65g + DIY stand and setup

[DustanT]

So i just joined up and introduced myself a few days ago. I have just started collecting parts and my tanks. I'm building my own stand and will start posting pics of what I have done.

65g deep blue reefer
29g sump, made my own (getting glass cut for it now)
reef octopus 110 sss skimmer
Jebao DC-6000 pump
Jebao RW-8 power head
finnex 300 watt titanium heater
Lighting is still up for grabs

I'm listening to everyone's opinions as this is my first tank and want to learn more for you guys so plz help me if i'm way off on some of this equipment.

 

[DustanT]

Mocking up and installing hardware, set the tank on top and found out the tank was not touching the top all the way around. So back out to the garage and used the planer and sander again and made it sit all the way around and then recoated with polyurethane. Next i have to install the glass i got for my sump and start adding the equipment as i buy it.

 

[DustanT]

I think my tank has an ever so slightly curve in one of the corners, you can see paper under the corner but it's fine the rest of the tank. I have checks 3 times with 3 straight edges and it's flat. So it should be ok ??

 

[DustanT]

So my stand is done and last night i got the glass and did the sump. Question is should i put the drain to the far left so the pump is closer to the return side?

 

[DustanT]

Are the bulkheads that came with this tank any good? and is the drain facing down the right way?

 

[booth2010]

I like how your stand looks. The only thing I will mention, and there isn't much you can do about this, is that having a sump that low makes sucking out water very difficult as creating a siphon is near impossible. My sump is that low and I have bought a pump just for sucking water off the bottom to clean/drain it for water changes. Again not much can be done when the sump must go under the stand but just my 2 cents. Or I think eheim has a little battery powered gravel vac that would work but I haven't wanted to spend $60 to try it. And to your question yes, the shorter the distance of the return the better.

 

[DustanT]

Made the side panel come off with magnets, the other 2 sides are screwed on

 

[Aussie paul]

Y

I like how your stand looks. The only thing I will mention, and there isn't much you can do about this, is that having a sump that low makes sucking out water very difficult as creating a siphon is near impossible. My sump is that low and I have bought a pump just for sucking water off the bottom to clean/drain it for water changes. Again not much can be done when the sump must go under the stand but just my 2 cents. Or I think eheim has a little battery powered gravel vac that would work but I haven't wanted to spend $60 to try it. And to your question yes, the shorter the distance of the return the better.

You could just leave a small gap under baffles just enough to allow the water to get through. Put a 1/2 bulkhead and ball valve on the end of your sump as low as possible that will allow you to drain most of your sump

 

[booth2010]

Yea that would work, I had a custom acrylic one built by Trigger Systems so I didn't want to do any custom work to it. That is a good idea for my next tank though.

 

[BIGDOG828]

Looking good so far!

 

[chelltom]

I like that you are setting it up sideways allowing for 2 viewing angels . I am used to seeing them up against a wall with only the front view. Great idea just watch out for getting the rug wet I would recommend a large rubber matt underneath to protect from spillage and moisture

 

[shovelhead]

Off to a good start. What rock are you going to use? Rock is where you want to take the time and do it right.

 

[DustanT]

Off to a good start. What rock are you going to use? Rock is where you want to take the time and do it right.

I'm going to use reef saver rock and add a few live rocks from my LFS to help spread the critters if that sounds ok?

 

[shovelhead]

Reef saver looks real good. I don't know if it needs to be cured or not. I'm sure someone will chime in on that.

 

[DustanT]

Let's talk plumbing.... should I get new bulkheads and hard pipe or use current barbed and flex tubing?

 

[DustanT]

I guess I'll just use braided tubing for now.

 

[DustanT]

Tested my sump for leaks between the dividers today, all looked good no leaks. My pump will be here tomorrow Jebao DCT-4000

Still trying to pin down the skimmer, I found recirculating skimmers, now I'm back to the drawing board.

 

[shovelhead]

Don't go cheap on the skimmer. Get the best and biggest you can afford. I would look at in sump skimmers.

 

[DustanT]

the Reef Octopus Classic 150SSS was what i'm looking at, looks like $270 ish. I've read good things about this brand. With the pump inside it make the bubble area smaller but since my tank is 65+29 i think i have enough and some to spare correct? I have an 8x11 foot print in my sump for a skimmer

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-classic-150sss-6-internal-space-saving-skimmer.html

Skimz SN143 Monzter Mini

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/skimz-sn143-monzter-mini-protein-skimmer.html

 

[shovelhead]

Ive been using a skimz for about a year and I wish I would have bought something else. I would choose reef octopus over the skimz.