Custom 160 Build Thread - Finally!!
- Thread starter Jgoal55
- Start date
Jgoal55
Active member
Not sure yet.....probably going to let my brother (or whoever ends up with the tank) keep it. That way they dont have to worry about timers and all that crap.
Plans for saturday are to move a 90 gallon tank.....lol.......like i said, i really dont think well need the 55 but it cant hurt so let me figure where the tank is going once and for all and ill keep you posted.
Plans for saturday are to move a 90 gallon tank.....lol.......like i said, i really dont think well need the 55 but it cant hurt so let me figure where the tank is going once and for all and ill keep you posted.
Jgoal55
Active member
hey all....just wanted to send along a quick boring update.....my new apt has about 76 boxes in every corner of the house. Since I am slightly OCD, my goal is to empty those boxes, organize the house, and then, Ill get back to working on this tank.
So, this thread might be on hold for the next few weeks. That said I will be getting my new sump soon so I will post those pics up once i get it.
So, this thread might be on hold for the next few weeks. That said I will be getting my new sump soon so I will post those pics up once i get it.
Jgoal55
Active member
Jgoal55
Active member
Ok guys......here it is finally! A small update but at least I have some pics for you. I picked up my sump from Manny @ Aquarama. He did a great job putting it together and even though we had a little confusion with the dimensions and layout, in the end it all worked out great and Im really happy with the design.
If I did it again I would change the layout a bit so that the skimmer compartment would be bigger for more options when upgrading skimmers. As of now, there are a few options that fit but more likely than not I will upgrade to an external skimmer. I really love the way he made the flow holes circular.
I'll be adding a skimmer stand and a probe holder eventually. The sump operates at about 50 gallons which gives me plenty of room in case the power shuts off.
In this pic the return area looks way too small but it's actually quite large.
Top View
Front View
Side View
Baffles
Flow Hole
Skimmer in Sump (it barely fit but it did - thats an Oct EX-200)
If I did it again I would change the layout a bit so that the skimmer compartment would be bigger for more options when upgrading skimmers. As of now, there are a few options that fit but more likely than not I will upgrade to an external skimmer. I really love the way he made the flow holes circular.
I'll be adding a skimmer stand and a probe holder eventually. The sump operates at about 50 gallons which gives me plenty of room in case the power shuts off.
In this pic the return area looks way too small but it's actually quite large.
Top View
Front View
Side View
Baffles
Flow Hole
Skimmer in Sump (it barely fit but it did - thats an Oct EX-200)
leslie hempel
Member
looking very cool.. i cant wait to see what you do with this as i have a simular size tank and am contemplating another build.. ironically i have just bought the same skimmer..
Jgoal55
Active member
lol....I love your signature line.....that defines this thread....minus the quicker results part...haha
The skimmer is great....youll love it but I think I will need a bigger skimmer eventually once the tank is fully stocked.
I cant wait either but itll still be a bit before its up and running. A bit more organizing to do around the house and the itll start coming together.
The skimmer is great....youll love it but I think I will need a bigger skimmer eventually once the tank is fully stocked.
I cant wait either but itll still be a bit before its up and running. A bit more organizing to do around the house and the itll start coming together.
David - Miami
Aquanot!
Jorge looks great. What are the dimensions of the sump (roughly)?
Jgoal55
Active member
so yeah.....im an idiot.
While the sump measurement as far as water volume go are perfect (in other words I have more than enough room to avoid an overflow when the power goes out) I once again screwed up the measurements for the sump to fit in my stand.
To be clear, it goes in fine. the problem is that I used the entire height of the stand as a reference point and not the size of the opening on the front. So being that the sump is 24" tall (because the stand is 44") the clearance above the sump because of the opening in the stand is only about 5"......so yeah a big PITA to work in the sump.
Im gonna call Manny tomorrow to see if there is any way to shave a few inches off (like i said, i have plenty of overflow space so not worried about that).
here is a pic so you can see what I mean:
While the sump measurement as far as water volume go are perfect (in other words I have more than enough room to avoid an overflow when the power goes out) I once again screwed up the measurements for the sump to fit in my stand.
To be clear, it goes in fine. the problem is that I used the entire height of the stand as a reference point and not the size of the opening on the front. So being that the sump is 24" tall (because the stand is 44") the clearance above the sump because of the opening in the stand is only about 5"......so yeah a big PITA to work in the sump.
Im gonna call Manny tomorrow to see if there is any way to shave a few inches off (like i said, i have plenty of overflow space so not worried about that).
here is a pic so you can see what I mean:
coralfragger101
Gone Postal
Looks to me like you need to build a box to sit the skimmer on so that it sits at the correct water height.
It also looks like once you do that you are not going to have much room (if any) to mess with the skimmer cup.
Otherwise, looks awesome!
It also looks like once you do that you are not going to have much room (if any) to mess with the skimmer cup.
Otherwise, looks awesome!
