75 gallon build

StevenBell · Jul 14, 2015

Hello everyone!Its been a while since I've been around and for good reason!
Late last year I was medically retired from the USMC at the ripe ol' age of 26 (combat related issues).Took a while to get myself "deprogrammed",but things are improving.
I have an infinite love for the ocean and have since I was a child.Started into saltwater at 13 or 14 and had to put that on hold to serve our country.I did go to Scripps for a short time to study marine biology,but moved home to South GA where I currently work (at an lfs lol).
So here is what I've been working on for the past several months.Nothing too big though, if is in an apartment.
A 75 gallon Marineland tank will be my blank canvas

Paranoiattack91 · Jul 14, 2015

Welcome back

StevenBell · Jul 14, 2015

Hit the back side with a few layers of black Rustoleum for the background.First time doing this and I will never use those cheap things from box stores again!!!

StevenBell · Jul 14, 2015

Thanks to my Dad for the help with designing my stand on auto-cad.I was going to do things on a drafting board.Usually grunt proof too!

StevenBell · Jul 14, 2015

Thanks bud!Good to be back!

StevenBell · Jul 14, 2015

Stand was built the same way a house would be.Load bearing corners with lumber on lumber.Over done for tank size?Probably but I dont like flemsy stands.See to many as is

StevenBell · Jul 14, 2015

Trying to cover up all the frame work

Little bro helping my arthritis ridden self by doing some sanding

Stand is now a stand lol.Gotta do so me staining and add personal touches though. Hardware is all outdoor gate hinges.I chose these because they were sturdy,cheap,water proof and aesthetically pleasing with the rest of the design

Almost done with it!Several coats of stain and laquer with a tad of recession up top. Used and all purpose rubber mat as the level/insulation.

Its is complete! My own touch was cutting out windows for a special effect later.Did this by using some plexiglass and sanding both sides to give it a frosted look.The inside was done white for a clean look.The paint is actually a latex based yacht paint the is mold and mildew proof.The outside panels are 3/4 pine poplar dovetailed together.Kind of gives it an industrial type look

StevenBell · Jul 14, 2015

Now comes some of the trickier stuff.Drilling a tank is nothing to be taken lightly. It requires the perfect touch which is hard considering you're going through paned glass with titanium and diamond shavings

I purchased this template and hardware from Customaquariums.com
When you do this...measure 10 times-drill once lol Make sure its right where you want it

First hole turned out perfect.I cleaned up the edges with a dremel and sanding wheel

This is the H2Overfloe from Customaquariums! This thing is really well built and overall just freaking sweet

Super sleek and quite!Easy to install!

StevenBell · Jul 14, 2015

Serious pains in the butt have occurred in the equipment area.Like pains in the wallet region hahaha

My sump in a Deep Blue 200 Reef sump.Its no kidding the exact same as an Eshopps but with flame polished edges.Little things like that are real selling points for me as minute detail runs in my blood

Skimmer is an Eshopps PSK series.I could have gone a different route but I know for a fact that this thing works dirty or clean!An my boss gave me a good deal on it lol

Powerheads are amazing!Picked up two MP 40s slightly used for 300!!!Buddy ditched em for the gyre thing

The absolute must have!As marine aquarists, we don't take care of animals.We take care of water and nice flora and fauna are a bonus of that.BRS...I love you,my girlfriend... Not so much lol

Nice and affordable piece of equipment!This will be become a biopellet reactor!

More BRS goodies!!!

StevenBell · Jul 14, 2015

Getting there!

StevenBell · Jul 14, 2015

I was pleased at the over-all look of the tank on the stand and put a color changing light bar down there for effect.

StevenBell · Jul 14, 2015

Putting everything in its place

I didn't do a step by step of my plumbing because there would have been tons of pics,but this is pretty much it.I love unions and valves!!!

I have my biopellet reactor and gfo/carbon reactor manifolded off the return.Return pump is a Deep Blue Triton 5 that pushes 1350 gph.Perfect for this application.PS-Wye check valve works flawlessly!!!!

Return lines plumbed in.Two half inch lines-one on each corner.Loc line is used with Loc line check valves for added peace of mind too lol

Time for a leak test! Only had two.Bulkhead drain wasn't tight enough and I forgot to tighten a union.Overall level of being pleased:Quite a bit

StevenBell · Jul 14, 2015

Whats this?Rock!!!!Its that time!

I used dry rock it had to be seeded for a few weeks.Daily scrubbing were a pain.Adding about a gallon of Phosguard to each tub was a sure fire way to get rid of some phosphates that would have surely been leached.Also added a double dose of stability to each tote every day for the first week

Built a custom open top mount for my Radions G3 Pros which I love dearly and are insured lol

Rock is in and were rockin!!!

StevenBell · Jul 14, 2015

First fish!!!Juvenile paid of black clarkiis! My favorite clowns!

Got this glaxia for a steal!40 for the mother colony

StevenBell · Jul 14, 2015

This tank is going to be lps/sps dominant.Honestly I'd like to add some softies or zoas but they will have to be real stunners.
Much more awaits and my other fish and corals havnt been photographed yet so stand by for that! Thanks for checking my tank out and I'll keep ya posted!!!