Chris' 125 Build Thread

[ckusnierek]

Drained it today and now I need to decide on a overflow. I think it's going to be a 36" horizontal overflow.

I also picked up a little giant 4 this week for it and hammered out a barter/cash deal with a local reefer for a ETSS 600, Blueline pump and the third Icecap ballast and reflector I will need.

So at this point I have:
The tank
Reeflo Dart for CLS
Little giant 4 (for skimmer)
Tunze 6100 on controller (DIY wavebox???) Might just sell it and get a OM
2 Icecap 250w Ballast from current tank (need third)
Aquacontroller II with a buttload of X10's
Current Ca Reactor

What I still need:
Bigger Skimmer (ETSS 600 Pending)
Return pump (Blue Line pending)
3rd MH setup (pending)
Besides the three above that I should have in a month I want to find a OM 4 way!
and a sump with at least 70g capacity...

[crvz]

Did you see the DIY wavebox thread on RC a while back? Build the box and controller for mere dollars, seemed like something worth investigating (as opposed to spending hundreds on the setup from Tunze). I believe it was featured in ReefKeeping magazine last month.

[ckusnierek]

Originally Posted by crvz

Did you see the DIY wavebox thread on RC a while back? Build the box and controller for mere dollars, seemed like something worth investigating (as opposed to spending hundreds on the setup from Tunze). I believe it was featured in ReefKeeping magazine last month.

Saw it...
actually I'm working with the electrical engineer here at work and he is making it better. intagrating an photo cell input as well as dual alternating outputs seperatly controlled for tanks over 6'

It should still only cost less than $5. I am going to make 5 of them on the first try

[ckusnierek]

Sweet!

I just scored a OM 4 way on RC trad for my 6100
It has the MAG drive and version 3 drum!

I think I will begin the stand build this weekend.

I still need to drill that darn return hole....

[TanksNStuff]

Wow, lots of progress since I last visited. Looks like things are falling into place nicely for you!

How did the new top frame install go? Seems like it would be pretty easy to just silicone the top of the glass walls and drop it then put some weight on top. Did you run into any probs at all?

PS, I'm still kicking myself for not buying one of those Darts. I may end up just getting a Snapper due to pricing unless I can find a cheap enough used one. Going on vacation the end of this month and the wallet is kinda thin right now.

[ckusnierek]

Top went on fine, just used about a tube of silicone and put a few full rubbermaids on top overnight.

The darts got for under $150 all the time on ReefCentral

[ckusnierek]

FIALLY!!!
I drilled the last hole today.
I'm planning a 20" 6" tall and 3" deep toothed overflow. because this is a 1.5" bulkhead I could not do much plumbing in the overflow without making it hugh. I wll plumb a durso style pipe outside the tank

[ckusnierek]

Time for the stand build!!
This thing will hold a tank!
Doubled up 2X4's all around.

I will actually start tonnight and tank some pics
The tank is 72X18 I'm going to build the stand 78X28 to give a little room for accessing plumbing.

It will be simi "build in" I will drywall the stand and the canopy will go all the way up to the ceiling and be drywalled too... (green board)

[ckusnierek]

OK so if you saw my "help' thread about the stand you know i had a issue. Basically I ran out of floor space and had to make some mods to the stand. The Tank is 72" but I only had 65" of space on the floor. So I cantileverd it ang supported and braced the snot out of it.

Also the tank will sit 10" off the back wall for plumbing and 8" on the side.

Here are some pics. Hopefully I can have the tank on it by the end of the weekend....

Also the bottom will be drywalled and painted to match the wall behind it and since the sump will be in the room behind the wall there will be a 10" deep 30" 30" wide shelfing unit in the center with another compartment with a door to house all the ballasts...

Here is were the tank will sit:



Here is the stand:
It's just roughed for a dry fit to make sure things are level to the floor were it will sit there will be two more vertical supports in the center and I'll beef up everything before the tank goes on...


close up of the angled joints:

[crvz]

Sweet, seems to be well done. You jump up and down on it yet? I believe that's the only appropriate non-destructive evaluation for such a fabrication.

[ckusnierek]

Originally Posted by crvz

Sweet, seems to be well done. You jump up and down on it yet? I believe that's the only appropriate non-destructive evaluation for such a fabrication.

I did more than jump on it
This thing could hold a tank!

[ckusnierek]

Last night I got the base of the stand in a leveled. Boy the concrete slab there is horribly un level. About 1/4" front to back....

I used a TON of shims and shimed about every 6"

Tonnight I will mount the top of the stand and level. I will also attach to wall and reinforce all vertical legs..

[Parasite]

First time checking out this build Chris. Everything is looking great.

Brett

[ckusnierek]

I have about 5 coats of dark grey/navy primer on the back and one side of the tank right now. I am going to add a few coats of black enamel to protect the surface.

I have all my equipment lined up at this point. Just waiting to put it all together. I do still need to buy all the plumbing. I guess about $150 worth of PVC...

At this point here is my equipment list:
125 AGA (drilled by me) (4)-1" for cls (3) 1.5" 1 for overflow and 2 for CLS feed.
Reeflo Dart for CLS
OM 4-Way (2" in/1.5" out)
Blueline 100PX-X Return Pump
ETSS 600 powered by a Little Giant SDQ-40
3 250w Icecap Ballasts with XM10K bulbs
2 96w PC tru atinics
Rubbermaid 100g stock tank for sump
Aquacontroller II running 100% X10

Thats it. I just cannot wait to start getting it all together......

Hope to have the tank on the stand this weekend. and plumbed during next week...

[likhary]

Build the box and controller for mere dollars, seemed like something worth investigating (as opposed to spending hundreds on the setup from Tunze). I believe it was featured in ReefKeeping magazine last month.