Robb in Austin Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 My 75 sprung a leak last weekend. And, like any reefer worth their salt, I used the tragedy to upgrade.Backstory;A week ago or so, my wife worked from home on Friday and told me she found water on the floor by the 75. I figured it was due to the fish splashing water out whilst feeding (something that will happen from time to time) and said "don't worry about it". We woke up that Saturday and found more. Some quick research revealed a leak coming from the front bottom seam of the tank. We spent the rest of the day breaking down the tank. The last FTS are in my 75 build here:http://www.austinreefclub.com/topic/7750-my-75g-build/page-5As of now, the only casualty has been my blue-green chromis.Lots of research, mostly scouring ARC, the LFS, Craigslist, MAAST, DFWMAS, and MARSH, later and I found a reef ready 215g with a stand from Dave (aka Prof). It now sits in my garage being prepped.I snagged a 75 off Craigslist to turn into a sump (you can see it sitting on the floor in the background).The first step is to strip the blue background and repaint it black. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 Wait a minute... I just recently upgraded to a 215-gallon and have a 75-gallon sump as well. Is your new tank my tank doppelganger? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted May 23, 2014 Author Share Posted May 23, 2014 What can I say; you inspired me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 Looking forward to the build bud! Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veni Vidi Vici Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Awesome!!! A new build! CLICK! Subscribed..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted May 24, 2014 Author Share Posted May 24, 2014 Question for the masses. Should I use Spaflex or rigid PVC for the plumbing? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Why not both ? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted May 24, 2014 Author Share Posted May 24, 2014 Gimme your pitch Mr. 4155. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted May 24, 2014 Author Share Posted May 24, 2014 I suppose I should provide some updates. The 75 I got for the sump had the center brace removed, due to being broken. I still need to clean up the edges due to being ratchet. I've leak tested it and hope to build it this weekend. I quoted both Regal Plastics and Binswanger for 4 pieces total of 1/4" plastic or glass. 1 piece of 17.5" by 14" and 3 pieces of 17.5" by 10". They both wanted ~$44 for the material. And just FYI, Regal isn't doing the scrap bin anymore (or not at least last Tuesday). Thankfully, Prof had some scrap acrylic and hooked me up with for a nominal fee. (Also FYI, a 75 is roughly 17.5" inside dimensions so your baffles should be 17.25". ) ) The 215 is leak testing in my garage, even though Dave leak tested it for me too, just to be safe. It's been leak free for 48 hours and I'll leave it for a few more days. I stripped all the blue off the background (sooooo 1990s) and repainted it black with 2 coats. It looks like it will need another. (FYI, when SWMBO tells you to use a foam rubber/neoprene roller brush, do not listen. The sponge holds the majority of the paint and doesn't want to let it go. Cue Frozen theme song for the parents.) I need to buy new bulkheads. I already bought a new skimmer, an Aquamaxx EM300 based on good reviews at Reef Central, but am waiting on it to come in. I also purchased some dry from from KB-Reefs.com and am waiting for it to show up. I'll need new lights eventually but that may have to wait until next month. And I'm looking at another MP40 for flow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted May 28, 2014 Author Share Posted May 28, 2014 Background is now black. I just ordered 2 of the new Jebao RW-15 wireless powerheads for flow. I'm somewhat excited to see what these things can do in comparison to my MP40W. The plan is to run the MP40 along the length of the tank, towards the front, and place the RW-15's along the back wall (given the wires in the tank) to provide random flow. I'm not too terribly sure how I am going to orient the returns but will be aiming for random with some slight gyre effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted May 29, 2014 Author Share Posted May 29, 2014 Picture time! (Apologies for the glare.) The tank cleaned, mostly, and painted black. The first two baffles installed in the sump. The rock and the powerheads are scheduled to be here Saturday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Planeden Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Looks great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Great work Robb! That tank is going to be a beauty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 That tank sure cleaned up nicely. Looking good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+olaggie01 Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Tank is looking good Rob. I wish I knew you were looking for a skimmer, as I have a great Deltec for sale (and even a 90g sump that already has baffles in it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted May 29, 2014 Author Share Posted May 29, 2014 I saw the skimmer and almost bit on it. Didn't know about the sump though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted May 31, 2014 Author Share Posted May 31, 2014 More pictures! The rock and power heads all came in today. The rock will be rinsed then placed in SW to get it cycling. I also got new bulkheads from RCA and will get the plumbing started this weekend. Here is the power head. It's tiltable but doesn't rotate, although you can change which axis it tilts by changing the orientation of the power cord. Size comparison. This is the wet side. It's about the same diameter of the can too. Close up of the controller. I'll get picks of the rocks in a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 I want to see that powerhead in action! Maybe I can sneak two of them on the back glass of my tank! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted June 1, 2014 Author Share Posted June 1, 2014 From what I read on RC, I'm wondering if I should got the RW-8 instead for back wall use. The 15's apparently are kicking out a ton of flow. There are some YouTube reviews already too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted June 1, 2014 Author Share Posted June 1, 2014 Rock pictures! I got this rock from kb-reefs.com. I found them via eBay and knew from the pictures that it wasn't quite as nice as Marco Rocks but was hoping for close. I was scared when I first unpacked it. A good rinse helped. A little bit. I got 175lbs for $300 and it arrived today. Marco Key Largo dry is 150lbs for $315. BRS dry reef saver is 175lbs for $419. From what I've seen, all of this rock is harvested from the same, or at least similar, locations in Florida. The MR and BRS stuff is very holey. In retrospect, I should have gone with Marco Rock. Much holier and the cost difference would account for my 2 hours of rinsing the KBR rock. It will be fine to use as base rock and build my aquascape but it could have been better. And in the tub with SW beginning to cycle. I put some rock rubble I had in the sump, which is now dry and covered in gunk, into the tub to hopefully help it along. I may drop some pellets or other food in there to help too. I placed my Eheim 1260 and an MaxiJet 1200 in there to help circulate the water. I used tap water and some Coralife salt mix to make up the water. I figure the fact that it's outside and circulating pretty well will drive off chlorine/chloramines pretty quick and as such I did not use any dechlorinator. Once the rock is done, I'll move it to the tank and add some Seachem Prime just in case any residual chlorine/chloramine laced water makes it over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+olaggie01 Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 Nice looking pump. I bough some great dry rock off amazon. $1.50/lb shipped. Nice stuff. http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Ocean-12-Inch-Aquarium-40-Pound/dp/B00F8DVAO4/ref=sr_1_5?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1401627504&sr=1-5&keywords=dry+rock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted June 1, 2014 Author Share Posted June 1, 2014 I think if I bought another batch of rock I'd get kicked out of the house. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 You can move in with me bud if you bring that tank with you! Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted June 1, 2014 Author Share Posted June 1, 2014 It would be coming too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted June 15, 2014 Author Share Posted June 15, 2014 Update inbound! Short version: tank in house, plumbing done, water running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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