My New 72"x20"x20" Tank Build

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Finally after a bunch of set backs, I have finally started my new build! I have never really done a heck of a lot of DIY stuff, so go easy on me...especially the woodworking!

Anyways, heres the story. My fiance and I have moved 3 times in the past year. It has been a disaster for my poor fish. I have 2 large puffers and eel who need a big, big tank. We moved into a really, really nice basement apartment so that I could set up a 220G tank for them. Long story short, the owners sold the house and we had to leave because although the new people were renting out the suite, they did not want such a big tank in their place. Fair enough I guess. We moved back into our old building (luckily I am friends with the owner) and actually got a nicer suite. BUT we could not set up the 220G because its on the second floor. My brother is now using the 220G. I needed a tank that would be suitable for my puffers but not much more than 100G, so the footprint of the tank was important. I came up with 72"x20"x20" being about the best I could do. I was about to build it in acrylic with my father but then found almost the exact same tank from a member here! It turned out great. It will by no means be ideal for my big puffers but I am not willing to give them up and Im confident it will give them enough room.

This is what I want this tank to be...Heavily planted with macro algae and mushrooms, very natural looking and I really do not mind a bit of what people usually consider nuisance algae. Stuff like bubble algae. I really want a lot of growth in this tank! Any suggestions for macro algae or "stuff" in general to add would be great! No corals though besides mushrooms or anything my puffers will leave alone and need little care. I may add xenia but I hate how quickly that stuff takes over a tank!

All the flow for the tank will be from a large return pump and closed loop. I do not want any equipment visible. Had a bit of a drilling problem, so now I think the sump and refugium will be rubbermaids!

Heres a list of what I have so far followed by many pics!

72"x20"x19" Eurobraced Tank
30G Sump
30G refugium
PM Bullet 2 Skimmer
4 x 80 watt retro fit T5 with individual reflectors (320 watts total)
Sequence 1100 series 6000 GPH Pond Pump for closed loop
Mag 24 Return pump
$600 or so in plumbing
DIY stand
DIY canopy
Aqua Controller JR.

2 large puffers sick of QT (QT'd separately)
1 large eel also sick of his QT (at least he has sand though!)
200 lbs. LR sick of rubbermaids
Many headaches already!

Here are some camera phone pics...The kinda woodwork sucks, I know but I am limited to mostly all hand tools right now. The stand and canopy will be primed white and if we like it, will be painted white. If not, black it is!

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

[mark]

Like the picture with the tankful of fittings.

Measure twice, cut once, dry fit everything and have fun.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Thanks mark. Well you guys here have really helped me get this thing planned out. I should have everything I need now and I know I have extra PVC. I will be dry fitting it all this week and will post pics to get advice.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Do you have a PVC pipecutter? Those things are worth their weight in gold when it comes to these plumbing projects. Way easier & cleaner than with a hacksaw.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Yeah I just picked one up today! I had cut about 3 lengths of the 2" PVC with a hacksaw and mitre box and decided enough was enough...Way too slow and hard to keep the cut really nice. Tried a quick cut tonight with the new cutter and its not as fast as I had thought it would be but perfect cut.