Well, now that I’m actually starting the “build†process I guess I need to start documenting my progress. I'm in the middle of trying to sell my house so I'm planning to get all the set up work done while I’m still in the house so that all I have to do when I move is set it up.
Equipment:
75g Planet Aquarium Rimless w/external overflow
Vertex Omega 130 skimmer
2 - Kessil A360W-E lights
2 – Vortech MP40w ES
Eshopp R200 Sump
Danner Mag 18 return pump
Tunze Osmolator top off
Will hopefully get an Apex before tank is ready tenants
I’ll be working on the plumbing next week while the temps
are warmer!
Made a little progress today while we've got some great weather!
Made some rubble racks to sit in the drain / return section of the sump. When it's time to clean it should be much easier.
I got started on the plumbing. My original thought was to use flexible PVC for the drains and braided tubing for the return. I hadn't realized how short the distance would be from bottom of the tank to the sump and discovered neither one will be flexible enough with the short sections I would have to use. I decided to hard plumb it instead. Gotta make another run to Lowe's tomorrow to pick up some more stuff.
The rock and sand came in. This time I ordered the Fiji dry rock and special grade Agri - live sand. The rock has dead stuff on it. What do I need to do with it? Just rinse it off really good?
Next big purchase is going to be an Apex once I get moved.
Plumbing is done! Did the dry fit and everything looked great. Cemented the two drain lines and they fit almost perfectly. Got half way done with the return and realized I put one of the 45 on backwards...thank goodness Lowe's is only 5 min away! Water test starts on Saturday!!!
WOOHOO!!!! No leaks! Filled the tank / sump and turned on the pump. It took about an hour to get the gate valve tuned in just right. All three connections are leak free! On my last tank I redid the plumbing 4 times!!!! This thing is soooo quiet...I plumbed the drains with the herbie method. All I hear is the trickle of water going into the overflow. Right now the pump is a little loud because I've got it connected with the braided poly and it's vibrating up the return line. As soon as I get the silicon tubing that'll get changed out.
I had to make one small adjustment. The return line ended up slightly short and was causing the pump to be too close to the back wall. I had a piece of PVC stuck between it and the wall so that it wouldn't suck up to the wall. I lengthened it about an inch and got the pump in the perfect spot. Also added the silicon tubing. The overflow box is not very deep so the bubbles that were being created by the water overflowing into it were getting sucked down the main drain causing bubbling noise in the pipes. I took everything off the main drain so that now it's just the bulkhead at the bottom and I raised the water level in the overflow box. Now all you hear is the trickle of the water and a low hum of the pump.
Got the Apex all set, finally figured out how to program late last night. This morning I attached the lights to the top of the board to test and see if my programming skills are any good. This is a temporary set up until I get a cabinet to mount everything in.
I love mixed reefs. So much color, and then the contrast between softies and SPS is just fantastic. Good luck, and I can't wait to see how everything comes along!
Finally got moved and settled in the new place this week and started working on the tank. I need to get two kessil extension cables so I can finish the wires on the lights.
Got everything installed either in or on the equipment box and already realize I need a larger box. Anyone know of something I can buy off the shelf? I'm using a bathroom cabinet that I found at Ikea.
Everything is in the sump except the ATO reservoir.
I added a breakout box along with window / door magnets to turn on the lights inside the cabinet. I had some Ecoxotic LED strips leftover from my planted tank and attached them to the roof inside the cabinet.
Today will be adding the sand and working on scaping and attaching my RODI in the washroom.
