My Tank - Reef to be 50G Bowfront

Discussion in 'Show Off Your Fish Tanks!' started by juniorx, Jun 11, 2011.

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  1. juniorx

    juniorx Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2011
    Messages:
    67
    Location:
    NJ
    I've spent the last 1½ months crawling this site and setting up my tank, so I figured it's about time I post my build.

    This is a budget build up to this point, I've gotten most everything off Craigslist. Laugh if you want, we're also paying for a wedding that's in September ... this was the only way I could convince the woman to let me!

    Used 50G bowfront & stand (water tested) $150:
    [​IMG]

    Dry fitting DIY Overflow & return plumbing:
    [​IMG]

    Return Plumbing - unpainted:
    [​IMG]

    10G Sump (largest I can fit in stand):
    [​IMG]

    Plumbing - First wet test:
    (Pirate ship was a condition, I had no choice!)
    [​IMG]

    More to come ...

    Part 2
    Specs
     
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2011
    juniorx, Jun 11, 2011
    juniorx, Jun 11, 2011
    #1

    2. Click Here!

  2. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    Sparks, NV
    Welcome to 3reef

    Great looking start, you do what you have to do to get what you want, congrats
     
    2in10, Jun 11, 2011
    2in10, Jun 11, 2011
    #2
  3. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Welcome to 3reef,

    Excellent start. :)
     
    Corailline, Jun 11, 2011
    Corailline, Jun 11, 2011
    #3
  4. juniorx

    juniorx Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2011
    Messages:
    67
    Location:
    NJ
    Part 2

    10G sump - Running:
    Water flows RtL. 3 pane bubble trap, 6G empty refugium, sump return.
    [​IMG]

    Graduated return:
    [​IMG]

    Current 4x39W T5HO (Craigslist $50):
    10lb Real Reef (cultured) live rock
    [​IMG]

    LFS damsels to kick-start the cycling:
    [​IMG]

    Roscoe, looking for dinner:
    [​IMG]
     
    juniorx, Jun 11, 2011
    juniorx, Jun 11, 2011
    #4
  5. juniorx

    juniorx Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2011
    Messages:
    67
    Location:
    NJ
    Part 3 - Misc Specs

    Other stuff:

    50G tank
    10G sump, 6G refugium
    49G total water capacity
    1200 MagDrive, sump is running at 705 GPH (14x turnover)
    Plumbing - All CPVC or pressure flex PVC
    300G titanium heater with digital controller (overkill)
    35lb cultured live rock (for now...), aiming for about an 80lb reef total
    60lb argonite sand
    3 PH's
    - 125 primes overflow plumbing
    - 400 & 500 just creating flow
    4x39W T5HO lights
    HOB filter (temporary)
    HOB skimmer (until I build a 4" snailman)

    Total build cost so far: $750

    Thanks for looking! Please let me know what you think so far!

    I'll be posting more as I go...

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2011
    juniorx, Jun 11, 2011
    juniorx, Jun 11, 2011
    #5
  6. juniorx

    juniorx Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2011
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    67
    Location:
    NJ

    Thanks! Unfortunately this is as large as we can go until we get a house. Trust me, one of the first things I want is a 180!
     
    juniorx, Jun 11, 2011
    juniorx, Jun 11, 2011
    #6

    7. Click Here!

  7. 1.0reef

    1.0reef Giant Squid

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    3,615
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    Orinda, Bay Area, CA
    very nice start!
     
    1.0reef, Jun 11, 2011
    1.0reef, Jun 11, 2011
    #7
  8. Akool

    Akool Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2010
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    39
    Location:
    Chesapeake Va
    Looking good so far! Im also building a 72 bow on a budget and have a wedding in sept;D
     
    Akool, Jun 11, 2011
    Akool, Jun 11, 2011
    #8
  9. rc_mcwaters3

    rc_mcwaters3 Clown Trigger

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    Valdosta, Ga
    lookin good ;D
     
    rc_mcwaters3, Jun 11, 2011
    rc_mcwaters3, Jun 11, 2011
    #9
  10. juniorx

    juniorx Astrea Snail

    Joined:
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    Location:
    NJ
    Good luck! We're limited by our apt lease to a 55 or smaller tank, which is still pretty generous I think, considering we're on the 2nd floor!

    The first few times I picked up something new for the tank, I've gotten the "How much was that?" quickly responded to "A lot less then the wedding." She's since stopped asking, I just hope it stays that way when I want more come October!
     
    juniorx, Jun 11, 2011
    juniorx, Jun 11, 2011
    #10
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