runningstix 58 Oceanic Upgrade

[runningstix]

I entered this hobby in October of '07 with a 46 gallon bowfront. We started on craigslist and approached it all wrong.

46 bowfront, with pc fixture, glass tops, canister filter.
we eventually upgraded the lights and added a canopy but was still not happy with it. I will never buy another bowfront.

Year to the day our second tank replaced the first. This time most DIY and a correct (to my standard) reef setup.

Our first stab at saltwater, just before tearing down:

I originally decided on a 40g breeder as I liked the dimensions. However I got a scorching deal on a 58 Oceanic tank.

Here is what I started with, sold the stand and canopy before I even picked up the tank.

 

[runningstix]

The first matter of business was making this "reef ready" I explored all options and decided on an external overflow. A little tricky on a stock tank.

I cut off the trim in the area, marked it and took a dremel with a rotozip tile cutting blade and crossed my fingers. Fairly smooth and easy to do.

Remove Trim:

Dremel and rotozip bit:

Clamp and guide:

First cut:

At this time I also drilled the hole for a closed loop, I went back and added another one after selecting my pump on the opposite side.

Next I ordered glass and constructed the overflow. I started with drilling the holes in the bottom then siliconing it together off the tank. Lastly I siliconed it to the tank and waited for 48 hours. My silicon job was not pretty but No leaks and it will hold.

Tank painted and overflow attached. both closed loop holes drilled:

 

[runningstix]

The next phase was a DIY Recirulating skimmer. Another local reefer (Spleify) and I made them together. Well I bought the acrylic and mostly played cheerleader.

 

[runningstix]

I had scored 60lbs of dry marco rock for $1/lb and was curing this in the garage, why not throw the skimmer on it!

 

[runningstix]

The next task was to build the stand. I used 3/4" oak plywood and trimmed it with oak casing. The pieces were all connected with the Kreg Pocket hole jig.

The base stand:

 

[runningstix]

From here I copied and modified will16's trim work.

 

[runningstix]

Once I had completed the stand it was time to stain. This I pawned off on my wife, Thanks Ashley.

One large problem was the plywood and real oak stained differently. I tested multiple ways and the best match was conditioning the plywood but not the hardwood. This was a pain. so the wife says!

The difference after a coat of conditioner

 

[runningstix]

Then on to the actual stain.

After 1 of 4 coats

Completed:

Moved into the house to start more messes:

Size comparrison, much larger than the bowfront.

 

[runningstix]

Well I kinda got lazy of taking pics in the process as the wife gave me a deadline date.

Test run of the fit of the tank, stand, and canopy

 

[runningstix]

Canopy painted/ stained, added fans and mounted lights. the canopy has two doors on the front and the top hinged and will fold up when maintance is required. The halides are on drawer slides so I can push them back when getting in the tank.

DIY lumenarc minis: again failed to take pictures of the progress.

Icecap 2x250 ballasts + Icecap 660

 

[runningstix]

Next started the craziness of plumbing. This was my first time plumbing anything so be kind.

I used two drains with Hofer Gurgle busters from my overflow to the sump, 1 return line through the overflow box. I had 2 holes to supply my dart closed loop, and ran the output up and over the tank to prevent swiss cheese effect on a little tank.

Leak testing the closed loop... it leaked in 1 place. someone forgot to glue one joint. oops

Well I hate admitting this but Im human:

Midnight+ Freezing cold+ Naked+ pvc primer on Front Porch = lot of swearing

Some genius didnt screw the lid on.

 

[runningstix]

Finally we arrived at transfer day. Which started with me running around getting sand and the final odds n ends 10 home depot trips. Started at 9am ended at 1:30am.

Wife plays with rock arrangement.

The mess that is transfer day!

Here is the outcome, no losses in fish and no major issues. Testing halides, it was new for me. Shown is 2x250 14k hamiltons 1+ year old no actinic. Good Night!

 

[runningstix]

Got my new bulbs!

2x250 Icecap 14k shown with no actinics

 

[runningstix]

Getting under the tank in line. This has since been cleaned, organized and an american dj strip added. DIY sump as well

In this picture you can see how I planned for water changes. Two ball valves on the return pump allow me to close the back one that goes to the tank, and open the front one which I add a piece of spa flex and empty the return portion of the sump into a bucket.

The doors arrived from advantage cabinet and doors: 2 small issues with common sense and dimensions, both taken care of! and 2 new doors arrived.

Installed doors and actinics, 2x95w UVI super actinic on an icecap 660

 

[runningstix]

bulk reef supply group buy.

 

[runningstix]

The canopy from the side

Removed some locline links so it was no longer visible.
Current Pic as of 12/07/08

 

[runningstix]

Tank Specs:

-58 gallon Oceanic tank. DIY external overflow
-27 gallon DIY Sump
-DIY Stand + Canopy
-DIY Recirculating skimmer supplied with a mini jet 606 and recirc. rio 2500 with mesh mod
-DIY Lumenarc Minis
-2x250 Icecap metal halide running Icecap 14k bulbs
-2x95w UVI super actinic VHO on Icecap 660
-Quiet One 3000 return pump
-Dart 3600gph closed loop
-Bulk Reef Supply dual gfo/carbon reactor supplied by maxi jet 1200
-JBJ ATO
-American DJ powerstrip


Tank has been running for just over a month.

Fish:
2 Ocellaris Clownfish
4 Green Chromis
Yellow Tang

Inverts:
100 nassarius snails
25 red legged hermits
Coral Banded Shrimp
3" Derasa Clam

Coral:
ORA Borealis
ORA Blue Voodoo
ORA Plum Crazy
ORA Bellina
ORA Pearlberry
ORA Red Planet or very close lookalike.
Superman Digi
Spongodes
Yellow Milli
Green Milli
Yellow Green Milli
Blue with pink tip Milli
Pink Poccilipora
Unknown blue/green acro
Frogspawn

Special thanks to Leif(spleify) for so much help, and lending of tools.

More to come!

 

[shrimpin]

looks good, great start

 

[runningstix]

wow my wife would kill me if she saw herself in these posts looking her best. ha

 

[LooseHip]

Nice transformation, and nice coral list!!! I too hope to get a few of those within the coming weeks!