How not to start a reef tank, my first reef tank build

[S550stang]

As the title suggests, I will be losing my reef tank virginity this weekend.

After about as much research, horror stories, and salivating over absurdly beautiful tanks that a man can handle, I decided to commit to building my very first reef tank.

What you see before you are the makings of an amazingly mediocre tank, that which I’m somewhat proud of, more so nervous as s*** about.

I’m starting with a 36 gal aqueon bowfront, the usual suspect in reef addiction, tragedy, and triumph.
-Two aqueon powerheads.
-Current USA marine orbit 36” LED.
-150w aqueon pro heater.
-50 gal ro/di unit.
-Aquaclear 70 power filter (you down with HOB, ya you know me)
-Reef Clear salt
-10 lbs of Marcos dry rock
-20 lbs of Bimini pink live sand
-Refractometer
-40 gal roughneck, 2x Home Depot 5s
-Gravel cleaner
-20 ft airline tube
-Dr. Tims
-Some electronic thermometer I forgot the name of.
-Dos powerstrips stolen from my battlestation (home office)
-Light timers
-Various nutrients for adjusting levels
-Hot tub grade shims
-Bunch of levels
-Yoga Mat stolen from ex

Here are the results from the initial purchasathon (excludes powerheads, dry rock, and ammonia test strips):

Congratulations on your new addiction lol, I too started with a Aqueon 36 bow about 3 months ago, I took the lid off mine though and bought this Plaskolite louvered ceiling light panel from Lowe’s for like $16 bucks and it works great as a lid I put a pic of it so you can check it out, good luck on your tank ...

 

[Why-Me]

I used a copious amount of street spigot 45 elbows. Maybe half dozen of em.

 

[living_tribunal]

Congratulations on your new addiction lol, I too started with a Aqueon 36 bow about 3 months ago, I took the lid off mine though and bought this Plaskolite louvered ceiling light panel from Lowe’s for like $16 bucks and it works great as a lid I put a pic of it so you can check it out, good luck on your tank ...

Sheesh, you just read my mind! I have been thinking about if I’ll make a mesh top for the new 65g. If something easier exists, I’m all aboard!

Nice tank btw

 

[living_tribunal]

I used a copious amount of street spigot 45 elbows. Maybe half dozen of em.

I have thought about running a 45 right below the overflow drain to get it above the entrance before the filter socket to eliminate the 90. Might get one or two 45s in case.

 

[Why-Me]

The way I looked at it when ordering is 2x 45 will make a 90 but you can't get a 45 from a 90.
I did order 90s too just in case.

 

[living_tribunal]

The way I looked at it when ordering is 2x 45 will make a 90 but you can't get a 45 from a 90.
I did order 90s too just in case.

I know that the 2 45s = loser head loss thing is a myth but two vertical 45s spaced with pipe surely has better gph than a single 90 that shoots horizontally. With two vertical 45s on the back to position the main drain above the sump, I remove 7-10” of horizontal pipe. That’s solid.

Let me send a pic of the little test setup I’ve been playing with today.

 

[living_tribunal]

@Why-Me

So instead of this setup, I just use 2 45s to get the main drain right above the filter sock before it goes horizontal. Only issue is I need space for the gate valve horizontally in the stand above the sump.

 

[living_tribunal]

Side note, I’ve obviously done no work on my soon to be forgotten 36g other than ghost feeding it for the hell of it.

The coralline is low key getting out of control....

From 0 coralline to this in 1 month, it’s nature reclaiming it’s rightful spot among humanity ....

 

[living_tribunal]

Maybe I could use the back and add the gate valve vertically.

The only issue I’m concerned with is this sump cannot be removed from the stand from the front. To remove the sump, I would have to drain my entire tank and open the back.

 

[living_tribunal]

Got the newly rebuilt tank back. Let’s see if we can finish the plumbing design tonight.

 

[Why-Me]

gate valve vertical

 

[living_tribunal]

To be honest, this seal job has me a little nervous.

One vertical seem wraps and the corners look a little weak. I may run a 16mm on top of the bottom seem and corners.

 

[living_tribunal]

The plan to be able to remove the sump, is cut out a 17” wide wood panel from the side and then create a door from the wood.

I’m a little worried about the integrity of the stand by doing this. Does any one see any concerns?

This means only 1.5” beam will remain in each corner to hold the entire tank.

Alternatively, I could remove the front two posts which leaves both sides in tact to carry the weight.

 

[living_tribunal]

Not going to lie, I’m pretty overwhelmed and confused right now by everything.

The tank rebuild job doesn’t look reliable, I’m worried about how I’ll be able to remove the sump, if there are stand integrity concerns by removing certain parts, etc.

Purchasing this new tank was the worst decision I could have made.

The work just keeps piling up. This whole thing has become a full time job and I feel like I’m going nowhere.

Hopefully I can find some answers and muster up the will to get this tank built reliably, sturdy, and proper by the weekend.

 

[Why-Me]

Water test the tank
Build new stand
Assemble tank plumbing to sump
Relax with beer

 

[living_tribunal]

Water test the tank
Build new stand
Assemble tank plumbing to sump
Relax with beer

I don’t think I could build a new stand/want to. That’d be too much work and add to the paranoia about being level.

I think the game plan is just go with the sump in the tank. If there is an issue, I’ll saw out the front and slide it out.

I’m tired about being worried about the unknowns and what others say.

I’m just going to build this as is and go with it.

 

[living_tribunal]

Just noticed the brace looks broken on both corners in the back...

Looks like I’m just going to have to suck it up and spend a lot more money on a new tank...

 

[living_tribunal]

The guy who rebuilt it offered me a new jbj 65gallon at cost over the weekend for $450. I’m mad about the rebuilding job but may have to take it.

 

[Why-Me]

Also keep an eye out on local reefing forums, craigslist and R2R marketplace

 

[living_tribunal]

Also keep an eye out on local reefing forums, craigslist and R2R marketplace

What’s unfortunate is the day after I purchased this, a year old Red Sea 250 with tons of equipment was for sale at $265...

I have spent nearly $3k at this point, I don’t know if I’m willing to break my savings to buy another 65g.

I have to get the fish out of quarantine ASAP, it’s getting close to 2 months.

I don’t know what to do man, beyond bummed.

I can’t keep doing this.