New Aquascape, what do you think?

Xavierwally · Jan 7, 2018

Greetings fellow reefers,
I have a 40 gallon Breeder tank that is 10 months old. In it I have 3 fish (1 Ocellaris Clownfish, 1
Blue/Green Reef Chromis and 1 Clown Goby, Citrinis) and 40 LPS corals.

My addiction to corals and walking into Petco a week in a half ago and seeing the dollar a gallon sale got the best of me. I picked up a 75 gal tank for a DT and a 29/30 gal tank for a sump. Next step, I need to get a stand. I looked at some LFS and online and for the price the stands seem flimsy at best.

I will be using the following from my old tank:
30 lbs of live rock
lighting - (2) AI Prime HD for lighting
ATO - Tunze Osmotator 3155

I ordered some items:
Return Pump - Sicce Syncra 3.5 660gph
Overflow - CPR CS102 with Aqua Lifter (because with my luck I try to drill the tank and it cracks)
Heater - Cobalt Aquatics Neo-Therm 200W
Powerhead - (2) Hydor Koralia Evolution 1500 gph (with Hydor smart wave controller)
Live Sand - 60lbs of Carib Sea Special Grade sand
Internal Skimmer - Aquamaxx FC-120
Refugiums Light - UFO Light 150W Led from Ebay to grow chaetomorpha
Sump kit - from eBay to turn the 29/30 gal tank into a sump with 3 compartments with 2 filter
socks

Question?
Will the powerheads be to much flow for a LPS tank? I might try to get some SPS corals about 6 down the line, or should I go for the Koralia Third Generation 1350 gph or Koralia Evolution 1150gph. Any comments or suggestions will be much appreciated. My 40 breeder has a hob filter and this 75 gal will be my first sump as a filter.

Time to make a stand:
I will try my best and do a diy stand. I will be making a stand with 2x4, 1/2 inch plywood and 1/4 inch birch plywood. I will use the 2x4 for framing the stand and the 1/2 inch plywood for the bottom and top shelf of the stand. Last I will use the 1/4 inch birch plywood to wrap the outside of the stand. I will also use 2 different moldings add 2 doors, use about 1 lbs of stainless steel 2 1/2 inch screws and some finishing nails #16x1-1/4 inch for the 1/2 inch plywood also #16x3/4 inch for the birch plywood. My idea is to prime the stand and paint it black.

First step make the frame:

Next step will be using the 1/2 inch plywood to make the bottom and top shelf.

don_chuwish · Jan 7, 2018

Nice job on the stand - it's certainly strong enough! Just for fun, if you have any lumber left, I'd put a 'joist' across the middle between the two top 2x4s. Not critical though.
I think the Koralia Evos should be fine. I have Tunze 6055s with about the same rating in my 120g.
75G is a nice dimension, enjoy!

Xavierwally · Jan 7, 2018

don_chuwish said:
Nice job on the stand - it's certainly strong enough! Just for fun, if you have any lumber left, I'd put a 'joist' across the middle between the two top 2x4s. Not critical though.
I think the Koralia Evos should be fine. I have Tunze 6055s with about the same rating in my 120g.
75G is a nice dimension, enjoy!

Thank you, I do have extra lumber and I was thinking the same thing.

don_chuwish · Jan 7, 2018

Yeah that thing is at least 3X stronger than it needs to be at the corner posts, the ONLY weak spot is that span side to side. Fine for 75G tho, plus you'll be skinning it.

Xavierwally · Jan 7, 2018

don_chuwish said:
Yeah that thing is at least 3X stronger than it needs to be at the corner posts, the ONLY weak spot is that span side to side. Fine for 75G tho, plus you'll be skinning it.

Stronger is what I was looking for next to the stand they were selling at my lfs for $190. This is the first time I ever made anything with wood. I'm really having a fun time making this stand.

ccerone · Jan 7, 2018

I tried using a 29 gallon tank for a sump, it ended up being too tall. I spent a lot of time trying to make it work because I already had it laying around. In the end, after much frustration, I yanked it out and installed a Eshopps R-200 and I am so glad I did. This was for my 90 which has the same footprint as the 75.

Xavierwally · Jan 7, 2018

ccerone said:
I tried using a 29 gallon tank for a sump, it ended up being too tall. I spent a lot of time trying to make it work because I already had it laying around. In the end, after much frustration, I yanked it out and installed a Eshopps R-200 and I am so glad I did. This was for my 90 which has the same footprint as the 75.

too tall, why? what was the problem you were having?

Xavierwally · Jan 7, 2018

Here is the stand with the top and bottom shelf done, also wrapped the the exterior with the 1/4 inch Birch plywood. (back view)

ccerone · Jan 7, 2018

Xavierwally said:
too tall, why? what was the problem you were having?

It was very difficult to work in. Had trouble getting my skimmer in. Getting the return pump out was also a pain. I was trying to put a fuge in and that’s when I gave up. I had made sumps from 20L for smaller systems that were much easier to work in. FYI, that R-200 is down to $240 on Amazon, I paid $300 for it. I still love it and I have had it for 16 months now.

ccerone · Jan 7, 2018

ccerone said:
It was very difficult to work in. Had trouble getting my skimmer in. Getting the return pump out was also a pain. I was trying to put a fuge in and that’s when I gave up. I had made sumps from 20L for smaller systems that were much easier to work in. FYI, that R-200 is down to $240 on Amazon, I paid $300 for it. I still love it and I have had it for 16 months now.

Xavierwally · Jan 7, 2018

ccerone said:
It was very difficult to work in. Had trouble getting my skimmer in. Getting the return pump out was also a pain. I was trying to put a fuge in and that’s when I gave up. I had made sumps from 20L for smaller systems that were much easier to work in. FYI, that R-200 is down to $240 on Amazon, I paid $300 for it. I still love it and I have had it for 16 months now.

I see what you mean. I built my stand 35 inches tall, so I hope I have some room to move things.

Xavierwally · Jan 7, 2018

After wrapping the exterior of the stand with 1/4 inch Birch plywood . (Front view)

Xavierwally · Jan 7, 2018

Next step is to cut out the front of the stand where the doors will be.

Xavierwally · Jan 12, 2018

ccerone said:

I finally finish the stand and even though the stand is 35 inches tall, I have a problem working in the sump. I change the 29 gallon to a 20 gallon. Thank you for giving me a heads up on the sump. ;Happy;Happy

Luna · Jan 13, 2018

Looking good-I plan on going from a 40b to 75 gal later this year. I was thinking of using my 29 gal for a sump as well, but was worried about it being to tall. I’m now looking for a 30 long for a sump

Xavierwally · Jan 13, 2018

Luna said:
Looking good-I plan on going from a 40b to 75 gal later this year. I was thinking of using my 29 gal for a sump as well, but was worried about it being to tall. I’m now looking for a 30 long for a sump

Yes you're right the 29 gal is tall, I now have a 20 Long from Petco. I wanted a 30 long also but Petco doesn't carry a 30 Long.

Xavierwally · Jan 15, 2018

Finished putting on the molding to the stand.

Next will be sanding down the wood and paint primer on it.

Xavierwally · Jan 25, 2018

Finally had time to work on the stand. I made the doors from left over 1/2 inch ply wood and a beam of 1 by 3. I use primer on the wood and 2 coats of paint.