Jeffs "ManCave" Tank

[jeffjohn52]

Started on converting my 72g bow front cichlid tank into salt for my spare room I'm converting into a man cave for my boys and I. I ended up just getting a couple bucks knocked off the waveline DC6000 return pump for my freshwater livestock. After removing all the sand and rock work I took it to Mike (Ratkiller) to be drilled, him and his wife were super nice and helpful and welcomed my 2 yr old son and I to their house. Mike did a awesome job drilling a 1.5" drain and 2 3/4" return, ended up having to drill the top of the tank instead of the bottom as I first intended cuz the bottom is tempered, and all the holes came out perfect as advertised. I got it back to my house and after cleaning it up a little I spray painted the back and bottom of the tank with krylon paint and primer spray paint, it was easy and came out super clean. After letting the tank dry overnight my buddy and I began plumbing came out pretty clean then built and hung a shelf upside down to be able to still put crap up there. The overflow box is being built right now by Jason (jasonp87), will update when I get it in the tank.

Wish I took more pictures but hey I was busy and excited!! Next is painting the room (used to be my nieces room haha)

[Carter o51]

This is gonna be good

[jessegarcia28]

great start
is that the reef breeders photon 32 led light?

[jeffjohn52]

Yup. Wanna put the photon 48 on my 120g so I figure this will give me a good trial run, see how I like em

[jasonp87]

Looking Great! Nice job on the plumbing. Can't wait to see this up and running.

[jeffjohn52]

So picked up the overflow box from Jason today and was exactly how I wanted it, Jason is a very cool guy and super helpful. He said when it would be ready to pick up and came through big time thanx again man. I got the overflow box installed and put a fresh coat of black paint on the shelf. Now just gotta wait a few more water changes from my 120g and then I'll top this thing off with fresh water and fire her up!

[jasonp87]

Looks great Jeff!

[jeffjohn52]

Little update..... I built 2 frag racks for the tank as I decided this is going to be a frag/grow out tank, probably going to do a single rack in front all the way across the tank too. Installed the 2 wp40s and controller all though once tank is filled I'll probably end up moving them. Anyways probably only have to do one more water change from the 120g to get at least to the teeth of the overflow then going to fill the rest/sump with new saltwater.





Installed all the controllers with velcro, although half ass at least they're out of the way for now until decide what to do with them all permanently.

[CMD2213]

So you also have a 120?

[jeffjohn52]

Yes sir in my dining room and it is beyond full with 2 big frag racks completely full I want out of my DT. This build is to get rid of all my frag racks in my DT and thin out the tank a bit, I've been going a little coral crazy the last few months

[CMD2213]

Pics of that tank anywhere?

[jeffjohn52]

Just took that right now. I want to clear off the bottom.......id say sand bed but no sand haha. I'm over the 2 racks in this tank as it's a pita to clean the sides of the tank. My 120g also only has white and blue leds and I want a tank full spectrum but don't want to switch out the lights as much as I don't like them with so much white I've seen great growth and I was taught at an early age don't change something that isn't broke, probably the same reason I have my ancient koralia powerheads still in this tank haha

[jeffjohn52]

And since my RBTA split about a month ago it's been making me nervous it's going to wipe out a shelf rock I was in the process of making a ric rock. Need to get rid of this thing but it's foot is way back there

[YokoYoko]

Your 120 is very nice.........

[CMD2213]

Nice tank. Nems don't sting their neighbors? But doesn't look to clustered try my tank with these two 23 slot racks 36g.. lol