DigitalWeight's 120 Gallon Mixed Reef Build

[DigitalWeight]

I got the stand all set up with the sump in there and after some playing around realized that the stand is NOT going to work. Basically, it is not tall enough to work with the Vertex Alpha skimmer I have as well as giving me any semblance of being able to work in the sump.

So, I need to go back to plan A which is to finish the stand I started working on. Sucks because now I need to finish that stand which is not my forte. Oh well, sh$t happens as they say. I am going to go basic with fully removable panels on the front and two sides for full access to the sump. If anyone has any ideas please let me know!

Here is what the bones of the stand looks like. Next step will be to get the tank up on the stand and the plumbing all installed.

[monkE]

looking good so far!!! keep the updates coming

[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