ClowningAround's Tank Build

[clowningaround]

Well after a rather long hiatus 15+ years from saltwater aquariums I recently got the bug again. I started up with as much DIY stuff for a 75g DT that made sense to me. However, I have since discovered some things I want to change before I go further, such as stocking the tank. So I'll be posting pictures of what I've done thus far followed by my forthcoming changes as they occur(awaiting parts/orders/etc). First up my stand build. Oh and before I forget thanks, Bcavalli for encouraging me to post a build thread on this forum.

 

[clowningaround]

Started with some reclaimed rough sawn oak timbers

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My awesome lil' helper tightening up my lag bolts

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Primary Structural frame done' used a semi transparent black/grey stain, which I thought rurned out great on the rough sawn oak.

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Complete stand prior to placement

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In place with 75g tank in position.

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I used a series of aluminum plates in various amounts at each leg to level the tank.

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I created a DIY pvc overflow (replacement pending)

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My supply return line diy

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My diy sump (pending replacement)

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Used pool filter sand and a 5g painters strainer to make rinsing a breeze, proved easier than the hand skimming method...

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Loaded up the interior of the stand and decided to add a small center cross brace on the stand for torsion forces.

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[clowningaround]

Got er' filled up and circulating, along with my faux coral scapping. I've since added an eshopps x120 skimmer and have cycled the tank. Im still missing one piece of coral coming in for my FO tank.

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[clowningaround]

Had a short related detour project. I decided to add a makeup water tank and rodi but first had to deal with my horrific existing plumbing nightmare and some of its water dmg in order to have a proper home for such a thing... Awaiting one last piece of acrylic to come in for the reservoir build.

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[clowningaround]

Thanks the extent of my photo bomb for now. My upcomimg plans include completeing the makeup tank, installing the rodi, building a new 40g breeder sump, drilling thr DT along with installing a coast to coast overflow with a bean animal drain system and lastly installing a diy ato. I plan on purchasing a large trash can or possibly some large rubbermaids for siphoning my cycled water, scapping and biomedia. All in time... and then I can finally look at grabbing my first couple members of livestock

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[clowningaround]

Here is my max potential planned livestock: Ive also grouped them in three sets of priority (A,B&C)

A-1xPowder blue tang (understanding I would likely need to trade when he becomes large - ive seen max recommend tank size of 55, 75, 90 and 125???)
A-2x ocellaris clown
A-1× green dragonette
A-1x banded shrimp
A-1x elec blue crab
A-1x halloween hermit crab
A-1x coral beauty
A-1x latticed butterfly
A-1x bicolor angelfish
B-2x citrinis clown goby
A-1x six line wrasse
B-2x bartletts anthias
C-1x azure damsel

From what I can tell these are all compatible but given so much in the tank, perhaps not? Hence the priority groups if I need to scale back some... I feel like my biggest concern though is the powder blue tang. My skimmer looks to be properly rated for this heavy of a bioload.

Then again, thisis all to be spread out over time so perhaps if I start seeing a size issue I'll upgrade 😉 at any rate, I welcome your comments on my proposed stock list.




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[clowningaround]

Im still waiting on parts via shipment for some of the redo but I did get one pkg today allowing me to do one small project. That being a diy sump skimmer stand. Originally I've been using eggcrate but found it to be a bit unstable after using so much (wants to float). So not knowing what the masses use I came up with two ideas. The first not panning out do to costs, the other being what I built. I used a 2ft piece of plastic nylon all thread cut into 4 equal 6inch pieces and an acrylic plate drilled and tapped for the rods. I added some slots in the top of the rods to adjust later if the become siezed by salt etc. I also drilled the plate to prevent air trapping and wanting to lift via flotation. Here's a quick pic ofthis fin little project. The quarter for scale reference.

P.S. Tapping acylic was a little difficult, I had to take it slow and use caution.

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[clowningaround]

Well thanks to HN1 for the great deal on the used 40g breeder and to Matt7 for the donor busted 30g for baffles I was able to make some progress this weekend. On the new sump. Here's a progress shot from yesterday. Siliconing today, so more to follow pics to follow.

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