Wingers 20 gallon from the get go

[Redwinger]

Well I have been meaning to jump on this and get that pod tore down and get on with what I know what works for me. Tank,sump,big skimmer and kalk for top off. The aquapod is a bryopsis farm right now but amazingly the corals are all doing very well. There was a scab from a old staghorn that started putting up some braches and I am pretty sure which one it is with in 6 months there will be lots of frags to go around as it grows like a weed.:biggthumpup: So the plan here is 20 gallon, sump , big skimmer and BB baby.:biggrin:

I had IIOHAB come over and drill the tank for me. 1" drain and 3/4" return. I am going to use the pan world 50px from the old 120 as the return. I also figured that this would be a good time to try some experimenting with some DIY acrylic work. Never done it before but have seen Bob working with it so many times I figured I would give it a whirl and see what I can mess up:laugh:. So the first project was the overflow. I had a big old black acrylic box laying around downstairs that was of no use. So I cut it up into workable pieces. Granted it is 3/8" thick material it really isn't ideal for a overflow but what the hay lets see what happens. I tried to make a jig that would work well but that didn't work out so swell so I went a different route.

Here is the first attempt:laugh::rotflmao:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC01818.jpg

And the second and final attempt proved much more successful:biggthumpup:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC01816.jpg

And the finished project
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC01817.jpg

Siiconed into the tank
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC01820.jpg


Next project will be the sump so we shall see how many gallons of water I dump onto the floor after that project.:laugh: If that goes successfully I will start on the skimmer.:smile:

[epidemic]

nice.

[JnS]

you know in no time you will be back up to at least a 75 :beerchug:

[Redwinger]

Maybe, Probably not:smile:

[Zekester]

Oh boy here we go!!! I like your tank build threads Red they always seem to move fairly fast:agree:

[Redwinger]

This one will probably take a month or two minimum as I have a pretty full schedule lately.:freak6: But if I get some free time and and get pluggin look out!:biggrin:

[Redwinger]

Well in the meantime I took some quick snapshots of the aquapod. I did a water change yesterday. (the first one in a month and a half I might add.) Crap I am getting to the point of Otoliths schedule as far as water changes go.:smile: I also cleaned the glass for as it was way over do. These were just some quick photos without the tripod or adjusting the white balance.

The purple digi that was rescued out of the 120 after the 120 had been shut down for 2-3 weeks with only a inch of water in it and no water movement or heater in the water. It came back and is getting purple again:biggthumpup:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC01823.jpg

Couple of coral shots
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC01822.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC01821.jpg

A green mile that is doing well
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC01824.jpg

The purple tipped thin branching stag. This was a scab hitchhiker on the rock when I tore the 120 down that is starting to sprout branches now. Stan this is the same as that big colony you got from me. This thing grows like a weed and looks pretty darn good when it gets bigger. 6 months from now it will be huge if I don't frag it.:wink:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC01825.jpg

Yes the tank is algae farm right now more from neglect than anything. It will be nice when I get the new tank done and get back to what works for me.:smile:

[Zekester]

your gonna need some marshal islands rock for that baby:wink:

[JnS]

very nice!

[old_man_river]

looks good jon

[rihanssu]

excellento!

[Redwinger]

Thanks everyone. I started cutting the flanges for the skimmer today, still have to get the keyholes made and the o-ring groove cut in. Than cut the tube hole. I will post some more pictures later on that process. Also am working on a photo box just need to get a small piece of scrap to glue it up.

[Redwinger]

Well the sump is done (well almost) Here are some pictures for you guys and gals.

First cut the pieces and routed all the edges to get nice clean edges.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC01829.jpg


Than started assembleing the side pieces to the back. I used the pin method with some twisties that have been stripped of the paper. Let the glue wick in the seam and let it sit for a good minute or two than pulled the pins. Worked pretty slick for my first time.:biggthumpup:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC01830.jpg


The last side being glued on and it is starting to take shape.:smile:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC01835.jpg

The front side being glued on to the sides and the baffles. The wifey was nice enough to let me borrow some of her weights to apply pressure and used some shims to push the from the bottom to help get good seams.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC01836.jpg


The bubble trap for the drain coming into the tank. I figured this would help on the bubble dramatically as there is going to be about 400gph running through this sump.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC01837.jpg

Here is the finished project. Still need to flush trim it on Sunday and then she will be good to go. Now I can start on the skimmer.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC01838.jpg

Turned out pretty good IMHO not many bubbles for a first timer. Yes there are a few but not nearly as many as I thought there would be. Over all I am quite ecstatic about it so far. This thing might just hold water:lol_hitting:



Here is a shot of the start I got on the flanges for the skimmer. Still need to cut the keyholes, the o-ring groove and the tube hole.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC01828.jpg

[Chris Goetz]

Great work! I think Bob will be proud...:beerchug:

[Redwinger]

Great work! I think Bob will be proud...:beerchug:

Don't insult the poor guy:laugh: This is no where near his caliber of craftsmanship but it works for me for a first timer.:smile:

[Redwinger]

Overall dimensions are 19" long 10" deep and 11.5" high. It should hold about 10 gallons filled to the brim and about 5 gallons with normal running. I will be adding a kent float valve for top off water kalk water to keep salinity and stabilize it a little more. The skimmer is going to be tricky to fit in the skimmer section as with a 5" tube there is not much room for the pump but I will figure something out. I only have about 12.5" to work with in the skimmer area so it should be tight.

[Beng]

Hey Redwinger, did you cut the flages yourself?
I'm looking for a couple and was just wondering if there
was a place that sells acrylic flanges.

Beng

[Redwinger]

Yeah I am cutting them on my own. I know there are a couple places that sell them online. Try barr aquatic. I think he sells them.

[Zekester]

Looks Good John

[rihanssu]

wow winger! no wonder you got those huge arms! those 3lb weights must really induce a burn =)

[Redwinger]

Watch out Mr. Universe here I come!:lol_hitting:

[smeese]

Sure the weights are your Wife's :wink3: Nice job so far..quite the DIY project

[Redwinger]

Well the plumbing is done and the tank is wet. Every thing leak tested out all right and I added some salt and some rock. When the water clears up later I will post some pictures.

[droinablunt]

Lookin good Jon!:biggthumpup: :biggthumpup:

[rihanssu]

where da pics?

[Redwinger]

Well here it is so far. Sump holds well so far.:laugh: Still need to test the copper levels after a week or so to see if there are any remnants left over. If my suspicions are correct all will be fine and I can proceed with the transfer of livestock.:biggthumpup: According to all the chemistry guys out there the tank should be just fine and hopefully we have myth busted. Otherwise we have pocket book busted:freak6:.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC01840.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC01841.jpg

Excuse the mess it will get tidied up after all the testing has been done. This is the return pump. Pan world 50px.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC01842.jpg

[thepollock]

:biggthumpup: :nuts:

[JnS]

looks nice :agree:
pretty soon you will have enough little tanks to fill a big one :wink::biggthumpup::lol_hitting::beerchug:

[Irenicus]

Looking good John. This thread is pretty fun to follow.

Are you using your own tools or Bob's for the acrylic work?

[Redwinger]

Using my own tools but I did need to borrow a spade bit and a hole saw from Bob for the holes in the sump.

[epidemic]

big pump for a 20g

[tico mike]

I love the aquascaping. Did you use the acrylic rods?:gay2:



















I'll get your table to you soon. I promise. Hopefully Friday morning or sometime. I just need to get it loaded. I always seem to remember when I drive by. :coolmad:

[Redwinger]

big pump for a 20g

High turnover to the skimmer is how I like it. It's only 400gph:biggrin:

I love the aquascaping. Did you use the acrylic rods?:gay2:


I'll get your table to you soon. I promise. Hopefully Friday morning or sometime. I just need to get it loaded. I always seem to remember when I drive by. :coolmad:

Smart arse:tongue: Just give me a call I leave on Saturday for a little vacation.:biggthumpup:

[Redwinger]

Completed the first copper test last night and showed not a trace of copper in the system. I will test again in a week. Got all the tubing for the skimmer so should be able to start on that next week.

[epidemic]

If it were me Id take a 1 month sample and bring it to BRaun Intertech in bloomington, There they can do ICP (ion-coupled plasma analysis) to the sample and detect copper down to about 1ppb. I think its only like $30 ish for one metal.

[Redwinger]

I really am not worried about it that much

[kjdeut]

Looking nice John

[wolrey]

I am REALLY intrested to see how your skimmer turns out. From what I know (which isn't a ton right now :help: ), it doesn't seem that this is a good nano skimmer out there right now. There's the tunze, but its pricey.

Jeff

[Redwinger]

I am REALLY intrested to see how your skimmer turns out. From what I know (which isn't a ton right now :help: ), it doesn't seem that this is a good nano skimmer out there right now. There's the tunze, but its pricey.

Jeff

Exactly why I decided to make one on my own. The ones out there suck and I would rather spend $200-$250 to make one that I know would have a better chance at working effectively.

[Redwinger]

A little update. I got the polypropolene bottom cut and in the tank and made a topoff resevoir today. This is going to sit behind the tank and gravity feed to the kent float valve. It holds 2.5 gallons and will be a mix of kalk and fresh rodi water for the topoff. The union on top is for filling the resevoir up and it is air tight. I will be working on the skimmer so more tommorrow and will post some pictures of the progress on that as I can.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC02058.jpg

Kind of looks bad as it has some water in it from the leak test but will work perfectly on this tank.

[Volitan]

looking good!!!

[Redwinger]

Here is what I got done on the skimmer today. I asked Bob if he would show me how he does his flanges as my circle cutting jig I ordered is on backorder and wanted to get as much of this done while I am on vacation as possible. So I cut new flanges, cup lid and cup bottom. Glued them up and it is starting to look like a skimmer. The body is 13" the cup is 6" tall. The pump is going to be a sedra 3500. The input will be 1/2" and the output will be a 1" gate valve. This little bugger I figure would handle up to 75 gallons is what I am estimateing so should be big enough for a 20 gallon.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC02059.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC02060.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC02061.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC02062.jpg

[smeese]

Nice stuff John!

[Redwinger]

Thanks Smeese!:smile:

[droinablunt]

Nice stuff John!

Yup I second that:biggthumpup:

[Redwinger]

The skimmer is done now onto the tivo and the wings game!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC02068.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC02069.jpg

[storrisch]

nice work

[freshfish]

Good job john you'll be building stuff for people in no time.

[wolrey]

I wish my diy looked that GOOD. Man, I need some lessons.

Jeff

[Redwinger]

nice work

Thanks:smile:

Good job john you'll be building stuff for people in no time.

No way Jose. I don't have time for this DIY project as it is.:freak6:

I wish my diy looked that GOOD. Man, I need some lessons.

Jeff


I have a great Mentor:biggthumpup:





Well the tank has been transferred as there were a couple of SPS that were really looking like garbage in the aquapod so I decided to just transfer it over. Plus the skimmer needs a bio-load right:biggrin:? Transferred the whole dealio in about 25 minutes. Now hopefully things will get back to where I am familiar with.:smile:

[wolmutt]

thats very nice. I'm excited to see pics of its skimmate. How much do you think you spent total?

[zryder]

im guessing you got the acrylic from bob... but where did you get all the materials? I would love to DIY my own acrylic..
I am planning on making my own skimmer, just for the cost reasons, but to keep it cheap, i was planning on making it out of PVC pipe. How much would you guess the cost difference would be between pvc and acrylic?

i am quite impressed with your setup. ought to be the best 20g out there!
but.... who would expect less from a co-president of such a fine club!

[JG24]

Good Job Grasshopper. LOL

Zryder- There is a pretty good difference in price between gray and white pvc. In some cases, depending on sizes sometime a 2-3 times price difference.

[smeese]

Winger that skimmer looks awesome man! Great job~

[Beng]

Psssst...Anyone want to host a DIY Skimmer/Acrylic cuttting workshop, Please :)

Beng

[Redwinger]

Psssst...Anyone want to host a DIY Skimmer/Acrylic cuttting workshop, Please :)

Beng

LOL not Me!


Well it is finally breaking in and producing some skim mate:biggthumpup:. Not as much as I want to see right now but a lot of it is that the feed pump is to big I believe and I haven't fed the tank so there is very little to take out. I am hoping to still keep the feeding at a good one time a week to allow the algae to come under control from everything being in the phosphate farm for too long. Also bought a aqua controller junior for it to monitor the ph and also control the lighting and the temperature. I also need to modify the overflow a little as the clowns just love surfing over the edge. So I plan on either taking the old one out and making a new one or just using some gutter guard on the inside.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC02076.jpg

[Angel~Eyes]

John it looks great!!! I am very impressed!

Can't wait to see pics of your new tank ;)

[Redwinger]

Well here you go plus some more updates.


Ok here is the picture of the overflow cover I made to keep the fish from taking the "falls". Works well and no more clowns in the over flow.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC02078.jpg

Also added a Aquacontroller jr. to help stabilize the temp and also to help make me feel better about the tank when I am gone.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC02077.jpg


Some Zoas
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC02081.jpg
A blasto
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC02082.jpg

Green Echino
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC02084.jpg

Frogspawn.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC02083.jpg

Acan?
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC02086.jpg
Top down left side
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC02080.jpg


Tank shot
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/sands2/DSC02079.jpg


Still am needing to get a couple things. Some of my favorite SPS that I had in the 120 and a Nano stream to help boost the flow.

As far as the old hospital tank thingy and not to use one for a tank. I would have to say so far "myth busted" The SPS are coming around from the transfer and are showing great polyp extension. Keep in mind this 20 used to be my hospital/QT tank and has had just about every med in it known to aquarists.

[MNGold15]

Looking real good!

[GMan]

:drool:

[Chris Goetz]

Very nice...
I like those blue zoas... :)

[Zekester]

fantastic

[Irenicus]

Very Nice!

I was looking forward to your "mythbusted" conclusion. All your corals look great.

[Redwinger]

Added a couple of things today. The maxi jet 900 just wasn't cutting it so I figured I would give OD a call and see if they had any 6025 nano streams. Ran down to get one and a new fish. After thinking about how much flow these produce I decided to grab two for the 20. I think Ed thinks I am nuts from his expression but I don't think he ever saw the old hurricane tank.:laugh:. Hooked them up and they kicked up a ton of stuff right away and should help keep the detritus suspended. Also got a little canary blenny. Plopped him in the tank and was out and swimming around almost instantly:biggthumpup:.

[Chris Goetz]

:bump1: We need a 6 month update! :)

[Twins Guy]

indeed...

i'm curious how the top off worked for you. if truly air tight you would create a vacuum inside the box and especially as the water level in the vessel goes down it would slow dramatically. this would be easily rectified by leaving the union loose/cracked open a bit. i doubt there would be any significant impact on the "strength" of kalk-that is from insoluble caco3 formation.

sorry i didn't see this 6 months ago when this thread was new:)

skimmer looks awesome-is it still working well?

tg

[spectrum]

Nice how many gallons and how much did that sump cost?

[Redwinger]

:bump1: We need a 6 month update! :)


Bah! Ok the tank is still up for now. It has been neglected pretty bad. No algae issues. But I haven't done a water change on it in probably 2-3 months. Also haven't tested anything in about 2 months. Just haven't been interested in a nano.;) It has served its purpose of keeping my hands wet over the last year and has also proved the meds in tank myth to be just that a myth:biggthumpup:.

The tank will hopefully be down in a week. At that point I can get the rest of the stuff done around the house that I have been planning and then do a little here and there on the next tank. Here's a hint. Half of the basement has been Demo'ed. But hold that thought cause it will be a about a two year process, so no build threads here.:tongue:

indeed...

i'm curious how the top off worked for you. if truly air tight you would create a vacuum inside the box and especially as the water level in the vessel goes down it would slow dramatically. this would be easily rectified by leaving the union loose/cracked open a bit. i doubt there would be any significant impact on the "strength" of kalk-that is from insoluble caco3 formation.

sorry i didn't see this 6 months ago when this thread was new:)

skimmer looks awesome-is it still working well?

tg

Rich the topoff system worked well when I would keep up with the topoff of the reservoir. If I forgot to fill the resevoir the kalk would clog up the float which was expected. I am just to lazy to fill my topoff once a week. The next tank will have a virtually maintenance free topoff system. The vacuum that you mention is correct. I just drilled a hole in the top of the acrylic disk that let air in. The skimmer really has been working well. I am still in shock that it works as well as it does. Nice nasty gunk in there now come to think of it.

Nice how many gallons and how much did that sump cost?


Sump IIRC is about 5 gallons but probally around 2.5-3 gallons in operation. The cost of the sump to build was probably $50-$75 in acrylic (my labor was free.:)) I think but that was a while ago.

[Redwinger]

Oh and one other thing. Nano streams are garbage. Both the holders broke for no reason and the prop shrouds keep coming off exposing a nice food processor for the tank. Was a little dissapointed as I have always been a tunze fan and will continue the bigger streams in larger tanks but I cannot recommend the nano streams after both failing in a six month time frame.