Finally. It's happening. Fiji Cube 81 EXT.

[RichReef]

This is a 75 gallon AGA that I've had sitting around around for a few years. I have decided to use it as a refugium. Not for algae but for rock and critters. It was used to cure LR and it came with a spray bar and some eggcrate to rest rocks on.

It had one hole drilled in it already and I added another. It will spill into a 29 gallon I had sitting around. The Eshopps with the skimmer and roller mat will spill into the 75 and the turf scrubber will also spill into the 75. Then spill into the 29.

I've drilled the 29 for my 2 pumps. One is for the DT return and the other is for the scrubber and the 40 breeder. I need to add some baffles to the 29 so that's next in line for this never ending build ...

This is a shot of the entire set up.

More coming soon. Once I add the baffles to the 29 it's all plumbing. Please don't mind my mess ....... I promise I will clean it up.

 

[RichReef]

Installing DIY baffles into the 29 sump for my return pumps. Using aquarium sealant and masking tape. This is a pic of one side of the tape pulled off to show the clean lines. You have to pull the tape off while the silicone is still wet. Don't ask me how I found that out.

These are the 2 holes for the 2 return pumps. They turned out nice and clean.

Now to get the ATS screen worked out. This is an ATS I built about 5 years ago. It's been through a lot of trial and error. This is a new screen from a fabric store for needle point. I sanded it vigorously with 60 grit paper then cleaned it off well.

One of the problems I encountered with this scrubber is the slot in the pipe for the screen slowly started to close in the center. I used a shim for tilework to keep the center open. If I were to do this again I would not cut the slot all the way across. I would make 3-4 inch cuts leaving some PVC there for integrity. The only reason I am reusing this pipe and not making another is it is a PITA to make everything straight.

This is the hung screen. Once water is flowing and everything is leak checked I'll add the lights.

Everything is going smoothly so far.

 

[RichReef]

I've been quite busy. This is where the first sump overflows into the 75 fuge. To keep humidity down almost everything will have a cover. I took 2 pieces of acrylic and cut them to size for the 75. Then added bulkheads to them for the overflow from the first sump.

I did the same thing for the ATS on the other side..

This is a shot of the spray bar pump in the 75. It uses a Mag 950. The eggcrate sits on top of the spray bar with some PCV pipe to support the center. This will be mostly to sit rock on for added filtration and a place for critters and stuff. It will keep the rock off the bottom of the tank. I will add a Gyre I have sitting in a box for some really aggressive flow.

The the 75 overflows into the final 29 gallon sump. I'm not sure if I need another bulkhead or not. We'll see once the water is flowing but I have a hunch I am safe.

I added a place to sit my media bags, rocks, polishing filters ...... what ever I may need water to flow through. I'm done with cleaning reactors. A carbon bag loosely filled will be just fine.

This is the beginning of the the return plumbing.

This is where I am at right now. Hopefully another update after the weekend if my wife doesn't have plans for me.

 

[RichReef]

So my Top Lids screen arrived the other day and I just unboxed it to prepare to fill the tank. I have used the DIY screens in the past and they were fine but I always found them to be flimsy and taking them off for maintenance was a pain.

So I invested in this. I am really happy with it and I chose the minimalist design. I always thought the high end lids were a little too much. This one is perfect. Slim. The screen is even replaceable. The people at Top Lids were fantastic keeping communication the entire time and taking the steps to make sure it was right the first time.

In the past I have been very arrogant about having a lid. "In my blah blah years of having a tank I've never had a fish jump ..." Until one did. Then 2, then 3. Lesson learned. It was irresponsible of me.

Never again ..... although I've heard stories of fish still getting out.

Have to remove the saran wrap that's been there for what seems forever.

A nice good shot of the lid.

 

[fishface NJ]

Nice lid! I currently have a DIY lid on my 40B. If I ever get a rimless tank I will go with the lid you have.

 

[Ryebreadiest]

Curious about the overflow on this tank. I’ve heard the IM and Fiji ext overflows can be loud.

 

[RichReef]

Since my sump is in the basement I wanted to be able to control the return pump from the upstairs. So I bought a heavy duty extension cord, mutilated the cord and went electrician style. One in the cabinet upstairs and one in the basement near the pump. I just hope the long run doesn't mess with the electronics of the pump. We will see.

I have literally plumbed my mixing tank (brute can) into the system. This is right below one of the sump baffles so when the power goes out it doesn't drain out that portion of the sump and will restart on it's own.

It siphons right into the top of my brute can.

Then drains into the lower sump when the can fills up.

This my mixing area. The left valve pumps the water out into my house drain. The right valve circulates the water in the can. I used a Mag 18. It's in the can. The small valve on the side is for testing.

So I turn off the valves that tie it to the system. Turn off the circulation. Empty the can into the house drain. Turn another valve to refill the container with RO. Add salt. Test the next day. Then turn the valves back on to reconnect to the system. All I have to do is turn valves and add salt. I did most of the plumbing for the brute can through the lid so replacing the can is a snap. I figure I'll replace the can once a year. We all know how those cans can get.

I've been using this method of plumbing the can right into the system for 2 years now on my 55 gallon with great success.


Messing around with the wires and controllers. Yeah it's crude but .... it's in the basement. So who cares?

In this pic you can see I covered my DIY ATS in heavy duty restaurant aluminum foil to contain light bleed. Once again it's crude but effective. The timer is for the ATS lights. The lights are from Expessions LTD. I have tried a lot of different lights and I have to say these are beasts. A more detailed pic of them soon.

Filling the tank soon. It's actually filling now but I don't have the pics on hand to update.

 

[fishface NJ]

Just a warning not to use that powerstrip: I would get rid of it. It will self ignite. Exposure to to water is not necessary for it to happen

 

[fishface NJ]

Curious about the overflow on this tank. I’ve heard the IM and Fiji ext overflows can be loud.

I had no idea that the IM was loud

 

[lubeck]

Looks like a fun build. Following

 

[RichReef]

Just a warning not to use that powerstrip: I would get rid of it. It will self ignite. Exposure to to water is not necessary for it to happen

It's a Coralife. I thought I was doing the right thing. I'll have to look into it.

Thank you.

 

[fishface NJ]

Yes I know it’s a Coralife

 

[RichReef]

After spending 4 hours rinsing 60 pounds of Carib Sea Special grade sand, a worn out wrist, and water logged hands it's actually filling time.

Now anxiety, fear, and happiness all sets in at the same time.

 

[RichReef]

Yes I know it’s a Coralife

After searching a little bit ...... yeah I took that off.

Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[fishface NJ]

I had one too. I replaced it with a Kasa bar which is good when you need to turn off one or more items during maintenance and programming time on and off for the lights is easy

 

[ReefSlice]

+1 for the Kasa smart bars. They do everything I would ever want out of a controller for 50 bucks, awesome addition to my tank! Tank's looking good, can't wait to see it with some life in it. Thinking of making the 81 ext my next tank.

 

[fishface NJ]

Curious about the overflow on this tank. I’ve heard the IM and Fiji ext overflows can be loud.

.....Thinking of making the 81 ext my next tank.

I have been looking at the IM Novo ext 75 and now the fiji 81 ext. Same foot print.

I will like to hear the experience you have with the overflow sound. Right now my 40B is dead silent. I installed Modular Marine 1600 bean overflow.

 

[RichReef]

Curious about the overflow on this tank. I’ve heard the IM and Fiji ext overflows can be loud.

I don't have any update pics pics but the system is up and running.

The overflow is quiet. I played with it for about an hour. There is a tiny, tiny trickle sound but you have to get right up on it to hear it. At one point I went downstairs and had it flowing way too hard and it was still silent. The water was gushing over the baffles. After slowing it down I had to start over but no big deal.

I did not use the FiJi trickle/center pipe though. I used one that was a little taller because the full siphon line kept making a tiny whirlpool and sucking air. So I just put in a taller one. About 1/2 inch shorter than the emergency pipe.

It's pretty quiet. I suspect that people who have had issues just didn't know how to approach the problem.

Seriously. All Bean drains are the same. You just have to play with flow and the stand pipes.

 

[RichReef]

Curious about the overflow on this tank. I’ve heard the IM and Fiji ext overflows can be loud.

I have been looking at the IM Novo ext 75 and now the fiji 81 ext. Same foot print.

I will like to hear the experience you have with the overflow sound. Right now my 40B is dead silent. I installed Modular Marine 1600 bean overflow.

Here is a video of the overflow. You have to be right on top of it to hear it. I like it to trickle a tiny bit so I can gauge the flow from the basement.


https://youtube.com/shorts/93BAMymyJH0?feature=share

 

[RichReef]

This is a shot of it filling. I'll take some new pics tonight and a video of the basement set up flowing.