MY SLICE OF THE REEF

[fishybizzness]

Here's the sump! I used a 55 gal I had sitting around and got a local glass shop to cut the baffles. All in at around $50 , including silicone!! Not bad!

 

[fishybizzness]

I built a basic stand for the sump out of 2x4s. Just something to keep it off the floor! It's going to sit behind the tank so I can have full access!

 

[fishybizzness]

And the plumbing begins! I'm going with the standard white pvc to match the inside of the stand. Also, it's alot easier to get than the fancy colored ones! Definitely recommend using clear primer for that nice clean look!

 

[fishybizzness]

Completed plumbing! I did a custom manifold for any future additions as it was easier to do it now than it would have ever been after everything was done! Always good to think ahead! The plumbing is all 1" pvc and the manifold consists of 2- 1/2" and 2- 3/4" true union ball valves. Should be more than enough for any future plans!

 

[fishybizzness]

The manifold also has a union on each branch so that I can lower either end to face down into the sump or pointing straight out by just the twist of a union!

 

[fishybizzness]

I ended up adding a true union ball valve to the return line for future control once my order came in! Here is the completed plumbing! What do you think?

 

[IamChrismWard]

That's one of the first 2x4 stand builds that I actually like, good job. I also have my build thread going on here but I'm building my entire stand hood and controller cabinet out of cabinet grade plywood with mahogany veneer.

 

[fishybizzness]

Thanks for the compliments!

 

[fishybizzness]

So this was probably my 3rd or 4th attempt at the rockscape! This stuff is harder than it looks. I came up with 2 structures. The smaller one I named my crumpet because it looks like the grinches home, complete with his cave at the top! The second taller structure is medusa mountain because the outcrops at the top looks like snake heads!

 

[fishybizzness]

I used about 80 lbs of Lifereef rock and about 15 lbs of live rock to help seed the tank.

 

[fishybizzness]

In the tank and waiting for sand!

 

[fishybizzness]

And we have here sand!

 

[Chrisfish]

Really looking good!! Good job on the stand

 

[fishybizzness]

Thanks

 

[fishybizzness]

I used nsw and ocean sand as that's how I set up my last tank and was happy with the results. This is where I get my water!

 

[Ef4life]

Nice build so far, I really like your stand with the fishes.

I’m planning on an sca tank for my upgrade next year

 

[fishybizzness]

Nice build so far, I really like your stand with the fishes.

I’m planning on an sca tank for my upgrade next year

No complaints with the tank at all! Nice clean silicone and can't beat the price with free shipping!

 

[fishybizzness]

So it's been 2 months this past weekend since I added water! Time flies! I've been busy with some home renovations so haven't been in a real rush to get anything done on the tank. I had some free time today and decided to set up the redsea reef led 90s. Due to the tank having both a eurobrace and a open top hood the bracket ends provided wouldn't work so I ended up fabricating 2 small brackets out of some starboard I had lying around. They worked out really well! The plan is to add a t5 hybrid fixture to the lighting to supplement the LEDs down the road when I start adding some coral. For now the 90s will be more than enough.

 

[jeffrey750750]

Nice job on the diy sump, I'll be doing that next time as well.

 

[fishybizzness]

Thanks! It worked out great for me because the height of the 55 didn't really matter because it's exposed and not in the stand and by doing it myself I got the configuration I wanted and saved a bunch on buying a manufactured sump!