TX’s Reef’s zoo med 50 gal lowboy

[TX_REEF]

Some more measurable progress tonight.

I primed and cemented the pre-Union pvc to the overflow. I wasn’t worried about the purple color of the primer because my PVC is black and I am going to paint the white fittings:

I used stainless steel pipe clamps with rubber grips combined with spacers and stainless steel screws to prevent the weight of the PVC and accompanying water from stressing the glass:

I added a water change drain because I think I’m fancy:

I measured, cut and dry-fit downpipes for both the main and emergency drains with the intention of them terminating 1.5 inches below the sump water level. I also shortened the diagonal emergency drain line to shorten the horizontal run to conserve horizontal sump space, and make it even with the main drain:

I received my perfect-sized sump baffles with adjustable water level weir and dry fitted them with a 9-inch sump water level in mind. I considered making them myself, but acrylic sheets are quite expensive on their own and I only have basic power tools and hand tools, so getting pre-fab was more cost effective for me:

I ordered 50 feet of 1” braided vinyl tubing because it was 50% off and ended up being cheaper than buying 25 feet which was the shortest length on Amazon. I’ll use it to attach my Reefbreeders nautilus DC return pump to the PVC return plumbing:

I drank some whiskey because tank plumbing is more fun with a buzz:

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I added a water change drain because I think I’m fancy:

Cool build!
Wondering though, with the placement of the wc drain, won't you only be able to drain the amount in the overflow box?

 

[TX_REEF]

Cool build!
Wondering though, with the placement of the wc drain, won't you only be able to drain the amount in the overflow box?

Well, my thought was I’d leave the return pump on, and shut it off when I’ve drained the desired amount via the water change drain. Since the emergency drain has an upward standpipe, the water pumped up by the return from the 40 breeder sump would be diverted to the water change drain. But for sure, let me know if my logic is flawed!

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Well, my thought was I’d leave the return pump on, and shut it off when I’ve drained the desired amount via the water change drain. Since the emergency drain has an upward standpipe, the water pumped up by the return from the 40 breeder sump would be diverted to the water change drain. But for sure, let me know if my logic is flawed!

Well, my sump has a dedicated return pump chamber that would quickly run dry if I used the method you described...

 

[TX_REEF]

Well, my sump has a dedicated return pump chamber that would quickly run dry if I used the method you described...
that’s a good point, and admittedly I didn’t think about it fully until you brought it up. By my calculations I can drop the adjustable weir in the sump by 2” which will free up roughly 4-5 gallons of water, which is exactly what I need for my bucket! I really appreciate that critique, thank you.

 

[TX_REEF]

Alternatively, if I wanted to be lazy, I suppose I could just dump in 5 gallons of new saltwater and let the drain do the rest

 

[TX_REEF]

Tonight, hit all of the white PVC drain line fittings with ye olde black spray paint:

 

[TX_REEF]

Black sprayed drain fittings dry-fitted and looking good.

I also sprayed the return fittings.

I think the hole I drilled for the return may be a bit too large. I will order some rubber sheet to cut a new, thicker bulkhead gasket (need more OD, same ID)

 

[DIYreefer]

Looks great so far!

I just picked up 2 low boys today. I plan to drill them tomorrow and if that goes well I will proceed with the build. I've drilled plenty of tanks in the past, but never on glass as thin as these tanks have. Ahoyld be... fun?

What size are your drains? I've got 1.5" bulkheads so that's what I'm thinking for the drain lines.

 

[TX_REEF]

Looks great so far!

I just picked up 2 low boys today. I plan to drill them tomorrow and if that goes well I will proceed with the build. I've drilled plenty of tanks in the past, but never on glass as thin as these tanks have. Ahoyld be... fun?

What size are your drains? I've got 1.5" bulkheads so that's what I'm thinking for the drain lines.

Thanks! Lowboys are such cool tanks, and a great value. 60mm hole saw for the drain, overflow has 2 drains, both 1” pvc

 

[DIYreefer]

Thanks! Lowboys are such cool tanks, and a great value. 60mm hole saw for the drain, overflow has 2 drains, both 1” pvc

Thanks for the info, much appreciated! I drilled both of my tanks a little while ago and am happy to report that I didn't break either of them, lol. Each tank has two 1.5" drains (one for back up/emergency) and a 3/4" return.

I'm about to run to Lowes to get some silicone and paint (going to paint the bottom of the tanks black as they will be dedicated frag/grow out tanks). I think I'm going to install the overflow boxes tonight. I hope to have a stand built and everything ready to go by the end of next weekend. I'll probably start a thread for them once I have a little more progress to show.

 

[TX_REEF]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated! I drilled both of my tanks a little while ago and am happy to report that I didn't break either of them, lol. Each tank has two 1.5" drains (one for back up/emergency) and a 3/4" return.

I'm about to run to Lowes to get some silicone and paint (going to paint the bottom of the tanks black as they will be dedicated frag/grow out tanks). I think I'm going to install the overflow boxes tonight. I hope to have a stand built and everything ready to go by the end of next weekend. I'll probably start a thread for them once I have a little more progress to show.

Awesome! Hope to see it soon. I considered going with black bottom but I see white infrequently so thought it would be a good change of pace. If there’s anything I can help with let me know

 

[DIYreefer]

Awesome! Hope to see it soon. I considered going with black bottom but I see white infrequently so thought it would be a good change of pace. If there’s anything I can help with let me know

Ironically, I made a last minute switch at the hardware store. The bottom of my tanks will be gray. I've been in the hobby for a really long time and have had a TON of tanks over the years. All have either had a black bottom, black back, or both. I figured I would change it up a bit this time.

 

[TX_REEF]

I cut a new gasket for the return line bulkhead to accommodate the slightly-too-large hole I drilled - it’s not cosmetically perfect, but I think it’ll do the job!

 

[DIYreefer]

I cut a new gasket for the return line bulkhead to accommodate the slightly-too-large hole I drilled - it’s not cosmetically perfect, but I think it’ll do the job!

That should do the trick! I installed my overflows last night but didn't do anything with my lowboys today. I work all weekend but may try to knock out some more work on the tanks early next week.

 

[TX_REEF]

I dry fitted the return line with the new bulkhead gasket and sprayed fittings:

I used the old boiling water technique to force the braided vinyl onto the PVC for return pump connection:

I secured the vinyl to PVC connection with a stainless steel pipe clamp:

 

[TX_REEF]

Today, I glued the return lines together. I also attached a pipe support to the stand to prevent the glass from bearing the weight of the lines and water:

There is a noticeable gap on the interior glass at the bulkhead due to my less than perfect glass drilling… I’ll silicone around the entire interior side of the bulkhead later:

 

[TX_REEF]

I applied black silicone to the interior glass surrounding the bulkhead:

 

[TX_REEF]

Leak test day, wish me luck

 

[TX_REEF]

As I sort of expected, the eshopps overflow leaked and needed an additional gasket between the external glass and the external overflow box. Added the same, and we are leak free!