New member old light reef dabbler

[rschroeter]

Hey all, I'm a reefer of about 8 years, starting to get more serious. Current project is a 120 g build. 4x2x2.

I'll post updates and ask questions as I go.

ATM I am having a steel stand custom built.

[rschroeter]

Yesterday cleaned a used Monzter Skimz SM201. Came out looking pristine.
Glad I bought this used. Reportedly one year old, $300.
SM201

I am trying to buy all used quality gear.

[rschroeter]

Also grabbed two one year old MP40 by ecotech, eBay $650, and came with a ecotech battery backup.

[Reefer_Addickt]

Good luck with your new build.

[rschroeter]

Originally Posted by Reefer_Addickt

Good luck with your new build.

thanks!

Skimz Monzter SM201 Before cleaning


After a good ole vinegar bath for 4 days, and then a hard cleaning

[Nace]

Looking good! I always like getting used stuff and cleaning it up. Seems like you are on the right track.

What are the plans for the tank? SPS, mixed, fish only?

[DocHogan]

Nice, I miss my 120…. Sounds like your planning it well.

[Mg4life0331]

Was the red bull to get you motivated, then the beer to celebrate and admire your accomplishment? Great minds like alike.

[rschroeter]

Originally Posted by Nace

Looking good! I always like getting used stuff and cleaning it up. Seems like you are on the right track.

What are the plans for the tank? SPS, mixed, fish only?

Nace, thanks! I'm taking it slow (too slow for the GF who wants my idea to be done in the span of a weekend and not 2-3 months!) lol The plans is for a good mix - I haven't been able to keep SPS because of the suggestion that my light wasn't good enough by LFS, and I guess I agree as I have difficulty growing anything under my small 24" 4xT5. (Current 28 gallon tank)

Plan is for the 48" 2x250w MH setup + 4x54wT5 combo (Cebu Sun). This baby should grow SPS!

I think it will be a mixed with SPS. What constitutes a mix? Just SPS+LPS+Sofites? I hear that mentioned a lot. My personal favorite is LPS (acans), but the goal is to grow more than that. Fish is a distant second to the reef, and that's where the better half gets to choose stock.

Originally Posted by Mg4life0331

Was the red bull to get you motivated, then the beer to celebrate and admire your accomplishment? Great minds like alike.

Wow you read my mind! I put them in to show the scale of this thing - it truly deserves the name Monster. I think it's supposed to be rated for up to 500 gallons. I want to way over skim my water as I feel my last tank suffered at 'rated' skim rate.

Today I bought a GFO reactor, dry plumbed it in my sump.

[rschroeter]

Let me do a before and after of the used sump I picked up (free with tank and stand). I didn't realize what a great unit this was until I cleaned it up.

Before - as it lay in the stand upon pickup


Vinegar bath soak, and a hose outside (wow is it ever cold out in Eastern Mass at this time of year!). But it was worth it:


This is a two part unit. A three chamber sump (far) where the return drops into a little cylindrical overflow into two socks, will flow into the center, and over a baffle air bubble trap to the return section (far right). The front section is another refugium or sump drilled with a bulkhead hole about 5 inches off the bottom to connect the two. It has room for a fuge or just filer media. It seems to be missing the cover for this part, but I might leave it open or try to fit a piece of cut acrylic. Where to buy this?









Lastly, the filter/sump with the Monster situated in its new home. Monster was too big for the main sump - needed about 10.5" clearance, and the center chamber in the original sump is about 10" wide.

[rschroeter]

Having a custom steel stand built for me.

The builder is having me fit it as he puts the stand together to ensure all measurements are correct.

This is the tray, into which the tank will sit.




Sent it back for the legs to be put on. This is just tacked together, not fully welded, for fitting.

Must say - my measurements were good - and the builder was even better in making the stand level, and square, and the tank fits snugly (with very little wiggle room).





Tank on Stand

[davidfrances]

Originally Posted by rschroeter

Having a custom steel stand built for me.

The builder is having me fit it as he puts the stand together to ensure all measurements are correct.

This is the tray, into which the tank will sit.




Sent it back for the legs to be put on. This is just tacked together, not fully welded, for fitting.

Must say - my measurements were good - and the builder was even better in making the stand level, and square, and the tank fits snugly (with very little wiggle room).





Tank on Stand

Your stand, while very well made, is in danger of "racking". The 90 degree welds are very strong when a downward force is applied. However, the instant any lateral force or motion is applied, your stand could fail catastrophically.

A very easy remedy is to have solid triangular sections, about 4-5" each, welded into all the corner sections. Simple geometry indicates a triangle is significantly stronger than a square or rectangle. You will need 16 triangles welded into the corners of each side to stabilize your stand.

[rschroeter]

Originally Posted by davidfrances

Your stand, while very well made, is in danger of "racking". The 90 degree welds are very strong when a downward force is applied. However, the instant any lateral force or motion is applied, your stand could fail catastrophically.

A very easy remedy is to have solid triangular sections, about 4-5" each, welded into all the corner sections. Simple geometry indicates a triangle is significantly stronger than a square or rectangle. You will need 16 triangles welded into the corners of each side to stabilize your stand.

Hey Thanks for the advice. I'll talk with the builder - He isn't done - this was just a point at which he wanted me to fit it -before he goes too far. I know he planned on adding more to this to shore it up. I'll ask about the lateral force that could be the result of a bump sideways.

Appreciate the input!