Setting up my Oceanic 58

[txbonds]

Got a new oceanic 58 ultimate to replace my solana 34 because I wanted a sump and liked the size of the 58 at 36x18x21. For equipment, this will have two Aqua Illumination Sol Blue lights, two Ecotech Vortech MP10wES.

To go with it, I picked up a used My Reef Creations "MRC" reef sump, which includes a skimmer area, refuge area, bubble trap and return pump area. It's around 25x15.5x18. I'm thinking about a custom sump from lifereef but this will get me started.

Also picked up a used lifereef svs2-24 skimmer to try out. It is in excellent condition and I got a mag 9.5 pump to drive it.

 

[mikeyj28]

looking forward to seeing your build i just purchased the same tank only its a 65. Im in the process of building the stand and canopy right now. Good luck with your build

 

[txbonds]

Next step is the stand. I decided to build my own stand. It will be 42" tall, as I like a tall stand for ease of viewing.

The basic frame is made of pine 1x4's

It was assembled using a combination of wood glue, pocket screws and the nail gun

Next I decided to put a solid top on it for rigidity. I'm using 1/2" plywood called "bondewood" from lowes. It is glued in place and nailed with the nail gun and 1" staples

You can see I put in a few extra rear supports, but left the front open for sump access

Next I put the same 1/2" blondewood plywood on the sides and rear. The sides and front will overlap the frame of the tank to hide the plastic tank trim. I also used the plywood for the internal shelf for the sump. As the sump is about 33 gallons on it's own, I put lots of support under the floor shelf. The exterior skin and internal shelf are held in place with wood glue and 1" staples.

So far, this is as far as I've made it. Ran out of time today due to Halloween fun. Still to do, I have the front plywood, the corner moldings, the base molding, the crown molding around the top, and I'm putting a ledge over the crown molding. Then it will be time for paint and stain. Overall I'm pleased with how it's turning out.

 

[txbonds]

looking forward to seeing your build i just purchased the same tank only its a 65. Im in the process of building the stand and canopy right now. Good luck with your build

Thanks. I'll make a point to check for a build thread on your 65 from time to time as well.

 

[widmer]

Excellent build so far . I have an oceanic 58 as well, it is a great size/shape isn't it?!

Very clean-built stand as well. Will be watching the progress.

 

[txbonds]

Excellent build so far . I have an oceanic 58 as well, it is a great size/shape isn't it?!

Very clean-built stand as well. Will be watching the progress.

thanks. I do love this sized tank. it's basically my solana with an extra 16 inches added on. although it isnt rimless, but the illuminata version of my tank would be.

i cant wait to get the stand finished so i can move on to plumbing setup. based on my schedule this setup will probably take me a month or two to get ready for water.

 

[txbonds]

Didn't update anything else on the stand, but did test fit the sump to see how it fits and to determine if there is room for a drawer.

This sump is 18" tall. I'm wishing the skimmer area were about 4 inches lower, as then I could add a 4" deep drawer and have the same amount of access space for the skimmer cup.

What do you guys think? Drawer or no drawer?

 

[txbonds]

Separate question, how hard would it be to cut the skimmer side down a few inches and what tool would safely do it?

The bubble trap is set at 10.5" water depth, I was already thinking I'd like to lower that to around 7 inches give or take.

Might be easier to just do a new sump.......

 

[txbonds]

Made a little more progress on the stand today

 

[txbonds]

Doesn't look like a lot, but I worked on the stand almost all day today. Made some pretty good progress. The thing that took the most time though was sanding down the top so that the tank sits flat.

Front shot. Added some drawers, and also some crown moulding under the top rim

Underneath drawers. Only have a single support at the moment, but will be adding another couple soon as I ran out of wood. Drawers will fully remove for maintenance.

Rear shot showing how crown moulding is mounted

Shot of top showing where I've sanded through layers of the plywood to get the tank to sit flat. The top wasn't flat apparently as the tank had a lot of teeter-totter when I test fit it. This gets it to a point where it is basically flat, but I'll probably have to sand a little more before I'm finished:

Side profile showing the various layers of moulding

And lastly the drawers opened. I made the drawers out of pine 1x4. Used a slot cut router bit to make a grove for the bottom to ride in. Used the kreg jig to put the frame together, combined with wood glue. Will put a face on them when I make the doors.

I've done as much reading as possible, but I would appreciate any feedback, tips or comments. Thanks for taking a look.

 

[txbonds]

Anyone have any thoughts on plumbing?

I've got the typical 2 hole overflow. I'm thinking it has maybe two 1" or two 1.5" holes drilled in it, but I've not measured yet. I really don't want to have PVC running up the back to make a return line, which means a "herbie" overflow is probably out.

Anyone ever try one of the silencer pipes that premium aquatics sales?

http://premiumaquatics.com/store/me...e_Code=PA&Product_Code=GEO-SP2&Category_Code=

 

[txbonds]

It has apparently been almost a month since I last worked on the stand. Just as a quick update, I managed to get my doors made and hung, and a drawer front made and attached. The doors are 1x8 pine boards joined together to make each door. They are hung with recessed european adjustable hinges. The drawer front is 1x6 pine board trimmed down to a 1x5 and attached to both of the drawers.

Left to do on stand:
trimming/edging of the drawer/doors
cutting plumbing and wiring holes
fill nail holes with putty
sand
grey primer
satin black paint

At the rate I'm going, maybe I'll finish before summer. LOL

 

[txbonds]

Got the edge detail done on the drawer front and cabinet doors today as well: