120 gallon look down trough build

[mark.red]

120 gallon fiberglass trough, 8ft x 2ft x 1ft.
diy stand made out of 10 2x4s, measures 96''x 24''x 30''
6ft worth of ho 50/50 reefbrites
blue line 100 external pump
aqua euro 200 cone skimmer

Im still collecting parts for the build. I'm going to purchase a 75 gallon tank that ill turn into a sump and drill my own 1'' holes. I'm going to make a closed loop system on the sump so that I'm able to make saltwater and do water changes directly out of it. A garden hose attachment will be installed to drain the sump for a convenience factor. There will be 2'' stand pipes for the return and drain. Mainly looking to move volumes of water rather than a direct out put coming from the blue line pump. because of it being a look down tank, ill need to keep the water from rippling/distorting. Its mainly going to be a fowlr/softy tank. Looking to make it a breeding ground for mushrooms and leather(mushroom garden). I have two fish in mind that will be my "pets". Australian Harlequin Tusk (med.) and a Queen Angel (med). Def. want a mated pair of large diamond gobys when the tank is established. I'm open to suggestions, so don't be shy!

 

[CrazyEyes]

No suggestions but that stand looks solid. I think this is pretty unique build. Not too many doing this. It's going to sweet I think.

 

[rogergolf66]

I love top down tanks. I have been thinking about building one for years. What r u going to light it with?

 

[MrHarvard]

I like the idea this is gonna be a sweet set up!

 

[mark.red]

A 6ft 50/50 ho reef brite will be lighting the tank. Its a little short but it'll do. Def. Low light coral. Lol stuff that's going to keep me from being married to my tank. I'm with u roger on top down tanks. Fish seem to be a little more relaxed and friendly along with everything just looks better from up top.

 

[mark.red]

120 build

120 build

I just bought a deep blue 40 breeder for $40 from a buddy of mine. Next Is plumbing and cutting holes in the 40b.

 

[CrazyEyes]

Nice man! Definitely looking to how this thing turns out.

 

[mark.red]

thanks man, I ended up with the 40 instead of the 75 that we talked about......lol funds are tight these days! Hopefully we both get our tanks setup before 2014. At minimum water flowing/cycling.

 

[CrazyEyes]

I was just talking to the g/f about that, as far as getting the tank up and cycling all I really need is some rock. Skimmer doesn't need to be online for that, or powerheads well, not the ones I want anyways. I don't need light etc.

 

[mark.red]

Bro, we r so on the same page. That's exactly my goal..........to hear the sweet sound of water and pumps running

 

[mark.red]

120

120

So my girlfriend and I had dude arts and crafts time tonight. She cut in and I rolled the tank with white paint.

 

[Planefanatic]

Very interesting! I haven't seen a tank like that, nor have I thought of doing a tank design like it. I would be very interested to see what it will look like complete. I guess it would look like the LFS coral stock tanks. Very cool!

 

[mark.red]

Appreciate it! I've been wanting to do a tank like this for the longest time to. Lol, the fish store is what inspired me to go with this tub. Everything from fish and corals looked so much better from above. I also noticed that fishes had better animal behavior and seemed a little more relaxed. Prob. Because they can only be viewed from above giving them a lil privacy.

 

[mark.red]

I made this sock holder out of abs plastic. Basically, I wraped the edges over 3/4 plywood and used a heat gun to mold the plastic. Then I used a dremel tool to cut the hole and round out the edges for the ease of changing out the sock. This will fit on the 90 of any tank.

 

[mark.red]

Fit on the 90°/corner of any tank

 

[CrazyEyes]

Everything looks good Mark. What's crazy is, that diy sock holder looks sturdier than my CPR sock holder. Get it wet man.

 

[mark.red]

Ha ha........that's what she said. Indeed it is sturdy. I used it on my last reef tank and worked well.

 

[mark.red]

Update

Update

I just got my 1" bulkhead slip/slip with a 1 3/4" glass hole saw from glass holes and decided to give it a shot tonight.. I ordered it last Friday and it arrived today. This was my first time drilling a tank. Let's just say it wasn't all that bad. Seriously .........it was easy. Key points 1) set ur cluch to one and speed 1. 2) let the bit do its job and don't press down really hard....mod. even pressure keeping the drill perpendicular to the tank. 3)when the glass hole falls make sure to protect the glass below with a towel.

 

[mark.red]

I drilled the hole a lil too high....imo... hence the 45 degree dip to keep the pump syphoned incase a power outtage happened with low water.

 

[mark.red]

The plumbing is dry fitted. Please make suggestions to better make this more efficient