KCFITZ78's 65 Gallon Hexagon Build / Reef Start-Up

[KCFITZ78]

I am starting a saltwater reef tank with a 65 Gallon Acrylic Hexagon Tank and some "used" equipment as listed below. I already know this tank style is not the best shape for reefing but this is the tank I like and will use because of the unique shape.


"¢65 Gallon Hexagon Tank that in 24 inches deep and 25 inches across (flat to flat).
"¢10 Gallon Homemade Sump
"¢(1) Hydor Koralia 1 circulation pump (400 GPH / 6 GPM)
"¢(2) Hydor Koralia 2 circulation pumps (600 GPH / 10 GPM
"¢Current USA Satellite Dual 65 Watt Power Compact Light Fixture w/ LED Lunar Moon Lights
"¢Marineland SeaClone Protein Skimmer (I will place in my sump)
"¢(2) Aqueon 300 Watt Submersible Heaters
"¢(1) Hydor Submersible Pump for my Sump Pump (740 GPH / 12 GPM)

 

[KCFITZ78]

The Tank and Stand

 

[KCFITZ78]

Here is my modified Light Fixture that was 48" long. Yes... I cut the aluminum housing in half and made my own end caps from a cutting board. I bought a used Current USA Satellite Dual 65 Watt Power Compact Light Fixture w/ LED Lunar Moon Lights.

 

[KCFITZ78]

10 Gallon Homemade Sump w/ Marineland SeaClone Protein Skimmer. I bought a used sump and skimmer.

 

[KCFITZ78]

For rock, I bought 30 pounds of used dry Pukani Rock. Also back in August of this year (2013) we went to Aruba for our Honeymoon and I brought back about 30 pounds of dead dry corals from the Aruba beaches that I snorkeled at. I decided when I was in Aruba, that I would start a saltwater aquarium.

 

[KCFITZ78]

I know I can drill a couple holes in the back of the acrylic tank, but I do not want to risk making a mistake drilling holes (cracking or wrong level), leaking bulk heads, and cost associated with this style of overflow (bulkhead cost, overflow box inside tank). I know there are overflow boxes out there to purchase but I do not want to spend $60-$120 on an U-Tube overflow box. If my overflow does not work well, then I will consider other conventional solutions.... like drilling holes in my tank

Here are my 3 options with overflows for this tank..... (note: I am going with option 3)

Option 1: Using two Common DIY PVC Overflows







Option 2: Using two DIY Acrylic & PVC Column Overflows. A clear standpipe cylinder (with slots in the top and capped on the bottom) with an overflow pipe inside.








Option 3: Using one DIY Acrylic overflow box and two PVC Overflows. Requires modifying a "hang on style specimen container" with slots and mounting point.

 

[KCFITZ78]

Dry pukani rock and dry dead Aruba corals are going through the "curing cycle". I started this 3 weeks ago. I placed the rock and coral in a bin with heated saltwater and a powerhead to recirculate the saltwater. This is setup in the garage where there is no light. Also I placed a bag of carbon in the bin after 3 days due to the bad ammonia smell. Minimum time is 4 weeks for curing and when Ammonia and Nitrate levels equal zero.

 

[fscmocsaj]

Looks good =) keep us updated. I have a 65 hex in my shed, I wanted to use it but I use par 38's for my lighting so I don't think it will reach all the way down.

 

[KCFITZ78]

Looks good =) keep us updated. I have a 65 hex in my shed, I wanted to use it but I use par 38's for my lighting so I don't think it will reach all the way down.

Thanks fscmocsaj!

I have been questioning my lighting for this somewhat deep tank at 24". I don't think I would ever try and grow anything on the bottom so I will have to see how it goes. I am not up to date on all the lighting options.... so not sure what par 38 is... lol.

As of now I am still working on my overflows as I need to change the design of the PVC piping. :facepalm:

 

[fscmocsaj]

are you sure its not 28" deep?

 

[KCFITZ78]

are you sure its not 28" deep?

It is 24" deep... I measured the tank twice and it is 24 inches deep, 25 inches across (flat to flat) and 28 inches across (corner to corner).

Maybe it is not a Clarity Plus brand.... that might have been my old Acrylic tank.... I will have to check that.

 

[fscmocsaj]

Okay well either way it looks good ! =) what do you plan on keeping in there and btw welcome! I noticed you just joined

 

[fscmocsaj]

Also I wouldn't recommend drilling your tank if it wasn't already pre drilled. Lots of problems can come from that. You don't want to come home to a house taken over by a pond!

 

[fscmocsaj]

Also if I were you I would look into getting this as your light fixture http://reefbreeders.com/value_led_fixtures.html

 

[KCFITZ78]

It is 24" deep... I measured the tank twice and it is 24 inches deep, 25 inches across (flat to flat) and 28 inches across (corner to corner).

Maybe it is not a Clarity Plus brand.... that might have been my old Acrylic tank.... I will have to check that.

fscmocsaj,

You had me guessing if the deepth was correct.... so I just did a quick calc of the volume.

My tank is 24 inches deep, 25 inches across (flat to flat) and 28 inches across (corner to corner) and with 14 7/16 inch wide sides.

•Volume of the hexagonal prism = 3 × apothem - radius of inscribed circle (a) × side length (s) × height (h).
•Volume = 3 x a x s x h
•Volume = 3 x (25/2) x 14.4375 x 24
•Volume = 12,993.75 cubic inches
..... there is 231 cubic inches in a gallon, so 12,933.75/231 = 56.25 gallons

**if I use 28 inches deep**
•Volume = 3 x (25/2) x 14.4375 x 28
•Volume = 15,159.2 cubic inches
..... there is 231 cubic inches in a gallon, so 15,159.2/231 = 65.6 gallons

or........... double check

Volume = Area of base x height

Area of a equal polygon = (½)nsr

n = number of sides
s = length of a side
r = apothem (radius of inscribed circle)

Area = (½)nsr
Area = (½)(6)(14.4375)(25/2)
Area = 541.4 square inches

Volume = Area of base x height
Volume = 541.4 x 24
Volume = 12,993.75 cubic inches
..... there is 231 cubic inches in a gallon, so 12,933.75/231 = 56.25 gallons

**if I use 28 inches deep
Volume = 541.4 x 28
Volume = 15,159.2.75 cubic inches
..... there is 231 cubic inches in a gallon, so 15,159.2/231 = 65.6 gallons


So I guess you are right fscmocsaj... 28 inches deep :thumbsup:

 

[KCFITZ78]

Okay well either way it looks good ! =) what do you plan on keeping in there and btw welcome! I noticed you just joined

I like clown fish & the different types of anemones and also soft corals. Not sure what other types of fish as I need to undstand there growth sizes and swiming volume needs.

Also I wouldn't recommend drilling your tank if it wasn't already pre drilled. Lots of problems can come from that. You don't want to come home to a house taken over by a pond!

Yeah... not wanting to do this on a used tank. If it was new I would drill it.

Also if I were you I would look into getting this as your light fixture http://reefbreeders.com/value_led_fixtures.html

I like this compact size of this fixture, but agian don't know anything about the LED's. I see there is also degrees of optical focus... wide to narrow focus... 120 degree, 90 degree and 60 degree. I would have to layout lines from top of tank to see how much of the top would be in the focus of light.

 

[KCFITZ78]

Here is my completed my DIY overflow box using a "hang on style specimen container". I have added inlet slots and two mounting holes to the specimen container.

I have fitted the two PVC overflows... so next is to cement everything together and fill the tank and sump and figure up my operating levels & high levels.

 

[KCFITZ78]

.... and this is where I am today

So my two "DIY PVC Overflows" are now cemented together... and it is not correct. :headwalls:

It works... but not how I want it to work. When only one overflow siphon is started it pulls a lot of flow through the 1" PVC. The overflow sucks all the water out of the overflow box as you can see in the picture.




Once the overflow box empties, the level in the overflow box is right at the tip of the PVC and "gurgles". My goal was to only have as much flow as the sump pump was returning and not to suck any air. To accomplish this, I have to reconfigure the piping so that the "PVC Tee" is at the same height as my "desired water level in the overflow box". Currently the "PVC Tee" is way, way, way..... way below my desired water level.




I filled the display tank and sump tank to my desired operating levels and the display tank operating looks good when overflowing into the overflow box.... so my overflow box slots are at the correct height to match my desired level. I shut down the sump pump so that the display tank would drain to its lowest level .... and the sump tank level looks good, as the "shut down level" is 4 inches from the sump tank top.

The pic below is the operating level with overflow open and sump pump on. (Note: I know the valves are not all the way open in the pic. I was testing/playing with the flow just to see how everything sounded when there was no "gurgling")

 

[fscmocsaj]

fscmocsaj,

You had me guessing if the deepth was correct.... so I just did a quick calc of the volume.

My tank is 24 inches deep, 25 inches across (flat to flat) and 28 inches across (corner to corner) and with 14 7/16 inch wide sides.

"¢Volume of the hexagonal prism = 3 × apothem - radius of inscribed circle (a) × side length (s) × height (h).
"¢Volume = 3 x a x s x h
"¢Volume = 3 x (25/2) x 14.4375 x 24
"¢Volume = 12,993.75 cubic inches
..... there is 231 cubic inches in a gallon, so 12,933.75/231 = 56.25 gallons

**if I use 28 inches deep**
"¢Volume = 3 x (25/2) x 14.4375 x 28
"¢Volume = 15,159.2 cubic inches
..... there is 231 cubic inches in a gallon, so 15,159.2/231 = 65.6 gallons

or........... double check

Volume = Area of base x height

Area of a equal polygon = (½)nsr

n = number of sides
s = length of a side
r = apothem (radius of inscribed circle)

Area = (½)nsr
Area = (½)(6)(14.4375)(25/2)
Area = 541.4 square inches

Volume = Area of base x height
Volume = 541.4 x 24
Volume = 12,993.75 cubic inches
..... there is 231 cubic inches in a gallon, so 12,933.75/231 = 56.25 gallons

**if I use 28 inches deep
Volume = 541.4 x 28
Volume = 15,159.2.75 cubic inches
..... there is 231 cubic inches in a gallon, so 15,159.2/231 = 65.6 gallons


So I guess you are right fscmocsaj... 28 inches deep :thumbsup:

haha no problem looks like we both have the same tank :beer:

 

[fscmocsaj]

Oh I know I had a tremendous amount of problems with DIY so I opted for no sump. I am in the process of setting up my 125G rimless and will be giving another attempt at the sump with my current display tank which is a 50Breeder. I just finished building my stand.

I am actually in the process of setting up 2 tanks! I just acquired a mantis shrimp from my LFS who was going to feed it to their massive mantis shrimp. I purchased an Aqueon evolve 8 online for the little bugger. He's already destroyed a snail that hitched hiked on a piece of live rock that I took from my display tank to place In his temporary home.