My homemade 180

[Thingsarefun]

It's definitely not prefect but it's mine!

Two 4x8 sheets of 3/4 inch acrylic were cut for a 6x2x2 180G
40B sump plumbed with 1 inch drains & 3/4 inch returns, approximately 15 turnover per hour.

Currently cycling and lightly planted.

1.jpg

[coralbandit]

Very nice !

[Willie]

What was your rationale to go the DIY route? The two acrylic sheets would probably cost more than a used 220 or 300 gal tank.

Willie

[Thingsarefun]

What was your rationale to go the DIY route? The two acrylic sheets would probably cost more than a used 220 or 300 gal tank.

Willie

I saved about 50% of what fishtanksdirect has a basic glass Marineland 220 listed for.
With the 3/4 inch acrylic I could still lift the tank myself so I didn't have to bother my wife or friends getting it on the stand, not going to happen with glass.

Also, I have all the tools available from doing home renovations so there wasn't a lot of extra things to buy.

[captainandy]

I think that's phenomenal. I've considered doing the same for years but always chickened out. How hard was it?

[Thingsarefun]

Honestly it wasn't too difficult, but you most definitely need a router.
Not sure if i can link to other sites, but here is the thread I used for information http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...57#post3062657

I should have built a router table with a big outflow space first, it would have helped prep edges better.

[Thingsarefun]

Cycle day #5
Thank you plants, I guess were skipping the Nitrite stage on this tank too?

IMG_2.jpg

[Willie]

In a cycled tank, there should be absolutely no ammonia or nitrite. My read is that the tank has not cycled. When it happens, you'll see a haze in the water. That clears overnight and the tank is fully cycled then. Your readings will show 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and 10 - 20 ppm nitrate.

[FischAutoTechGarten]

I had no idea that aluminum channel could take that much weight.... Wow. Learned something!

[Thingsarefun]

I had no idea that aluminum channel could take that much weight.... Wow. Learned something!

Extruded aluminum is awesome stuff, aquariums aren't even close to their weight limit.
It's used at my work for conveyors that support engine assembly's.

[Thingsarefun]

Cycle is very close to complete

test .jpg

20ml doses of Ammonia is processed overnight and Nitrite won't go over 1ppm.

Probably not a good idea changing any water but the tannin buildup is blocking too much light for the plants, and I get to test my super custom water change setup.

Garden hose Input
input.jpg

Garden hose attachment from my Sump return line.
outlet.jpg

[dspeers]

I am curious, have you ever noticed that if the NO3 accumulates to too high a level that it inhibits the nitrate cycle bacteria? I would assume at some level it would much like etoh at > 12% inhibits brewers yeast but cannot find anything via google.

[jeep]

Very nice accomplishment. I don't think I would trust myself...

[Thingsarefun]

Slowly working on plant placement & seeing what likes to grow in the tank.

Also added some new friends along with transferring my group of Oto cats

new friends 1.jpg
new friends.jpg
new friends 2.jpg

[coralbandit]

Looking good !