my new tank

[spikehs]

looks awsome

[ToeCutter]

Tank looks awesome... but why use MDF stand? For what that tank costs, why not get make a nice hardwood, or even plywood stand?

[EmilyB]

Welcome to Canreef Toe

[ToeCutter]

Thanks sugah

[eposer]

The stand is made from MDF simply because it's cheap and easy to work with plus you won't see it. The side panels and doors are getting covered in black leather textured formica with stainless steel handles for a sleek modern look.

Evan.

[eposer]

Here are some not so great pics of the near finished product taken at 10:00pm and 12:00pm last night respectively.

testing the plumbing at 2/3 power:


Everything moved in from my 75g but still needs aquascaping.


One word of advice. DO NOT fill up your diy tank sitting on your diy stand with your diy plumbing at 11:30 at night if you want to have any sleep whatsoever. Every groan and gurgle and I was like "Oh crap It's cracking!!! So far so good though

[AJ_77]

I take it you're at home today...

What's covering the egg crate bottom now? Anything/details available?

[eposer]

Nope, I'm working today. I just took a late lunch to put these up that's all.

There's nothing on the egg crate yet but it will be covered with sand soon enough. It's there to protect the bottom of the tank from me knocking rocks over and dropping them.

Evan.

[Delphinus]

Very cool.

Some Q's for ya ...

Are the outputs we see there, the sump return, or is that a closed loop? Or one of each?

I can't quite tell from the picture, but does each successive downstream outlet extend a little further into the tank (stepped up from the previous)?

What are the outlets, is that loc-line or did you just use a bunch of 90's? Is each nozzle aimable?

What kind of sump turnover do you have? What did you do for a sump? How do you deal with microbubbles, do you have dams and baffles or did you go with a raceway?

How long did the tank have to sit empty to let the silicone cure? Was 24hrs enough or did you go with longer?

[eposer]

Are the outputs we see there, the sump return, or is that a closed loop? Or one of each?

All from the sump return. Only one pump that way, and nothing hanging in the tank. I'm going for simplicity with this setup.

I can't quite tell from the picture, but does each successive downstream outlet extend a little further into the tank (stepped up from the previous)?

Nope they're all the same height. The end ones are extended to clear the corner triangles of my euro bracing.

What are the outlets, is that loc-line or did you just use a bunch of 90's? Is each nozzle aimable?

They're made of 3/4" black pvc irrigation fittings from Revy. Two 90 degree joints with a 2" extender between them to get down below the water level. This gives both vertical and horizontal aiming control.

What kind of sump turnover do you have? What did you do for a sump? How do you deal with microbubbles, do you have dams and baffles or did you go with a raceway?

I'm running an ampmaster 3000 so with the angles in the plumbing and the 5' head height you're looking at around 2700 gph when it's opened up all the way. I still have to partition the sump. I didn't really want to commit to anything before I could see the volume going through it. Any ideas? Right now I have some temp styrofoam baffles and a sponge to get rid of most of the micro bubbles.

Here's the plumbing and 33 gal sump prior to the makeshift baffles.

How long did the tank have to sit empty to let the silicone cure? Was 24hrs enough or did you go with longer?

I let the main submerged seams of the tank sit for 6 1/2 days to gass off. I believe most people reccomend 7 days for the acids to gass off.


Evan.