drummereef's 180g in-wall build

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14645871#post14645871 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crvz
I very much prefer 2" baffle spacing, and actually went a bit larger on the last sump I built. If you can get your hand between the sections, it makes maintenance so much more tolerable.

Regarding the 60", that will help with bubbles, but the real workhorse are the baffles. What is the front/back depth of the sump?

Gotcha. I forgot to put that dim in the drawing. It's 60x20x14. Speaking to Melev right now and he's got some nice ideas about the return from the fuge. I'll try and incorporate some of his ideas on a new drawing but here's the current design again with updated dims.

 

[drummereef]

UPDATE:


I was able to get the top of the stand cut and painted today, so went ahead and installed it. Turned out pretty good. I plan on laminating the top in a couple days. Here's a couple pics...



Painting the underside of the stand top.

Progress between posts.

From the family room.

 

[drummereef]

So I have a potential issue here... need some advice (again ). I set up the level to double check my work and am finding on the back side of the stand, a very small gap in the middle between the plywood and level. It's VERY small. As you can see from the pic it's about the thickness of a Home Depot receipt folded in half. I didn't glue it, just used screws so i could adjust if necessary.

Do you think this is going to be an issue with the tank? Remember, it's a Marineland glass tank with a rim. I'm just not sure how close the tolerance should be...

 

[ryan115]

Are you going to have the tank sitting on a foam pad? If so this should make up for the slight gap.

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14658279#post14658279 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ryan115
Are you going to have the tank sitting on a foam pad? If so this should make up for the slight gap.

No, it's going to set directly on the plywood. It's a Marineland 180g glass tank with top and bottom trim. The manufacturer doesn't recommend sitting their tanks on foam.

 

[AJP]

I don't see that being an issue. When you figure the weight of the tank full of water and rock I see it compressing the plywood where it needs to to even it out just perfect.

But I of course take no blame if you have 180 gallons of salt water on your floor.

 

[thejuggernaut]

tear it down and start again..haha...j/k...you stand looks straighter than the ones that are made by the tank manufacturers. I think the thickness of two sheets of paper is a non issue..

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14660367#post14660367 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AJP
But I of course take no blame if you have 180 gallons of salt water on your floor.

Thanks AJP. I appreciate your confidence. :lol:

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14660752#post14660752 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thejuggernaut
tear it down and start again..haha...j/k...you stand looks straighter than the ones that are made by the tank manufacturers. I think the thickness of two sheets of paper is a non issue..

I know, I know. I think it's just my OCD kicking in. Need things to be perfect right? :lol: I think I'm finished shimming. It's about as good as I can get it. Most important is that all four corners are level and planar.

 

[AJP]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14660901#post14660901 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drummereef
Thanks AJP. I appreciate your confidence. :lol:

Have you ever seen how the sit on a factory stand? It is scary how poorly made they are. I have an oceanic stand for mine which is better made than some but still it is a little weak I think. I can imagine using a pressboard stand like the ones at wal-mart.

But I digress, the fact is I would be willing to bet that it is fine, like I said the weight of the tank should even things out.

And call me Adam if you like.

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14661268#post14661268 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AJP
Have you ever seen how the sit on a factory stand? It is scary how poorly made they are. I have an oceanic stand for mine which is better made than some but still it is a little weak I think. I can imagine using a pressboard stand like the ones at wal-mart.

But I digress, the fact is I would be willing to bet that it is fine, like I said the weight of the tank should even things out.

And call me Adam if you like.

You're probably right, Adam. Can't wait to get the tank on it and see how it sits. Just got to cut out for the plumbing and laminate it.











Woohoo, I own page 3! :rollface:

 

[Hop]

I missed the last few pics... looks nice! That lap top looks small next to the skimmer

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14663884#post14663884 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hop
I missed the last few pics... looks nice! That lap top looks small next to the skimmer

Haha, yeah it does look pretty funny next to the laptop. :lol: Getting it done slowly but surely... Might work on getting the plumbing cut-out tomorrow. Then hopefully laminate the top sometime this week.

 

[Bill14]

Looks great so far! Nice clean build. Can't wait to see the rest come together.

I like the 2" space between baffles in the sump. I made mine 1" and it's a pain get the detritus out of that section.

What's the 6" lip on the left side of the sump for? Are you thinking the drain will go through it so the salt creep will be contained?

Keep the updates coming. I'll be following along.

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14665965#post14665965 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bill14
Looks great so far! Nice clean build. Can't wait to see the rest come together.

I like the 2" space between baffles in the sump. I made mine 1" and it's a pain get the detritus out of that section.

What's the 6" lip on the left side of the sump for? Are you thinking the drain will go through it so the salt creep will be contained?

Keep the updates coming. I'll be following along.

Thanks Bill! I plan on drilling two holes into the top of the sump for bulkheads. This way the drain lines will have something to be secured to. Might help a little with salt creep but that's not my main focus for the lip. I'm still designing the sump and am going to include a bubble tower for the remote refugium drain. I'll update as soon as I have something to show.

 

[drummereef]

I figured I should post a more updated pic of my 40g since I'm still maintaining it. For some reason I can't get a good front shot so I took this one through the side pane. Thought it was at least good enough to show you guys. The Monti is literally stretching from the front pane to the back. It's only a 12" wide tank. That "froghammer" in the foreground is about 10" in diameter.

 

[Hop]

That is a cool shot! Great coral!

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14667538#post14667538 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hop
That is a cool shot! Great coral!

Thanks Hop! Wish I could get a better shot of the tank. These are the only ones I'm not totally embarrassed to show at this point. :lol: I'm still maintaining the 40g, but just not putting any money into it. Trying to focus all my time/funds towards the 180g. I really only see it about once a week now as it's over at my folks place. Decided not to move it to the new house cause of the hassle. Still need to clean it up though....

 

[drummereef]

UPDATE:


I got a couple more mini projects done the last couple days. I started with some final leveling/flattening of the stand. As stated in the last couple posts, I was having an issue with some small gaps under the level as I looked down the length of it. I had some left over galvanized sheet metal from our HVAC project, so I decided to see what would happen if I tried shimming a bit with these. Worked like a charm. My level now sits totally flat along the 6' length. No gaps.



Tools: Tin shears and some metal.

About as flat as I can get it.

 

[drummereef]

Next project....



Went ahead and cut the access holes for the plumbing. Needed to get out the big boy tools for this job. I plan on laminating the top so I wanted the cut to be as smooth and accurate as possible. Not that anyone would ever see it once the tank is set, but I'll know it's there.



Got out the beast.

I'm sure avid router users are familiar with flush trim bits, but here's a closeup. Melev uses these extensively on his sump builds. I used it to cut right next to my framework, nice and smooth. The bearing follows right along the profile of your work to guide the blade.

Started with a template.

Some measurements. Measure 100 x's, cut once. :lol: