Oh my,,,, this all started with a little Nano lol.

KevPool

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I thought I would log what I've been up to in a new build thread. This project is going to take me some time to get up and running but I was able to start the framework yesterday.

As the thread title states it all started with a little 5gal Nano I got a few weeks back, and POW I got bit hard by the reef bug. The constant research and planning has me absolutely loving this hobby.

I scored a really good deal on a few tanks off Kijiji and started my planning.

The main display Tank is a 60g cube:
PXL_20201127_030213928.jpg

I still have more cleaning to do on the Cube but it looks way better from when I got it. ;)

Here are a few shots of the stuff I got wicked cheap:
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So my first thoughts were what the heck am I gonna do with all this stuff.

My first plan was to make a cab for the unit but the sump was way larger then the DT so I came up with a plan for a long stand with the main display in the center and a lagoon tank on either side.

Here was my first draft:
PXL_20201127_040039694.jpg

The main problem I had was trying to fit all the gear under the cab so I designed it 7' long. Honestly I really liked this idea but my wife wasn't keen on it and agreed to let me build a tank sump/tank room.

The main Cube will be upstairs in the living room and I will plumb it through the floor and into my Tank room. The main hurdle I had with the tank room is convincing my wife I need it quite large lol, let's say I lost that battle and was limited to only having 5' of the rec room downstairs, honestly a 5'x9' room isn't that bad and I'm super stoked I get to build my own little under sea getaway in the basement.

Since I like to draw out my plans my first here was my rough draft:
PXL_20201127_040216471.jpg


Yesterday I took my drawings and started to bring them to life.
PXL_20201126_015004768~3.jpg

As I was getting the framing started I thought to myself "dang an in wall tank would look great there hahahha" so my fav Reef shop in town gave me a great deal on another 60g tank for 50 bucks, honestly I wanted to go bigger but it's a smoke'n deal so I jumped on it.
PXL_20201127_024314625.jpg

Now the wall is splitting a window with the other side but honestly it was a battle I couldn't win, so please no comments on the split window I had to make due with what I had lol.

This weekend I plan on finishing the rest of the back framing, sanding & painting the work station, running the electrical and dry fitting the tanks so I can plan the plumbing.

Oh yeah the workstation is deadly level ;)

PXL_20201127_024255741.jpg


As far as clean up the refugium is super clean and my QT tank is ready to go as well.
PXL_20201127_030456370.jpg


Since my youngest Son got in trouble at school guess who is cleaning the sump BAHAhahahahaaa.
PXL_20201127_030440855.MP.jpg


Anywho that's it for me today I will update the thread more as the build comes together. I am going to have a ton of questions and appreciate any and all advice as this build is going to take a couple months to get off the ground.

Thanks in advance for any feedback on the build. PXL_20201127_030502925.jpg
 
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KevPool

KevPool

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PXL_20201202_192656555.jpg
So I should be done taping by the weekend and ready for paint woot woot.
Also some of my plumbing stuff came in I'm just waiting for my manifold materials which should be in soon some of the parts are on backorder but I have enough to get started on most of it.
PXL_20201202_192755175.jpg
 
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KevPool

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So I sanded out the wall and tossed some paint on the wall. I must say I really like the tank there with no trim around the tank it looks clean.
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just need to install the door and baseboard then finish off the plumbing and electrical inside then it will be time to water test the system. Hopefully by the end of the weekend I will have a chunk of that done, but it is all starting to come together.
 

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You know it bahhhahhaaa
My wife bugged me to set up my old 30g cube that been sitting for like 10 years. Told her it's gonna start that itch again lol. So after setting it up. I said ehhh too small so I got a 66g sca I found on offer up for dirt and now working on setting it up. And in the middle of all of that and bought all the fresh new gear for it. I'm already thinking nahhh we must go bigger lol.
 
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So all the plumbing is finally finished all I have left to do is attach the braided flex hose to the main display Tank then I can water test this tomorrow.
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This is not the permanent mat for the pump lol just used this for placement I will be making a heavy rubber mat for it.
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I will be making an oak skirt for DT1. Deadpool is chilling in DT2 lol no worries that won't be staying lol.
PXL_20201207_035810180.jpg

Tomorrow I will move the computer out of the way and fire up the water to give it a go then start fishing the electrical into the room thankfully I pre drilled all my holes. So far I'm quite happy with the way it turned out for such a small space.
 

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ReefSakes

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Looking great bro! Impressive and went in on a 60g ha. I have a feeling 6 months down the road you'll be building a 300g haha.
 
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KevPool

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Houston we have a problem. lol.
PXL_20201209_140132517.jpg


So I sprang a leak at the pump bulkhead. I'm a dolt and had reversed the previous bulkhead and had the gasket where the nut was. I'm going with a different bulkhead and adding some braided hose to reduce vibration.

I ran into another problem my syphon was too strong on DT1 my LFS suggested using a gate valve on my drain to find the sweet spot for my Durso system. My concerns are the possibility of it ever clogging. What are your thoughts?
 
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PXL_20201212_213015687.jpg
sorry for the mess but water is flowing, just not off DT1 arrrrrrg I definitely need a bigger pump the Iwaki can't keep up with all the lines.
PXL_20201212_213035161.jpg

Looks like I was asking way too much for one pump DT2 has great flow I had to taper it off a bit but that doesn't have as far to go as the tank in the living room which right now has a sad 60gph. I will add a second pump dedicated to DT1, just need to find one now.
 
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KevPool

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so yeah just tested DT2 I'm getting 600 gph in and out that's awesome and the fuge has a good amount of flow just need to dial in how much I want set to the fuge. any suggestions as to what I should have the fuge for gph i haven't measured it yet just looking for some input
 
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