Tore down my system today. Great pics inside how it looked.
- Thread starter DJ88
- Start date
The reason I tore it down was this. 
New system.......
It is a 45 cube for the main tank. 30 tall refugium along side. A second 45 cube for a sump. All returns and plumbing is 1.5" PVC with an Ampmaster 3000 for a return.
My lighting will be a 400W 10KK with 2x24" 10KK VHO's and 2x24" 03 actinics. The refugium will have 2x28W PC's and the sump will get 2x24" 10KK VHO's. All electronic ballasts are workhorses. A 3, and 2x6's.
At a later date once I finish the rest of the assembly I will be adding on a MAG9.5 closed loop.
I have a bullet 3 for a skimmer, my own DIY Ca Rx and a Kalk stirrer.
There is a facade to cover the opening between the fuge and the main tank. As well I'll have the lid completed(lights remounted) in the next day or two. Very busy day today. There is one solid door to cover the front and rear. As well I have a small 'house' for the Ca Rx and Skimmer to "hide" in.
New system.......It is a 45 cube for the main tank. 30 tall refugium along side. A second 45 cube for a sump. All returns and plumbing is 1.5" PVC with an Ampmaster 3000 for a return.
My lighting will be a 400W 10KK with 2x24" 10KK VHO's and 2x24" 03 actinics. The refugium will have 2x28W PC's and the sump will get 2x24" 10KK VHO's. All electronic ballasts are workhorses. A 3, and 2x6's.
At a later date once I finish the rest of the assembly I will be adding on a MAG9.5 closed loop.
I have a bullet 3 for a skimmer, my own DIY Ca Rx and a Kalk stirrer.
There is a facade to cover the opening between the fuge and the main tank. As well I'll have the lid completed(lights remounted) in the next day or two. Very busy day today.
There is one solid door to cover the front and rear. As well I have a small 'house' for the Ca Rx and Skimmer to "hide" in.
Mouse,
I as thinking about putting seahorses in the fuge down the road. For something different. In the mean time it will house my 5" peacock mantis until she gets her new home built up. I am finishing the main doors for the stand today and will mount the last few pieces by thursday.
Thanks. I had a lot of fun making the stand.
Steve,
I put many hours planning, revising and redrawing everything to get it right. I didn't want to have anything go wrong once construction started. As well my major planning was with the returns and pump. As it stands now I don't have one Maxi Jet in my tank. And have better flow than I did in my old system. The only things plugged into my power system is the return pump, two heaters, Ph Monitor and lighting. Fans will be the last bit plugged in. I figure I will be using a lot less power for this tank. "fingers crossed". I may add a MAG 9losed loop on a sea swirl if I feel the flow isn't enough down the road.
I as thinking about putting seahorses in the fuge down the road. For something different. In the mean time it will house my 5" peacock mantis until she gets her new home built up.
I am finishing the main doors for the stand today and will mount the last few pieces by thursday. Thanks. I had a lot of fun making the stand.
Steve,
I put many hours planning, revising and redrawing everything to get it right. I didn't want to have anything go wrong once construction started. As well my major planning was with the returns and pump. As it stands now I don't have one Maxi Jet in my tank. And have better flow than I did in my old system. The only things plugged into my power system is the return pump, two heaters, Ph Monitor and lighting. Fans will be the last bit plugged in. I figure I will be using a lot less power for this tank. "fingers crossed". I may add a MAG 9losed loop on a sea swirl if I feel the flow isn't enough down the road.
Just because it is a small system doesn't mean he can't mastermind it :lol: . It is a great little system. Also a very good test run in plumbing multiple tanks together. I am following this and am very interested in seeing how it turns out with the cap and all lights on it once the sand settles. It is coming along great though.
What did you use to seal up the stand?
What did you use to seal up the stand?
Without the actual lid here is it all unfinished. Painted ones will be up in the next day or two when I get time. I am still putitng the trim on the lid and then sealing that.
John,
Yeah it is a lot of plumbing. Wanted to have not a single powerhead and minimize the pumps in the system.
Doug,
I used a high gloss exterior floor paint. Two coats. then a layer of primer, black spray paint then two layers of the speckle paint. After the last speckle was dry I took an exterior satin varathane for sea spray and two coats of that. Lots of work. but it is looking good.
So far so good with the plumbing. I am playing around with various combinations of current through the main tank and such. I am really happy with it.
I am hoping to have the final touches done on sunday with the lid and lights mounted. Can't wait. Not much longer.
John,
Yeah it is a lot of plumbing. Wanted to have not a single powerhead and minimize the pumps in the system.
Doug,
I used a high gloss exterior floor paint. Two coats. then a layer of primer, black spray paint then two layers of the speckle paint. After the last speckle was dry I took an exterior satin varathane for sea spray and two coats of that. Lots of work. but it is looking good.
So far so good with the plumbing. I am playing around with various combinations of current through the main tank and such. I am really happy with it.
I am hoping to have the final touches done on sunday with the lid and lights mounted. Can't wait. Not much longer.
Lunch,
Thanks. All three tanks in this sytem are made by a local manufacturer. Sea Star out of Victoria BC, Canada. Great tanks IMO. Great prices too. $115CDN drilled for the 45 cube.
Danm,
I boought the miracle mud at J&L aquatics here in Vancouver. . They carry tons of the stuff. http://www.jlaquatics.com/
Thanks.
All three tanks in this sytem are made by a local manufacturer. Sea Star out of Victoria BC, Canada. Great tanks IMO. Great prices too. $115CDN drilled for the 45 cube. Danm,
I boought the miracle mud at J&L aquatics here in Vancouver. . They carry tons of the stuff. http://www.jlaquatics.com/
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