Acidbaby's 60 Hexagon Ghetto Reef Build Thread

acidbaby · 10/15/2015, 06:04 PM

I figured it was about time I did a build thread. I got into reefing around 1999 and sold everything in February 2015 with the intention of giving it a rest for a few years.

Whatever. I will say I've always done a lot of DIY building and chemistry so this time I have no echoes of my old equipment around and I can start fresh. I call what I do "Ghetto Reefing" because this is not a poor man's hobby.......unless one is resourceful.

I'm bored of rectangles. I wanted either a 60 cube or 60 hex and I found a used hex at a great price.

I'm going to build my own stand unless something magically falls from Craigslist. I want it 30-32" high so we don't have to crouch to see the lower levels.

This tank is 13" on all six sides and 29" tall. My first mod will be to drill for a pair, possibly three 1-1/2" bulkhead fittings and most likely I'll use a 12" CPR Retrofit overflow and drill into that as well so I don't have to silicone. I may make my own overflow but I love and trust CPR's designs. This will be based on the Durso pipes. I think I can get away with one 1-1/2" return and one emergency overflow, but I'd like two returns.

1-1/2" overflows require a 2.38" hole. Can I safely drill this along 13"?

I'm going to plumb this into either a 10 gallon tank or a Rubbermaid bin, have not decided yet. I will have a refugium in the sump.

I've had a lot of luck with Danner Mag-Drives. I was thinking of a 1200 or possibly a DC variable return pump and would like suggestions. A SCWD will be plumbed into the return.

I like CPR's BakPak skimmers, they remove a lot of crap and are simple and inexpensive.

I'm a fan of DSB. I'll have at least 5" more likely 6".

I'm going for a self contained unit with everything but the RO/DI in the stand. The height will allow me to build shelving to keep electrical dry and I will have an intake and exhaust fan as well as 13" open back.

I'm going for Mars Aqua 165 watt. I may just lay it on the lid's glass, heat permitting.

I like to keep a little bit of everything. Lots of small fish, total goby city. I'd love to find another dwarf lion, I had one successfully in my 120 and he never ate my inverts provided he got a serious meaty meal twice a week.

thegrun · 10/15/2015, 07:26 PM

Here are the glass hole requirements although I like to double these numbers if at all possible:
Holes must be minimum 4 x glass thickness to edge.
Minimum 6.5 times the glass thickness to a corner.
Minimum 4 glass thicknesses between holes.
Holes must not be less than glass thickness in diameter.
Hole must not be larger than 1/3 the glass panels narrowest dimension.

I'm not sure why you need such large pipes, I use 1" drains and returns in my 120, it seems like 1" would be more than large enough for your system.

acidbaby · 10/15/2015, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

I'm not sure why you need such large pipes, I use 1" drains and returns in my 120, it seems like 1" would be more than large enough for your system.

Because I ordered the 60mm diamond saw.......you're right, I'll get a smaller one.

10/15/2015, 06:04 PM	#1
acidbaby Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 17	Acidbaby's 60 Hexagon Ghetto Reef Build Thread I figured it was about time I did a build thread. I got into reefing around 1999 and sold everything in February 2015 with the intention of giving it a rest for a few years. Whatever. I will say I've always done a lot of DIY building and chemistry so this time I have no echoes of my old equipment around and I can start fresh. I call what I do "Ghetto Reefing" because this is not a poor man's hobby.......unless one is resourceful. I'm bored of rectangles. I wanted either a 60 cube or 60 hex and I found a used hex at a great price. I'm going to build my own stand unless something magically falls from Craigslist. I want it 30-32" high so we don't have to crouch to see the lower levels. This tank is 13" on all six sides and 29" tall. My first mod will be to drill for a pair, possibly three 1-1/2" bulkhead fittings and most likely I'll use a 12" CPR Retrofit overflow and drill into that as well so I don't have to silicone. I may make my own overflow but I love and trust CPR's designs. This will be based on the Durso pipes. I think I can get away with one 1-1/2" return and one emergency overflow, but I'd like two returns. 1-1/2" overflows require a 2.38" hole. Can I safely drill this along 13"? I'm going to plumb this into either a 10 gallon tank or a Rubbermaid bin, have not decided yet. I will have a refugium in the sump. I've had a lot of luck with Danner Mag-Drives. I was thinking of a 1200 or possibly a DC variable return pump and would like suggestions. A SCWD will be plumbed into the return. I like CPR's BakPak skimmers, they remove a lot of crap and are simple and inexpensive. I'm a fan of DSB. I'll have at least 5" more likely 6". I'm going for a self contained unit with everything but the RO/DI in the stand. The height will allow me to build shelving to keep electrical dry and I will have an intake and exhaust fan as well as 13" open back. I'm going for Mars Aqua 165 watt. I may just lay it on the lid's glass, heat permitting. I like to keep a little bit of everything. Lots of small fish, total goby city. I'd love to find another dwarf lion, I had one successfully in my 120 and he never ate my inverts provided he got a serious meaty meal twice a week.

10/15/2015, 07:26 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Here are the glass hole requirements although I like to double these numbers if at all possible: Holes must be minimum 4 x glass thickness to edge. Minimum 6.5 times the glass thickness to a corner. Minimum 4 glass thicknesses between holes. Holes must not be less than glass thickness in diameter. Hole must not be larger than 1/3 the glass panels narrowest dimension. I'm not sure why you need such large pipes, I use 1" drains and returns in my 120, it seems like 1" would be more than large enough for your system.