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View Full Version : Marlin65 6' Drop tank build.


Marlin65
05-05-2013, 04:05 AM
I have been reefing for some time now and I think this will be my last upgrade build in this house. I have a old house that I have taken some walls out of, and I think I have the perfect spot for a room divider, So here we go.:smile:
I will transfer out all of my 75 gal Cube and most of my 150 into this new tank.
I really like the Drop Tank look so am going to do that with a bit of a twist to get the look.
I will run a closed loop on a Ocean Motion and a Hammerhead pump. Return will be a Dart for now. I am doing my own LED lights and tank is all 12mil tempered.:smile:

I took some great ideas from others.:wink: Thanks all of you I am sure you will see.

So my stand is done and I just started putting the tank together,
Here is some pictures to get stared. Have to repaint my kitchen and living room in stages and the wife wants a few new things to complete the space as well but here we go.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/Fishone_zps2cb2a2f3.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/Fishone_zps2cb2a2f3.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/Fishtwo_zps4d2df047.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/Fishtwo_zps4d2df047.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/FishThree_zps3a27efa5.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/FishThree_zps3a27efa5.jpg.html)

steve fedyk
05-05-2013, 04:54 PM
great idea for a tank, nice thinking outside of the box.

subman
05-05-2013, 10:58 PM
Can't wait to see more. (can't quite figure out the plan just yet)

Marlin65
05-18-2013, 11:00 PM
Put up the sides today and got my light finished to test it and see what it looks like.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/P5180001_zpsa68936d5.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/P5180001_zpsa68936d5.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/P5180002_zps1cb226de.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/P5180002_zps1cb226de.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/P5180003_zps514abc76.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/P5180003_zps514abc76.jpg.html)

Nano
05-18-2013, 11:10 PM
I think I get it. Looks to be a drop off style aquarium but your making a little swimming area in the middle? Lol if I'm correct

hillegom
05-19-2013, 12:04 AM
I can't quite "see" the final drop tank look yet.
Its looking good though.

Looking forward to have pics and description of your light.

rickcasa
05-19-2013, 01:10 AM
I think I see your twist. Are those 2 chambers dsbs?? Neat idea!

Scythanith
05-19-2013, 01:28 AM
I think it's the other way haahaa! Probably stack rock in the middle and have the two sides "drop" away.

Marlin65
05-21-2013, 04:44 PM
rickcasa has it right. :smile:

I plan to fill the two sides with a DSB. I was going to fill them all the way with sand, but recommended depth for DSB is 6" max so I will put some plenums in at about 5" the center part will have rocks to the top of the DSB and I will place my corals up from that in the center. I have the 4 way running under the rocks so should have good flow in the center section.

monkE
05-21-2013, 05:35 PM
very cool idea, can't wait to see this take shape.

kien
05-21-2013, 07:20 PM
well this is different :-)

:pop2:

Marlin65
06-12-2013, 01:50 AM
Update.
Finished the plenum and some of the plumbing. I need to take the Ocean Motion off of my other tank still, but that will be a bit later. I did put in some water and rock from my other tanks to get things moving along.
I also bought one of those Speedwaves for my return pump. I was going to run my Dart but I will keep that as a back up for my other tank now.
Some pictures of the progress.:smile:

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/one_zps0964bf47.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/one_zps0964bf47.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/four_zps4172d0f2.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/four_zps4172d0f2.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/two_zpsa592e5d4.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/two_zpsa592e5d4.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/Three_zps81cb9943.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/Three_zps81cb9943.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/five_zps236312a3.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/five_zps236312a3.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/six_zps88c80044.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/six_zps88c80044.jpg.html)

rickcasa
06-12-2013, 02:23 AM
You got me...I thought there was going to be a sandbed on the ''upper" level. On the edge of my seat guessing where this goes...

Marlin65
07-20-2013, 04:38 AM
Up date time. :mrgreen:
Is't running now a few more things to complete but getting there.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/Fishup1_zps0dfff271.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/Fishup1_zps0dfff271.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/Fishup2_zps084ad697.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/Fishup2_zps084ad697.jpg.html)

kien
07-20-2013, 04:50 AM
Wow that turned out really great! Love the pic of the fish traversing the ledge single file :-)

gregzz4
07-20-2013, 04:51 AM
Wow, that looks great dude :smile:

I was expecting a build thread, but Boom, there it is

Can we get some close-up shots ? For me anyway
I can't quite make out the layout

Marlin65
07-20-2013, 07:52 PM
I will take some more been so busy building it no time for pictures. :lol:

Marlin65
08-15-2013, 05:22 AM
Got a chance to take a few more pictures,
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/Drop1_zps002ebce7.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/Drop1_zps002ebce7.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/Drop2_zpsbc563872.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/Drop2_zpsbc563872.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/Drop3_zps9ce4a9d0.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/Drop3_zps9ce4a9d0.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/Drop5_zps047819ec.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/Drop5_zps047819ec.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/Drop6_zpse41040b4.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/Drop6_zpse41040b4.jpg.html)
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/Drop8_zps9a7743de.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/Drop8_zps9a7743de.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/Drop7_zps2fc2eb62.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/Drop7_zps2fc2eb62.jpg.html)

Azzkr
08-15-2013, 09:56 AM
You have a great system there, Good job, Just wondering what's wrong with the yellow tang he looks really ruff.

Marlin65
08-15-2013, 03:33 PM
They gave him to me at J&L as someone had brought him in. He was beaten on by other fish and was almost dead when I got him. He is healthy now though but his fins need to grow back. I am wondering if that will ever happen had him for well over three months now. Who knows he might always look like that. :wink: He will then be called my ugly child.:smile:

lastlight
08-15-2013, 03:36 PM
nice deep vibrant colours in all your corals. i'm mad jelly.

tang daddy
08-15-2013, 08:44 PM
Finally all running.... Looks good buddy!

gregzz4
08-16-2013, 03:28 AM
Turned out great
Nice job

Baker
08-16-2013, 04:11 AM
Very Nice! Definitely a different concept of a reef. Gets a guy thinking. Well done.

Prariecanuck
08-17-2013, 12:52 PM
Awesome tank. Nothing else needs to be said. Love your ugly child he sure is one of a kind

thmh
08-17-2013, 03:47 PM
Wow that turned out amazingly!

~Tony

typezero
08-17-2013, 06:05 PM
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/18/y2yny6at.jpg

Awesome reaults!

Azzkr
09-20-2013, 09:41 AM
How's the tank doing any new updates?

Marlin65
09-20-2013, 05:10 PM
Here is a video of it as of right now.

http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/P9180118_zpscf7bc889.mp4.html

LoJack
09-20-2013, 06:42 PM
Amazing idea. That turned out really well. I've seen a few drops ... never seen one with upper levels of sand though, phenomenal.

asylumdown
10-27-2013, 10:26 PM
DOn't know how I missed this thread. By the end of the 1st page I really couldn't figure out how this was going to come together, then I started to understand half way down the second, then you posted a pic of the finished product and my mouth literally fell open. This is incredible. It's incredibly creative, incredible looking, incredibly well executed. Did you do all the woodwork yourself?

Really, this is awesome.

Marlin65
01-25-2014, 12:41 AM
DOn't know how I missed this thread. By the end of the 1st page I really couldn't figure out how this was going to come together, then I started to understand half way down the second, then you posted a pic of the finished product and my mouth literally fell open. This is incredible. It's incredibly creative, incredible looking, incredibly well executed. Did you do all the woodwork yourself?

Really, this is awesome.


Thank you yes built pretty much the whole thing.

SeaHorse_Fanatic
01-25-2014, 12:55 AM
Did an amazing job. I see the Naso I dropped off is very happy in his new home.

Marlin65
02-01-2014, 06:33 PM
Here are a few pictures. Things are starting to grow together real nice.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/1_zpsbc931fc3.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/1_zpsbc931fc3.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/3_zps14f53386.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/3_zps14f53386.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/5_zps7b92284f.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/5_zps7b92284f.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/5_zps7b92284f.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/5_zps7b92284f.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/7_zps0a721960.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/7_zps0a721960.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/11_zps156a7440.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/11_zps156a7440.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/13_zps21ee43bb.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/13_zps21ee43bb.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/15_zps163558c1.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/15_zps163558c1.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/16_zpse65d84f5.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/16_zpse65d84f5.jpg.html)

Picture of my Yellow Tang he never did grow back his fins.:sad:
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/17_zps2d77cb28.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/17_zps2d77cb28.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/19_zps18caec4d.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/19_zps18caec4d.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/20_zpse1bce1f4.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/20_zpse1bce1f4.jpg.html)

mike31154
02-01-2014, 11:09 PM
It's mostly been said, but yow, fine looking work! I have a Yellow Tang that lost some finnage as well. He had some sort of strange disease for a while with some splotches & brownish tinge to the spines in the dorsal fin. The dorsal & one of the lower (pectoral?) fins lost a good bit of material which has also never fully grown back. This was a few years ago now. Thankfully whatever the affliction was, it went away on it's own. Good thing 'cause I had no idea what it was or what to do about it.

How about some more info on your LED set up? Looks like DIY, which is what I have as well, so keenly interested in details on yours. What kind of chips? Looks like you may be using similar dimmers to what I have.

Marlin65
11-08-2014, 01:55 AM
Sorry been real busy with one of my other hobbies.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/PhoneJune2014Jeep038_zpsfd88396f.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/PhoneJune2014Jeep038_zpsfd88396f.jpg.html)

So killed off a few thousand animals. :) but things are back on the mend. A few pictures.


http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/Plate_zps40a9a9f4.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/Plate_zps40a9a9f4.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/Brain_zpse4151f1b.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/Brain_zpse4151f1b.jpg.html)


http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/coralone_zps0338f11f.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/coralone_zps0338f11f.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/Fulltankone_zpsf53f94f0.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/Fulltankone_zpsf53f94f0.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/Fulltanktwo_zps760af6d6.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/Fulltanktwo_zps760af6d6.jpg.html)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/Fulltankthree_zpsa231aa16.jpg (http://s246.photobucket.com/user/hikingtrigger/media/Fulltankthree_zpsa231aa16.jpg.html)

andestang
11-08-2014, 03:55 AM
Looks good ! Just put mine back together after fixing it from kid running into a cement barrier :lol:. Now looking for a lift kit and such for it. Where did you find the flares ? They look good with the bigger tires, usually people don't bother and then it just looks plan silly.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg94/hikingtrigger/PhoneJune2014Jeep038_zpsfd88396f.jpg

Marlin65
11-08-2014, 04:42 PM
Actually got those from Lordco they were on clearance.:smile:
Still need to build my front bumper and swap out my motor, but its getting there.