JCM's 65g reef aquarium

JCM

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 28, 2018
Messages
1,342
Reaction score
1,646
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
This thread will document our new aquarium. Ive had reef tanks for about 15 years now (probably pretty old school with my approach), but have been on a 2 year break since our last tank crashed. Here are the current specs.

65g Planet Aquarium, 36" x 20" x 21"
Custom steel stand 42" tall
Trigger System Crystal 30 sump
Bubble Magus Curve 7 Elite skimmer
Eheim 1250 return pump
Pacific Sun Althea 6x24" T5 fixture
Vortech MP10 powerhead
2x Eheim 75w heaters
Fiji Cube 800 GPH overflow
JBJ ATO
35 lbs Gulf Live Rock
15 lbs KP aquatics live rock
20 lbs BRS marco dry rock

Current Pictures

20210607_185808.jpg
20210607_185826.jpg
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
JCM

JCM

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 28, 2018
Messages
1,342
Reaction score
1,646
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I knew I wanted a rimless tank somewhere around 3x2x2.

The first thing I bought was an RO/DI filter from bulkreefsupply when they had 20% off last week.

20210225_193928.jpg



After that, I started watching local classifieds for a tank and equipment. I'm a big fan of T5's. Last weekend I found a nice Pacific Sun Althea 6x24 t5 fixture.

20210228_173321.jpg


20210228_173334.jpg



Today, I found a tank. Its a 65g Planet Aquarium. Rimless and measures 36" x 20" x 21". It's a great looking tank, though I hate the giant overflow box. I'm still deciding whether to leave it, or cover up the bottom holes and drill the back for a ghost overflow which I'd prefer.

20210302_135634.jpg


20210302_135641.jpg
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
JCM

JCM

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 28, 2018
Messages
1,342
Reaction score
1,646
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
That's it so far. I'll continue the hunt for used equipment, and hopefully start the stand soon. I plan on a welded steel frame with magnetic panels.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
JCM

JCM

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 28, 2018
Messages
1,342
Reaction score
1,646
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Yesterday I found a sump. It's a Trigger Systems Crystal 30. I painted the bottom, sides, and back white. Still need to finish cleaning it.

20210304_123223.jpg

20210304_134726.jpg


I also stopped by Lowes today and picked up two 32 gallon brute cans. I plumbed in my RO/DI and partially set up the mixing area.

20210304_155621.jpg
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
JCM

JCM

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 28, 2018
Messages
1,342
Reaction score
1,646
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I decided to pull out the overflow box. I covered the bottom holes and resealed the tank with black silicone. I installed a Figi Cube 800gph overflow and a 3/4" bulkhead for the return.

20210310_172733.jpg

20210311_182326.jpg

20210310_114944.jpg


I have also bought and cut the steel for the stand. Hopefully I can get it welded up this weekend. A few more goodies should be arriving soon as well.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
JCM

JCM

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 28, 2018
Messages
1,342
Reaction score
1,646
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Had a chance to weld up the stand today. Unfortunately half way through, I ran out of welding wire. All Ace Hardware had was Flux core. I finished the welds and then threw the rest of the spool in the trash. First and last time I'm touching that junk...

Made from 1.5" 11 gauge square tubing and will be 41" tall when I put a piece of plywood on top. I'll be painting it this weekend.
20210312_170434.jpg

20210312_170427.jpg

20210312_182737.jpg
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
JCM

JCM

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 28, 2018
Messages
1,342
Reaction score
1,646
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Not much exciting to report. My skimmer showed up but unfortunately was busted from usps. I'm working with the seller to get it fixed.

All my plumbing should be here in the next few days. I also painted the stand.

20210319_180849.jpg
 
OP
OP
JCM

JCM

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 28, 2018
Messages
1,342
Reaction score
1,646
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
The guy I bought my skimmer from was nice enough to contact the manufacturer and get me a new skimmer body to replace the original that USPS destroyed. It's a Bubble Magus Curve 7 Elite. I have also started plumbing the tank. Nothing is glued yet. I'm going to stare at it for a while and make sure I don't want to make any changes before gluing.

20210323_101312.jpg

20210323_101327.jpg
20210323_101342.jpg

20210323_101334.jpg



I didnt want to use glue to secure the plywood top, so I used blocks in each of the corners to keep it from sliding. I also installed some lighting in the stand. I dont plan on a refugium at this point but wanted some extra light for maintenance.

20210323_115816.jpg

20210323_120303.jpg
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
JCM

JCM

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 28, 2018
Messages
1,342
Reaction score
1,646
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
After leak testing the setup outside for a few days, I made a few small tweaks and moved it inside. I mounted a power strip in the stand, got a new return pump (Eheim 1260) and a 250w Eheim heater.

I also placed an order for 35 lbs of live rock from Gulf Live arock, that should arrive Thursday. I'm getting close!

20210324_141943.jpg


20210327_200648.jpg

20210327_211904.jpg

20210327_201227.jpg
20210327_201240.jpg

20210329_145005.jpg
20210329_145010.jpg
 

Aquatic acrobat in your aquarium: Have you ever kept an eel?

  • I currently keep an eel in my tank.

    Votes: 29 14.8%
  • I have kept an eel in my tank in the past.

    Votes: 33 16.8%
  • I have not kept an eel in my tank, but I hope to in the future.

    Votes: 35 17.9%
  • I have no plans to keep an eel.

    Votes: 96 49.0%
  • Other.

    Votes: 3 1.5%
Back
Top