Building on a Budget - 42 Gallon 2nd hand Oceanic Hexagon

Will Perry · Mar 7, 2018

Hey guys!

I'm new to the community and out to earn a spiffy new Build Thread Badge!! I don't have all of my supplies just yet, but most of the things I do have at my disposal (well, all of them so far) are 2nd hand. So far my supplies are as follows:

An Oceanic 42 Gallon Hexagon Aquarium
A Vertex Aquarastik Protein Skimmer
An Eshoppes Sump - Maybe RS100??
Various plumbing & flow items
Overflow Box
A 950 gph return pump - TOO MUCH!
Last - A Two Little Fishes Phosban reactor that I don't plan to impliment until later, if ever.

I plan on buying a used light through R2R from a fellow member. This should give me everything I need, but I also plan to build my own stand. The stand will not be a hex, but it will be big enough to hold the tank and the sump! I'm super excited!

Of course, I am only currently in the planning stages so all of my plans my change by the end of it. The stand I have now has some water damage, but it the tank was full when I acquired it so I believe it would hold up alright... still, better to be safe than sorry.

Things I still need are as follows:

Light - buying soon!
Dry/Live Rock
Crushed Coral
A new return pump, suggestions?

I feel I am on the right track. I am going to pick up some lumber this week and build the stand. I will do what I can to take pictures every step of the way to people can see what I am up to. I'll try to get some pictures of the tank and equipment that I have at my disposal as soon as I can!

ihavecrabs · Mar 9, 2018

Welcome!

This looks like it will be a fun and unique build.

That return pump may work if you restrict the output. Maybe look into running a manifold that you can use to run other equipment, like reactors, or a run to a refugium, or even recirculating some in the sump to keep good water movement.

Can't wait to see some pictures of the build.. my favorite part.

drawman · Mar 9, 2018

Good luck!

As far as return pump Sicce silents work very well and have a good track record.

Will Perry · Mar 13, 2018

ihavecrabs said:
Welcome!

This looks like it will be a fun and unique build.

That return pump may work if you restrict the output. Maybe look into running a manifold that you can use to run other equipment, like reactors, or a run to a refugium, or even recirculating some in the sump to keep good water movement.

Can't wait to see some pictures of the build.. my favorite part.

I actually found a Rio 1700 return pump lying around that should be perfect. I may switch to the Danner 950 in the future when I figure out how to setup a refugium and whatnot with this particular tank. I like the idea of splitting it off for different reactors and things. I have a Two Little Fishies Phosban Reactor sitting around. It was new in the box when somebody gave it to me! I will be doing further under the tank plumbing in the future, but right now I am just trying to get it all put together.

So, as for the plan currently: I decided to drill and buy some new plumbing. I also just finished building a stand (well, *almost* finished... taking a break!). It's not a hexagonal stand, but rather a simple rectangle that was easy to put together. I'm ready to post pics of the stand, actually~!! Those will be next post. Super excited and defintely enjoying the real building process! It's my first stand and I'm super stoked.

Will Perry · Mar 13, 2018

So, the boards under my sump are not screwed in place just yet... I'm taking a break and will finish in the morning so I don't keep the neighbors up any later.

Without further adieu, my DIY tank stand pics:

Will Perry · Mar 13, 2018

Bought a used SB Reef Light Elite for cheap on the forum. Got a great deal and I'll be using that for lighting!

Thanks to @SB Reef Lights and @ReefQueen for hooking me up! The kit was missing a few *tiny* screws and Michael at SB shipped them out for free!

ReefQueen · Mar 17, 2018

I can't wait to see this thing up and running! Sorry again about the screws, I'm surprised they weren't in the packaging with the leg mounts because I never used them. They may even have been missing originally, but either way I am glad Mike hooked you up, he is a great guy!