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Unread 07/16/2017, 05:53 AM   #1
DeepBlueSea
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DeepBlueSea's return to reefkeeping

This is going to be a long process... starting from 'scratch' ( I have reef experience). In no rush what-so-ever and will purchase equipment over time . Right now... use what I have in storage.

April 30, 2017- Broke out equipment that had been in storage for years and plumbed this together to re-cure rock.

Bermuda BPS-3c protein skimmer, 2 eheim pumps, two heaters, icecap 660 and some old t5 lighting.



That's a 32g BRUTE filled with old dried rock. Took 50 days for the cycle to occur.

Purchased new guts for my old 25gal/day spectrapure RO/DI and now I have a 90 gal/day unit.

Once cycled, performed a 75% water change and put the lights over. Threw in a clean up crew and letting the rock continue to cycle through typical algae blooms. Hopefully a couple more weeks I'll start to see coralline algae growing. (Purchased 3 small pieces of LR from the LFS to seed.

A few weeks later I purchased a Tunze ATO. System right now is in a set and forget mode. Just keep the ATO reservoir filled, keep an eye on pH. It's doing its thing.

In the meantime, started to build a stand. 73x26x38



Over next few weeks will skin it and figure out doors. Not sure of the tank yet. May do a 180, 150, 120, maybe 2 60 cubes side by side... maybe custom... only time will tell. Who knows this stand may not even end up being a display stand. Could go into a 'fish room'.

Threw some buttons in the can, just to have something to look at.



Hopefully this build will come to fruition. My return to reef keeping has been a long time coming.


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Unread 08/20/2017, 04:34 PM   #2
DeepBlueSea
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slow and steady... the stand is starting to take shape.


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Unread 09/16/2017, 12:48 PM   #3
DeepBlueSea
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DeepBlueSea's return to reefkeeping

Primed and first coat of paint applied. Planning on lite sanding and two more coats on the exterior.

Purchasing prefabbed doors...

Should be completed by end of the month.


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Unread 09/16/2017, 12:57 PM   #4
premilove
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DeepBlueSea's return to reefkeeping

Great looking stand


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Unread 09/16/2017, 04:31 PM   #5
DeepBlueSea
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Quote:
Originally Posted by premilove View Post
Great looking stand
Thanks.. been squeezing in the work slowly. Can't wait (but will) to actually have an aquarium to place on top... been toying with the idea of actually building a 160 eurobraced myself. Not sure I have the balls to do that though. If I go standard tank, either a 120 or 180 is going on it.

May try to build a glass custom sump and ATO supply to be able to 'practice' silicone injection method. See if it's worth saving $1200 on building the tank myself.

No rush though... stilll need to install a dedicated electric sub-panel & transfer switch and venting to extract moisture outside.

Slow & steady


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Unread 09/30/2017, 02:13 PM   #6
DeepBlueSea
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First of many deliveries to show up at the door step.




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Unread 10/02/2017, 12:36 PM   #7
DeepBlueSea
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40 breeder going to make the perfect size sump. ($50 PETCO SALE) 1/4" polished edge glass dividers, baffles etc on order. Total price with mods should run around $200. Lot better than the custom acrylics running $450+

Finished product few weeks time... Stay tuned.


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Unread 10/31/2017, 01:29 PM   #8
DeepBlueSea
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Finally got around to building the sump.


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Unread 10/31/2017, 01:57 PM   #9
DeepBlueSea
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I've been working on my quarantine system.


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Unread 11/06/2017, 03:03 PM   #10
DeepBlueSea
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. 29g Quarantine tank dual overflows installed. 7 day cure and should be able to get this system up and running.


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Unread 11/12/2017, 02:51 PM   #11
DeepBlueSea
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Due to a $9,000 surgery for my dog.. thinking my build is going to be delayed.

Converted the quarantine system into something I can tinker with in the meantime.


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Unread 11/12/2017, 03:55 PM   #12
DeepBlueSea
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Pretty happy with this 29g setup. I drilled the tank corners and then decided to use modulardesign overflows.

I installed the one on the right a 1/4 lower then the left and with a ball valve.

I have a full siphon running on the right. The left is running quietly, without a gurgle at all.

Running a Eheim 1262 rated at 900




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Unread 11/15/2017, 04:50 PM   #13
DeepBlueSea
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After 6 months of the garbage can setup... I have saltwater fish again.







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Unread 11/22/2017, 12:38 PM   #14
DeepBlueSea
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Unread 12/13/2017, 02:46 PM   #15
DeepBlueSea
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Collection of equipment continues even if the main display is on hold.


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Unread 12/15/2017, 12:22 PM   #16
DeepBlueSea
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Complete overkill but... 2 Radions X15 pro over my 29.. running AB+





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Unread 05/28/2018, 09:34 AM   #17
DeepBlueSea
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With any luck. My 29’er will be broken down and transferred to a newly drilled 120 gallon system within 2 weeks time.


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Unread 05/28/2018, 11:43 AM   #18
SereneAquatic
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After we finish with our latest catastrophe (ugh) we want to begin a slow process of converting our attached garage into living space and fish room. I would really like to pick your brain some time about the best way to plan it out in advance. We're still fairly new, but we know that what we have now is not the end for us. We need a tank big enough to hold the fish we really want.


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Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 425 XL Deluxe, Nano Max, 55g Observation, 20g QT
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Unread 06/02/2018, 09:18 AM   #19
DeepBlueSea
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Tank drilled... Time to paint the back and start the plumbing work.







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Unread 06/03/2018, 04:23 PM   #20
DeepBlueSea
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Drilled...
Painted...
Modular Marine over flow plumbed...
Return lines plumbed...
Pvc glue curing..
RO / DI starting to filter. Threw some old lighting over one side just for kicks.


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Unread 06/05/2018, 09:57 AM   #21
McPuff
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When you built the stand, were you able to simply use cut-to-length trim pieces along the edges? Or did you have to router anything? Looks good!


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Unread 06/06/2018, 09:44 AM   #22
DeepBlueSea
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Quote:
Originally Posted by McPuff View Post
When you built the stand, were you able to simply use cut-to-length trim pieces along the edges? Or did you have to router anything? Looks good!


I actually cut out the doors with just an electric jigsaw. That was a solid sheet of 3/4" ply, screwed to the 2x6 Fram and I didn't want to lose the rigidness of that cross support. Technically, the stand doesn't have a center brace. If I ever needed to, I could cut out that center looking brace and have a fully exposed /accessible cabinet.

The door cut outs aren't as straight as I would have liked but once I place the doors on, no one will ever know.




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Unread 06/06/2018, 09:46 AM   #23
DeepBlueSea
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And I did use just home depot trim pieces. Didn't router anything myself though I did have to modify the base corners a bit for the look from the side.


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Unread 06/06/2018, 06:26 PM   #24
uclamatthew
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Looks good so far. Looking forward to seeing more!


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Planning newest tank... Red Sea XL 425, dual MP40QDs, dual Vectra M1 return pumps, custom fuge in sump, Apex controller, lights, etc. TBD
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Unread 06/08/2018, 09:48 AM   #25
DeepBlueSea
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Operational... Didn't have a single leak. Modular design overflow with bean animal is silent. Don't want to install my venturi PS due to how silent the system is, that's happening later today though.

Inside glass hasn't been wiped down, still looks a bit cloudy.

Rock and live stock transfered from 29'r. Literally just transfered without aqusacaping thoughts.

Aquascaping this weekend...




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