First 100 gallon tank build (on a tight budget)

Coppertop412 · 01/11/2011, 12:44 AM

OK, first of all I've never posted on here before, just done a lot of reading. I've wanted to start a saltwater tank for a few years and with all the DIY stuff, I figure I should be able to get one up and running without refinancing the house! I picked up a 100 gallon (60Lx19Wx20H) off Craigslist with stand for $85. I got a drill bit and 3 bulkhead fittings off Fleabay for about $25. I spent $35 at lowes for most of the plumbing for a BeanAnimal overflow. I need to get my glass for the coast to coast overflow (4" tall by 3" wide), and drill the tank. I'm going to use a used 55 gallon for my sump ($40 off Craigslist). Ive seen a lot of 'build on a budget' threads on here that had a bigger budget than I'm working with, so we'll see how this one goes!
I painted the inside of the stand with Kilz primer/sealer I had left over from the house. I will post pics as I go, once I figure out how

Coppertop412 · 01/11/2011, 04:37 AM

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/...umstuff002.jpg

Dino · 01/11/2011, 04:58 AM

This thread has been moved to the current forum.

Coppertop412 · 01/13/2011, 05:01 PM

Well my glass for the overflow wasn't ready yesterday, should be today. I went ahead and painted the outside of the stand black.

Coppertop412 · 01/13/2011, 05:14 PM

I made the template for the holes to be drilled, but I want to wait until I get the glass for the overflow before I drill.

aquaenthusiast · 01/13/2011, 10:00 PM

Keep up the good work I'm a fan of DIY stuff, especially making good use of items found on Craigslist.

Coppertop412 · 01/14/2011, 09:07 PM

Well, I have my glass for the overflow, and now I'm trying to decide if I want to drill first or install the overflow pieces first. I still haven't gotten the 55 gallon I'm going to use as a sump yet, but I do have another one (with a cracked front) I was thinking of sealing a piece of acrylic to the inside of the front of it (or better yet make that the back) but then thats one more thing to worry about leaking! Hopefully tomorrow I'll get up in time to do something (either drill or install the overflow) before I go to work.

Islander84 · 01/15/2011, 02:41 AM

have you checked to see if glass is tempered? it will shatter if you try to drill it.

Coppertop412 · 01/15/2011, 03:07 AM

The bottom MAY be tempered, but I don't think the back is. I have found a couple site that say you can tell with polarized glasses and an LCD screen, but I don't have any polarized sun glasses! I'll just keep my fingers crossed!

bmiller1234 · 01/15/2011, 05:28 AM

Coppertop, I have the same older model perfecto tank and the sides are not tempered.

Stand looks great and your well on your way.

Coppertop412 · 01/15/2011, 05:49 AM

Thats good to hear! I can't see anything that says a brand or any mention of 'tempered, do not drill'. I've never drilled glass before, but from what I've read (mainly on RC) and seen on Utube, go slow and very light pressure. I put the first piece of the overflow in tonight (the horizontal piece). Tomorrow I will either drill or put the other piece on. Hopefully it comes out level!

Frogmanx82 · 01/15/2011, 10:25 AM

A build on a budget, I never heard of such a thing.

chimmike · 01/15/2011, 10:28 AM

I predict this budget to be shot to heck fairly soon. They all usually are

Coppertop412 · 01/16/2011, 05:47 AM

got the overflow in, first the horizontal, then the vertical piece.

Coppertop412 · 01/17/2011, 11:32 PM

Well I got it drilled, and the bulkheads installed and leak checked the tank and the overflow... It all looks good to go. I don't know why I was so afraid to drill, I guess just because I've never done it before

The tank I got for my sump had a cracked front (just like the one I already had!) so I took the good side off of one and put it on the other in place of the cracked side on it. I'm a big fan of making due with what I have instead of buying another one. The first 55 was free from a friend, the second one was $20 with a reptile screen I should be able to resale. So $20, some silicone, and some time and I have the tank for my sump. Now I just need to get the baffles and silicone them in and finish my plumbing.

Saltwatercoral2 · 01/18/2011, 01:25 AM

what are you doing for lights n skimmer?

PMUnprotected · 01/18/2011, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saltwatercoral2

what are you doing for lights n skimmer?

Copper should probably just worry about getting water in there first! HEHE

Coppertop412 · 01/18/2011, 03:18 AM

I don't plan on getting a skimmer just yet. I have been looking at some DIY ones, but I think they are a little beyond my abilities. I may get a used one down the road. As for lights I have my eye on some cheap (and I do realize there is a difference between cheap and inexpensive) PC lights on Fleabay.
As soon as I finish getting my plumbing supports figured out, and my baffles in the sump, I will move it to the office and plumb my RO/DI line to it and start filling it. Next payday I will get a bucket of salt, a hydrometer and PH meter. Once I get my tax return I will probably get my lights, some more sand and a couple pieces of live rock to seed my DIY rock.

chimmike · 01/18/2011, 07:56 AM

Avast has some DIY kits that look decent

will46r · 01/18/2011, 08:25 AM

Do the terms 100G tank build and tight budget belong on the same page????

Good luck!

Coppertop412 · 01/19/2011, 05:51 AM

I made some more progress tonight. I got the baffles in my sump and the return lines made. I dry fitted (if that's even a word) my pipes and marked the pipes and fittings so I could take them apart, apply the primer and the glue, and put them back together at the same angles. I have everything glued except where the short pipe from the tee goes into the bulkhead fitting. I'm afraid to actually glue to my bulkhead because if I ever have to take it apart, I would have to cut it off the bulkhead and replace the bulkhead. I should be able to wrap some teflon tape around the pipe going into the bulkhead and get it to seal.
Here are some pics of the plumbing:

glueing them together:

I painted the pipes with black Krylon Fusion paint. I also got my RO/DI installed and ran the line to the office (where the tank is going).

Chimmike, I looked at those skimmers from Avast! I think I'm gonna get me one of those with my tax return! I have to get the pump with it, but for $235 that looks pretty good! I've been looking at ones that people have made out of a bunch of PVC pipe and fittings and such, those seem a little beyond what I want to try. I wish I had seen their site before I bought my Weld-On glue too!

chimmike · 01/19/2011, 08:08 AM

one tip for ya. I think you'll want to use some unions on your plumbing so that if you ever have to move or disconnect anything, you can without having to make cuts.

Tat2demon · 01/19/2011, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chimmike

one tip for ya. I think you'll want to use some unions on your plumbing so that if you ever have to move or disconnect anything, you can without having to make cuts.

Listen to this guy. I used the Bean overflow and love it however I didnt use unions. If I need to anything with my sump Ill have to cut my plumbing halfway behind the tank.

Coppertop412 · 01/19/2011, 05:04 PM

Does it matter where the unions go? I'm thinking right below the tee? Or right above the first 45?

Tat2demon · 01/20/2011, 01:49 PM

Either would work but I would go as high as possible.

01/11/2011, 12:44 AM	#1
Coppertop412 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Medford, OR Posts: 145	First 100 gallon tank build (on a tight budget) OK, first of all I've never posted on here before, just done a lot of reading. I've wanted to start a saltwater tank for a few years and with all the DIY stuff, I figure I should be able to get one up and running without refinancing the house! I picked up a 100 gallon (60Lx19Wx20H) off Craigslist with stand for $85. I got a drill bit and 3 bulkhead fittings off Fleabay for about $25. I spent $35 at lowes for most of the plumbing for a BeanAnimal overflow. I need to get my glass for the coast to coast overflow (4" tall by 3" wide), and drill the tank. I'm going to use a used 55 gallon for my sump ($40 off Craigslist). Ive seen a lot of 'build on a budget' threads on here that had a bigger budget than I'm working with, so we'll see how this one goes! I painted the inside of the stand with Kilz primer/sealer I had left over from the house. I will post pics as I go, once I figure out how

01/11/2011, 04:58 AM	#3
Dino Freak of Nature Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Finding my way back to the boondocks Posts: 11,048	This thread has been moved to the current forum. __________________ Cody I will love and miss you until the last beat of my heart Harley & Rusty.

01/15/2011, 02:41 AM	#8
Islander84 Reefer Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Clarksville Posts: 457	have you checked to see if glass is tempered? it will shatter if you try to drill it. __________________ Life is not complex. We are complex. Life is simple, and the simple thing is the right thing. - Oscar Wilde

01/15/2011, 03:07 AM	#9
Coppertop412 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Medford, OR Posts: 145	The bottom MAY be tempered, but I don't think the back is. I have found a couple site that say you can tell with polarized glasses and an LCD screen, but I don't have any polarized sun glasses! I'll just keep my fingers crossed! __________________ Current Tank Info: 100 gallon reef build, 55 gallon sump, BeanAnimal/Coast-to-Coast overflow, C-Skim 1800 skimmer, DIY LED lights

01/15/2011, 05:28 AM	#10
bmiller1234 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cranberry TWP PA Posts: 802	Coppertop, I have the same older model perfecto tank and the sides are not tempered. Stand looks great and your well on your way. __________________ Brian Am I hallucinating here? Just what in the hell do you think you're doing?

01/13/2011, 10:00 PM	#6
aquaenthusiast Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Garner, NC Posts: 416	Keep up the good work I'm a fan of DIY stuff, especially making good use of items found on Craigslist.

01/14/2011, 09:07 PM	#7
Coppertop412 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Medford, OR Posts: 145	Well, I have my glass for the overflow, and now I'm trying to decide if I want to drill first or install the overflow pieces first. I still haven't gotten the 55 gallon I'm going to use as a sump yet, but I do have another one (with a cracked front) I was thinking of sealing a piece of acrylic to the inside of the front of it (or better yet make that the back) but then thats one more thing to worry about leaking! Hopefully tomorrow I'll get up in time to do something (either drill or install the overflow) before I go to work.

01/15/2011, 05:49 AM	#11
Coppertop412 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Medford, OR Posts: 145	Thats good to hear! I can't see anything that says a brand or any mention of 'tempered, do not drill'. I've never drilled glass before, but from what I've read (mainly on RC) and seen on Utube, go slow and very light pressure. I put the first piece of the overflow in tonight (the horizontal piece). Tomorrow I will either drill or put the other piece on. Hopefully it comes out level! __________________ Current Tank Info: 100 gallon reef build, 55 gallon sump, BeanAnimal/Coast-to-Coast overflow, C-Skim 1800 skimmer, DIY LED lights

01/15/2011, 10:25 AM	#12
Frogmanx82 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,515	A build on a budget, I never heard of such a thing. __________________ Exodus 8:2 Check my homepage for tank pics and details. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon, 2x maxspect R420R LED, 4 Ocellaris Clowns, Yellow Eye Kole Tang, Flame Angel, Foxface Rabbitfish, Banggai Cardinals, Azure Damsel, rock flower anemone, cleaner shrimp, serpent star

01/15/2011, 10:28 AM	#13
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	I predict this budget to be shot to heck fairly soon. They all usually are __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

01/17/2011, 11:32 PM	#15
Coppertop412 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Medford, OR Posts: 145	Well I got it drilled, and the bulkheads installed and leak checked the tank and the overflow... It all looks good to go. I don't know why I was so afraid to drill, I guess just because I've never done it before The tank I got for my sump had a cracked front (just like the one I already had!) so I took the good side off of one and put it on the other in place of the cracked side on it. I'm a big fan of making due with what I have instead of buying another one. The first 55 was free from a friend, the second one was $20 with a reptile screen I should be able to resale. So $20, some silicone, and some time and I have the tank for my sump. Now I just need to get the baffles and silicone them in and finish my plumbing. __________________ Current Tank Info: 100 gallon reef build, 55 gallon sump, BeanAnimal/Coast-to-Coast overflow, C-Skim 1800 skimmer, DIY LED lights

01/18/2011, 01:25 AM	#16
Saltwatercoral2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,617	what are you doing for lights n skimmer?

01/18/2011, 03:18 AM	#18
Coppertop412 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Medford, OR Posts: 145	I don't plan on getting a skimmer just yet. I have been looking at some DIY ones, but I think they are a little beyond my abilities. I may get a used one down the road. As for lights I have my eye on some cheap (and I do realize there is a difference between cheap and inexpensive) PC lights on Fleabay. As soon as I finish getting my plumbing supports figured out, and my baffles in the sump, I will move it to the office and plumb my RO/DI line to it and start filling it. Next payday I will get a bucket of salt, a hydrometer and PH meter. Once I get my tax return I will probably get my lights, some more sand and a couple pieces of live rock to seed my DIY rock. __________________ Current Tank Info: 100 gallon reef build, 55 gallon sump, BeanAnimal/Coast-to-Coast overflow, C-Skim 1800 skimmer, DIY LED lights

01/18/2011, 07:56 AM	#19
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	Avast has some DIY kits that look decent __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

01/18/2011, 08:25 AM	#20
will46r Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 199	Do the terms 100G tank build and tight budget belong on the same page???? Good luck!

01/19/2011, 05:51 AM	#21
Coppertop412 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Medford, OR Posts: 145	I made some more progress tonight. I got the baffles in my sump and the return lines made. I dry fitted (if that's even a word) my pipes and marked the pipes and fittings so I could take them apart, apply the primer and the glue, and put them back together at the same angles. I have everything glued except where the short pipe from the tee goes into the bulkhead fitting. I'm afraid to actually glue to my bulkhead because if I ever have to take it apart, I would have to cut it off the bulkhead and replace the bulkhead. I should be able to wrap some teflon tape around the pipe going into the bulkhead and get it to seal. Here are some pics of the plumbing: glueing them together: I painted the pipes with black Krylon Fusion paint. I also got my RO/DI installed and ran the line to the office (where the tank is going). Chimmike, I looked at those skimmers from Avast! I think I'm gonna get me one of those with my tax return! I have to get the pump with it, but for $235 that looks pretty good! I've been looking at ones that people have made out of a bunch of PVC pipe and fittings and such, those seem a little beyond what I want to try. I wish I had seen their site before I bought my Weld-On glue too! __________________ Current Tank Info: 100 gallon reef build, 55 gallon sump, BeanAnimal/Coast-to-Coast overflow, C-Skim 1800 skimmer, DIY LED lights

01/19/2011, 08:08 AM	#22
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	one tip for ya. I think you'll want to use some unions on your plumbing so that if you ever have to move or disconnect anything, you can without having to make cuts. __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

01/19/2011, 05:04 PM	#24
Coppertop412 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Medford, OR Posts: 145	Does it matter where the unions go? I'm thinking right below the tee? Or right above the first 45? __________________ Current Tank Info: 100 gallon reef build, 55 gallon sump, BeanAnimal/Coast-to-Coast overflow, C-Skim 1800 skimmer, DIY LED lights Last edited by Coppertop412; 01/19/2011 at 05:20 PM.

01/20/2011, 01:49 PM	#25
Tat2demon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sioux Falls, SD Posts: 833	Either would work but I would go as high as possible. __________________ Nate cham - "Taste it, if it tastes like poop.....it is." Current Tank Info: 400 gallon in progress. 8x3x2.5

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