Thor's Custom 80+ "kind of" Cube Build

Tmobo--yup, I agree with you. The only problem with the 90 cube is that I really wouldn't have much room around the tank. Not only for me to get to it, but for the MP40 I want to put on, and for general airflow.

Sooooo, as a compromise I am going to have a custom tank built. 32X25x24. It won't quite get me to 90, but should be just a shy over 83. Pretty close and will fit my space much better and give me as much water as possible.

So yes, I can say the 60 cube is out. I suppose I should change the title, eh?

 

Update--er, uh, not much

Hi all;

Thank you for those of you who have popped in to check my thread. I knew this was going to be a long build, but it has been extended even longer than I expected. First, my son had brain surgery early in September and so obviously he is my number 1 priority. Not to worry, it went very well and he is doing great. We have been dealing with a potential tumor growth the entire summer and not three surgeries later he seems to be making some headway.

To top that, my renter in my old condo broke the lease and left the place in shambles. So the time I had planned for making progress on the tank build has been put on hold until I can get that squared away.

I am determined though to get this project underway soon and eventually completed. I drew up plans for the stand, the sump, and the ATO reservoir in google sketch that I will post here in the coming weeks for feedback. I am waffling a bit about how big to build the sump to try and plan for more room for expansion of dosing pumps/resevoirs etc., and so I may need to tweak the design a bit. Hopefully, I will have some concrete sketches up her soon to get feedback and critique on. Any advice you can give on those subjects, once posted, will be greatly appreciated.

After addressing any issues you all fine and experienced folks identify, then I will put in the order for acrylic and begin building the sump and corresponding stand.

It is coming, albeit along slowly. Still trying to identify a solid QC system for this and I am leaning towards the CAD Lights set-ups. Compact, but big enough that i think I can keep the params in check to effectively QT corals, etc. I really plan to utilize quarantine to the largest extent possible to help limit any unwanted critters into the tank (see lessons learned in an earlier post).

I appreciate your patience with me on this one. I promise the next step is to post the stand, sump, and ato sketches up for you all to see and provide feed back on. Possibly in the next few weeks.

In the meantime, happy reefing to you all. I continue to learn tons reading through all your posts and I certainly appreciate the answers to all the dumb noob questions.

Hope you all are well and all the best,
Scott

 

As promised: sump and plan stands

As I mentioned yesterday, here are the sketches of plans for my stand and sump. I can give you exact dimensions if you want.

For the stand I plan to use 2X4's for the frame, and you will notice I doubled them across the front to give extra support since I do not plan to put a support leg in the middle. I will top it with 3/4 in ply, as will the shelf on the floor. I will sheet it with 1/4 ply and some decorative molding to make it match the style of the room. The side panels I plan to be fixed, but the front panel will be held in place by magnets so I can remove the entire front and have good access.

Here is 1 view of the stand:



Here is a second view from a slightly different angle:


And last, here is my sump from the top:


The upper left corner will be the skimmer section, where I plan to put either an Eshoppes cone or a SWC cone. Bubble trap leads to the front section which will be my return. The section on the far right will be my refugium, and I will split flow to this section from my main tank. I believe it is about 9 gallons, and the total gallons for the sump somewhere in the ball park of 30 gallons.

I have also sketched out an ATO reservoir to go in the stand and it will leave me about a two inch gap between the it and the sump that I plan to us to run wires.

You will notice the lower right corner of the sump is cut out a bit, and this is because I also plan on having a control panel at the front of the tank on a piano hinge that I can swing out of the way, but that I can also use to install all my controllers.

The use of the space is REALLY efficient, and I am concerned that it may be too efficient. I plan to install a BRS dual GFO/Carbon reactor in the back support over the sump.

My main concern here is if I left myself enough room for additional equipment I will need as my reef grows. Most specifically, I will eventually probably add dosing pumps to dose calc/alk/mag once I have need for it. I *think* I will have room along one side panel for that, and hope to hang some type of reserviors for those supplements once needed, but that will cram it up pretty tight.

We will see. Any major things I appear to have forgotten or am not considering so far?

Any and all feedback will be greatly appreciated.

 

Sounds like a very well planned out build. Nice designs for the stand and sump as well. Good luck building all of it. This is when it really starts to get fun.

 

The sump and stand designs look good. I might suggest you put a screw strip along the inside of the four leg corners though, so you have a good way of attaching the bottom, top, and vertical boards.

I've got not other suggestions as of now. It all looks great.

 

This is obviously a well planned out build. You've had some time to think.

 

Good suggestion Seano, I've been thinking about that specific issue myself.

I know what you mean Norg. I'm very anxious to actually get to building as I have been thinking about this for months now. Hopefully soon once a few other things in life start to slow down. In the meantime, I am probably going to start stocking up on equipment so I spread out the pain, er, money a bit .

 

So I started stockpiling equipment that I will need for the DT and QT set-ups. Not much so far, but I purchased a BRS dual GFO/Carbon reactor with 1200 powerhead/pump to run it. I also got my refractometer. I decided to split my heating and so went with 200W Finnex and a 50W finnex for the sump.

Next on the stocking list:
SWC160 Cone Skimmer
return pump (adjustable flow Ehiem)
PH monitor
More powerheads for mixing and moving salt
2 Tunze ATO Osmolators (one for the DT and one for the QT).

So stocking has begun and will continue over the next few months.

Actual build, is pushed back to after the new year. I will do the cabinet for the DT and a second cabinet for the QT. Sump and ATO for the DT. Then I will focus on the ATO for the QT/Nano.

Take is slow, and let it grow, right?

 

Update:

I ordered my RO/DI unit yesterday from BRS on the group buy, along with all the gadgets I will need for it (pressure gauge, TDS monitor, etc.).

I have reached out to a few "all in one" companies for smaller tanks (CAD Lights and Precision Marine) to see if they will sell me their tank without all the lights/stands etc. The dimensions would be perfect for my QT, I just don't like the lights they have on offer since I plan to use this to also QT corals. I want to put something on there I trust.

We will see what kind of answer I get.

I plan to continue my stocking regime over the next few months to round out the equipment I will need. I also hope to begin building the stands for the tanks in January, and possibly the sump (although I am undecided if I will do this myself or find someone to build my custom sump for me).

The one question I am wrestling with is whether I want to invest in a reef controller right now or not. I know I plan to install one at some point down the road when I have things established, but I wonder if it makes more sense to go ahead and get that upfront. From what I can tell, it may save me money in the long run in power strips, timers, etc. so I may just bite the bullet now. Any one have any advice one way or another in regards to that?

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 

wow this build def seems to be planned out very well, I am going to have to subscribe, I wanna c how this build pans out oh and for the controller, I think if you can swing it I would, I wish I would have done something along those lines now I have 3 extra timers and some power strips that I wont be needing it may save you some money in the long run ;D