16 bow front

JimmyK · 10-13-2005, 03:21 PM

Okay, this looks like fun. I have enjoyed following all of the threads. So I have decided to throw my hat into the ring. I have kicked around a few different ideas. I am planning on using things I have lying around the garage to put it together. I have just been trying to figure out what tank to use. I was going to try and build a tank but came across a great deal I could not pass up. I found a 16 gallon bow front that I purchased new for $50 bucks. That was cheaper than I could find the glass for a DIY.
Tank
16 gallon bow front. It measures L=19.5", H= 17". The W= 9" at sides to 12.5" at the center.
Lighting
175 MH pendent. Purchased used about a year ago for a frag tank, updated frag tank lighting so the 175 is not being used.
Stand
DIY stand from nice scraps in the garage.
Livestock
Mostly sps and few lps to fill in. I am unsure if I will place a fish into the system. The tank will be barebottom.
I need to drill the tank for cls and overflow. I will try to get tank drilled this weekend and plumbing complete. I plan on using as small a sump as possible. I want to keep this system 20 gallons or under. I have a few ideas for the sump but have not made a decision yet. I will also be using a berlin skimmer also from an existing frag tank but i am waiting on a replacement for it before it can be installed on my nano entry. I will incorporate as much live rock as landscaping permits. Return, CLS and sump are a work in progress. I will see what I have to make it work. I want my cash to go into livestock.
I will post pics later, before I start drilling, plumbing and building the stand.
Jim

VWD · 10-13-2005, 06:28 PM

Welcome to the Build off and good luck. I think it will be fun.

wharyat · 10-13-2005, 06:39 PM

Sounds great!

Welcome to the buildoff.

yardboy · 10-14-2005, 08:03 AM

A 16 gallon bowfront sounds like a real cool tank. Also sounds like you're getting it set up right! Can't wait to see pics.

JimmyK · 10-14-2005, 10:43 AM

Thanks for the welcome. I am just hoping to try and keep up with everyone else and gain some experience. I have only been back in the hobby for a year or so after a 10 year break. Amazing how much has been learned in the past 10 years for reefing. The entries are great. I wanted to try and build the tank, but I saw this 16 bow and thought it would work fine. I really like the nano cubes that are being built. It will be hard to match what Yardboy constructed over on reefmonkey. What a beautiful tank, talk about setting the bar high. I think he has some serious competition "close to home" though. I am eager to see the plywood tank also. The big draw back for my 16 is that I can only drill the back. The bottom is tempered.
Thanks again for the welcome. I will post some pics of the tank tonight or Saturday. I am waiting for my diamond holesaw so I can drill.

tims · 10-15-2005, 02:00 PM

sounds like a nice tank to work with! how is it coming?

JimmyK · 10-15-2005, 08:55 PM

I got my diamond hole saw today. I will take a few pictures before I drill. I have never drilled a tank before so I am holding my breath. I have been reading the different threads on tank drilling. Wish me luck. I will post some pics when I finish. I wanted to drill the bottom. I am stuck with only the back, bottom is tempered.

1bigfish · 10-30-2005, 11:14 PM

Yo, Jim...Whats up? I think my 1 gal is going to rule Hillsboro. Thanks for the tank.

Steve

Loverotties · 10-30-2005, 11:20 PM

Sounds neat!

skeety · 10-31-2005, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyK

I got my diamond hole saw today. I will take a few pictures before I drill. I have never drilled a tank before so I am holding my breath. I have been reading the different threads on tank drilling. Wish me luck. I will post some pics when I finish. I wanted to drill the bottom. I am stuck with only the back, bottom is tempered.

good luck! Just keep water tricklin over it, and be VERY patient...it'll go smoothly!

now where are those pics?!?! hahahaha

JimmyK · 10-31-2005, 12:09 PM

Okay, lets see if I was able to post some progress pics correctly.
The pics show the tank, before during and after i drilled the holes. I am now trying to decide what pumps I will be using for the CLS and the return. I am hoping to be able to use a 5 gal bucket as a sump. Then for a water change all I have to do is disconnect a few hoses empty the bucket and I'm done. Well see how that works.
I will post some pics of the stand I aquired over the weekend from another PNWMAS member. Should have water in it by weekend.

Jim

JimmyK · 10-31-2005, 12:16 PM

My neighbor recommended using some of his lube oil that is specifically for diamond bits/saws. It worked like a charm, (thanks Steve). I was worried how it would be just using a hand drill but it worked great. I took it nice and slow. Took about 20 to 30 minutes and one adult beverage per hole.
Thanks for the comments evryone.
Anybody have a suggestion for the external pump I should use for CLS? Mostly SPS and BB so I want high flow but need a quiet pump.
Jim

skeety · 10-31-2005, 03:35 PM

lookin' GOOD!!!

one beverage per hole? bet each hole got easier than the last! hahaha

coming along nicely!!!

JimmyK · 10-31-2005, 03:57 PM

OK,
Here is the stand I got from another reefer. Exactly what I wanted to build and he is a much better carpenter than me. I am actually classified as a more of a wood butcher than a carpenter. I will be painting the back of the tank and the tank trim black.
Still looking for pumps but I will start aquascaping this week. I want to use as much rock as possible but allow good flow and room for corals to grow. I have plenty of cured rock I can use from another system.
Yeah, Skeety is correct, it was amazing how much easier / quicker each hole got as I became more "liquid". The first hole took about 35 minutes, by the 5th hole it was down to 18 minutes from start to finish. the last hole was also the best quality!

Casey · 11-05-2005, 06:06 AM

Nice tank keep up the pics coming.