kresdfw's DSA 175g Build Thread

[kresDFW]

So after a few years of research (I was holding until after the move to a new state), I finally took the plunge and started my reef tank. Being from Dallas, I really liked the DSA tanks so when I got to Phoenix, it was great to see stock carried locally.

After trying to decide on the 175g (72Lx27Wx21H) or the 225 (72Lx27Wx27H), I decided on the 175g since it would be easier to reach the bottom of the tank. My next challenge was deciding on if I should build the stand myself or purchase DSA's stand. There were advantages to both, but since I wanted to have something very customizable, I decided to do it myself. So, off to google sketchup I go.

These are the sketches I decided to go with:





I haven't decided on what to do with the canopy or lighting, so I figured I would hold off and research more while the build was in progress. I placed the order for the tank and basically waited for the tank to arrive to do final measurements.

While the tank is arriving, I decided to finish off my list of supplies:
5-Stage RODI
Lighting - Leaning towards 3x Kessils with T5's (Updated: changed to 3x ATI Hydra 26's and 4x T5 lamps with 2x blue+ and 2x coral+)
Sump - Trigger Systems Tide48
Skimmer - JNS ConeS CO3
Return Pumps - Dual Jecod/Jebao DCT6000's (one for each return line)
Wavemakers - 2x RW-15's
Heaters - 2x 250W Eheim Jager
Salt - Red Sea Coral Pro
Refractometer
Sand - 5x 40lb bags of CaribSea Special Grade Reef
Rock - 100lbs of Pukani & 100lbs of Fiji (will decide on what gets used after aquascaping).
Controller - Apex with Lab Grade Probe and extra eb8 and breakout box
Test Kits - API, Salifert, and Hanna Checkers
Lots of other stuff, but I figured for time sake not to get that granular.


Tank arrived:



Let me preface, I actually had to learn woodworking to do this project. I practiced building a dining table, 2 beds with headboards, shelves, a console table and a few frames. I learned a good bit before I was comfortable enough to try the build myself. With the tank in the garage, I did the final measurements and everything looked good. I went to the hardware store and had them deliver the wood and spent the weekend squaring the lumber through the planar and table saw before assembling.

[kresDFW]

Stand build progress:










To help vent moisture, I ordered a fan and installed it on the left side.

[kresDFW]

With the stand basically finished, I took the opportunity to build a new console for the tv to match my tank stand.



I then knocked out a few QT stands (one for me and one for a friend).




I decided to house the apex and electrical equipment in a seperate box outside of the stand. So I build a box that would mount on the wall to the right of the tank and ordered extension cords for all the outlets. I decided to make a recessed box in the wood for the Apex display.



I finally made a decision on what to do for lighting. I opted for 3x AI Hydra 26's and 4x T5 lights. This should give me enough spread over the tank, and I'll design a canopy where I can install more t5 bulbs if needed. AI sale, so I'm going to grab the 26's.

Goodies arrived! Apex with lab grade probe, an extra eb8 power bar, and 3x 26's.



Now to test and see if the apex display fits my recessed spot on the electrical box. Lucky for me, it fits.



Trigger Systems Tide48 sump arrived (after a little over a month) - with a hole in it! I'm very surprised that the delivery company tried to pass this off. The hole was a vollyball size and it looked like they drove a forklift into it. Unfortunately for the LFS that I talked into getting signed up to order this sump had customers in the show and signed for it after a quick inspection.



The LFS went ahead and placed an order for another sump. The distributor pushed it back to the LFS to fight the shipping claim from the first unit, which has now turned into a legal situation. I will say that through all of this, Trigger Systems was great to work with and helpful in everyway.

After a few weeks, the replacement sump arrived and I was able to put it in the stand.

[kresDFW]

Alright, so now to get serious about the canopy design. If I didn't do the t5 supplemental lighting, I would have just used AI's lighting racks. I know I wanted to push the hydra 26's about 11-12" from the water line, so I would need a floating canopy to do this. I have a vaulted ceiling in the living room so I was unsure if I'd be able to have it all suspended. I need to have an electrician come out to drop a couple of circuits and lines just for the tank. Since he'll be in the attic, I'll see if he runs into any trouble with it.

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Okay, electrican came and dropped the dedicated lines. I decided to go up into the attic when he left to look at installing cross boards for the hanging canopy. This was a nogo. I saw a large cobweb and my fear of spiders had me climbing down from the attic to go draft something else.

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New draft finished for canopy. For support I'll put a 2x6 board on the wall for about 70 inches and I should hit 4 studs for support. This will support the bulk of the weight and Hunter (evolved) recommended I add cables to the front to keep it from sagging.
This is what I came up with:




Back to the garage to start building.
The back brace piece (mounted on the wall):



And the canopy that slides into the brace piece:



I was able to get the canopy mounted to the wall, shim the stand, and put down the FLOR tiles (thanks d2mini for the idea from your old cube build).



I rounded up some friends and today, after 3.5 months of having the tank sit in the garage, it is finally in the house!


After the AZ Frag/Prop Auction, I mounted the electrical box next to the tank and this is all the progress I have so far.



Over the next few days, I'll remove the canopy and install the lights. I got the miro-let 60in retro kit to handle the 4 bulbs (2 in front of the AI Hydra 26's and 2 in the back). I also need to start working on the aquascaping, but I might delay that by giving the rock a lanthanum dip first. When I'm satisfied with the aquascaping I'll proceed with the plumbing of the tank and get it filled with water to start the cycle. I'll start posting updates from this point out. Sorry for the pic heavy post, but I had a lot to catch up on.

[Sangheili]

Really digging the style on the stand - great job.

[vitodog]

Nice job on the stand and I like your plan to house the Apex and other electrical components in a separate box. Looking forward to updates.

[jstephens24]

awesome build. Looking forward to watching it progress

[kresDFW]

Originally Posted by Sangheili

Really digging the style on the stand - great job.

Thanks Sangheili, the stand build was a learning experience and I would have never taken on the job if it wasn't for Rocketengineer and the stand build thread(s) on RC.

Originally Posted by vitodog

Nice job on the stand and I like your plan to house the Apex and other electrical components in a separate box. Looking forward to updates.

Thanks vitodog, besides protecting the electrical equipment, it will make things much more convienient.

Originally Posted by jstephens24

awesome build. Looking forward to watching it progress

Thanks jstephens!

[rwb500]

looks great! one suggestion - you're going to have an awful lot of wires coming out of that box for the apex. I try to build an electronics area into the stand whenever possible.

[kresDFW]

Originally Posted by rwb500

looks great! one suggestion - you're going to have an awful lot of wires coming out of that box for the apex. I try to build an electronics area into the stand whenever possible.

Thanks rwb500! I'm still trying to figure out if I want to keep all the apex modules in the breakout box, or move them into the tank and hide them in the cable raceway. I haven't had a chance to research if it would effect the operation of the apex modules if I used usb extensions or if it would be best to do extensions for the probes. I'm sure there's got to be a little power loss by extending, but it might not be enough to make a difference.

[kresDFW]

So Sunday was a productive day in the garage. Bulk trash pickup is today, so I was able to get the pallets and a lot of extra wood from the projects out of the garage.

As I mentioned before, I purchased 100lbs of figi and 100lbs of pukani rock and I wanted to see which I liked working with the most. I worked with the layouts in the garage, then cut up some eggcrate for it to sit on. I removed the top white trim from the tank and placed it all in.

I'll let it sit this way for a few days to see if I still like it, but this is the aquascape I came up with.

[dotcommer]

Great build, tagging along.

[Ratpack]

Very nice build. Tagging along to see how it all comes out.

[Ariel110G]

just crazy cool!!!!

[kresDFW]

Originally Posted by dotcommer

Great build, tagging along.

Thanks dotcommer!

Originally Posted by Ratpack

Very nice build. Tagging along to see how it all comes out.

Thanks Ratpack!

I've been working late the last few days, but I'm almost finished with installing the lighting in the canopy. Tonight I should be able to finish it off.

Since I'm comfortable with the aquascape so far, I'm going to trim back the eggcrate and start rinsing sand. I should have an updated picture late tonight to show progress.

[kresDFW]

Originally Posted by Ariel110G

just crazy cool!!!!

Thanks Ariel110G!

[kresDFW]

So today I spent cleaning sand and trimming back the eggcrate. It took a bit longer than I expected, but at least I can scratch that off the list. I think I'm set on this aquascape for now.

I also plugged in the Hydra's and turned them on. One of them had a noisy fan, and when I lifted up the cover, one of the fins broke on the fan. It's not making noise anymore, but I'll reach out to AI tomorrow and see if I can get a replacement fan.

Over the next few days I'm going to work on plumbing. I think I've procrastinated on this part long enough. My goal is to start filling the tank by the end of this weekend.

Updated pics with sand:

[murdock84]

Looking great!

[Savant]

Great looking stand! Awesome looking tank and build!

[kresDFW]

Originally Posted by murdock84

Looking great!

Thanks murdock84!

Originally Posted by Savant

Great looking stand! Awesome looking tank and build!

Thanks Savant!

[cromag08]

Fill er up already Wayne! This is the tank I want, but it's no longer available as a standard size. you got it just in time.

[kresDFW]

Originally Posted by cromag08

Fill er up already Wayne! This is the tank I want, but it's no longer available as a standard size. you got it just in time.

Yeah I finished the plumbing yesterday, and I plan on filling the tank up on Thursday. Tomorrow I'll finish the electrical box since I didn't get much accomplished today.

I saw that DSA was making some changes. I know the local distributor had another 175g in stock a few months ago so you might still ask locally.

[kresDFW]

So tonight I broke open a bottle of wine to sit back and relax and program the apex. I didn't finish that glass, so it's time for an update.

The last days have been very busy. I was double checking all the plumbing and found a lose fitting from the union that went into the bulkhead. Turns out the bulkhead was cracking from the fitting being screwed in too far. On Friday I replaced the bulkhead and at night I was able to pump at least 110 gallons into the tank. I pumped another 100g or so into the tank today and got the pumps going. It was a relief to see water in the tank!




After dinner I broke open some wine to program the APEX. It took a good bit for me to understand some stuff on the programming side, or so I thought.

The return pumps kept going on and off (I could hear the full syphon trying to establish). So I was working on the pump profile on the Apex. I decided to go into the living room to see what all the ports I labeled were as I stepped into water...

Water.. all over the floor. I looked at the display and it was draining.



Panic mode set in and I sprung into action! I got the pump out of the garage that I used to pump water into the house and started pumping it out of the sump. I thought it was odd that the sump was overflowing. (That should key you in on the rookie mistake I made today.) I pumped out the water and noticed the tank stopped draining.

I love the FLOR tiles, they absorbed a super amount of water. I used all the towels in my bathroom and the guest bathroom and a few rolls of paper towels and had my wet dry vac going.

After I got about all the water up that I could, I inspected the seals on the tank. Everything looked good. Then underneath the tank in case the glass broke. Nope, not that either. Then I looked at the return lines and noticed that draining stopped at the lowest return. I immediately knew of my mistake.. something I've read from others over the years that I totally didn't pay attention to. The returns became a syphon to the tank and sucked it all back down to the sump.

I turned on one of the return pumps and got the sump back to normal level to see how much water I lost. It looks about 50g or so, so I started making water again.

I wanted to have the returns push water in back of the rocks and also have them push it somewhat lower than the filtered water didn't just end up right back into the overflow. Well, I think I'm going to have to abandon that plan. I would drill a anti-syphon hole, but I'm afraid that those will fail and after this water mess, I'll just go through the same.

Also, the Apex really should make a distinction between powerheads and pumps. If the pumps would have stayed on, at least I wouldn't had to deal with the water tonight.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to replumb the return? Should I just put them back up an inch below the surface?

[cromag08]

I always keep my returns high and let them agitate the surface of the water. use powerheads for directional flow. and of course, perform a "power out" test to ensure you don't flood again.

[screamingibis]

Take some pics of your JNS skimmer. Once you get it up and running, let us know how you like it.