08trdoffroad's Rimless 60 gal Mixed Reef Build

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Placed an order through BRS for some plumbing supplies. Gooseneck mount for the Kessil, and some RFG'S for my returns as most of the stuff was on their various door buster sales this week. Getting closer to having everything I need to get this build wet!

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

BRS order came! Now just waiting for my LFS to call to let me know they have my rock!

 

[ElementReefer]

This is a cool build!

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

This is a cool build!

Thanks for following along!

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Rock came in!! LFS called this morning to let me know it came in. Cruised over on lunch and picked it up!

I searched all over the net and could not fins these for sale. So here is the caribsea item number if anyone else is interested in picking one up!

Here is a link to the coral tree on aquacave. Found it quickly with the item number now.

CaribSea LifeRock Coral Tree

CaribSea LifeRock Coral Tree Real aragonitic base rock, not cement, no curing. Extensive macro and micro-porosity infused with spored bacteria for outstanding biological performance. Clean and safe for all fish and inverts, environmentally responsible each piece being very unique. Shipping...

aquacave.com

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

The build had kinda slowed a bit. But, is picking up steam again.

Ordered 60 lbs of ocean direct original grade sand from BRS while it was on Black Friday sales. It came on Tuesday...hopefully I don't regret this decision as it is quite a bit finer than I expected and reviews led me to believe....oh well. Worst case I wasted 50 bucks and siphon it out and replace it with special grade down the road.

Yesterday was stressful as I had to make way for this build to continue. I had to move my Biocube to the basement to clear way for the new tank as it was going in the same spot in the family room.

Walls have been wiped down and carpet vacuumed. Ready for the new build.

The biocube is in my turtle room now and will stay running until this build is ready to receive the pair of true percs and royal gramma. Once the fish are moved. The Biocibe will be drained and dried out as it is hydroid infested and 20ish years old. The stand will be repurposed for a waterbox 20 cube!

Biocube has cleared and as of this morning, everyone seems to be fine after the move.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

A little more progress. I ended up spraying the stand with one more coat of paint last weekend after a quick light sanding to fix an overspray issue.

Let it sit for a week to let the paint cure a bit. Moved it into its final location yesterday and set the tank on it.

Have started the plumbing. Have the new 1/2 bulk heads installed in the glass and assembled the locline with RFGs. Wiped the tank out and put the light mount arm together and mounted the A360X. Ran into a slight hiccup with the mount not fitting on the back of the tank due to the overflow box. Improvised with it mounted on the side against the wall. I don't think it looks too bad!

Might try to run to the hardware store this morning to pick up pvc supplies. My goal is to have the tank wet and cycling during my time off for the holidays. Gives me about 10 days to get it all done.

 

[ElementReefer]

That Kessil is a great looking match for your setup!

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

I think I will be set, or at least have a huge head start on my water testing for this build! Between my mother-in-law and my kids, I got hooked up with Hanna checkers for Christmas!

I now have an Alk, Ca, Mag, Phos, and NO3 Hanna checker!

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

I had big plans to get this build wet by the New Year. But life had other plans...my family and I have come down with a nasty virus that has kept me flat in bed for days now with a high fever (103+) and zero energy. Today I sketched up a rough drawing of my plumbing idea to start a parts list and ordered a gate valve (after much debate) to be able to fine tune the drain. Don't know when I will feel up to running to Lowes or HD to get the plumbing parts.

Also ordered a red sea mesh top kit from BRS as I want to keep a wrasse and don't want it ending up as a fish chip like my last one did in my biocube after it went carpet surfing.

Will update again once the plumbing starts.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Started the plumbing today. Everything is just dry fit. This is where I got to before I ran out of fittings...what do you guys think? Suggestions or critiques would be greatly appreciated!

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Plumbing is ALMOST done...I am just waiting for one last small order from BRS to completely wrap up the plumbing and then will glue everything up. I tweaked the return in the tank a little and used some 90's to put the return line closer to the surface to prevent large amounts of back syphoning if I suffer a power failure. Still need to paint them black with Krylon Fusion.

I also decided to refresh my RO unit before making the water to fill the new system. I went through old receipts and I think my membrane is about 6 years old. I also use the system to supply drinking water to the fridge, so it has had A LOT of gallons run through it. So I am ordering a new membrane, adding an additional DI stage (will have 3 total), and installing a Aquaticlife Smart Buddie booster pump (pressure is currently about 55 psi) mostly for the auto membrane flush feature to prevent TDS creep and I also want to increase my RO/DI storage by adding a 32 gal Brute can in my utility room to replace the 15 gal rubbermaid tote I currently use. Here is the RO unit in it's current form.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Turned the sump 90 degrees and completely reworked the plumbing. Glue is setting! Water test this week!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Best of luck with the water test!

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Best of luck with the water test!

Thanks! My silicone tubing to connect the return pump to the hard plumbing should be here today and then I will start filling it. I anticipate it will take a few days to fill with RO/DI. My booster pump should be here in the next day or two also, which will help speed things up!

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Plumbing is complete! Glued the final pieces of the return line tonight and did a final leveling of the tank. Also painted the return line extension i made that go inside the tank. RO/DI water is being made as we speak!

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

Much better!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Plumbing is complete! Glued the final pieces of the return line tonight and did a final leveling of the tank. Also painted the return line extension i made that go inside the tank. RO/DI water is being made as we speak!

The completed plumbing looks great!

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

The completed plumbing looks great!

Thanks! I am pretty happy with how it turned out. Decided last minute to add the T for a manifold down the road to run a BRS Carbon/GFO Reactor.

Just placed an order for my ATO container. It is the last major piece I needed for this build.

 

[CBonito]

That Kessil is a great looking match for your setup!

They're great lights because they put out a lot of light and they take up like nothing for space, so you can still work in the tank without all this stuff in the way. I recommend the 55 degree reflector over a tank like this. I have them on mine to.