Cody's 80

[CodyRVA]

Summary:
This is my first custom build, transitioning from a 46G bowfront. Many more pictures and details to come. Almost all of this build was a first time experience, I would do some things differently, but that's all part of the learning process! This build has taken me about 8 months to complete as i've researched and completed the majority of the work myself. I built the stand, put new seals in the tank, drilled the tank, designed and crafted the sump, built the conduit light posts, did all the plumbing and electrical.

Stand
The stand was originally built for a 120, which explains the extra space behind the current tank. I found this tank on craigslist for $60; which is why i re-did the seals. I will eventually replace the 80 with a 120. The canopy design changed over time. I initially built a large canopy to house the light fixture, I soon found this to be a total pain and decided to suspend the light instead with conduit.

Tank
- 80G
- 4'
- Reef Savvy Ghost Overflow
- Dual Returns

Sump
- 30G
- Dual Filter Sock

Equipment
- Skimmer: Skimz Monster SM163 DC Internal
- Carbon/GFO Reactor: BRS Dual with MJ1200 pump
- Biopellet Reactor: Reef Octopus 90EXT HOB
- Return Pump: Jebao DC
- Controller: Reef Keeper Lite
- Heater: 300W Finnex Deluxe Titanium Heating Tube
- Light: ATI Sunpower 6 Bulb T5

Current Status
The tank is currently testing with fresh water. In a few weeks, I will break it down, move it into place, and remove all the live stock from my 46G bow front and use it to stock this new 80G .

Tank:

Plumbing

Sump

BowFront (12-12-2015)

 

[Josh King]

Looks like you did a nice job, especially on the plumbing!

 

[revhtree]

Great job! Looking good!

 

[CodyRVA]

Tank Build

Yes, I could park my jeep on this stand. It was way over kill, I would slim it down and use 2x4's if i could rebuild it. Being it was my first stand build, I was very worried the stand was going to break, later realizing its more than equipped!

Realized that a 55 wasn't going to be a good enough temporary tank until I got my 120 rimless. At this point I decided to go with the 80

Frame is complete, starting the finishing boards

I decided to go with magnetic access panels on all three sides vs hinges. Hinged doors are a pain. I wanted something I could remove completely and get out of the way. Three access points also helps me get into the sump and perform maintenance.

I used 1 inch firm insulation from my local hardware store and topped it with neoprene foam for the tank.

 

[CodyRVA]

Sump Build

For the sump, i started by researching sump design. I decided on dual filter socks, equipment chamber for bio pellet reactor and protein skimmer, and a small refugium, primarily for additional live rock filtration, a place to grow pods, etc. I started with cardboard panels to nail down the design then had the acrylic pre cut.

Used painters tape and a small square to position each panel.

Completed, water testing

Used a hole saw to cut spaces for my filter socks

 

[CodyRVA]

Plumbing

My main focal point was ease of ability to tear down the system and move it if need be. I also wanted to incorporate fail safes for power outages, blockages, etc.

Ghost Overflow by Reef Savvy with dual 3/4 returns

Main Drain lines into the sump

 

[CodyRVA]

Tank Prep

The back draw of buying a $60 tank off craigslist is redoing the seals and cleaning the heck out of it... I used painters tape as guides for my silicone seals, this also helped create a clean finish.

 

[silent_circle]

Nice carpentry skills.

 

[CodyRVA]

Light

I initially created a large canopy for this build. One, because it looked nice, but also because I went with a 6 bulb ATI T5 fixture with no suspension kit and thought this was the easiest way to use the fixture. When I finally started prepping the tank to fill, the canopy quickly became a total hassle which opened the window for the conduit brackets. They're much cleaner and I now have the ability to control how high the light sits off the water.

 

[Josh King]

Tank Build

Yes, I could park my jeep on this stand. It was way over kill, I would slim it down and use 2x4's if i could rebuild it. Being it was my first stand build, I was very worried the stand was going to break, later realizing its more than equipped!

Realized that a 55 wasn't going to be a good enough temporary tank until I got my 120 rimless. At this point I decided to go with the 80

Frame is complete, starting the finishing boards

I decided to go with magnetic access panels on all three sides vs hinges. Hinged doors are a pain. I wanted something I could remove completely and get out of the way. Three access points also helps me get into the sump and perform maintenance.

I used 1 inch firm insulation from my local hardware store and topped it with neoprene foam for the tank.

I really like your magnetic panels idea! My doors are always in the way. Especially during my water change.

 

[Nibejeebies]

Love this build, watching the thread to follow the progress... It's giving me ideas

 

[CodyRVA]

46G System being moved to the 80 build in this thread is now 1 year old!

January 22nd, 2015

January 22, 2016

 

[CodyRVA]

So i was delaying setting up this build, but unfortunately the seals on the bow front started to go. So here's the process of of tank change, enjoy!

Seals Leaking:

Before the tear down:

Removing Rock/Coral/Livestock:

Strange find:

All Coral & Fish:

Draining the tank:

Equipment Gone:

New Tank in Place:

Getting Sandy:

Filling:

Setting up New Equipment:

Water Clearing up, Preparing to Aquascape:

Side View:

Close up of the Aquascape: (I need more rock)

 

[cameronh]

Oh no! That's one of my fears, that and glass cracking, stand failing, or one of the glass sides letting go. I love this hobby, but it's also scary......

 

[CodyRVA]

Oh no! That's one of my fears, that and glass cracking, stand failing, or one of the glass sides letting go. I love this hobby, but it's also scary......

How bout it. I didn't have an ATO on the bow front, just manually added fresh RODI, so I originally thought I just spilled water. When I kept finding water and more of it, I knew I had an issue. I think the bow front tank is from the 90s early 2000s; not sure how long bow front seals last, but i've heard they're prone to giving out.

 

[cameronh]

Sorry to see that happen man, I'll subscribe to this thread and see where it goes what's your plans as of now?

 

[CodyRVA]

Sorry to see that happen man, I'll subscribe to this thread and see where it goes what's your plans as of now?

The tank I moved everything into is the actual setup i was preparing to use, so this just expedited the swap. Bow front is gone, 80 is up. Now i've got much more room, praying i did a good job on the build haha, and stocking it with all the extra room i have.

 

[cameronh]

Oh haha, I just saw the leak and went straight to typing lol. My attention to detail is awful

 

[Josh King]

Looking great Cody! Looks like you'll be buying more coral to fill up that 80!

 

[CodyRVA]

So, after water testing my seals on this tank for a month, and holding strong for 2 weeks after setup, I came home one day and my worst nightmare, the seals were leaking. My only guess is that I didn't redo the silicone on the outside bottom pane of glass. Guessing the weight of the rock and sand eventually did the job...

Here's the tank drained, the seal broke in the back, bottom, middle, so most of the water leaked out behind the stand.

Moved all my livestock in to a 40 breeder

Decided to go with a new tank entirely, i'll work on my tank sealing skills another day... The replacement: 48 X 24 X 16

Local reefer helped me drill it, attached the Reef Savvy ghost overflow & returns

I had to modify the plumbing a bit, the old tank was only 18 inches deep, this one fit the entire depth of the stand. Now it has less 90 degree bends and the over flow is even quieter than before

Taping off to paint. Decided to go with Rustoleum Royal Blue vs the flat black i had before

Couldn't ask for a better time for upgrades... picked this trick up from the same local reefer; pond liner in the base of the stand for water collection. Stapled around the top of the liner, covered stapes with silicon

Light hung, glass painted, hooked up all the equipment, ready for water

First stab at aquascaping this tank; i'm sure this is going to change...

Frag style tank offers interesting views