Another Cheap Reefer 75 Gallon Mixed Build

[reddtiger88]

Hi all,

Here is another attempt at a cheap build. First and foremost, I'm a teacher. That is why I am cheap. No one values education. Or Educators. That being said, I am not an English teacher, so I hope you will not look down on me for all of my grammatical errors.

Any way, back to my build. I spent the last year building a new living room just so I could stuff an aquarium in it. I almost did it right. I forgot to allow for access to the garage. That means, I have only the physical space on the floor. No way to run chiller lines or an ato from the garage.

What I need from you, the community, is a way to build at a low cost until I scrape together a few hundred bucks to purchase the products I really want. Also, I'll take some polls for brands and styles. It will be a real community project.

Thanks and enjoy,
Tom

 

[reddtiger88]

All right, here is the plan. I have this seventy five gallon reef ready that has been kicking around for a while. I think its Marineland. I really don't see any markings. It is quite old. I was sure I was going to use it, so much so that I already built a stand. But, knowing the dimensions of common tanks, I started to long for just a few more gallons. So, if I can find one locally(without shipping costs or lots of miles), I will upgrade to a 90 or 110. I have been scouring craigslist and others for one. I found oh so many, however, people wont split the tank away from all the rest of the garbage. I really don't need another stand or wet dry trickle filter. I also do not want more crap to sell off. It is looking like my patience is wearing thin and I might just go ahead and pull the trigger on the 75. Sorry about the rotation.:lolspin:

 

[reddtiger88]

I would like to mention here, I am not original in anyway. Why reinvent the wheel? I have stolen all of my information from someone else. Some from this very site. For example, this stand. It has been stolen from someone else. It is the standard 75 gallon overbuilt tank bridge that you find when you look up diy stand. However, I did use pocket screws.....whhhaaattt? That's right, pocket screws. My last stand had the screw rails and it took up valuable space inside the cabinet. I invested 20 buckets into a pocket screw jig. It was the best money I ever spent. Next time, I might try a jointer for even more of a professional look. This time it didn't really matter. My wife is into rustic furniture these days. Do you know what that means? That is right, slop is acceptable. Because it's "rustic". Mind you, I wasn't going to pay $7 a board for reclaimed lumber, so I had to fake it. I also painted the inside with a mold inhibitor. Here it is.

 

[mountainraised]

Watching this thread as it progresses...

 

[jmike0311]

Interested to see how it turns out. I like the stand and yeah reclaimed lumber has gotten out of control. I have been building things out of old barn wood for years and now that it has become cool.... good luck finding any good wood without paying an arm and a leg. great job faking it though :thumbsup:

 

[electronaught]

First, thanks for being a teacher. I'm astounded that we have anyone willing to take that on these days - for so many reasons. But I'm very thankful for the folks who do!
Keep up the awesome work.

Now, on to the REEF!
I love the start to your build thread. It's really great to see you doing this on the cheap and I can't wait to see it come together.

You're off to a great start.

Are there specific items you are planning for the tank that you would like to get inexpensive ideas for?

 

[reef thief]

First and foremost, I'm a teacher. That is why I am cheap.

This is wrong and the whole country knows it. You shouldn't bring in less than the Mooches of society. I feel your struggle. I've taught in four countries and all of my clothes are six years old. I still were my RAGE T "Evil Empire" from 1995 though. That's a different story though. 75 is an awesome tank and I find that most of the breakthroughs in the hobby come from budgeting. Let's face it, you don't own a real reef unless you own a reef.

 

[madweazl]

All right, here is the plan. I have this seventy five gallon reef ready that has been kicking around for a while. I think its Marineland. I really don't see any markings. It is quite old. I was sure I was going to use it, so much so that I already built a stand. But, knowing the dimensions of common tanks, I started to long for just a few more gallons. So, if I can find one locally(without shipping costs or lots of miles), I will upgrade to a 90 or 110. I have been scouring craigslist and others for one. I found oh so many, however, people wont split the tank away from all the rest of the garbage. I really don't need another stand or wet dry trickle filter. I also do not want more crap to sell off. It is looking like my patience is wearing thin and I might just go ahead and pull the trigger on the 75. Sorry about the rotation.:lolspin:

I think sticking with the 75 will end up a much better option in the end (the dimensions are better suited to a reef). 90s arent terrible but the 110 is all but wasted space.

Nice work on the stand!

 

[reddtiger88]

Ok. So,the stand has been in storage for a while now. It's time to test the seams. Wish me luck. Water test number one commencing.


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[reddtiger88]

Oh, and thanks guys, for the support.


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[reddtiger88]

:headwally:As I said, there will be a poll. No strippers, though.
The poll is at the top. Please, participate. If you have other ideas, share them.

By the way, no leaks. Yes!

I also drilled holes in the stand for the two bulkhead fittings

 

[reddtiger88]

Ha, so by the slimmest of margins, (1) the poll said paint. So, here it is, painted and in its new permanent home.

 

[reddtiger88]

I said there would be blood! Oops, I meant polls. Here is the latest one. While I do not have enough space in my overflow for a bean animal, I would like to keep it quiet. So, the poll is to see which one you wonderful people think is the quietest. Will it be the Durso, the Stockman or the Gurgle Buster? I honestly never heard of the Maggie Muffler, but I put it up there anyway. If you have some other idea, post it all the same.

 

[bwhit1406]

My first tank was a 75, good size not to small but still manageable. What were your plans for lights and skimmer? Since you are watching costs these will be the most expensive components.

 

[reddtiger88]

I cant seem to figure out how to make a second poll, so please, just put your answers in a reply.
As for the two expensive pieces, I do have a plan. I know there are many options for lights. I could pick up a four foot t5 from craigslist today for $100, however, it is not the way I want to go. I want to spend the most on the light for two reasons. One, it is the most important piece, and two, My wife will have a fit if its beat up, rusty and ugly. So, for the sake of aesthetics, I will have to cough up some money. Also, cheap means scraping by where I can get away with it. I always thought lights were the most important part of a reef tank. I can't stand changing bulbs or the high light bills, so I am going to opt for leds. The initial cost is high, yes, but there is no replacement and I know they work. I have led only on my biocube and the results are good. I have my heart set on a Kessil ap700. I will have a future poll on lights.For the skimmer, please, don't laugh. I found an old Berlin model that should do the trick until I find a better one. I keep finding craigslist skimmers, I just have to convince them to part it out. Well, that should give you and idea.

So far I have spent nothing on the tank, $10 on screws,$40 on the wood, $20 on the pocket hole jig, $7 bucks on the stain and $11 on two bulkhead fittings for a grand total of $88

 

[tjm9331]

I'm going to be watching this thread...I'm interested to see how it comes together.

 

[bwhit1406]

Not sure what you plan on keeping but i would get as nice a skimmer as I could and go cheaper on the leds to start. There are some nice reefbreeders style fixtures out there that would be alot cheaper to start out with.

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[madweazl]

Not sure what you plan on keeping but i would get as nice a skimmer as I could and go cheaper on the leds to start. There are some nice reefbreeders style fixtures out there that would be alot cheaper to start out with.

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And I'll recommend the exact opposite after having a pair of reefs that did great with no skimmer at all. Lighting is far more import. Some of the most respected authors in the industry do not run skimmers (Julian Sprung comes to mind). They may be nice to have but they certainly arent mandatory, lighting on the other hand, is.

I have been running a pair of SBReef 16" basic boxes (around $120 each IIRC) over my newer 75g and they have done very well but I just purchased a pair of Kessil 360WEs to replace them so I could use my existing canopy.

 

[bwhit1406]

And I'll recommend the exact opposite after having a pair of reefs that did great with no skimmer at all. Lighting is far more import. Some of the most respected authors in the industry do not run skimmers (Julian Sprung comes to mind). They may be nice to have but they certainly arent mandatory, lighting on the other hand, is.

I have been running a pair of SBReef 16" basic boxes (around $120 each IIRC) over my newer 75g and they have done very well but I just purchased a pair of Kessil 360WEs to replace them so I could use my existing canopy.

Yes it is possible to have an epic tank without skimmer. I think a skimmer is definately a must with this size tank though.

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[reddtiger88]

Another Cheap Reefer 75 Gallon Mixed Build

Do not worry. I will find a better skimmer while I cycle it. I almost had one yesterday, but the owner gave it away out from under me. I can hide a used skimmer in the cabinet. It won't affect the aesthetics.


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