My 125 gallon tank build

the plan is to silicone the 1 inch pvc tubing into the holes so it cannot move, and space it roughly 1 inch off the bottom. I am then going to fill the first chamber with bio balls. The plan is to have the water come in at the bottom of the chamber, flow up through the bio balls to the top of the first wall. Figure it will have plenty of water running through them this way, and a constant flow.

 

but now after reading, im having second thoughts. Perhaps I want to suspend them off the bottom just abit, so they arent puddled in sediment, etc that might come down the overflows. Think this is a better idea?

 

I would try to keep them off the bottom a little. Try to make them readily accessible to clean or you'll never do it and nitrates will build up quickly.

 

ok, measured out the shelf dimensions, and will make that tomorrow morning. I also decided to just cut the pipes to length, and rest them on the bottom of the 90 degree fitting, so I can remove them to clean them, along with a shelf that will allow me to remove the bio balls and basket in one shot, for easy cleaning. More pictures tomorrow. Light should be here thursday, and tank, live sand, salt and heaters friday. Hoping to also pick up the hoses for the sump friday. Will be building and painting the stand saturday, and hope to have water in the tank sunday. Will keep everyone posted.

 

;D

 

Well, got the basket built today for the bio balls to set in. It sets off the bottom 1 3/4 inches as you can see in the picture. I drilled a bunch of 1/4 inch holes in it for water transfer, and made it easily removable so I can easily clean the bio balls and the sump. Anyhow, here are a few pictures. Hope to have more pictures for you guys tomorrow, perhaps of the tank, and the light.

 

looks really good mate

 

Hope it works good for all that effort.

 

Thanks man. Its got water in it now so im going to clean it out here and then dry it out. It will definatelly serve its purpose! Ive got 40.00 in it so far, and thats what the tank cost. I havnt paid a cent for silicone, or the acrylic and lexan used to make any of it. Nor the acrylic glue. Either way, it will work just great. And sure as hell saved me a good 150-200 easily! Which makes it even that much better ;D

 

well,decided to drill the holes abit larger in the bio ball bucket. They are now about 3/8 of an inch instead of 1/4. Should flow alot better that way.