We will be documenting our upcoming 75 gallon display tank buildout here. Stay tuned and subscribe to #shelteredreef
UNIQUE DIY Heavy 75 Gallon SPS Reef
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AshwinRavi
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gonna tag along, I just started curing my LR for 75G myself. good luck!
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Looking forward to your build thread as well. This should be an interesting one to say the least.
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Today's project for the buildout is constructing the overflow box. We've decided to go with a peninsula style false wall to conceal all drain/return plumbing. The false wall will include an integrated DIY wave box. Pictures to follow
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Overflow cutout
A few pictures showing the mortising for the walls of the wavebox
A few pictures showing the mortising for the walls of the wavebox
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Dryfitting the wall with the wavebox
Plenty of room for pump access
Overflow next to wavebox section
Plenty of room for pump access
Overflow next to wavebox section
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Closer look at the wavebox with dimensions
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Here you can see the elusive Bagfish in its natural habitat. Just look at that mesmerizing sway in its translucent tissue.
All kidding aside, the box is very effective in terms of creating a solid wave motion. Powered by a WP-25, total cost came in under $100. Haven't completely decided on whether or not to run a sump. We could always make this into a large AIO tank. What do you guys think? I could start another poll
All kidding aside, the box is very effective in terms of creating a solid wave motion. Powered by a WP-25, total cost came in under $100. Haven't completely decided on whether or not to run a sump. We could always make this into a large AIO tank. What do you guys think? I could start another poll
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Constructed the skeleton for the aquascape out of 3/4 PVC. It will be secured to the false wall using bulkheads with horizontal bracing on the backside to increase lateral stability. The skeleton will also serve as a closed loop for additional circulation. The intake will be at the lower tee fitting with the outlet at the end of the long support pipe.
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The upper tee fitting was reemed out so that the longer piece of 3/4 pipe could be passed through it. This keeps the span of pipe coming from the lower bulkhead isolated from the upper. This allows for the lower bulkhead to serve as an intlet and the upper bulkhead to serve as an outlet. The closed loop pump will be placed in the main tank behind the overflow wall.
This allows for the lower bulkhead to serve as an intlet and the upper bulkhead to serve as an outlet. The closed loop pump will be placed in the main tank behind the overflow wall.
This allows for the lower bulkhead to serve as an intlet and the upper bulkhead to serve as an outlet. The closed loop pump will be placed in the main tank behind the overflow wall.
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Quick update, sorry we've been a little busy this week. The scape is coming together quite nicely and should be finished up by tomorrow. The plan is to keep the rock work narrow and let tabling acros and plating montis make up the bulk of the outward structure with some miscellaneous branching/bushy varieties on top.
Showing the intake for the closed loop
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The rock structure will be secured to the false wall/overflow using 3/4 inch bulkheads. This allows for the rock to be removed or replaced in the event of moving the tank while also allowing for the PVC 'skeleton' to serve as plumbing for a closed loop.
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Rock structure is finally completed. The rock varies between 6-8 inches wide at the top. The coral scape will make up the majority of the space available in the tank. The closed loop plumbing is adequately concealed. The top of the insert will sit approximately 7 inches below the water surface allowing for light to easily reach the SPS that will be placed on the top and sides of the rock. Diamond bit arrives on Monday for drilling the holes for two 1.5" bulkheads for the drain lines.
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Next up is securing the false wall to the tank. The top edges will be reinforced with glass strips siliconed to the top edge behind the plastic trim to keep the weight of the rock from pulling the top of the overflow wall forward. The bottom of the wall will be reinforced on the backside by another piece of the PVC sheet running parallel to the bottom of the tank to keep the bottom of the wall from pushing out.
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Drain holes drilled. Overflow to be secured tomorrow.
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Not bad at all. It cuts and routes very nicely and glues with regular PVC cement. My only gripe is that the shavings pick up a static charge from the friction of the blades when cutting which causes them to stick to everything.
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