95 Gal Drop off tank build

weiserboy · 08/17/2014, 06:53 PM

Hi everyone,
I've never tried to describe a build before so bear with me.

I loved the idea ever since I seen a tank on Google.
With the help of Sketch-up, I had a friend willing to put it together for me. I used the 18 inch measurement. He used 7/16 think acrylic.

We ended up placing the overflow tower right before the drop off. One inch for the intake and 3/4 for the return. I got a megaflow overflow kit.
(If I had to do it again, I would have drilled two returns and two intakes.
I also would've made the tower bigger to be able to get inside easier.

I'll add more to this as I can, but hopefully it's a good start.

Drop off Tank.jpg

IMG_1698.jpg

IMG_1699.jpg

IMG_1768.jpg

Weiser

RiddleEagle18 · 08/18/2014, 06:44 PM

Great build. Hes got a ton more pictures. Stay tuned!

ReefingWerewolf · 08/18/2014, 07:03 PM

Cool, the weird thing is I have had dreams of a tank just like this. LOL

Subscribed!!!

erictorres0311 · 08/18/2014, 07:26 PM

this is gonna be interesting tagging along?

tippmannsniper · 08/19/2014, 02:26 PM

Ok, I'll tag along too..

weiserboy · 08/19/2014, 04:53 PM

Okay tag alongs I'll try to be as detailed I can and thanks for any feedback.

The first two pics below are of the over flow I used and the sump I got with the a super Reef Octopus XP 1000SSS I picked up of craigslist.

Mega-Flow-Overflow-Accessory-Kit.jpg

Ruby-36-Sump-.jpg

The next pictures are of the stand build.
I used three sheets 3/4 x 4 x 8 oak panels & four 2 x 4's from Menards.
Two and half inch deck screws and Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue.
I got most of my ideas from this forum. I don't think his on anymore but his username is RedEDGE2k1....See link below
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...169964&page=36
Original-Design.jpg
The red mark in the picture is what I decided to move because I didn't have much head room if I left it in that configuration.
New-opening.jpg
As you can see I used a butt load of screws.
Side-view-1.jpg

Well that's all for today. I'll try to get some more in as soon as I can.
Let me know if I need more detail and questions are welcome.

Weiser

tommyz44 · 08/20/2014, 09:56 AM

Awesome!! im stoked to see this done! Will you be adding a small power head in the drop off to keep junk from settling?

weiserboy · 08/23/2014, 07:58 AM

Sorry everyone, I've been super busy. I'll get back to this as soon as I can.

Weiser

weiserboy · 08/26/2014, 05:03 PM

Hi everyone, I don't know how else to describe the steps but I've attached some new pics of the stand build.
side-view-2.jpg

Sides-and-bottom-assy.jpg

Front-view-1.jpg

Front-view-2.jpg

Weiser

weiserboy · 08/30/2014, 12:55 PM

Hi everyone, I thought I would keep adding pictures.
If you have any questions just ask.

Doors-and-trim-1.jpg

Doors-and-trim-2.jpg

test-fit-1.jpg

Test-fit-2.jpg

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Weiser

james30ct · 08/30/2014, 04:52 PM

Looking good.

Tweaked · 08/31/2014, 05:39 AM

Love drop off tanks. Following along

weiserboy · 08/31/2014, 07:11 AM

Hi everyone, here are today's pics.
small-door-inner-wall.jpg

stand-sump-view.jpg

I realized I couldn't take the sump out unless I removed the tank, so I make a side access.

Side-of-stand-with-sump-access.jpg

side-sump-and-stand.jpg

Side-of-stand-with-sump-access-2.jpg

That's all for today.
Thanks for viewing.

Weiser

weiserboy · 08/31/2014, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommyz44

Awesome!! im stoked to see this done! Will you be adding a small power head in the drop off to keep junk from settling?

Sorry Tommyz44 for not answering your question. Yes, I'll be placing a Hydor Koralia Nano 425 circulation pump also I added a y onto the return to stir the top of the water.

Weiser

weiserboy · 09/01/2014, 08:32 AM

Happy Labor day everyone.

Here's more of mine.

This is all of the trim work and canopy. Just before prime and stain.

IMG_2002.jpg

IMG_2003.jpg

IMG_2004.jpg

IMG_2005.jpg

IMG_2008.jpg

Weiser

muttley000 · 09/01/2014, 09:59 AM

This came out really well. I like the look of drop off tanks also. How are you lighting and what is going in it?

weiserboy · 09/01/2014, 10:19 AM

I picked up the Current USA Orbit Marine LED Saltwater Reef Lighting System 48" to 60".
For now, I'm starting out slow. Just reef safe fish. I don't think the light is good enough for LPS, just some softies. I'll know more after a year or so. Next plan is RO/DI system and auto top off.

weiserboy · 09/05/2014, 07:00 PM

Hi everyone. Here's the latest and greatest.

Let me know if you have any questions.

IMG_2014.jpg

IMG_2015.jpg

IMG_2016.jpg

IMG_2020.jpg

IMG_2026.jpg

Weiser

woodnaquanut · 09/05/2014, 07:45 PM

Nice build. Great work on the stand.

I've seen some pics of drop offs. What a cool concept! Following along.

thereefcanada · 09/05/2014, 08:56 PM

Wow I love this type of tank and looks like this is going to be a great one. I'll be following along with this one

weiserboy · 09/07/2014, 08:50 AM

Morning everyone!
I thought I'd tell you guys that in the smaller section of the stand is where I installed a power strip that would normally be in DJ equipment.
An idea I got from someone here.
Also that inner wall doesn't go all the way up. This way I have access for wiring.
There's a false wall in the center where the two cabinet doors meet for easier access to the sump.
I got the cabinet doors from Cabinet Door Depot.
Got their name from here as well. (Thank you, by the way)
Great doors and really nice people to work with.
I couldn't swing the stainless hinges, so for now so I got some from Menards and I keep the oiled so they wont rust.
Don't get the self closing! They left a gap and you could see the refugium light.
The holes in the stand and the canopy are for the four inch CPU fans I installed. I left room for a second one on the canopy just in case. You'll also notice I placed a vent hole in the top of the canopy. I placed a little cover so the light wouldn't shine up from the water.
I'm staining it a dark espresso.
You can also see that I should have made the tower a bit bigger.
Hope you're enjoying the pictures.

IMG_2028.jpg

IMG_2029.jpg

IMG_2031.jpg

IMG_2035.jpg

Weiser

AdamD76 · 09/07/2014, 04:51 PM

Wow! I can't wait to see it with water and fish! If you don't mind, how much do you have into this so far? A drop off tank has been a dream of mine for a while now.

weiserboy · 09/07/2014, 06:59 PM

Wow.. I don't even want to think about it. I never told the wife how much. I just picked some stuff up here and there. I would guess around 1100 or so, not counting the tank.

myram · 09/08/2014, 03:02 PM

[IMG]http://************.com/files/2012/01/dropoff-reef-aquarium-6.jpg[/IMG]
obviously reef builders links are not liked on here........LOL

I saw this one a while ago and it is awesome, I would love to do this type of tank.
Will be following this thread to see your progress.

Steve

weiserboy · 09/10/2014, 06:35 PM

Well everyone, here are the last of the photos.
Hope you enjoyed the pics.
Let me know if you have any questions.

IMG_2075.jpg

IMG_2114.jpg

IMG_2115.jpg

IMG_2117.jpg

Weiser

08/17/2014, 06:53 PM	#1
weiserboy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 38	95 Gal Drop off tank build Hi everyone, I've never tried to describe a build before so bear with me. I loved the idea ever since I seen a tank on Google. With the help of Sketch-up, I had a friend willing to put it together for me. I used the 18 inch measurement. He used 7/16 think acrylic. We ended up placing the overflow tower right before the drop off. One inch for the intake and 3/4 for the return. I got a megaflow overflow kit. (If I had to do it again, I would have drilled two returns and two intakes. I also would've made the tower bigger to be able to get inside easier. I'll add more to this as I can, but hopefully it's a good start. Drop off Tank.jpg IMG_1698.jpg IMG_1699.jpg IMG_1768.jpg Weiser

08/19/2014, 02:26 PM	#5
tippmannsniper Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tri-Cities, WA (USA) Posts: 140	Ok, I'll tag along too.. __________________ The legs feed the wolf. Current Tank Info: happy fish and healthy corals in a tank

08/31/2014, 05:39 AM	#12
Tweaked FUP&A Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Madison, CT Posts: 7,722	Love drop off tanks. Following along __________________ DSA 105 Pro, Cebu Sun-Radiums-M80 Ballasts, 4 T5's, XHO LEDs. Through Wall 55g Sump, 10g Frag and 29g Display attached, Vertex V6, 3 mp40's, Gyre, 2 mp10's, GFO, Carbon, Pellets - 10g Bar Tank

09/01/2014, 09:59 AM	#16
muttley000 MTS Sufferer! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 1,926	This came out really well. I like the look of drop off tanks also. How are you lighting and what is going in it? __________________ Next step on the system is adding A 90 gallon! Current Tank Info: 475 multitank system is now running! Several hundred gallons of additions planned!

09/05/2014, 07:45 PM	#19
woodnaquanut Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 2,727	Nice build. Great work on the stand. I've seen some pics of drop offs. What a cool concept! Following along. __________________ John DT 120G. mixed reef w/ lots of automation + assorted FW and SW tanks.

08/18/2014, 06:44 PM	#2
RiddleEagle18 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Palmetto, FL Posts: 689	Great build. Hes got a ton more pictures. Stay tuned!

08/18/2014, 07:03 PM	#3
ReefingWerewolf Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 358	Cool, the weird thing is I have had dreams of a tank just like this. LOL Subscribed!!!

08/18/2014, 07:26 PM	#4
erictorres0311 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 111	this is gonna be interesting tagging along?

08/19/2014, 04:53 PM	#6
weiserboy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 38	Okay tag alongs I'll try to be as detailed I can and thanks for any feedback. The first two pics below are of the over flow I used and the sump I got with the a super Reef Octopus XP 1000SSS I picked up of craigslist. Mega-Flow-Overflow-Accessory-Kit.jpg Ruby-36-Sump-.jpg The next pictures are of the stand build. I used three sheets 3/4 x 4 x 8 oak panels & four 2 x 4's from Menards. Two and half inch deck screws and Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue. I got most of my ideas from this forum. I don't think his on anymore but his username is RedEDGE2k1....See link below http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...169964&page=36 Original-Design.jpg The red mark in the picture is what I decided to move because I didn't have much head room if I left it in that configuration. New-opening.jpg As you can see I used a butt load of screws. Side-view-1.jpg Well that's all for today. I'll try to get some more in as soon as I can. Let me know if I need more detail and questions are welcome. Weiser

08/20/2014, 09:56 AM	#7
tommyz44 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: CORNING NY Posts: 435	Awesome!! im stoked to see this done! Will you be adding a small power head in the drop off to keep junk from settling?

08/23/2014, 07:58 AM	#8
weiserboy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 38	Sorry everyone, I've been super busy. I'll get back to this as soon as I can. Weiser

08/26/2014, 05:03 PM	#9
weiserboy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 38	Hi everyone, I don't know how else to describe the steps but I've attached some new pics of the stand build. side-view-2.jpg Sides-and-bottom-assy.jpg Front-view-1.jpg Front-view-2.jpg Weiser

08/30/2014, 12:55 PM	#10
weiserboy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 38	Hi everyone, I thought I would keep adding pictures. If you have any questions just ask. Doors-and-trim-1.jpg Doors-and-trim-2.jpg test-fit-1.jpg Test-fit-2.jpg Thanks in advance for any feedback. Weiser

08/30/2014, 04:52 PM	#11
james30ct Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Groton, Ct Posts: 1,218	Looking good.

08/31/2014, 07:11 AM	#13
weiserboy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 38	Hi everyone, here are today's pics. small-door-inner-wall.jpg stand-sump-view.jpg I realized I couldn't take the sump out unless I removed the tank, so I make a side access. Side-of-stand-with-sump-access.jpg side-sump-and-stand.jpg Side-of-stand-with-sump-access-2.jpg That's all for today. Thanks for viewing. Weiser

09/01/2014, 08:32 AM	#15
weiserboy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 38	Happy Labor day everyone. Here's more of mine. This is all of the trim work and canopy. Just before prime and stain. IMG_2002.jpg IMG_2003.jpg IMG_2004.jpg IMG_2005.jpg IMG_2008.jpg Weiser

09/01/2014, 10:19 AM	#17
weiserboy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 38	I picked up the Current USA Orbit Marine LED Saltwater Reef Lighting System 48" to 60". For now, I'm starting out slow. Just reef safe fish. I don't think the light is good enough for LPS, just some softies. I'll know more after a year or so. Next plan is RO/DI system and auto top off.

09/05/2014, 07:00 PM	#18
weiserboy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 38	Hi everyone. Here's the latest and greatest. Let me know if you have any questions. IMG_2014.jpg IMG_2015.jpg IMG_2016.jpg IMG_2020.jpg IMG_2026.jpg Weiser

09/05/2014, 08:56 PM	#20
thereefcanada Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Canada Posts: 52	Wow I love this type of tank and looks like this is going to be a great one. I'll be following along with this one

09/07/2014, 08:50 AM	#21
weiserboy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 38	Morning everyone! I thought I'd tell you guys that in the smaller section of the stand is where I installed a power strip that would normally be in DJ equipment. An idea I got from someone here. Also that inner wall doesn't go all the way up. This way I have access for wiring. There's a false wall in the center where the two cabinet doors meet for easier access to the sump. I got the cabinet doors from Cabinet Door Depot. Got their name from here as well. (Thank you, by the way) Great doors and really nice people to work with. I couldn't swing the stainless hinges, so for now so I got some from Menards and I keep the oiled so they wont rust. Don't get the self closing! They left a gap and you could see the refugium light. The holes in the stand and the canopy are for the four inch CPU fans I installed. I left room for a second one on the canopy just in case. You'll also notice I placed a vent hole in the top of the canopy. I placed a little cover so the light wouldn't shine up from the water. I'm staining it a dark espresso. You can also see that I should have made the tower a bit bigger. Hope you're enjoying the pictures. IMG_2028.jpg IMG_2029.jpg IMG_2031.jpg IMG_2035.jpg Weiser

09/07/2014, 04:51 PM	#22
AdamD76 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: NH Posts: 74	Wow! I can't wait to see it with water and fish! If you don't mind, how much do you have into this so far? A drop off tank has been a dream of mine for a while now.

09/07/2014, 06:59 PM	#23
weiserboy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 38	Wow.. I don't even want to think about it. I never told the wife how much. I just picked some stuff up here and there. I would guess around 1100 or so, not counting the tank.

09/08/2014, 03:02 PM	#24
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	[IMG]http://************.com/files/2012/01/dropoff-reef-aquarium-6.jpg[/IMG] obviously reef builders links are not liked on here........LOL I saw this one a while ago and it is awesome, I would love to do this type of tank. Will be following this thread to see your progress. Steve

09/10/2014, 06:35 PM	#25
weiserboy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 38	Well everyone, here are the last of the photos. Hope you enjoyed the pics. Let me know if you have any questions. IMG_2075.jpg IMG_2114.jpg IMG_2115.jpg IMG_2117.jpg Weiser