This old tank...120 Build

[cutnup]

Ilikereefs: I am pretty sure you can use the krylon fusion for the back of your tank. I have used it on egg crate, pvc, and glass with no problems. As for the stain I have no clue. I used two different stains to get the color I needed to match the reat of my furniture.
So here is what I came up with as my revised plumbing...
I will paint the white parts later.
In this picture I heated the pvc to get that bend in it. Why does Iwaki make the returm come out in that angle???

And here is how I will feed my refugium without it becoming a detritus trap.

Ok I have a question. The Iwaki is a little loud to me can I use some filter floss or something to dampen the vibrations coming from it?

 

[4jlong]

FINALLY-SOME PICS!!! :lol: can you explain about feeding the refugium without it becoming a detritus trap?......... are you feeding it from the return line so the water goes through the skimmer first?

 

[cutnup]

Exactly! Tank water coming down if full of detritus and other nasty's that the skimmer will pull out, but would just sit in the refugium area. So I scartched the first idea of feeding the fuge fron the drain and just tee'd off the rurn so led the nasties out of there. That way it can take care of any excess nutrients the skimmer couldn't or wouldn't be able to take out.

 

[cutnup]

So here is a big question I have been debating a lot, should I go bare bottom?

 

[FFrankie]

Looking good so far cutnup! I like the black plumbing
Your asking a good question. In the end it is personal taste. I was BB originally and went DSB not 6 months later. Just go tired of the black bottom. (I painted the bottom of the tank black outside) The sand was awesome but after three years I recently pulled it and lucky too. It was rancid and the main issue to some algae problems I was having. This time I am toying with a SSB or Starboard. I hope this helps you a little. I look forward to seeing your decision. I am sure it will be awesome no matter what you chose

 

[4jlong]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14337509#post14337509 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cutnup
So here is a big question I have been debating a lot, should I go bare bottom?

as for the nutrient help or lack of help that a bare bottom would give, I don't have enough experience to reply :fun5: I plan on doing a 1 1/2" sand bed because I really like the look. I have read that bare bottom is more difficult to keep clean. lets see what the pros have to say!

 

[4jlong]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14338103#post14338103 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FFrankie
Looking good so far cutnup! I like the black plumbing
Your asking a good question. In the end it is personal taste. I was BB originally and went DSB not 6 months later. Just go tired of the black bottom. (I painted the bottom of the tank black outside) The sand was awesome but after three years I recently pulled it and lucky too. It was rancid and the main issue to some algae problems I was having. This time I am toying with a SSB or Starboard. I hope this helps you a little. I look forward to seeing your decision. I am sure it will be awesome no matter what you chose

dumb question time what is a SSB or Starboard? Thanks!

 

[cutnup]

starboard is like a cutting board board material (think white plastic) to use on the bottom of the tank when you go bare bottom. SSB im gonna guess is probably shallow sand bed

 

[cutnup]

FFRankie that didn't help at all! LOL. I will start it BB. I can easily add sand later. I have 200# of aragonite if needed.

 

[FFrankie]

See it did help, your doing it the same way I did
Yes SSB= Shallow Sand Bed. SB= Star Board is a white polypropylene used for cutting food stuff on. It is slicker then glass also helping to keep junk from building up on it and easy to clean. Until Coralline grows on it at least.
There are some wonderful benefits to using sand, SSB or DSB. The one that I like the most is the surface area for bacteria population. Also the added benefits of providing sand dwellers a place to live. You won't be keeping any Blue Spot Jawfish or sand sifting gobies in a BB tank either~

 

[cutnup]

Okay so I had a little set back. I lent my caulk gun to my friend, for a non-reef related project. I got it back 2 weeks ago and I was about to silicone my frag rack in my tank and I picked up my caulk gun and there was a different product in it. It was DAP doors and windows I, I was pretty sure I didn't use it before, when I did my sump, but not 100%. So I cut all the old stuff out and re-did my sump. I also now have the tank setup. Not 100% sure if I like the aquascaping. I can tell you one thing though, these T5's are strong! I had to move some Cap's down because it was bleaching and also a couple of acro frags on the frag shelf I added accross my C2C overflow. They are doing better now, I moved them down....Ok I will stop blabbing here's the pics.

 

[4jlong]

dude, your tank looks awesome!!! I wanted to ask you, on the pipe that empties into your refugium, it looks like theres some kind of cap on it? what is that? Thanks.

 

[cutnup]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14390451#post14390451 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 4jlong
dude, your tank looks awesome!!! I wanted to ask you, on the pipe that empties into your refugium, it looks like theres some kind of cap on it? what is that? Thanks.

Thanks!! That "cap" is just a 45.

On a side note. Do you guys use sand in your refugium? What are the pros and cons. Also if I do decide to use sand in it I have about 100 # of sand in my 46 gal bowfront that is just sitting there could I use it? And if I did use it should I just add a cup or 2 a week? Or just dump what I need in there. Also how deep should I have the sand bed in the refugium if I decide to go that way?

 

[somedude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14390772#post14390772 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cutnup
Thanks!! That "cap" is just a 45.

On a side note. Do you guys use sand in your refugium? What are the pros and cons. Also if I do decide to use sand in it I have about 100 # of sand in my 46 gal bowfront that is just sitting there could I use it? And if I did use it should I just add a cup or 2 a week? Or just dump what I need in there. Also how deep should I have the sand bed in the refugium if I decide to go that way?

in my opinion you should definitely use sand in your fuge. if you do it right, it should create an anaerobic space on the bottom that acts as a natural nitrate reducer. i have a DSB in my fuge, 6" to be exact. with some rubble and chaeto and graci for the pods. it works so well that i only use a nano skimmer on my 95G SPS tank. not saying this is the only way...it just works for me.

oh and btw, your tank is awesome. i went krylon crazy on my tank also. it makes everything looks sharp. nice work.

~alex

 

[aznboichandoi]

hey man, your two side trimmings, is that two pieces put in together or it's one piece? it's looks perfect man. you know which one i'm talking about right?

 

[cutnup]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14392757#post14392757 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aznboichandoi
hey man, your two side trimmings, is that two pieces put in together or it's one piece? it's looks perfect man. you know which one i'm talking about right?

Sorry I didn't respond to this sooner...
I took a piece of molding and 45'd it longways. I then tacked it to the stand with small brad nails and wood glue and when it dried I sanded the joint to make it round.

 

[cutnup]

Ok a little update...

I made some plugs for the tank. I used a gang box and wired them up.

I put a little LR and some Chaeto in the 'fuge. I will also be putting a 6" sand bed in there. I also installed a light which is a 7.99 CF bulb.

Here is a FSS (full sump shot) LOL I really need to clean that skimmer huh?

 

[4jlong]

looks good man.

 

[runningnreefing]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14390297#post14390297 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cutnup

[/B]

Nice build thread. What light fixture are you using, and what is the bulb combo.

 

[cutnup]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14487264#post14487264 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by runningnreefing
Nice build thread. What light fixture are you using, and what is the bulb combo.

Thanks!! The light fixture is the 8 bulb tek light. The bulbs are as follows
Blue Plus
Super Actinic
Aquasun
Blue Plus
Aquasun
Super Actinic
Aquablue
Blue Plus