Andys 125 build

[AndyOneTwentyFive]

Ok I haven't updated this in a while and it's because there hasn't been anything to report. I finally have the stand near complete but I ended up ditching the canopy all together. Only thing that's left is to paint the outside black and then I can get it in the house and start putting everything together.

By the way... Painting the inside of this was quite annoying. I have paint in my hair...

 

[AndyOneTwentyFive]

Stand is very close to being done. Painted the outside, cut holes for fans, got it in the house, got the thermostat for the house moved from behind the tank and relocated on the outside of the stand. (See pic below)

The front of the stand will have 1 large removable panel.

Here's one of the fans. The stand will have a fan to draw air in and a fan to suck air out. Both will be mounted on the top behind the tank.

Here you can see my thermostat mounted into the side of the stand. It's normal home is directly behind the stand so this was a must. Also you can see that Xander the Persian approves.

 

[AndyOneTwentyFive]

Also found time to give some of my rock an acid bath.

Here's what it looked like before:

Here's what it looked like during:

And after:

I'm very pleased with the results. Can't wait to get the rest done!

 

[kateater]

Update: My vinegar bath didn't get results (rock is still green) so I'm going to do muriatic acid when I get the chance. Also my stand has been repurposed as a miter saw table. Darn thing was wobbly when I built it and I didn't realize how bad until I set the tank on it. Also I didn't like how tall it was so I built a new one.

Went with a complete redesign. I like this design a lot better as the canopy will be removable when it comes time to tear the system down. (I don't plan on living here forever)
This setback had me bummed but I'm moving forward once again and couldn't be happier.

good looking stand, that thing is built heavy duty.

 

[AndyOneTwentyFive]

good looking stand, that thing is built heavy duty.

Thanks kateater!

 

[AndyOneTwentyFive]

Got an update for you folks although I don't have many pictures. My rock is currently cycling. I've got it all in a brute with a pump, power head, and heater. Planted a seed in the form of some brine shrimp cubes. Put them in a mesh bag to prevent debris from entering the system. 2 days later I'm showing .25 ammonia. I didn't check for anything else except PH which is sitting at 8.0.
Got the back of the tank painted:

Tank is on the stand but I don't have a picture of it.
My RKL is ready to go along with my DJ style power strip. Fans are wired up, lighting wired up.

All wires meticulously routed.

Ballast for my LED light sits right behind the tank.

That's about all I've got for you guys at the moment. I'll be updating with a current FTS as soon as I can. =]

 

[AndyOneTwentyFive]

Got an update for you folks although I don't have many pictures. My rock is currently cycling. I've got it all in a brute with a pump, power head, and heater. Planted a seed in the form of some brine shrimp cubes. Put them in a mesh bag to prevent debris from entering the system. 2 days later I'm showing .25 ammonia. I didn't check for anything else except PH which is sitting at 8.0.
Got the back of the tank painted:

Tank is on the stand but I don't have a picture of it.
My RKL is ready to go along with my DJ style power strip. Fans are wired up, lighting wired up.

All wires meticulously routed.

Ballast for my LED light sits right behind the tank.

That's about all I've got for you guys at the moment. I'll be updating with a current FTS as soon as I can. =]

Lol I guess I had more pictures than I thought.

 

[eliramos]

This is a sweet build! Definitely following!

 

[AndyOneTwentyFive]

This is a sweet build! Definitely following!

Thanks eliramos!

 

[AndyOneTwentyFive]

Current FTS:

And another angle:

Anyone know how to get that old coralline off?

I cut my baffles for my sump yesterday so that will be coming soon. Stay tuned!

 

[AndyOneTwentyFive]

Not sure how that picture wound up in there twice.

 

[AndyOneTwentyFive]

Ok I've got some things to report. I need to silicone one more piece into my sump and it's done so I'll be posting pictures soon. I've installed work lights under the tank, got the bulk heads in, and hooked up my actinic LEDs.

 

[AndyOneTwentyFive]

Well here's my sump:

It's ugly but it will do the job. Menards only had black silicone. =\ Can't see it well but water will flow in on the left side (drains submerged) then spill over filter floss suspended by lighting diffuser. Water will then flow under the next baffle into the skimmer section. (I will need to build a skimmer stand out of lighting diffuser as this chamber is about 14" deep) finally water will flow through a bubble trap into the return/heating section. I made this section large enough toaccommodate the length of a 300w eheim jäger. I will also be drilling a 10 gallon tank to use as arefugium which will pick up water from a specific chamber and drain into another. Do you folks have any suggestions as to where the pump or drain line for the refugium should be? I'd like to have to drain somewhere before the bubble trap but I am open to suggestions.

 

[AndyOneTwentyFive]

Ok folks I know it's been a while and I don't have much to show for it. I've been super busy. But here's what I got:

Plumbing dry fit from the right side of the tank. This is an aqueon reef ready tank so there's a 1 inch drain and a 3/4" return on each side. I am using the 3/4" bulk heads as drains simply for headroom and flexibility. There will be a single 3/4" return line that goes back to the tank entering in the center of the back wall and then splitting into 2 loc line nozzles. My next step is to configure two 10 gallon tanks on the left side of my sump. 1 will sit underneath the other and be used for top off water. The top tank will be a refugium and will be fed by the 3/4" return from the left corner then overflow into the sump. The drain line feeding the refugium will have a ball valve for dialing in flow. This should be a great setup which will give me the benefits of a remote refugium without running another pump or manifold off the return pump.

 

[rpolino]

looks really good

 

[AndyOneTwentyFive]

looks really good

Thanks!

 

[AndyOneTwentyFive]

Ok boys and girls today is the day. The tank is now running with tap water!!!!!!!!!!!
Filling up:

Returns agitating nicely:

Sump flowing nicely:

I still don't have my refugium set up. I had it all ready to dry fit the plumbing and when I wiggled the first elbow into the bulk head I cracked the cheap crappy tank. So I have to buy another 10 gallon and try again. But I'm well on my way now! She's wet! Very excited.

 

[AndyOneTwentyFive]

Ok folks things to report. I've drained the tap water and filled with RODI. Then add reef crystals and voila! You've got a reef! Right? Got my rock and sand in and she's running full time. Reef keeper working nicely no complaints, love my Jabao pumps they're very quiet. Oh also I've managed to break yet another 10 gallon tank. This time I had everything done and it was plumbed into the system with water in it and everything. I had to move it to adjust the magnet that holds my power head to the back glass of the tank and I bumped the plumbing. CRACK! If I break one more I'll quit fish keeping I swear. Anyway.... What do you guys think of the scape?
Current FTS:

Sorry I don't have any close ups except this one of a unique rock. Looks like a hand:

Can't wait to get life in this thing.

 

[AndyOneTwentyFive]

Diatoms!!!

 

[AndyOneTwentyFive]

Well I finally got my refugium on line. I cracked 3 tanks and the 3rd one is in use as it didn't crack that bad so I was able to silicon the crap out of it and so far it's holding water.

Here's my fuge light. Running off the RKL

I've got my ATO running but no pictures of it. It's just a Hydor smart level with a Tom aqua lifter pump.
This tank should be getting fish really soon as I added dr tims one and only yesterday. So stay tuned for that!