Sean's 65 Build Thread

[Theexp]

Hey everybody!
I'm finaly starting my build thread. Wohoo!
I've been lurking around these forums for over a year, reading everythread I could, (including some of those HUGEEE multi split threads straight through, it took a couple days but i finished em)

So this is gonna be my first reef tank. I have a lot of expierence in freshwater, but none in salt. But here goes.

The tank is 48x20x16 (lxhxw), acrylic with euro bracing. I got it super cheap (and scratched) about half a year ago. Since then I've been flip flopping between starting a reef and a freshwater tank but I've finally decided on reef, becuase i just started working again (i'm only a junior in high school, so i only work in summer)


Tank- 65 Gallon acrylic tank (48x20x16)

Lighting-Icecap 660 with 4 48" T-5 bulbs, with individual SLR reflector, and custom acrylic hood (From my unlces old tank)

20 Gallon Glass sump-spent hours designing... see picture later.

Skimmer- Looking at an Aqua Euro recirculating 135 (will take recomendations under 300 dollars, i'm willing to do mods, the cheaper the better, it just has to do the job)

Return Pump-Quiet One 3000, with ocean motions replica sinosoidal, maybe sqwd till i have time and money to finish.

Flow-Closed loop-Quiet One 5000-with custom sinosoidal valve, maybe a SQWD to start with, till I have time and money to make it

Stand-2x4 stand I built, still need to skin.

Controller-RK2? (advice would be great on controller under 300-400)

Pictures and plans!
Proud new owner, just water testing.

Stand Building, sorry i don't have more pictures.

Stand with Tank on it!

 

[Theexp]

Tank Drawn In sketchup with closed loop plumbing

Finished aquarium

 

[Theexp]

Drilling holes

 

[Theexp]

Lighting brackets

Little twelve inch cube i designed with fuge underneath for fun

HOB filter i drew..for fun.

I just design and research alot becuase i don't have the money to just jump into it. But more pictuers coming including closed loop plumbing, sump building lighting and more! Any advice would be great

 

[okkiedokki]

Very nice sketches. It looks like you've got a good plan going. It'll be nice to watch your tank develop.

 

[msuzuki126]

Nice, are you in high school? Going to be a nice setup.

EDIT: lol yes you are, I just saw that, I'm a junior too check out my thread.

 

[Theexp]

Sweet, will do. I can't wait to get started after over a year of planning. I'm pumped. i'll finish drilling holes for the lcosed loop tommorow, summer starts in 4 DAYS!!! haha

 

[Theexp]

K so lighting should be up tommorow! The final stand off will be shipped tommorow. Then I just need 2 120x120 mm fans and i'm good.
Heres a picture of the tank in final resting place.

Lights, just throwin in, no reflectors yet, or standoffs

lights on tank! still no reflectors.

Those are half the standoffs, on mount

Constructed hood pictures should be done by the end of the week. Any suggestions would be great.

 

[frederickk]

Nice start!

 

[Theexp]

So today i test fitted all the lights, and it looks great. Only 3 more exams and work on the tank will really get underway. Spanish and Engineering tommorow. More pictures to come

 

[Theexp]

Sump Design! For a 20 gallon long.

Whew trying to keep your thread near the front of the forum is TOUGH! ANy advice comments would be great.

 

[sfilingeri]

Damn if yout tank turns out half as good as your drawing skills your set!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Theexp]

Thanks alot. I'm hoping it'll turn out as good as the drawings.

THE LIGHTS ARE UP! i'm so happy. Sorry just a bit excited seeing everythign finally come together. I didn't think they'd be that bright. Pictures coming later.

 

[msuzuki126]

Cool sketches and stuff, but how are you gonna fit all that in a 20L? :lol:

 

[Theexp]

Its drawn to scale in the 20 long, and i did all the measurements SO now its ust hoping, I might run the skimmer externally.

 

[Theexp]

Lighting

 

[Theexp]

Completly installed

With Reflectors

Without

 

[Theexp]

grrr. stupid wiring, bad news, there is a short somewhere, so when i turn the lights on they go on for a second or two then they turn off. I"m almost positive its when you have to make the jump, becuase i was out of wire, so i used a tiny piece of wire, to make the jump.

 

[Theexp]

K wiring is fixed! WOhooo. Got the first paycheck of the summer. So tank should be coming together. I'm gonna finish drilling all the holes as soon as I buy a new hole saw.

Here are some plans for the sinosoidal valve.

I have some of it made, i just need to Get some acrylic and make a flange, as well as get some magnets and a motor.
Any input would be great. Please keep this thread going, I need all the advice i can get.

 

[Theexp]

K I just orded some live rock from intmarinefish.com
I"m a little nervous, Because the tank isn't set up or anything yet. So this is kinda a Push to get me started. I still need to make a two 10x4x4 Overflow boxes out of acylic and glue them onto my tank. I don't have a table saw or anything, or any near by acrylic dealers, so i don't know how i'm gonna get that done. ANy suggestions will be great. Just trying to keep the thread updated.