Tank Info: Newly Born Regency 220 "The Impulse Reef"

05/19/2014, 04:23 PM	#23
eonflux123 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Orange County Posts: 93	Update!!! Well I am officially on summer vacation, so here is what I have been doing for the past month! First, I finish setting up the “escape proof” top. Thanks to USA Plastics, I ordered some ¼” acrylic, latches, and Home Depot stainless steel rings. It looks great, and I have to really torque it to get the top up, and that is quite difficult for me. Next, I also finished caulking my sump together. It is a Visio custom sized glass tank (16”x26”13”). The baffles are 11” high, the refugium has the water barrier that I made with an ABS 3” pipe that I cut, and have it set to fit my skimmer, return pump, and return from the UV sterilizer. I also have the sterilizer plumbed, but I have a feeling I will not be turning it on due to not finding anyone who runs it for cephs on a regular basis (reef ready though!!!) In addition, here is an outside look at how the plumbing is set up. In addition, here is the drain that enters the sump and the riser I had to make so the skimmer sits at the correct height. After I measured it all in the cabinet, I took it out ( as shown) and then spray painted it to match the Sch 80 PVC so it looks clean. I used Rustoleum spray paint, so I hope it turns out great! That is all for now, I will be trying to post some more before Thursday, as I am leaving for a family vacation for 9ish days. If not, I will be updating in June, hopefully with substance in the tank!!!

06/19/2014, 08:41 PM	#24
eonflux123 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Orange County Posts: 93	Update Pt. 1 Hello everyone! Sorry for the late update but some health issues came about and some serious improvements to the tank happened so lets get started!!! First, after looking back at my last tank setup, I have come to the conclusion I hate seeing unnecessary wires! So I went back to my local Home Depot, and was able to find a great product by Rustoleum. It is a rubber based spray paint, and after a coat of it, I was able to great an awesome look for my sump (don’t judge my crazy!) And now the tank plumbing is complete! However, fate can be cruel…. Apparently a cracked drain bulkhead is a bad thing, and a slip/thread return was also a poor purchase years ago. So with some focused elbow grease, and many swear words I was able to fix these two issues and now the tank is all finished!

06/19/2014, 08:46 PM	#25
eonflux123 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Orange County Posts: 93	UPDATE Pt. 2 Now, its time to get creative! I came to the conclusion that since this is going to be a bimac ceph, and since I live in SoCal (one of their native regions), I decided to wait for it…. Get local sand! I know this is crazy due to the pollutants on and around most beaches, but I look some serious precautions to make this clean. So after looking like a crazy person scooping sand into 5 gallon buckets and loading them into my car, I took it home and portioned it out and washed in hot water/vinegar solution, then rinsing it to get that out. I then added some PetSmart Top Fin Crushed Coral to it to add to the already many shells that are prominent in my local beach sand. Here is the result: And the result is quite astounding! I am totally in love with the look of it! I added roughly enough sand to give it a 2-3” depth (finger for visual):