sbash
Valuable Member
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2014
- Messages
- 1,659
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- Location
- Ottawa, Canada
- What state or country do you live in
- Canada
Hi Everybody!
I'm away from my other tanks for a while, so I brought along a 120 gallon tank to tide me over. I picked it up used, it was a reef tank, but they just used canister filters. I didn't take the stand with me (it was short, like 24 or 30") and didn't have room for a sump, so I just build my own as you'll see in a bit...
Yup, pretty basic 120 gallon (72 x 18 x 22). Has a funny back paper taped onto it, that fell off when moving it.
I have never drilled a tank this long before, so I had to get a ladder out for my 'drilling station'.
Ready. Set. Drill!
One hole down, one to go. As you may have noticed, my template is off sided. I did this to leave me room for a third hole if I decide I want to go Bean Animal.
Sweet, two nice clean holes. For drilling, I use a cheap cordless Black and Decker drill (as seen on the ladder), also a fresh bit for this drilling. I use a re-usable zip tie to hold the 'trigger' on full until the water start dripping through, then I slow it way down for the finish.
Gross! It is bloody filthy!
Here we go, nice and cleaned up on the stand. I built it for my viewing pleasure, making the stand 42" high. It's a little dry though, and I have some livestock in tubs, no time to wait!
Ahh, that is better. Whatever you're looking for, Dora, just turn around...
Well, at 2/3s full, I added some flow and heat and was able to string up a couple lights and get the corals out of tubs. The plan will be four lights, which I'll build the rack for tomorrow. I will have the scape done and substrate added by Monday.
Here is a full shot with the floor down and sump in. I used all vinyl tubing because I have to tear it down again next year. I do have to say though, for the added cost, it was way, way faster than a full PVC build. I'm still making water, but I brought the water level in the tank to the top of the bulkheads (and about 1/2 inch below the lights where they are sitting).
My original plan was to have a display fuge beside the sump, but there is not enough room, so I just centred the sump. I'll probably throw some macros in the main tank, just for kicks.
Bulkhead shot. Once I have the flow running, all those wires will be under the tank and managed properly. I did not build an overflow, I might try one of those PVC ones built from a single pipe; I wanted to leave my options open so I can experiment.
(I'm not sure why this image isn't showing up when published, it shows up in the Edit screen). This is the temporary termination point for the return pump. I figure with it run up the back and angled from the centre, it should create some turbulence. I will probably build an attachment for it with an eductor. I found a very good 3d model I can print.
More to come in the next few days/weeks/months as I build this up just to tear it back down again next year.
I'm away from my other tanks for a while, so I brought along a 120 gallon tank to tide me over. I picked it up used, it was a reef tank, but they just used canister filters. I didn't take the stand with me (it was short, like 24 or 30") and didn't have room for a sump, so I just build my own as you'll see in a bit...
Yup, pretty basic 120 gallon (72 x 18 x 22). Has a funny back paper taped onto it, that fell off when moving it.
I have never drilled a tank this long before, so I had to get a ladder out for my 'drilling station'.
Ready. Set. Drill!
One hole down, one to go. As you may have noticed, my template is off sided. I did this to leave me room for a third hole if I decide I want to go Bean Animal.
Sweet, two nice clean holes. For drilling, I use a cheap cordless Black and Decker drill (as seen on the ladder), also a fresh bit for this drilling. I use a re-usable zip tie to hold the 'trigger' on full until the water start dripping through, then I slow it way down for the finish.
Gross! It is bloody filthy!
Here we go, nice and cleaned up on the stand. I built it for my viewing pleasure, making the stand 42" high. It's a little dry though, and I have some livestock in tubs, no time to wait!
Ahh, that is better. Whatever you're looking for, Dora, just turn around...
Well, at 2/3s full, I added some flow and heat and was able to string up a couple lights and get the corals out of tubs. The plan will be four lights, which I'll build the rack for tomorrow. I will have the scape done and substrate added by Monday.
Here is a full shot with the floor down and sump in. I used all vinyl tubing because I have to tear it down again next year. I do have to say though, for the added cost, it was way, way faster than a full PVC build. I'm still making water, but I brought the water level in the tank to the top of the bulkheads (and about 1/2 inch below the lights where they are sitting).
My original plan was to have a display fuge beside the sump, but there is not enough room, so I just centred the sump. I'll probably throw some macros in the main tank, just for kicks.
Bulkhead shot. Once I have the flow running, all those wires will be under the tank and managed properly. I did not build an overflow, I might try one of those PVC ones built from a single pipe; I wanted to leave my options open so I can experiment.
(I'm not sure why this image isn't showing up when published, it shows up in the Edit screen). This is the temporary termination point for the return pump. I figure with it run up the back and angled from the centre, it should create some turbulence. I will probably build an attachment for it with an eductor. I found a very good 3d model I can print.
More to come in the next few days/weeks/months as I build this up just to tear it back down again next year.
