Yay, my 90g is being built!
- Thread starter IsaaX
- Start date
Captain Quirk
New member
Curious: what software was used to produce those drawings? I need to design my tank/sump/stand/plumbing/whateverthehellelse and was looking for something. HOPEFULLY something inexpensive and not a total pain to use (no thanks to pirated copies just in case anyone was thinking of offering - it's a professional/ethical thing with me...).
Also, any idea how much the sump alone was? I was thinking of building it myself, but frankly, it'd me more of a headache than an enjoyable experience for me so if it's not outrageous I may just drive down there and pick one up...
TIA
Captain Quirk
New member
Ah, OK. This was the google one that they wanted everyone to start making blueprints of buildings and such for google earth... OK. Now the bells are ringing.
Thanks for reminding me...
Thanks for reminding me...
I drove down to SoCal Creations this past Tuesday to pick my tank, stand and sump up. I walked in their office on July 3rd and placed my order. Since there were a couple builds ahead of mine, I had a few weeks to wait which wasn't a issue for me since I still had to shop for equipment. My build was started on the 21st of this month and only took one week to complete. So far I'm completely satisfied with the quality work that Randy and Steve produce as well as their excellent customer service even during their busiest times.
Pics.
Now onto plumbing and leak testing this bad boy.
Pics.
Now onto plumbing and leak testing this bad boy.
So after wasting money and ordering plumbing parts I did not need and also gluing stuff together parts I though would work, I finally got the tank plumbed and filled with tap water for leak testing. My current tank which is a 40g Uniquarium which this will be replacing did not have a sump undernieth it and was built into the back of the tank, so this is my first time dealing with any type of plumbing. Yes, what I needed to do was extremely simple, but I fumbled on a few things that made it sort of frustrating.
Here is a pic of the Durso that Socal Creations provided. The base of the standpipe was originally threaded as well as the bulkhead. Since the tank will be going into an area where it would be difficult to have to undo the whole bulkhead to pull out the stand pipe, I thought it would be much easier to change the bulkhead and the base of the Durso to slip so I can easily pull out the pipe from the top of the overflow in case it needed servicing.
Here's a pic of the drain line going into my filter sock area. I ended up using 1" SpaFlex cemented directly to the drain bulkhead. I originally had planned to use a flexible drain hose that you would find on a CPR external overflow cemented to the drain bulkhead then pressure fit onto another bulkhead on the sock cover you see in the photo. This plan failed since I quickly realized that the flexi hose's base would not pass through the nut that the drain bulkhead uses, so if anything were to happen from the bulkhead down and I would have to cut it in order to remove it. Using the SpaFlex saved me here as I can remove the bulkhead along with the SpaFlex all in one assembly. Also the SpaFlex is plyable enough for me to bend and move it aside to make a quick filter sock change. Thanks to the people who recommended SpaFlex to me.
Here is my return line. Pretty simple. 3/4" reinforced vinyl tubing going into the return bulkhead. My original elbow barbed fitting was threaded and ended up using a slip and cemented it to the bulkhead for peace of mind. The rest of the flow inside the display is provided by a Stream 6000. I may add another or just add a Seio if needed.
Pic of my sump filled with my ASM G3 skimmer. I figured I would let it clean itself out while doing this leak test. Water level in the sump was purposely filled a lil higher than normal so I wouldn't have to worry about evaporation while I was at work (which is where i'm at now writing this). I will also have SCC build me a custom resevoir for top off to fill the space on the right of the sump. A refugium is also a possibility.
Pic of the eurobracing and the surface agitation created by my return. Also a pic of the front of the tank filled with water with a Stream 6000 inside.
External overflow shot with it's cover. The hole on the cover is to allow the Durso to breathe
A pic of what this new setup will be replacing, a 40g Uniquarium. This new setup has a 36" high stand so the viewing perspective is closer to eye level than my current set up. The area in the pic is where the new set up will be going as well. A little over a year from now, I'm going to have my house remodeled to add a second story so i'm already planning on doing something for that area. The other side of that back wall is our guest bathroom. You guys probably have an idea on what I will be doing
.
So in about 30 mins I get to leave my office and check up on the tank for any leaks. If there aren't any, should I render the tank safe? Or should I let it run for another day or two?
Here is a pic of the Durso that Socal Creations provided. The base of the standpipe was originally threaded as well as the bulkhead. Since the tank will be going into an area where it would be difficult to have to undo the whole bulkhead to pull out the stand pipe, I thought it would be much easier to change the bulkhead and the base of the Durso to slip so I can easily pull out the pipe from the top of the overflow in case it needed servicing.
Here's a pic of the drain line going into my filter sock area. I ended up using 1" SpaFlex cemented directly to the drain bulkhead. I originally had planned to use a flexible drain hose that you would find on a CPR external overflow cemented to the drain bulkhead then pressure fit onto another bulkhead on the sock cover you see in the photo. This plan failed since I quickly realized that the flexi hose's base would not pass through the nut that the drain bulkhead uses, so if anything were to happen from the bulkhead down and I would have to cut it in order to remove it. Using the SpaFlex saved me here as I can remove the bulkhead along with the SpaFlex all in one assembly. Also the SpaFlex is plyable enough for me to bend and move it aside to make a quick filter sock change. Thanks to the people who recommended SpaFlex to me.
Here is my return line. Pretty simple. 3/4" reinforced vinyl tubing going into the return bulkhead. My original elbow barbed fitting was threaded and ended up using a slip and cemented it to the bulkhead for peace of mind. The rest of the flow inside the display is provided by a Stream 6000. I may add another or just add a Seio if needed.
Pic of my sump filled with my ASM G3 skimmer. I figured I would let it clean itself out while doing this leak test. Water level in the sump was purposely filled a lil higher than normal so I wouldn't have to worry about evaporation while I was at work (which is where i'm at now writing this). I will also have SCC build me a custom resevoir for top off to fill the space on the right of the sump. A refugium is also a possibility.
Pic of the eurobracing and the surface agitation created by my return. Also a pic of the front of the tank filled with water with a Stream 6000 inside.
External overflow shot with it's cover. The hole on the cover is to allow the Durso to breathe
A pic of what this new setup will be replacing, a 40g Uniquarium. This new setup has a 36" high stand so the viewing perspective is closer to eye level than my current set up. The area in the pic is where the new set up will be going as well. A little over a year from now, I'm going to have my house remodeled to add a second story so i'm already planning on doing something for that area. The other side of that back wall is our guest bathroom. You guys probably have an idea on what I will be doing
.
So in about 30 mins I get to leave my office and check up on the tank for any leaks. If there aren't any, should I render the tank safe? Or should I let it run for another day or two?
rockindacheeks
New member
thats a nice tank... it will look even nice once its all stocked up...
Yup, mostly SPS.
I gotta wait till my RO/DI unit comes in from PurelyH20 before I can put salt water in the tank. If only they would keep their word on when they ship. I was told my Optima C/A would be shipped out on Tuesday, nope never happened. Then today I was told it would be shipped out today and I would get an email with a tracking #. Nope, never happened. I'm getting a bit ****ed off now. They need to state on their website "Please allow 1 week or more prior to shipping". Granted they have good customer service, but at this point, good customer service is no excuse for lagging on shipping product out unless stated on their website.
:mad2:
I gotta wait till my RO/DI unit comes in from PurelyH20 before I can put salt water in the tank. If only they would keep their word on when they ship. I was told my Optima C/A would be shipped out on Tuesday, nope never happened. Then today I was told it would be shipped out today and I would get an email with a tracking #. Nope, never happened. I'm getting a bit ****ed off now. They need to state on their website "Please allow 1 week or more prior to shipping". Granted they have good customer service, but at this point, good customer service is no excuse for lagging on shipping product out unless stated on their website.
:mad2:
Here's an update on my progress during the weekend. I was able to move my 40g with only taking 10g of water out and slide it over to the kitchen with Magic Sliders all by myself. Cleaned up the tank area and moved the new set up in and hanged the lighting. All is left to do is have a dedicated circuit put in and wait for my Optima C/A RO/DI unit come in so I can fill'er up. Also waiting for my AquaController Jr w/DC8 that should arrive tomorrow. Pics below. 56K users, sorry.
Best $20 I've spent to move a tank under 3000 pounds.
Tank being slid to the kitchen using the Magic Sliders
The empty space the new setup will be in.
New tank in place
Shot of the old 40g set up
Best $20 I've spent to move a tank under 3000 pounds.
Tank being slid to the kitchen using the Magic Sliders
The empty space the new setup will be in.
New tank in place
Shot of the old 40g set up
