Sean's 65 Build Thread

[Theexp]

Got the rock a week or two ago. I"ve just been so busy working, I havn't been able to upload pictures. I ordered from intmarinefish.com, with free shipping. It's 60 lbs of carribean rock. Here are the pictures.
The box was a bit beat up but fine

There was one ~30 lb piece

 

[Theexp]

 

[Theexp]

Sorry for the lack of clothes in some of the pictures. I ran home between work and a swim meet one day (i'm still in my guard suit) to get the rock into water. These pics are in the temporary containers. Then i moved it all to my tank later. Here are even more picss!

 

[Theexp]

I set up a surge device with stuff around the house to provide water movement.

(sorry bout the flash)

 

[Theexp]

The rocks were alright, little to no life, little color, and i got a few awsomely shaped rocks, and a few lame ones. The 30 lb rock is great. I'm gonna buy some more, to get some more life, and i just need some more rock. Hopefully i'll get some hitchhikers on this stuff.

I also ordered a skimmer today. An Aqua Euro recirculating 135. pics again later.
Thanks for looking
-Sean

 

[Theexp]

The skimmers are out of stock due to the pump issue. Any skimmer recomendations for a 65?

 

[bues0022]

What's the bubble tower for in your sump, and what's the flow pattern going to be?

 

[chrisqueenz]

Great build! Nice diagrams

 

[Theexp]

The bubble tower will be filled with live rock rubble, to help slow bubbles as well as just an area for water to enter.
For the sump, water will enter through the skimmer area at a slower rate (water will be fed through the recirculating skimmer, then expelled), then it will go through the cryptic/misc zone, then into the fuge. Then the bulk of the water will go through the bubble tower, and through the fuge, then through the bubble traps, to the return. Hope that makes sence. Thanks chrisqueenz. More to come later

 

[plandy]

There are hundreds of brands to choose from. One great budget skimmer is made by Octopus which I got. Keep up the great work!

 

[Theexp]

yeah those hundreds of brands are the issue. haha. I"ve heard some good things about octopus skimmers and some bad, but they're definetly an option. Any other opinions/more octopus votes?

 

[bues0022]

I see how the flow works now, except the flow never seems to be going through the bubble tower (maybe it's just how I'm looking at it)....wait a second, do you have some of the overflow diverted to the skimmer section, and more going through the bubble tower? That would work.

Also, I'm interested in hearing more about your sinosoidal valve - workings, plans etc. Looks really cool!

 

[Theexp]

Its a recirculating skimmer, so theres a small pump pumping water through thte skimmer, so a wee amount of water from the overflow is pumped through the skimmer and cryptic section, then the rest of the overflow through the top of the bubble tower.

More sinosoidal pics to come. Last night i started working on a piston style water movement device as well. Pics coming.

 

[Theexp]

So today was pretty productive. I drilled 6 holes in the bracing for the closed loop, and installed bulkheads. I also decided to run the skimmer externally to have a simpler sump, as much as i enjoy designing and building complex things. haha. Pics when i can get on my other computer.

 

[plandy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10206522#post10206522 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Theexp
I also decided to run the skimmer externally to have a simpler sump, as much as i enjoy designing and building complex things.

That's a good move at least from my perspective. A skimmer should be treated as an independent system with multiple capabilities and potential as we experiment and upgrade.

 

[Theexp]

I think i'm going with the octopus recirculating 150 . I'm gonna check the LFS to see their price on one, i might just pick one up. Update later.

 

[plandy]

That's the one I have, yet to be hooked up ...my 90gl project is creeping along awfully slow due to several other situations. Don't forget to check out the mods that you can do with this serious toy. I got mine on the internet.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10207922#post10207922 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Theexp
I think i'm going with the octopus recirculating 150 . I'm gonna check the LFS to see their price on one, i might just pick one up. Update later.

 

[Theexp]

Sinosoidal Valve construction pictures
Casting the drum

 

[Theexp]

Finishing the drum

Finished drum

 

[Mishap]

Great looking build!

Side note, how did you make the pipe into 90 curves in sketchup? I can't figure it out to save my life!