Budget doesn't exist in this hobby: Brian's 45g Build

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Etaloche

Alright I'll have a lookout for one.

Maybe you can trade your 20-gallon for a 15? Or, Petsmart here carries the 15-gallon tanks for I think less than $20, but I can't remember for sure. A 10-gallon will be too small.

[Etaloche]

Got a fresh box of apples from user SSDiver from Kamloops!



Let's see what's inside!
Awwww it wasn't apples
SSDiver really put in some care packaging everything and even covered half the shipping.



So here are the things I bought from him:

Tunze DOC 9004 protein skimmer for $70 and 3162 comline filter for $50


SWC Xtreme LED lights $90
I couldn't pull up much info on these lights other than that they use 3W Cree LED which people seem to have mixed opinions about.
Do you guys think this will be adequate for a 29g? If not I was thinking of adding a T5 fixture to go along later down the road.
Fan is so damn loud on this thing... I don't know how someone could listen to it all day. Will have to replace it for sure.








I was a little hesitant about this purchase but went for it anyways.
Tunze 3155 ATO for $120
I'm trying to keep this a budget build and an ATO is a bit of a luxury item, but since I was buying multiple items SSDiver gave me a fair price for it so I thought why not.




Koralia Nano 425 PH for $10


Here are some things he threw in for free which was really nice of him.
Power bar, 300W heater, magfloat glass cleaner, and a mechanical timer


Quick mock up of how everything will go in the sump.
Heater, skimmer and filter in the first chamber. The 300W heater might be too big and I might need to purchase a smaller 200W heater instead.
ATO sensors and the pump in the return chamber.


Shoutout to SSDiver, he was so amazing with communication and just an awesome person to do business with.

Even while trying to keep this a budget build it's not proving to be cheap. For someone on a tighter budget the comline filter and the ATO were not necessary purchases and could save roughly $170 without those 2 parts.
At least all the expensive components have been purchased now. Only the plumbing left really.
Where is the best place to buy plumbing parts in Vancouver? I went to RONA today and they had scarce amounts of plumbing parts.

Total cost now: $480

[FishyFishy!]

Good choice on going with the ATO. I wouldnt consider that a luxury item at all. In a smaller water volume setup such as this, evaporation can cause salinity swings easily if you're not diligent with your water top ups. Id count that as a good, must have purchase.

[Myka]

Get Anthony to do it. If you had an old tank sitting around you could practise, but if he's willing to do it, then I'd take him up on it. He's also knowledgeable enough that he should he able to spot if it's tempered.

You can't use diamond bits on any plastics - they will heat up and melt the plastic which then sticks on the bit.

[Etaloche]

Originally Posted by Myka

Get Anthony to do it. If you had an old tank sitting around you could practise, but if he's willing to do it, then I'd take him up on it. He's also knowledgeable enough that he should he able to spot if it's tempered.

You can't use diamond bits on any plastics - they will heat up and melt the plastic which then sticks on the bit.

OK I'll take it to Anthony's tomorrow.
Ah dang now I need to find a 1.5" hole saw Haha

[Myka]

Anthony doesn't have one? Is there a Princess Auto where you live? I get them there...they're only $15.

[Fishy!]

Cool build so far! I love how you keep changing your mind, to try and get the best possible end result. I am notorious for this, it drives my wife nuts. I call it being adaptative and dynamic Tagging along.

[Etaloche]

Originally Posted by Myka

Anthony doesn't have one? Is there a Princess Auto where you live? I get them there...they're only $15.

I'll ask him today when I'm over at his place.

Originally Posted by Fishy!

Cool build so far! I love how you keep changing your mind, to try and get the best possible end result. I am notorious for this, it drives my wife nuts. I call it being adaptative and dynamic Tagging along.

I know exactly what you mean! I'll tackle a project with the mindset of keeping it simple and low budget, but as I start to get going and do more research I'll be like "well I mean I already started so I might as well make it the best I can" and before I know it I'll have gone through like 5 revisions. I like how you call it, I'll use that term in my future resumes haha

[Etaloche]

Had a really fun time at Anthony's BBQ this weekend and finally got my tank drilled thanks to Anthony.

His tanks were beautiful!



Finally drilled the tank! Anthony got both holes done in less than 5 minutes I think, it was quite impressive.



Now I just need to find some help to get an external box built for the overflow. Anyone good with working with acrylic/polycarbonate that can help out?

[WarDog]

Originally Posted by Etaloche

Finally drilled the tank! Anthony got both holes done in less than 5 minutes I think, it was quite impressive.

Nice. That Anthony is good people!

Originally Posted by Etaloche

Anyone good with working with acrylic/polycarbonate that can help out?

Why aren't you doing it in glass? You're practically an expert now!