I unfortunately haven't been snappy enough with my camera to make a build thread. However, I will try document the buildwithout pictures.
The tank itself isn't the ordinary 135g. It is a square tank of 3ft wide, 3ft deep and 2ft tall. With a sump of 30"x18"x18" which has 4 compartments (2 of which are refugiums). It has a central overflow which is 10" wide and 6" front to back.
When I purchased this tank and it was in pretty rough condition. It had been used for marine and had been stagnent I guess for sometime. This therefore meant it was covered in salt deposits. And lots of general grime.
My first issue was setting up the stand. I initially constructed it in my hallway, then when i tried to get it into my bedroom it wouldn't fit throught the door (I know, ametuer mistake - however it was only around a cm to big. Next was the issue that it wouldn't fit in the alcove due to the skirting boards. So we have to doctor the base (sawed of an inch either side). Next was the problem that the plug socket was in way of the stand. So we drilled a hole in the side of the tank stand and affixed the socket internally. Which works out better anyway (it keeps all the wires out of view). Once the stand was done i set about the tank and sump.
So I set about cleaning the tank and sump using a jetwasher and warm water and vinegar. I then came to realise that all of the pipework was coated with the same stuff. So I decided to re-plumb everything with a 40mm overflow pipe and a 25mm return pipe. I purchased a 2500l/hr pump for the sump. I plumbed everything without any issues, I siliconed everything externally then siliconed it once the tank was in place.
I removed the acrylic panels which are used for the overflow. I cleaned them thoroughly and re-siliconed them. Once all the pipework and overflow was secure I fitted the sump underneath. Which I stupidly cracked on the corner when putting in position (caught it on the hinge). So I coated both the inside and outside in a considerable amount of silicone.
This morning I filled the tank up and tried out the plumbing which all works so far! And in the last hour I added some simple decor and sand and 6 kribensis to speed up any cycling - shouldn't require much cycling as I added media from my fx5.
I will attempt to upload some pictures shortly. Any questions, fire away!
The tank itself isn't the ordinary 135g. It is a square tank of 3ft wide, 3ft deep and 2ft tall. With a sump of 30"x18"x18" which has 4 compartments (2 of which are refugiums). It has a central overflow which is 10" wide and 6" front to back.
When I purchased this tank and it was in pretty rough condition. It had been used for marine and had been stagnent I guess for sometime. This therefore meant it was covered in salt deposits. And lots of general grime.
My first issue was setting up the stand. I initially constructed it in my hallway, then when i tried to get it into my bedroom it wouldn't fit throught the door (I know, ametuer mistake - however it was only around a cm to big. Next was the issue that it wouldn't fit in the alcove due to the skirting boards. So we have to doctor the base (sawed of an inch either side). Next was the problem that the plug socket was in way of the stand. So we drilled a hole in the side of the tank stand and affixed the socket internally. Which works out better anyway (it keeps all the wires out of view). Once the stand was done i set about the tank and sump.
So I set about cleaning the tank and sump using a jetwasher and warm water and vinegar. I then came to realise that all of the pipework was coated with the same stuff. So I decided to re-plumb everything with a 40mm overflow pipe and a 25mm return pipe. I purchased a 2500l/hr pump for the sump. I plumbed everything without any issues, I siliconed everything externally then siliconed it once the tank was in place.
I removed the acrylic panels which are used for the overflow. I cleaned them thoroughly and re-siliconed them. Once all the pipework and overflow was secure I fitted the sump underneath. Which I stupidly cracked on the corner when putting in position (caught it on the hinge). So I coated both the inside and outside in a considerable amount of silicone.
This morning I filled the tank up and tried out the plumbing which all works so far! And in the last hour I added some simple decor and sand and 6 kribensis to speed up any cycling - shouldn't require much cycling as I added media from my fx5.
I will attempt to upload some pictures shortly. Any questions, fire away!
