Author Topic: New build if you want to call it that! (Read 3465 times)

~reefchik~ · « **on:** April 11, 2011, 11:34:00 »

So I moved to my new place 3 weeks ago and getting settled in pretty well. I found a used corner tank and stand at Gerbers that will work well to downsize my reef tank into. The only real problem is creating a sump area for my skimmer and return pump, given that the working space in this stand is very limited. More vertical space than anything, and a very narrow opening through the door of the stand.

I only have about 20 gallons of water in there so far (RO system just hooked up last night) and plan to use the Fluval 405 temporarily. But I was wondering if anyone else has successfully set up a sump under one of these tanks and what you did? I'm thinking rubbermaid bucket and skimmer might just be all I can manage!

DarinSchmidt · « **Reply #1 on:** April 12, 2011, 13:22:00 »

I think thats going to be your best bet unless you want to maximize the space underneath by making a custom acrylic box.

~reefchik~ · « **Reply #2 on:** April 12, 2011, 15:31:34 »

I have no way of cutting acrylic, so I'd have to hire it out $:-\$

HUNGER · « **Reply #3 on:** April 12, 2011, 15:43:38 »

meyer plastice will cut it for you

~reefchik~ · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2011, 20:16:07 »

I looked them up, and of course I'm lost with all the choices they offer. Lucite L actually seems like a good sheet acrylic to use for this, given it's

Quote

outstanding resistance to the damaging effects of sunlight and outdoor weathering. It can be easily fabricated and machined using standard wood and metal-working equipment. In addition, simple shapes can be formed to many configurations by thermoforming.

What would you suggest? And how do you seal/join this stuff, if I could come up with a plan to purchase and have them cut it to my specifications?

~reefchik~ · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2011, 21:17:01 »

Ok so here are some progress shots. I always hate this stage of a tank but we know it's a necessary evil! I went and got some grody sand out of the DSB sump along with some live rock. I wish I could have gotten more rock, but it turns out most of it has corals attached now. So hopefully these pieces will contain enough micro fauna and bacteria to get my cycle going good.

Right now using my Fluval 405 canister for filtration until I can come up with a sump plan.

That's about an 8 inch opening to work with! I guess the ideal would have been to install a sump from the back before filling the tank, but hey, ANYBODY can do it the easy way

Sad looking stuff....

Does anything faze GSP and kenya tree? They are already starting to open.

Now I need to stir the sand up again a bit and mix that icky top stuff down in. I'm going to use a deeper sandbed than I have in the 90 just to see how it goes.

Moving things today, I didn't see a lot of tiny serpent stars which I used to have. I wonder if my harlequin shrimp decimated them along with the asterinas. Hmmm....would be nice to have a bunch of them in there.

discus513 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2011, 02:51:50 »

You may be a little too far along this, but I built my sump for my 54g corner bowfront tank out of an 18g high tank(same footprint as a 10g but like 18in tall), I had to notch out my stand, and put the sump in before my tank went on. I had to put my skimmer in the sump,and it really cut down on the amount of room i have for micro algae and live rock, but I was able to get one nice sized chunk of LR, and a nice clump of Cheato and three mangroves ( Thanks Gthorpe2!), here are some pictures i had on my phone of mine, incase toy want to go this route.

Corner tanks are awesome, but it sucks to come up with a sump design! LOL

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/ricky462/Saltwater/cornertank.jpg
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/ricky462/Saltwater/Tankandsump.jpg
http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/ricky462/Saltwater/Sump.jpg

micki · « **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2011, 09:22:55 »

Looking Good!

~reefchik~ · « **Reply #8 on:** April 13, 2011, 10:35:02 »

Thanks for that great idea! I guess it's a little far along, but I'm going to give it some thought. At this stage I could fairly easily remove the water to a few big tubs, slide the tank/stand out from the wall with some help and install a sump like that from the back.

Your tank is really beautiful!

discus513 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2011, 18:21:50 »

Thanks for the compliments. This is my first tank build, and i am pretty happy with it, when i was looking for ideas i just started to google things like (54g corner tank sump) and found a few people that had posted threads on there sumps. I hope this helps! good luck and keep us updated.

~reefchik~ · « **Reply #10 on:** May 17, 2011, 11:03:21 »

I decided to ditch the sump idea and go with a Remora HOB skimmer. Safer, I think. Now I need to locate a versa-top for this tank, too. That's turning out to be a challenge. Maybe some of our suppliers can suggest something? Special order?

~reefchik~ · « **Reply #11 on:** May 17, 2011, 11:17:32 »

Time for updated photos:

I'm SICK that my ORA Red Planet frag is bleaching! I don't know what to do about that. Everything is nicely opened up now and I should probably take more photos but I'll wait til I get the new skimmer hung and the area cleaned up. It does look pretty good I think.

Kenn · « **Reply #12 on:** May 17, 2011, 11:19:16 »

Looking good

~reefchik~ · « **Reply #13 on:** May 17, 2011, 11:20:58 »

Thanks Kenn!

micki · « **Reply #14 on:** May 17, 2011, 14:37:43 »

Looks very nice!

lazylivin · « **Reply #15 on:** May 17, 2011, 23:40:27 »

It looks really nice. Since you are a Premium Member you have access to the PAR meter. Consider using it to see how much PAR the Red Planet is under.

~reefchik~ · « **Reply #16 on:** May 22, 2011, 20:41:59 »

The Red Planet frag disappeared sometime yesterday I guess. It's got to be down in the center of my rock pile now, dang it. Gotta go diving and find it. I will consider having the PAR meter down here soon. Does Wes still do that or is someone else?

slandis3 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 22, 2011, 21:35:03 »

Your tank looks pretty good. When our red planet is ready I will give you a frag to replace the one you lost.

~reefchik~ · « **Reply #18 on:** May 22, 2011, 22:55:22 »

Thanks Mike!

lazylivin · « **Reply #19 on:** May 22, 2011, 23:43:57 »

Quote from: ~reefchik~ on May 22, 2011, 20:41:59

Does Wes still do that or is someone else?

We have a club Apogee PAR Meter. Click here for the details

2024 Ohio Reef Frag Swap

Author Topic: New build if you want to call it that! (Read 3465 times)