Bioload 75 - Reef Aquarium

[Skimmerking]

Bioload where did ya get the rock from love it, that is what I need.

[bioload]

Originally Posted by Skimmer King

Bioload where did ya get the rock from love it, that is what I need.

Just ordinary dry rock (formerly live). The pieces were removed from my older 65gal which was dismantled a while back.

[bioload]

Some more work on the tank. Since I've finally installed the sump I need an overflow box in the main tank to replace the plugs installed when the tank was filled



I was able to get an off cut from Piedmont Plastics for approx $5.00 sq/ft including taxes. Have quite a bit extra that I can use later on for the media reactors and skimmer. First step was to rip a 6" wide strip for the overflow.



Using the table saw again cut the pieces for the front, back and side of the overflow. The box will measure 6"x6"x4"



Once the cuts were made with the table saw. I then set up a straight edge on the router table to clean up the edges that will be welded. I just use a simple level for this clamped to the table. I don't have a jointer at the moment, but this works fine.



The guide was set to just shave the edge of the piece. Important to do one pass per piece before moving the guide to ensure all the pieces have the right dimensions. Top of each peice then bottom, then sides etc.



Here is a look between the edge from the table saw and after routing.



Once the edges are cleaned up with the router I usually do a dry fit to ensure everything lines up right.



Before welding the pieces together I marked where the bulkhead would be installed on the box and drilled a hole using a hole saw. Just placed is on the back of the tank which was drained and traced the hole.



I used a standard squeeze applicator and Weld-On 4 for the solvent. Both can be obtained from Piedmont Plastics. I would recommend practicing on a scraps if possible to get used to the applicator. When inverted the solvent flows very fast. Squeezing the bottle before inverting helps control the flow, but takes some practice to get right



When bonding two pieces I leave a slight edge that can be cleaned up using the router table afterward.



Once the front, back, and sides are all welded, next step is to clean up the edges.



Attaching everything to the bottom. This piece I did not cut on the table saw. I simply glued the box onto the oversize bottom and again passed on the router



Completed box



I had some egg-crate that fit nicely into the top of the overflow to prevent anything from going into the drain



Finally installed the box into the tank. Ensure that the gaskets are in the right spots.

Flange -> Gasket -> Overflow -> Gasket -> Tank -> Gasket (optional) -> Nut



HTH,
Sunil

[bioload]

Unfortunately my Blue Tang that I've had for the past several years has become quite aggressive in the 75gal. I won't be able to have a large tank ready in time and would like to continue adding livestock, but I'm afraid she's too territorial.

If someone has a nice home for her.......please ensure that your tank is appropriate, like I said, she's been with us for over 4 years and would hate to have her perish.

$60.00 - Approx 5"

[bioload]

Got my skimmer pump (Laguna Max Flo 1500 SWC Needlewheel) last week and finally was able to take it for a test drive. I must say I'm quite impressed compared to my old sedra needlewheel.

Still not sure what design I'll be using for the skimmer, but I whipped together a box with a diffusion plate to make some bubbles.

This is after an hour....I like it wet, and already a few pods swimming around in the V.

[bioload]

[bioload]

Okay enough of the square skimmer......new build started.

It's been about 4 months now since I first added saltwater to my 75 gallon tank and I'm still far from my final goal of a successful mixed reef. There are several obstacles at the moment but let's deal with them one at a time.

Ammonia and nitrite made their appearance and left, leaving behind their garbage in the form of nitrate. The last part of the nitrogen cycle that has been a thorn in my side. That house guest that has overstayed their welcome. That pimple on the end of your nose that won't go away. That ex-....well you get the idea, I'm quite frustrated!......don't even get me started on Phosphates.

My first weapon of choice in this fight was macro algae. However, I now have have enough macro to fill a 5 gal pail and there has been no noticeable drop in nitrates over the past 2 weeks. I guessing that nitrate is being created faster than the macro can consume.

I just received my acrylic tubing for my skimmer this week and I'm hoping that this will have an impact. Not necessarily removing any nitrate, but removing waste before it has a chance to add to the nitrate problem.

Here are some rough details

Pump: SWC Askoll (Laguna) 1500 needle wheel
Diameter: 8"
Height: 23" to fit under my tank

Here is a shot of what I have so far. A 3" tall 6"OD 1/8" wall extruded acrylic tube which was welded to a 1/4" sheet of white acrylic and cleaned up with the router

Not much but a start