And so it begins... ( update )

[Snoop Dog]

Well Ihave almost completed building my stand for my new tank 2x4 framed, (solid Maple exterior)

I always enjoy tagging along on other peoples threads as they start setting up there tank, so I thought I should start a thread, and start taking some pics.

I decided to go Cube, Dims will be 30 x30x 25, roughly 97 Gallons, I have had the tank custom made at Sea star with 1/2 glass and all the holes pre drilled. I have purchased a Dart for a closed loop pump. 2 inch intake and 4 drilled returns.

Overflow will be a 13 x 3 box down the center of the back with 2 x 1 inch stockman's 1 hole is also drilled for the return from sump. For a return pump I think Im gonna go with a blueline, Sump is 30x16x16, and a G3 skimmer. Lighting is 2 x 250 HQI hamilton pendants 14K.

Ill update pics as progress is made throught the next 2 weeks, I hope to have it set up and running by next weekend,
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/DavesStand001.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/DavesStand006.jpg
http://www.msnusers.com/_Secure/0XAAAAMMbqxiZW5WVNXRjmc0zqtAZJavFrf4gcRtXDbIw89SJ4 0vGzjDcBiOBbVehtWbn7eaioluyk6k5ivOwwdfK!FT7wWrxBTw uhu7c!dKsffdw0IwdBpoqeVflQgkXdxdKo7CD2Sg/Dave;s%20Stand%20005.jpg

[Delphinus]

Dayum. Pretty nice woodwork there.

[geopod]

Hey snoop keep us posted with the pics man.I am curious now to see what it will look like.It looks awesome now I can almost imagine what it will look like when it is done.Looking at all the craftmanship you are entailing into it right now is crazy

george

[Funky_Fish14]

Wow, Snoop-dogg himself!

That woodworking is awesome! Did you make those designs, or did you use pieces that were incorporated into the stand's design?

I anticipate this being an awesome project!

Cheers,

Chris

[Snoop Dog]

I kinda saw something similar with the pilar idea on RC, drew up a plan ( in my head) and made it all out of 2x8 maple planks, lotta work...

Still gotta make the raised panel doors, but I might get a cabinet shop to do them because I could buy them cheape then what it would cost for me to make them :)

[Murminator]

WOW :eek: thizzle is a thizzle bizzle I hizzle evizzle sizzle

need help http://www.writtenhumor.com/snooptranslator.html

[inspector]

hizzle snoop grizzle job on thizzle fizzle tizzle kizzle us informizzle yourfizzle rizzle pizzle

for the people who dont speak snoop here is a translatorhttp://www.writtenhumor.com/snooptranslator.html

[WWWD]

sweet setup brother, i held your overflow in place while it got sealed up. that is going to be one sweet ride! i cant wait to see more pics.

[Ruth]

OK so my next tank is going to be a cube - 48" X 48" and I'll take a stand just like that one! Awesome job and can't wait to follow along. Won't even attempt any of that bizzle snizzle talk as I'm too old.

[Beermaster]

Lookin good Snoop - cant wait to see the progress

[Joe Reefer]

That is going to be a sweet system.
Look forward to updates.

[Chin_Lee]

I think i've seen your tank at a popular lfs recently - should be sweet.

[muck]

Great looking work there Snoop!!
Any ideas on what kind of stain your going to use?

[Snoop Dog]

I bought a dark walnut stain, but I was not happy with the test sample, so Im gonna pick up a dark Cherry/mohoganny stain today,

Ya the glass has been at Ocean aquatics for about 2 weeks, a little trouble with the overflow box,

thanks for the comps..

[Snoop Dog]

5 Coats of Red Maohogany stain and walla!!! Time to work on the doors, then pick up the tank and start plumbing.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/DSCN2075.jpg

And heres some shots of the tear down, Good luck with the tank yousheng!

Snoop says goodbye

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/Snnopgoodbye.jpg
Blue tang, drainin the MAIN tank!
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/bluetang2.jpg
Temporary homes
http://www.msnusers.com/_Secure/0TAAAALkWOFcfFplUNscy8MVxnF2Thuf7Z6KS13JyVZn0T1dVH jYG1!gwew67wnCmqvR9bU!ApiNIourGEjf2DVwhLB8J7qGww4K Bn148KoGQW6u4XmweRA/DSCN2074.JPG

[bluetang]

Looking good!!!!!! Classy!!:biggrin:

[richtg]

Good job so far. Have you used your G3 yet? I love mine- it skims 120 gallons of water effortlessly.

Rich.

[Stasher]

I don't know which I like more;?
That gorgeous stand
or your photoshopped faces :biggrin:

[Snoop Dog]

Picked up the tank today from Ocean Aquatics!! Wendel, thanks for the work on the overflow!

Time to start plumbing!

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/DSCN2115.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/DSCN2117.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/DSCN2122.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/DSCN2119.jpg

[Willito]

Gorgeous. I am a woodman myself, love the design, but don't care much for the stain. Maybe it's better in person. Nice however.

[Joe Reefer]

I rizzle lizzle thizzle sizzle so fizzle swizzle. :mrgreen:

[OCDP]

Looking good :cool:

[Snoop Dog]

Blue tang and i were hard at it tonight plumbing away, should have water in by saturday. thought I would update a few pics


http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/DSCN2167.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/DSCN2180.jpg

[Snoop Dog]

Had a little trouble wit hthe pictures file size since they changed sites,

any ways the above post is fixed, plumbing is complete, will post pics tommorow

[Chaloupa]

Very nice looking...I really like the stain...can't wait to see it with fish!

[Ruth]

Looking good! What did you use for a sump? Is it a cube as well? Is it a straight sump or is part of it a refugium?

[Snoop Dog]

Sump is 30 x 16 x16 sea star tank, straight sump, no refugium.

[Skimmerking]

Snoop what are you running as a return,

Mike

other then that looks really good.
well done man

[Delphinus]

Holey wow that's some piping, and I thought the plumbing on my cube was akin to a distillery, it's nothing compared to that monstrous closed loop.

Although .. one question ... Is that a check valve on the closed loop intake ??????

[bluetang]

Not a check valve, There is a ball valve on the closed loop intake just as a precausion. You never know when you will have to take out the pump. Don't want to drain the tank on the floor. :-)

[muck]

I was thinking that it was a check valve too. The ball valves are definately a good idea IMO.
I want to thank you guys for giving me some good ideas on how to run my CL on my new tank.. :cool:

[Chin_Lee]

Yo snoop
thats some good thinking on the plumbing. good job. Whats your approx GPH into your tank from the return pump? I'm interested to know how your double standpipes will handle the gph cuz I'm looking to do the same kinda set up on my next tank. I believe they are 1 1/4" on the outside and 1" on the inside?

[Chin_Lee]

FYI Snoop
I've heard from many people that the lock line parts (that are above the water line) will introduce microbubbles into the main tank. keep that in mind if you are trying to troubleshoot that potential problem when you get the water moving.

[Snoop Dog]

return pump is a blue line 30x, pressure rated 1100GPH, well see how it works,

closed loop is a Dart,

Ill post some better shots tonight,

[Delphinus]

Oh, a ball valve. Of course, that totally makes sense. I didn't see the lever so I thought maybe it was a check valve at first.

Anyhow, very impressive pipe work. Good luck with the filling and so on, can't wait to see the next results. Snoop as you might recall I have a 30" cube I'm setting up too. Hopefully I can put up some pics of it soon. Anyhow I think it's pretty neat that two 30" cubes are coming up at the same time on Canreef. :)

[Snoop Dog]

Thanks for the tip on the lockline, I had some issues on my last tank, but they were minimal. basically a small blast every minute or 2, The stockmens are 1 1/4 and 1 inch ID as you said, my only conern is balancing the 2 in one overflow?

[yakiwb2]

Hey Snoop. Nice Tank. Where did you get the money for all those future fish...did you frag your old corals and other peoples corals to pick up some cash?

[Snoop Dog]

Only my brothers, he's a bad aquaristbut he basically kills them first, then I spend a year or 2 nursing them back to health, LOL

[Snoop Dog]

All plumbing is complete, and I have installed my pedant light stand. It is full adjustable so I can raise it to do maintenance or for easy adjustment of lighting height. I need to trim down my Calcium reactor to fit in my stand and finish the doors

Im just running some power , so will update pics once it is running on Saturday.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/DSCN2182.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/DSCN2184.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/DSCN2181.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/DSCN2183.jpg

[Snoop Dog]

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/DSCN2187.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/DSCN2186.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/DSCN2185.jpg

[geopod]

Ok looking at all that plumbing....is the Elbow connected to the Hip bone????Man thats insane.What is the total cost so far?If you dont mind me asking....Send me a PM if you dont want the wife to know....hehe I know I would be dead before I even finished a project like that. Awesome job Snoop.

george

[bluetang]

Looking good......
All my hard work has paid off :-)
Cant wait to add water on Saturday...
Dont electrocute yourself running the new wiring :-)

Blue out..

[untamed]

I'm really impressed by the work you've done there. Cramming all that stuff under that tank is some nice work. (I can't believe you've got a Ca reactor in there!) Love the look of the cube and I'm looking forward to your next update.

[Snappy]

How many microns is that pre-filter sock you are using? In my tank I have a 200 micron but I find that it plugs up very quickly. But the water is sure clear when the bag is fresh. How do you clean it? I let mine dry out and then take a vacuum to it but I am sure there must be a better way.

[Snoop Dog]

100 micron bag. I just spray it with the hose or masage it in the sink untill it is some what clean. then I throw it in the washing machine. With no soap.

[Snoop Dog]

Another long day on the tank, but Im glad to say I can see the light.

heres some pics of the days events, Special thanks to Blue tang, and Lil bow wow, for helpin me out,

120 Gallons of RO/DI,
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/Bucketprep.jpg

First Fill
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/Firstfill.jpg

Placing the live rock, looks like Im about 20 - 30 pounds short, Ill have to pick some up ASAP.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/LRplacement.jpg

Power is on, and the flow is good!
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/Flow.jpg

[Snoop Dog]

Blue tang , Lil bow wow, and the DOGGG!!!!
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/DSCN2195.jpg


G3 is awesome!! I cant beleive the bubbles,

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/G3.jpg

Side Shot,
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/SideView.jpg

Front shot
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/Finished.jpg

All in all things went well today. The Dart has a funny noise and the input and output connections have small leaks Ill have to fix in the AM. Not sure about the Dart, well see if it breaks in and the noise stops, or if there is an issue with the pump. the actually motor of the pump is surprisingly quit, so Im not sure what the noise is?

All in all Im happy with the flow, there is a constant movment of mass water around everything, nothing is being sprayed at , and the top of the sand just slightly moves, but is not disturbed.

Ill be sure to post more as the tank progresses, after all the setup is only the beggining!!!

[Delphinus]

Looks good.

[Chin_Lee]

one word snoop ........ WOW

[Snappy]

nice set up Snoop

[Ruth]

I love how you have your lights set up. I will be looking to do something similar on my cube that I will be setting up .......sometime. I am slowly collecting what I think I need. I have 2 luminarc penants that I would love to set up the way you have it. Did you build it yourself and if so can you post more close ups of it so I can steal your idea?

[Snoop Dog]

Ruth,

My friend is a steel metal fabricator, he made it for me, Ill post some close ups later on, it must weigh 80lbs, as the top is 1/4 inch steel plate, but itll last a long time .

[muck]

I love the red bucket brigade.. where'd you pick them up Snoop? :mrgreen:

[Ruth]

So do you think your friend want to make another friend. Not really:lol: Actually welders and fabricators are like behinds up here - everyone has one - the trick will be to find someone that has the time to fabricate something for me!

[wayner]

Very Nice Snoopy!, love cubes!, really like the stand too!, those micron bags, do they stop micro-bubbles or are they just for polishing the water and picking up crap from the return., never used one, just wondering.

Thanks

[Snoop Dog]

The micron bags do a bit of both, but the main purpose is to polish the water, they realley collect alot of crap from your water.

I got the red buckets from my work. we have a few thousand of them :)

[Snoop Dog]

Well, its been 2 weeks since I started the tank and It was time to move some of my corals into their new tank. Everything seems to be running just fine. Ive cunstructed as many shelves as possible out of the live rock and am looking forward to stocking the tank with SPS Shortley. Finished the doors and the stand, Just need to complete some mods on my reactor to make it fit.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/DSCN0087.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/DSCN0094.jpg

[Delphinus]

Pretty sweet.

PS. That lamp coral just hovering in the corner is a bit freaky. :razz:

[NanoReef]

lol. everything looks good. the funny thing is, is that i was thinking... "what is a Lamp coral" LOL... i had to look at the picture to get it!

[Shy_Koi]

Beautiful!
I really like the rock ledges aquascaping.

~Tamara

[Stasher]

You should be very proud of the work you have done. DIY is very rewarding in the final product.

keep up the great work.

[Delphinus]

You have two overflow pipes; do they join together in a T underneath the tank and then into the sump - or do they individually plumb to the sump? Could you post some pictures of that when you get a chance?

[rusty]

I don't know about everyone else, but I think this should be moved to the tank of the month forum, Sweet set up dog!:biggrin:

[saltynuts]

i 2nd the vote for tank of the month!
fo shizzle

[Snoop Dog]

You have two overflow pipes; do they join together in a T underneath the tank and then into the sump - or do they individually plumb to the sump? Could you post some pictures of that when you get a chance?

They dont join together, they 45 at the bottom, then slowly angle into the sump.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/DSCN0107.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/DSCN0106.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c92/snoopdog1/DSCN0108.jpg