My Custom 160 Build :)

[Audi_Guy]

Well.. it's time

Been without a tank for way too long !!
So...

This Summer someone I know was getting ready to move and was looking to unload a nice custom built oak stand for an odd sized tank ( 53" x 24" ) with the matching canopy. I got it next to nothing too :dance:

A couple of weeks back I went and ordered the custom tank as well.
Tank dimensions are 53" x 30" x 30" however, there is a coast to coast overflow at the back that measures 6" x 8" that has been drilled for 6 feeds and 3 returns ( Bean Animal ). The back pane of the tank has a sheet of black acrylic glued to it that is also the comb. The sides of the Overflow are full height as well and are covered with vinyl as well to hide the plumbing

For the Sump in using your run of the mill 75Gal tank that I picked up at BigAl's here in South Edmonton as a scratch and dent deal, as the bottom tank trim got damaged and picked it up for $40.
I have worked out most of my dimensions and baffles with my daughter over the holidays with some scrap cardboard and a hot glue gun. I made a cut list and have submited it for a quote right before the holidays so its gonna be a couple of days before I get an answer.

The plan is to start from scratch...
Base Rock and Live Sand only!

 

[Audi_Guy]

On boxing day I picked up a skimmer and some base rock
Skimmer is an ESHOPPS PSK200 and the chunk is a hefty 60Lb triangular piece.

Will post pics as soon as i get the tank into the house

 

[Bogue Chitto]

I wish you well with your venture, I know it will be fun and exciting to dive back into the hobby. Will be watching for pics.

 

[Audi_Guy]

Thanks

Next step is to get myself a good pair of titanium heaters and the main pumps...
I'm getting mixed reviews at both, but worried more about the heaters as they are slightly bit harder to fix.

For the main pumps, I'm looking at 2 Jecod DCT12000's and another Jebao DC3000 with a needle wheel for the skimmer.
From what I have read, its not the pumps that fail but rather the controller which I'm working on a suitable replacement for all DC pumps

PS:
Im building my own Arduino based controller, LED Light fixture with integrated serial control, DC Pump Controller as well as a dedicated dual outlet PID temperature controller.
Most of these are overkill, but that's what will ensure an accurate and long service life

 

[Audi_Guy]

Working on the sump today...
Tore down an older aquarium and re-using the glass ( 6mm )

Went shopping and picked up a tube of GE Silicone I as well as a caulking gun and a glass cutter.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Good luck to you, Audi_Guy! Have you decided on live stock?

 

[Audi_Guy]

Good luck to you, Audi_Guy! Have you decided on live stock?

That comes later...
First water needs to go in as well as the 180-200lbs of base rock and then it needs to mature for at least 30-60 days. No short cuts !!
The "reclaimed" glass is from a 40Gal Breeder. i was just going to toss the tank until I realized it was 6mm glass.

Here's a few pics of the sump build:

First set of baffles in, now just gotta cut the holder for the two 4" filter socks. Like I said...
Slowly coming along. I'm trying to DIY as much as I can on this one though :hammer:

PS: This silicone sure stinks like Vinegar though !!

 

[Audi_Guy]

Here's a few pics of the "boulder" I got for Christmas

 

[Ogi]

Yay pictures

 

[Bogue Chitto]

Good size rocks..I like the smell of silicone, it always makes me think of a new fish tank....

 

[Audi_Guy]

Here is today's progress as of 7:45PM MST

 

[Bogue Chitto]

It's coming along good.

 

[Audi_Guy]

It's coming along good.

Sure is!
Been rethinking that last compartment though...
I was thinking of building in a "reactor" in the last compartment. Was thinking 10x10x18 with drains at the bottom into the pump compartment. The idea behind it is to fill the bottom half with Live Rock rubble and Coarse Aragonite mix with a bag of activated carbon on top. The water would be fed from a small pump ( ~100Gal/hr ) in the skimmer compartment, which will be right after the filter socks :spin2:

 

[Audi_Guy]

Sure is!
Been rethinking that last compartment though...
I was thinking of building in a "reactor" in the last compartment. Was thinking 10x10x18 with drains at the bottom into the pump compartment. The idea behind it is to fill the bottom half with Live Rock rubble and Coarse Aragonite mix with a bag of activated carbon on top. The water would be fed from a small pump ( ~100Gal/hr ) in the skimmer compartment, which will be right after the filter socks :spin2:

After some thought...
I would be better to build 2 units side by side. This way water can be pumped in from the bottom and pushed through the rubble over a weir into the compartment next to it. This way I can "seed" this area with coppapods and act as a buffer zone for beneficial bacteria.

Any input ?

 

[Bogue Chitto]

That sounds good to me, The pods should do real well in there.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

If you know what's going in, livestock-wise, you can better tailor your system to accommodate it, before you finish the build, rather than after.

Lose the filter socks. Don't be a slave.

 

[Audi_Guy]

Nothing happened the past few days... been busy with work and bosses basement flooded due to a crack in his hot water tank, and of course this meant OT

Long Story short...
Took a trip to princess auto and got their diamond hole saws and will be attempting to pop a few "holes" in the glass... Yes... that means I'm back at it

 

[WilRams]

Thats a big rock! Look forward to seeing the progress.

 

[Audi_Guy]

Lose the filter socks. Don't be a slave.

I'm not worried about them as they won't be in there long enough to become "nitrate factories". I already ordered a dozen socks and I'm sticking to my guns on this one as I did used them in the past and had no issues. The trick is to rotate the filter socks every couple of days, and this way it works better than any other mechanical filtration I know off.

Thats a big rock! Look forward to seeing the progress.

Sure is
Planning to split it into 2 width wise to build 2 shelf's

 

[Audi_Guy]

Welp... its about 80% done!

Ran out of glass too, but still have a few things to finish up...
The Filter Sock Tray, Return Line holder and as well as a few baffles are still on the to do list.

Enough chit chat.
Here's some pics of the progress... Again

It's not "pretty" but it will work that's for sure

As you guys can see the reactors are at the back of the sump and they drain into the pump chamber...