DigitalWeight's 120 Gallon Mixed Reef Build

[DigitalWeight]

Placed the tank on top of the stand and now at the plumbing stages. Here are some shots of the progress to date:



The tank is high up which will make viewing standing up accessible. However, as a short guy, my new step ladder is going to come in very handy!



A Dremel is the best tool ever. Made easy work out of cutting the holes in the back panel for the plumbing to come through/





Got the Apex controller all mounted and ready to go. This was a big decision in terms of where to put it. It is hard to see but I put in an acrylic piece on the bottom to hopefully stop splash-up from the sump. I have two EB8's, a WMX controller for my Vortechs, and a spill detector. The control panel sits on the front of the stand.









These shots show the plumbing - took the requisite multiple stops to Home Depot to get everything. Right now it is dry fitted, waiting for me to commit with "the glue"!



Finally you can see the Ecotech Radion holders I got from Martin at Modularled.ca. I had to adjust them a bit - easy cut with a hacksaw. They are slightly off-centre due to my overflow, but it is not that noticeable. I will need to touch up the paint as it comes off pretty easy.

Next step is the gluing of the pipe, painting the stand, and GETTING WET!

[DigitalWeight]

This weekend has been busy - I finished painting the stand. I used Kilz primer inside and out and then finished the outside with a high gloss interior/exterior white. The stand is not perfect - finishing is hard!

Regardless, I am happy how it turned out given that I did it all. Maybe one day I will hire someone to finish it all professional-like but this thing is costing me enough as it is so it will work for now.

Anyway, here is a finished shot:

[DigitalWeight]

Along with finishing the stand, I was able to finish most of the plumbing. Today I bonded the PVC together and everything went ok. Next step is getting some flex pipe to connect the return pump to the PVC return - you can see that on the left.



Things look a bit messy with the Controller cords not properly laid out. Will get that cleaned up before I go live.

Next step is rinsing the rock. I can now see the path to wetness!

[DigitalWeight]

With my small tank I have been making water buy connecting my old RO/DI unit to a sink in our half bath. Works ok when you are only making a small amount of water but with the next tank I am going to need to make way more.

So, I just finished the install of a new SpectraPure 90-gallon unit that I hooked up right off the main water line in the furnace room. I was nervous at first since I have like zero plumbing experience but it was way easier than I expected.

Basically I had to cut the 3/4 inch line coming out of the water meter:



Install a tee and ball valve which allowed me to go from 3/4 inch to 1/2 inch pipe. The ball valve I was able to use made it possible to go from a 1/2 inch line to a mur-lock connection for the ro/di tubing:



Crimp all the connections using this tool I had to rent for $15 from Home Depot (they are about $250 new):



Which fed into the unit and ultimately into my storage container:





When I get some time I am going to go get a Brute trash can and build a stand high enough so that I can fill a 5-gallon bucket from the Brute storage container to make it easier to make saltwater for water changes. The ro-di water will go into the brute can for easy storage and filling smaller buckets.

[Skimmerking]

mango that is looking sweet love the white looking tank and stand well done

[DigitalWeight]

Originally Posted by Skimmer King

mango that is looking sweet love the white looking tank and stand well done

Thanks!

[DigitalWeight]

Well the day is finally here - I got the tank wet today. I have to admit I was really nervous about this as I never dealt with this much water nor did a built. My last tank was a AIO so basically plug and play.

Things went pretty well. I needed more water than I thought and have had to fll another Rubbermaid garbage bin which takes a day to do. All I have left is the sump to fill.

I simply put a pump in the garbage bins, connected some hose and pumped water into the tank. Easy-peasy.

Although I thought I tested all my connection, I actually missed gluing one section of PVC to my ball valve on a return. I noticed as it was slightly dripping. It was an easy fix - simply emptied some water, cleaned and glued the PVC and am letting it cure while I make more water.

I have not done a full flow test yet as I am waiting for the water to be finished.