75 Gallons of Persistence

[iwishtofish]

Well, I was beginning to wonder if this was ever going to happen, but it looks like the wheels are finally beginning to turn once again! A year after the idea and two life-changing events later, I'm ready to knuckle down and get this thing ready to fill!

A lot of you have already seen some of these pictures, as I have asked for and received invaluable advice. Thanks to all of you who helped.

Here's where I am (and this is far, for me, at least):

The Stand

The Tank

The Sump

The Tank on the Stand

 

[iwishtofish]

The Basic List

75 Gallon Display Tank w/Drilled Glass Holes Overflow

40 Breeder Sump

E-Shopps Hang-on Skimmer

Two Koralia 4 Powerheads (w/Koralia 3s if needed)

Mag 7 Return Pump

ViaAqua 300w Titanium Heater

ATO Auto-topoff

Phosban 150 Reactor (probably carbon)

Tek 6-Bulb T5 lights (36")

Aqua Medic 150w MH w/14k Phoenix

Marco Rocks Key Largo Dry Rock

Supplies

Lights

Dry Rock

 

[chimmike]

Have you considered doing 2 additional holes for a beananimal system? Doesn't look like that overflow box even leaves room for a durso style overflow.

Nice job drilling though!

 

[James404]

Good job so far! You did a good job on that stand!

 

[iwishtofish]

Mike, I haven't. I've heard warnings that this current configuration might be noisy, but there is a tube provided with the kit to insert for air release. I probably will just take my chances, even though I realize fixing something later would be a lot harder than fixing it now.

Regarding the drilling - thanks! Took me a while...

 

[iwishtofish]

Good job so far! You did a good job on that stand!

Thank you, James404. The stand, like everything else, took me forever to build. I don't have much woodworking experience, so there's nothing fancy. It's designed to hold a 120g tank also, should I ever want to upgrade to that.

 

[RotaryGeek]

Looks pretty good. Is that the tek 6x39w? Im considering buying that same fixture.

 

[iwishtofish]

Looks pretty good. Is that the tek 6x39w? Im considering buying that same fixture.

Thanks. Yes, it is. It is not the Tek Elite fixture, though,which has a fan(s) to cool the bulbs. I may try to rig a fan to blow on the labeled ends of the bulbs, if I can do so and still have it look nice.

 

[chimmike]

Mike, I haven't. I've heard warnings that this current configuration might be noisy, but there is a tube provided with the kit to insert for air release. I probably will just take my chances, even though I realize fixing something later would be a lot harder than fixing it now.

Regarding the drilling - thanks! Took me a while...

air isn't going to release. It's actually the air entering the overflow that will cause the noise.

I'm gonna tell ya, check out beananimal's website. It's worth doing it right the first time so that later on, you don't have the headaches when the tank is full!

 

[iwishtofish]

Thanks for the reference, Mike. I will do some research!

 

[iwishtofish]

I'm on an economy budget for the moment, so my likely-to-be-noisy overflow will have to remain as is....

I'd appreciate any suggestions anyone has for supporting my plumbing after it descends through the hole in the stand. I'll probably have flex tubing of some sort clamped to the overflow and then attaching to horizontal (mostly) pvc inside the stand. I'd like to be able to lower the plumbing inside the stand should I ever have to remove the drain tube from the overflow. I'm really concerned about finding a way to minimize any stress on the glass at the bulkhead, and I can't really come up with a good "quick release" idea that won't potentially leak.

I think I'm actually going to have time this weekend to do something with this project!

 

[newguy1233]

i love the key largo rock.. the picture you have how much rock is that lbs. wise?

 

[iwishtofish]

i love the key largo rock.. the picture you have how much rock is that lbs. wise?

Sorry for the late reply! It's 50 lbs of rock.

 

[iwishtofish]

Continuance of the world's most boring thread:

Sump in stand:

Temporary hang-on skimmer barely fits on the end. I might flip the sump around, but I wanted to save room at the other end to add accessories (ie. reactors, ATO reservoir):

 

[iwishtofish]

About to tackle the plumbing. Waiting to hear from G*l*a*s*s*h*o*l*e*s.com regarding what drain pipe diameter will fit the overflow elbow.

I plan to use a Mag 7 return pump, T'd off to the refugium. I'm wondering how to figure the optimal return line size for this particular pump. I realize that a wider diameter pipe/hose will mean less resistance, but that too wide will mean the pump has to push a load of water that is too heavy. Anyone been down this road?

 

[wedwards]

Looking really good. Keep up the good work! What are your stocking plans for the future?

 

[greech]

The drain line s/b an inch and a half. The return line fitting in a mag s/b 3/4". You should not need to go to a 1" return IME/IMO. Great job so far. Also, you may wan to turn the sump around so your skimmer is in the first section before the bubble trap.

I would not be too concerned with leaks and would suggest PVC primer/cement over some sort of clamped flex hose for a drain line. You can use spaflex if you want something flexible but I would still cement it in place. If you want some sort of disconnect, consider adding PVC unions or true unions above and below the stand. Maybe paint the pype and fitting black to make it look nice

 

[James404]

I use 3/4" on my Mag 9.5 with no problems. I would like to know how noisy your overflow is when you set it up, I am going with glass-holes kit on my 210.

 

[iwishtofish]

Looking really good. Keep up the good work! What are your stocking plans for the future?

Thank you, wedwards. I appreciate your comments. I'm not exactly positive yet, but I've tossed around the idea of an LPS and Montipora tank. Might try the occasional Acro, but with my limited skills Monties have been more agreeable.

Small fish - gobies and wrasses, perhaps? A coral-banded to stir the pot?

 

[iwishtofish]

The drain line s/b an inch and a half. The return line fitting in a mag s/b 3/4". You should not need to go to a 1" return IME/IMO. Great job so far. Also, you may wan to turn the sump around so your skimmer is in the first section before the bubble trap.

I would not be too concerned with leaks and would suggest PVC primer/cement over some sort of clamped flex hose for a drain line. You can use spaflex if you want something flexible but I would still cement it in place. If you want some sort of disconnect, consider adding PVC unions or true unions above and below the stand. Maybe paint the pype and fitting black to make it look nice

Thanks for the plumbing info, greech! And I like the idea of painting the piping black. As for the skimmer, I'll have to experiment. I've heard an HOB might not work effectively when the water level is not near the top of the tank.

I use 3/4" on my Mag 9.5 with no problems. I would like to know how noisy your overflow is when you set it up, I am going with glass-holes kit on my 210.

I'll let you know, James404. I'm sure there will be some noise, but I discovered with my last tank that it is something that doesn't bother me too much (provided it's not horrendous).