50 Gallon Lookdown Tub-build thread-lots of pics

444reefkeeper · #1 12/18/2007, 02:54 AM

It all started while we were at Beefy's house. After my girlfriend Jen saw his 50 lookdown, she fell in love with it. Since she has shown so much interest in saltwater, I felt it was necessary for her to have a tank as well. Now that she had narrowed it down for me, it was off to Menards. Picked up the tub, 2x4s, 1x4s, a sheet of plywood and of coarse, handles and hinges. I already had the stain that we used for the room.... perfect. A couple days later and this is what I came up with:

Got some doors on it. All I need to do here is fill the gap between them.:

120 pounds of sand:

Here is the canopy that will house 2-4' VHOs and 1 400watt halide. (for now

). Still have to strip and stain it...

444reefkeeper · #2 12/18/2007, 03:00 AM

Its nice to sit back while the misses plumbs!

Plenty of room to get to the 40 breeder sump:

Here's the surge tank and plumbing:

444reefkeeper · #3 12/18/2007, 03:05 AM

Its still a little dusty from the new sand. It has cleared up alot though.

Left to do:
Strip/stain/hang canopy
Finish gap between doors
Add fuge light
I'm sure I am forgetting something....

That's where I am at for now. More pics with more progress.

Thanks for looking.

js_bass · #4 12/18/2007, 04:04 AM

that look sweet, are you planning on doing sps or fish or what. keep the pics coming

hansnfrans · #5 12/18/2007, 06:06 AM

That Freakin' Rocks!! Very clean look to it too!

"Plenty of room to get to the 40 breeder sump:"

Would ya look at that, I'd say you could even fit a skimmer in it

badazztealcobra · #6 12/18/2007, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by hansnfrans
That Freakin' Rocks!! Very clean look to it too!

"Plenty of room to get to the 40 breeder sump:"

Would ya look at that, I'd say you could even fit a skimmer in it

Yeah, that might happen....

I'm suprised he waited till the 8th picture to show us the surge tank.

Looks good..... Cant wait to see it with the lighting over it.

Is that an All Glass Aquariums Sticker on the tub too ???

ataylo13 · #7 12/18/2007, 08:03 AM

Interesting design. I can't image how much went into plumbing/building that. I like the idea. What are you planning on stocking it with?

Sara B · #8 12/18/2007, 09:58 AM

That's the fanciest tub set-up that I have ever seen! Great work on the cabinet! The use of black PVC really looks nice too.

skunkmere · #9 12/18/2007, 10:11 AM

wow that is cool. never seen one of those in a home. i seen them at aquarium with cold water anemones. big ups.

ostrow · #10 12/18/2007, 10:17 AM

What supports all of the weight of the tub? Just the lip around the top? There appears to be no underneath support.

Don't get me wrong, it looks terrific! I'm just curious after seeing the pics you posted.

AuroraDave · #11 12/18/2007, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 444reefkeeper

Very nice set-up, I like the surge.
What is the smaller diameter curved pipe at the end of the surge return?

GrandeGixxer · #12 12/18/2007, 11:16 AM

That is sweet! Is the extra plumbing in the sump to avoid microbubbles?

444reefkeeper · #13 12/18/2007, 12:18 PM

Wow. Thanks everybody for the compliments!

The tank will be a mixed reef.The stock list will look something like this:

Fish: true perculas(onyx,whatever), PJ and Bangaii cardinals, lawn mower blenny, yellow watchman goby, Randalls shrimp goby, garden eel, pipefish, sea horse, yellow tang and a sml. naso.

(note to the tang police. This is a 4'x2' tub, which I think will be fine for a while. If anything, there is a 600 gallon tank, 20 ft. away. So ha.

)

Other wants- Clams, anemone, electric flame scallop, oyster, sexy and anemone shrimp, pink cucumber, tunicates, Xmas tree worm rock(porites), mangroves and starfish.

These are all the things she pointed out while looking through a couple fish books.

Skimmer? We don't need no freakin skimmer!

You bet your badazz thats an All Glass sticker! Can't be all serious....

It wasn't that expensive to build or plumb(tub, stand and plumbing-$200ish). Just took time, especially with the router.

I love the look of the black pipe too! Thanks!

The bottom lip of the tub sits on a 2x4 perimeter stand with 2- 2x4 joyces. I took 2- 2x6 frames(1 bigger than the next) to build up and out to the rim of the tub. The bottom 2x6 frame is even supported by the 1x4 "trimming" that sits on the 2x4 bottom "trim". Definite over-kill. The stand itself probably weighs 250-300+ pounds.

The curved pipe at the end of the surge is a vent. They used to continuously siphon with the amount of flow that I put through my surges(lots). That vent and the one up in the surge bin helps me slam the flow through. The pump is a Hyperflow 32. Its turned down right now, but still have a little tweeking to do.

Oh, that vent doesn't have to curve up like that. The only black fittings that I had were 1/2" radiused 90s. Gotta keep the looks.

Yes, the extra plumbing is to avoid micro-bubbles. That still needs to be tweeked as well. Little tank+big pump=needs to be tuned.

Jen and I thank you once again for ALL of your compliments! This was an interesting build that I wanted to share. I'm glad you like it.

Thanks again.

ataylo13 · #14 12/18/2007, 01:20 PM

That sounds like alot for a 50G. I can't wait to see the pics

444reefkeeper · #15 12/18/2007, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ataylo13
That sounds like alot for a 50G. I can't wait to see the pics

I thought so too at 1st. There really will only be 2 bigger fish, the rest are smaller guys.
There's also a whole bunch of room in the tub. Then add a 40 sump and a 29 refusurge and it brings the system near the 100 gallon mark(as far as system stability). Plus, it will not be fed 6 times a day like a couple of my buddies do.

Hopefully it goes well.

Add a few here,... a few there... do a little water test...you know.

The canopy is next. Gotta get some light so we can start adding some livestock!

More pics to come!

pescadero · #16 12/18/2007, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 444reefkeeper
...Now that she had narrowed it down for me, it was off to Menards. Picked up the tub, 2x4s, 1x4s, a sheet of plywood and of coarse, handles and hinges. ...

Can you help me find a similar tub? Earlier this month I went to menards looking for that exact tub, and they told me that they don't carry it. I even had them search in the computer system and they still came up with nothing.

If you can give me any info about the tub, I'd appreciate it, as I'd like to use one for a sump project. Maybe if you could tell me the manufacturer name, model number, UPC code, SKU or whatever, the people at my local menards might be able to figure this out.

Very nice setup, BTW!

mcliffy2 · #17 12/18/2007, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pescadero
Can you help me find a similar tub? Earlier this month I went to menards looking for that exact tub, and they told me that they don't carry it. I even had them search in the computer system and they still came up with nothing.

If you can give me any info about the tub, I'd appreciate it, as I'd like to use one for a sump project. Maybe if you could tell me the manufacturer name, model number, UPC code, SKU or whatever, the people at my local menards might be able to figure this out.

Very nice setup, BTW!

Do a google search for Rubbermaid stock tank.