55 gallon rimless build-advice wanted!

thediscobandit · Dec 9, 2019

Hey everyone,

Finally about ready to put together what will be my first reef tank. Wanted some advice regarding many things setup wise. Everything im using for the tank has been reclaimed from other tanks, but i will need reef lights!

Ive had some success (and trials of course) cutting 15mm glass in my backyard with a makeshift wet saw setup. Today i got all the glass cut:

Dimensions will be 30"Lx24"Wx21"H. Glass is all 15mm.

First question would be how best to clean and polish this glass? These panels all have some degree of scratching, couple of them pretty deep. Ive heard of cerium oxide, but how best to apply it and what to buff it with???

Second question regards the overflow. I have these two. I think the first may be too small but the second perhaps too large for this tank?? Leaning towards a 1" bean animal setup with the larger one and returns mounted on either side. But if i can get away with the smaller one id consider a minimalist look with a single full siphon drain or something...

Third question regards equipment. I already have a current usa dc pump (~2000 gph@0') and current usa powerhead (2100 gph) that are supposed to be able to link up or something via this LOOP system. Should i go ahead and get the current usa lights that would link up with them as well? Or is there a better option? Im not trying to get super pricy as i know reef lights can get.

Im bound to have more questions as i go as this is my foray into reefkeeping. Thank you for all advice and for reading.

thediscobandit · Dec 11, 2019

Went ahead and answered a couple of my questions on my own...gave rise to a couple more.

Got the last panel cut flush and true so all fits together perfect. Drilled the back overflow with a 50 mm hole and drilled one 35mm return. Im wondering whether or not i should drill two more holes on either side for the overflow or just leave it as is--just use one full siphon drain and forget about the emergency overflow...opinions?

Priced dropped on amazon on those current usa lights so i went ahead and ordered them. Also ordered some pvc angle trim which should be pretty slick for the top and bottom edges.

Next on to cleaning up this glass which im not too excited about...

dbl · Dec 11, 2019

Do you plan on using an internal overflow or an external? You could go with something like the Eclipse which only requires one hole but you can set it up with your emergency drain. I use the smaller version on my QT (when I use it) and haven't had any issues.

Just another suggestion.

Eclipse M Overflow Box (800 GPH)

Quiet, Slim, Plug & Play The Eclipse aquarium overflow system consists of a slim black box that is mounted inside of your tank and a clear external box that mounts outside of your tank, to transport water down to your sump with as little noise generated as possible. The DIY project only takes a...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

thediscobandit · Dec 11, 2019

dbl said:
Do you plan on using an internal overflow or an external? You could go with something like the Eclipse which only requires one hole but you can set it up with your emergency drain. I use the smaller version on my QT (when I use it) and haven't had any issues.

Just another suggestion.

Eclipse M Overflow Box (800 GPH)

Quiet, Slim, Plug & Play The Eclipse aquarium overflow system consists of a slim black box that is mounted inside of your tank and a clear external box that mounts outside of your tank, to transport water down to your sump with as little noise generated as possible. The DIY project only takes a...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Well thats what im stuck on currently. Im leaning towards using the larger box i already have--im gonna use recycled materials before buying anything new--this one:

So I'll have whatever plumbing out the back, and wanted to build my reef structure off of the bottom of the box. Wanted to do a large open cave type of thing up the back of the tank.

Im thinking of just using the one return and putting the powerhead i have on the other side of the the overflow box.

It wouldnt be hard to add the two other holes, i was just going for as simple as possible to start with this tank.

Thanks for the help!

Chefwheredyougo · Dec 11, 2019

What are you interested in growing? The current lights are good for softies and some lps, but you with a deeper tank you'll have a hard time with the current usa getting lps to grow on the bottom.

thediscobandit · Dec 12, 2019

Chefwheredyougo said:
What are you interested in growing? The current lights are good for softies and some lps, but you with a deeper tank you'll have a hard time with the current usa getting lps to grow on the bottom.

Im completely ignorant regarding corals thats way ahead of me at this point. You would consider 20" a deeper tank? I'll probably just stick to whatever will work best with my substandard lights lol.

ruskimax · Dec 12, 2019

“I’ll prob just stick to whatever works best”. Famous last words and ones I’ve used myself quite a bit. I’d say research what corals you’ll be interested in keeping then research budget friendly options for those. Otherwise you’re stuck w softies and will have to rethink lights at the very minimum when you inevitably want some stony stuff in there. Just my 2c....

Chefwheredyougo · Dec 12, 2019

thediscobandit said:
Im completely ignorant regarding corals thats way ahead of me at this point. You would consider 20" a deeper tank? I'll probably just stick to whatever will work best with my substandard lights lol.

Please don't take that the wrong way... I'm using the current usa that was sitting in my closet because I screwed my other light up. The softies i had have died, they were glued to a rock on the bottom of my tank, 18" down, my anemones are fine atm but only because they are 6" from the light. Current usa lights are cool, but there are cheaper chinese black boxes that will grow anything you want at any depth you want. Vipraspectra, mars aqua, ocean revives you can get those for 100 bucks new and they will scorch the sandbed if turned up.

thediscobandit · Dec 12, 2019

ruskimax said:
“I’ll prob just stick to whatever works best”. Famous last words and ones I’ve used myself quite a bit. I’d say research what corals you’ll be interested in keeping then research budget friendly options for those. Otherwise you’re stuck w softies and will have to rethink lights at the very minimum when you inevitably want some stony stuff in there. Just my 2c....

Well yeah what i had meant was I'll find out what will work best and go with that. Im not the type to stock any tank before doing research...like i said thats a ways off.

I havent ruled out a fowlr setup yet. I really like the dwarf angels and have heard most are not reef friendly.

thediscobandit · Dec 12, 2019

Chefwheredyougo said:
Please don't take that the wrong way... I'm using the current usa that was sitting in my closet because I screwed my other light up. The softies i had have died, they were glued to a rock on the bottom of my tank, 18" down, my anemones are fine atm but only because they are 6" from the light. Current usa lights are cool, but there are cheaper chinese black boxes that will grow anything you want at any depth you want. Vipraspectra, mars aqua, ocean revives you can get those for 100 bucks new and they will scorch the sandbed if turned up.

Good to know. Like i said this will be my first time dabbling with reef tanks so hopefully the lights will be adequate for a basic setup for me to play around with.

ruskimax · Dec 12, 2019

thediscobandit said:
Well yeah what i had meant was I'll find out what will work best and go with that. Im not the type to stock any tank before doing research...like i said thats a ways off.

I havent ruled out a fowlr setup yet. I really like the dwarf angels and have heard most are not reef friendly.

My Coral beauty knows not to mess with the polyps or he gets the lotion on the skin ...

thediscobandit · Jan 1, 2020

Paint went on back panel and trim today. Krylon fusion matte black.

Getting close to assembly. Been scrubbing and buffing and scrubbing and buffing but there are some deeper scratches that i can do nothing about.

This panel has really been giving me fits. Ive tried acetone, vinegar+baking soda, buffing with sandpaper...cant seem to get this foggy scaling off or whatever it is. Any help would be appreciated.

I'll probably end up plowing ahead without much more work on the panels. I think the panels are just too scratchy to invest any more time in. Tank might not be the prettiest thing but ive never been too concerned with scratches.

thediscobandit · Jan 1, 2020

Final mockup of the tank before assembly. It looks like im gonna have to shave another 1/8"-1/4" off the bottom panel's long dimension. It fits in super tight right now and theres no room for a silicone seal. I painted that panel green for who knows what reason but i liked it as soon as i did it

Dug this tank out of the closet which will be the sump, its 24x24x20 pending the repair i have to make on the back panel, which may cut it down to around 24x22x20. Cleaned it up and fill testing it now to see how bad the leak is back there. Maybe I'll i have to do is reinforce the seams.

Wanna get creative with this sump, trick it out with ghetto diy sock holders, wet dry trays, refugium, a bunch of silly compartments that you reef people seem to love...should be fun.

Next time i update hopefully the tank itself will be all sealed up. Thanks for reading.

thediscobandit · Jan 9, 2020

Tank itself is mostly finished. Still gonna work on the glass some, other minor touch ups but i would call it a success at this point.

Im a little confused with this sump. Im starting to think it mustve been a fitting that leaked because it hasn't dropped water level in nearly a week.