65g + DIY stand and setup

DustanT · Jan 13, 2016

Ah ok, well for the room I have I think the reef octopus classic 110sss is what i'm going to get. I'm not going to keep a lot of fish mostly rock coral and some typical reef fish like clowns, blenny, shrimp and cleaning crew. I think 6 fish is what I've been thinking about keeping. Thanks for your help

Fishfreak_MA · Jan 13, 2016

I don't know if it will fit in your sump but I use the Eshopps Gen 3 PSK-150 Protein Skimmer in my 65 gallon and it works great. The fractionation on it is really good with the sicce pumps that they use now. I'm amazed at how much it pulls out. It's not the fanciest skimmer and it can be a pain to tune but once it's dialed in it's a workhorse.

DustanT · Jan 13, 2016

If i have to i could make the area for the skimmer bigger and make my refugium smaller, its 13 long x 12 wide x 10 high. 10x12 seems to be needed for the larger units

Ronnell · Jan 13, 2016

DustanT said:
If i have to i could make the area for the skimmer bigger and make my refugium smaller, its 13 long x 12 wide x 10 high. 10x12 seems to be needed for the larger units

What size is your sump?

DustanT · Jan 13, 2016

29g sump, 30 wide 12 deep 18 tall. So first area is 6.5", 1", 13", 1", 1" then 4.5"

Tank is backwards from measurements shown

DustanT · Jan 14, 2016

Added my pump and drip loops, getting excited to start the tank.

DustanT · Jan 14, 2016

Drain line and supply line installed. Do the PVC need to be glued to the bulkheads?

shovelhead · Jan 14, 2016

Not inside overflow

DustanT · Jan 14, 2016

Awesome thanks. How does the piping look?

shovelhead · Jan 14, 2016

Make sure the flexible drain line is secured well. Being slightly horizontal there will always be pressure pulling down on it where its attached to bulkhead.

DustanT · Jan 14, 2016

Ok i'll add 2 or 3 more points to secure it. Thanks

shovelhead · Jan 14, 2016

The clamp on your return pump will have to be plastic. The metal will rust and cause problems.

shovelhead · Jan 14, 2016

I use zip ties. Pull them tight with pliers.

DustanT · Jan 14, 2016

Ok will do thanks again

DustanT · Jan 15, 2016

Here is what I did for the bulkhead drain support and drain sock support.

Bob Escher · Jan 15, 2016

Everything looks great. I'm going to a 65 gal myself and debating whether to build my own stand. I'm not a carpenter apprentice even but try. Can you give the size of each piece of bwood to help me? ( Are they 2x4's
Also my other question is you got that big sump, have you thought where your going to put any controller, external devices because it looks like you have no room underneath for that. I'm considering the trigger systems emerald 26 because of that ( the wife doesn't like fish food laying around along with anything else so I would put those underneath

DustanT · Jan 15, 2016

Building your own stand in my case costed about $250 bucks, plus I had to buy a hand planer and all the screws and glue, that doesn't include all the wood working tools I already own. I was a finish carpenter for years. My framing is a typical DIY setup I found online with a base of 2x4 and the legs of 2x4 and the top a 2x6. Everything was glued and crewed with liquid nails and coated deck screws. If I was to do it again I would go for the plywood stand and reinforce the area's needed with doubling up and gluing. That way I don't have to frame and deal with twisted and not square wood. My outside dimensions are 37.5 long by 20.5 wide and 37 high. I'll attach some pics showing the room I have inside. For storage of food and whatnot I have a stand a few feet away I'll be storing all my stuff. On top of it all a heated garage to work in and plenty of room to work. So in the end would I buy or build? If I could get a stand for $300 I would buy.

Bob Escher · Jan 15, 2016

Thanks Dustan: that's a great idea I didn't think of that. I was looking at a black pine stand that is 36x18 and I could strengthen it internally and just go with the emerald 26

DustanT · Jan 15, 2016

If you don't mind painted stands great you can always repaint a new color, also I built my own sump from a 29g I got for 30 bucks and cut glass at a window shop for 10 and glue for 8, so sump was around 55 bucks. Building your own sump can save you what a stand cost. Also not sure how they can sell you a sump that costs more than your tank!?