Build Thread - 100G Int Nuvo

[Theulli]

Hello!

I am finally opening up a build thread for my next project, migrating my 20 gallon cube reef tank and 20 gallon long fowlr into a 100G, with of course the addition of some new inhabitants. Opening this up to track some of my work as a lot of it will be custom, including the stand, the plumbing, the sump, and hopefully if I post a dumb idea here someone will tell me before I do it

Current equipment that’s going in for sure is an Innovative Marine MightyJet XL, a 500 Watt Finnex heater, live rock and sand TBD but of course a bunch will come from the existing tanks, as well as a pile of Matrix. I am interested to experiment on how quickly, between that and the PNSB I use from AlgaeBarn, I can get the thing to cycle.

I will be building my own sump using a sheet of acrylic, cut and drilled to make compartments, and glued into a standard 29 gallon Aqueon tank.

This is all going to go into a custom built stand I have been designing and making with my father.

I will probably refrain from too much comment on stocking as I find the topic a little fraught on forums. Experiment that may be of interest to those who come later will be: how quickly a Tahitian Butterfly will eat through my corals (which I am resigned to if it happens, as my son has declared the butterfly non-negotiable).

Anyway, here is the current state of the project - clearly the extremely advanced state of a successfully opened wooden box. This week I will be building the sump.

would appreciate inputs as I post progress as I have never done this before

 

[JumboShrimp]

Enjoy the journey and keep the photos coming

 

[DonTavo27]

Congrats on the new build, look forward to some more pictures.

 

[Theulli]

Ok I am finally starting to get serious. Here is the beginning of the stand, after a good deal of hanging out under the house looking at load bearing walls and the directions of joists. Maybe I am overdoing it for a 100g but I finally found a spot I was confident could take the approximately 1300 lbs I am putting there.

Doors aren’t on the stand yet, but you can see where the sump goes, a plastic containment area for spills, and enough space for aquarium stuff plus a couple Home Depot buckets. Super happy with the stand, as I often find that manufacturer stands don’t optimize space.

tomorrow the aquarium goes on, and I begin my quest to glue my sump together without covering myself in silicone.

 

[Theulli]

Successful tank move, ran out of silicone and made a huge mess. Rethinking my life choices

the IM tank is *gorgeous*

 

[reefbuilder2042]

Successful tank move, ran out of silicone and made a huge mess. Rethinking my life choices

the IM tank is *gorgeous*

The tank looks good but the stand looks great too, can't wait to see it with the doors. Such a great thing to make your own

 

[Theulli]

The tank looks good but the stand looks great too, can't wait to see it with the doors. Such a great thing to make your own

Thank you! All credit to my dad who built it, I only piped in with lessons learned from earlier aquariums

 

[Theulli]

First step at plumbing, nothing glued and there will be a Union on each line. If you see anything wildly stupid let me know!

 

[Theulli]

First step at plumbing, nothing glued and there will be a Union on each line. If you see anything wildly stupid let me know!

Oh and don’t judge me for the sump, it still needs one more divider and a lot of excess silicone scraped off

 

[Theulli]

Oh and don’t judge me for the sump, it still needs one more divider and a lot of excess silicone scraped off

One thing I think I do need is a different type of valve for the main line (farthest left)

 

[KStatefan]

It will be harder for the full siphon drain to clear the air on startup with it submerged that much. Normal recommendation is about 1".

 

[Theulli]

It will be harder for the full siphon drain to clear the air on startup with it submerged that much. Normal recommendation is about 1".

Good to know, and that's an easy place to shorten it. Thanks!

 

[Theulli]

Revisiting the structural bit of it. The aquarium is in a corner made by an outer facing wall and an inner load bearing wall. It spans four I joists that run perpendicular to the aquarium. Here’s a picture of that inner load bearing wall in the crawl space. I am thinking this should be plenty of support for 100g but anyone disagree?

 

[Theulli]

Sump gluing done, cleaner this round because I have learned a thing or two.

 

[Theulli]

Sump is done, pipes are glued together and glued into the overflow. Letting things cure and then water tests begin!

 

[Theulli]

It’s alive! Some modifications to plumbing since previous photo. The tank is filled up and running seamlessly. Against all odds no drips from anywhere.

Only disappointment so far is the Finnex heater that thinks 68 degrees is 85 and shuts off. I have splurged on some Eheim heaters and a controller.

Very happy with the Innovative Marine tank, so simple this idiot set it up. And the Innovative Marine pump is whisper quiet and I love that it adjusts on a dime.

Salt is currently mixing in the tank. Sand and rock go in tomorrow. Fish from small tank 1 shortly after with all of its filter media.

 

[Theulli]

Also haven’t posted the stand with the doors yet. I haven’t run the cords through the side yet, so they Will close all the way when I do. Loving the stand, doors on every side, space for me to add shelving, stores a 5 gallon bucket and the sump, seahorse pulls for the door incoming

 

[Theulli]

Also, excellent news my wife has approved the defenestration of her Trainspotting poster that is looming behind my tank. Good riddance!

 

[Kershaw]

Revisiting the structural bit of it. The aquarium is in a corner made by an outer facing wall and an inner load bearing wall. It spans four I joists that run perpendicular to the aquarium. Here’s a picture of that inner load bearing wall in the crawl space. I am thinking this should be plenty of support for 100g but anyone disagree?

Absolutely enough strength there. I get that people like to put extra support, but most of the time it’s not needed. I would personally be willing to put a 180gal on that floor. Anything over that I would consider re-enforcement.

 

[Theulli]

Absolutely enough strength there. I get that people like to put extra support, but most of the time it’s not needed. I would personally be willing to put a 180gal on that floor. Anything over that I would consider re-enforcement.

Haha thanks for the confirmation! I have been waiting all day to walk into my office and find a hole in the floor and 100G of water in my crawlspace