71G Build

terraincognita · Dec 17, 2020

This beautiful 47 1/2" x 17.5" x 17.5" tank was being sold for pennies and I couldn't resist.

I'm anticipating for this to be a very long and slow build. But want to document it all the way this time.

Just the tank and stand. Going to figure out the plumbing and find/make a sump sometime between now and February

ichthyogeek · Dec 17, 2020

How much is pennies?

I've enjoyed your posts in the general forums, so I'm looking forward to this slow burn build!

terraincognita · Dec 17, 2020

ichthyogeek said:
How much is pennies?

I've enjoyed your posts in the general forums, so I'm looking forward to this slow burn build!

haha well $400 including a full 6 bulb T5 canopy.

pennies for what it was worth IMO.

Mastiffsrule · Dec 17, 2020

Great looking tank.

Did you decide on the return pump? Can I throw a suggestion in of a maxspect jump? I switched over to on from a Ehiem and so far very happy.

You have a nice overflow for a bean animal. And I love T5. Depending on your coral, you may want to use a led along with the T5 as hybrid. I think you said you had 1.

Think it will be built and filled before Xmas for pics

terraincognita · Dec 17, 2020

Mastiffsrule said:
Great looking tank.

Did you decide on the return pump? Can I throw a suggestion in of a maxspect jump? I switched over to on from a Ehiem and so far very happy.

You have a nice overflow for a bean animal. And I love T5. Depending on your coral, you may want to use a led along with the T5 as hybrid. I think you said you had 1.

Think it will be built and filled before Xmas for pics

Thank you!

Yes I figured they built it with the bean animal in mind.

This is only my 2nd time ever with T5's, I've been LED most of my reefing. I'm 60% Sure I'm going to take 2 of the T5 bulbs out and try to make the canopy a hybrid set up where I can put my LED's inbetween two T5's on either side, unsure of the exact spacing needed though yet. This is all to be decided.

If you've seen my other builds you'll know I'm no stranger to impatience and rushing to fill everything with live rock and sand and live everything and dumping in fish, but this time I'm going to take it super slow.

setting up tanks is like 80% of the joy for me, probably why I've gone through so many... I love the initial tank phase.

But this time I'm going to do a very particular and custom scape using mostly dry shelf rock PVC and putty.

I'm going to work over the scape alone for a good couple weeks.

I'm also potentially moving in 2021... so I don't want to move this tank full....

I'd say expect to see fish in it by June 2021 :X.

Sorry!

But I just wanted to get my build completely this time from the very very beginning, including my planning phase.

I have no idea what equipment I'm going to use on this.

I was leaning toward some Maxspect pumps but read some reviews about them not being as powerful as say the L2 or Varios-8.

So we'll see. If possible I'm going to deal hunt for top line equipment from all my fellow Reef2Reefers

.

terraincognita · Dec 19, 2020

3 hour drive there and back, but the tank, stand and light canopy picked up!

terraincognita · Dec 21, 2020

These little glass inserts were definitely aftermarket.

Unsure if I’ll keep them. But I think I want to re-inforce the main seals regardless.

any recommendations on a silicone?

terraincognita · Jun 23, 2021

Finally bit a bullet, "emptied all my pockets" and got this together. Gonna be transferring most everything over, lots of fun to come.

Have some great aquascape plans for this guy.

terraincognita · Jun 23, 2021

Platinum 34' Sapphire Sump. So Friggin happy I chose to get this!

terraincognita · Jun 23, 2021

This was a 2nd hand someone's DIY Cabinet. Works for me!

However sump wasn't fitting due to random 4x2 board added, and already had like 90% of it cut out? But the person was a bit sloppy/lazy (Much like myself) and probably didn't need the exact 15 inches inside like I do for my sump lollll.

Have this "Dremel-Saw Multi Max" which worked perfect for this.

Okay, so don't judge here, but it was 98 degree's in the California sun today, and sometimes when it's hot, I get a little, shall i say "Oh who care's" like? lol

Just cut super rough holes to run plumbing.

Kinda just thought basically no one will ever see it but me so......

terraincognita · Jun 23, 2021

I was gonna drill holes and do bulkheads. but Honestly kinda chicken-s##t.....

sooo,, this looks good to me

.

Here's a leak test.

It was leaking in 2 spots, gonna write more on that later.

But also the top black part of the returns aren't cemented in, and they barely leak, when I cement then in when I finally put it in place for good it'll be 100% peachy keen.

Honestly, I must say, it is pretttyyy dang quiet.

.

Excuse the bloody napkin, cut my finger lolll a few times.

terraincognita · Jun 24, 2021

Some late night scape work, hopefully will have this full of water by the end of the weekend :O

terraincognita · Jun 26, 2021

Finished my scape!

thanks @sp1187 for the info on habitat black. Love that stuff! super great to work with.

I love it, how about yall?

terraincognita · Jun 27, 2021

Plumb it yourself they said. It'll be fun they said.

DIY everything you can.... --.--

LOL. JK proud of myself. It came out great. Had to tweak the plumbing a few times, but finally no leaks, and we're golden.

Waiting for T5 bulbs to come in. Gotta DIY my canopy.... ghetto wooden rig for now (b',')b LOL

Have my 1 Hydra 32 running lol my other one is still on my 45G.

Excited for this one! Can't wait to see it come to life.