My DIY 55gal shallow reef

[Deep_Six Corals]

hello reef2reef! I decided to start my tank thread, even though I'm late and the tank is 5 months old. Well I built a 55 gal shallow tank from 3/8 thick glass. Here's some specs on equipment and what not then I'll explain the building process with pics

Custom DIY 55gal 48x16x16 rimless
20gal long custom DIY sump with large Refugium
4 bulb ATI dimmable sunpower (3 blue plus, 1 coral plus)
(1) mp-10w
(1) jebao rw-8
Coralife 225 skimmer
Mag 7 return pump
Ehiem jäger 200w heater
Phosban 150 reactor
Jebao dp-2 doser
Fuge ray+ Refugium light
Old school air pressure ATO with aqualifter pump

When I embarked on the mission of reef keeping, I was a bit worried of the price to get one up and running, let alone live stock. So I decided the best way for me to get into this was to build everything myself. I also acquired the skimmer and ATO among other things like the rock I used from a friend tearing his tank down forever, making the cost of this whole build about 7-800$. Luckily I had all the tools needed on hand.

I decided I was going to build the tank out of 3/8" thick glass rimless with no bracing using GE silicone I. Drill the back panel for a gl*******s 700 gph overflow and 2 3/4" returns. I had the glass cut and edges polished at a local shop. The front panel is tempered safety glass.
I siliconed the panels together and held them together with 4 corner clamps and a tie strap let cure for 1 week then water tested for 72 hours. I then ordered the over flow kit and drilled the tank and installed the plumbing. I put a frosted glass film over the back of the aquarium that makes it look like the rear pane is frosted. Has a cool effect

 

[Deep_Six Corals]

The Sump

i looked into sumps long and hard and figured after building the tank, the sump would be cake. I picked up a 20 long from LFS and derimmed it using a heat gun. I then used 3/32" thick small panes of glass from Home Depot and cut them to fit within the tank. I made a drain/skimmer section with a bubble trap after then an 13 inch long Refugium section which flows into the return section. I found the sump easy to build after I got a hang of cutting those glass panels.

 

[Deep_Six Corals]

Next I was onto the stand. I wanted my tank to sit high up for viewing purposes. I also wanted to have plenty of room for equipment. I used 2x4 for a simple frame. 50x20x38.skinned it in cabinet grade plywood trimmed the top and bottom with crown molding and floorboard, cut a door with no hinges (it slips in and out of place to allow for more work room, trimmed with wood so it looks flush). Stained with rustic grey paint. The stand came out great and by this point I was itching to get it home and set it up.

 

[Deep_Six Corals]

Ahhhhh I remember the day I brought her home. It fit perfectly in the spot I needed it in in my apartment. She held 68 gallons after rock and sand. I used dry rock that I received from a friend and hot water pressure washed it then sundried for a week. Probably about 60 lbs. I had no leaks in any pluming and everything was rock solid. I was proud of myself in this moment. BEHOLD! Feast your eyes upon what I have created! Lol. This is also around the point where I started thinking about the equipment I needed.I had no light or power heads among other things

 

[Mr.Rocc]

Right on man I wish I had the skill to build my own tank!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Wow looking very good so far!

 

[d_adler]

this tank looks familiar... do you have a current FTS or do we just get to look at this empty tank??

 

[Deep_Six Corals]

So This is where she stands today, 23 weeks after getting wet. I went with t5 lights because I wanted good intensity and spectrum and I don't feel like led is there just yet. I started with one mp10 and quickly realized that that wasn't nearly enough flow, so I added a jebao rw-8. Being an sps dominant tank I run them both on full blast. I estimate I'm getting about 100x turnover. I ran into a problem with the sand blowing around so I had to remove some sand and I just dealt with the bare spots. I upgraded my skimmer pump and seeming as my skimmer is rated for 225 gal, I attribute low nitrates to over skimming. I use a phosban 150 with phosguard for phosphate control. When I first started with geo I realized that corals became angry when the water was stripped of phosphates so quickly, so it only runs for 12 hours once a week. This keeps phosphates between .02 and .08. Everything thing is growing at a steady pace and colors are starting to come in again after a bout with ultra low nutrients ::sorry for the crap pics, all done on iPad::

 

[Deep_Six Corals]

Wow looking very good so far!

Thanks rev! Do you have a tank thread? I've yet to come across it

 

[iReef86]

Looks great! that ledge on the right is awesome!

 

[Paul87]

Very nice looking tank! As previously stated, that rock ledge on the right is very cool. Tagging along!

 

[Mr.Rocc]

Around how much did you save by making your tank? im just wondering because i might either get the glass or buy one from the local fish store

 

[Deep_Six Corals]

Looks great! that ledge on the right is awesome!

Thanks! Spent hours getting it just right. I used silicone to hold it together.

 

[Deep_Six Corals]

Very nice looking tank! As previously stated, that rock ledge on the right is very cool. Tagging along!

thank You! this is all a learning experience, learning as I go

 

[Deep_Six Corals]

Around how much did you save by making your tank? im just wondering because i might either get the glass or buy one from the local fish store

well, I decided to DIY for other reasons as well as cost. I Def. Wanted it rimless, most custom tank makers don't make the dimensions I wanted /needed. I needed it to fit in that one spot in my apartment aswell. If I remember correctly I spent $160 on glass and the whole overflow kit with glass hole saw in 1.5 in for over flow and 3/4 inch for return cost 70. You can tack on a few for silicone and razors for scraping (used a bunch). So I probably save a Lil money than if I would have bought from glass ages.

 

[jason g]

Very nice tank. You have great building skills. I also like the T-5 look. I myself use AT- I bulbs. There's nothing like them.

 

[Mr.Rocc]

Sweet! Im assuming you bought the glass from a local glass shop? I might have to go your direction! Great tank though!

 

[Deep_Six Corals]

Very nice tank. You have great building skills. I also like the T-5 look. I myself use AT- I bulbs. There's nothing like them.

Thanks, I like how it all came out a lot. I love the t5s too, but I will be adding the reefbrite soon.

 

[Deep_Six Corals]

Sweet! Im assuming you bought the glass from a local glass shop? I might have to go your direction! Great tank though!

yup. Figured out the dimensions and had it cut and polished by a shop. Remember one of the panels that will serve as the bottom must be 3/8" shorter on all sides to build the tank around it. If it were the same size the 4 walls of the tank will sit on top of the bottom and that compromises structural integrity.if you feel up for it, do it! It's not rocket science, I did add a good amount of silicone in each seam if the tank for piece of mind.

 

[Mr.Rocc]

yup. Figured out the dimensions and had it cut and polished by a shop. Remember one of the panels that will serve as the bottom must be 3/8" shorter on all sides to build the tank around it. If it were the same size the 4 walls of the tank will sit on top of the bottom and that compromises structural integrity.if you feel up for it, do it! It's not rocket science, I did add a good amount of silicone in each seam if the tank for piece of mind.

I might its hard to find the dimensions that i want in my tank without paying out the ***.