TX’s Reef’s zoo med 50 gal lowboy

[TX_REEF]

Tank build tab updated 11/28/2023!

I debated putting this in the frag tank section but I don’t know if I can resist the temptation of building it out into a lagoon or something.

Current situation:
-Saw a lowboy on a custom steel stand at LFS. I love shallow tanks, had to have it.
-bought the tank, $160. SCORE!
-the stand was $600- #%?* THAT!
-went down YouTube rabbit hole of DIY stand building. Built wooden stand out of framing 2x4 lumber. Think it turned out nice so far. Planning to spray paint black.
-bought 40 breeder for sump. Side note: petco price was $120 in store, $60 if you order online for pickup. Ordered it online while looking at the $120 price tag and walked out with it for $60
-I’ll keep a tab of $ spent in the spirit of at least semi-DIY.

To do:
-drill tank for drains and returns
-spray paint bottom of tank black
-carry everything upstairs (or figure out a new spot - I'm getting cold feet on having this ~90 gallon system upstairs...
-decide what lights and pumps I want. Will probably get another kessil AP9x because I love the one on my display. Leaning towards maxspect gyres for flow, they seem really efficient for shallow tanks

HELP ME:
-CHECK MY WISH LIST AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!
-WHAT SHOULD I ACTUALLY DO WITH THIS TANK?

CURRENT TAB:

 

[CasperOe]

What an absolute bargain of a tank you got yourself there! Going the lagoon way would look really, really good! Would you do some mangrove-ing as well?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I debated putting this in the frag tank section but I don’t know if I can resist the temptation of building it out into a lagoon or something.

Current situation:
-Saw a lowboy on a custom steel stand at LFS. I love shallow tanks, had to have it.
-bought the tank, $160. SCORE!
-the stand was $600- #%?* THAT!
-went down YouTube rabbit hole of DIY stand building. Built wooden stand out of framing 2x4 lumber. Think it turned out nice so far. Planning to spray paint black.
-bought 40 breeder for sump. Side note: petco price was $120 in store, $60 if you order online for pickup. Ordered it online while looking at the $120 price tag and walked out with it for $60
-I’ll keep a tab of $ spent in the spirit of at least semi-DIY.

To do:
-drill tank for drains and returns
-spray paint bottom of tank black
-carry everything upstairs
-decide what lights and pumps I want. Will probably get another kessil AP9x because I love the one on my display. Leaning towards maxspect gyres for flow, they seem really efficient for shallow tanks

HELP ME:
- Drain: can’t decide what kind of drain I want. I like the idea of bottom drilling for internal vertical PVC (1” with 2x split for 2 intakes with strainers parallel to water line?)standpipe drain. Would need 2 to avoid any overflowing due to a drain being clogged. I like the overflow box on my display, but I want to be able to walk around this tank and enjoy from all sides…
-Return: would like to be symmetrical and bottom drill for another vertical PVC standpipe with split locline at the output. Would I need 2 return pipes if I had 2 drains? I’m not fully sure of drain and return diameters.
-WHAT SHOULD I ACTUALLY DO WITH THIS TANK?

Current Tab $375:
-Lowboy tank: $160
-40 breeder for sump: $60
-lumber for stand: $100
-stainless screws for stand: $25
-self-leveling pad for top of stand: $30

Love the stand!

 

[jerses]

The tank is awesome. This is gonna be a great build!

 

[TX_REEF]

Upon further research and out of fear of the bottom glass failing due to multiple drilled holes, decided to go with a eshopps eclipse medium size overflow. rated for up to 800 GPH, I intend to run at or about 500GPH or so. Some of the review mention leaky gaskets, hopefully I don't have that issue and anyone with advice on how to avoid is most welcome to share

 

[TX_REEF]

Added 3/4” ply to top and bottom (wood glue and stainless screws) Sanding and paint next time.

 

[fluffyhouse]

Awesome! You are a pro!

 

[TX_REEF]

I'm thinking I'll go with the Nautilus DC900 Return Pump. up to 900 GPH, DC/controllable, and relatively affordable at $180. 1" outlet also jives with my plan to have 1" return line, reduced to 3/4" near water line into y-split locline.

 

[TX_REEF]

edit double post

 

[TX_REEF]

Today’s progress!!! Sanding, matte black paint. Ran out, need to buy more. Added silicone to the seams at the bottom of the stand interior. Will spray with flex seal later, to create a leak basin in case of emergencies also smashed up some leftover dry rock, soaked in RODI water and placed in sump of my mixed reef to start populating it with bacteria to jump start the new system cycle when the time comes.

 

[TX_REEF]

White bottom came out wonderful on the sump, so today I hit the display as well.

 

[TX_REEF]

pulled the trigger on reefbreeders nautilus DC9 return pump. BRS was out of stock, had to order from Premium Aquatics.

 

[TX_REEF]

 

[TX_REEF]

Dry erase markers are your friend when measuring a tank for drilling

 

[TX_REEF]

 

[Saltysecondsreefing]

Cool build

 

[ChaseS10]

Considering doing something similar.

 

[TX_REEF]

Some light progress to share!

-adhesive leveling pad installed and trimmed to size
-eshopps overflow fits like a glove
-surprisingly expensive gate valve on main drain
-unions for 2 herbie overflow drains not yet received, have all fittings and black PVC ready for plumbing to sump

 

[TX_REEF]

Great progress today! Drilled hole for return. Dry plumbed main and emergency drains including gate valve on main drain, water change drain on main drain, unions on both drains, Union on the return line, and not a single 90 degree elbow to be seen to minimize flow restriction. Added loc line with y split return jets. Still have to sand all pvc cuts, spray paint the white pvc fittings, prime and glue all PVC, reduce length of loc line returns, add down pipes to the drains (need to order more black pvc), order braided vinyl to connect the return pump the the return PVC, and build supports for the plumbing to prevent stress on the glass when water is running. Please let me know your thoughts!

 

[TX_REEF]