Benders DSA 185 peninsula

[Scutterborn]

I've been more active on my local club and kinda lurking on here. I figured the time was right to finally do a build thread.

This tank has been up since February of this year. I'll get y'all caught up.

Modified the factory stand to accommodate the new overflow setup

Had a friend build an amazing sump.

I ended up having to have the tank resealed.

Picked up the tank! (Little did I know in my excitement that it was all jacked up)!

I have many more....

This is the one that really worried me. Lots of bubbles in the seams.
I ended up taking it back and fighting with them to seal it properly. 2.5 months later, I picked it back up...

Guess what I was doing!

I went with (2) 2" drains and (2) 1" returns

We also drilled some more 1" returns for the closed loop system.

Starting the layout for the plumbing. It's at this point that I should've opted for a slightly lower sump. 20" is too high when the topside of the stand is only 23.5".

Finally made it inside!

Got the custom overflows installed and it couldn't have fit better. The Tunze wave box sits perfectly between them on the back wall. I should mention that I didn't want any power heads in the tank.

Time to level the tank!

That's all for now. I'll keep posting updates in a bit.

- Ben -

 

[skinz78]

Looking good so far!

 

[Scutterborn]

Now that I'm back at work I can update some more!

I started to layout the rock and prep it for mortar. I ordered the BRS EcoRock. It's really great stuff.

Yes, I took the tape measure out.

Now with lights.

Time to fill it!

More to come later!




- Ben -

 

[Mr E Wrasse]

tagging along! very nice tank you've got there

 

[Dowtish]

This looks fantastic!!! following along.

Any new updates other than just cycling?

 

[Scutterborn]

This looks fantastic!!! following along.

Any new updates other than just cycling?

Yes. It's up and running and still maturing. I've just been working like a crazy person and haven't been able to continue updating the thread. Trust me. There's a twist a the end! Stay posted.

 

[Scutterborn]

So, I left off as I was filling it.

Finally got it filled. Unfortunately the 75g tank I had set up next to this one to hold everything while the tank was cycling sprung a leak... 4 days after the 185 got wet!!!

Needless to say, I had to move everything over and quick! Not the most glorious start to the tank.

- Ben -

 

[Deinonych]

Nice build. With the returns that low, how do you prevent the entire tank from emptying into the sump when the return pump is shut off (or during a power loss)?

 

[wakeboardgeek]

Great build so far. Hope all its well with the emergency transfer because of the leak.

 

[Scutterborn]

The nozzles that are drilled into the bottom are the closed loop outputs. The main returns are up topside.

 

[ingtar_shinowa]

great build.

 

[trido]

Great looking system. That is one complicated sump though. I tend to keep them simple and open.

 

[Deinonych]

The nozzles that are drilled into the bottom are the closed loop outputs. The main returns are up topside.

Ah, makes sense. Thanks!

 

[Scutterborn]

Great looking system. That is one complicated sump though. I tend to keep them simple and open.

It's actually really basic.

The first section (where the hose is) is where my drains go. This is where my macro and live rock rubble is. The second chamber is strictly a DSB. Then the small chamber is the skimmer chamber and then over the bubble wall to the the return section. The reactors have been moved into this return section.


- Ben -