Leon71 First Saltwater

[Leon71]

So I've been keeping freshwater fish for about 10 years. Early this year, I decided to give saltwater a try. Taking my time, and learning as much as I can from forums like Canreef. This is my journey so far.

End of Feruary, I bought a Marineland 120 Gal RR aquarium and an AquaticLife 4 bulb T5HO.

In March, I had a local aquarium guy build me a 50 gal sump.

Picked up 110 lbs of Marco rock from RedCoralEdmonton. Ordered a SWC160 cone skimmer from Winnipeg. Ordered a Vertex Puratek RO/DI 100 gpd from JL's.

Then in May, I started to build the stand and canopy. It is a basic 2x2, 2x3, & 2x4 construction. Skinned with 1/4" Oak veneer. And then I added solid oak corners, bottom trim, and crown mouldings. Stained with a "Cabernet" oil based stain and top coated with satin clear. Still have to finish the shelf around the bottom of the tank and the corner trim.

Pictures to follow. I need to figure how to attach in the middle of the message.

[Aquattro]

Pictures to follow. I need to figure how to attach in the middle of the message.

Ideally, use photobucket or some other hosting site for pics, then add the IMG link.

[AquaticFinatic]

Can't wait to see the pictures. :biggrin:

[Leon71]

The sump

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/Leon71/120Gal%20Saltwater/th_HPIM2072-1.jpg (http://s81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/Leon71/120Gal%20Saltwater/?action=view&current=HPIM2072-1.jpg)

The stand

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/Leon71/120Gal%20Saltwater/th_HPIM2201.jpg (http://s81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/Leon71/120Gal%20Saltwater/?action=view&current=HPIM2201.jpg)

The canopy
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/Leon71/120Gal%20Saltwater/th_HPIM2192.jpg (http://s81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/Leon71/120Gal%20Saltwater/?action=view&current=HPIM2192.jpg)

Stand doors

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/Leon71/120Gal%20Saltwater/th_HPIM2195.jpg (http://s81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/Leon71/120Gal%20Saltwater/?action=view&current=HPIM2195.jpg)

I needed to add an end door to the stand to be able to put the sump in.

[kien]

I consider them to be small small :biggrin: as they are only slots in the top in a 6" long pattern.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/Leon71/120Gal%20Saltwater/th_HPIM2197.jpg (http://s81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/Leon71/120Gal%20Saltwater/?action=view&current=HPIM2197.jpg)

ya, looks small-small to me too :-) Are you forcing air through those vents with a fan?

[Leon71]

As posted in another thread, I am concerned with using glass tops inside the canopy. Or going with just the canopy and ruining my lights with humidity. Here is a pic of the vents in the top of the canopy.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/Leon71/120Gal%20Saltwater/th_HPIM2197.jpg (http://s81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/Leon71/120Gal%20Saltwater/?action=view&current=HPIM2197.jpg)

[Leon71]

ya, looks small-small to me too :-) Are you forcing air through those vents with a fan?

Damn Kien, that was fast. I could add a fan pretty easy. One vent to intake and one to exhaust.

[kien]

Damn Kien, that was fast. I could add a fan pretty easy. One vent to intake and one to exhaust.

I would definitely recommend running fans in the canopy. You'll gain a lot of benefit from them. It will get very hot and humid in that canopy. The vents alone will help exhaust the air in the canopy but if you can force the air out that would be much better. It'll help keep your tank cool as well as your lights cooler which will prolong their life.

What you suggested is a good start. One fan in one out. Although, I have seen quite a few canopies with several vents for intake and exhaust so don't be surprised if it comes to that down the road once your tank is up and running :-)

[kien]

PS, that stand and canopy looks sweet!

[Aquattro]

Oh, now you're here. That Kien is fast!! :) Ya, fans, good.

[Leon71]

So now that fans are recommended, I am trying to decide whether to just cut a large 2" x 36" slot in the very top of the canopy. One near the front and one near the back. The top of canopy will be at 6'-5" so you won't see the top anyway. And/Or cut fan holes in the back, one in each corner near the top of the tank (bottom of canopy) forcing air inward.

[Leon71]

Will I need to vent the stand as well?

[phi delt reefer]

yep - sump area is exposed so you want to make sure you are moving moisture out out of there.

grab some noctua 120mm fans ...they are expensive but dead silent. One hole for intake and one for exhaust

[Leon71]

Where do I get these fans? And I assume that a power converter will be required as well. Or is that integrated?

[kien]

I would place fans at either end of the canopy to run lengthwise myself. In the end it is probably a personal choice. The top or the back will work too.

Some people who battle tank overheat will fan their sump as well. You may find that you don't need to tho and can always add those fans later (or find an alternative like central AC or a chiller). The people whom I've seen with fans on their sumps also didn't have their sumps enclosed. I don't think I've ever seen vents or fans drilled into and enclosed tank stand. That doesn't mean they don't exist tho :-) I myself have never had to fan my sump area. I do have a fan in my canopy and central AC.



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[Leon71]

I would place fans at either end of the canopy to run lengthwise myself. In the end it is probably a personal choice. The top or the back will work too.

Some people who battle tank overheat will fan their sump as well. You may find that you don't need to tho and can always add those fans later (or find an alternative like central AC or a chiller). The people whom I've seen with fans on their sumps also didn't have their sumps enclosed. I don't think I've ever seen vents or fans drilled into and enclosed tank stand. That doesn't mean they don't exist tho :-) I myself have never had to fan my sump area. I do have a fan in my canopy and central AC.



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The ends of the canopy have fake doors on them, so that it looks like the stand.

I am not as worried about heat as this tank will be in the basement. But I do worry about humidity with all that electrical stuff.

[kien]

Oh if it is in the basement then ya you shouldn't need to worry about overheat. You may struggle with heating the tank tho LOL.

I'm actually curious too about people's experiences with humidity in their stands too.. 6 years in this hobby and I have never had any humidity issues in my stand and have never had to fan any of my stands. Most of my evaporation comes off of the display tank where my fans are. Perhaps post a general question about tank stand humidity and venting in the general forum to see what others have to say.



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[kien]

You may have already done this or are planning to but in case not, I would recommend painting the inside of the stand with a waterproof paint. You will get minor spills (from cleaning and regular maintenance) and such that you will want to wipe up easily :-)



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[Bblinks]

You may have already done this or are planning to but in case not, I would recommend painting the inside of the stand with a waterproof paint. You will get minor spills (from cleaning and regular maintenance) and such that you will want to wipe up easily :-)



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Thats a great idea kien, you should seal and paint the inside of the stand if its still possible.

[Leon71]

For sure. I have painted the inside of the stand and the canopy. Thanks, Leon

[Boomboy]

awesome job on the canopy. love the colour. looks great. cant wait to see more pictures.

[cale262]

The stand and canopy look dead saxy...wanna build one for me:wink:






Subscribed.

[Leon71]

The stand and canopy look dead saxy...wanna build one for me:wink:

Thanks. Takes a long time to build. Not sure if it would be economical for you. :)

[Leon71]

Progress.........8292

[Lampshade]

Wow, that looks amazing. Very nice job on the stand/canopy. you don't even need fish in there and it looks good.

[cale262]

Thanks. Takes a long time to build. Not sure if it would be economical for you. :)


What's eco...nomical?

more than $1000? :wink:


Progress.........8292


Looks great, can't wait to see it with water.

[Leon71]

That would cover all the materials.:neutral:

[Leon71]

Well it looks like the tank will be getting filled this weekend. Aquascaping with Marco rocks. And some live rock in the sump to seed the tank. I will be using 2 MP40wES powerheads. I am a little concerned with mounting the controllers in the canopy as this tank will not have glass tops.

[Leon71]

The tank is wet. Aquascaping done.
8590

Put 40lbs of Arag-Alive in the sump. Let it circulate for 24 hrs in the sump. Switched the valve to the DT. Now I have a very cloudy tank.
85938592

Sure hope it clears fast.:biggrin:

[Blom]

That is one nice looking tank, great job.