Liam's 36x15x18 reef

[Ljaus]

Hi R2R, seeing as I've made enough progress I thought I would start my new build thread. Currently I have nano cube, I like it but i have a soft spot for 3ft tanks. So when I found a good solid one for cheap second hand I had to have it.

First I recycled an old drawer we had, I gutted the inside renforced it and cladded it with recycled hardwood fence panels, clear coated the hardwood and painted the top black.

Today i moved it inside and placed the sump underneath and leveled it up.

The wall it is going on

Cabinet in place, next step is to give the tank one last clean bring it in and start the plumbing

 

[Diesel]

Following my friend!

 

[tj w]

Following as well

 

[MikeA]

Interesting cabinet. Well done.

 

[Ljaus]

Following my friend!

Following as well

Interesting cabinet. Well done.

Thanks everyone. Here is a view from the end of the lounge

 

[Ljaus]

Time for my least favourite part, at least I'm in the air conditioning.

 

[Ljaus]

Dry assembly done, now ready to glue. The straight up and down pipe goes to mechanical filtration and the second pipe will run raw water to the skimmer

 

[MikeA]

Looking good. I like how you're using 45° bends, and not 90's. What overflow/drain arrangement are you going to run?

 

[Ljaus]

Looking good. I like how you're using 45° bends, and not 90's. What overflow/drain arrangement are you going to run?

Thanks, the drains are sore point as there isn't much I can do about it, the base is drilled and fitted with bulkheads and 2 drain pipes. I thought about making corner overflows but I loose too much of the tank for my liking. I've got my fingers crossed that when the rock scape is done it's not as noticeable.

 

[MikeA]

Interesting challenge. I might be tempted to build overflow boxes around them but it'll cost you tank space of course. It'll come down to tank space vs efficient overflow I guess.

FWIW, my tank has a similar footprint and I went for an external overflow to leave as much tank space as possible, so I understand your dilemma.

 

[Ljaus]

Yeah it's pain, my lfs runs the same design and it works, I'm not to worried about noise where the tank is, I'm also only running 1200l/h on the return.

 

[icedgxe]

The build looks great so far! What lights are you going to be running on this?

 

[revhtree]

Looking good!

 

[Ljaus]

The build looks great so far! What lights are you going to be running on this?

Thank you, lights are undecided, possible Chinese black boxes with a sb upgrade or 4x39 t5. Tank will be lps heavy so I don't need a lot of light.

Looking good!

Thanks you!

 

[Ljaus]

Equipment list, all from my current tank.

Return pump- Aquamedic oceanrunner dc 1200l/h (317gph)
Aquamedic ato
Hailea 300a chiller
Cheap skimmer aqua one brand- will be upgraded at some time
Polario dc wave maker that I've had for a few years and never used.
Lights are undecided as per post above

Future list
DIY algae scrubber or fuge

 

[Ljaus]

With the doors on

 

[Ljaus]

So all the plumbing is done, leak test was completed yesterday and it started getting wet.

Today is transfer day!!!!!!! Heaps of photos to come later.

 

[mmw64]

following

 

[Ljaus]

Transfer complete. Need to set up my ato and tidy up all the wiring, then decide on the lights. I think it needs more rock to

Crappy iPhone pic

 

[Ljaus]