RedEDGE2k1
Member
Full tank shot, 8/6/08
Close-up of the reef
Left side
Center
Right Side
Close-up of the reef
Left side
Center
Right Side
Custom Cabinet for 90g Reef (Build Thread)
- Thread starter RedEDGE2k1
- Start date
RedEDGE2k1
Member
Here you can see where I placed the 1/4hp chiller, for now. Eventually I want to move it downstairs to the garage, since it's loud and releases heat into the living room. That will involve running 1" tubing into the wall behind the tank, down through the floor and into the garage directly underneath the living room. This location will do until I decide to stop procrastinating & do it.
To hide the 1" vinyl tubing used to plumb the chiller, I ran it through 1.25" white PVC along the baseboard. Since the basebard is white, the PVC blends in pretty well.
And once the room decor is put back in place, the plumbing doesn't stand out whatsoever.
To hide the 1" vinyl tubing used to plumb the chiller, I ran it through 1.25" white PVC along the baseboard. Since the basebard is white, the PVC blends in pretty well.
And once the room decor is put back in place, the plumbing doesn't stand out whatsoever.
RedEDGE2k1
Member
I think my next big purchase for the tank will be a LiterMeter III and extra pump module. That way I can dose 2-part calc/alk automatically and avoid having to buy a calcium reactor setup. It's cheaper, easier to use, and more accurate according to 90% of the feedback I've read. Bidding on one now at eBay...
Hoosier daddy
Member
RedEDGE2k1,
Sweet set-up and build you did!!!!!
I just have a question about your skimmer,since I use the same one and have the same size tank. How much gunk are you getting out of it and how often do you have to empty out the collection cup? I get some good gunk but I am only getting about 1/3 full every three days. Seems to me that is not that much. Do you like yours or do you think it is not efficient enough for your tank(any mods)?
Your tank is definitely an inspiration.
Thanks.
Sweet set-up and build you did!!!!!
I just have a question about your skimmer,since I use the same one and have the same size tank. How much gunk are you getting out of it and how often do you have to empty out the collection cup? I get some good gunk but I am only getting about 1/3 full every three days. Seems to me that is not that much. Do you like yours or do you think it is not efficient enough for your tank(any mods)?
Your tank is definitely an inspiration.
Thanks.
RedEDGE2k1
Member
I get about the same. I empty the cup about once a week, and by that time its about 2/3rd full of dark, smelly, liquid skimmate. I'm pleased with it, as I only have 3 medium fish and 7 small fish in my 90g so my bioload doesn't really warrant a bunch of gunk every 2 days.
RedEDGE2k1
Member
Well I won the auction on eBay for a new LiterMeter III ($250 shipped) so I went ahead and bought an extra external pump for $139 from Aquarium Specialty. So, when those to gadgets arrive I'll be able to automate my alk/calc additives, rather than manually dosing 2-3x per day. That will be nice.
In other news, one of my cabinet doors snapped at the hinges and broke clean off. I talked to the door maker, Advantage Cabinet Doors, and they are going to replace the door for free (including shipping). Now that's service! I'll post pics tonight.
In other news, one of my cabinet doors snapped at the hinges and broke clean off. I talked to the door maker, Advantage Cabinet Doors, and they are going to replace the door for free (including shipping). Now that's service! I'll post pics tonight.
RedEDGE2k1
Member
One of my main cabinet doors snapped at the hinges due to the hinges becoming very corroded over the last ~9 months. This causes the hinges to get really tight, putting a lot of stress on the door. I was able to get a free replacement door from Advantage Cabinet Doors, since they have a 1-year warranty.
In the second picture, you can really see the rusted hinges on the other (unbroken) door. I need to find some stainless steel hinges....
In the second picture, you can really see the rusted hinges on the other (unbroken) door. I need to find some stainless steel hinges....
RedEDGE2k1
Member
I hooked up the LiterMeter III pumps this afternoon. I'm using this to dose alkalinity and calcium automatically. No calcium reactor for me...I think I'll like this method much better.
The main unit is attached with velcro (stapled to the plywood, glued to the unit), the extra pump is tie-wrapped to the stand. I want to be able to pull the main unit out for easier programming, etc.
The alk/calc containers hold 2.5g each and fit like a glove. I got these at the Container Store for $9.99 each.
The alkalinty gets dropped in at the baffles:
And the calcium gets dropped in above the return pump:
The two together:
The main unit is attached with velcro (stapled to the plywood, glued to the unit), the extra pump is tie-wrapped to the stand. I want to be able to pull the main unit out for easier programming, etc.
The alk/calc containers hold 2.5g each and fit like a glove. I got these at the Container Store for $9.99 each.
The alkalinty gets dropped in at the baffles:
And the calcium gets dropped in above the return pump:
The two together:
RedEDGE2k1
Member
A note on how I shaped the hard tubing bends....
Boil some water and hold the tubing in it for a few seconds, allowing the heat to make the tubing flimsy. Hold it in whatever shape you need:
Then pull it out of the boiling water and dunk the bend into ice water. This re-hardens the tubing in the shape you just made:
The result is tubing molded as needed:
Boil some water and hold the tubing in it for a few seconds, allowing the heat to make the tubing flimsy. Hold it in whatever shape you need:
Then pull it out of the boiling water and dunk the bend into ice water. This re-hardens the tubing in the shape you just made:
The result is tubing molded as needed:
this was very informative. I'm curious if we might be able to put our heads together and come up with a design template for plywood stands and canopies, similar to RocketEngineer's Thread. Instead of the 2x stock in that thread, which gets the job done, but is admittedly overbuild, we could figure out a way to use ONLY plywood and still get away without having a center brace, while providing maximum room for plumbing, sump, and equipment under the stand. Let me know if you would be interested in doing that...
You build has been a great inspiration to me. I may not copy it identically, but it's given me much food for thought for constructing a built-in quality tank display out of ply wood. Thanks again for your inspiration.
You build has been a great inspiration to me. I may not copy it identically, but it's given me much food for thought for constructing a built-in quality tank display out of ply wood. Thanks again for your inspiration.
Midwest Express
New member
You stand and setup are awesome! I was wondering how you would recommend build a stand similar to yours but for a 125 gal?
Just extend it and add more ribs at the same spacing? Wasn't sure when it came to the 2x6 you have aiding in the support of the front of the tank. Or would I have to upgrade to a 2x8?
I like your stand design because of how simple it is and how lite I am sure it is in comparison to many others.
Just extend it and add more ribs at the same spacing? Wasn't sure when it came to the 2x6 you have aiding in the support of the front of the tank. Or would I have to upgrade to a 2x8?
I like your stand design because of how simple it is and how lite I am sure it is in comparison to many others.
swilliamson
New member
Lookin great Dustin!
FWIW, one source for stainless hardware is West Marine. They are a retailer of boating gear and have a few locations in your area. The selection may not have have what you want but you could get lucky. You can check em out at westmarine.com also. On their site select cabinet and deck hardware, then hinges. Item # 7220239 or 7219454 may work for you.
You'd also be ok with bronze (preferably silicon bronze) but it's pretty rare to find hinges made out of bronze. Brass isn't a very good option.
I only took a quick look but unfortunately I haven't been able to spot any that match the ones you have now. If you have better luck than me, let me know.
~ Seth
pimp2daizzo
Active member
hey nice stand so where do you live in the atl?
RedEDGE2k1
Member
I'm up around the 285/400 interchange, off the Ashford Dunwood exit.
RedEDGE2k1
Member
I bought the Litermeter III unit on eBay for $250. It was a few months old but still new in box,with all original paperwork. I dropped another $130 on an extra pump from BulkReefSupply.com. I had trouble finding a source for the pump, everywhere seems to be sold out. But BRS had 20 or so in stock.
So, I automated my alk/calc process for around $380. The LM3 is hands down cheaper in the short term, but over the course of a few years I imagine the alk/calk dosing powders will wash the savings.
I chose to go this route not for cost, but for peace of mind. I like the "set it and forget" behind the LM3 method.
...lots of people will disagree, I know, but this is my thread, my tank, and my opinion.
RedEDGE2k1
Member
Maybe it's because I've been busy lately and not spending much time staring at my tank, but it seems like my SPS frags have started growing very rapidly.
It's about time, because I bought the 20 frag pack from YourReef.com about 9 months ago and up until recently all those 1" frags had remained 1" frags. Now it seems in the past month or so several of those frags have grown to be 4" colonies with many, many branches. Guess it just takes time.
It's about time, because I bought the 20 frag pack from YourReef.com about 9 months ago and up until recently all those 1" frags had remained 1" frags. Now it seems in the past month or so several of those frags have grown to be 4" colonies with many, many branches. Guess it just takes time.
RedEDGE2k1
Member
2nd Vortech on Santa's list