75g build thread My first reef

TroyHoot · 02/19/2017, 11:56 PM

Started my tank a few weeks ago. Read a ton of information here and learned alot in a short time. So I wanted to make my build thread.

I have kept freshwater tanks most of my life. everything from a snakehead that got donated to a zoo, school of pirahna, a 10lb red tail catfish. you name it lol.

I first built a stand. I used 1x hard wood and good plywood. I built it oversized so i would have room for a qt tank on top and plenty of room underneath. I also wanted my plumbing in the stand not coming through the back. This way I can go straight down into the sump.

Kilz inside of stand. Caulked the seams. Laminated the top.

40 breeder for the sump. Thats a rubber exercise bike mat in the bottom.

TroyHoot · 02/19/2017, 11:59 PM

Next I drilled the tank and built the overflow internal and external boxes.

CrayolaViolence · 02/20/2017, 12:10 AM

Looks very good. I wish I had the nerve to drill a tank. But I fear it would end in tragedy.

TroyHoot · 02/20/2017, 12:30 AM

planed the plumbing. Then moved it upstairs after I painted the outside.

TroyHoot · 02/20/2017, 12:34 AM

Installed a gfci in the wall. Got 2 power strips with switches.

Eshopps S-120 skimmer and a jebao dcp-6500. finishing planning on plumbing.

Maxspect ethereal Lights

TroyHoot · 02/20/2017, 12:42 AM

Got my rocks locally from LFS.

Tried 3 different aquascapes.

Added water and built screen tops

Sump going, Cleaned up wiring. Added 2 jager heater 150watt with a inkbird controller.

Waiting on an icecap Gyre 3000 and still need to decide on my ATO setup. Still need to paint the center brace and the controller support board. Waiting till the other stuff comes in and I get them hung on the board.

I have an RODI setup with 2 20 gallon brute trash cans for my water. Started the cycles couple days ago with a couple shrimp in the sump. Hopefully see ammonia soon and Ill take those out. So getting closer every day.

Keelo · 02/20/2017, 01:57 AM

Setup looks great I wish I did an overflow like that for my 75g. It opens up a lot of space for aquascaping

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

TroyHoot · 03/07/2017, 11:36 AM

Got and Icecap Gyre 3k. Icecap ATO. Vittles vault for the topoff container. Some chaeto and other macro algae for the sump. Led floodlight for sump. Cleaned up the wiring. Will move the vittle vault inside the stand eventually. Also getting the quarantine tank set up. I have the filters in the sump to seed bacteria. Cycle is moving along nicely. Added some Bio-spira last week to jump start it a bit. Oh and I also moves rocks on right side so it wasnt in the way of the Gyre pump.

cincyjim · 03/07/2017, 11:49 AM

I think you did an awesome job of workmanship with the build. My only concern is the tank weight distribution on the stand. I don't know but hopefully some with more experience will chime in. Very nice work though!!!

TroyHoot · 03/07/2017, 12:04 PM

It was the usual support all around the Tank. i just extended the back and side past the usual structure. Its all hardwood. Should be fine. Ring of hardwood around the tank. With support from top to floor. I could take more pics of the stand to show you. No deflection of the top, no wobble, no sags. Its good.

cincyjim · 03/07/2017, 12:08 PM

If you are saying there is a support beam following the back of the tank (left to right) like the front of the tank, then you should be fine. If you don't have a support beam running the length of the tank in the back, then I think you are asking for trouble. The 1x4s, hardwood or not, scare me but if you are okay with it then I'm good with it.

TroyHoot · 03/07/2017, 12:10 PM

yes, all 4 edges of the tank have a beam exactly under it. with support to the floor.

cincyjim · 03/07/2017, 12:12 PM

Very good. I just couldn't see that with those pictures. Again, very nice workmanship!!!!

TroyHoot · 03/07/2017, 12:16 PM

Yeah I forgot to take pictures as i was building the stand. Started working and got all into it lol. Thanks.

02/19/2017, 11:56 PM	#1
TroyHoot Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 77	75g build thread My first reef Started my tank a few weeks ago. Read a ton of information here and learned alot in a short time. So I wanted to make my build thread. I have kept freshwater tanks most of my life. everything from a snakehead that got donated to a zoo, school of pirahna, a 10lb red tail catfish. you name it lol. I first built a stand. I used 1x hard wood and good plywood. I built it oversized so i would have room for a qt tank on top and plenty of room underneath. I also wanted my plumbing in the stand not coming through the back. This way I can go straight down into the sump. Kilz inside of stand. Caulked the seams. Laminated the top. 40 breeder for the sump. Thats a rubber exercise bike mat in the bottom.

02/20/2017, 12:10 AM	#3
CrayolaViolence Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,867	Looks very good. I wish I had the nerve to drill a tank. But I fear it would end in tragedy. __________________ "The good thing about science is that it's true whether you believe it or not." Neil deGrasse Tyson Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef tank

03/07/2017, 11:49 AM	#9
cincyjim Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,147	I think you did an awesome job of workmanship with the build. My only concern is the tank weight distribution on the stand. I don't know but hopefully some with more experience will chime in. Very nice work though!!! __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: SCA 150G, 5 inch sand bed, 2 Tunze 6095s, ReefBreeders v2+ 50" with 2 all Blue Reefbrites, and Continuous Water Change System

03/07/2017, 12:08 PM	#11
cincyjim Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,147	If you are saying there is a support beam following the back of the tank (left to right) like the front of the tank, then you should be fine. If you don't have a support beam running the length of the tank in the back, then I think you are asking for trouble. The 1x4s, hardwood or not, scare me but if you are okay with it then I'm good with it. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: SCA 150G, 5 inch sand bed, 2 Tunze 6095s, ReefBreeders v2+ 50" with 2 all Blue Reefbrites, and Continuous Water Change System

03/07/2017, 12:12 PM	#13
cincyjim Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,147	Very good. I just couldn't see that with those pictures. Again, very nice workmanship!!!! __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: SCA 150G, 5 inch sand bed, 2 Tunze 6095s, ReefBreeders v2+ 50" with 2 all Blue Reefbrites, and Continuous Water Change System

02/19/2017, 11:59 PM	#2
TroyHoot Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 77	Next I drilled the tank and built the overflow internal and external boxes.

02/20/2017, 12:30 AM	#4
TroyHoot Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 77	planed the plumbing. Then moved it upstairs after I painted the outside.

02/20/2017, 12:34 AM	#5
TroyHoot Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 77	Installed a gfci in the wall. Got 2 power strips with switches. Eshopps S-120 skimmer and a jebao dcp-6500. finishing planning on plumbing. Maxspect ethereal Lights

02/20/2017, 12:42 AM	#6
TroyHoot Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 77	Got my rocks locally from LFS. Tried 3 different aquascapes. Added water and built screen tops Sump going, Cleaned up wiring. Added 2 jager heater 150watt with a inkbird controller. Waiting on an icecap Gyre 3000 and still need to decide on my ATO setup. Still need to paint the center brace and the controller support board. Waiting till the other stuff comes in and I get them hung on the board. I have an RODI setup with 2 20 gallon brute trash cans for my water. Started the cycles couple days ago with a couple shrimp in the sump. Hopefully see ammonia soon and Ill take those out. So getting closer every day.

02/20/2017, 01:57 AM	#7
Keelo Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: So cal Posts: 299	Setup looks great I wish I did an overflow like that for my 75g. It opens up a lot of space for aquascaping Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

03/07/2017, 11:36 AM	#8
TroyHoot Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 77	Got and Icecap Gyre 3k. Icecap ATO. Vittles vault for the topoff container. Some chaeto and other macro algae for the sump. Led floodlight for sump. Cleaned up the wiring. Will move the vittle vault inside the stand eventually. Also getting the quarantine tank set up. I have the filters in the sump to seed bacteria. Cycle is moving along nicely. Added some Bio-spira last week to jump start it a bit. Oh and I also moves rocks on right side so it wasnt in the way of the Gyre pump.

03/07/2017, 12:04 PM	#10
TroyHoot Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 77	It was the usual support all around the Tank. i just extended the back and side past the usual structure. Its all hardwood. Should be fine. Ring of hardwood around the tank. With support from top to floor. I could take more pics of the stand to show you. No deflection of the top, no wobble, no sags. Its good.

03/07/2017, 12:10 PM	#12
TroyHoot Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 77	yes, all 4 edges of the tank have a beam exactly under it. with support to the floor.

03/07/2017, 12:16 PM	#14
TroyHoot Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 77	Yeah I forgot to take pictures as i was building the stand. Started working and got all into it lol. Thanks.