150 gallon budget build lots of DIY

[BrandonS]

I won't have enough time for the swap from my old system to the new one till probably January. So I am going to try and get as much pre done as I can.

Here begins the fun of trying to get everything in place without making it a rats nest. Not going for perfection but it makes it so hard to want to work in your sump if there is a bunch of wires, plumbing, etc.. in the way.

 

[SHNICI]

I won't have enough time for the swap from my old system to the new one till probably January. So I am going to try and get as much pre done as I can.

Here begins the fun of trying to get everything in place without making it a rats nest. Not going for perfection but it makes it so hard to want to work in your sump if there is a bunch of wires, plumbing, etc.. in the way.

It look good, and I hope one way or another you to can find free enough time to swap the them, in my one I don't have enough space, but that's my fault since the beginning (I build my own LR sculptures and they are too many and too close to each other), can't manage now which type of coral where to place
Can I ask you what was the name of the boxes in which you put the cables Please, I'm looking to find tiding boxes/channels like this, can find particular name for them, usually are used mainly on servers racks and for some other places where many cables are on place, but don't remember the name of them.

 

[BrandonS]

It look good, and I hope one way or another you to can find free enough time to swap the them, in my one I don't have enough space, but that's my fault since the beginning (I build my own LR sculptures and they are too many and too close to each other), can't manage now which type of coral where to place
Can I ask you what was the name of the boxes in which you put the cables Please, I'm looking to find tiding boxes/channels like this, can find particular name for them, usually are used mainly on servers racks and for some other places where many cables are on place, but don't remember the name of them.

Cable raceways, got them on Amazon.

 

[SHNICI]

Cable raceways, got them on Amazon.

Thank you mate, I'll look by this now here (in UK), because I saw something like before on eBay, but they was way too exp.

 

[BrandonS]

So this happened!! Thank you so much reef2reef and tunze for putting on giveaways for us!!

They shipped it to me right away too. Now my new build has a proper skimmer!

 

[BrandonS]

Still waiting for enough time to do the swap. Got my UV installed and some rails for an algae scrubber!!

Going to be so nice over my 93 cube. So much more room.

Will have to wait till I move it in place to finish most of the cable management as I have to disconnect things to get the tank in the house. Lol.

 

[SHNICI]

Still waiting for enough time to do the swap. Got my UV installed and some rails for an algae scrubber!!

Going to be so nice over my 93 cube. So much more room.

Will have to wait till I move it in place to finish most of the cable management as I have to disconnect things to get the tank in the house. Lol.

It look good so far, well done!
By the way, do you think to have plastic or another cover over the sump? Because I see the cable management box/channel just above the sump tank, and you have to have on mind salt creeps can enter in...

Now I'm looking your sockets. And do you know what I'll come to xD To use American sockets and to replace all my tank power cables ends/connectors (and the sockets) with american style, because for that small socket box I see you can connect 12 devices, in hat size I'll be unable to connect more than 5-6 (using the British standard).
So thank you, now 'm on my way to hunt the bits to can replace all of mine

 

[SHNICI]

Something else I see now on your cabinet for the tank, the hinges for the doors, they are very rusty, and honestly isn't only yours.., most I'm seen are like this, and in no time they will betray you. Will start to make squeaking noise or crasking one, some can fall on parts and to brake.
If you can find the same type of hinges (yours look like complete standard one), buy new replacement the same one (to can use completely the same holes for the hinges, not to make new on the cabinet, just level them perfectly at the end and you will be happy that way more than enough.
The other is good idea to do when you get/have the replacements, is to "grease" them a bit (but I'm telling you to get the particular/usual grees, I can suggest you to use something more clear and something which will stay there for ages w/o making bad stains and put bad chemicals if it enter your water or on your skin, which is completely harmless.
This one is my best friend when I have to seal and protect metals from rusting in/near my tank -> petroleum jelly-based product <- you can find it for sure over the world (I'm talking about that particular product which I'm been teston over 5-7 years for water in protections. Isn't washing easy, if you wipe it, still will have thin layer over the metal.
I'll also take thin brush (make up one for womens) and will use it to cover properly the inner hinges parts, and particularly over and around the spring in. And that's all which will be enough to protect them from rusting for ages, isn't going to "melt it self to become" from higher temp and to drip (like some greases do), need really higher temps to can happen that, always you will have good protection of by mistake you splash them with water, and will protect them from the evaporations and mist as well.

That's all just idea to prevent future troubles or inconveniences.

 

[BrandonS]

It look good so far, well done!
By the way, do you think to have plastic or another cover over the sump? Because I see the cable management box/channel just above the sump tank, and you have to have on mind salt creeps can enter in...

Now I'm looking your sockets. And do you know what I'll come to xD To use American sockets and to replace all my tank power cables ends/connectors (and the sockets) with american style, because for that small socket box I see you can connect 12 devices, in hat size I'll be unable to connect more than 5-6 (using the British standard).
So thank you, now 'm on my way to hunt the bits to can replace all of mine

Thank you. The lip on the sump brace is pretty wide. Hoping it'll prevent salt creep. But if not lids are a possibility.

If your going as far to cut cords just do a distribution block. Cut the ends and run most things on one cord.

As for my hinges. I have new ones. Direct replacement. Just haven't gotten to it. The thin layer of some type of oil is a good tip. There are many organic corrosion products in the US to choose from, not sure for you guys. Wd-40 is actually pretty good too. Reef safe as long as you don't go crazy. Just doesn't leave a film for very long. Work has some stuff I use but I'll have to look up the name for a later date.

 

[SHNICI]

Thank you. The lip on the sump brace is pretty wide. Hoping it'll prevent salt creep. But if not lids are a possibility.

If your going as far to cut cords just do a distribution block. Cut the ends and run most things on one cord.

As for my hinges. I have new ones. Direct replacement. Just haven't gotten to it. The thin layer of some type of oil is a good tip. There are many organic corrosion products in the US to choose from, not sure for you guys. Wd-40 is actually pretty good too. Reef safe as long as you don't go crazy. Just doesn't leave a film for very long. Work has some stuff I use but I'll have to look up the name for a later date.

WD-40 know it since it exist, but I know for sure isn't reef safe at all (few chemicals in are very toxic). The one give you the link, for sure you can find it in USA, NIVEA have it as "vaseline", just read to clear petroleum jelly, w/o anything else, it leave film for really long time and prevent the water to touch the metal at all (testet and in to the water, it work, isn't easy to wash it if you don't rub it. I don't know where you are, but here (VASELINE) you can check by yourself where to buy from.
BTW I use that one on all my seals and rubbers which are going on touch with the salt and freshwater, on pumps seals, on the reactors, everywhere to protect the rubbers/seals from aging, it work well for me, and like I know it does not release anything bad in the water.
I'm looking to buy just replacement plugs, to replace the British standard plugs on all my cables which are to the AC/Mains power (which are relied to the tank), and to buy extension socket like your one where you have 12 sockets for plugs.

 

[BrandonS]

WD-40 know it since it exist, but I know for sure isn't reef safe at all (few chemicals in are very toxic). The one give you the link, for sure you can find it in USA, NIVEA have it as "vaseline", just read to clear petroleum jelly, w/o anything else, it leave film for really long time and prevent the water to touch the metal at all (testet and in to the water, it work, isn't easy to wash it if you don't rub it. I don't know where you are, but here (VASELINE) you can check by yourself where to buy from.
BTW I use that one on all my seals and rubbers which are going on touch with the salt and freshwater, on pumps seals, on the reactors, everywhere to protect the rubbers/seals from aging, it work well for me, and like I know it does not release anything bad in the water.
I'm looking to buy just replacement plugs, to replace the British standard plugs on all my cables which are to the AC/Mains power (which are relied to the tank), and to buy extension socket like your one where you have 12 sockets for plugs.

Never had issues with wd but will look closer. Good luck with the re wire.

 

[BrandonS]

And it begins, I broke my old tank down. I knew I had a good amount of coral but man it feels like more when you have to take it out and find a place to put it. Lol.

I have a 80 gallon tote, 55 gallon drum, and 45 gallon brute can full of water, rock and livestock. All have heaters, powerheads, and ATO.

Scrubbed all rock down to try and remove as much as I could. Except for coral of course. Had some huge bristle worms and way more aptasia than I thought. Lol.

Wish me luck.

Long day hopefully will finish tomorrow.

 

[BrandonS]

Well tank is in place.

Just because I already had it under the house for my old fish room I moved a support beam on screw jacks under the new tank. Will add pictures later.

As a side project converted an ato I had to an Ali Express dosing pump. 100 mills a min 12 vdc. The plan is to have a remote ATO res in my laundry room. So with the peristalic pump I don't have to worry about line length to much. Will be nice to have a larger ATO res in the same room as my rodi system for easy fill.

 

[BrandonS]

How the sump ended up. Got tired at the end so as with most reefers there are cords. Lol

 

[Thomas Danho]

Very excited. Just have to make the time. I pulled my 93 out of the trash and polished it nicely so hopefully this one cleans up good too. It's pretty bad but nothing to deep.

My daughters were helping . But this is after pressure washing.

such a cute baby!

 

[BrandonS]

such a cute baby!

Thank you!

 

[BrandonS]

This is how the scape went. Excited to see it grow in a bit.

 

[BrandonS]

Tank is starting to settle in. Had a nutrient spike the first few days from die off during the move.

In response I upgraded the lights on my diy algae scrubber. Went from 300 par at 4 inches to 1000. It seems to really be helping.

 

[BrandonS]

Been a while. Update pictures!