300g Mixed Reef Journey
- Thread starter Chebby
- Start date
Chebby
New member
Been too long
Been too long
I have not stopped working on this build, just slow progression. I still have my other tank that keeps me busy. Upgrades in lighting and flow pumps to that tank will get transferred over to this one.
I have the base rough cut now with 5/8" and will start drilling holes for plumbing, power cables, and get the sink cut out and mounted. Going to add a short back-splash around the perimeter (so any splashes don't run down the walls) before joining all the pieces. I'll round the front edge, add an underhang drip cut, and then finish with the epoxy coating.
I also now have my low profile 24" overflow from Modular Marine. I figured this route would be much more cost effective than an endzone external overflow custom build into the tank.
The 5 gallon jug is for transporting RO water to my other tank.
Been too long
I have not stopped working on this build, just slow progression. I still have my other tank that keeps me busy. Upgrades in lighting and flow pumps to that tank will get transferred over to this one.
I have the base rough cut now with 5/8" and will start drilling holes for plumbing, power cables, and get the sink cut out and mounted. Going to add a short back-splash around the perimeter (so any splashes don't run down the walls) before joining all the pieces. I'll round the front edge, add an underhang drip cut, and then finish with the epoxy coating.
I also now have my low profile 24" overflow from Modular Marine. I figured this route would be much more cost effective than an endzone external overflow custom build into the tank.
The 5 gallon jug is for transporting RO water to my other tank.
Chebby
New member
Built my own chaetomorpha grow chamber by re-purposing an Avast Marine Ozone reactor, added aluminum rod, heatsink and fan, enlarged a few holes, wrapped some grow LEDs, quick disconnects, mylar, some extra parts. Certainly not as powerful as the commercial ones, but way cheaper.
Chebby
New member
Finally poured my acrylic counter top. I'd been putting this off FOREVER. Thought it would be messy and it wasn't too bad. I would not consider it good enough for use in a kitchen, but good enough for my tank which will cover 90% of it anyways. The front edge, which will be exposed, is what I am least happy with. I would certainly be able to do a better job next time. The fact that it's self leveling made it very appealing.
wowkingjames
New member
Look nice so far.
Chebby
New member
Yes I've been going really slowly! Life gets in the way sometimes and I already have another tank running so no real urgency on this build.
Base cabinet doors installed! The whole facing is removable in 3 parts in case I need more clearance to get to stuff inside. The doors all have magnetic sensors hooked up in series so when any door opens, the under cabinet lighting will automatically turn on.
I also cut some foam sheets to the size of the tank and will begin some initial rock work placement ideas while I pay off some expenses before getting the tank and doing the upper cabinetry.
Base cabinet doors installed! The whole facing is removable in 3 parts in case I need more clearance to get to stuff inside. The doors all have magnetic sensors hooked up in series so when any door opens, the under cabinet lighting will automatically turn on.
I also cut some foam sheets to the size of the tank and will begin some initial rock work placement ideas while I pay off some expenses before getting the tank and doing the upper cabinetry.
Last edited:
Chebby
New member
Hey look what arrived this week
Gotta work up the courage to drill the overflow holes. Drilled plenty of tanks before but none this expensive. Then will paint the back and sides. I've used acrylic paint in the past but now I'm thinking why not use Plasti Dip? It's more scratch resistant and probably is a good heat insulator.
Also got my upper cabinets a few weeks back and those are mostly assembled; was waiting for the tank's true width measurement before final assembly.
Gotta work up the courage to drill the overflow holes. Drilled plenty of tanks before but none this expensive. Then will paint the back and sides. I've used acrylic paint in the past but now I'm thinking why not use Plasti Dip? It's more scratch resistant and probably is a good heat insulator.
Also got my upper cabinets a few weeks back and those are mostly assembled; was waiting for the tank's true width measurement before final assembly.
Chebby
New member
Overflows drilled and sides blacked out a few weeks back.
Wheeled it into the house. Jack lifted up til the lift cart could fit under it
and voilÃ
Everything seems to be perfectly level all thanks to the choosing to do the self-leveling epoxy counter top. Tons of work left to do. My RO system spung 2 irreparable leaks so I bought a new one to install. I'll get the chiller and overflow plumbed next and start wall mounting the energy bars.
Wheeled it into the house. Jack lifted up til the lift cart could fit under it
and voilÃ
Everything seems to be perfectly level all thanks to the choosing to do the self-leveling epoxy counter top. Tons of work left to do. My RO system spung 2 irreparable leaks so I bought a new one to install. I'll get the chiller and overflow plumbed next and start wall mounting the energy bars.
wrxreefer823
New member
Holy crap this is amazing. Jumping on for the ride!
Chebby
New member
Since my last update I have done a lot. Bought a lot of "toys" during the holidays. Reconstructed the filter sock path in my sump. Now the overflow will go over a filter fleece drip tray to remove the big particles and into a 7" Klir Filter. Replaced my dosser with 2 DOS pumps. Replaced my wimpy fuge lights with a prime fuge. Got myself a 3D printer to make clips and brackets.
Plumbed my return lines to the chiller and into tank. Added flow rate sensors. Made screen frames. Plumbed the overflow box. Mounted all my apex modules. Created an adjustable light fixture with 2020 for mounting 8 R15pros with diffusers and two 48" t-5 to reduce shadowing upfront. I can adjust the mounting system height and when servicing I can tilt each side up for more clearance.
When finished all this is hidden behind cabinetry which I already mock assembled during the summer. Next steps are to work on flow pump placement, some programming, and start aquascaping.
Plumbed my return lines to the chiller and into tank. Added flow rate sensors. Made screen frames. Plumbed the overflow box. Mounted all my apex modules. Created an adjustable light fixture with 2020 for mounting 8 R15pros with diffusers and two 48" t-5 to reduce shadowing upfront. I can adjust the mounting system height and when servicing I can tilt each side up for more clearance.
When finished all this is hidden behind cabinetry which I already mock assembled during the summer. Next steps are to work on flow pump placement, some programming, and start aquascaping.
Chebby
New member
It's alive
It's alive
Feels like it has been forever (it has) but it's finally alive. Took 4 days to fill and been cycling a few days with Brightwell QuickCycl and Start XLM.
All my pumps were seized up from sitting so long. Lots of little things to fix up like the return generating a surface vortex of air every once in a while, think i need to enlarge some siphon holes, filter roller controller did not work but they sent free replacement, I bumped some wire somewhere so cabinet lights don't turn off when doors close, more apex programming, etc.
It's alive
Feels like it has been forever (it has) but it's finally alive. Took 4 days to fill and been cycling a few days with Brightwell QuickCycl and Start XLM.
All my pumps were seized up from sitting so long. Lots of little things to fix up like the return generating a surface vortex of air every once in a while, think i need to enlarge some siphon holes, filter roller controller did not work but they sent free replacement, I bumped some wire somewhere so cabinet lights don't turn off when doors close, more apex programming, etc.
