New Build, First Timer

Conor_K · 11/29/2015, 07:34 PM

So i think I am finally far enough along to start my own build thread.

125 Gallon 4' tank, bought used.

Purchased so far:

BRS Refractometer
BRS Value Plus 4 stage 75gpd RO/DI
Red Sea Marine Care Test kit (everything except Ca, Mg, PO4)
40 Gal Breeder for sump

On the list to buy:
Wavline DC10000ii
Vortech MP's
Apex
Life Reef Skimmer (not sure which yet, thoughts on this and the pump to with it would be great)

Lighting (no idea yet, want the ability to do it all including SPS. . )

Now the fun stuff:

Old overflows removed:
[IMG]

[/IMG]

Stand built and painted with Kilz:
[IMG]

[/IMG]

Skinned:
[IMG]

[/IMG]

Tank Drilled and Bulkheads installed:
[IMG]

[/IMG]

Holes patched:

Front corners re-siliconed:
[IMG]

[/IMG]

Looking forward to more and getting eveyone's input throughout the rest of the process.

Cheers,
C

Bogue Chitto · 11/29/2015, 08:32 PM

Looks like you are off to a good start...

gigamanx · 12/01/2015, 07:36 AM

Following your build Conor since you and I are at about the same place in our builds and mine is 135g 6ft long with 40g sump

Trade notes?! I'm about to drill my bean animal holes. 1" bulkheads have arrived so I'm now ordering the 45mm diamond bit so I can get to work. I've also ordered the baffles for the sump so I can put that all together. Went with a Bubble Magus 5 skimmer.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2538438

Conor_K · 12/01/2015, 07:53 AM

On Drilling, mine went ok. Not perfect. Not sure how thick your glass is, but mine is very thick.

I used a drill press which makes it easier but isn't needed.

Recomendations:

Gooo slow, like way slower then you think slow is.

Tape the back side of the hole. If you can drill from both sides, do it.

Let the bit fully cool down between each drilling.

I was in a bit of a rush as my brother was at my house for a short time and I needed his help getting the tank inside after drilling. I didn't tape and didn't wait long enough in between holes.

This resulted is some very thin sheets of glass coming off on the back side of the last hole as the bit was working its way through.

Not the end of the world, but I could have done much better...

Greybeard · 12/01/2015, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conor_K

On Drilling, mine went ok. Not perfect. Not sure how thick your glass is, but mine is very thick.

I used a drill press which makes it easier but isn't needed.

Recomendations:

Gooo slow, like way slower then you think slow is.

Tape the back side of the hole. If you can drill from both sides, do it.

I've found that a piece of plywood and a couple of spring clamps helps with break through... The good news is that I had the same kind of issue you did while figuring that out... and it never caused a problem.

Conor_K · 12/01/2015, 09:50 AM

Yes, in hind site, I would have taped and used the wood as you described.

Nice to hear you didn't have any issues though. I drilled from the inside out so the in tank side of the holes are perfect and the bulkhead gasket on the outside appears to more than take care of the minor defects i have.

I assume this goes without saying, but use plenty of water too cool as you drill.
I had a constant flow going over the drill bit as i went.

Conor_K · 12/02/2015, 09:49 PM

Ok, time to start setting up the sump.

I am tentatively planning on no fuge, but I'll set it up so that i can add one later if I see a use for it.

Return chamber will be in the middle, external pump so one more hole to drill.

Here's my question, do I place this hole as low as possible while maintaining integrity? That is for a 1" bulk head I'll go a little more than an 1 1/2" up from the bottom of the tank?

I assume this is the way to go, but I have not read much on this.

Cheers,
Conor

Conor_K · 03/11/2016, 07:30 PM

Alright so after some hibernating over the winter, progress is being made.

Tank and stand in position:

Plumbing Started:

Sump almost done, overflow complete and ready to install:

Should be wrapping up the plumbing and silicone work this weekend. Then time to start making water and ordering rock/sand.

Macro rock seems to have a good deal on a rock and sand combined order for what should be about the right amount of both for me.
Anyone have any experience or thoughts on their rock and or sand?

Thoughts always welcome.

Cheers,
C

Conor_K · 03/11/2016, 08:05 PM

For the life of me, I don't know why some of those pictures are so big.

Very annoying..

crocogator106 · 03/12/2016, 01:39 AM

How far from the top of the tank did you drill the holes for the bulkheads? I'm going to drill mine in a few days and am still a little unclear on the distance. From what I can figure they should be about 2" below the top.

Conor_K · 03/12/2016, 10:29 AM

I believe the rule of thumb is you want to be at least 1.5x the hole diameter away from an edge of the tank or another hole. I used this for my hole spacing left to right. I went a little farther from the top.

1" bulkheads need around a 1.75" hole saw so the center of your hole should be
2 5/8" from an edge of the tank or another hole.

gigamanx · 03/14/2016, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conor_K

I believe the rule of thumb is you want to be at least 1.5x the hole diameter away from an edge of the tank or another hole. I used this for my hole spacing left to right. I went a little farther from the top.

1" bulkheads need around a 1.75" hole saw so the center of your hole should be
2 5/8" from an edge of the tank or another hole.

I did about the same. I read somewhere 3 1/2" from the top of the black trim around the top since the top of the tank and the top of the trim are different. Essentially I used my bulkhead to measure everything. I have one full bulkhead space between each one (if you put 5 next to each other but only drilled three, that's the same amount of space). I also drilled one bulkhead space down from the top of the trim. It worked out to be about 5" if I were measuring from the top of the tank (no the trim) to the center of the bulkhead.

Conor_K · 04/15/2018, 04:14 PM

2 YEARS LATER....

Talk about a slow build. Had some things around the the house and family that took financial precedence so the build came to a halt.
Two years later, I'm back at it and ready to really get this thing off the ground now

Some things i have changed since i originally started:
Redoing the sump:
Putting the bubble trap prior to the return section instead of after the return section.
Going to an under/over/under baffle to make cleaning easier.
Slightly increased the return section. My return is a little lower in the tank than i would like so i want to make sure I have room for back siphon.

Rocks in. Not complete, but pretty close. I want to do some more work on the left.
I'd love opinions on this. Anyone see any problem areas for future corals.
It's going to be long and slow, but eventually plan to do a lot of SPS.
I'm a little concerned i am not utilizing enough height in the tank, but I think it looks good. Any input on max depth below the water surface for peaks?

Next is my two biggest decisions. Controller and Lights.
I am leaning toward the Profilux, but this is tough. Apex is a little more affordable and more widely used. Everyone likes whichever one they own. I haven't seen any major downsides to either. I'm very torn.

Lights it comes down to the Geisemann Vervve's or G4 Pro's.
Thinking two fixtures of either. I like the Vervve, but it seems like no one is using them and very little I have found in the way on reviews on them.

Decisions, Decisions. It's great to be back at it!

IgnatiusRath · 04/19/2018, 04:08 PM

After sitting on my Starphire tank and apex for over a year now I just got back to upgrades myself/tank construction myself, so I totally understand having to put life over tank. Having had the Apex up for a few weeks now I absolutely love it and find it really easy to use. Not a long time user, but for ease of setup and learning I'd recommend it to anyone who's comfortable playing with technology.

Conor_K · 04/22/2018, 12:50 PM

OK so i think I am about done with my rockscape.

Two concerns I am wrestling with:

-Not sure i am utilizing enough height in the tank.

-A little concerned i just have too much rock in there in general.

Overall i am pretty darn happy with it though. I'm trying to get a bit of a peninsula look as I'll be able to view the tank end from my chair in living room while the main view will be in the new man cave.

Would love some input from everyone!

11/29/2015, 07:34 PM	#1
Conor_K Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Canandaigua, NY Posts: 152	New Build, First Timer So i think I am finally far enough along to start my own build thread. 125 Gallon 4' tank, bought used. Purchased so far: BRS Refractometer BRS Value Plus 4 stage 75gpd RO/DI Red Sea Marine Care Test kit (everything except Ca, Mg, PO4) 40 Gal Breeder for sump On the list to buy: Wavline DC10000ii Vortech MP's Apex Life Reef Skimmer (not sure which yet, thoughts on this and the pump to with it would be great) Lighting (no idea yet, want the ability to do it all including SPS. . ) Now the fun stuff: Old overflows removed: [IMG][/IMG] Stand built and painted with Kilz: [IMG][/IMG] Skinned: [IMG][/IMG] Tank Drilled and Bulkheads installed: [IMG][/IMG] Holes patched: Front corners re-siliconed: [IMG][/IMG] Looking forward to more and getting eveyone's input throughout the rest of the process. Cheers, C Last edited by Conor_K; 11/29/2015 at 07:51 PM.

12/01/2015, 07:53 AM	#4
Conor_K Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Canandaigua, NY Posts: 152	New Build, First Timer On Drilling, mine went ok. Not perfect. Not sure how thick your glass is, but mine is very thick. I used a drill press which makes it easier but isn't needed. Recomendations: Gooo slow, like way slower then you think slow is. Tape the back side of the hole. If you can drill from both sides, do it. Let the bit fully cool down between each drilling. I was in a bit of a rush as my brother was at my house for a short time and I needed his help getting the tank inside after drilling. I didn't tape and didn't wait long enough in between holes. This resulted is some very thin sheets of glass coming off on the back side of the last hole as the bit was working its way through. Not the end of the world, but I could have done much better... Last edited by Conor_K; 12/01/2015 at 08:02 AM.

03/11/2016, 07:30 PM	#8
Conor_K Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Canandaigua, NY Posts: 152	Alright so after some hibernating over the winter, progress is being made. Tank and stand in position: Plumbing Started: Sump almost done, overflow complete and ready to install: Should be wrapping up the plumbing and silicone work this weekend. Then time to start making water and ordering rock/sand. Macro rock seems to have a good deal on a rock and sand combined order for what should be about the right amount of both for me. Anyone have any experience or thoughts on their rock and or sand? Thoughts always welcome. Cheers, C Last edited by Conor_K; 03/11/2016 at 08:03 PM.

11/29/2015, 08:32 PM	#2
Bogue Chitto Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 960	Looks like you are off to a good start...

12/01/2015, 07:36 AM	#3
gigamanx Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Hershey, PA Posts: 77	Following your build Conor since you and I are at about the same place in our builds and mine is 135g 6ft long with 40g sump Trade notes?! I'm about to drill my bean animal holes. 1" bulkheads have arrived so I'm now ordering the 45mm diamond bit so I can get to work. I've also ordered the baffles for the sump so I can put that all together. Went with a Bubble Magus 5 skimmer. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2538438

12/01/2015, 09:50 AM	#6
Conor_K Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Canandaigua, NY Posts: 152	Yes, in hind site, I would have taped and used the wood as you described. Nice to hear you didn't have any issues though. I drilled from the inside out so the in tank side of the holes are perfect and the bulkhead gasket on the outside appears to more than take care of the minor defects i have. I assume this goes without saying, but use plenty of water too cool as you drill. I had a constant flow going over the drill bit as i went.

12/02/2015, 09:49 PM	#7
Conor_K Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Canandaigua, NY Posts: 152	Ok, time to start setting up the sump. I am tentatively planning on no fuge, but I'll set it up so that i can add one later if I see a use for it. Return chamber will be in the middle, external pump so one more hole to drill. Here's my question, do I place this hole as low as possible while maintaining integrity? That is for a 1" bulk head I'll go a little more than an 1 1/2" up from the bottom of the tank? I assume this is the way to go, but I have not read much on this. Cheers, Conor

03/11/2016, 08:05 PM	#9
Conor_K Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Canandaigua, NY Posts: 152	For the life of me, I don't know why some of those pictures are so big. Very annoying..

03/12/2016, 01:39 AM	#10
crocogator106 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Alabama Posts: 371	How far from the top of the tank did you drill the holes for the bulkheads? I'm going to drill mine in a few days and am still a little unclear on the distance. From what I can figure they should be about 2" below the top.

03/12/2016, 10:29 AM	#11
Conor_K Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Canandaigua, NY Posts: 152	I believe the rule of thumb is you want to be at least 1.5x the hole diameter away from an edge of the tank or another hole. I used this for my hole spacing left to right. I went a little farther from the top. 1" bulkheads need around a 1.75" hole saw so the center of your hole should be 2 5/8" from an edge of the tank or another hole.

04/19/2018, 04:08 PM	#14
IgnatiusRath Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 50	After sitting on my Starphire tank and apex for over a year now I just got back to upgrades myself/tank construction myself, so I totally understand having to put life over tank. Having had the Apex up for a few weeks now I absolutely love it and find it really easy to use. Not a long time user, but for ease of setup and learning I'd recommend it to anyone who's comfortable playing with technology.