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necigrad
07-14-2010, 10:24 AM
Well, I think I'm at the point that a build thread is justified. I'll start with the stand made by Lee (both pics by him as well):

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p160/aliyasue/work/d8be13fa.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p160/aliyasue/work/c51d2bf3.jpg

Here's the live rock setup:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee284/necigrad/IMG_0378.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee284/necigrad/IMG_0379.jpg

I'm still playing with the rock a bit. I've lowered the top piece a little by chiseling off some rock. I want to drop it a bit more to give some more room on top. Once I'm happy I'll post a final pic. Since the question was asked already once, the eggcrate is there mostly for protection on the bottom glass in the event of a rockfall. I'm also intentionally adding sand later to ensure the rock is not on sand but something stable.

Probably tomorrow I'll be getting some snails and crabs. I have some, just not enough. I also need to get some sand. I'm being quite peculiar with what I transfer. I've always been fighting some type of algae, possibly bryopsis, and I'm trying to minimize possible introduction into the new tank. I AM moving stuff so the risk isn't eliminated though.

Once I move the corals (well most corals, not counting the weeds like the Kenya Tree) from the tank they're in now the AP will be getting a Koralia 1 in the display. I've already move the skimmer (Remora HOB). Lighting will be my 20" 150W Sunpod with an XM 20K bulb.

In the (probably near) future a sump will be added. I've acquired an Eshopps overflow (from Snoopie I think). I'm planning on having Lee build the sump. Given the small area I'm not sure what he'll be able to give me, but I'm hoping for a small 'fuge area, as well as a place for my skimmer and heater. The return will be (for now, we'll see how it works) a Quiet One 2200 (600GPH) passing through a Currant USA 1/15 HP chiller.

Stocking coral wise will be mostly SPS. I'm not too fond of encrusting because of space, so I'll be most interested in branching SPS. I'll also be moving my frogspawn. Some other LPS is a possibility. Livestock will be two Ocillaris, and possibly one other fish of some type. I haven't seen my Diamond Goby in two months, so I'm betting it's dead. I've also deliberately left an open area in the front of the live rock. I'm hoping to put either a clam or maybe a plate coral in there later.

I'm sure I've forgotten stuff, so feel free to ask. Opinions are also quite welcome, in fact this post is mostly intended for input.

chrishei
07-15-2010, 07:00 PM
Looking good. Love the stand. keep us updated.

bonkers213
07-15-2010, 08:36 PM
thats nice how much did that stand cost to put together?

ksrinlv
07-16-2010, 08:53 AM
Agreed, that stand is gorgeous.

necigrad
07-19-2010, 04:13 PM
I'm pretty certain he did it for under $100. It was worth it.

My next question is sand. I'm hesitant to bring the sand over from the other tank because I've got that algae issue. I'm probably worrying for nothing though. I'm thinking about buying some play sand and also transferring a few handfuls from the old tank, or perhaps someone elses tank.

Troylee
07-19-2010, 04:18 PM
get a new bag of sand.... caribsea special grade seafloor is the nicest i have ever used or seen imo......;)

necigrad
07-31-2010, 09:16 PM
Just an update. Here's the full shot:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee284/necigrad/613c1433.jpg

Everyone likes clownfish!:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee284/necigrad/3588537d.jpg

Still haven't found my Diamond Goby in the old tank (and probably won't) so here's the replacement. I like him:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee284/necigrad/61beaf64.jpg

You can't see me!:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee284/necigrad/9053ff27.jpg

Looks like this will be all the coral I'm bringing over. No, it's not the final placement, just gonna be a few days. I think I want to wait for the frag pack I'm seeking, then place all on the same day:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee284/necigrad/6bb4f25b.jpg

Narazbad
07-31-2010, 11:07 PM
Looks great. Your tux urchin is cute lol.

necigrad
08-03-2010, 05:56 PM
Diatom bloom starting up...

necigrad
09-23-2010, 11:08 AM
Sump's installed. I forgot somehow to take a pic of the sump outside of the cabinet. Lee managed to squeeze everything in nicely. Anyway, on with the show. Plumbing only:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee284/necigrad/908d809d.jpg

The inlet is longer now, just never took a picture. At this point everything is running except the 'fuge. The light I had won't work as well as I wanted. I need to decide if I should make it work or run to Walmart for a clipon:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee284/necigrad/258000ad.jpg

Ghetto chiller plumbing:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee284/necigrad/5d42c1c7.jpg

From the back:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee284/necigrad/0398bed3.jpg

This is an issue with the skimmer. Note the drop for the water:

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee284/necigrad/fe9b531d.jpg

I had one very small leak from where the PVC joins the overflow. I'm not sure if I fix it "right", but three layers of PVC glue over the leak seems to have done the trick. Pretty good I think for a first time plumber.

Things to do:
Reduce the waterfall sound from the skimmer. Somehow...
Tie the hose to PVC with zip ties.
Decide if I should incorporate the wiring into the stand or leave it sitting on the side. Maybe hang a panel on the back of the stand for electrical or something.
Incorporate the chiller into my Apex (Yeah, I bought the cheap one :D)

vegastyle
09-23-2010, 12:50 PM
To reduce the waterfall sound from my skimmer, I just put a piece of 1 1/2" ID flex pipe onto the spillover that routes the water below the sump waterline.

necigrad
09-30-2010, 11:16 PM
Got the skimmer taken care of. I have some extra 1" vinyl tubing that I siliconed to it. We'll see how it holds up.

I decided to test to see how much water would flow into the sump in the event of a power failure. I think the return line siphons. Can I drill a couple of holes in the return just below the water line to break the siphon?

To do:
Decide how to light fuge
Decide how to fill fuge
Figure out how best to tie chiller into Apex
Determine if Apex hardware can be installed in or on stand SAFELY
Eventually buy wireless for Apex

tbone74
09-30-2010, 11:29 PM
I decided to test to see how much water would flow into the sump in the event of a power failure. I think the return line siphons. Can I drill a couple of holes in the return just below the water line to break the siphon?

Yes that will break siphon. You really only need one hole. If your return is 3/4" I would think a 1/8 hole would work nicely