Fish's new tank project
 

Hello everyone,
I left the hobby for a little while (temporary insanity) because I thought I wanted to restore motorcycles instead. I found an old 1975 like the very first bike I owned when I was 14yrs old.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9.../060707017.jpg


Almost the moment I got it all put together, the realization came to me...


http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...a919/my550.jpg


I really wanted to have motorcycle and a reef tank.

My super clean nano design was even more popular than I expected and I have been thrilled to see it imitated in the different nano forums. This time around though I don't plan on doing anything fancy, just a 30+gal softies tank with sump. I have decided to go with Tek T5 lighting after seeing some of your tanks.
I'd like to thank Nate, howdy20012002, and JSTR for their help so far. JSTR (Paul) has a LFS worth of equipment in his basement - I'm not joking pm him if you need anything. I still need to have a tank built and order my lighting but so far things are coming together.
In the past, I always built my systems and then posted them... this time though I thought it would be fun to post the step by step progress.

Please don't hesitate to give advice where you see it - it's great to be back here at canreef!


- Chad

Great job on the Honda! A motorcycle & reef tank...a man after my own heart! Keep us updated.
Cheers.
Todd.

Pumps
 

Haha right on Todd!


To reduce the amount of equipment in the display, I plan on using an external sump return and a closed loop.
I found a lovely Iwaki MD-40 (Japanese motor) on ebay for a good price that I think I will use to run the closed loop.

http://lh5.google.com/chadnheather/R...jpg?imgmax=576


This is the one that I am planning for the return. I'm not too familiar with this pump but I have heard that they are made by Pan World - if that's the case it should be great. I was always very pleased with my Blueline 20HD.


http://lh4.google.com/chadnheather/R...jpg?imgmax=576


Between these two pumps, I am anticipating about 30x turnover after losses. That is actually less than what I would have liked, even on a softies tank... we'll see how it goes though.

(I can't get the photos hosted by google to display in the thread, anyone know what I'm doing wrong?)

First mod ( :
 

If there's one thing I learned during my time away, it is that metal is pretty. Partly for that reason, and partly because I don't have anything else to do, I stripped my Iwaki:

http://lh3.google.com/chadnheather/R...jpg?imgmax=576

I could have polished it up brighter than chrome but I used up all my 1000 grit sandpaper on my exhaust pipes.

Modification Pros,
- kept me from pacing for a couple hours
- looks like it means business - way better than 'Iwaki teal'
- a 'first' ?

Cons,
- probably killed any resale value it had
- uh, did I just remove all the rust protectant finish on my saltwater pump ( :
- having to explain why

This one isn't going to be locked in the cabinet, but will sit beside the tank on the stand. Because of that (and some mother's polish) I am confident that I can keep it from rusting up on me.

- Chad

Very cool. Glad to have you back. Always thought it was a huge shame that you sold off your earlier nano tank, since it was one of the nicest ones out there (as proven by it's many imitators:biggrin: )

Anthony

Thanks Anthony!

I have to second Anthony's comment!

I cant wait to see this come together!

Too bad the pics wont show... I really want to see this pump now! Haha.

Chris

Chris,

Do you mean that it doesn't even work if you click on the link? Oh, that sucks... I thought Picasa was going to work out so much better than that.
I will transfer them over to Photobucket now - you gotta see the pump.

The 'bike photos at the top came through right?

- Chad

Return pump:

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9.../061029014.jpg




My Iwaki before:


http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9.../061029008.jpg



My Iwaki after winning the Miss External Pageant:


http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9.../061029011.jpg



Hope you like. You saw it here first "( :"

- Chad

Yes, even the links dont work for me.

The bike pictures definetly came through. Thats a gorgeous bike too! Great job!

I like what you did to the pump! Haha. Do you plan to finish it down with something finer at all?

Chris

Thanks! No, I need to pick up some more synthetic sandpaper. I think with a 600 then 1000 grit I could really get it to shine. I have taken the sticker off altogether and it looks pretty good.

- Chad

great..............
 

Glad your back Chad , bike looks great even tho' it is not British :):)
Very opportune as I have just picked up a thirty gallon Oceanic from a member in Vancouver and will follow along with your project in readiness for the plunge when we return from Thailand after Christmas.
Anyone know if the Oceanic is tempered or do I need to ask the manufacturer ? ..........................Dave

Haha, thanks for the compliment Dave! But this bike is more Bitish than most of the British bikes being produced today; in fact, I lose a couple drops of oil everytime I park it ( :

Great choice on Thailand too! I lived there for a couple years and learned the language... sure wish I was going too...

- Chad

cube...................
 

Yeah! I know what you mean about oil leaks ,it sure was a British bike disease ! We are going to be on Koh Samui for four weeks over Christmas ,hope to see some colourful fish !
Are you having your new tank pre-drilled like the last one ?
.............Dave

Chad

Once you get that pump all sanded down smooth, pick up some automotive clearcoat. Once you put a coat of that on it will help seal it from the elements and add to the shine.

Mmmm, Thailand. Been there five times and can't get enough :biggrin:

Dave,
That sounds great. I never visited Samui when I lived in Thailand but went back there for a honeymoon when I got married. I found Lamai beach to be quite nice... not as much partying. Enjoy your trip, try to bring us back some sweet photos!

- Chad

Paul,
Thanks for the tip bro. Do you think I can buy a decent clear coat in a spray can?
I am going to have the tank built for me, but this time around I am going with a cut overflow and external box instead of the tank itself being drilled.

- Chad

I was in Koh Samui for a week and Koh Tao for just over a week in March - for diving and fish definately take in Koh Tao while you are there - it is absolutely beautiful and apparently some of the best diving in SE Asia - I got my PADI certification there. Personally I liked the laid back atmosphere of Koh Tao better that Samui but either way it is only a couple hour ferry ride away.

Thailand..............
 

Sorry Chad, Don't mean to make this a Thailand thread :) :) But just had to say thanks for the info. We have never been before but always get positive comments from those who have, like Drew ( makes us confident we have made the right choice ) Thanks Ruth , we will take your advice and visit Koh Tao as you suggest .And just think I can look forward to getting back and starting my cube ( always assuming Chad has prepared the way !!)
.......................Dave

Sump
 

Here is a photo of the new sump that I got from Paul today:


http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e91/honda919/sump.jpg


The baffles are a little low so I am planning on raising them up by about three inches or so, just to get a little more capacity in the sump.


Next I will post some pics of the metal stand I got as well.

- Chad

Hey Chad,

I've got a question for you, where did you get the lamp you refit the MH into for your old tank? I saw it over at Paul's place and I really like it. I haven't been able to find one like it.

Hi,
Really that lamp was a lucky find at Staples, but I've heard of other people having difficulties finding it. I think it will only get harder too because desk lamps all seem to be going fluorescent and LED and are built out of plastic that wont withstand the heat of a halide.
You best shot is looking for a "drafting lamp" with a double ended halogen bulb. They are made of metal and are the perfect size for a 70w halide reflector. Best of luck,

- Chad

Here is a shot of my stand:


http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...a919/stand.jpg



I plan on sanding the rust off of it and repainting it black along with the wood pieces. I have small kids so I need to enclose the sides, but I am working on a visually pleasing (of course) way of doing that.

As you can see, this project requires more than just building the tank. I need to do a major cleanup on my unfinished basement and also run some electrical lines for power.

- Chad

what tank dimensions are you going with?

I'm still waffleing a bit on the dimensions but right now it is 30"x18"x17".
The stand is 36 x 18.

I am considering going a little bit longer on the tank (like 32") but still want to leave a little room for the overflow and drain. I am also trying to decide if 17" tall is going to be enough, or if I should go 18". This darn thing has grown already. I was planning on 30x17x17 but when I got the stand and found it was only an extra inch across, I thought it would be nice to cover it completely from side to side.

- Chad

Progress is looking good there Chad.

Sorry about creating the moral dilemma on tank sizes.:lol:

What kind of flow you planing on running thru the sump?

Paul

Haha no problem Paul, I appreciate all your help gearing up for this.
I will either use one of the external pumps as a sump return - in which case I would probably have about 600gph going through the sump.
If I can find a decent submersible pump I might use that instead. Ideally, I would like to do about 300-400gph through the sump.

- Chad

I've just been doing some number crunching and figure that if I use one external pump on the sump return and one on a closed loop, I would have about 35x turnover in the main tank (which is about right) but the water would be going pretty fast (600gph) through my sump - maybe to the point where it sweeps microbubbles into the display.

If however, I used a mag5 as a sump return, I would have a nice and manageable 280gph through the sump. But that would mean closer to 50x turnover in the main tank (because of the mags extra output and because the Iwaki would then be bolted to the underside of the tank and wouldn't have the same losses it would have as a sump return). I usually shoot for about 30-40x turnover but 50x is a little excessive on a zoo/riccordia tank. So, there's the dilemma.

I don't really want the added expense of buying and running another pump - especially when I've already fgot pretty good flow. I might just move the baffles further apart and raise them up and just go with the 600gph through the sump...


What are people's thoughts on this?

- Chad

skimmer............
 

Chad, That is a Coralife skimmer alongside your sump is it not ?...........Dave

well if you decide to use submersable i have a nice brand new quietone 3000, can be used externaly as well, its a 780gph pump

Dave,
You sir have a good eye. It is the coralife rated for 65gals. I had a bad scare with it the other day. I fired it up to test it and the bubble size and production was horrible... it wasn't until I tried everything else that I realized that it might have been caused by the fact that I was testing it on freshwater instead of salt :( ::

Josh,
Thanks for the heads up - I think if I was getting a submersible pump though, I would need something in the 300gph range.

Cheers,

- Chad

Skimer...............
 

Hi Brad ,I am watching your every move :) :)
I wonder if it is the salt water versus fresh, I have not owned a skimmer yet. There is a huge thread on R.C. devoted to tuning the Coralifes ,they seem a bit finicky although economically priced . Our local LFS has them running and they seem O.K.
Are you going to have the bottom of your new tank drilled like the old ones ?
................Dave

Dave,
Thanks for letting me know about the RC thread - I'm going to track that down once I get water in my tank and use it to set the skimmer up.

Yes, I will probably drill at least a couple bulkheads in the bottom of my tank... I am going to bolt an external pump to the underside of the stand and run a closed loop through the bottom of the tank. I might do it with both external pumps actually... if I can get a low enough flow submersible pump to serve as a sump return...
I am still thinking about how to do my overflow... In my experience, the two-bulkhead herbie method is the quietest and safest - bar none. But, I would like to do something less visible if possible... still racking my brain though

- Chad

Skimmer etc.............
 

Chad, I tried to send you the R.C. Coralife skimmer link but it does not seem to want to work. You can get there through Google ,sometimes the R.C . search feature is overloaded !!
What is the two bulkhead herbie method ? Can I find it on canreef ?
.................Dave

Dave,
Thats a good idea to try Google. I never have any luck with RC search.
I'm not sure if the Herbie method is listed on Canreef but I have seen a couple of our members tanks that are running it. It just requires two bulkheads and one ball valve - no durso, no stockman.
Here is where it was first posted on RC:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=344892


Cheers,

- Chad

Google.........
 

Hey, Chad ,Thanks for the link . However it only took me to a huge archived list :( :(
What was interesting tho' was I took my own advice and googled ' Herbies bulkheads ' and was directed right to the thread !! Amazing ..............Dave

Update:

Well I picked up the egg grate and some krylon fusion plastic paint today. It was still cheaper to buy the white stuff and black paint than it was to buy black egg crate. As an added bonus, I think that the plastic+paint will be a bit stronger than the plastic would have on its own.




http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...9/enclosed.jpg



Advantages to this approach:
- increased airflow
- modern, professional finish
- cheaper than almost any other material option
- no tools required but a pair of side cutters!!! :cool:

What do you think?

- Chad

Good idea, It should look pretty good once its painted. Noise may become a factor with the stand open like that.

reply
 

Ya know what. not that your stand isn't good, but I think you should make a stand out of old motor cycles. now that would impress me.:mrgreen: