PlanoReef's "Fish Crevice" 55G

[PlanoReef]

I'm in !

I finally go the ok from the wife to begin the conversion of a hallway closet to my "Fish Crevice". I would call it a room but since it backs up to the bottom of the stairs its more like a crevice than room ... this room is going to be built on a real tight budget ( I have a little one ) so it may take more time than this contest allows. The tank will be viewable from my den ala "picture frame style". I am not in a huge hurry so I may take longer to put this together than this contest allows ... anyway

Here we go ...

[Jflip2002]

We used to have one of those "nooks" in the townhouse me and my friend rented... We used it for other activities that the townhouse community didnt allow though lol.

[PlanoReef]

I have been a reader of the TRT for months now and want to thank all the members here for all their great ideas. I look forward to hearing their honest appraisals and suggestions as to how to make this build a success. So thanks ahead of time to all of you, I really appreciate it !!

Here is what I want to do .. convert my 55 gal glass tank that is currently taking up room in the formal living room and all its "fish stuff" to the "crevice". I would like to have a closed loop system, a rock lift. SSB (2" to 3") substrate with as much live rock as I can get away with ... Metal halides for corals and sps. ( I may end up taking some live rock out as I think I have too much now. )

I have a small chiller (cl 85 ) that will be in the mix as well as a cruddy skimmer. I am also adding a refugium ( 20 gal ) to the mix. I currently have a small 20 gal wet/dry with a Little Giant MD-2 for a return.

I still have no idea as to what fish will be in the tank as well as what types of Coral or SPS. I guess this will all depend on what is available in the area.

I would really like to have this "picture frame" tank have alot of movement and make it a show piece. My wife and I are divers and have not been able to dive for a while so this will be the only reef we will see for a while ...

Wish me luck.

[PlanoReef]

Originally Posted by Jflip2002

We used to have one of those "nooks" in the townhouse me and my friend rented... We used it for other activities that the townhouse community didnt allow though lol.

I assure you that I will only be putting legal items in this area of my home ... cripes! I need a light in there its dark!

[PlanoReef]

Entrance to the "Crevice"



W/ Door open



The "crevice"

[PlanoReef]

Ordered a Dual Metal Halide Ballast (400 watts) w/two mogul sockets and two Iwasaki 400 lights. 6500K

I can't wait till they get here!

I hope these temp lights will support reef/corals/sps. Does anyone know? I hope they do ...

Ballast and reflectors




6500k temp

[PlanoReef]

EBO Eheim Jager 250 watt Aquarium Heater and a squid! Hope the wife doesn't find out ! lol

[PlanoReef]

Here are a few pics of my first stab at installing an RO/DI. Total install time 2 hrs.

This is where I will be connecting to water supply with a saddle clamp.


Close up of saddel clamp installed.


Mounted unit.


Connecting RO tank and water supply.


Drain tub.


DI Container.


System up and running. ( i know its hard to see but there is water going to DI container thru tubing.)

[YLChik]

yeah!!!! We just installed our rodi last weekend... looks liek the saem ebay one congrats your on your way!

[Jflip2002]

OT: but ours looked like a U shape. And it was carpeted with tons of black lights and pillows LOL. Much more roomy, you could cram like 6 people in there lol.

[PlanoReef]

Gonna be installing some light sockets and hopefully test my lighting ... wish me luck.

[beach bum]

good luck

[YLChik]

how'd the lights go?!

[PlanoReef]

Originally Posted by YLChik

how'd the lights go?!

USPS goofed and sent one package (reflector and bulbs) priority and the second (ballast and sockets) via parcel Post. Stupid post office ... I just received the ballast package today.

The Big plus was that my wife said, since you time this weekend can we paint the entry way to the house? In other words ... Roger, paint the entry way to the house.

Looks like I will be testing the lights this weekend instead.

[PlanoReef]

I just realized after I started messin with my tank that it is not a 55G, its a 75. I'm such a goober. I will be draining my tank tomorrow and cleaning some yucky rock. I will post picks of cruddy tank and me cleaning rocks. I will also post picks of plumbing I picked up.