Glass Cages 218g Build

[DeepBlueBox]

Things have been moving pretty slow. I’m accustomed to the all in one style aquariums that come with the plumbing already glued, so you just screw it together. I did the plumbing without much problem on my water mixing station, but plumbing the tank has proven to be a little more difficult. I’ve made a few errors and didn’t order nearly enough red pvc. Definitely a learning experience! For now, I’m waiting on another order from BRS.

 

[DeepBlueBox]

Waiting on what is hopefully my final order of plumbing parts from BRS. My lids from Clearview Lids came in yesterday. Ordering from them, even for a custom tank was very easy. The cutout on the right panel is for my auto feeder. I would definitely recommend them!

 

[JumboShrimp]

I would definitely cut here and add ball or gate valves-- that's how you can dial in flow and/or noise issues. Otherwise, looking great!

(Something like this.)

 

[DeepBlueBox]

I won’t have great access to the back of the tank once it is in its final place. I put a gate valve on the main drain but on the emergency drains, I left them open. I put a ball valve on the return. Here’s a picture showing the gate valve. Is it really necessary to add one to the emergency overflows as well?

 

[JumboShrimp]

Probably not necessary; many (or most) people would say overkill. But I wanted as much control over my 3-pipe-'mix' as possible to tinker with. That said, ideally if you get it dialed in you shouldn't have to monkey with it too much-- so one valve might do. But one question... you have two (2) emergency drains-- not two active (working) drains, and just one for emergency?

 

[DeepBlueBox]

Probably not necessary; many (or most) people would say overkill. But I wanted as much control over my 3-pipe-'mix' as possible to tinker with. That said, ideally if you get it dialed in you shouldn't have to monkey with it too much-- so one valve might do. But one question... you have two (2) emergency drains-- not two active (working) drains, and just one for emergency?

I believe you’re correct. There’s a primary drain, secondary drain and emergency drain is how they would be referred to. This is a Synergy Shadow Overflow. I did reference the Synergy website and from what I am reading there, they would recommend the gate valve installed as I have it set up currently. However, I definitely do not want a noisy overflow.

 

[DeepBlueBox]

Began leak testing last night! I plan to run it with tap water for a few days. If all goes well, I’ll drain it and add the rock and sand before moving it back to its final spot. While I really like the light mount that I built, it would really be in the way while trying to put in the aquascape.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Might you line your front glass with some styrofoam or something when you put your rocks in?... I would die if I scratched it.

 

[DeepBlueBox]

Might you line your front glass with some styrofoam or something when you put your rocks in?... I would die if I scratched it.

Great idea! I saved some of the styrofoam from the shipping pallets and have been wondering what I would use it for!

 

[DeepBlueBox]

Spent the weekend trying to fix a leak. I was getting a slight leak from the gaskets on the overflow, just a small drip every now and then. I tried removing and cleaning the glass, readjusting the pipe supports, tightening and loosening the lock nuts on the overflow, etc. I had this thing apart probably 6-8 times before I took a break and did some research. I found an old post where someone else had a similar issue and it was the gaskets themselves. Turns out, these gaskets are TPU vs the standard silicone style gaskets used on normal bulkheads. I ended up buying 4 new 1.5” Lifegard bulkheads from my LFS and used the gaskets from those to replace all 4 gaskets on the overflow. Problem solved!

 

[fishface NJ]

I won’t have great access to the back of the tank once it is in its final place. I put a gate valve on the main drain but on the emergency drains, I left them open. I put a ball valve on the return. Here’s a picture showing the gate valve. Is it really necessary to add one to the emergency overflows as well?

That is where I would put my gate valve. I find it easier to see/dial in when I am at the sump area

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Began leak testing last night! I plan to run it with tap water for a few days. If all goes well, I’ll drain it and add the rock and sand before moving it back to its final spot. While I really like the light mount that I built, it would really be in the way while trying to put in the aquascape.

That is a beautiful tank! Can't wait to see it filled in!

 

[DeepBlueBox]

The tank is in its final resting place and I’ve added sand and rock. Going to look at, and think about the scape a bit longer while I work on the equipment side of things before starting to add water.

I have 2 of these Adaptive Reef controller cabinets. I originally intended on have 1 on either side of the stand, however, I did not account for the size of the Hmahli 16 Gallon ATO reservoir. I took the feet off of one of the controller cabinets, and I’m considering stacking them as the picture shows. I would, of course, add something to stabilize the top cabinet to the bottom if I decide to go this route. Unfortunately, with the sump there is not enough room for the ATO Reservoir under the stand.

I’d love to hear others’ thoughts on this idea!

 

[JumboShrimp]

Exciting. FYI, I have a controller cabinet on the side of my tank... it's disappointing how short some power cords/controller cords are when you try to get the around the tank and up into position the the cabinet. (Mine is a 60" tank.) I wish equipment manufacturers could be a little more generous. Hopefully you won't run into that problem. Best wishes.

 

[DeepBlueBox]

Exciting. FYI, I have a controller cabinet on the side of my tank... it's disappointing how short some power cords/controller cords are when you try to get the around the tank and up into position the the cabinet. (Mine is a 60" tank.) I wish equipment manufacturers could be a little more generous. Hopefully you won't run into that problem. Best wishes.

This is one of the reasons I was hoping to have one on each end of the tank. I’m hoping I can come up with some extensions to help solve that problem, but we will see.

 

[beardedman11]

The tank is in its final resting place and I’ve added sand and rock. Going to look at, and think about the scape a bit longer while I work on the equipment side of things before starting to add water.

I have 2 of these Adaptive Reef controller cabinets. I originally intended on have 1 on either side of the stand, however, I did not account for the size of the Hmahli 16 Gallon ATO reservoir. I took the feet off of one of the controller cabinets, and I’m considering stacking them as the picture shows. I would, of course, add something to stabilize the top cabinet to the bottom if I decide to go this route. Unfortunately, with the sump there is not enough room for the ATO Reservoir under the stand.

I’d love to hear others’ thoughts on this idea!

Love the aquascape. Can't wait to see all the rocks covered in coral. Stacking isn't a bad idea. Figure out which side will need the least amount of extension for cords and place the cabinets on that side.

 

[DeepBlueBox]

Getting a little closer all the time. I’m thankful that most of the cable management is done, it felt like it took an eternity. The Adaptive Reef cabinets really made it a lot easier than what it should have been though. Great product, I’m glad I got them.

I did end up sticking with the stack. I only ended up needing an extension for the skimmer and the PMUP to connect it to the FMM module for the ATO. Still waiting for those to come in so I can finish up. I changed the aquascape around some and I really like it a lot better.

Still waiting on a few other odds and ends pieces to show up like the tubing to connect the Bashsea Biospace Reactor, etc.

Once this phase is finished, the next project will be working on the canopy.

 

[DeepBlueBox]

Had a little extra time off work this week, so I made some more progress. The tank is full and running with saltwater now and I finished the canopy as well. The extensions came in for the skimmer and the PMUP and I got them installed too. For now, I have not turned on the skimmer, and probably won’t for a while. I added a bunch of biomedia that I put in my father-in-law’s sump several months ago and I will be adding some live sand and live rock from Gulf Live Rock to seed the tank, along with Turbostart.

I made the canopy in 3 removable panels. 1 on the front and the 2 sides. The top and back are open. I used 1/2” expanded PVC to make the panels. I bought a 4’ x 8’ sheet from Home Depot that was already white, so I didn’t even have to paint it. This stuff is really easy to work with and light weight. I used some leftover pvc cement to glue some small pieces to the backs of the panels to give them a place to rest on the rim of the tank. I also used some magnets that I got from 80/20 and used them to attach the panels to the edge of the light mount rack.

Pro Tip: if you don’t have nice sawhorses or some other cutting platform, I also bought a sheet of insulation board the same size as the PVC sheet. I placed it underneath the PVC which allowed me to lay it on the ground and cut it without tension or pieces trying to fall.

 

[DeepBlueBox]

I also tried to set up my Bashsea Biospace Reactor. Unfortunately, the barbed input leaks where it attaches to the lid itself. I am using the SICCE 2.0 pump, which is recommended for my size reactor, the 6-3. I have sent in a support message to Bashsea about the issue. I did try to put another layer of clear silicone around the edge of the fitting. It is still curing, but I’m hoping it will help.