xxlbreed's 20L build thread

[xxlbreed]

so since no one has responded to my posts lately on aquarium advice i decided to become a member here since I always find the most useful information on this forum. :thumbsup:

So here you go:

I am currently in the planning of a 20gallon long display tank with two ten gallon tanks attached to it in a cycle. A 10g frag tank and a 10g sump. This is going to be a budget build but a great one.

I am currently working on the live rock (&frag plugs), i am making my own diy live rock out of oyster shells, portland I&II cement (gray) and rocksalt. Still trying to get the mix right.

I will also be making my own stand and setup.

Most of the stuff I already have from my 10 gallon build which is doing amazing! Planning on just moving it all to the 20 gallon setup in a couple of months without adding live stuff - so no "live" sand and no extra live rock, only my diy rock - so i am hoping nothing will cycle. what do you guys think?

Current to do list:
- electronics setup (arduino reef control)
- 20L tank (waiting for petco sale)
- plumbing starting soon
- aqualifter to keep siphon going
- lights (mentioned above)
- Sand (already have live sand to seed. buying dry sand.)
- finish diy live rock (still working on the right mixture ...)
- plexiglass for sump
- diy stand using cinder block and 2x4s
- reef crystals from now on no more coralife crap ...

im going to keep my aquatic life 115 protein skimmer - it works miracles for me.
trying to get all the funds together for this new build.

you guys think one aqualifter plumbed to two 3/4 inch pvc overflows will do it?
anyone with experience on this?

and if it worked, here is a quick sketch of the setup im planning on.
I loce diy stuff so if you got good ideas im all for it!

 

[JasonBJones]

Looks like a great build.

BTW, on your rock mix, you should consider adding sand into the mix as well, sugar fine. When I made my rock, I used sandyster shell:cement:water in about a 2:2:1:.75 ratio. Made a really nice mixture.

If I were to do it again I would ditch the oyster shell and used a larger grained sand or crushed coral. There are differing opinions on whether or not oyster shell releases phosphates. I will say I have a few patches of hair algae on man made rocks that I do not have on any natural rock, so I think there might be something to this.

 

[xxlbreed]

why sand, and im assuming sugar to create fine pores? i already bought the oyster shell and i do not have it in my budget to buy the crushed coral right now. I am still working on different mixtures, my last 2 batches crumbled really badly but i think im getting there slowly... i am already curing my diy frag plugs in my toilet haha

I also plan on taking the rim off the 10g frag tank and the 20L to make it look rimless


Jason, how long does it take for the diy live rock to seed with my 10 lb of live rock i have? I do not want to introduce any foreign live rock as i do not want it to cycle when i switch setups. i am planning on about 40-45 lb of live rock in the entire system.

 

[xxlbreed]

why sand, and im assuming sugar to create fine pores? i already bought the oyster shell and i do not have it in my budget to buy the crushed coral right now. I am still working on different mixtures, my last 2 batches crumbled really badly but i think im getting there slowly... i am already curing my diy frag plugs in my toilet haha

I also plan on taking the rim off the 10g frag tank and the 20L to make it look rimless


Jason, how long does it take for the diy live rock to seed with my 10 lb of live rock i have? I do not want to introduce any foreign live rock as i do not want it to cycle when i switch setups. i am planning on about 40-45 lb of live rock in the entire system.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=212125
just found this on crushed oyster shell, maybe you should investigate the phosphate problem? also im planning on having a zoomedic filter with only carbon in it attached to the sump.

 

[xxlbreed]

sorry for the double post...

 

[xxlbreed]

starting to collect corals until i move so there will be some stuff in the frag tank
just got a small birdsnest and a candy cane 2 heads for 20 bucks steal..

 

[xxlbreed]

cleaned out the old 10g gsp puffer tank and took off the rim making it ready for the frag setup. building the frag rack setup tomorrow 4 layers of eggcrate awesomeness

 

[xxlbreed]

finished building the frag racks for the 10g frag tank, i shuld have pics up as soon as i get my new phone! (hate ups!! lol)

 

[tlsrcs]

i am eager to see the frag set up i have a 20L i just made an egg crate frag rack for its got 3 levels. How did you attach it all together? did you paint it?