30 Gallon reef cube build 100% DIY

Tigweldpro · #1 03-29-2017, 09:19 PM

Hello, I'm new here. I am currently building a 30 gallon cube reef tank with 15 gallon sump.

All I currently have is a stack of cut glass(free) 3/8" sides 1/2" bottom
I have been looking all over for 3/4" pvc slip x slip bulkhead fittings in Calgary and cannot find anywhere. Anyone know where these can be found?

Plans are 19" cube tank, 3/4" bean animal overflow box, 15 gallon sump, Sicce 2.0 return pump, SCA 301 skimmer, Purple dry rock, dry sand, Lighting LED TBD....

Any advice or help would be awesome

dino · #2 03-30-2017, 02:24 AM

Tigweldpro · #3 03-30-2017, 09:16 PM

Attachment 15801

Glass overflow done cutting. now comes the silicone SCS1200 black.....

Tigweldpro · #4 03-31-2017, 05:41 PM

Attachment 15803

Tank assembled, 24hrs then seal inside with a fat bead....
Gonna be a nice tank!

Tigweldpro · #5 04-01-2017, 10:22 PM

So my tank is built and looks great.
Working on the stand currently 32 x 24, 29" tall.

-Now yes or no for egg crate in the bottom of the tank?
-I went with the Sicce 1.5 instead of 2.0 will the flow from this pump be enough or should I be adding power heads?
-1 or 2 bubble traps in the sump? haven't added baffles yet but have lots of glass.
-1" of sand is good enough in tank?
-Sand, rock, rubble, bare bottom in refuge?

Little help would be nice from the senior reefers.....

Thanks

Frogger · #6 04-01-2017, 10:31 PM

Why do you want egg crate in bottom of tank?

Tigweldpro · #7 04-04-2017, 05:12 AM

Now I'm on the hunt for a good light... Any suggestions for best bang for your buck? id like sun up sun down programmability. 19" cube...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tigweldpro

So my tank is built and looks great.
Working on the stand currently 32 x 24, 29" tall.

-Now yes or no for egg crate in the bottom of the tank?
-I went with the Sicce 1.5 instead of 2.0 will the flow from this pump be enough or should I be adding power heads?
-1 or 2 bubble traps in the sump? haven't added baffles yet but have lots of glass.
-1" of sand is good enough in tank?
-Sand, rock, rubble, bare bottom in refuge?

Little help would be nice from the senior reefers.....

Thanks

Galizio · #8 04-05-2017, 03:09 AM

Have to agree with tangdaddy about the bug screen kit for the windows, is pretty simple to put together and just use some mesh you can get from brs, or some other local reefer that have extra to sell, the egg crate is too bulky and also don't let the light penetrate...
I would not suggest a glass top either, gets foggy all the time

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Tigweldpro · #9 04-05-2017, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galizio

Have to agree with tangdaddy about the bug screen kit for the windows, is pretty simple to put together and just use some mesh you can get from brs, or some other local reefer that have extra to sell, the egg crate is too bulky and also don't let the light penetrate...
I would not suggest a glass top either, gets foggy all the time

The problem is the cat! She thinks she can sit on mesh until.......poof Catfish! My freshwater tanks are all open top but I don't keep any jumpers.....

ill throw 2 small pcs of glass on the inside of the tank to rest egg crate on and see how it goes, easy to remove if I go a different route.

Ill be painting and plumbing my tank/stand tomorrow. try and get a few pix.

Thx for the reply

Tigweldpro · #10 04-06-2017, 10:20 PM

My Sicce 1.5 pump showed up today.......

I threw it an a half bucket of water and plugged it in, I don't think this pump is going to have the flow I need.....

3/4" pvc 1 90*, 1' horizontal, 1' vertical, y splitter, 2x 1.5' vertical.....
tank is 26.5G used volume. sump is 10G used volume
I think ill be around 175GPH. I'm thinking 200GPH should be the absolute minimum for this setup.....5x volume would be 182.5GPH

dammit dammit dammit