Ready ... Set .... Reef ! My first 65g Mixed Reef build.

FreakPrism

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Alright, after lots of reading and research (still lots to do), I've decided to start a build thread to:
1) Get help from the community on choosing various parts of the system
2) Share my build as it progresses. Should be a long journey but like they say, slow and steady .... :)

Here is what I have done so far. Appreciate everyone's feedback on this and thoughts:

1) Purchased 2 Brute cans. Yes, that was the first thing I bought. One for RODI water, the other for salt mixing. Gotta start somewhere.

2) Purchased and installed BRS 7 STAGE PRO PLUS RO/DI SYSTEM (75g). I had a Culligan drinking water system but decided it was time to upgrade. Using the RO part to feed home drinking water and in the future the DI part will feed the brute can to store RODI water. I'm in Canada so the exchange rate and shipping were killers from BRS, but hey, gotta get the water right :) I'm sure there are places in Canada but will see if can at least get filters and membranes locally in the future.

3) Built a mixing station - more like a shelf for now to house the brute cans. Likely a future expansion project (i.e. when I get tired of lugging the brute cans)

4) Due to the intended location of the tank, I was restricted to a width of 36 inches. Anything large in a 36" size gets custom fast. Here in Toronto I got Miracle to quote me a 36x24x24 tank and it was almost $1500 CAD + tax just for the tank! I thought that was expensive. Then I looked at possibly getting a Red Sea 300XL but that was also over $2300 CAD + tax.

So, I figured I would build my own stand and canopy and try to match wood in my house. So far, I am leaning to get a Seapora (non-reef ready) tank that is 36x18x24 from Big Als, and it sells for $190 + tax CAD. Any thoughts on this?

5) I purchased a Modular Marine 1600pgh external overflow. Got it today!! I hate UPS charges for cross-border processing such a rip off - but not much choice in Canada. Plan is to drill the Seapora tank once I buy it. This overflow looks solid. Will need to see how I mount it against the trim on the aquarium as don't want to see the water line.

6) Likely will go with a custom sump. Either a Fiji 20 sump or a Trigger systems. Thought about getting a glass aquarium and baffles but not sure. I saw someone run a rubber maid ... Thoughts?

7) After lots of research will go with the CoralBox D300 DC skimmer or the D500 skimmer. Thoughts on which one is good for my system? Tank will be 65g plus likely 10-15g for the sump. Seem to be priced right with good reviews.

8) Likely will go with 2 AI HD16 lights. Reviews seem good. I plan to start with softies and then go mixed reef.

9) Likely go with Jebao or CoralBox return pump and wave makers.

10) Have not looked at heaters or heater controllers. Definitely will go with eheim heaters as they are awesome. My current one on my freshwater is like 7+ years and still going strong. My prior heater (I think it was Aqueon) shorted and boiled the water and killed the fish.

11) Will be building my own custom stand and canopy using oak plywood. Looking forward to this. So many creative ideas on this forum.

Let me know your thoughts and comments on the above.
 
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FreakPrism

FreakPrism

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Gotta start with clean water...




20200617_202403.jpg


Incoming water is less than 150 TDS so good starting point...

20200617_202434.jpg



Water pressure incoming is usually around 52 or 53 psi. When system auto shuts off it drops below 50.

20200617_202449.jpg
 
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Also received the 1600gph Modular Marine overflow. Trying to debate location of mounting and holes to drill eventually. What do you think - mount in middle or off to right back side? This is well built.

Also trying to determine how high to mount as don't want to see the water line but also don't want water pouring down due to wavemakers. Decisions, decisions.

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So Father's day was awesome with me buying reef stuff from ReefSupplies (Canada based online store). Equipment incoming:

  1. Loc-Line 3/4 inch Ball Socket Flexible Tube (6 inch) x 2
  2. Loc-Line 3/4 inch X 3in Flare Nozzle x 2
  3. Loc-Line 3/4 inch Ball Socket x MPT Connector x 2
  4. Spears Gate Valve - 1 inch Slip x 1
  5. True double union ball valves (slip and thread included) - 3/4" x 4
  6. Union 3/4" Slip x 2
  7. Union 1" Slip x 5
  8. Coral Box D300 Plus DC Skimmer - 90G
  9. Hanna Marine Salinity Tester
  10. Innovative Marine Auqa Gadget AccuDrip Acclimator
  11. Lifeguard Aquatics Low Profile Slip Strainer - 1"
  12. Coralife Aqua Gloves (One Pair Shoulder Length Protective Gloves)
  13. Jebao DCP 5000 Sine tech Silent Pump (855 to 1320 GPH)
  14. CaribSea Fiji Pink Sand - 40LBS (#00022)
  15. 50 lbs of South Seas Base Rock by CaribSea
  16. 5 lbs of FLAT Marco Rock - Premium Dry Key Largo CUT FLAT on BOTH SIDES
  17. 10 lbs of Marco Rock - Premium Dry Key Largo

Now need to find a good sump, drill the tank and start building my own stand. Starting to come together :)

Shipments should be coming by Wednesday.
 
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Alright time for an update.

Sold my old freshwater tank so now the location of new tank is clear. So much easier to measure and see the new stand and tank coming to life.

First I painted the glass black on rear and one side. I used the sample Behr m paint small cans at Home Depot. Took about 3 coats and used up all the paint.

Make sure you let it dry between coats.

20200705_064946.jpg
 
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Making the stand myself out of 3/4 inch red oak plywood. Height is about 41 inches and width 36. Depth is 18. Testing look as nothing is glued or screwed. Will be attaching using kreg pocket screws.

20200704_194337.jpg


Side door to easily slide in sump and access filter socks. The right pillar is about 1.5 inches so may have to reinforce. There is front panel also shown later.
20200704_194329.jpg
 
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Here is with the front. Trying to keep the height of doors consistent with side. The square in middle is centered although picture does not reflect this. Likely put a shelf in on the top as not much room below as got biggest sump I could fit.

20200704_214155.jpg
 
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And got a trigger system emerald 34 sump on Canada Day from Aquarium Direct. It is massive.

Was trying to rotate the sump to access the socks from front. However I will rotate back as I have the side door. This will keep plumbing simpler and allow me the right wall for any return manifold.

As I am posting this I just realized I should test pushing the sump out the side door . It should fit based on me cutting the hole wider than needed but you never know.

20200704_194214.jpg
 
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The plan is to paint the inside white and then use appliance epoxy. The wife agreed on staining the outside black so should make it easier to hide any imperfections. This is my first big wood project. Although not hard, it sure does look easy on YouTube

I have been collecting tools along the way so it's nice actually using them. The only tool left to use is my router.

Hopefully, a few more weekends to get the stand fully complete. Will need to assess if I need any more support once everything is glued and screwed in.
 
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Frame assembly started. I had glue on the side and forgot to use it. But man the joints are strong with the pocket screws themselves. Assume once it is all wrapped will be stronger.

20200705_191833.jpg

20200705_191823.jpg
20200705_192031.jpg
 
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Applied some caulking and secured the top. Placed the tank on top. Wow higher than expected but no more bending down to see tank bottom.

Now to paint the inside and stain outside after adding mouldings to hide the pocket screw holes. Also need to make the doors.

20200706_231214.jpg
 

A worm with high fashion and practical utility: Have you ever kept feather dusters in your reef aquarium?

  • I currently have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 63 36.6%
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  • I have not had feather dusters, but I hope to in the future.

    Votes: 24 14.0%
  • I have no plans to have feather dusters in my tank.

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