First DIY Build, Please Help

[crvz]

Originally Posted by hng

I agree, epoxy sealer is not needed. If using something like latex paint (which is what I used), you can use a couple of layers of exterior grade primer, then another couple of layers of exterior grade latex. I'd recommend a "glossy" finish which makes it easier to clean.

I could not agree more. This is exactly what I did on my stand.

[coraln'fish]

Yeah I went on ahead and got a polyeurathane sealant, I didn't think about the gloss though. Hopefully should have a water test going on this week, fingers crossed. Peace.

~Ryan

[coraln'fish]

Okay so I have some updates, everything is in place to start getting the aquarium completed as in conecting the plumbing and soforth. The stand is nearly finished here is the stage I am at so far:







This is just what I've been working on. The sump is an old aquarium, not the one I'm using. You can see the new one in the stand. I went on ahead and used a 10 gallon aquarium instead of the 15 just incase the wood would happen to swell. I don't think I will because I painted and sealed all the joints with silicone. Tell me what you guys think. Thanks. Peace

~Ryan

[benzzz]

Looks great so far Ryan. I have been following this thread and I just picked a 65g Mega flow and been looking how u built the stand and all.Awsome. I went with a 40 breeder for a sump and watch for my thread when I get it started

Cheers, LLoyd

[Fat Tony]

I'm really diggin' the contrasting colors... looks like a great build!

[coraln'fish]

Thanks man, I was a little unsure when I started staining but I really love how the stand turned out. Wood from home depot has been a pain in the but because of how warped the trim has been, it was all pretty rough. Thanks for the comments, what do you guys think about quiet one pumps? I'm looking at the 1200 and the 2200. Peace

~Ryan

[hng]

Great work on the stand! I've heard that the quiet ones aren't all that quiet. Are you using an in sump pump or inline? If it's a submerged pump, I'd highly recommend getting an Eheim instead.

[coraln'fish]

i was thinking of.... hum... trying to run one pump for your closed loop and your return. since your closed loop pulls water from the overflow anyway you can just have it drain to the sump. split the return and have one going to a check valve before your ocean motions. that was you wont have to rethink the plumbing too much and you wont drain the tank when you loose power. play around with it.

Do you think this would work? Which pump would you recomend, the 7 or the 9.5. I'm really not wanting to spend another $100 on the construction, I would like to stock at some point! My main thing is I want to be able to keep some easier sps and lps along with some other softies. Thank you all so much, it feels cool to have a build thread with five pages! I know I'm at a forum where people care about the livestock just as much as I do. Thanks Peace

~Ryan

[coraln'fish]

It's also great to hear good comments on the stand from you guys, I'm still a newb and it's a pretty big pat on the back. I've learned a lot from this project.

[Sndwave80]

Looks good!

[coraln'fish]

I don't have anything to say but I just wanted to break the 100 posts mark!

~Ryan

[coraln'fish]

Do I have to use a standpipe for the Drain?

[hng]

Originally Posted by coraln'fish

Do I have to use a standpipe for the Drain?

No, but it will help make it a lot quieter.

[coraln'fish]

Where can I acquire one of these?

[hng]

Most people make their own standpipe out of standard pvc, but you could buy one too. Check out Rich Durso's (yes, that Durso) website - it has instructions for making them or you can order one.

http://www.dursostandpipes.com/