120 Build

[mineman]

So it finally began! My aquarium should be in tomorrow. I am learning about the Reef Angel on my current tank so I should know enough about it to get it working properly on the 120. I am looking at purchasing Meanwell drivers for my Panarama Pros in order to dim them and do clouds and storms with the Reef Angel but that is awhile down the road. The custom stand begins...

http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u513/mineman_usn/6c6bea5c.jpg

[Brian_reefragr]

Redwood stand, I bet that thing smells great!

[mineman]

It does smell great, but redwood is only for the frame, it will be covered in oak and lots of molding. Im building the stand at 40" rather than the standard 30" (I know maintenance will be a bear, but Im willing to sacrifice for a better viewing angle).

[slicktoppomp]

Cant wait to see what it looks like finished. +1 on the the tall stand. Built mine at 40 too.

[Mario]

just out of curiosity, why did you decide to go with the Reef Angel over the other controllers?

[mineman]

Mario, I liked that the Reef Angel is open source, meaning that it can basically do anything that you program it to do. I also love the Wifi feature.

[mineman]

Tank should be here next week. I hope to have the stand done by then. After that I will be working on the plumbing and canopy. Hopefully Ryan will have my sump by then, he sure has helped me tons through this! :theman:http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u513/mineman_usn/ee20d003.jpg

[av619]

Looks really nice... I'll have to come over soon.. Looks like you have good building skills...

[bbandu]

Looking good, keep the pics coming.

[mineman]

So now I have a box... Just like any other stand out there, but mine will be better!
http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u513/mineman_usn/f19a9597.jpg

[mineman]

back sidehttp://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u513/mineman_usn/79885da6.jpg
Foamhttp://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u513/mineman_usn/2ace8520.jpg

[mineman]

Av, come on over whenever! Just PM me for the info...

[mineman]

Larry, thanks! Swing by the ooffice one of these days (no, that wasn't a typo!).

[av619]

Acrylic? also where is the door?

[sponger]

Great idea with the foam.

[mineman]

Glass. Door? OPPS! I knew I forgot something!! Just kidding, door will come, you will see the method to my madness.... Eventually!

[DaveMorris]

Interesting choice on the Reef Angel. Most people don't have the patience to do much programming. I hope you post up details on the controller as well as the rest of the build. Stand looks great so far.

[mineman]

I had some serious issues with the controller at first but their tech support and forum support is amazing!

[NickSDC]

Glass. Door? OPPS! I knew I forgot something!! Just kidding, door will come, you will see the method to my madness.... Eventually!

The stand looks super clean. I'm interested as well in what you'll do for sump access.

[mineman]

There will be two doors. I just don't want to cut the holes for them yet. The back will be closed with a removable panel to allow sump installation.

[mineman]

Pump came in... YAY!
http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u513/mineman_usn/2173ed08.jpg

[mineman]

Floor moulding mock up
http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u513/mineman_usn/61949cfa.jpg

[mineman]

Stand is getting there, hopefully done by the time the tank gets here!
http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u513/mineman_usn/868c5c23.jpg

[mineman]

A few asked what I was doing to do for sump access. Nothing really special but I wanted the front to be one solid piece of wood so I waited until the moulding was in place then used the moulding as a jig to rout out the access holes.
http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u513/mineman_usn/fb63461e.jpg
http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u513/mineman_usn/77601c8f.jpg
http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u513/mineman_usn/ca58fd03.jpg
http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u513/mineman_usn/31cd9195.jpg

[slicktoppomp]

Awesome stand! I love all the molding and trim. You gonna stain it?

[mineman]

yeah, stain will happen as soon as the canopy is done. Maybe sometime next week; depends on how long it takes me to recover from my Vegas trip this weekend :coffee:

[mineman]

Well, Vegas didn't kill me, but did put
Me a few days behind schedule. I am about 90% done with the canopy. Doors will be in and plumbing will commence soon.
http://img.tapatalk.com/4465f3fe-0ee1-699b.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/4465f3fe-0ef5-6b4b.jpg

[Rlock4227]

Looks great! Amazing job!

[mineman]

Thanks Rlock! It's a labor of love!!! Lol

[mineman]

A little detail of how I designed the canopy.
http://img.tapatalk.com/4465f3fe-7eb6-9615.jpg

[Vince]

looks amazing!!!

[mineman]

Thanks vince

[mineman]

http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4ddd5-c5e1-5133.jpg
My wife told me if I spent any more money that I would end up living in it so I decided to add a nice coat of Killz.

[nanoreefbro]

Nice wood work!!!

[mineman]

Gotten kind of slow due to sanding (before staining) and realizing I was neglecting my 55 that is still up and running. I am getting close to figuring out the Reef Angel on my 55, man that thing is complicated but amazing! I promise I will have new pics coming up soon as the sump comes together (62 Gallons with fuge, ATO tank, probe holders, etc.).

[mineman]

I have been working a lot so the progress has slowed and my target date of having water in it by the end of March just isn't going to happen. Here are some update pics of the sump. Thanks for all your help Austin!!!
http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u513/mineman_usn/7.jpg
http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u513/mineman_usn/6.jpg

[mineman]

Sump is done and the leak testing begins. ATO portion tested first to ensure there is no leakage of RO/DI into the saltwater section. Test was good!
http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u513/mineman_usn/ddf9098a.jpg
Now testing the entire sump. There is minimal leakage around the bottom baffles but nothing to worry about as it holds water just fine!
http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u513/mineman_usn/45abc1b6.jpg

[ajn81]

Looks great Mike! Can't wait to see it all up and running.

[mineman]

http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4dc69-85ab-f403.jpg
Some detail of the canopy.
http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4dc69-85d5-4188.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/c6e4dc69-85ea-6b9c.jpg
Ok, ok, I know I forgot a part. But once again there is a method to my madness! I wanted to finish the canopy first since I haven't done any woodworking in years and it would be cheaper to rebuild the canopy if things didn't turn out well. Still sanding the stand; more pics coming soon...

[davocean]

Nice looking build, good job on the cabinet.

[slicktoppomp]

That looks awesome! Great color stain!

[wholagan]

Detail and stain are amazing. Keep it up!

[mineman]

Thanks!

[alex28]

Great job on the stain you got skills brotha!! Did you use any wood conditioner before the stain?

Thanks keep up the great work

[mineman]

Thanks Alex. No conditioner. It's actually been many years since I have built furniture; I haven't wood worked like this since high school, but I used to do a lot of fiberglass (in between stints in the military) so I used wood for molds, jigs, etc.

[mineman]

http://img.tapatalk.com/4465f3fe-d5fc-02e1.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/4465f3fe-d612-c723.jpgDid a lot of work today, stand is almost done. The doors will be one of the last things I do.

[mineman]

got it in the house, wow it looks bigger than in the garage!http://img.tapatalk.com/4465f3fe-ea7f-2b80.jpghere is a reference, my "helper" throughout the project.http://img.tapatalk.com/4465f3fe-ea24-31e6.jpg

[surfnsd]

That looks awesome! Puts my DIY stand to shame haha

[Vince]

wow nice work!!

[alex28]

Nice work bro!!

[mineman]

Thanks guys. I really wanted to have my hands in every part of this, and it truly is DIY. Of course I couldn't have done it without a few friends! Thanks Ryan and Austin!

[mineman]

I guess I should elaborate. Austin did most of the sump, I helped him out so it wasn't quite DIY.

[ajn81]

I guess I should elaborate. Austin did most of the sump, I helped him out so it wasn't quite DIY.

Haha, no need for clarification. That stand is stunning, great job!

[mineman]

I have to ask for opinions. I already have a cut piece for the back of the stand leaving about 4" on top for ventilation but I forgot to put it on prior to placing it. Think I should move it again and put the back on or say "screw it"?

[unbereefable]

Screw it. More fresh air is good.

[ajn81]

I have to ask for opinions. I already have a cut piece for the back of the stand leaving about 4" on top for ventilation but I forgot to put it on prior to placing it. Think I should move it again and put the back on or say "screw it"?

The only concern that I would have would be getting salt creep on the wall that you have the stand against. I once had a stand with no back and the wall it was up against got pretty cruddy. If that's not a concern, I wouldn't worry about putting it on.

[reef hobby]

If it has water you can try gluing it on... If no water id do it! It makes it allot quieter! Unless sound is not a factor... I'll have to come over and check that thing out when you start gettin water in it...

[mineman]

No water in it yet, but when I leak tested the sump it was very quiet, granted that was without the skimmer and pump.... Interesting thought. I might just add it after all, along with some sound damping material... Ahh the build progresses!

[ajn81]

If it has water you can try gluing it on... If no water id do it! It makes it allot quieter! Unless sound is not a factor... I'll have to come over and check that thing out when you start gettin water in it...

Ah yes, another very good point.

[mineman]

So it continues, now for the more techy side. Aqua lifter mounted.
http://img.tapatalk.com/4465f3fe-b187-3eef.jpg
LEDs in place (I will be adding four more modules). Note the moonlights.
http://img.tapatalk.com/4465f3fe-b04d-b044.jpg
Here is a view inside the overflow. Note the Maggie muffler.
http://img.tapatalk.com/4465f3fe-b0aa-f9.jpg
Display temp probe mounted.
http://img.tapatalk.com/4465f3fe-b1bf-3a5b.jpg

[mineman]

http://img.tapatalk.com/4465f3fe-b221-a0ad.jpg

[mineman]

G4 with jäger 300w heater
http://img.tapatalk.com/4465f3fe-b25e-51a1.jpg

[mineman]

Detail of the probe holder and ATO & dosing tubes.http://img.tapatalk.com/4465f3fe-bc3c-9a18.jpg

[mineman]

Reef, come on over! I will be working on it all weekend. Any input is appreciated! Pm me for details.

[mineman]

Halfway through filling and not as much as a creek from the stand but I sure am on pins and needles! At this point I'm more skeptic of my plumbing skills than anything. I know that I designed it right, but leaks.... I'm nervous about the unions!

[mineman]

Damn I wish I wasn't home alone!
http://img.tapatalk.com/4465f3fe-cd26-e010.jpg

[Bogg]

Good luck!

[slicktoppomp]

Congrats! Always super exciting filling the tank up.

[mineman]

Good news... Knock on wood... I has a slight overflow from me trying to adjust my sump levels an fuge labels at the same time as the hose going but no leaks yet! I'm going to run it for 24 hours with towels standing by (ok maybe 12) to double check. Yes I pulled the power to the pump and the beast of a sump had more than enough room. Rock work and substrate coming soon... Hopefully!

[mineman]

Congrats! Always super exciting filling the tank up.
Yeah, adrenaline was pumping like I was in the sand box!

[alex28]

Congrats bro! what type of sand bed are you going with?

[mineman]

Nothing special just medium crushed coral.

[mineman]

Congrats bro! what type of sand bed are you going with?

After more research... I decided on live aragonite. After awhile in this hobby I didn't realize there was so much difference in substrates! Research, research, research!!!

[alex28]

After more research... I decided on live aragonite. After awhile in this hobby I didn't realize there was so much difference in substrates! Research, research, research!!!

I was doing some research myself since Iam also in the process of an upgrade. I was thinking of going 2 inches on my sand bed Iam looking at going with either caribsea oolite sand or tropic eden reeflakes Iam still indecisive still doing research research research!! Lol

[mineman]

http://img.tapatalk.com/4465f3fe-cabe-6aea.jpgtemp probe for room temp


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I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?zjbgha

[mineman]

Been a long time since I have got any legitimate work done on the tank but got the doors stained and hung, water station set up, new LEDs arriving tomorrow (apollo solar blast red), substrate is in, now just waiting on rock work and livestock with the help of Bogg. Good dude, thanks Ryan!

[mineman]

New LEDs! Cabinet done, stocking soon!http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/09/25/4y7a8yry.jpg

[fresh2120]

Looks really good man, I love the 120 size tanks

[mineman]

Finally complete and stocked (more corals to come though). http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/15/mata4u9e.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/15/ja6e5u2y.jpg
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http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/15/y5uqureb.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/15/gegu2uqy.jpg

I will probably rescape at some point as I want more shelves and open space. Anyway, pretty happy right now!


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[mineman]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/15/py6y3y2u.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/15/numuby7y.jpg
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http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/15/3yve2e5y.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/15/pahy3e5e.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/15/e8ahe9eh.jpg
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http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/15/esyjyde9.jpg



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[nanoreef1]

Thats a real nice tank.And perfect size.

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[mineman]

Thanks Hector!


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[mineman]

Things took a bit of a downfall. Found out my RO/DI wad producing mid 60s TDS! I switched to "blue box" water and am getting 2-3 TDS now. I had a major bloom of algae but chose to handle it naturally. Beefed up the clean up crew, added a diamond goby, things are much better now. Detritus gone but still lost tow fishes in the process :(


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[mineman]

Help? I'm thinking my problem is ph. It's really low, usually high 7s but sometimes as low as 6.5. I don't want to become a slave to a buffer! This is my third tank but my first from scratch. Is this a "new tank thing?"


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[LotsaFishies]

The PH of your aquarium is mostly determined by the PH of the water you use. Reverse Osmosis water naturally has a VERY low pH (6.0-6.5) and MUST have some sort of buffer to increase it. Adding a little bit of buffer into your top-off water should be all the PH adjustment you really need to do... having proper Alkalinity will help stabilize your PH and keep it high. The fact that your PH is swinging that low probably means your Alk is too low as well..


btw - gorgeous tank build!

[mineman]

Thank you for the compliment!

Do you think I should do a 8.4 ph buffer? I hate to become a slave to dosing!


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[Vince]

What's your alk levels

[mineman]

I'm going to test tomorrow. Had to get my hands wet today so I will give it a day before I test again.


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[mineman]

New aquascape:
37593


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[DaveMorris]

Chasing ph with chemicals is a no win situation. The key is to figure out why the ph is low and address that. ph is directly related to Alk, Calcium, and Mag. (Mostly Alk) Get those three where you want them and the ph pretty much won't have any choice but to fall in correctly. My preferences are:

Alk - 7dKH ~ 10dKH
Cal - 450ppm
Mag - 1350ppm

When you dose buffers for ph it will effect other things. Then you will dose something to address that and so on. ALso, how are your animals looking? Do they look stressed? Are you absolutely sure that your ph testing/monitoring is correct/accurate?

Tank looks great. I love the woodwork.

[mineman]

Thanks Dave. I appreciate the compliment. I haven't tested for mag or cal yet; I didn't think it was a big deal until I started adding tougher coral. The fish I have lost all seemed fine until one day... Bam! Nem and hammer aren't as colorful as they should be but getting along. Other livestock seems great except my Toby is pissed right now probably because I rescaped.


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[mineman]

Oh! I use a reef angel to monitor ph. I calibrated it in accordance with the directions so I'm fairly sure it's accurate.


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[DaveMorris]

Well if the RA was calibrated I'm sure the reading is good. I would try to raise the Alk and see if that helps before you start dosing buffers. I have a fresh 1gal pack of soda ash from BRS that I can give you. That will make up 1gal of Alk booster. You can look on the BRS website to get the proper dosing. You don't want to raise your Alk more than 1.4dKH per day. Send me a PM and we can figure out a time to get this Alk mix to you.

[mineman]

Thanks again Dave. It was great to meet you and pick your brain some!


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[mineman]

Brought the alk up and sure enough, ph fell right in line. Big water change and a little soda ash did the trick. Thanks Dave! Still fighting a micro bubble problem... Uhg, just can't find it!


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[mineman]

Well... Tested with another kit. Alk is still low. I will be testing for ca and mag tomorrow.


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[DaveMorris]

What is your alk at now? Remember don't raise it more than 1.4dKH per day.

[mineman]

It's at 5.5. Up .5 from when I started. I dosed again tonight and haven't tested since.


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[cohenderson]

Ooh yea nice tank!! Love it..

[mineman]

Long time since an update! I have overcome most of the issues37798


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[unbereefable]

Sent you a pm about the reef angel. How are you liking it?

[ajn81]

Looking good mike. I like the aquascaping!

[mineman]

Unbereefable; I don't think I received a PM. Originally I had growing pains figuring the RA out. Over the last year the RA has come a long way with supporting software and apps. I definitely like the upgradeability and the open source.

Austin; thanks!

[mineman]

Ok, weird issue here!! Seems every once in awhile my drain is underperforming and the level in my DT gets dangerously high. To the point where it has overflowed (barely thank god!). Only once out if the several times have I found something in the sock to give a reason (rip wrasse :( ). Thankfully I have a ball valve on the return so I can turn it down; but I don't want to reduce flow! Weird thing is that it always seems to return to normal! Ideas please!


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[DaveMorris]

What flow rate is your Maggie Muffler rated for? It could be a build up of air in the drain system or something is periodically clogging the drain. I am not very familiar with the Maggies but I would suspect that you have some sort of a pressure thing going on with the drain flow. Return pumps will fluctuate in flow as your house voltage goes up and down, so maybe you are right at the edge of max flow through the Maggie and when your voltage goes up a bit it starts flowing a little more.

[mineman]

I eliminated the Maggie and just have a straight standpipe.


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[DaveMorris]

What is the diameter of your standpipe? With an Eheim 1262 at a flow rate of 900gph, you need a drain pipe at least 1.25" in diameter. Perhaps your drain pipe is slightly too small for the flow you have.

[mineman]

1.5". I should mention that I never had a problem for the first six months or so. This is my first ground up build so I have taken things slllloooowwwww!


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[mineman]

37866


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[Vince]

Thought you were Jeff, thought that wrasse looked familiar ..:rock:

[mineman]

Flow problem has seemed to resolve itself... Jeez I get frustrated and confused sometimes! Anyway, things are looking good. Livestock seems very happy! Starting to develop some green coraline on the rocks, overflow and powerheads (powerheads are all purple) which I thought was kinda cool since I am only familiar with purple. I wish it would build more on the glass as I only have white dots on my glass... Baby barnacles maybe.