DIY 75 gallon wet/dry build

[LowCel]

I have posted about this in a couple of other forums but I was asked if I would do a post on the build of it.

First job is to get supplies. For this sump I purchased a new all-glass (aqueon) 75 gallon aquarium. If I could have found a used one I would have been all over it.

Here is a list of the supplies. All prices are estimates.

75 gallon aquarium - $190
glass panels from local glass store - (17", 15", and 4" tall) - $30
Egg Crate from lowes $30
4" PVC from lowes - $8
1" PVC from lowes - $3
280 scrubbies from MFK member zennzzo - $70
Five gallons bioballs from bigalsonline - $30
2" bulkhead and hole saw from glassholes - $25
plastic pegboard from shop2000 - $25

Total cost - $411

I know there are cheaper ways to build this, this is just the way I feel comfortable with.

Here is the plan I was using when I started construction.

First I drilled the hole for the bulkhead. It took about 20 minutes but was pretty easy to do.

Once I started doing my plumbing I realized that I should have done it a little lower but it's a little too late for that. I can live with where it is.

 

[LowCel]

Next was putting the glass panels in. I should have gotten them cut at 17 1/4" instead of 17 3/8" wide. They have just a slight angle to them but it isn't too bad. Not bad enough for me to start over.

After I got them installed I did not like the height of the first baffle (17"). It was going to make it way too difficult to install the filtersocks above it. I decided to remove it the next day and ordered a 15" piece of glass instead. It is going to work much better!

Once the glass was installed I had to figure out how to do the filter sock holders. I decided to use 4" PVC and elevate the bottom using egg crate. I also used eggcrate to hold it in place. I still need to drill some holes in the sides of the pvc but other than that I believe it is going to work pretty well.

Next step was making the area for the biomedia. I constructed the bottom and the stands for it out of egg crate. I then used pieces of pvc on top of the egg crate to hold up the drip tray. I made the drip tray out of plastic pegboard. Once all is said and done I will be using polyfill mat on top of the drip tray.

The final step was to put the scrubbies and the bioballs in and doing all of the plumbing.

I still plan on putting some more bioballs in but all in all I think it turned out pretty well. Anyway, what do you think?

 

[coralreefer]

You did a really nice job on this Bruce. Even if you're still sloppy with your silicone :lol:

Did they think is was strange when you ordered 280 scrubbies?

 

[LowCel]

I'm lucky it turned out as neat as it did.

The guy that sells the scrubbies is on monster fish keepers, he actually contacted me about them. He gets orders of all sizes. If you order 500 you get 10% off. I probably should have ordered 500, I wouldn't have had to use any bioballs.

 

[LowCel]

Getting closer, just finished one of the standpipes and getting ready to start the next one. Only problem is that somehow I came up short one threaded to slip on adapter. Looks like I am making another trip to Lowes.

I finished the undersand jet system up last night. Now I'm trying to figure out if I am going to paint it, put sand on it, or just leave it the way it is.

 

[carb850]

I'm intrigued by this build because I haven't seen anything like it before on a FW setup. How many GPH will you be feeding to the underwater jets? Will you have additional powerheads? What turnover rate is ideal for the inhabitants that you plan on keeping?

 

[LowCel]

It will be getting approximately 2,000 to 2,500 gph after accounting for head height. It is less then that is fine too. This will be more than enough flow for this tank, no other powerheads will be necessary.

 

[LowCel]

Did a little more work with the plumbing today, hopefully I fixed the last of the leaks. I also had to cut down the overflow covers that came with the tank. The slits in it did not allow nearly enough water into the overflows. I was within 1/8" of the tank overflowing. I cut about 1 1/2 inches off of it so it is working much better now. I'm not really concerned about fish getting into the overflow since most of my fish are pretty good size. I am using some egg crate around the top of the overflow to make sure that nobody goes into it though.

Here is a picture of the overflow before I cut it up.

Here it is after, not much of a difference.

Here is the "little" tank, took a few minutes to enjoy it this evening. The dovii are putting on quite a bit of size. I'm really looking forward to them having this tank (not the 300) to themselves.

Oh, here is a short video so you can hear the problem I am having with the "like new" used pump that I purchased.

Clicky, clicky, clicky.

 

[carb850]

Do you have the photo's reversed?

You think that pump might be a little annoying?

 

[LowCel]

Nope, the photo's are correct. The before has the longer slits in the overflow cover. I cut about an inch off of the top so most of the slits went bye bye. Since I am keeping large fish I am not too concerned about the small area at the top they could go through. I am going to put some eggcrate there just in case though.

 

[coralreefer]

Oh, here is a short video so you can hear the problem I am having with the "like new" used pump that I purchased.

Clicky, clicky, clicky.

That's a problem for sure. :eek2:

Saw your post in the equipment forum...bummer.
I know the pump was out of warranty but do you have any idea how old it was?

 

[LowCel]

Yes, it was from August of 2005. They have a three year warranty on their pumps. I have to give reeflo credit though, they gave me what I believe was an awesome deal on a replacement pump.

 

[carb850]

I thought you cut the slots deeper to make it flow better :lol:

I see now.

 

[LowCel]

Nope, behind the plastic overflow is the real glass overflow. Making the slots deeper wouldn'thave helped much, if any.

Good news on the pump, the seller is giving me a partial refund since I am keeping the ball valve / unions he included with it.

 

[LowCel]

UPS guy rules!!!!

Now if FedEx brings my new laptop I'm really going to be happy!

 

[LowCel]

I was able to get a liitle more work done on the tank today.

First, received the acrylic hoods from www.glasscages.com and put the lights on the tank.

Next I started on the doors and trim on the stand.

Then I did some painting. I still have a little more trim work to do but I am getting closer. Still need to build the hoods and finish the 210 as well.

With the lights on.

 

[LowCel]

Taking a little break from the 300 to work on finishing up the 210 stand.

 

[LowCel]

Woohoo, dining room is a dining room again!!!!

 

[LowCel]

Just did a little more work on the sump. Unfortunately the drip plate wasn't distributing the water like I had hoped so I had to do a little altering. Not exactly what I wanted to do but it seems to work alright.

I used a small powerhead to push some water through some spray bars that I made out of 1/2" pvc.

Here's a better shot of the input to the sump.

Here is the right side cover in place. I still have to make the left side cover.

 

[LowCel]

Well I decided that I am going to do a closed loop on this system. It is already doing pretty well but I think it can do a lot better. I decided to order a new "little" pump to power just the ugj system. I'm just hoping the fish will still be able to swim!!!

The pump should be here early next week.