Smooth's 29 gallon build!

[SmoothSmoke]

Documenting my first SW build. Bought a 29 gallon with stand for cheap on CL. Let the madness begin!

Specs
29 gallon acrylic....ummm glass now. :headwally:
15 gallon tall sump, no refugium
SCA-301 protein skimmer
700gph glass-holes overflow box.
3/4" glass-holes return kit.
Ultra-flex PVC for return and drain plumbing
Sicce Syncra 2.0 pump
30lbs of dry rock from reef cleaners.
Reef Breeders Photon 24

I'm sure I've left out a bunch of stuff I've purchased. I'm sure I'll include once things really get rolling.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

This is what I was working with initially. I'm in the process of painting the stand to match the living area a bit better. The green is really gnarly to say the least.

Epic fail on trying to drill the acrylic!!

A few of these will ease the pain.

Purchased a new 29g from Petco and had it drilled by a pro. Both holes cleanly cut now.

Now I'm the process of taping and prepping the tank to paint the background black.

 

[terrypercula]

Off to a good star minus the acrylic crack. Oops...

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Going with a distressed look for the stand. Sanded the original green paint some. Then a layer of blue on top. Then sanded that down as well. Then tossed some dark stain. Still not quite finish with the process, but almost there.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Off to a good star minus the acrylic crack. Oops...

I was quite bummed when it happened. What I did notice was that the back panel of the acrylic was kind of flimsy, it easily bowed. Not sure if all acrylic tanks are like that or I got a cheap one. Nevertheless, it was probably my fault. Now I know why the LFS was very hesitant to drill it for me.

 

[terrypercula]

I was quite bummed when it happened. What I did notice was that the back panel of the acrylic was kind of flimsy, it easily bowed. Not sure if all acrylic tanks are like that or I got a cheap one. Nevertheless, it was probably my fault. Now I know why the LFS was very hesitant to drill it for me.

I never drilled acrylic before or really even worked with it so I'm not sure. What are your livestock plans with this tank?

 

[SmoothSmoke]

I never drilled acrylic before or really even worked with it so I'm not sure. What are your livestock plans with this tank?

Mostly zoa/paly corals with a few LPS.
A pair of clowns
1 royal gramma basslet

Maybe 1 more small fish, undecided.

 

[terrypercula]

Ooh I do like z's an p's. Looking forward to the build!

 

[Krewlife]

i would suggest a blenny of some sort they have interesting personalities .

zoas are my favorite and remember we are swapping frags so get some of the more rare ones! haha. looking forward for more updates :beer:

 

[SmoothSmoke]

i would suggest a blenny of some sort they have interesting personalities .

zoas are my favorite and remember we are swapping frags so get some of the more rare ones! haha. looking forward for more updates :beer:

I'm all for a blenny, as long as they're not a jumper. No lids on my tank.

As for zoas, definitely will be trying to get some super colorful ones.

Have you been to the new store in front of the wharf? Seeing it was sparked my interest again for fish keeping. After doing cichlids for so long, I wanted the challenge of SW.

 

[terrypercula]

I'm all for a blenny, as long as they're not a jumper. No lids on my tank.

As for zoas, definitely will be trying to get some super colorful ones.

Have you been to the new store in front of the wharf? Seeing it was sparked my interest again for fish keeping. After doing cichlids for so long, I wanted the challenge of SW.

I have a starry blenny in my 40 he hasn't jumped yet. Also had a lawnmower blenny in my 57 rimless and he didn't jump either.

 

[kendavjac]

cool stand. I may have to try that on my next tank.

 

[Krewlife]

I'm all for a blenny, as long as they're not a jumper. No lids on my tank.

As for zoas, definitely will be trying to get some super colorful ones.

Have you been to the new store in front of the wharf? Seeing it was sparked my interest again for fish keeping. After doing cichlids for so long, I wanted the challenge of SW.

Had no idea about that store I'll have to check it out. It's been about 5 years since I last had a reef tank set up.

I had a bi-colored blenny in my old 29gallon for about a year before I tore it down . He never jumped but he loved riding down the overflow drain :lmao:

 

[Cope413]

I was quite bummed when it happened. What I did notice was that the back panel of the acrylic was kind of flimsy, it easily bowed. Not sure if all acrylic tanks are like that or I got a cheap one. Nevertheless, it was probably my fault. Now I know why the LFS was very hesitant to drill it for me.

Just FYI,

The main reason acrylic cracks when being drilled is because 99% of people use the wrong drill bits on it.

Standard drill bits you find in Home Depot or Lowe's are 84 degree and are meant for wood and metal.

Bits designed to drill acrylic and other plastics are sharper, have less pitch, and are 60 degree.

You also need to drill at a much slower speed.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

I have a starry blenny in my 40 he hasn't jumped yet. Also had a lawnmower blenny in my 57 rimless and he didn't jump either.

Sounds good, I like the orange spotted blenny. Not sure if I'll add one, but if I do, it'll be the orange one.

cool stand. I may have to try that on my next tank.

It's very easy to do, give it a go, thanks!

Had no idea about that store I'll have to check it out. It's been about 5 years since I last had a reef tank set up.

I had a bi-colored blenny in my old 29gallon for about a year before I tore it down . He never jumped but he loved riding down the overflow drain :lmao:

hahaa

Just FYI,

The main reason acrylic cracks when being drilled is because 99% of people use the wrong drill bits on it.

Standard drill bits you find in Home Depot or Lowe's are 84 degree and are meant for wood and metal.

Bits designed to drill acrylic and other plastics are sharper, have less pitch, and are 60 degree.

You also need to drill at a much slower speed.

Thanks! Not sure how I messed it up, but it happened.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

I have what I believe to be my fish list narrowed down.

A pair of clowns, black & white + picasso
Royal gramma basslet
Blue axil chromis
Green clown goby

Hoping those 5 is not too much for a 29 gallon. I may toss in a Blenny too.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Finished the black background paint job.

I installed the glass-holes overflow box and return kit today. As well as finished the plumbing using ultra-flex pvc. The 1 1/2" flex was a bit stiff, but I'm still impressed with it. Hoping tomorrow I can throw some fresh water and test the whole system out with the pump/sump.

Drilled 3 small holes in the locline to act as a back siphon break. My sump is large enough to handle an overflow but it doesnt hurt to have a back up plan.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Looking at the last pic.....should have painted the ball valve black!!

My order of rocks from Reef Cleaners came in today. I ordered 30lbs but should have just went with 15, looks like I received more than I really wanted. Either that or RC's sent me an extra piece or two. Regardless, I absolutely love the look of that rock. I'm giving it a bleach soak tonight. Will treat with Lanthanum Chloride tomorrow.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Well, another bump on the road. My bulkhead broke. It was installed for a few days and suddenly snapped. Luckily no water was in the tank. Not sure on how or why.....but am nervous about it happening again. What can I do to avoid this happening?

 

[codyreed29]

That bulk head looks old did you put plumbers putty on it/?

You shouldn't need anything like teflon or plumbers putty were you removing it?

It is likely the putty made the bulkhead stick to the nut dont put anything on your new bulkhead or this might happen again.