New 55 diy build

[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.



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

[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.



Short piece of chain



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



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.

[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.

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!



look at the condition of these fish....amazing!





Getting my drip system ready