255 Gallon Acrylic Build

[jandb]

It’s been awhile since I’ve updated but have been moving along pretty well. I got the stand skinned, primed and painted along with cutting out the deck for the overflows.

 

[jandb]

I also got a cheap diamond bit from eBay and drilled the sump for the drip overflow line. I turned the tank on it’s side and used a drill press. I kept steady, light pressure on it while dripping water to cool the bit. Went through like butter.

 

[jandb]

Got the tank on the stand. Now on to the plumbing. I plan to do a water test and tune the plumbing back here before moving it into position.

 

[jandb]

Here’s what I have to work with in the overflow box. There are two 3/4” bulkheads and one 1 1/2” bulkhead. My plan is to do a hybrid bean animal/herbie drain. I toyed with drilling larger holes or using the big drain as the main siphon but settled on going with the two small drains as siphons and the 1 1/2” as the emergency. I got some good advice on the forum that helped me come to that conclusion.

 

[jandb]

Been a long time since I’ve updated this. Tanks been up and running for several months now. I’ll post some updates and more pics.

I went with the Jaboa pump. It was really cheap and very energy efficient. I also like the control it offered. If it fails I’ll have a power head in the display.

Here’s some final plumbing steps before the test fill.

 

[jandb]

 

[jandb]

Getting leveled up and into final position!

 

[DN328]

OP, you may want to add a strainer to the full siphon drain pipe. Just some added insurance and won't slow down the drain to any significant amount.

 

[jandb]

Now for some scaping!

 

[jandb]

I used both light and dark playsand and triple rinsed it prior to putting it in.