Squirrel's 40g CAD, my dream build

squirrelieygrrrl · Jul 20, 2015

I switched my drain design due to space constraints, I had a fellow reefer on another forum point me towards a Hoffer Gurgle Buster drain style, so far I really like how compact it is. We will see if the claims of it being relatively safe even in the event of a clog and near silent operation hold true in practice.

http://home.everestkc.net/jrobertson57268/HGB/HGB_construction.html

revhtree · Jul 20, 2015

Well done and looking great!

squirrelieygrrrl · Jul 20, 2015

revhtree said:
Well done and looking great!

Thank you so much!

squirrelieygrrrl · Jul 27, 2015

Progress has finally been made. Fans came in on Friday, they went off to my friend James who happens to be an electrictian after I couldn't figure them out. Got them installed and the sump is in for good. Will finish up some wiring on the back, in the sump and begin plumbing this week.

Back side.

Front of the fans installed. Work on the final sump wiring begins.

Close up of the fan.

Sump cabinet is nearing completion.

The fans will be temp controlled by the apex, one is pushing while the other is drawing air. I'm hoping that should convect the air nicely in there if it gets too hot. I also have two smaller 60mm fans I put in to the command center with the same convection happening. Those you can't see except from the back, but they will be running 24-7.

jpines · Jul 27, 2015

Freaking sweet! Following along

squirrelieygrrrl · Jul 27, 2015

jpines said:
Freaking sweet! Following along

Thank you so much!

jpines · Jul 27, 2015

squirrelieygrrrl said:
Thank you so much!

I've got a Cadlights 42 and really wish I had built my own stand. Can't wait to see this thing up and running

squirrelieygrrrl · Jul 27, 2015

jpines said:
I've got a Cadlights 42 and really wish I had built my own stand. Can't wait to see this thing up and running

I had too, their stand is total garbage. This tank is one of the original artisan series. I really wished I had bought just the glass to start with.

Shep · Jul 27, 2015

Very clean looking!

squirrelieygrrrl · Jul 27, 2015

Shep said:
Very clean looking!

Thanks Shep!

squirrelieygrrrl · Jul 31, 2015

My buddy James just sent me some shots of the custom ATO reservoir he's making for me. Should be done by tomorrow.

You'll have to excuse the quality of the pics, he can build like a pro but his photography skills are still being perfected. (If you've read this James, I still love ya)

In other news I almost finished the plumbing mock up tonight before I ran out of steam, but I should have it all cemented tomorrow and put some pics up of the finished sump.

915MANG · Jul 31, 2015

Nice build how many gallons is your ato

squirrelieygrrrl · Jul 31, 2015

915MANG said:
Nice build how many gallons is your ato

Thank you, I believe he said 7.sumthin gallons. Lol I'll have to ask him again.

jpines · Jul 31, 2015

Very nice!

squirrelieygrrrl · Jul 31, 2015

Yet more progress is being made!

Reduck · Jul 31, 2015

Looking great. I did the same lighting kits in my stand. Silly disco light effects, but it's funny to watch! I ordered some cool white strips so I can change them once the funny wears off.
You have some talented buds!
Get some water in that! (I have no room to talk. My cad 75 is still in the garage on its skid)

squirrelieygrrrl · Jul 31, 2015

Reduck said:
Looking great. I did the same lighting kits in my stand. Silly disco light effects, but it's funny to watch! I ordered some cool white strips so I can change them once the funny wears off.
You have some talented buds!
Get some water in that! (I have no room to talk. My cad 75 is still in the garage on its skid)

Thanks a bunch! I actually don't mind the ribbon lights, they have a cool white setting (which doesn't play well with my phones camera and tends to look blue) so it works for my purposes. My pal James has been rescuing me a bit here and there on this build, my diy game isn't all that strong.

Water should happen soon, I'm waiting to fill it till we have our hardwood flooring in next week that I got for my wife's 40th birthday. Though I have plenty to work on in between now and then.

squirrelieygrrrl · Jul 31, 2015

Things are happening and stuff!

Once this is all finished I'll take shots of everything with the Nikon, for now these iPhone pictures will have to do.

My poor wife, this has been the state of her living room bordering on a month now.

I think the only thing keeping her at bay is that I bought hardwood flooring to be put in to the living room which should be installed next weekend. It's delaying me from filling the tank but also keeping her from killing me over the tank. The sacrifices we make. :lol:

squirrelieygrrrl · Aug 2, 2015

I think I've found a scape I'm happy with. Here are the results, I plan on adding at least one piece of live rock to the system to seed it so it may change slightly.

I'm open to suggestions on aquascaping a tank, it's never been my forte.