JT's Custom 40 Gallon

[jt_milstead]

This is the very beginning of the build.

With the pending upgrade being mostly fish only with a few corals with movement, I decided to build a minireef.
I ordered a custom 40 gallon 24X18X20, left side overflow, eurobraced with black stand.This is right next to my desk so I will get to view it alot. I recently noticed someone went with a lighter back so Im giving it a try as well.I leak tested it in the garage first. I had one leak on the return but got it fixed.
http://i551.photobucket.com/albums/ii479/jt_milstead/IMAG0019.jpg

Here is one of the rock formations. It's a bad picture but you get the idea. I'm sure when its in the tank it will look way better.
http://i551.photobucket.com/albums/ii479/jt_milstead/IMAG0021.jpg

More information to come soon.

[seareef]

Looking good JT. Love the dims on that tank.

[jt_milstead]

Thanks, its a work in progress. I will probably have it running this afternoon.

[specvjeff]

Sweet tank!


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[Custom Aquatic]

very nice. Keep up the good work.

[rudy]

I like it. Looks good so far.

[Vince]

Love color, nice work!! the led's are going to have some nice contrast on the background!!!

[jt_milstead]

Update..
Until I get the LED fiture Im going to run MH. Its pretty strong so its hard to get a picture, plus its still pretty cloudy....
I still need to get the flow figured out...

http://i551.photobucket.com/albums/ii479/jt_milstead/IMAG0081.jpg

[BentBrent]

Looks great JT!

[Stephen]

Those are some awsome dimensions

[bbandu]

Looking good

[jt_milstead]

I added a little more rock. I think thats about all im going to add......
http://i551.photobucket.com/albums/ii479/jt_milstead/IMAG0032.jpg

[THT419]

Awesome rock set up

[ManTis]

Nice setup! I call dibs when u are tired of this tank, which is like in a couple of months! hahaha :lol:

[Brian_reefragr]

Nice setup! I call dibs when u are tired of this tank, which is like in a couple of months! hahaha :lol:

LOL, you think it'll last that long?! He was probably tired of it after having to figure out the rockwork! Put me in line after Mike please, lol.

[SDguy]

I like the rock structure very much.

[jt_milstead]

Smart asses....Im going to go all the way with this little tank. Im even going to give some SPS a try.Then in March the big tank with mostly fish with minimal coral.

[davocean]

Nice, like the simple rockwork as well, looks clean.

[jt_milstead]

Thanks Peter & Dave....

[Brian_reefragr]

Looking good for sure JT, keep it up. I may have a piece or 2 for ya.

[Vince]

I think Nick did his rock work for him--=-lol

[jt_milstead]

I think Nick did his rock work for him--=-lol


Nope had the wife help....:lol:

[mcdonaldtj]

Looks awesome, What LED's are you going to use? I want that rock that you have LOL.

V/Tim

[jt_milstead]

Looks awesome, What LED's are you going to use? I want that rock that you have LOL.

V/Tim

Sorry not available. Im going to go with something dim-able...

[mcdonaldtj]

Are you going to go DIY? From personal experience with just Royal blue and cool white LED's the growth is amazing but the color needs some work. I am going to add UV vilolet LED's to my fixture to see if it will make a difference. If it doesnt then I am going to add Fiji Purple T-5's to assist in this problem.

V/Tim

[jt_milstead]

Are you going to go DIY? From personal experience with just Royal blue and cool white LED's the growth is amazing but the color needs some work. I am going to add UV vilolet LED's to my fixture to see if it will make a difference. If it doesnt then I am going to add Fiji Purple T-5's to assist in this problem.

V/Tim
No I dont have that kind of knowledge, hell i was barely able to drill this rock...lol

[davocean]

Have you seen those inline dimmer switches eco just put out?
I think like $19, works on eco and currents LEDs I know, maybe others.

[bpro32]

Orphek has dimmable par 38-like bulbs.

[keoni]

+1 on the clean look of the build. sometimes less is more.

[jt_milstead]

Im moving over what corals i do have, and I think its gonna be just about full...lol

[davocean]

Orphek has dimmable par 38-like bulbs.

Isn't Orphek the company that caused all the headaches w/ LEDs and dimmers in the first place thanks to that BS patenet issue?

[ensiferum321]

wasn't that PFO with the solaris?


Isn't Orphek the company that caused all the headaches w/ LEDs and dimmers in the first place thanks to that BS patenet issue?

[bpro32]

Isn't Orphek the company that caused all the headaches w/ LEDs and dimmers in the first place thanks to that BS patenet issue?

I know nothing about headaches or BS :D

[Nick_Kun]

PFO is now Reefbrite

[davocean]

PFO was the first company that got jacked by Oraphek for using dimmable LEDs, and that was what opened the big can of worms making companies scared to make LEDs, especially w/ dimmers, which the combo was claimed to be a patent violation.
Sadly at the time Oraphek didn't even want anything to do w/ reef lighting, I didn't know they even came on board for that.

[Nick_Kun]

Ok, we can stop spamming jt's build thread now :lol:

[davocean]

Ok, we can stop spamming jt's build thread now :lol:

I was just thinking same thing, sorry JT, but it is worthy info.
Now, back to our regularly scheduled program...

[bpro32]

Jt, what size drill bit/rods did you use?

[jt_milstead]

Jt, what size drill bit/rods did you use?

I borrowed from Larry(Bbandu) 1/2" masonry bit.....

[bpro32]

I borrowed from Larry(Bbandu) 1/2" masonry bit.....

Did you also use 1/2" rods?

I think when I did it someone recommended a 5/8" bit and 1/2" rods but I had lots of extra room through the holes.

[jt_milstead]

Did you also use 1/2" rods?

I think when I did it someone recommended a 5/8" bit and 1/2" rods but I had lots of extra room through the holes.

I forgot to mention that i bought some smaller masonry bit to drill a i pilot hole first, i was afraid that top piece was going to break. Im not sure what size the rod was, but it was tight to get in.

[davocean]

Pilot holes are a good idea.
If you use the same size bit as rod it may be a bit tight, I usually use one size up for bits myself.

[SDguy]

I used the same size bit and rod, without issue. I didn't want the play you get from the extra space. FYI, even 1/2" starts to bnd over time, especially on my tallest rod (25").

The faster you drill, the less likely you are to break the rock, BTW.

[jt_milstead]

I took a few pics of the some of the fish in my tank. Some of these will go in the big tank later this year.....

Splendid Dottyback a really cool fish, seems very mellow, unlike some other
http://i551.photobucket.com/albums/ii479/jt_milstead/IMAG0039.jpg

Black Sailfin Blenny chillin on the rock
http://i551.photobucket.com/albums/ii479/jt_milstead/IMAG0041.jpg

Potters Leopard Wrasse, Hard to get a decent pic of this little guy
http://i551.photobucket.com/albums/ii479/jt_milstead/IMAG0073.jpg

[Ars3nal619]

Hey JT, how did the light hanging kit work out for you? Did you install it on this tank?

[jt_milstead]

Hey JT, how did the light hanging kit work out for you? Did you install it on this tank?
Yeah Jerry im using them thanks for the deal!!!