runningstix 58 Oceanic Upgrade - Page 2

will16 · 12/09/2008, 12:37 AM

Hey runningstix,

Glad to see you got a thread going. Came out great! Love the water change idea. I've been trying to come up with something more automated too. How many gallons can you drain from your return section?

Great job!
- Will

spleify · 12/11/2008, 11:31 PM

Steve-o the tank looks so much better without the Loc-Line!

Thanks very much for the kind words but I was just there for moral support. It definitely was your idea and design. I just helped be your grunt. The build was fun and you did a great job on it.

deaclauderdale · 12/12/2008, 01:19 AM

Wow!! Amazing build you got there.

runningstix · 12/12/2008, 01:26 AM

Thank You!

Will I can get about 8-9 gallons out of my return section for water changes. It was supposed to be 5 however I mounted my float switches after I measured and it draws some extra water above the baffles of the refugium.

SlukBunWalla · 12/12/2008, 06:01 PM

VERY nice stand. I'm really impressed. I'm kicking around the idea of building a stand for my next 65gal build and this is inspiring.

One idea though, that I would like to humbly submit...what about installing some sort of overlapping strip on the inside of the cabinet and canopy doors so you don't see the line of light peeking through the crack?

Just a thought...otherwise thanks for the pics and the inspiration!

runningstix · 12/12/2008, 06:13 PM

That along with the panels to hide the plumbing have been on my to do list. However it has been a whole lot easier not doing them in the mean time. Ive enjoyed the laziness I guess its time to get on it.

Soon I promise.

SlukBunWalla · 12/14/2008, 06:06 PM

Laziness...something I can definitely understand. I can make suggestions for YOUR tank but I wouldn't show the world of RC my tank for fear of all the "suggestions" I would get. haha

Great built though, for sure. Well done.

BigH55 · 12/14/2008, 06:19 PM

How did you mold the acrylic to make the skimmer. So many times ive told myself i could build one myself but could never figure out how to make neck of the skimmer.

runningstix · 12/14/2008, 06:22 PM

We used a heat gun on a piece of flat stock acrylic. once it was hot we took a metal object that was similar in size to our neck and pushed down on it while continuing to heat it. It took about 4 cycles of heating/pushing/cooling to get it deep enough and uniform.

BigH55 · 12/14/2008, 06:29 PM

Thats awesome where did you get the tubing and how much was it

Linina · 12/16/2008, 08:16 PM

Did you have any trouble with the dart intake/outtake threaded joints leaking? We teflon taped ours but still have a slow drip on those two joints. Any tips?

runningstix · 12/16/2008, 08:38 PM

Linina the dart instruction manual mentioned using the teflon putty. I used pipe dope from home depot and had no leaking issues whatsoever. Let me know if you want to borrow mine. I cant think of anything id ever use it again for beside another pump.

runningstix · 12/16/2008, 08:40 PM

Bigh55 we got the acrylic tube from a local plastics shop. We made 2 skimmers for $90 worth of acrylic. probably about $65 each including weldon 4,16,40 the pump, and vinyl tubing.

Linina · 12/16/2008, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by runningstix
Linina the dart instruction manual mentioned using the teflon putty. I used pipe dope from home depot and had no leaking issues whatsoever. Let me know if you want to borrow mine. I cant think of anything id ever use it again for beside another pump.

Instructions! Guess we should have read those.... pipe dope eh, i admit neither of us have heard of it but I am certain we will find it at HD. Thanks a ton!

Nammy · 12/17/2008, 06:56 AM

Great work!

BigH55 · 12/17/2008, 07:34 AM

Thats not bad at all. Im gonna try making my own skimmer and see how it works. Ive gotten a lot less for $90 in this hobby.

miwoodar · 12/17/2008, 09:37 AM

Hmmm...how did I miss this until now? Looking good Steve! Please keep us in the loop!

runningstix · 12/17/2008, 10:57 AM

bigh55 just take your time. We ran into a few hickups, nothing weldon 40 couldnt fix. Just look around see what features you like. Find the pump you will use before you start and make sure you like it. I used Rio 2500 Leif used Rio 2100. They pull massive air with the mesh mod and venturi. The first time we fired these things up we were quite impressed. It was fun, and its crazy to think you can build your own for basically nothing compared to high dollar skimmers. And my fish poo smells just as bad as theirs!

runningstix · 12/17/2008, 11:08 AM

Mike Im not sure how you missed it. I will keep everyone up to date. So far Im collecting frags and waiting. The coral growth in a month has been ridiculous. I will be adding a lot to the tank after christmas. I am looking for fish options, and more coral.

I had got 3 lyretails from key's the day he got them. I lost all three within a week and a half

I wanted to cry. Im not sure if it was bacteria or stress. My cleaner neon goby was glued to the three anthias picking something off. I lost that as well a day after the first anthias died, followed by the remaining 2. All other fish were fine, parameters were also perfect as I was checking daily through out the ordeal. I was seriously bummed.

I picked up that rainbow aussie last weekend and also got a couple heads of Pot of Gold Baby's Breath Favia. After christmas Im going chalice shopping, to the tune of Tyree!

miwoodar · 12/17/2008, 11:19 AM

Lyretails...I've always wanted some but have never pulled the trigger. I fear the same fate.

I have a neat chalice that you might be interested in. It should be frag-able by then.

runningstix · 12/17/2008, 11:28 AM

Ive always wanted them too. Here is the only picture I got the chance to take of one.

Here is a picture of our small derasa clam, no lights on but the coloration is pretty neat. This was for my wife, she gets her additions here and there to keep her interested and ok with the massive amounts of money that just "disappear". But I find it very interesting to watch.

I realize most my pictures suck. I have a great camera but cant use it to save my life when pointing it at a glass cube.

miwoodar · 12/17/2008, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by runningstix
...massive amounts of money that just "disappear".

That happens to you too?

Eel-byte · 12/17/2008, 06:39 PM

Sweet setup.

sixspeed · 12/18/2008, 02:08 AM

lyretail anthias are tough, some people seem to have more success when they feed frequently throughout the day.

02WRXGT30R · 01/10/2009, 10:58 AM

great tank man!!! I am glad I stumbled on this thread as I am about to do this same think I just purchesed a 50gal tank i am about to modifiy for a external overflow just like yours and also closed loop and cant decide to drill returns for cl or over top like yours...

How well does the cl return work do you have good flow every where

12/11/2008, 11:31 PM	#27
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	Steve-o the tank looks so much better without the Loc-Line! Thanks very much for the kind words but I was just there for moral support. It definitely was your idea and design. I just helped be your grunt. The build was fun and you did a great job on it. __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH

12/12/2008, 01:19 AM	#28
deaclauderdale Lover of Fishies Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 613	Wow!! Amazing build you got there. __________________ 70 Gal Cadlights (2) Radion G2's Bubble Magnus Curve5 Apex brain trust! Current Tank Info: Cadlights 70 reef tank, 2 Gen 2 Radions, BM Curve7 Skimmer

12/12/2008, 01:26 AM	#29
runningstix Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,544	Thank You! Will I can get about 8-9 gallons out of my return section for water changes. It was supposed to be 5 however I mounted my float switches after I measured and it draws some extra water above the baffles of the refugium. __________________ Go Buckeyes! Current Tank Info: tankless

12/12/2008, 06:01 PM	#30
SlukBunWalla Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Iowa City, IA Posts: 249	VERY nice stand. I'm really impressed. I'm kicking around the idea of building a stand for my next 65gal build and this is inspiring. One idea though, that I would like to humbly submit...what about installing some sort of overlapping strip on the inside of the cabinet and canopy doors so you don't see the line of light peeking through the crack? Just a thought...otherwise thanks for the pics and the inspiration! __________________ If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate. Click the red house for my 65 Gallon Build Thread Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef with 20 gallon sump/refugium, 2x250 halides, and a craaaaapy skimmer...and a 20H BTA/black occelaris tank with 4x24 T5HO...and a 15 gallon FOWLR with green spotted puffer.

12/12/2008, 06:13 PM	#31
runningstix Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,544	That along with the panels to hide the plumbing have been on my to do list. However it has been a whole lot easier not doing them in the mean time. Ive enjoyed the laziness I guess its time to get on it. Soon I promise. __________________ Go Buckeyes! Current Tank Info: tankless

12/09/2008, 12:37 AM	#26
will16 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 1,812	Hey runningstix, Glad to see you got a thread going. Came out great! Love the water change idea. I've been trying to come up with something more automated too. How many gallons can you drain from your return section? Great job! - Will

12/14/2008, 06:06 PM	#32
SlukBunWalla Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Iowa City, IA Posts: 249	Laziness...something I can definitely understand. I can make suggestions for YOUR tank but I wouldn't show the world of RC my tank for fear of all the "suggestions" I would get. haha Great built though, for sure. Well done. __________________ If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate. Click the red house for my 65 Gallon Build Thread Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef with 20 gallon sump/refugium, 2x250 halides, and a craaaaapy skimmer...and a 20H BTA/black occelaris tank with 4x24 T5HO...and a 15 gallon FOWLR with green spotted puffer.

12/14/2008, 06:19 PM	#33
BigH55 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Shiloh,IL Posts: 992	How did you mold the acrylic to make the skimmer. So many times ive told myself i could build one myself but could never figure out how to make neck of the skimmer.

12/14/2008, 06:22 PM	#34
runningstix Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,544	We used a heat gun on a piece of flat stock acrylic. once it was hot we took a metal object that was similar in size to our neck and pushed down on it while continuing to heat it. It took about 4 cycles of heating/pushing/cooling to get it deep enough and uniform. __________________ Go Buckeyes! Current Tank Info: tankless

12/14/2008, 06:29 PM	#35
BigH55 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Shiloh,IL Posts: 992	Thats awesome where did you get the tubing and how much was it

12/16/2008, 08:16 PM	#36
Linina Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Aurora, Colorado Posts: 366	Did you have any trouble with the dart intake/outtake threaded joints leaking? We teflon taped ours but still have a slow drip on those two joints. Any tips? __________________ 40 breeder, Elos Mini Current Tank Info: 40 breeder, elos mini

12/16/2008, 08:38 PM	#37
runningstix Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,544	Linina the dart instruction manual mentioned using the teflon putty. I used pipe dope from home depot and had no leaking issues whatsoever. Let me know if you want to borrow mine. I cant think of anything id ever use it again for beside another pump. __________________ Go Buckeyes! Current Tank Info: tankless

12/16/2008, 08:40 PM	#38
runningstix Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,544	Bigh55 we got the acrylic tube from a local plastics shop. We made 2 skimmers for $90 worth of acrylic. probably about $65 each including weldon 4,16,40 the pump, and vinyl tubing. __________________ Go Buckeyes! Current Tank Info: tankless

12/17/2008, 06:56 AM	#40
Nammy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New Maryland Posts: 1,638	Great work!

12/17/2008, 07:34 AM	#41
BigH55 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Shiloh,IL Posts: 992	Thats not bad at all. Im gonna try making my own skimmer and see how it works. Ive gotten a lot less for $90 in this hobby.

12/17/2008, 09:37 AM	#42
miwoodar Likey the bikey Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,371	Hmmm...how did I miss this until now? Looking good Steve! Please keep us in the loop! __________________ Mike On hiatus. I'm either out riding my bicycle, playing with my family, or throwing ferts in my planted tank. Or working. I hope I'm not doing that though. Current Tank Info: 140 DIY Cube

12/17/2008, 10:57 AM	#43
runningstix Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,544	bigh55 just take your time. We ran into a few hickups, nothing weldon 40 couldnt fix. Just look around see what features you like. Find the pump you will use before you start and make sure you like it. I used Rio 2500 Leif used Rio 2100. They pull massive air with the mesh mod and venturi. The first time we fired these things up we were quite impressed. It was fun, and its crazy to think you can build your own for basically nothing compared to high dollar skimmers. And my fish poo smells just as bad as theirs! __________________ Go Buckeyes! Current Tank Info: tankless

12/17/2008, 11:08 AM	#44
runningstix Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,544	Mike Im not sure how you missed it. I will keep everyone up to date. So far Im collecting frags and waiting. The coral growth in a month has been ridiculous. I will be adding a lot to the tank after christmas. I am looking for fish options, and more coral. I had got 3 lyretails from key's the day he got them. I lost all three within a week and a half I wanted to cry. Im not sure if it was bacteria or stress. My cleaner neon goby was glued to the three anthias picking something off. I lost that as well a day after the first anthias died, followed by the remaining 2. All other fish were fine, parameters were also perfect as I was checking daily through out the ordeal. I was seriously bummed. I picked up that rainbow aussie last weekend and also got a couple heads of Pot of Gold Baby's Breath Favia. After christmas Im going chalice shopping, to the tune of Tyree! __________________ Go Buckeyes! Current Tank Info: tankless

12/17/2008, 11:19 AM	#45
miwoodar Likey the bikey Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,371	Lyretails...I've always wanted some but have never pulled the trigger. I fear the same fate. I have a neat chalice that you might be interested in. It should be frag-able by then. __________________ Mike On hiatus. I'm either out riding my bicycle, playing with my family, or throwing ferts in my planted tank. Or working. I hope I'm not doing that though. Current Tank Info: 140 DIY Cube

12/17/2008, 11:28 AM	#46
runningstix Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,544	Ive always wanted them too. Here is the only picture I got the chance to take of one. Here is a picture of our small derasa clam, no lights on but the coloration is pretty neat. This was for my wife, she gets her additions here and there to keep her interested and ok with the massive amounts of money that just "disappear". But I find it very interesting to watch. I realize most my pictures suck. I have a great camera but cant use it to save my life when pointing it at a glass cube. __________________ Go Buckeyes! Current Tank Info: tankless

12/17/2008, 06:39 PM	#48
Eel-byte Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Duluth, Mn Posts: 1,508	Sweet setup.

12/18/2008, 02:08 AM	#49
sixspeed Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston Posts: 416	lyretail anthias are tough, some people seem to have more success when they feed frequently throughout the day.

01/10/2009, 10:58 AM	#50
02WRXGT30R Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Tenessee Posts: 145	great tank man!!! I am glad I stumbled on this thread as I am about to do this same think I just purchesed a 50gal tank i am about to modifiy for a external overflow just like yours and also closed loop and cant decide to drill returns for cl or over top like yours... How well does the cl return work do you have good flow every where