Member Showcase Forum

Esta’s 80 XXL Build (393 posts)

Viewing post 1 to 15 (393 total posts)

1 2 … 27 →

Joanne Vega said 2 years, 1 month ago:

Finally christened this bad boy today – 75 (edit, 80 now that I do my math) gallon XXL (as I call it) 63L x 14D x 22H – look at the holes we made!! Let the build begin!

main tank overflow drains

sump ca reactor input

sump protien skimmer input and output

The black acrylic I ordered should be in next week, after I get the baffles, etc in the sump I can put her under the stand, and start plumbing!

I'm going with the "bean-animal silent overflow" system with a mostly coast to coast calfo overflow. I figure with 50+ inches of surface skimming, I should actually be putting that skimmer to work for once! The goal this time is a leak-proof tank, so I don't have to replace any more of my flooring, or Aaron's computers (he has since learned not to keep electronics he likes downstairs under the tanks!)

#
returnofsid said 2 years, 1 month ago:

WOW, really strange dimensions!! Can't wait to see this one up and running!!

#
MGDMIRAGE said 2 years, 1 month ago:

Wow good job! did the bit work ok for ya? i bet that many holes took quite some time in 1/2" glass lol.

#
jake65 said 2 years, 1 month ago:

your a pro now! cant wait to see this going

#
Joanne Vega said 2 years, 1 month ago:

Yeah – the bit worked great, thanks again!

The last holes started to take a while (we practiced on the 40, then moved up, so the 1/2 inch glass was last). Now I can make some pretty cool spectacles with the holes I cut out.. Coke bottle glasses please?!?

#
Joanne Vega said 2 years ago:

OK – question before the house At least my thinking point for the week…

I have 1 custom MH reflector that is narrow enough to use on this tank (from my 40), so I will be using that one, maybe at 400W, but I have 48" more of space to light.

Given the width of t-5 reflectors (2" wide) the most I can fit are 6 bulbs across…

I could go with a DIY LED system (and employ Aaron to make me something). Since the LEDs are so small, I should be able to pack a ton of them in there

I am anti MH right now, time to try something new, or I'd throw out getting some more ultra narrow reflectors made for more MHs

Will 6 T5 bulbs (probably 5.5 once the overflow shadows some light) be enough for SPS & clams in a 22"D tank?

#
returnofsid said 2 years ago:

I'd either scrap the MH idea, and go with T5s, or build a killer LED system!!

6 T5s, with quality reflectors, will be plenty of light for SPS/Clams. I had that 6 bulb fixture, over my 75, and had 2 T. maximas on the sand bed. I also had several SPS sitting about 5" above the sand. All did well. I believe that tank was also 22" deep.

Oh and I have 6 bulbs worth of Tek5 reflector. It's a 4 bulb and 2 bulb reflector. It's yours if you want it, but would need to be polished.

#
Joanne Vega said 2 years ago:

Well in doing the math – a retro kit w/new reflectors costs the same as putting all the bits and pieces together (guess the retro's come with free reflectors, haha!), So i'll save my elbow grease

Oddly, I haven't seen a DIY LED system that is "blue" enough for me on the internet yet (they all seem too red) – I haven't ruled it out, but the t5s are at the top of the list just for the proven colors and growth I've seen on everyone else's systems! And I still don't think I can build an LED system for less than the t5s… may have to test Aaron's "hong kong flashlight" idea out on the crab tank since that 70W MH is crap-ola:)

If I go t5 – here's what I'm thinking for bulbs:
1 – Blue +
2 – 12K White
3 – Blue +
4 – 6500 daylight
5 – Blue +
6 – Fiji purple (or blue plus… hmmm)

#
MGDMIRAGE said 2 years ago:

I found this place awhile back it seemed by far the cheapest for Sunlight supply tek retro kits.

http://www.horticulturesource.com/sunlight-supply-t-5-retro-fit-kit-4-ft-2-lamps-54-watts-each-lamp-p2042/?osCsid=f82bdea4567341fc4869ed505a9ef284

#
Charlie said 2 years ago:

Sorry I missed the beginning of this Joanne. It looks to me like you are headed in the right direction tho, so I am just gonna sit back and watch this little puppy grow :)

#
Joanne Vega said 2 years ago:

Since ya bumped me Here's some updates

- Painted the back of the tank black (took 2 cans of Krylon!)

- Got the pieces for my coast to coast cut outta black acrylic, teeth routered, and now the glue is setting up

- Got my skimmer about 3/4 plumbed in, still need to go to the store and get more parts :-

- Got the calcium reactor set in, just gotta run the input line, put the ph probe in, put the backup ph probe in for CO2 shutoff, and she's ready to go!

Today's task is to conceive (or buy something) to house the electronics…. something with doors, is what we are questing for – haha, we will see. Got a few DJ strips to mount into it, and hopefully house all my fish treasures so Aaron can have the liquor cabinet back!

#
MGDMIRAGE said 2 years ago:

Looks like great progress Joanne

#
Charlie said 2 years ago:

YOU STOLE HIS LIQUOR CABINET???????????????????????????????????????????????

#
Joanne Vega said 2 years ago:

willis said:
YOU STOLE HIS LIQUOR CABINET???????????????????????????????????????????????

Well…. There happens to be frag equipment, spare pumps, etc kinda in front of the liquor Rude, I know – hahaha Opening the door to get a shot on poker night can be entertaining as sometimes things fall out!

Also, at meetings when I get into my cabinet for supplies I'm sure everyone loves seeing the slew of rums stashed in there… They probably wonder what I dose

#
Charlie said 2 years ago:

Huh………………………….I have always heard of people dosing vodka, but never Capt. Morgans??????? :)

When do you think this tank is gonna have life? It is fun watching the progress. You gonna have a tank party when you get it running?

#