ToX's new 75 gallons REEF diary

[toxqc]

I've been ready all I can find on the net about saltwater aquariums for the past 4 months now and I started a 75 gallons 4 weeks ago, well I started the stand 4 weeks ago :) I'll start by showing pics of the stand. It's made of 2x4 and 2x6 and 5/8 plywood (floor plywood hey it was free)

I made the mistake of listening to my dad about the frame...

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/584/103246P4230001_50.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/584/103246P5030070_50.jpg

Ok, so because my stand is made of regular plywood, staining was not a option, so I decided to paint it but I used a oil primer sealer first

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/584/103246P5140091_50.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/584/103246P5140093_50.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/584/103246P5140094_50.jpg

if anyone as any comments about my stand, let me know

i'l be posting some more tommorow
if the pics dont show jsut go in my gallery

PS sorry about my english, i'm french canadian :)

[TippyToeX]

Looking good! :D I love the color. It's almost the exact some as my stand & canopy so I might be a little bias. :p

[Dubbin1]

Just one question. How do you plan on sleeping with that thing so close to your bed?

[jallard]

Originally posted by Dubbin1
Just one question. How do you plan on sleeping with that thing so close to your bed?
better be a heavy sleeper

[drock59]

Seriously, you are going to want to move that thing away from your bed.... at least put it at the foot. Looks nice though.

Also, you mentioned the framing of your stand. Did you correct the issues in the first pic?

[lakebound]

Im a little concerned about the stability when the tank is filled. Just my opinion, I'm not looking at it in person but, you may want to reinforce this a little as the tank will be very heavy when full. Better to do this now then to lose it ALL later!

[lakebound]

Ive got some pics of my stand in my gallery if you want to see how to do this with some 2x4's. Other than that I think its a good looking stand.

[M.Doshier]

Nice stand, i'm with lakebound, I made a 55 gal. stand out of 2x4's and 1/4's (everywhere lol) but its also 4 feet tall!! I have my 55 planted at the foot of my bed, and my 55 salt will be in the corner right to the planted tank ( 8 feet away) so it'll be cool.

[toxqc]

I dont have any worries about my stand as for the strenght of it but it still could have been stronger. Have you ever looked at the stock ones, they dont look strong at all. I do have concerns about the sound. That's why I am not building my sump right away. I'll be moving to Montreal this summer so I will be installing the sump this summer. I have 2 other tanks in my room a 55 and a 20, all fresh water. They dont botter me so I didnt think that this one would if I didnt do the sump thing hehe :)

[drock59]

toxqc, I would be worried about the strenght of the stand with about six hundred pounds of water sitting on that. Just my two cents.

[toxqc]

Got my tank filled with RO/DI water and added a 5 inch dsb

The first week was a real sand storm in there. When it cleared up, I haded a seio 820 , a MJ1200 and a CSS 125

yesterday I bought my first 50 lbs of cured LR ( yes i'm getting more) and 2 hours after that my water was really clear. tommorow I'm building my canopy because I need lights.... what do you guys think, should 2 vho and 2 actinics be okay for some corals???

here is my tank now

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/1/103246P5300114_50.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/1/103246P5300116_50.jpg

[lakebound]

Nice!:thumbsup: Looking great! That arch is sweet!

[toxqc]

ok so I added 2 true perculas clown fishs 2 weeks ago and 1 yellow tang this week. I also added a cleaning crew : 20 astreas, 15 blue leg hermits and 1 emrald crab. I think that is way I didn't get a algea bloom yet... I'm almost finish with the canopy that I started saturday, I just need to paint it. I'll be posting pics tonight!!! I'm also gonna bye some led christmas light for my moonlights.

[toxqc]

lakebound Nice! Looking great! That arch is sweet!
thx, yea I really like the arch too but it costed a lot, 33.6 lbs

[lakebound]

Hmm... could of made your own with all the DIY threads on it, but with time and material, buying it is just as well. Wow, 33.6 lbs? Thats a big arch.

[yoboyjdizz]

Originally posted by drock59
Seriously, you are going to want to move that thing away from your bed.... at least put it at the foot. Looks nice though.

Also, you mentioned the framing of your stand. Did you correct the issues in the first pic?

my 72 is right next to my bed and i fall asleep like its nothing everynight took a little while to get used to it i plan to add and even larger tank to replace it its very relaxing i think you will enjoy it better next to your bed...ime great start by the way any pictures of the fish?

[toxqc]

my digital camera sucks lol I have trouble taking pictures of the fishs. Yea it took me 2 or 3 days to get use to the sound but it's not loud, I put a towel between my bed the tank and the wall so I dont hear it too much... my others fresh water tanks make more sound lol

[toxqc]

My yellow tang past away a week after I got him, dont know what he had... I finisht my canopy this week cause I finally bought mh lights for christmas hehe!!! I bought a lawnmower blennie last friday, he is doing fine...

here are some pics
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/1/103246P7130019_50.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/521/103246P7130017_50.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/543/103246P7130016_50.jpg

[Dubbin1]

If you get a black back ground on it then it would look really sweet. Nice rock work :thumbsup:

[toxqc]

Ok so I made a list of all the fishs I want to put in it

2 True Perculas Clownfish (have already)
1 Lawnmower Blennie (have already)
1 Royal Gramma
maybe 1 yellow watchman goby
1 Butterfly Copperband
1 Yellow Tang
1 (blue, hippo, regal) Tang

17 blue leg hermits (have already)
22 astreas snails (have already)
1 emerald crab (have already)
5 nassariaus snails

and I dont know witch corals to put in first...
anyone has a suggestion?

[toxqc]

my gf bought me a yellow tang for christmass, he got black spots 2 days after I put him in so I did a freshwater bath for 1 min and I put him in a QT that I just bought, he shows no more signs of the black spot.
I'm onlu starting school on the 30th so I have lots of time to play with my tank. I order to take the yellow tang out of the tank I had to remove 75% of the LR and all the fishs are in the QT with the tang so I decided I was gonna start fresh and redoo the tank. I'm gonna have it drilled for 2 overflow. Should I drill for a closed loop as well?

[lpkirby]

Really nice, but you may end up with some salt residue on your bed. Hey you get to sleep with the fishes...

Keep up the good work, and try a dark background..

[CH]

Looks good, but I'm worried about the stand strength as well. Material wise, your ok, 2x4 and 2x6 are just fine, but it's the construction technique that worries me. You have the 2x4's around the top being only supported by screws or nails, whichever you used, which then transfers all of the weight to the legs. That means all of that weight is bearing on just those fasteners. A better option would be that the 2x4's actually sit on top of the 2x6 legs, rather than just hang on to the side.
However, the plywood is sitting on the tops of the legs, so maybe that will help transfer enough weight off of the 2x4's. Still, it makes me a bit nervous!

[pnsnowboard]

good looken tank

[toxqc]

I know I should have done it the way you say... But the wieght is not all supported by the screws, a lot of the weight is supported by the four corners and the plywood helps. But I do check the stand regurlary for any signs of stress so far there is none, it is solid as a rock.
Anyway, the tank is being dismantle today so that I can get it drilled thursday night. I should have waited and got it drilled first.
I'm also gonna install some moonlights in the canopy next week with a bunch of people. We orderd 200 leds and resistor and someone is showing us how to assemble them hehe

[CH]

True, some of the weight is supported at the corners, but all of the weight that is in the middle of the 2x4's has to travel along the 2x4, transfer through the screws, and then into the corners.
Plus, the weight on the corners causes those members to want to move out, thus causing some lateral forces pulling at the screws. The most important part of any structure is the connections. Those screws, in essence, are holding that entire stand together. The plywood on top is helping to stiffen it as well.
Now, I'm not telling you to change your stand or anything, I'm just giving my honest opinion!

[Johnsteph10]

I agree.

....but then I look at the cheapo stands that commercial tank makers provide and I wonder how they hold an empty tank, much less one filled with water!

[DitchPlains2]

I have an expensive stand and tank TENECOR, its falling apart anytime water hit this thing it basically shredded, its nothing but pardon my french, F&%(ing pressboard bs. To me his stand is much better designed and sealed then the POS I bought for a grand. Good luck man!

thanks
David

[CH]

Yeah, I proabably have a tendency to over design, but that's just part of my job! The stand will most likely be adequate, but it's just something I always feel nervous about. That's nearly 1000# with water and sand and rock!

[143gadgets]

Nice looking setup. I have my tank as the headboard. Trust me.... You can make it as quiet as you want, it just takes a little more time.

[toxqc]

CH, I get what you are telling me... I know it isn't as strong as it could be but I think it will hold up. When I'll buy my next tank, you can be sure I will do it like you said but for now, I can just check every week if I see any signs of stress... anyway I'm disassembling the all tank tonight to get it drilled tomorrow and will be up and running like new friday

[jarhed]

toxqc,

I'm by know means an engineer, and I'm only an expert on my own opinion. :D

I'm just wondering what would happen if you maybe..... put some more support underneath the cross members when you took it apart tonight? Just a couple boards cut to length. Nothing big. Just wondering.

Not picking or anything, because again, I am not an engineer, but I believe I understand a few basics after having built my own huge stand in the wall, but dont you think that if you detect signs of stress during your weekly check, it's pretty much too late if the tank is already setup and full?

Just askin. I'm not in any way criticizing. ;)

[MAreefer1]

HEY! Im likkkkken that new tank so far!

[toxqc]

If ever I see a sign of stress I can always put a 2x4 in the middle by using the old hammer to stuck it in between lol :)
But still, I'm comfortable with the design even do it could be better.. if you want I can calculate how much force those screws can hold with the plywood and the 2x4 and 2x6 and there is 2 more 2x6 under the plywood

[toxqc]

Should I go with a coast to coast overflow with 2 holes?
or
Should I just us a 90 degree elbow with a sloted cup on top ?

[shouldabenacowboy]

Looking good !!

[lakebound]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6424767#post6424767 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MAreefer1
HEY! Im likkkkken that new tank so far!

Nobody ever said the tank didn't look good so far, it's the structural stability that has people concerned. We can only give advice and pass on wisdom from prior experience, then hope all goes well in the end when no warnings were heeded.
Yes, as I have replied in a previous post, the tank looks great.
Also, I agree with jarhed that since the tank is down, what better time than to reinforce with a single 2x4 than to later battle problems which may not turn out victorious.

[MyMonkey]

I dig the tank and stand. Looks nice. I to am planning one. CH, or another, can you point me in the direction of some good designs/pics of stand building? Eh... I want it sturdy.

[toxqc]

mymonkey, basicaly what you whant is the top 2x4s to be on top of the four corners that way it is not screws that are holding the wieght...

I can't wait to have it drilled tonight

What kind of Overflow would you guys do?

[toxqc]

ok I got my tank drilled, 2 top corner 2.5" holes with a calfo Overflow. I got my glass cut but its about 1/16 to long (****!!!) I have to go to HD get something for my dremel to make it shorter... I also shoped for acrylic and let me tell you, its not cheap here in ottawa... 175$ for a 4'x8' sheet. I have presently 3 choices for my return pump :

Eheim 1260 or 1262
Quietflow 3000
Mag 7 or 9.5

wich one is the quietest, the thing is right next to my bed...
also here in canada, we dont have 1.5"pvc, only 1.5"abs. Is the Flexible PVC quieter then the abs????

I also bought 2 cleaner shrimps for the black ich that my yellow tang still has, not alot bot I can still see some black spots, hope it helps. I wanted 2 neon gobys but the LFSs didn't have any and they said its pretty hard to get here... I wish I lived in florida!!!

[toxqc]

ok so my tank is back up and running, my yellow tang is in perfect health and it's pretty quiet. I bought the quietone 3000 'cause it was cheap and so far, I can't hear it... Bought a 40 gallons breeder tank for my sump and installed the baffles. It goes skimmer/return/refugium

here are the lastest pics

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/1/103246P8170013_50.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/1/103246P8170028_50.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/585/103246P8170027_50.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/523/103246P8170017_50.jpg

I have to make some brackets for the drain lines and cut them a bit cause they are too long.

[MyMonkey]

Coming along nicely.

[toxqc]

Bought a blue tang yesterday, he was eating well in the lfs and eating well at home also, he is in my 20G long QT with pieces of pvc. I hope he makes the 6 to 8 week Q without any problems (at 100$can)

[toxqc]

The blue tang got ich the first 2 weeks, he's is ding good now, I bought a neon goby to help with the ich and the lfs rent me a cleaner wrasse also. I'm getting 2 new seio 1100 this week ( they are orded) and as soon as they are installed I'm puting the blue tang in the main tank. I'm also ordering a refractometer friday (45$ can is a great deal here, they sell ofr 90$ at the lfs). I can't wait for my stuff to arrive

I'll be ordering 2 ballast and 2 48" VHO super actinic also this week

[toxqc]

Just installed my 2 new seio 1100 in the tank yesterday!!! I think I got too much flow lol, I had to turn them way down... so now I got 2*1100, 1*820 and the return that is about 600

A fellow reefer from aquaria.ca is at a convention in san diego and has seen the new SEIO CONTROLLER that is comming out in 4 weeks... I know what I'm buyging :)

Got a refractometer also so now my salinaty is perfect (1.025).

to buy this month :

- Actinics VHO
- SEIO Controller