A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build

One of the seams this morning had a few small bubbles in it....:( Think I'll go ahead and put some Weld-On #16 in the joints to ensure that they never become a problem as I still am not questioning whether it will be leak free! The bottom will be the biggest job tonight. As long as I can get the sides routed tonight as I've not played with that yet then it should be coming closer to be finished. Hopefully by Christmas I have the sump finished completely and ready to go ahead and order bulkheads and all the plumbing from Jeremy/Luke at Premium Aquatics!


Here's a pic from this morning showing the size. Puts it into better perspective since the pool table is regulation:

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And one step further! Got the edges routed (user malfunction on one side:() and the bottom glued down. User malfunction was that I had the depth of the router bit too long and guess that I might have been BARELY off the 90 degrees so it was shaving some of the acrylic off! Either way it's just a cosmetic thing and thing I might be able to buff a lot of that side out but did not realize until after I finished routing that edge.

That being said, it seemed that all was successful again! Hopefully I can await it to cure and possibly add Weld-On #16 to the joints to ensure that they are strong and don't ever leak. Should be able to do this tomorrow and possibly water test late Sunday.

Picture of it in place with shims all around. When having such a long sheet I noticed some small gaps so I went ahead and adjusted shims for 20 minutes before I put the glue down.

photobucket-5849-1324082159280.jpg


Here's a pic after getting glue down. I put the top on temporarily and put 1/2 full buckets on top as well as sand to keep some pressure on the seams while they cured. I ensured that I left two gaps for venting so the fumes did not create a vacuum.

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bishop40k said:
nice sump build dustin. Might have to try and talk you into building me a custom one for my stand :-) Following the thread.
Click to expand...

Thanks! First build ever with acrylic and I made the leap to 115 gallon capacity...:spin1:

I got the bottom routed just a few minutes ago and all seems to look great! Was not able to go and get plastic tips for the Weld-On #16 so hopefully I can drop by hobby store on way to early Family Christmas party tomorrow.
 
are you doing any bracing on the top? It's funny that your sump is larger than my display tank, but I'm just getting started in this.

What was the build cost for the sump if you don't mind sharing.
 
bishop40k said:
are you doing any bracing on the top? It's funny that your sump is larger than my display tank, but I'm just getting started in this.

What was the build cost for the sump if you don't mind sharing.
Click to expand...

I will be euro bracing and the top for that is what it's sitting on in pictures above. I'll likely use a 2" euro brace all around and will leave room for filter socks on the back side. In my original design, I had bubble towers in each back corner but I've since decided to go with filter socks so I'll use those integrated into the euro brace and eliminate the bubble towers previously referenced.

As far as costs....I'd say I have $700 in it after buying acrylic, solvents, applicator bottles, and a couple router bits I needed.
 
Just heard from PA that my Apex Controller and some other supplies were being shipped today. I've been fighting being sick the past couple of days so little progress on the tank. Hopefully tomorrow night I feel like working on a water test on the sump check for leaks as I've went over all the joints with Weld-On #16 the past couple of days. (Might have been overkill but the aesthetics did not matter as much to me since I knew it was a sump)

Should I be okay to fill the tank for a few days without bracing? Opinions would be appreciated!
 
Dustin1300 said:
Just heard from PA that my Apex Controller and some other supplies were being shipped today. I've been fighting being sick the past couple of days so little progress on the tank. Hopefully tomorrow night I feel like working on a water test on the sump check for leaks as I've went over all the joints with Weld-On #16 the past couple of days. (Might have been overkill but the aesthetics did not matter as much to me since I knew it was a sump)

Should I be okay to fill the tank for a few days without bracing? Opinions would be appreciated!
Click to expand...

I cant help with the bracing.
Did you order a breakout box for your apex, or are planing on making one.
I need to order one for my apex
 
I was working from home today and had started RO/DI unit to fill up the Brutes earlier today so I dropped the waste water line into the sump for the water test. All looked good until I started filling with a hose after work and found that it was bowing way too much for my likings. Without the bracing and baffles in place did not feel comfortable with leaving the tank filled so I lowered the levels to 14-15" where it will always sit and it was still bowing a bit but is NOT LEAKING!!! :dance:

@David,

I got the Apex in today but just had enough time to get it out of box and ensure it powered on as expected. I've not yet ordered any add ons for it but plan to automate a lot with this system. I'm a geek so I tend to play with gadgets a lot and likely will just be getting float switches/breakout box at first so I can set up the low/high water alarms. After that my next item will likely be the wireless module so I can connect to the Vortechs and possibly the Radions if I go that route. (Still have not found any good testimonies with a 30" deep tank!)
 
Dustin1300 said:
I was working from home today and had started RO/DI unit to fill up the Brutes earlier today so I dropped the waste water line into the sump for the water test. All looked good until I started filling with a hose after work and found that it was bowing way too much for my likings. Without the bracing and baffles in place did not feel comfortable with leaving the tank filled so I lowered the levels to 14-15" where it will always sit and it was still bowing a bit but is NOT LEAKING!!! :dance:

@David,

I got the Apex in today but just had enough time to get it out of box and ensure it powered on as expected. I've not yet ordered any add ons for it but plan to automate a lot with this system. I'm a geek so I tend to play with gadgets a lot and likely will just be getting float switches/breakout box at first so I can set up the low/high water alarms. After that my next item will likely be the wireless module so I can connect to the Vortechs and possibly the Radions if I go that route. (Still have not found any good testimonies with a 30" deep tank!)
Click to expand...

Cool someone who can help me get mine all done.
 
After looking at diy breakout boxes i'm considering that route as it looks cleaner and i'm familiar with cat 5 being a nerd and all;) I will have to see how it compares in price but think that seems to be the way to go as I don't like the apex ones compared to the diys.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk
 
Last night I drained the sump and had no leaks from a 24+ hour leak test. Drained it, wiped it out, and next steps are going to be getting the baffles put in place followed by the top.
 
Merry Christmas to all the RCers!

Since my sump had enough time to dry up and no moisture is on the acrylic I'm off to putting the baffles into place. Baffle 1 in place this morning and prolly will just do 1 a day the next few days since it's that busy time of the year.

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