Remix - added a couple new pieces from Cultivated Reef

[WirelessMike]

So the rock added about $110 to the total. I’m also going to need a couple more tubes of rock cement so let’s call it another $50 for rock supplies.


Stand materials: $150 (skin/trim/filler/lights)
Foam Overflow cover: $40 (3 cans of foam, 1 sheet egg crate, and leftover dry rock.)
Schedule 40/80 Plumbing: $75
Rocks and Supplies: $160

Running Total: $425 (I couldn’t have bought a stand for a new aquarium for that! Let alone a “new, shiny, bigger tank.” Lol)

 

[WirelessMike]

With background lit. Bounces a nice glow through the caves.

 

[WirelessMike]

Let’s see it with the removal piece in the back gone.

its a toss up which I like better.

 

[WirelessMike]

Well I think I have decided that I’m going bare bottom on this one. Going to try it out as I haven’t before. Upon more thought I needed a spot for my wrasse to rest. With a can of foam left, 1/2 a sheet of egg crate, and some free time I started crafting a sand pit. More pics to come

 

[WirelessMike]

Few more pics of the future sand pit

 

[WirelessMike]

Alright I guess I forgot to throw in pics of the second island. This thing turned out really cool. Has almost a crescent moon peak and plenty of surface area for different types of frags in different zones. Also I would like to note that the seachem epoxy does not seem as strong as instant ocean Holdfast. I decided to move forward with only HF after the top piece of island one came loose. But you live you learn.

Being a taller tank I wanted to utilize the vertical space in this build. I learned a lot the first go around and always saw the open space in the top half of the tank as dead space.

 

[WirelessMike]

Probably calling an audible. Sand pit takes up a lot of room. Lol I’m not the 14K gallon tank owner unfortunately. So maybe back to square one for the wrasse shelter.

 

[WirelessMike]

 

[WirelessMike]

So far I have stayed way under budget by repurposing a lot of the original build parts. I was going to use my ocean revive t247 again on this tank, but I am also open to ideas for other lights that don’t cost a small fortune. I was looking at possibly going T5’s or a Noopsyche setup. Not really sure but open to ideas

 

[sp1187]

So far I have stayed way under budget by repurposing a lot of the original build parts. I was going to use my ocean revive t247 again on this tank, but I am also open to ideas for other lights that don’t cost a small fortune. I was looking at possibly going T5’s or a Noopsyche setup. Not really sure but open to ideas

happy with the reef breeder on the tub.

 

[WirelessMike]

happy with the reef breeder on the tub.

Those are sweet lights. I was looking at them last night. In typical reefing, and frugal form, I’ve started to waffle on using money for new lights or upgrading/adding a few other components to the tank. Thinking I could get an algae scrubber and new return pump for less than new lights. Also nothing wrong with my revives besides trying to figure out a decent mounting solution.

 

[WirelessMike]

Also, forgot to post that not all was lost with a sick household over Memorial Day weekend. Luckily no COVID, but what a wicked bug it was. Got the tank and stand moved into position. Time for final fitting with the plumbing. Also still have a final island to build, but first coffee and work.

 

[WirelessMike]

And the wife comes through with a surprise power strip from her Walmart excursion! Hooray. Lol well here it is with some juice.

 

[WirelessMike]

The third island is finally built and the plumbing is all done. Ended up getting a new return pump so that I could plumb the 3/4” return line directly in. Hoping to start adding water this weekend.

More to come. The plumbing is my first go with the schedule 80 and it was a good time. I wish I had more room in there to add extra unions and everything, but it’s way better than the first time I set this tank up.

 

[WirelessMike]

RO filters changed out. Running a batch before I start filling. Also installed a TDS meter. Have thought about doing it for a couple years but always found a reason not too. Simple installation and $20 to solve an unknown variable was totally worth it. I’ll add pics once the water flows. Luckily my neighbor had about 30 ft of .25” tubing leftover from his last tank. So I can run a line from tha garage to the tank and eliminate the need to carry buckets and bust my hump! More to come. Also thinking about building a floating shelf to house my ocean revive. Not sure though. That can all come as the cycle happens

 

[WirelessMike]

I forgot to add pics of the plumbing. Please don’t call the plumbing police on me. I know more unions would be nice but I was limited on room based on the frame and I really wanted to keep this thing simple.

the leds make a huge difference under there from the cave sump of the past.

 

[WirelessMike]

And so it begins. The nerdfest as my wife calls it. Filling the tank up is a day you wait for and dread. Will the bulkheads leak? Will everything be cool? How do I get RO to it?
So the first answer is yeah the bulkhead dripped a bit. But I lifted the tank and tightened it up before the overflow was full. No sweat. Just tear some cardboard and make a leak detector.

then take it to the next level and add a live cam so you can monitor for leaks and the unknown.

Oh and how do we get water from the garage? Ingenuity!

And painters tape! Hahahahaha. More to come

 

[ScubaFish802]

Sweet background!

 

[WirelessMike]

Sweet background!

Thanks @802ScubaFish

 

[WirelessMike]

Ok I can’t forget to keep the tally going.


Stand materials: $150 (skin/trim/filler/lights)
Foam Overflow cover: $40 (3 cans of foam, 1 sheet egg crate, and leftover dry rock.)
Schedule 40/80 Plumbing: $75
Rocks and Supplies: $160
Hygger Controllable Return Pump: $90
Adapter collars for my media baskets: $5 a pop (coming soon)
Sea Chem Matrix: $25 (shout out to @sp1187 for the advice to go away from media blocks due to long term side effects)

so about $525 in it so far and couldn’t be happier! More pics as we get water in it.

nothing good happens fast in this hobby. Including High Quality H20