New to the Reef ( My 100gl)

[garywebb96]

hello everyone! I have been doing a lot of reading and research and finally started to try and put a tank together. I have a 100 gl AGA with a 1 inch over in the back corner. I horse traded for this tank and with it came a little giant pump, mag drive 9.5B submersible pump, Current Orbit compact fl. fixture (60"), and a bucket of reef crystals. I have purchased a reef octopus skimmer and a RO/DI filter from purelyH2O. My plan is to drill the back wall of the tank for two 1 1/2" overflows and use the existing overflow as a return. I also plan on building a sump/refuge from a sheet of acrylic bought from the local glass shop, (MAN, this stuff is expensive)! This is probably going to take awhile to get up and running because I have gotten busy at work and to tell you the truth I'm basically a lazy dog. So, that's about it for now. I am now going to try and add photos to this post. If you see um then that means I figured out how to work this machine.

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[garywebb96]

Here are some pics of the stand construction. Thanks to my buddy Jeff! I think, it sure cost me a lot of beer!![IMG][/IMG]


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Think this will hold that tank up?


I used durarock concrete board for the top and bottom of the stand.


corner overflow


the pumps
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[CarmieJo]

Hi Gary and to TR!

It looks like you are on your way to a nice set up. That is some heavy duty construction. I am almost certain you could put an elephant on the stand!

[garywebb96]

Oops! Those pics were huge. I think I know what to do. Here we go!!

The skimmer
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RO/DI
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[garywebb96]

Thanks CarmieJo!
Yeah, I figured it needed to be strong but after we built it we obviously saw it was overkill. Oh well better safe than sorry.

[garywebb96]

Now all I need to do is get motivated again. Maybe I'll get this thing together before I take a dirt nap.

[rayme07]

Hi Gary and Welcome to TR.

Your tank and stand look great and you are on your way to a wonderful tank. Great choice of skimmer by the way.

[garywebb96]

Thanks Rayme07. The reef octopus seems to be a good skimmer for the price. Of couse I dont know much as I haven't ever used a skimmer before. All the tanks I ever had were fresh water.

[garywebb96]

I plan on getting the doors for the stand built in the next couple of weeks if my carpenter buddy has time. He has been busy lately and he helps me on the cheap, ( as in free)!
if the weather is right this weekend I am going to try and start building the sump. It seems like the weather gets lousy everytime I get motivated around here. Thats my excuse and I'm stickin to it! The sump I plan on building is modeled after one off Melevs Reef. The model G modified is what I designed the one I plan to build off of. I have a measured drawing worked up but I haven't a clue how to put it in the thread. The deminsions are 40"l x 20"h x 15" deep. That's as big as it can be and still have room for the external pump and an electrical control panel.

[saltaddict]

Very nice - you build stands like I do!! Over build is not a bad thing - a lot of the stands that are for sale in the stores are scary. I always envision the stand crumpling under the weight of the tank!

[garywebb96]

Thanks Saltaddict.
I agree, those storebought stands seem extremely cheap made to me.
I don't trust them either.