One man’s trash another’s treasure build

[stinkydavis]

I got a old 150gallon tank marineland I believe from someone who was giving it away for free. Absolutely covered in algae and calcium deposits. Wish I would have taken before pics. Came with a aqueon sump model 4. Octo 8” protein skimmer. Power heads. Return pumps and 6 fish they are in my 75 gallon
so far I cleaned the tank out, I am respraying the rim. Got the frame done today as well. Here are some pics. Before

Here is the stand so far as of today

Going to wrap it in hickory and stain to match the kitchen cabinets as it is very close to the kitchen. Open to any ideas that I should do now that would make life easier

 

[Reefahholic]

Looking good!

 

[Syntax1235]

A great start. That stand will hold a truck!

 

[stinkydavis]

Got the stand wrapped and going to be finished with the doors tomorrow. Should be staining by the weekend repainted the trim to give it a fresh look

 

[stinkydavis]

Got the doors done and stained. Next is clear coating and attaching the doors. Going to put a shelf in the top right corner to hold testing stuff, food and surge protector. Adding an old 10g tank underneath it for an ATO unit. Any suggestions? They are cheap on Amazon but is the extra buck worth it on such a simple device?

 

[dstockwell]

Looking good

 

[Wasabiroot]

Got the doors done and stained. Next is clear coating and attaching the doors. Going to put a shelf in the top right corner to hold testing stuff, food and surge protector. Adding an old 10g tank underneath it for an ATO unit. Any suggestions? They are cheap on Amazon but is the extra buck worth it on such a simple device?

If you're going budget (which I love btw, we should be asking YOU for advice. Stand looks great) then ATO is very budget friendly w/gravity fed devices and the like. However, I also think it depends on how much you value being able to be lazy.

Ironically, if spending money on an ATO, it's actually worth spending more money as the cheap ato systems on Amazon do use cheap 12v pumps not really designed for continuous duty. I am a big fan of the Tunze Ozmolator nano. As long as you follow the directions it seems very sturdy and the electrical components are located away from the water unlike some brands. The switch is mechanical also. Just need to check on it periodically. I would say if doing it (using ATO device) and relying it to not mess up a pretty crucial part of keeping overall salinity stable, then pick one from a company with good reviews and a history with reliable mechanical components. Expect to pay 100-230ish for a decent one.

 

[stinkydavis]

Question! I have a bunch of live rock that was in this tank when I got it. I stored it in saltwater. Do I need to get a “Cycle start” supplement? It’s all ver old rock with coralline algae.

 

[Wasabiroot]

Question! I have a bunch of live rock that was in this tank when I got it. I stored it in saltwater. Do I need to get a “Cycle start” supplement? It’s all ver old rock with coralline algae.

How has it been stored? Like in a brute trash can or something? If so theoretically you're fine though you may experience a bit of die off. There will be a lot of bacteria still deep inside the rock. You could always get something like Dr Tim's or MB7 in case you get an unforseen ammonia spike, but if the rock is cured and aged already you can likely still use it depending on age. Plus coralline

 

[stinkydavis]

How has it been stored? Like in a brute trash can or something? If so theoretically you're fine though you may experience a bit of die off. There will be a lot of bacteria still deep inside the rock. You could always get something like Dr Tim's or MB7 in case you get an unforseen ammonia spike, but if the rock is cured and aged already you can likely still use it depending on age. Plus coralline

It is in 6 different coralline buckets. They are in my basement so stored around 70ish. They have been in there for under a month by the time I have the tank up and running. Plus the stuff in my 75 (if it fits without cramming that is about 4-5 months old

 

[Wasabiroot]

It is in 6 different coralline buckets. They are in my basement so stored around 70ish. They have been in there for under a month by the time I have the tank up and running. Plus the stuff in my 75 (if it fits without cramming that is about 4-5 months old

I would think this would be just fine to use. You can always put a bit in your sump too.

 

[stinkydavis]

Stand is done. 75 gallon moved to the garage while 150 cycles. Hopefully not to long. Not excited to lift the stand and tank in tomorrow.

 

[stinkydavis]

Filling it up! Got the Ro feeding the brute. When it’s full I mix and pump it up. Going to be a long process but excited to get it cycling!

 

[stinkydavis]

Well after a day or so to produce only 40 gallons I went out to buy a smart buddy. 100% worth the money! Tds is still 0-2 depending on the random times I test it but omg the production difference is insane. If you are on the fence. Let me tell you it is worth it.

 

[stinkydavis]

Tank is full and now cycling. Dosed to 2 ppm last night. 9hrs later
Salinity-1.025
ammonia-1
Nitrite-.25-.5. Was hard to get the exact color.
nitrate-12.6
This was all live rock before so we will see live rock in tank sat out for two days or so while filling.

 

[stinkydavis]

Looking for opinions of flow. I have 2 800gph return pumps from sump(1 goes through a coralife 6x UV sterilizer, 1 Jebao mcp-120( I think 4300 gph?), 1 sicce 1320gph and 1 hygger 2600 gph. Maybe to much? All of the loose sand particles are staying suspended but aren’t being whipped around the tank by any means.
I have the Jebao mostly doing surface agitation.

 

[stinkydavis]

Tank update. Got everything up and running. Got two clowns and a foxface my reefing friend got me for my birthday. Got an ATO running. Feels Impossible to get the skimmer set right either not getting into the cup or overflowing. ‍ May need a bigger bioload to get it going?

 

[stinkydavis]

Well after a lot of hard work a short run time. The whole back panel cracked. Looking to get a new tank now. Luckily I was in the room close to when it happened and didn’t have too much water leak out.

 

[Celestion]

Diy Wood stands are notorious for being not 110% level and even concrete floors are often not perfectly flat , this often helps the tank fail early , paper shims maybe , on the up side used glass aquariums leak much soon'r than new ones , cheers

 

[kevgib67]

Well that stinks! So sorry hopefully the new tank will be up and out shine the used one!