Jimbos Improved 75 gallon build - Salem, Oregon

[Jim Harrison]

Ok, so I started another thread a while back for my build but so much has changed since then I felt it was necessary to start a new build thread.

Here's what I've got so far:

Sump:
Eshopps R200
300w heater
I have a 20g IM Fusion that came with a couple of lights, using one of those for the fuge light. If it isn't enough, I've got a second I can drop in there. The second picture is of the light I'm using in there.
A little 200gph powerhead to keep flow going in the fuge area.
Skinz Quietpro 4.0 DC return pump.

I've got some valves on order as well as the Osmolator 3155. Should be here next week.


Display Tank: 75 gallons
I painted and drilled the back of the tank. It's missing a center brace so I had Tap Plastics build me a brace that I can run over the top and down the sides about 1/2 an inch. I may decide to glue that in permanently instead of having it removable. They also built a couple overflow boxes for me.

Coralife 48" 4 bulb HO T5 w/ Lunar LEDs
2 x Jebao PP8s
Saving up for a controller - that might have to wait until after the holidays.

The stand is a custom stand I ended up having the LFS build for me. I'm exceptionally happy with it.



So I'm ALMOST THERE!

Need to finish up plumbing (waiting to receive valves), place my rocks, put some sand in, fill it up and start adding fish and corals after it's settled in!

Will update soon! I've got a lot more to add to this post, but no time!

 

[Jim Harrison]

Well, seems I picked the wrong time to order from BRS. They are obviously swamped with a ton of orders due to their black friday week sales.

Should have the remainder of my stuffs in about 10-12 days.

On a side note: I've got the regular red Home Depot bucket I was planning on using as a reservoir for my ATO - is that ok? Or should I pick up one of those food safe white Home Depot buckets instead?

 

[Jim Harrison]

My tank was missing the center brace, so I had Tap Plastics make this for me. It fits snugly on top of the tank without looking too horrendous. Just gotta glue it on.

 

[Radman73]

Well, seems I picked the wrong time to order from BRS. They are obviously swamped with a ton of orders due to their black friday week sales.

Should have the remainder of my stuffs in about 10-12 days.

On a side note: I've got the regular red Home Depot bucket I was planning on using as a reservoir for my ATO - is that ok? Or should I pick up one of those food safe white Home Depot buckets instead?

I've used the orange buckets since almost day one, plus a couple of blue ones from Lowes, and have never had an issue traceable to the buckets. But, if the white ones are the same price, can't hurt to go that route in the future.

 

[Jim Harrison]

I've used the orange buckets since almost day one, plus a couple of blue ones from Lowes, and have never had an issue traceable to the buckets. But, if the white ones are the same price, can't hurt to go that route in the future.

Sweet, orange bucket, you're my new ATO reservoir!

 

[edc_aquarium]

What skimmer is that?

 

[Jim Harrison]

What skimmer is that?

The Simplicity 120. LFS swears by them.

 

[Jim Harrison]

Got the overflow boxes on.


Got my ATO!



Going with a pretty simple plumbing setup. If I change my mind at a later date I'll redo it.



More of the same.



Aside from not being able to find my darn pliers (other than a pair of channel locks) and therefore unable to pull a couple pieces apart so I can glue them, I'm all but done with the initial plumbing.

Next step is to find a cabinet at Habitat for Humanity or Craigslist and turn it into my control center. Then save up for Reefkeeper Elite Plus and a doser.

Honestly, I had the money, could have bought all of the aforementioned items, but my wife and I decided our yard needed light up decorations, our living room needed a new fake christmas tree and all the fixins to go with it and we needed to drop too much money on Ruths Chris Steak House.

 

[Jim Harrison]

Aaaaaaaand I've got everything but an external pump for my mixing station. I've got a couple of internal pumps I might just use instead of buying another pump.

 

[Jim Harrison]

Waiting on a union to show up in the mail so I can finish plumbing; gotta pick up a large piece of live rock when I’m ready to fill it up; drawing up and starting the cabinet build tomorrow to hide all of the controllers.

But here she is so far!

 

[Jim Harrison]

Also building a simple water station tomorrow. Got all the pieces, just need to put in the work.

 

[Jim Harrison]

Got a question for those of you who might be following along:

I have the 4 HO T5 setup with moon lights, but I'd like to add a little supplemental light. All I want to do is gain some shimmer which T5's don't do. Will I need to pick up some of those Reefbrite LED tech strips or are there even less expensive options for just a simple strip of white LED lights to add shimmer?

 

[OREGONIC]

Looking good following the build.

 

[Jim Harrison]

Sick and not feeling very motivated. Water station is half done, controller cabinet is only on paper and I can’t decide on a controller.

 

[OREGONIC]

Sick and not feeling very motivated. Water station is half done, controller cabinet is only on paper and I can’t decide on a controller.

I purchased a used reef keeper then the next day saw a used apex on the local fourm and picked it up. I didn’t understand the hype behind the apex but knew it was the go to for most people. Apex can do anything to the point its almost overwhelming. Im just really starting to understand everything and slowly hooking everything on my tank up to it. In would highly recommend an apex as it can do more and more as you dive deeper down the reef tank rabbit hole. I will be upgrading from the apex classic to the newer model later this year once the trident comes out and they have a chance to work all the bugs out on it. I know you are local to me if you want to buy the reef keeper i have you are more then welcome to. It is used and i never even used it but im sure it works. I paid 30 bucks for it and id let it go for the same.

 

[Jim Harrison]

I purchased a used reef keeper then the next day saw a used apex on the local fourm and picked it up. I didn’t understand the hype behind the apex but knew it was the go to for most people. Apex can do anything to the point its almost overwhelming. Im just really starting to understand everything and slowly hooking everything on my tank up to it. In would highly recommend an apex as it can do more and more as you dive deeper down the reef tank rabbit hole. I will be upgrading from the apex classic to the newer model later this year once the trident comes out and they have a chance to work all the bugs out on it. I know you are local to me if you want to buy the reef keeper i have you are more then welcome to. It is used and i never even used it but im sure it works. I paid 30 bucks for it and id let it go for the same.

I'll take it! For $30 it can't go wrong!

 

[Jim Harrison]

Well, after getting the a-ok from my landlord and investing a lot of time and money into building up my system - I've got to sell it all or buy my own place.
Landlord had a friend who told her about a broken fish tank and now I can't have one.

 

[OREGONIC]

That sucks. You could always see if your renters insurance would cover property damage caused by tank. Most leases I have been in require renters insurance. Does your lease state you cannot have a tank?

 

[Radman73]

Can you see if there is specific renter's insurance you can get that would provide coverage? Just trying to think of an option before having to liquidate or move.