New 55 diy build

[dbfzurowski]

Hey good people :)

Finlay with some days off from work, the petco $1/Gal tank sale and my fiancée persuasion I ended up building my long awaited new 55G setup.

I've researched diy sumps long time ago so I had an idea what to do.

1. Drill holes for overflow

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0339.jpg

I used http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202205611/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 which worked great. Held water to cool the drill, overall very satisfied!



2. Paint bottom of tank. I didnt spray paint it as I did it indoors. Just to cold for garage project.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0341.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0343.jpg

Rest is coming soon... my bro just fried some electrical things durring a radio instal in his car and now it wont start :) I go to the rescue!!!!

[ZX10R]

Did you buy the glass hole saw at Home Depot? I tried the link but nothing came up it said error on page. I will be drilling my tank soon and didn't want to pay $$$$ for a glass hole saw. When you get done with helping your buddy with his car stereo come over to my house and help me install a remote start in my wifes new vehicle looks like it is going to be a real pain.

[dbfzurowski]

Fixed the link, I did install his starter :) what can I tell you, google is your friend!

[dbfzurowski]

anyways...

3. About 2 hours at the home depot later

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0344.jpg

Do NOT use that "red" silicone!!!

4. Over flow assembly

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0346.jpg


finally all those CD/DVD cases came in handy

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0351.jpg


http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0352.jpg


http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0353.jpg

that being done, I moved on to the sump...

[dbfzurowski]

5. Sump. 10G tank, I used a jig saw with a metal blade to cut the 1/4in thick acrylic sheet

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0355.jpg

Drip tray and base... I just couldnt find the egg crate that everyone seemed to be using.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0357.jpg

Had some 3/4 pvc left over so I used it to lift the base

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0359.jpg

Securing the drip tray was a pain to level, but some blue tape did the work. Final product

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0363.jpg

6. Return from pump. I switched out the brass part to plastic which cost 89C vs $4.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0364.jpg

[dbfzurowski]

Hooked it all up and...

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0371.jpg

got about 400gph out of it




This is the tank, unfortunately I used the wrong silicone on the sump and lost 4/5 discus I had.
I now recommend spending the extra $$$ and buying silicone from LFS

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0387.jpg

The Light fixture is a T8 from Home Depot. It came in two parts, reflector and bulb housing. It holds two 32W T8 1x 6000k 1x8000k bulbs(sold separately). I can easily purchase those 4' T5 double bulb fixtures and throw them in the reflector to get double wattage. Total cost for T8 64W was $35. If I wanted T5 112 W it would be around $60 for additional fixtures. For some reason they dont sell T5's with reflectors...
So if I ever decide to upgrade from jungle val and frogbit, I can do so for $60 more

[dbfzurowski]

Best thing about this is the water change system. Hook up garden hose, turn the valve and...

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0381.jpg

50% WC, no more buckets....:)

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0391.jpg

Then garden hose is attached to sink and wallah!

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0392.jpg

[dbfzurowski]

I did alter the build a bit, will post upgrades tomorow. Gnite all

[wewin1]

Nice setup, I think I might do the same setup with my next tank.

[jball1125]

Nice setup dude.

How did you figure out the silicone was the problem? Did you have to make a new sump or did the toxins eventually drain out?

[dbfzurowski]

I started googling like crazy about stuff i used for the build. Pvc glue, brass parts, vinyl tubing and silicone. Found out that ge silicone 1 is ok not 2 that i used. I used a razor to scrape all silicone off and re-applied with aquarium safe one. I washed the whole system and did a lot wc once up and running. The sole survivor is recovering very well, but what can i do with one discus :(

[ZX10R]

Thanks for that info on the hole saw never would of thought about using a tile hole saw and it is a lot cheaper then what I was looking at. Love the setup I did my 120 like yours but I hard piped my drain outside for WC so much easier.

Good job
Sean

[dbfzurowski]

Thanks and your welcome Sean.

[Second Hand Pat]

dominik, very nice and great photos. Wish I could do my WC from the tap. I have to age my water at least 4 hours for the PH swing.

[dbfzurowski]

Thanks Pat, you have no idea how happy I am to eliminate buckets :) Do to frequent injuries from my other hobbies it is often very difficult to lift a bucket. We have some hard water here so straight tap works

[dbfzurowski]

So what else did I do... hmmm...

I drilled a hole in my overflow and siliconed in a splinter for air tubbing. One exit is siliconed up.

Special device was purchased(the red thing) to make sure opening didnt get any silicone to restrict the air flow.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0378.jpg

I did this to silence the overflow pipe and also to avoid it from becoming a siphon and draining my tank.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0395.jpg

[dbfzurowski]

For the return, I also drilled a small (3/16 i think) hole so when power goes out, to much waters doesn't drain back to sump.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0398.jpg

Short piece of chain

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0396.jpg

so I can easily suspend the light fixture to work inside the tank

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0397.jpg

Lamp in back is a desk lamp with a blue bulb, total cost was $18. Looks really cool at night, unfortunately my camera skills didnt allow me to capture that.

[dbfzurowski]

Short video of it all working. Sorry for shaking but I tripped over a bag of m&m's like 3 times :)
Thankfully I didnt kill all of my bio filtration, the sump already starting to have that cycled tank smell.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/th_MVI_0404.jpg (http://s300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/?action=view&current=MVI_0404.mp4)

[ZX10R]

For the return, I also drilled a small (3/16 i think) hole so when power goes out, to much waters doesn't drain back to sump.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0398.jpg


Is this your return from the pump in your sump? If so I bought a pvc glue in check valve at lowes and put in line with mine to keep the water from syphoning back down to the sump.

[dbfzurowski]

I thought about that but I wanted to create slight water movement at the top of tank, unfortunately I drilled it a little to low haha but I still get some movement :)

[ockyra215]

Dom,
did you get the bulkheads at the depot also.I got to give you props on the whole buile I like it. I really like how the drip tray came out.

[dbfzurowski]

Bulkheads I got from my LFS, they were 300% more then online but I wanted to support the fish store I visit pretty often. The drip tray haha, let me just tell you my fiancée wasn't to pleased that I jacked one of her food containers but it was perfect for the project:)

[Second Hand Pat]

Thanks Pat, you have no idea how happy I am to eliminate buckets :) Do to frequent injuries from my other hobbies it is often very difficult to lift a bucket. We have some hard water here so straight tap works

Yes I do. I did the bucket brigade for a while. No fun. I am about to graduate from 1/2 in vinyl tubing with a mag 7 to 3/4 in with a mag 9. Woo Hoo. I have to aerate water prior to use and have 2 44 gallon and 2 33 gallon brute trash cans I use to push water from or pull water in.

[dbfzurowski]

heh, good luck with the upgrade!

[Northwoods Discus]

Way to go on the DIY. It looks great. I did something like it on my own also. It is kinda fun figuring it all out. I hear you on standing in HD for 2 hours. The guys in the plumbing isle are begining to know me.
I cringed when I saw the picture of your stuff with the silicone. I saw some info on here that saved me from the same mistake. Making a breeding cone siliconed onto a piece of slate. Cool build and great pics. Thanks for showing us.

[dbfzurowski]

Thanks for the kind words. I went back to that HD so many times that one guy just started laughing when he saw me :)
Yea, sux what happened, but stay tuned, I got Kenny's discus coming this thursday. Will post some pictures, hope they enjoy the setup.

[Second Hand Pat]

dominik, glad to hear you are getting some new fish. Look forward to the pics.

[dbfzurowski]

It is time!

[aalbina]

It is time!

Looking forward to seeing the the new fish! Good luck!

Adam

[dbfzurowski]

They are here!

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0507.jpg

look at the condition of these fish....amazing!
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0510.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0509.jpg


Getting my drip system ready

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0508.jpg

[dbfzurowski]

Quick video. Blue water ph ~6.8-7 , tank water ~7.8 hope all goes well

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/th_MVI_0512.jpg (http://s300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/?action=view&current=MVI_0512.mp4)

[retiredsailor]

Dom, it looks great. A shame about the silicone. You made it look simple enough that I'm tempted to try it with my tank, once I get my tanks that is.

[jball1125]

Congrats dude! Going up in pH is not as bad as going down in pH. They should adjust just fine.

[Second Hand Pat]

dominik, where's the pictures???

[dbfzurowski]

Hopefully tomorrow they wont be hiding behind my plant :)

[Second Hand Pat]

I can wait :)

[dbfzurowski]

Ok, time for update.

They are still hiding behind the plant when i get close
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0524.jpg

Panda Cory Cat
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0525.jpg
awesome little fish

[dbfzurowski]

Ok, @3weeks in my possession. All is great!!! Fish are starting to love me:). Quick video, sorry its wide angle, forgot to change settings.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/th_fishTankSequence01.jpg (http://s300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/?action=view&current=fishTankSequence01.mp4)

[dbfzurowski]

1month.

I can't believe how well my plants are doing!
Val is getting to big for its pot
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0757.jpg
Amazon Frogbit went from 4 little plants to this in a month;
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0750.jpg
New light fixture, looks a lot better then the previous white one. Same wattage, 64W total.

the fish of course:
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0758.jpg
Beautiful red eyes developed on my albinos, very happy :)
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/IMG_0759.jpg
The one PB is still very pale, only gets darker during feeding when he "fights " for food, no idea why but he looks healthy.

[mwdw]

looks great. like the fogbit.

[Bud]

nice work on build,makes me want to fill up part of my basement with tanks!lol!I recently built my own set-up,ran main waterline to aging tank with pump goin to main tank then piped my overflow into main drain(with p-trap of course).I came across a petsmart going out of buisness and got a free 75 gal predrilled.Iwould have done this along time ago but was having problems finding a non-tempered tank.So my question is how did you know your tank wasnt tempered??!!I was told by most manufactures,"almost all fish tanks are tempered now"!I thought I was lucky to have stumbled upon this tank.

[Second Hand Pat]

dominik, looks great. Loved the video. Your little guys have really come around for you. Follow you all over the place. Did you teach them to follow the little red light?

[dbfzurowski]

Bud, most bigger tanks(55G+) only have tempered bottom. But I did Google the manufacturer and tank specs just to be sure.

Thanks Pat, trick is to film when they are hungry, they will follow anything.

[Bud]

Huh,when I got my 125 I couldnt get anyone to drill it,glass cutters,factories,ect.I called the manufacture AND the petstore and neither one could tell me if it was all tempered and advised me not to have it drilled!If its not Ill tear that sucker down and punch some holes in it!!Not a big fan of running hoses all the time especially on a 125!I know this is a discus site but anyone interested in an african malawi community(still cichlids)!You may have opened up a new can for me!

[Foxfire]

Huh,when I got my 125 I couldnt get anyone to drill it,glass cutters,factories,ect.I called the manufacture AND the petstore and neither one could tell me if it was all tempered and advised me not to have it drilled!If its not Ill tear that sucker down and punch some holes in it!!Not a big fan of running hoses all the time especially on a 125!I know this is a discus site but anyone interested in an african malawi community(still cichlids)!You may have opened up a new can for me!

Most large tanks have a tempered bottom only so the side could be "wet drilled" safely. Life is a risk but it is your call. Still, I can't believe the mfg doesn't know - that sounds very strange.

[dbfzurowski]

You know what they say; "if you want to have a drilled tank you have to drill it your self?" not sure if thats what they say but thats what i did :) Google to see if anyone else drilled that tank

[Bud]

Man I just hate the thought of loosin hundreds of dollars!But really Id rather replace a side panel than a back panel(want the overflow in the back)cuz 3/8" glass isnt to cheap.Off to google I guess

[Bud]

The "shizzy" on the tank manufactures my 125gal says,"TopFin"and of course thats petsmarts label but they use a few makers,the small to mid size tanks are made by marienland,the big tanks by prefecto.I found my answer on google but had to be certain so I called,....and called........and called.And yes only bottoms are tempered.Man....I have so many projects goin on,my wifes gonna kill me!Hahaha!

[steelbreeze1]

I think you can tell the differance between tempered glass and regular glass with polarized sunglasses. If you have some lets me know if you see the differance.

[Bud]

Ya youre right,you can take the tank outside look at it in the sun with polorized shades and see the checkerboard or diamond pattern in the glass,like on some cars.Or you supposedly can put a bright LCD screen behind the glass and look at it at an angle with the sunglasses too.I never tried it cuz I have a hard time believing anything!lol.But Ive since talked to 2 of the main aquarium manufactures and they tell me almost ALL tanks are only tempered on the bottom piece of glass(and it seemed like I pulled their teeth just for that little bit of info,like they were breaking some patent laws or something!!)

[Darrell Ward]

Yeah,tempered glass is more expensive than plate glass. To hold down costs, you only find tempered glass on the bottoms of production tanks for impact resistance. Of course, you can get anything you want on custom tanks.

[dbfzurowski]

time for update.
I stopped dosing ferts for about 3weeks and this started happening

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/100_1932.jpg

so i trimmed it a little

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/100_1929.jpg

but this was long time ago.

I had a 2days off this week and well, i got bored so I decided to redo my sump a little.

took this
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/100_1946.jpg

put it there
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/100_1950.jpg
ps. I didnt drill in acrylic, I heated up a copper pipe and melted me some holes

I wanted to add micron filters as I was getting small particles in the tank. Rocking 1x50 & 1x100 micron bags.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/100_1955.jpg

top view, Finnex digital heater, I've had it for about 2-3months I think, so far so good.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/100_1958.jpg

So I was getting some junk stuck under bioballs in corners so I decided to try a moving bed bio filtration(is the name I think). I cut out the outer ring of the bioballs(period of two beers) to make them smaller, I dont remember why, hmmm why did I do than? Make them smaller but for what? Anyways.
Fusion700 with 4 Asian air stones is each corner.
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/100_1954.jpg
It working I guess.
Poor video, sorry
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/th_100_1956.jpg (http://s300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/?action=view&current=100_1956.mp4)

Thats all for now.

[dbfzurowski]

Hey good people!!!
Man I've been gone for long time! Many things have kept me busy, this is one of them, new in-wall build!
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/wadopl/55G%20tank%20build/100_1967.jpg

I dont have as many pictures as from the previous one, but I will post some soon.

No fish yet. Pool filter sand and some vals for now. Needs to settle, then I'll bring over some of my little fish and see how it goes.

[Apistomaster]

Your DIY project is most impressive.
Since you seem to like tinkering with it so much there is one change I would recommend visa vi your moving bed biofilter which would triple it's efficiency.
Instead of your altered bio-balls, check out the Kaldnes K1 Biofilm carriers. See here:http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/1797/Kaldnes-Media

[AKRON AWOL]

wow your last tank is amazing!!! i wish i could see it with the lights on though! :)

[dbfzurowski]

Hiii
My new in wall project is almost complete. Just waiting for my K1(thanks for hint Apistomaster). Will do a step by step soon