Youngsilver
C'est un touche-Ã -tout
how did the overflow I got you work out?
Reefing on a Budget: 75g Tank Build
- Thread starter Travis L. Stevens
- Start date
Travis L. Stevens
New member
It works great so far. I haven't plumbed everything together for a leak test yet, but I should soon. I got my last piece part of plumbing while I was in Tulsa yesterday; a 3/4" LocLine to PVC adapter. I most likely won't get to plumb everything tonight because I have to go back into Tulsa after work because my grandmother is going through quadruple bypass surgery.
Travis L. Stevens
New member
Okay, here are a few pictures. I was in a hurry when I took them. I didn't have the time to take pictures when I was drilling the tank, but I bet that I can dig some up from when me and Jonathan (YoungSilver) drilled the 75g for the sump at Kyoto.
Here is a picture of all the supplies; the 75g tank, the overflow to be siliconed in, a piece of LocLine, a 1.5" bulkhead, and a dremel tool.
Here is the hole marked in the corner
And here is the Oceanic Model 2 sump in the Stand. As you can see, it's a tight fit. When the doors are open, I can't access the extra space. So, we are knocking a couple braces out of the front, the doors, and the panels. Then we are making doors that will cover the whole front and putting braces in the back where more of the weight will be because of the rocks.
If I have time this week, I'll take more and better pictures.
Here is a picture of all the supplies; the 75g tank, the overflow to be siliconed in, a piece of LocLine, a 1.5" bulkhead, and a dremel tool.
Here is the hole marked in the corner
And here is the Oceanic Model 2 sump in the Stand. As you can see, it's a tight fit. When the doors are open, I can't access the extra space. So, we are knocking a couple braces out of the front, the doors, and the panels. Then we are making doors that will cover the whole front and putting braces in the back where more of the weight will be because of the rocks.
If I have time this week, I'll take more and better pictures.
Youngsilver
C'est un touche-Ã -tout
i think they're still in my email, ill forward them back to you.
Youngsilver
C'est un touche-Ã -tout
hole marked and in the tub
using small diamond bit to make initial puncture
using a slightly larger diamond bit, to cut around the marked line
almost done
done
using small diamond bit to make initial puncture
using a slightly larger diamond bit, to cut around the marked line
almost done
done
Travis L. Stevens
New member
Thanks for posting that, Jonathan. Besides the placement of the hole, it was the exact same thing. It was even drilled in the same bathtub :lmao:
Travis L. Stevens
New member
You don't. Supposedly it was stopped in production. If you find Southdown/YardRight/Old Castle that is truly aragonite, then it was an older shipment that has just been sitting in a warehouse. I bought around seven bags of it when we did a group buy back in December '04; my first COMAS meeting.
Most of the time you can tell Silica Sand by the Quartz Crystal grains in the sand by taking a magnifying glass and looking at it. But if you still can't tell, you can always do the vinegar test to see if it's aragonite. There is no true setup to do the test, but I will give you a few pointers and setup instructions. All you have to do is add a little bit of sand to a lot of vinegar. I would suggest about 1-2 cups of vinegar for every teaspoon-tablespoon of sand. 1) Don't be fooled by the fizz. Regular silica based sands will fizz because the dirt will dissolve react to the vinegar. But Silica Sand will not fizz nearly as much as Aragonite. Don't worry about the fizzing, it's not that much. Nothing like Baking Soda and Vinegar
2) Make sure that you use plenty of vinegar. When Aragonite reacts with the vinegar it breaks up into Calcium and Carbonate. And like all mixtures, there is a point where it reaches saturation. If you don't have enough vinegar, then it can't completely dissolve. 3) Leave it to sit. Let it dissolve over night and come back the next day. If you have enough vinegar that it doesn't reach the saturation point, then an aragonite sand should be noticably less in amount. Silica Sand should be "cleaner" and leave more of the Quartz Crystal behind.
Youngsilver
C'est un touche-Ã -tout
I promise folks, that is a real tank in a real bathtub, no camera tricks or slide of hand here!
:lol:
DtKing, talk to sloan, he may still have some.
Last edited:
Travis L. Stevens
New member
The guy that runs Exotic Aquatics. He used to have some that he personally owned.
Travis L. Stevens
New member
Alright. It's time for an update. Sorry, no pictures as of yet. Not much has been done to the tank itself. The silicon has been long set up. I'll be working on the refugium, downdraft skimmer, stand doors, and such cabinetry. Here is the agenda and why.
Refugium - It's time to clean up and work some magic on my patchwork Oceanic Model II sump. I'll re silicon the edge that was broken with lots of silicon to make sure that it won't leak. Then, I'll knock out the worthless bubble trap that comes built in. Next, I'll figure out the space that I need for the return pump and the downdraft skimmer so I can maximize the space of the refugium. Then, I will build the downdraft skimmer and place in all the baffles. After the silicon dries, it'll be time for a leak test. If it works, it will be ready to be plumbed in. There is a chance that I won't do the downdraft skimmer all at once, but plan to do it on a rainy day.
Stand Doors - Well, I have the stand and canopy. But the doors on the stand aren't wide enough to allow me access to the extra space on the side. The space underneath the tank is 48 inches across and the sump will be 36 inches. So, we will take off the doors, knock out the front braces, make new larger doors, and add extra bracing in the back.
Stand/Canopy - While the doors are being worked on, I'll be sanding down the stand and canopy to be stained all the same color and then sealed to be water resistant. We will also be putting molding on the stand and canopy to just make it pretty. While not necessary and just adds to the cost, I think it will be worth it
Lighting - Last weekend I got my ballast from BallastWise from a bulk order. Thanks Nick (nIx_tank). Next, I'll need to find some endcaps and wire it all together and I will have the lights!
Sand - While not an ideal sand because it is rather large, dusty, and has a chance of impurities, I'll be obtaining some pulverised limestone this weekend.
!!! BONUS !!! - Now if this doesn't make a cheap tank, I don't know what will. Last weekend was Anheuser-Busch Sales of Oklahoma's Employee Party. Me and Sonya decided to leave early so we could pick up the kids and drive home to Stillwater from Tulsa. Just as we were leaving, they pulled my name in a drawing for a giveaway. I scored $100 from Lowe's! It looks like I'll be doing my woodworking and wiring for free this weekend!!
If I'm able to knock out ALL of this this weekend, all I will have to do is make the rocks for my tank, get them cured, and set up the tank!!! Here is a current running total:
75g Tank (Manually Drilled/Finished) -(Thanks indoreefer)
---$80.00
Stand and Canopy (Fixing) -(Thanks JimmyS and nIx_tank)
---$100.00
Overflow (Siliconed In) -(Thanks YoungSilver)
---Gift
1.5" Bulkhead (Set In/Finished) -(Thanks Reef Revolutions)
---$12.00
Plumbing (Waiting to be Plumbed) -(Thanks Lowe's)
---~$25.00
LocLine (Waiting to be Plumbed) -(Thanks Reef Revolutions and Premier Aquatics)
---~$5.00
DownDraft Skimmer (Not Aquired)
----------------------$20.00
Mag 9.5 Pump (Waiting to be Plumbed) -(Thanks JasonF)
---$45.00
Refugium (Fixing) -(Thanks Thumper1)
---------------------$20.00
(4) 10 Month Old T5 Bulbs (Awaiting Wiring) -(Thanks Cichlid67)
---Gift
Ballast (Awaiting Wiring) -(Thanks nIx_tank)
---$40.00 (Including Shipping)
(4) Basic Endcaps
---------------------$10.00
(4) T5 Reflectors
---------------------$80.00
~75+lbs of DIY Rock (Needs to be made) -(All me baby!)
---~$20.00
~150lbs of Pulverized Limestone (In Transit) -(Thanks YoungSilver)
---$25.00
(2) MaxiJet 1200 w/ Stream Mod
---------------------$20.00
Total
Current Cost - ~$352.00
Total Cost - ~$502.00
Future Cost - 6 Bulb Layout: ~$627.00 -- 8 Bulb Layout: ~$672.00
Key - Entries have side notes on progress. Small indention below entry is price I paid and I already have. Large indention below entry is estimated price and I have not acquired yet.
Future Goals - Add 2-4 more T5 Bulbs that will include reflector, ballast, endcaps, and bulbs. Future additional cost will be roughly $100+
Refugium - It's time to clean up and work some magic on my patchwork Oceanic Model II sump. I'll re silicon the edge that was broken with lots of silicon to make sure that it won't leak. Then, I'll knock out the worthless bubble trap that comes built in. Next, I'll figure out the space that I need for the return pump and the downdraft skimmer so I can maximize the space of the refugium. Then, I will build the downdraft skimmer and place in all the baffles. After the silicon dries, it'll be time for a leak test. If it works, it will be ready to be plumbed in. There is a chance that I won't do the downdraft skimmer all at once, but plan to do it on a rainy day.
Stand Doors - Well, I have the stand and canopy. But the doors on the stand aren't wide enough to allow me access to the extra space on the side. The space underneath the tank is 48 inches across and the sump will be 36 inches. So, we will take off the doors, knock out the front braces, make new larger doors, and add extra bracing in the back.
Stand/Canopy - While the doors are being worked on, I'll be sanding down the stand and canopy to be stained all the same color and then sealed to be water resistant. We will also be putting molding on the stand and canopy to just make it pretty. While not necessary and just adds to the cost, I think it will be worth it
Lighting - Last weekend I got my ballast from BallastWise from a bulk order. Thanks Nick (nIx_tank). Next, I'll need to find some endcaps and wire it all together and I will have the lights!
Sand - While not an ideal sand because it is rather large, dusty, and has a chance of impurities, I'll be obtaining some pulverised limestone this weekend.
!!! BONUS !!! - Now if this doesn't make a cheap tank, I don't know what will. Last weekend was Anheuser-Busch Sales of Oklahoma's Employee Party. Me and Sonya decided to leave early so we could pick up the kids and drive home to Stillwater from Tulsa. Just as we were leaving, they pulled my name in a drawing for a giveaway. I scored $100 from Lowe's! It looks like I'll be doing my woodworking and wiring for free this weekend!!
If I'm able to knock out ALL of this this weekend, all I will have to do is make the rocks for my tank, get them cured, and set up the tank!!! Here is a current running total:
75g Tank (Manually Drilled/Finished) -(Thanks indoreefer)
---$80.00
Stand and Canopy (Fixing) -(Thanks JimmyS and nIx_tank)
---$100.00
Overflow (Siliconed In) -(Thanks YoungSilver)
---Gift
1.5" Bulkhead (Set In/Finished) -(Thanks Reef Revolutions)
---$12.00
Plumbing (Waiting to be Plumbed) -(Thanks Lowe's)
---~$25.00
LocLine (Waiting to be Plumbed) -(Thanks Reef Revolutions and Premier Aquatics)
---~$5.00
DownDraft Skimmer (Not Aquired)
----------------------$20.00
Mag 9.5 Pump (Waiting to be Plumbed) -(Thanks JasonF)
---$45.00
Refugium (Fixing) -(Thanks Thumper1)
---------------------$20.00
(4) 10 Month Old T5 Bulbs (Awaiting Wiring) -(Thanks Cichlid67)
---Gift
Ballast (Awaiting Wiring) -(Thanks nIx_tank)
---$40.00 (Including Shipping)
(4) Basic Endcaps
---------------------$10.00
(4) T5 Reflectors
---------------------$80.00
~75+lbs of DIY Rock (Needs to be made) -(All me baby!)
---~$20.00
~150lbs of Pulverized Limestone (In Transit) -(Thanks YoungSilver)
---$25.00
(2) MaxiJet 1200 w/ Stream Mod
---------------------$20.00
Total
Current Cost - ~$352.00
Total Cost - ~$502.00
Future Cost - 6 Bulb Layout: ~$627.00 -- 8 Bulb Layout: ~$672.00
Key - Entries have side notes on progress. Small indention below entry is price I paid and I already have. Large indention below entry is estimated price and I have not acquired yet.
Future Goals - Add 2-4 more T5 Bulbs that will include reflector, ballast, endcaps, and bulbs. Future additional cost will be roughly $100+
Travis L. Stevens
New member
I'm glad that people can use the information I'm able to give. This hobby is only as expensive as you want it to be. And, as you can tell, I don't want it to be expensive
FYI, I'm sure you know who you are if you have helped me with my tank, but I still want to give credit where credit is due. I definitely have to thank Jonathan (YoungSilver) and Nick (nIx_tank) the most. They have taken extra time to help me with skills I don't have or the inability to drive long distances. For example, carpentry. My skill level is "Destroy" while theirs is "Elegant Craftsmanship", or driving to Dallas to get supplies.
nIx_tank
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7823766#post7823766 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Travis L. Stevens
I'm glad that people can use the information I'm able to give. This hobby is only as expensive as you want it to be. And, as you can tell, I don't want it to be expensive
FYI, I'm sure you know who you are if you have helped me with my tank, but I still want to give credit where credit is due. I definitely have to thank Jonathan (YoungSilver) and Nick (nIx_tank) the most. They have taken extra time to help me with skills I don't have or the inability to drive long distances. For example, carpentry. My skill level is "Destroy" while theirs is "Elegant Craftsmanship", or driving to Dallas to get supplies.
Hey, it's a pretty even trade between us. I get knowledge and advice, you get a 'jack or all trades & master of none'.
Works for me!
