Ross B Reef'n 170 Gallon & Fishroom Megabuild

[Ross B Reef'n]

Tip for diy acrylic sump projects. To get a smooth edge, use a planer. mash the plexi between two pieces of wood with some quick grips to get that perfect bondable edge:

Other tips that I've learned for acrylic projects:

1) if you curious about the best saw blade for cutting acrylic, more teeth isn't necessarily better. Skip that very expensive fishing saw blade with over 90 teeth and get one in the 80's. I found that the higher teeth count actually causes the acrylic to melt.
2) if you make the decision to cut acrylic. Cut slow. Slowing feed speed is a good thing in this case.
3) use an acrylic cement. This typically has to be ordered. Don't settle for something at a box store
4) vibration is what causes edges to chip.

As far as glueing... anyone know any tips? LoL. Acrylic cement is like water. I wonder if there's any way to thicken it for better control. If I decide to do another acrylic project, I'll be sure to let you know!

 

[DS204]

How will the mini-sump for your heaters plumb into your system? Just curious how it all goes together. I like how your sump is elevated to reduce kneeling for maintenance.

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

How will the mini-sump for your heaters plumb into your system? Just curious how it all goes together. I like how your sump is elevated to reduce kneeling for maintenance.

Thank you . Played hockey for too many years and my knees are terrible!

I'm going to add a tee to both return pump lines with a ball valve. The right side of the stand is a little tight, so the pics aren't ideal.

Then I'm going to run the plumbing over the heater box.

The heater box then drains back into the sump.

The inkbird sensor is also in the heater box to prevent continual heating if supply flow stops.

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

Nearly 500ft of 18/2 to a central run, in all its glory

 

[DS204]

Liking the use of the project boxes to hide the wiring.

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

Liking the use of the project boxes to hide the wiring.

Some of them actually have splices, and as you probably already know, their waterproof. Their a great way to organize and ensure things are kept dry.

For anyone curious about these, they can be found at your local hardware store in the electrical aisle. Drill some holes on the bottom side with a hole saw and mount.

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

Let there be light!

 

[jaxredsoxfan]

Just found this thread today. What an awesome build, you should be very proud. Cant wait to see the finished product!!

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

Just found this thread today. What an awesome build, you should be very proud. Cant wait to see the finished product!!

Welcome to the thread! And thank you very much, it's been a labor of love. I'm temporarily bypassing the final control panel so I can get to aquascaping and starting the cycle. Very exciting!

 

[blackizzz]

Attention to detail just doesn't cover it! Definitely following along, and must say getting the tank up there was impressive!

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

Attention to detail just doesn't cover it! Definitely following along, and must say getting the tank up there was impressive!

Thank you . I'm very stubborn when it comes to asking favors from people, and I was bound determined to do it myself!

 

[Blutspitze]

Let there be light!

Somebody cue up the choir!!!

Also loving the "heater box" solution. Very cool idea and seems like it'll work nicely. While I've not worked with customizing acrylic personally, be careful with the glue if you get the good stuff. It literally makes two pieces into one, essentially welding them together, plastic-style. Everyone always says measure twice, glue once, right? I'm pretty sure that's the thing.

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

Somebody cue up the choir!!!

Also loving the "heater box" solution. Very cool idea and seems like it'll work nicely. While I've not worked with customizing acrylic personally, be careful with the glue if you get the good stuff. It literally makes two pieces into one, essentially welding them together, plastic-style. Everyone always says measure twice, glue once, right? I'm pretty sure that's the thing.

"Measure twice, cut/glue once" age old wisdom for the DIY'er on any project! The key was to plane all the width wise panels at the same time so the width was uniform. I actually had a bit of misalignment at the top and bottom too. This was easily fixed by passing the entire assembly over the jointer using the smallest cut possible.

Thank you for the remarks on the heater box I'm thinking it should work. It may even get a bit of re-circulation, increasing efficiency.

And your definitly right about that acrylic glue/cement/weld. Powerfull stuff! The one I had actually allowed about a minute of maneuvering, but after that it was welded in place.

 

[Blutspitze]

"Measure twice, cut/glue once" age old wisdom for the DIY'er on any project! The key was to plane all the width wise panels at the same time so the width was uniform. I actually had a bit of misalignment at the top and bottom too. This was easily fixed by passing the entire assembly over the jointer using the smallest cut possible.

Thank you for the remarks on the heater box I'm thinking it should work. It may even get a bit of re-circulation, increasing efficiency.

And your definitly right about that acrylic glue/cement/weld. Powerfull stuff! The one I had actually allowed about a minute of maneuvering, but after that it was welded in place.

Your foray into acrylic is probably leaps and bounds ahead of most, so you should be proud regardless of a few minor imperfections, if any. It should all work reasonably well and the sanding taking out the streaks makes most of those go away anyway. Looking forward to the next steps!

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

Finally got time to clean off the project table and get the rocks out. Only got about two minutes to play with them because my wife has to get up early tomorrow. Nevertheless, this is the general idea of what I've had imagined.

Can't wait to get the rock working tools out and start shaping!

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

Broke down and ordered more rock this morning. Realized i wont have enough, especially if rocks don't fracture as intended while splitting them.

 

[Blutspitze]

Finally got time to clean off the project table and get the rocks out. Only got about two minutes to play with them because my wife has to get up early tomorrow. Nevertheless, this is the general idea of what I've had imagined.

Can't wait to get the rock working tools out and start shaping!

Agree that it'll need a bit more. Looks a bit barren.

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

Agree that it'll need a bit more. Looks a bit barren.

Perspective is a little off in the picture because the project table is pretty large. The tank is 26" deep, and the current mound (without any actual aquascaping) is 12" tall. I guestimated another 50 pounds should be good. I also plan to build a stick frame of the tank on the table for better referencing.

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

Agree that it'll need a bit more. Looks a bit barren.

Well.. I hope 50 pounds more is good... there's about 110 there now, whatcha think?

 

[Blutspitze]

The stick frame'll help for sure - regardless I personally think that going < halfway to the top isn't enough. The extra 50 should be more than enough.