Sputniks 63G Rimless Reef

[SputnikNYC]

Hello my fellow reefers I'm really happy to finally say that i'm getting back on to this exciting journey. This is going to be my second tank and I will utilize all my experience from the first 50G build to make it right, not that my first one was a failure, but had it's flaws...

This time I will be making my own tank and stand, so this is somewhat DIY project. The tank is going be 63G somewhat shallow, rimless cube. As for filtration, I will be using two 20G tanks connected by uniseals in which first one will be drain/LR/skimmer and second refugium/canbon/GFO/return.

Tank specs:
Volume: 63 gallon
Dimensions: 30"x30"x16"
Glass: 3/8 regular glass

Stand:
Dimensions: 32"x32"x40"
Materials: Premium Burrill Fir Stud 2x4, cabinet grade Sande Plywood 3/4"

The tank will mostly be SPS with a little bit of everything. I have plot of equipment left from my 50g, so i'm not going to spent too much money on this one, considering i'm building stuff my self. Because I have never before built any aquariums or stands, this wont be a quick one, I wanna take time to make it right...

 

[SputnikNYC]

 

[cugly]

Great start.

 

[jonnyu]

Looking good

 

[SputnikNYC]

Sputniks 63G Rimless Reef

Thanks fellas, well, got some good progress and some obstacles... But it's ok, it would be boring without them

And here's our obstacle... Somehow got some area accumulate air pockets... When I try to pull two panels away from each other, silicon gets lighter in color in that area....

Not sure if I should pull it apart and redo it, kinda feels unsafe, I put the tank in it's side to inspect the bottom and all four seals on the bottom spotless, not a single air bubble... So I'm thinking whether I should just pull front and back off and redo it, or redo the whole tank? I did however filled it up with the water to test and there's no leaks and feels solid.

 

[glaukos]

I love the dimensions!
What type of light will you use?

 

[SputnikNYC]

I love the dimensions!
What type of light will you use?

Yes, more room for rock work and coral planting I will use my AquaticLife T5 6-bulb fixture from my previous build, it's a little bigger than my tank at 36" but will do for now, later planing on switching to LED...

This is what I have now, it's discontinued currently, but it is s good fixture

http://m.marinedepot.com/products/a...att-aquaticlife-t5-ho-light-fixtures-w-3-leds

 

[SputnikNYC]

Water testing

 

[Ink]

In order to avoid air bubbles into silicone sealings, You need to use a silicon gun, that push silicone with pressure between the panes and push bubbles out. You have to waste really a lot of silicone.
Bubbles are only anaesthetic. No problems for safety. Black silicone prevents to see bubbles into it.

Luca

 

[cugly]

Ya i agree the bubbles are not that bad it will be fine.

 

[sahin]

Nice build. Subscribed. I really like the dimensions of this tank.

 

[SputnikNYC]

Sputniks 63G Rimless Reef

In order to avoid air bubbles into silicone sealings, You need to use a silicon gun, that push silicone with pressure between the panes and push bubbles out. You have to waste really a lot of silicone.

Bubbles are only anaesthetic. No problems for safety. Black silicone prevents to see bubbles into it.



Luca

Ya i agree the bubbles are not that bad it will be fine.

Thanks for an encouragement fellas, I'm trying to avoid tearing the tank apart, I don't even care about esthetic part of even though I'm pretty picky that way, it's just very hard work cleaning that silicone and redoing it all when there's no guarantee I won't get bubbles again... So I'm still water testing and watching those seams closely.

Nice build. Subscribed. I really like the dimensions of this tank.

Thanks you sahin, I have been following your 47g build for a while and it inspired me in many ways Congrats on ROTM, beautiful tank

So far I plumbed inside of overflow box, hopefully today i can fully plumb the system so I can move it to permanent spot and start it up.

Still gotta paint back wall black

 

[SputnikNYC]

Synergy overflow internal plumbing

 

[SputnikNYC]

External plumbing work in progress

 

[SputnikNYC]

Plumbing ideas dry fit

 

[SputnikNYC]

And plumbing is complete

 

[gavinsepanik]

Lookin great, cannot wait to see your scape

 

[SputnikNYC]

Sputniks 63G Rimless Reef

Lookin great, cannot wait to see your scape

Thank you

Almost done here, had to replan my plumbing due to my 20g long aqueon tank/sump wouldn't fit all the water drained by back siphon, so I went ahead and got a 29g tall tank at petco last night for dollar per gallon sale.... That'll slow me down a bit because I had to order some glass panels from local glass shop to create baffles in the new sump.... All in all things going as planned and after that sump is done, it's almost time for rock/sand and a nitrogen cycle

 

[cham]

Looks great.

What return pump are you using? That's a TON of backpressure you have there

 

[rq786]

you might have trouble in changing the uv bulb once the tank is sitting against the wall and probably can't use the uv wiper at this position. just my 2 cent