SaltwaterandLime's epic adhd build thread....

[SaltwaterandLime]

Build is moving slowly, but it's moving. There used to be a power outlet on the wall directly behind the sump, this weekend I moved it to another location, and then installed a gfci outlet in the wall where I plan to build the control cabinet for the 150. The nice thing about that outlet is that if the outlet gets tripped, it won't turn off anything else in the house.

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

Used some thin PVC trim to seal the bottom of the IM 50 stand. The bottom that comes with the tank kind of just sits loose on the bottom and there is a tiny gap around the edges. I had seen a lot of people talk about water spilling inside their stands and it leaking through the gap and damaging the floor underneath.

Used the titebond PVC adhesive to glue the strips in place around the edge of the bottom, then once that dried I went over the top and bottom with a bead of silicone caulk

.... my caulk work is never very clean but it should help at least

 

[X-37B]

Used some thin PVC trim to seal the bottom of the IM 50 stand. The bottom that comes with the tank kind of just sits loose on the bottom and there is a tiny gap around the edges. I had seen a lot of people talk about water spilling inside their stands and it leaking through the gap and damaging the floor underneath.

Used the titebond PVC adhesive to glue the strips in place around the edge of the bottom, then once that dried I went over the top and bottom with a bead of silicone caulk

.... my caulk work is never very clean but it should help at least

Nice! I used cauking tape on my 170. Works well and is inexpensive.
Also ran a strip around the bottom of the stand to hide the shims as the floor was very uneven. It also keeps water from going under the stand if spilled.

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

This is why we can't have nice things...

 

[BubblesandSqueak]

I did the white ice rink liner at 6mil with white electrical tape. These little strip lights work great.

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

I've been struggling a lot today with the feeling that this should have been Clayton's project. During our second trip to Lowe's of the day I was thinking how much he would have enjoyed this tank build and as we passed the location of his accident I just got hit with this huge wave of emotion and grief and the feeling that I was right back there on the side of the road crying that night. I had to pull over and let Austin finish driving while I fell apart. I used to get flashbacks like that very frequently, but it's been a long time since I've been hit that hard. After Lowe's we decided to pick up dinner on the way home because I really just didn't feel up to try to cook. We stopped at a sushi place we eat at 1 or 2 times a week. We eat there a lot and every once in a while they toss in a random bottle of sake for us to try. Tonight this is what they put in the bag. I didn't see it until we got home.

I immediately started crying again but this time a good cry. Clayton's favorite flower was cherry blossoms, and he had paintings of them all over his room. If I ever find a way to get a memorial tattoo it will be cherry blossoms.

This was exactly what I needed to see and feel tonight.

The plumbing is almost complete on the 50g now, I've stayed up until midnight working on it. I'll leak test it tomorrow.

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

Replacing the 2 radions over the 50g tank with this kessil a500x. The radions are joining my others over the 150

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

Really struggling with how to keep this from looking like a chaotic mess. Can't decide on how to run cords and controls. I really don't like the adaptive reef board on the wall, it's left over from the red sea tank and I thought I would use it again but honestly it really doesn't help with the clutter and I think it looks blah.

not sure if I should build something or buy something or repurpose something.... just really want it to look cleaner

 

[BubblesandSqueak]

Really struggling with how to keep this from looking like a chaotic mess. Can't decide on how to run cords and controls. I really don't like the adaptive reef board on the wall, it's left over from the red sea tank and I thought I would use it again but honestly it really doesn't help with the clutter and I think it looks blah.

not sure if I should build something or buy something or repurpose something.... just really want it to look cleaner

you could probably mount the reef board to two wreath door hangers and just bend the tabs to fir the APS door on the left side and get rid of the side table. or mount it to the side table and put the side table on casters to roll in and out. Not sure how heavy the reef board is but could even do velcro tape to the APS door.

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

Ended up picking up two Ikea cabinets to go on either side of the 50g. The one on the left has electronic stuff, the one on the right has my ATO reservoir and dosing stuff

 

[rennjidk]

Ended up picking up two Ikea cabinets to go on either side of the 50g. The one on the left has electronic stuff, the one on the right has my ATO reservoir and dosing stuff

How are you liking the Kessil?

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

Super thankful to my husband and his friends, along with our 2 boys. The 150g is finally in place and up on its stand. I still have a really long way to go with this build, but it's nice to have it up off the floor.

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

How are you liking the Kessil?

I've only had it on just to play around with it and mess with the app and settings, but so far I really like it. Plus my husband likes the way it looks over the tank so that's a plus. It's definitely overpowered for the tank I have it on, there is no way I'll ever have it to 100%

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

Working on the scape for the 50g today

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

Trying to decide how I want to layout the sump area for the 150. ....shoved all the way to one side, or more centered. Plus not sure what all else I need to make room for in here. Obviously I'll need dosing containers..... but haven't decided what I want to use.... and I'm still trying to figure out how to mount the dosing pumps
I wish I understood how to work with aluminum profiles better.....because I think I know what I'd like to do, but I have no idea how to make it happen

 

[Stang67]

Trying to decide how I want to layout the sump area for the 150. ....shoved all the way to one side, or more centered. Plus not sure what all else I need to make room for in here. Obviously I'll need dosing containers..... but haven't decided what I want to use.... and I'm still trying to figure out how to mount the dosing pumps
I wish I understood how to work with aluminum profiles better.....because I think I know what I'd like to do, but I have no idea how to make it happen

Whichever way will give you better access to what you need to get to. Thinking fuge light, socks or roller, ato etc.

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

Whichever way will give you better access to what you need to get to. Thinking fuge light, socks or roller, ato etc.

I've never had a sump/stand this large before. It's almost intimidating. I can sit inside the stand WITH the sump with the doors closed and be comfortable. It's like what??

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

....

I've been focused on the new tank builds so much that I haven't really posted much about the anemone tank... other than having to evict the crab.

It's doing really well, the softy corals are growing nicely and even the duncan is recovering after being nearly eaten. I'm really liking the manual filter roller.... it's so easy to use and has made a major difference in water quality. This is a 20g tank and I usually do a 5g water change every weekend, but I've skipped a weekend occasionally without any negative effects.

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

Also, my son just bought his first car.... not the typical teenager choice for a first car, but he's never been a typical teenager....