Corner Tank Build - 54 gallon

[The River Reef]

looking really good, i'm sure this is going to come out great given how much thought you're putting into it

the only thing i might suggest is a lip coming down from the front of the overhang you're attaching the lights to, just to keep from being blinded every time you look at the tank. not sure what your light fixture is gonna be like, so maybe disregard that.

Appreciate the feedback. I am designing a mixed 150 MH with approx 30 LED DIY light. It will be contained in an enclosure, the LEDs have optics, the MH has reflector. But I will definitely try and dress up the stand with some trim especially on the overhang. The idea is purely a way to hang a light fixture and hide my plumbing. My couch is on the side of the tank and it will look silly pulled off the wall staring at the plumbing behind the tank, IMO. Wanted to keep it simple, I am no carpenter

 

[The River Reef]

Ive been looking to build a canopy for my 54 gallon tank because i cant seem to find one for sale around here so i figured id share it with you, albeit your going another route though. I never really wanted one before, but i have a few reasons for wanting one now: i want to be able to keep some of the cool wrasse that are notororious jumpers, i want to hid all my lighting, and i want to prevent light from escaping (at night it is especially annoying)

Heres a simple build, it doesnt go into much detail but there isnt much out there for builds on these canopies. http://www.reefland.com/forum/diy/22894-54-corner-canopy-build-totw-11-25-07-a.html

also heres another cool 54 corner build with tons of DIY stuff, i really like the overflow he did, but the blue theme is ugly as all hell. came across all this when looking up build info. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2025924

Really appreciate the links... They are nicely done! I would love to see your progress and how cool is it that we can help with our builds. Why did you not use the UV? It is going on this system.
I didn't want a canopy, the sump is going to be well enclosed and wanted some air flow and open access up top. My top is too hang a light fixture and hide plumbing and wires only. I have seen conduit and other brackets used... I thought this solution offered me more benefits and I like the Fluval edge look it has. I just hope my lack of wood working skills doesn't hurt it.
I kept everything in 1 foot increments for the lumber. It should be pretty simple with all the planning I did. I even figured the length of material and that's how I priced it out to make sure it was justified by cost.

 

[danzig]

Really appreciate the links... They are nicely done! I would love to see your progress and how cool is it that we can help with our builds. Why did you not use the UV? It is going on this system.
I didn't want a canopy, the sump is going to be well enclosed and wanted some air flow and open access up top. My top is too hang a light fixture and hide plumbing and wires only. I have seen conduit and other brackets used... I thought this solution offered me more benefits and I like the Fluval edge look it has. I just hope my lack of wood working skills doesn't hurt it.

I kept everything in 1 foot increments for the lumber. It should be pretty simple with all the planning I did. I even figured the length of material and that's how I priced it out to make sure it was justified by cost.

Well im mostly done with my tank build, im really just upgrading equipment here and there, and perfecting it. I swapped out my sump for a better one and re-plumbed it more efficiently 2 days ago. Im on a quest for a completely silent tank. my plan to get some aeration for gas exchange and etc is to have a good fan cut into the back of the canopy with another fan cut into the other side, one pulling one pushing air, will help with heat from MH and aeration while keeping my fish in the tank and a nice clean look.

I didn't use the UV because i just feel they are unnecessary. Alot of people like them, but i just dont need it.

 

[The River Reef]

First thing I need some advice on... I have very limited space between pump intake and where bulkhead will go. Trying to figure out how to plumb this? I can go direct into the bulkhead but afraid of ease of disassemble and pressure vibrations without some flex??? Any ideas


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[Flame Angel]

Hello, could you just put the pump parallel to the tank and add an elbow?

 

[Dashiki]

You want a true union ball valve bewtween the pump amd bulkhead or you will never be able to service the pump.

 

[The River Reef]

Lol... Six months and I can't find half of my supplies already in this hobby! This is one of 3 storage areas, today if all goes well there will be progress. Post some pics good or bad later


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[The River Reef]

Finally got my RODI setup... No more annoying trips to LFS for water!


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[The River Reef]

I will post some pictures of what I got done today next from my Ipad where the pics are... the design of the frame will change slightly after I realized I needed more clearance for the plumbing. I will be working out the backup pipes plumbing tomorrow night. The lower main drain is 1" with just siphon cover. I have 2 - 1/2" returns in place just outside the overflow ends. here is the updated design, the framing will be finished tomorrow.

 

[The River Reef]

First drain drilled bulkhead passed basic leak test...
Oooh so that is what tempered glass does? Well so much for the taller sump for now. Off to drill the 10 gallon, can always replace it down the road. It was a pain getting that darn tank in the first place.
The 10g drilled easy...
Will put some flex pipe between the pump and sump and be good to go.



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[The River Reef]

Here are some more of the framing, just started. And the drains and returns. Everything is drilled. The larger tank I finally got of a member was apparently tempered all around. It was really strange size also: 20x10x16.5
The 15 and 16 are 18" and 19",I guess this was a 12.5 then??? If anyone has a non tempered 15 or 16 I could use one...
Finish framing tomorrow night and start plumbing. Any tips on the back up drain for plumbing... I have a bucket full of choices, lol!


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[The River Reef]

Framing is up...
Next will plan the plumbing and sump then do the finishing work on the stand. Getting there baby steps


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[Pat02026]

I don't want to beat a dead horse; you should seriously consider an internal pump with the tight space your working with. That external pump is going to put a lot of stress on the thin glass of the 10 gal. Even with flex tubing connecting to it, the constant vibration is going to lead to problems down the road given the proximity of the pump to the sump. Plus if you free up space under the stand, you could probably fit a decent sized external skimmer next to the sump and gain back some water volume inside your sump and have room for overflow water with the system shut down; those mfg'd stands for the 54's are terrible in the sense that they allow absolutely no room to work with underneath.

I am not trying to be a downer, just hopefully lending helpful advice that will save you aggravation in the long run!

 

[The River Reef]

I don't want to beat a dead horse; you should seriously consider an internal pump with the tight space your working with. That external pump is going to put a lot of stress on the thin glass of the 10 gal. Even with flex tubing connecting to it, the constant vibration is going to lead to problems down the road given the proximity of the pump to the sump. Plus if you free up space under the stand, you could probably fit a decent sized external skimmer next to the sump and gain back some water volume inside your sump and have room for overflow water with the system shut down; those mfg'd stands for the 54's are terrible in the sense that they allow absolutely no room to work with underneath.

I am not trying to be a downer, just hopefully lending helpful advice that will save you aggravation in the long run!

Lol you mean the 10g that shattered last night when I tested fitted it to that pump? 2 tanks down already for my sump design... I am considering a few changes, I also have brand new mag5. The last time I tried the sump, it was heating the water up like crazy. I had the skimmer, return, etc. all in the sump, not good for heat. I also own 2 hob skimmers but just purchased my first brand new reef octopus ( still in the box ) for this tank. Really set on using it. Appreciate the advice, I am trying to rethink the sump. Do you think the mag5 mounted externally with flex tube would work better? I really want to keep the return out of the water.

 

[afsportsguy000]

Maybe dont go glass for the retrun...set up an over flow into a rubber container and shoot it up from there?

 

[Dashiki]

If you stick with external use the clear poly pipe to attach to thebulkhead. It will be more forgiving.

 

[The River Reef]

New toys... Man that skimmer is soooo much bigger than I thought it was. It claims to be rated for 130-208 gallons, lol! My 54g won't know what hit it! Got new reactor also...


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[The River Reef]

I have a pile of broken tanks ready for trash guys...


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[Pat02026]

I wouldn't be too concerned about heat; I have no experience with the mag pumps to say for sure, but my reef keeper turns on a 300w heater at anything under 75* room temp to keep my tank at 78* and the 250w mh adds quite a bit more heat than anything else in my tank does. I grabbed my eheim 1262 for like 50$ used and it is silent, and even after feeding the display, carbon, gfo, and calcium reactors it's still restricted with a ball valve to about 3/4 power. I'd bet you could trade that pump you got for one, or sell it to fund a new/used one. It's got a small footprint too. Look up the dimensions on eheim's site. It will probably draw far less amperage than your external too. Worst case if your set on that pump/layout, try and find yourself either an acrylic tank or sump. It will be far more forgiving than the thin glass of the tanks your trying to work with now. Everything else is looking great so far though!

 

[mf88]

i ran 2 mag 12 one return and one for the skimmer in my 90 that did not make the water any hotter then it was stayed at 79.9