My drilled 20L and DIY sump

[Haole]

Hi Tony
I’m in the planning stages of building a sump/refugium very similar to yours.
Did you use pieces of glass to make the baffles and partitions?
If so, brag a little and give me some tips on how you made your silicone seams so clean and professional looking. Especially around the over/under baffle area of yours!
Nice set up! You did a great job!!

 

[TonyMc]

Here it is all finished.

Thanks for the kind compliment Haole. I just used precut acrylic I bought at lowes. It was cut to fit already and about $2.00 a piece. As far as the silicon job I just used my finger to smooth it out no real technique or anything. I did use 1" pieces of wood though to space the over/under side so it was even. I just slide the wood in between the baffles and let dry for about 15min then pulled them out. I had to pull the frames off the sump to get it to fit in the stand. I like the looks of it frameless I just hope it doesn't explode.

 

[CurvBall]

Very cool. Same size as my set-up I'm going to be upgrading to a 250w DE 20K soon though... 18000K 150w DE is cool but not bright enough for me. Keep those pic's coming.

 

[TonyMc]

I hear you Curvball. 150w 10K is pretty bright over this tank, but I would like to go 20K and I'm a little concerned it won't be bright enough so I may have to step up to a 250w as well. If I do I think I'll go with a SE bulb and build a hood for this tank.

 

[CurvBall]

Yeah, 18-20K 150w is lovely colour but really isn't too bright. My 5500K 150w was VERY bright, too yellow for me even with 80w of NO actinics. I reckon 250w DE 20K would be perfect. Not sure one what brand though, any suggestions? See this thread: http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=61644

Don't think I'll ever go SE... just my opinion.

 

[Haole]

Thanks for the info, Tony!
Looks like you’re off to a great start!
You should be proud of your achievements!

 

[TonyMc]

I took a couple more pics the other day:

The Prism skimmer is soon to be changed out with a ASM G1...

 

[Scooterman]

WOW really looks awesome, I like the starboard & black background.

 

[The R/C Man]

Very cool!

Have you thought about using a SCWD on the return? You would be set...

 

[bradreef]

that is ridiculously nice. I am impressed with you setup. Engineering degree?

 

[TonyMc]

Thanks for the compliments guys.

RC man. I am going to get a SCWD, but I'm going to setup a closed loop on the tank. I don't really like the way the maxis look in the tank. I think it distracts from the way it looks.

Brad. No, no engineering degree. Actually I'm in sales, but I do love to tinker. I used to have a small machine shop set up in my garage. I used to build water cooled computers so I had to machine my own copper water blocks. The real truth is I'm to stinkingcheap to buy anything prebuilt. :lol:

 

[TonyMc]

Well I finally got my Euro-reef CS5-2 last week. Here are a couple shots of it in action. Got to love those needle wheels.

Day 1:

Day 4:

Day 5:

This thing is amazing. I keep getting more and more skim by the day. I am running it a little wet though because of the bare bottom tank.