55g Tank build..

Beau is hosting the January Meeting this coming Saturday the 14th at 6PM.  It will be BYOB as well as a snack to share and raffle items are always welcome.  It has been requested that there be “NO SHOES” on the carpet due to it being a whitish color.

He doesn’t have a tank to view but we will have plenty to discuss in hopes that it will get the NEW YEAR off to a good start.  The annual membership fees are due, so now would be a good time to get them in to our Treasurer Stacey Hahn.   Fees are $20 per individual or $25 per family

Attendance was low at the election meeting in November and no votes were taken at December’s meeting so we have decided to take votes for anyone that didn’t get the opportunity in November and will be attending this meeting.  
We will add the votes to November’s ballots and the announcement will be made during the meeting so we can go forward.
NOMINATIONS:
President:  Jim & Nacho
V. President: Ed, Bo & Daniel Leigey
Treasurer: Stacey
Secretary: Carmen & Angie

Let’s hope the New Year brings new members, returning members and new ideas.  The club is always willing to take suggestions to get the most out of the hobby we all enjoy.

Please PM Nate C. by clicking here for directions if you are not a club member.  

Club members can click here to go to the club member only forum to get directions.

Hope to see you all there!

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[sscherin]

This will be a build log for my 55 gal tank.. I like to look bad from time to time nad see how the tank is progressing.. you can follow along to help mock or enjoy your choice.

I'll take pics later today of what I'm starting with.. Right now I'm in cleanup phase.. 
The tank and gear is all used and in need of a big cleanup.. I've had the pumps soaking in a vinegar/water bath all night and they are finally looking good..

I still need to get a new return pump.. When I took the tank apart to bring it home the power cord fell out of the housing.. No safe way to fix that that I know of.. I'll prob go get a QuietOne 2200 form PetSmart.. I've used them on other tanks and with a 1" riser it'll outflow a pair of 3/4 overflow siphons and 1" drain line. Knowing that I'll put a ball valve in the riser..

As for the tank it's a 55 but looks thicker than most I've had.. Maybe I'm just being optimistic
It's been drilled for 2 drains and 1 return line.. Looks like 1/2" PVC..  As is the 2 drains go to an internal skimmer box and the center return is plugged. I may use the center.. Not sure yet..
The back has been painted blue.. I'll keep it that way but I'd prefer black

Downstairs we have a 10 gal tank converted to sump and divided into 3 chambers..

1st is a liverock (dry/dead rock when I got it) filled chamber..
The heater is also in there..

2nd Chamber is the skimmer chamber with an Excalibur skimmer being fed with a venturi powerhead and pumped up with a air pump.. We'll see how well that works.
One big problem I have is you can't remove the skimmer cup with the tank on the stand.. maybe if I tilt it.. We'll see.

then a bubble trap and the final return pump chamber.

It's ugly but effective..  I may add a 2nd 10 gal or a clear bucket as a refuge..

[sscherin]

I drew up my pluming design today then put it away.
If I still like it tomorrow I'll hit Ranch & Home for the PVC bits.

We finished cleaning the tank, pulled it off the stand and removed the old silicone covered bulkheads..
I got 3 new bulkheads from Koi Joy today.

As if this isn't going slow enough now we are looking at making the stand 12" taller to bring it up to counter height..

[sscherin]

This is where we are so far..

Planing away


On it's feet and standing 36" tall


The girls get in on the sanding


Starting the primer


All painted up and ready for a tank.


The tank waiting for paint to dry.

[Nate C.]

Looking good so far!

[nacheetah]

With those little helpers, you should have this done in no time.  Keep sharing because we all enjoy watching the progress.

[sscherin]

Gah.. Roadblock..

my 1/2" bulkheads don't fit!!
I've been checking out the bulkheads that came with it (odd things they are)
They appear to be 20mm.. or some odd thing.

Anyway they tank has 1" holes and 1/2" bulkheads take 1 1/8"

Anyone in town have a diamond hole saw for 3/4 or 1" bulkheads? that would be 39mm or 45mm

[Nate C.]

I know there are are a couple around.  You can get one from Ace for $7 or so if I remember right.  They are coarser, but actually work better for drilling tanks.

[sscherin]

I checked Ace on GW and the Griggs Ace but all they have is the little paddle bits. What Ace did you see them at?

[Nate C.]

Haven't actually seen them, Rick told me that's where he got his.  May want to check Lowes or Home Depot...maybe I am remembering the store wrong.

[sscherin]

I found a 1 3/8" diamond saw in the tile section of home depot for $20..

Little to big for 1/2" bulkheads.. might be tight on a 3/4"

In the end I ordered a pair of diamond holes saws from Richon for 3/4 and 1" bulkheads.

I'll just work on other parts till it arrives.

Thanks for the help!

[Nate C.]

No problem, wish I could have been more help.  Glad to hear you found somewhere to get some though.  Having just gone through the build on our new 270 gallon, I know you will be able to find ways to stay busy until they show up.  :-)

[sscherin]

I got the saws through Richon tools in Hong Kong.
http://www.richontools.com/catalog/c89_p1.html

$11 for 2 saws shipped.. I've ordered from them before so I know they are for real.

I've started working on the canopy to kill time till the bits and pieces arrive..

[sscherin]

Some progress..

The Velocity T1 pump showed up.

I rigged it up for a test run with a tub of water.


It's a Very quiet pump. The water sloshing in the tub made more noise.

The canopy has been repaired and some new trim added. There is still a bit of work to do before it's painted.

[colleen]

What are you planning to use for lights?  Canopy doesn't look very tall.  I'm guessing PC's?

[Ed]

In the above test in your sump with your new pump, I am asking you to take temperature of water before and after pump is running.    I heard a rumor that this pump produces heat.    I may be wrong.    But now is a good time to test if you have the capability before set up.