What is Your Favorite DIY Project You Have Done for Your Tank

[Gumbies R Us]

A lot of people here do DIY projects, and I, for one, enjoy looking at all the various things everyone makes (since I don't do a lot of DIY, haha). I am wondering what is your personal favorite DIY project you have done for your tank? Maybe it is the stand you made for your tank, or maybe you made your own frag racks. Curious to hear what everyone says!

 

[shwareefer]

Probably my led strips but I've always got something DIY happening.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-48-reefbrite-style-ledstrips.881649/

 

[srobertb]

My house is built on pier and beam stilts on the side of a mountain. From the garage floor which is a slab to the corner of my master bedroom is a 30-40’ drop. I built a raised platform for a fish room complete with a sink and real hot water. My house hasn’t slid off the cliff and the engineer blessed it a week ago so I’m proud of me.

My DIY sump makes me happy. Getting the return section to not float was harder than I care to admit. I built my own top for it to house my drain lines, filter socks, and dosing tubes. I also “built” the overflow for my Rubbermaid stock tank refugium.

I built my first LED light with controller from scratch. No pictures as it was a long time ago. I also built my second light which was a 100w LED and lens attached to a PC cooler. It looked awesome and grew algae really well.
My ATO uses two large 4gpm peristaltic pumps (a main and a backup). I got fancy and gave them power plugs and put them in a project box. The whole system is automatic with solenoids so if one leaks, it closes off and the other kicks in. This is great when traveling as we don’t always have cell service. Sadly the new tank will not use these (I’m simplifying and using gravity with redundant lines and solenoids).

Learning to make my own Apex cables was a revelation and allowed me to expand my Apex to my garage, basement, and under the tank. Real game changer.

I have built countless reactors, wavemakers, algae scrubbers and even a frag tank. Kalk stirrers, auto-dosers, and pumps too.

It hurts to say but while I do build a lot and enjoy it, the number of ideas that are implemented or still used are few and far between. My approach has evolved from “What can I add to be more successful” to “what can I remove and still be successful?”

My system is incredibly complicated but I would like to think it is as simple as it possibly can be to meet my goals and life schedule and I’d certainly hope it would be regarded as thoughtfully designed. The DIY stuff may not be as plentiful any more but the few that are left actually work and are no longer just “me goofing around.”

This picture is from a while back but you can see the platform (with real linoleum floor!).. I’ve added the UV and continued to clean up the wires (which will be fully cleaned up once I get the DT plumbing run and flow sensors installed).

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Probably my led strips but I've always got something DIY happening.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-48-reefbrite-style-ledstrips.881649/

That led strip is nice!!!

 

[shakacuz]

diy sump, plumbing, and drilling my 40b. picture showing the sump is some months older than the DT picture

 

[Lebowski_]

My house is built on pier and beam stilts on the side of a mountain. From the garage floor which is a slab to the corner of my master bedroom is a 30-40’ drop. I built a raised platform for a fish room complete with a sink and real hot water. My house hasn’t slid off the cliff and the engineer blessed it a week ago so I’m proud of me........

Pictures like the one you posted are why I loved this hobby. We put so much love into our systems.

 

[Crustaceon]

Out of necessity, this weekend I'll be converting my 60g tank into a lowboy tank approx 8" tall. One of the front panel seams is about to fail, so i'm just doing the logical thing an cutting it off. Lots of glass cutting and drilling in my future, but I already have it planned out and it's going to be rad.

 

[Macdaddynick1]

Out of necessity, this weekend I'll be converting my 60g tank into a lowboy tank approx 8" tall. One of the front panel seams is about to fail, so i'm just doing the logical thing a cutting it off. Lots of glass cutting and drilling in my future, but I already have it planned out and it's going to be rad.

Lol , that’s my type of reefer , respect.

 

[srobertb]

Pictures like the one you posted are why I loved this hobby. We put so much love into our systems.

Thank you! I am naturally a doer of things and I think if I’m asked to sit for more than 2 hours I literally begin to vibrate. I tore my bicep and had to have surgery twice over the last 6 months (building this fish room was my physical therapy after) I think my wife was secretly happy I wasn’t allowed allowed to build anything or lift anything; gave our bank account time to recover!

What other hobby has such beauty, chemistry, physics, plumbing, electrical, electronics, carpentry/construction, biology, and toxicology in one?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

For me it was drilling my tank and plumbing the sump. I am not a DIY person at all, so it was overwhelming and I had to learn as I go. In the end I was very impressed and proud of myself that it worked out perfectly.

 

[o2manyfish]

I've built lots of DIY stuff for my reef system:

1) Auto Frozen Food Feeder

2) Refrigerated Dosing System

3) Optical Float Sensors - From 2016 - Before offerred by Neptune

4) Dual RO-DI System 300gpd - Monitors TDS going in, Coming Out, Flow Rates, and Alarms when output TDS gets too high.

5) Apex Board for Project Tank - Circa 2017

6) RO DI Controller for 4k GPD System - Monitors TDS levels at Incoming Line, After Pre-Fillet, After RO, After DI - Alarm capable for each of the testing spots. (2017)

7) Built for a Friend who wanted an RO/DI controller for his 1200g freshwater tank

8) Dosing container for Triton Project

9) Mounting Bracket for Super-Feeder to mount on edge of acrylic tank (2016)

10) Frag racks for Display Tank (2016)

11) Quadruple Float Sensor for Top Off controller. Within each PVC Cap(s) is a double float switch. Allows for monitoring of water at 4 different levels, Float switches enclosed in PVC so not affected by wave motion, and no algae growth.

12) Apex Boards for a friend's 900g system - 2016

13) RO System for a friend who needed it to roll in/out from under the crawl space in the house. Monitors flow and TDS Levels

14) GHL Control Board

15) Commercial Sousvide Machine for a Steak House built using Aquarium Parts

16) 3 Way Switch system to control return pump and closed loop from under the tank or outside the house in filtration shed. Time Delay circuit for feeding the tank - With alarm if pump is left off for over 60mins

17) Glass Art Project for Wall Into Fish Room

18) Stained Concrete Floor for the Fish Room - My first experience with concrete

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I've built lots of DIY stuff for my reef system:

1) Auto Frozen Food Feeder

2) Refrigerated Dosing System

3) Optical Float Sensors - From 2016 - Before offerred by Neptune

4) Dual RO-DI System 300gpd - Monitors TDS going in, Coming Out, Flow Rates, and Alarms when output TDS gets too high.

5) Apex Board for Project Tank - Circa 2017

6) RO DI Controller for 4k GPD System - Monitors TDS levels at Incoming Line, After Pre-Fillet, After RO, After DI - Alarm capable for each of the testing spots. (2017)

7) Built for a Friend who wanted an RO/DI controller for his 1200g freshwater tank

8) Dosing container for Triton Project

9) Mounting Bracket for Super-Feeder to mount on edge of acrylic tank (2016)

10) Frag racks for Display Tank (2016)

11) Quadruple Float Sensor for Top Off controller. Within each PVC Cap(s) is a double float switch. Allows for monitoring of water at 4 different levels, Float switches enclosed in PVC so not affected by wave motion, and no algae growth.

12) Apex Boards for a friend's 900g system - 2016

13) RO System for a friend who needed it to roll in/out from under the crawl space in the house. Monitors flow and TDS Levels

14) GHL Control Board

15) Commercial Sousvide Machine for a Steak House built using Aquarium Parts

16) 3 Way Switch system to control return pump and closed loop from under the tank or outside the house in filtration shed. Time Delay circuit for feeding the tank - With alarm if pump is left off for over 60mins

17) Glass Art Project for Wall Into Fish Room

18) Stained Concrete Floor for the Fish Room - My first experience with concrete

That concrete floor is neat looking!!! Adds some good colors to the room

 

[Crustaceon]

Lol , that’s my type of reefer , respect.

Fair point, I'll give you that. I retract my build thread, lol. The tank also has a small chip on the edge of a side panel where it meets the rear panel seal and would also be above where I was planning to cut.

 

[srobertb]

I've built lots of DIY stuff for my reef system:

1) Auto Frozen Food Feeder

2) Refrigerated Dosing System

3) Optical Float Sensors - From 2016 - Before offerred by Neptune

4) Dual RO-DI System 300gpd - Monitors TDS going in, Coming Out, Flow Rates, and Alarms when output TDS gets too high.

5) Apex Board for Project Tank - Circa 2017

6) RO DI Controller for 4k GPD System - Monitors TDS levels at Incoming Line, After Pre-Fillet, After RO, After DI - Alarm capable for each of the testing spots. (2017)

7) Built for a Friend who wanted an RO/DI controller for his 1200g freshwater tank

8) Dosing container for Triton Project

9) Mounting Bracket for Super-Feeder to mount on edge of acrylic tank (2016)

10) Frag racks for Display Tank (2016)

11) Quadruple Float Sensor for Top Off controller. Within each PVC Cap(s) is a double float switch. Allows for monitoring of water at 4 different levels, Float switches enclosed in PVC so not affected by wave motion, and no algae growth.

12) Apex Boards for a friend's 900g system - 2016

13) RO System for a friend who needed it to roll in/out from under the crawl space in the house. Monitors flow and TDS Levels

14) GHL Control Board

15) Commercial Sousvide Machine for a Steak House built using Aquarium Parts

16) 3 Way Switch system to control return pump and closed loop from under the tank or outside the house in filtration shed. Time Delay circuit for feeding the tank - With alarm if pump is left off for over 60mins

17) Glass Art Project for Wall Into Fish Room

18) Stained Concrete Floor for the Fish Room - My first experience with concrete

I love all this stuff! My optical sensors for my ATO are getting messed up by my refugium light and I was thinking about switching to float switches. I’m definitely thinking about borrowing the PVC cap idea to protect them. Would love any info you have on that. I also finally have room to keep dosing fish food cold! Previous attempts using tiny drilled refrigerators was no bueno. Would love some info on what you did there! It looks fantastic.

 

[o2manyfish]

I love all this stuff! My optical sensors for my ATO are getting messed up by my refugium light and I was thinking about switching to float switches. I’m definitely thinking about borrowing the PVC cap idea to protect them. Would love any info you have on that. I also finally have room to keep dosing fish food cold! Previous attempts using tiny drilled refrigerators was no bueno. Would love some info on what you did there! It looks fantastic.

Shoot me a PM and we can exchange contact info. Happy to share my knowledge and experience.

Dave B

 

[o2manyfish]

That concrete floor is neat looking!!! Adds some good colors to the room

The concrete floor was stunning! I love it. But after a few years it didn't wear well at all. We are putting new tile down in the house (literally as this is being typed), and yesterday the floor in front of the tank got finished

 

[Troylee]

I think I enjoy building displays more than anything.. this was my personal and favorite.. everything was hand built from the atb skimmer to the led lights, stand, tank, canopy etc.

 

[PensacolaReefKeeper]

B

diy sump, plumbing, and drilling my 40b. picture showing the sump is some months older than the DT picture

Beautiful. What kind of powerhead do you have?

 

[shakacuz]

B

Beautiful. What kind of powerhead do you have?

sicce 3.0 return into a y-split locline RFG(random flow generator), two ai nero 3 wavepumps.

 

[air_run]

Here are my three favorite DIY projects I did for my new build from easy to complex. My MP60 cable holders, my stand, and a Bluetooth controlled light lifter system.