75gal build

Wildman

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I have been slowly working on this for probably 6 months already and still have a ways to go. Having a baby sure slows down progress on your hobbies.

This build is pretty much all DIY and pieced together from some things I had and lots of help from locals. 75gal tank - MacClellan; 20gal tank for sump - Gladfelter; skimmer - Cory; overflow - Sluf. Rock, sand, pump I already had. LED lighting still in progress.

I decided after trying to silicone rocks to the back wall in my last build I would do a complete DIY background for this one. After some research I decided to go with cement that cured fast and would not raise the PH for months. I drilled the back of the tank to leave more room for display. I went with one full siphon with gate valve and one safety overflow then ran the return up and over the back. I decided on a 20gl tall for the sump for extra volume. DIYed all the baffles from scrap I had. I wanted to go with a manifold on my return which turned out pretty well. I did make a stupid mistake in planning the sump by making the return side so small. I was planning on doing an auto top off anyway and in 24 hrs I still have plenty of water. I just can't leave it for more than a day until I get the top off hooked up.

I know I know, no one cares just show the pics.

New tank 006.jpg

full tank shot
New tank 007.jpg

detailed background
New tank 002.jpg

sump
New tank 005.jpg

Return
 
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Very nice project. I really like the background and how you could attach corals to it easily.
 
That is the plan. After my first build I decided I didn't like the pile of rock look so this time I want the coral to grow more out of the back wall more like a shelf look. I also went with minimal rock to give me more grow out room and leave plenty of open water in the front for fish.
 
Tank 006.jpg

Groove for glass pane

Tank 001.jpg

box on outside of stand for drivers. I decided to move the power bars due to space restrictions.

Tank 004.jpg

Tank 005.jpg

Looks like I will have to study up on white balance correct for Iphone but here it is running about 70%.
 
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Where can I get some of the clear mesh for a top? Nice...
 
Good looking work. I like how those bulkhead connectors turned out.
 
I guess details might be helpful.:tongue:

LEDs:
12 Cree XP-G cool white
6 Cree XP-G neutral white
22 Cree XP-E royal blue
8 Violet UV
2 red Osram, 2 cyan cree, 2 green Cree
Lenses:
60 degree across the front to keep the light off the glass
80 degree on everything else
no optics on UV and color LEDs
Drivers:
2 Mean Well 60-1050
3 Mean Well 35-700
1 0-10V Dimmable Nano driver for the 6 colored LEDs
Everything came form Rapid LED. With what I spent I could have purchased two Chinese fully dimable fixtures. I think these LEDs are still supposed to be a little more efficient and I knew exactly what I was getting bin wise. I am extremely happy with the color ratio and see no need in adjusting. Hopefully I can get some pics that show the color temp appropriately.
 
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A little additional info. Rob is correct. I got the netting from BRS. I chose to get the from pieces form Lowes because due to having to build two seperate screens it was a little cheaper. The corners are plastic so I was able to notch them for cables to my power heads.

I am really happy with the bulk head connectors. However, on my next build I will upgrade to a more industrial grade. The inside connectors you solder to are flimsy. The outside of the connectors and pins are just fine. I don't think it is a problem because I won't be disconnecting them very often, but if you were I think the inside connectors might bend and short out.
 
This tank is going to be AWESOME ! I love the "rock wall" and the open "reef" space for all the fish - great tank :smile:
 

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