TheDoogan's shallow rimless tank.

[thedoogan]

Hello everyone,

I've lurked on ReefCentral for a long time now, only asking the occasional question. I thought I would introduce myself with my latest build.
I'm Joel, and this is the beginning of my reef addiction:crazy1:

Current tank

Equipment

• Tank: 24x24x11
• Sump: 21x21x12
• Lighting: Ecotech Radion
• Flow: Vortech Mp10
• Backup: Ecotech batter backup
• Return Pump: Eheim 1250
• Heaters: 2x 75 watt Ebo-Jager
• Skimmer: SC65
• Controller: Neptune Apex - Temp/pH probes
• TopOff: Breakout box/2 float switches+Aqualifter
• Bio-Filtration: 50 lbs Marco dry rock + Refugium
• Mech-Filtration: TLF 150 Reactor, Carbon+Rowaphos
• Dosing: Two-Part - Marine Magic triple doser
• Quarantine: 20 long, Mag250, Ebo-Jager 100 watt, SC65, TLF reactor, Tunze nano6015, Hydor425

The Design

 

[thedoogan]

The Build

First thing, GFCI

Progress on the stand

 

[thedoogan]

Attention to detail.

 

[thedoogan]

While waiting for the display tank to arrive I setup my coral QT which will inevitably become a frag tank/grow out. The tank is a 20 gallon long with 10 gallon sump. While attempting to drill for two herbie drains my first attempt did NOT go well. I didn't use a guide and messed up the glass so I ended up breaking that tank down and used the glass for the overflow and sump baffles. The second attempt at drilling I used some foam as a guide which made the process very easy.

 

[thedoogan]

The coral QT was originally kept on some Edsal "heavy duty" shelving in a spare room with the 10 gal fish QT/Hospital tank. The shelving is supposed to be good for up-to 1400 pounds but the main supports started bowing after a few days which had me freaked out. I ended up just building my own stand for the coral QT which worked out far better.

More to come.....

 

[joec]

Very nice! Love how clean it looks, great attention to detail.

Looking forward to more pics...

 

[Almondsaz]

Great build, I really like the total system and how clean the lines are. I think all your waiting and careful planning has really paid off.

 

[Biocubehqi]

Very awsum

 

[laredo300c]

congratulations. first class build. can we see some pics and info on the radion hanger. did u buy it or diy, if so how? thanks

 

[phinfan8]

Incredible build.

 

[Chuongj510]

Congrats. Love the shallow rimless look.

 

[Tradewinds]

Fantastic build and great attention to detail. I love the pocket you built into the side of the stand to house the gadgets.

Where did you get the DT or did you make it?

 

[thedoogan]

Very nice! Love how clean it looks, great attention to detail.

Looking forward to more pics...

Thanks, I'll have some more up tonight.

 

[thedoogan]

congratulations. first class build. can we see some pics and info on the radion hanger. did u buy it or diy, if so how? thanks

Thank you. I build the radion mount myself after having metal fabricators in Vancouver quote me up to $375. I did it myself for $40 in raw materials and a $14 propane torch.

It's made from 6061T6 grade flat bar aluminum 2 X 0.375 I beleive.
It must be heated to the correct temperature to be bent. To hot and the bar will crack when bent. Sharpie marker will burn off at the correct temperature for 6016T6 aluminum so draw some lines where you are heating the bend area. When the sharpie fades let the metal air cool or pour some water on it to let it cool and bend. I'm by no means an expert in metals, this is just the trick I found snooping aircraft mechanic forums. It seemed to work well for me though.
The other two bars are 1 X 0.25

 

[thedoogan]

Fantastic build and great attention to detail. I love the pocket you built into the side of the stand to house the gadgets.

Where did you get the DT or did you make it?

This is the only part of the project I didn't build myself. I designed the DT and it was built by Blueworld aquariums. They did a fantastic job with very clean seams and black glass overflow. Noway I could get seams that clean. Some seams in the sump I did are pretty ugly.

 

[MHG]

Crazy nice build.....

 

[thedoogan]

Sump build

I drilled some more holes on the mount for the radion after this photo was taken. The light can be raised and lowered by taking out the two bolts in the back.

 

[thedoogan]

And the destruction of my living room for electrical and plumbing

We have light! and began the filling of the tank!

 

[thedoogan]

The aquascape and mess begins

 

[thedoogan]

Jam packed sump

Cable management!

Leak detection points around the side and back of the stand and inside the cabinet

Still room for another vortech controller hmmmmm....