Dons Rebuild

[DonW]

Out of frustration over the long weekend I tore down everything and chopped up my tank. After running it overflowing for while I decided it wasnt worth the quirks. So I stripped it all down and cut off the gutter system and removed the drain boxes. I build a new external overflow out of 3/4 acrylic and attached it to the back of the now standard rimless tank. I notched the back for the overflow and set eggcrate in a groove in the 3/4 acrylic.

Just need to replumb, hang the lights and get everything put back inside. Should have it done just in time to move it so the new hardwood floor can go down and drywall finished.

Don

Bad blackberry pic.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Perhaps bad picture, but great looking tank and stand!

 

[Boomer]

Can't wait to see it finished Don

 

[Adam Black]

Wow that's nice. Are you going to paint the back?

 

[Frankie]

Holy~ Your the man Don! I love that setup! The stand came out wonderful.

 

[DonW]

Thanks, no paint for now. I think it would look closed in if I did that. I like the stand, looks pretty good. The return pump (reeflo dart), electrical and all the bulkheads will remain the same as before, as you can see pretty well hidden they are still installed in the photo. I did have to cut down the top about 5 inches but that was no big deal other than finding the steel bars that are embedded in wood top. Thats how I get away with no under bracing.

Don

 

[krisfal]

Care to elaborate on the quirks of the overflowing tank that frustrated you? I think those tanks look cool so am wondering what issues you ran in to?

Thanks,

 

[DonW]

Care to elaborate on the quirks of the overflowing tank that frustrated you? I think those tanks look cool so am wondering what issues you ran in to?

Thanks,

First off your a slave to the sponges which make the noise level low enough to watch tv. Flow for sps amplifies this problem since you only have a return pump. In my case 3000 gph through the sump is just plain loud. Heat is another issue. They take on room temp easily so the heaters run pretty much non stop 500w on a 55g aquarium 24/7 is crazy. Good heaters only last about two months if your lucky. Your a slave to check valves which have to be swapped for a clean one weekly which is a pita when you want to leave town. Feeding requires shutting down the entire system for however long it takes for the fish to eat. Evaporation is very high which is not a big deal until there is a water shed issue like we are having in pierce county right now. I can kill a set of di filters a week evaping 14G per day. Of course the darn wet arm pit. Reach in the tank of course your shirt just touches the side and sucks the water right into your arm pit. Lack of fish selection is another one. Only large fish can or will stay put. Which means you need fish way to large for the tank size. For me not that big of deal since I do water changes 24/7 but without it the tank couldnt handle the bioload. These are just a few but you can get the point.

Don

 

[Eickhorn]

Don
Thanks for the explination, i am thinking of doing an in wall system next summer. I was thinking of 6 L x 3 d x 2.5 h , with at least a 180 sump system.

 

[DonW]

A little rock work and some plumbing.

 

[Krish]

Watch that major rockwork there Don Looking good!

 

[DonW]

Watch that major rockwork there Don Looking good!

Got a few more rocks to drill.

 

[DonW]

I think this is about all the rock I want this time around. After the 1" of sand goes back in should look pretty good.

 

[DonW]

I did the FW test last night. Need to figure out a way to direct the return pump that is a little more attractive and wont blast the sand all over the place. The pump is about 3K gph and the herbie type overflow is dealing with it well.

 

[reeftank1]

Don, I thought my ro/di had a mind of it's own. What is with the pierce water supply anyway. I had an amazing chamber of stuff that I am glad I didn't have to drink. It almost competes with my skimmate.:eek2:

 

[DonW]

Don, I thought my ro/di had a mind of it's own. What is with the pierce water supply anyway. I had an amazing chamber of stuff that I am glad I didn't have to drink. It almost competes with my skimmate.:eek2:

The watershed has issues every year. You just have to mark your calander and watch you rodi filters and have a spare set. Its safe to drink but is nasty.

Don

 

[DonW]

Another pic. I replaced my jandy valve with a plain union ball valve. The white vs the black is ugly through the smoked black doors. Havent decided what to do about that yet, either paint, new valve or turned wood.

Don

 

[DonW]

This is a new addition. Simply put it turns my sump section of the tank on/off with the little remote control. Return, heat and skimmer for maintenance.
Very simple to put together and cheap under $25.

 

[DonW]

Little better photo.

 

[DonW]

This is how the light will be mounted. No more cables! Obviously the tank will be moved to the right.