15 Gallon Fuge Build

[griss]

Some of you may recall, I did a DIY 5 gallon fuge for my tank. Due to poor design (on me), it kept overflowing so, I removed it.

I’ve had a 15 gallon tank sitting in the fish area for a couple years and intended to use it as a fuge for my tank when I upgrade. Well, I decided what the hell, I’ll put it on the existing tank.

Several years ago I had drilled the back and made an overflow from some clear acrylic laying around.

Today, I primed the acrylic for the overflow and am going to paint the overflow and back of the tank with Navy colored acrylic paint.

Here’s the progress so far.

 

[griss]

Hit a snag. Went to Michael’s to get the acrylic paint. They had just one bottle of the color I wanted but that should be enough to get the job done. Got up to the checkout only to be told their system is down and can’t check people out. Their other store near me is down as well.

 

[Reefing102]

Hit a snag. Went to Michael’s to get the acrylic paint. They had just one bottle of the color I wanted but that should be enough to get the job done. Got up to the checkout only to be told their system is down and can’t check people out. Their other store near me is down as well.

Just walk out with it, they don’t need it and you do

 

[griss]

Just walk out with it, they don’t need it and you do

I ordered from Amazon. It will be here tomorrow.

 

[griss]

Well, I’m reading the acrylic paint can flake off in the water. So, I ordered some Krylon Fusion for the overflow. No one local had it in the color I wanted. It should arrive today. I’ll spray the overflow and, per what I’ve read here, I need to let it cure 7 days before getting wet.

In the meantime, I built a temp stand for the fuge to use until the tank upgrade happens.

 

[JCOLE]

Looks good. I am doing the same thing right now. My kids released their turtle last week and I have a 29 gallon I can use now. I plan on drilling and using it for a fuge.

 

[griss]

Looks good. I am doing the same thing right now. My kids released their turtle last week and I have a 29 gallon I can use now. I plan on drilling and using it for a fuge.

What kind of turtle?

And congrats on the inherited tank/fuge.

 

[JCOLE]

What kind of turtle?

And congrats on the inherited tank/fuge.

My son found a small box turtle in the creek. We had it for a year and almost trippled in size. It was too big for the 29 and we released it into the pond with hundreds of other turtles.

 

[griss]

I did spray the overflow on Sunday. Waiting the recommended 7 day curing period before plumbing to the system, adding water and moving the grape caulerpa from the DT to the new fuge. Hopefully, this will help lower and keep the nitrate and phosphate at good levels since the increase during my tank neglect during and following our vacation.

 

[griss]

Overflow siliconed in and curing, decided to do a bit of aquascaping even though it’s a fuge. I suck at aquascaping

 

[JCOLE]

Looks great!

 

[Reefing102]

Looks great! Time to fill it frags! Err I mean macros

 

[griss]

Too funny. I’ve got grape Caulerpa taking over the DT. Plan is to move it all the the new fuge tomorrow.

 

[JCOLE]

I was drilling the 29 yesterday and it cracked.... back to the drawing board for me. Like you, some of the macros are taking over and others are covered in diatoms, cyano, etc. I am going to try and find a smaller container made from HDPE or acrylic.

 

[griss]

Didn’t get the fuge plumbing done today. Instead, we remove the old peel and stick vinyl tile that was in the basement. It was weird, some tiles peeled right up, others took a lot of work with the floor scraper.

We’ve decided to put vinyl plank in what will be the living room in the basement.

 

[griss]

Not plumbed to the sump, but filled (partially), small powerhead going and salt added. Time allowing, I’ll plumb tomorrow and bring it online. Sand created a bit of a dust storm.

 

[griss]

I was drilling the 29 yesterday and it cracked.... back to the drawing board for me. Like you, some of the macros are taking over and others are covered in diatoms, cyano, etc. I am going to try and find a smaller container made from HDPE or acrylic.

What caused it to crack? I’ve drilled a bunch of tanks over the years and (knock on wood) never had one break.

 

[JCOLE]

What caused it to crack? I’ve drilled a bunch of tanks over the years and (knock on wood) never had one break.

I don't know. Maybe too much pressure. I usually put some tape on the glass which helps but didn't this time. Oh well, it is what it is.

 

[griss]

I don't know. Maybe too much pressure. I usually put some tape on the glass which helps but didn't this time. Oh well, it is what it is.

Did you create a ring with plumber's putty and keep it filled with water to keep the glass cool? That's what I've always done.

 

[JCOLE]

Did you create a ring with plumber's putty and keep it filled with water to keep the glass cool? That's what I've always done.

I had a hose running water on it while drilling. I think it might have been too much pressure.