RyanGSP's 80G Build

[Newby-Reefer]

This tank was started about 3 weeks or a month ago so I will post what has happened and update as things happen as well.

I picked this tank up today in Calgary, I figure it about 80G. The tank is 48.5"L x 22"D x 17"H with a left corner overflow, 1.5" drain and a 1" return. I am still unsure on equipment, I would like to go MH or LED for lighting, tunze 1262 return pump, and I am not sure about dual MP10W ES or MP40W ES. I think for the money spent I will see better results with the 10's but for right now its going to be pieced together slowly.

Here is how it looked after Mike & I got it in the house.

I wasted no time in cleaning this thing up.
Step One take off paint on sides.

Step Two take off the substrate stuck on the bottom

And here is how it looks after a quick wipe down.

 

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March 5th

The list for tomorrow is getting the stand built, try to find the plumbing fittings, pipe and look for a tank to be used as a sump.

 

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March 6th

Only one piece left to be scraped. The back only took about an hour but I found a technique half way through and the last half went pretty fast.

 

[Newby-Reefer]

March 6th

Well after a trip to Home Depot, an agonizing wait at the till because they thought I was lieing how many pieces of lumber there was and the guy in that section was on break here is the raw product.

Piecing it together.

All finished

On the stand

Painting the back

 

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March 6th

I went back to the dark side tonight as well. Sorry Larry!

 

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March 7th

Well not much going on today. Secured the power bar to the stand and..... plugged it in.

Oh and I ordered glass for the euro-brace. After some consultation from Mike and the guys on canreef I got a pretty good idea on how I am going to do my canopy. BTW anyone got a source on some cheap quiet fans that plug into the wall?

 

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March 8th

Well I think I got a design for my sump, I think I will go 36" x 18" x 18". Tell me what you think.

Going from left to right the horizontal line is for a holder for my filter sock.
Below is a chamber for my protien skimmer and whatever else I want to put in there (reactors, probes etc.)
Next is a frag chamber; this will have a section in the back for mangroves. I am probably going to put in a rack for the mangroves and DIY a tray for substrate. Im still unsure if I want to permanently put in a trough for a DSB for the mangroves. This will mean the frag chamber is 12x12.
After that is a set of baffles then the last chamber is a section for the pump and the heaters.

BTW each square equals 1".

 

[Newby-Reefer]

March 10th

Another Update!!

Yesterday I got a Quiet One 4000 in next to new condition. I guess it was too big for the previous tank. Thanks again Randy!!


Today I spent my lunch hour running around like a chicken with my head cut off looking for plumbing supplies. I think I got all the fittings I need, all thats let is the loc-line so an order from J&L will happen here pretty quick.

I also was able to get my glass cut for my euro brace and blocks for the stand to sit on. Big thanks to Scott for grabbing that for me on his way home.

So here is everything when I got home.
Plumbing

Glass for the Euro Brace

Well apparently I got the glass for the sides too big so I put the glass master to work trimming off a 1/4 inch.

After a trip to TFI for a tube of silicone and a silicone gun, here I am putting down the silicone.

This is what happens when you let the glass Master help you put on the euro brace.

Ofcourse the silicone was on the tank already so he sped off to TFI to get another brace cut and get the blocks for the stand cut.

Add 2 beads of silicone

Press onto Euro brace and you have a block that will keep my canopy frame off the bracing and water so it wont get wet.

The almost finished product. I am going to trim the excess silicone tomorrow evening.

I havent tried the plumbing yet but the night is young

 

[Newby-Reefer]

March 10th

No sump yet. I am waiting to hear about a tank before I order glass. I am thinking next weekend will be the weekend I will be ordering glass, building the sump and building the skeleton for the canopy.



As for stocking, about the only thing im looking at right now is either a purple tang or Achilles tang.

I would like a school of anthias as well; either dispar, bartlett, or if I can find them I have a different species I really like but are hard to come by.

Also thinking of a pair of Flame Wrasses and a pair of Rhomboid Wrasses.

Also waiting to hear back from Frank Baensch on a pair or trio of juvenile Bandit Angels. I am hoping that going with juveniles I will #1 end up with a pair and #2 with them raised in a reef tank with heavy feeding they will stay away from my corals.
Drool worthy?

 

[Newby-Reefer]

March 11th

Got most of the plumbing inside the tank done. All thats needed now is the Loc-Line and to construct the air control on the cap of the Durso.

 

[Newby-Reefer]

March 11th

Well good news and bad news. Good news is I got my overflow grate constructed and installed but the bad news is the return is now too low, DOH! This means its back to Eljay in the morning for a few pieces.

I also want to thank Larry for the section of Loc-Line!

Also found a tank (thanks Scott!) so I will be running to Benchmark in the morning for glass to build the baffles. I am thinking as well I might get the lumber to start construction on the canopy.

Im still looking at skimmers but they will be next on the list. Im torn between the SWC Mini S and a Vertex Alpha 170 (I found one on sale).

 

[Newby-Reefer]

March 12th

Well another update. This build is just dragging along :yield:


I am enjoying it more and more as stuff gets added. Even though I am not the most patient person, waiting and doing stuff the right way instead of the ghetto method makes for a more enjoyable build.


The tank panned out so I went to Benchmark Glass early this morning and got my glass cut for the baffles, and filter sock holder.

I also went over to Lealta Building Supplies and got some lumber for the canopy.


So tonight will be construction night...... come on 5:30!!!

 

[Newby-Reefer]

March 12th

Alright so I have almost all the baffles into the sump. I am just waiting for the silicone to dry before the other two go in.

I forgot to snap a picture of the tank before I took the bracing off. Sorry but here is what I do got so far.

I also got the lumber cut to build the frame for the canopy. I will start building that tonight and hopefully find a nice sheet of wood to frame the stand and canopy in with.

 

[Newby-Reefer]

March 12th

Well the canopy is done... almost. I just have 1 more 2x6 to put across the top to secure the Pendants.

 

[Newby-Reefer]

March 12th

Well the sump is done. I guess I have to wait until the morning to finalize the plumbing.

I also had a brainwave with Scott and I think I am going to go with sliding doors on the Canopy and Stand.

 

[Newby-Reefer]

March 13th

So this morning I did all the plumbing on the tank. I was a little worried at first when it finally noticed the 1.5" overflow line was right between my return and my pump.

Well a little work with a 90 degree mpt x barb and some 1" vinyl hose and we have all the plumbing done.

Bottom End

Top side

Full Shot

 

[Newby-Reefer]

March 13th

Leak test

It is ALIVE

 

[Newby-Reefer]

March 14th

Well as some of you already know I may as well fill the rest of you in with an update.

IT IS ALIVE!!

Live rock added to start the cycle. No I just need to find a skimmer and we will be in good shape.

 

[Newby-Reefer]

March 14th

Well im thinking another stick of epoxy, 2 or 3 tubes of Super Glue and another 25 or 30 pounds of Live Rock and I should have the aqua scape done.

Here is how it sits right now.

 

[Newby-Reefer]

March 15th

The tank is still a little cloudy but you get the idea.