Back from a long absence, and in a very DIY mood.
Looking to build a tank as much as possible from scratch. There will be exceptions, like pumps, chillers, AC units, and multi-way valves... things that I cannot reasonably construct myself.
I do not consider skimmers, * reactors, Tanks, Stands, or anything that doesn't require more specialized equipment than a table saw and a heat gun beyond constructibility.
To be sure, I don't expect to be able to save a lot of money that way... that's not why I'm doing the DIY thing. I want to control how things look and work better than if I purchased everything.
Attached are some of my first CAD documents for this project, made in Google Sketchup. The tank measures 120cmx45cmX45cm, with a planned 40cm water level to allow some lip at the top for wave motion, floor wobbling, etc.
Found some great structural silicone specially for glass bonding (aquariums are listed as a possible application by the MFG) and the base is made primarily out of 2x4s. Not sure if it needs additional reinforcement. Still looking for calculations on that part.
The octopus piping is primarily to keep returns traveling ABOVE WATER LEVEL at some point in their run, thereby allowing the world's most simple siphon break, a drill bit.
The concept is a division of the tank that's traversible by livestock, from deep water lighting and current conditions (on the left) to shallow water lighting and current conditions. The right half has 150W (2W/l, about 6W/gal) of 10k, the left has 70W (1W/l, about 3/gal) of 14k. Putting the drain piping in the middle helps facilitate this division, and keeps the look cleaner (one overflow to hide instead of 2)
The plumbing, if you look too closely (adjustment valves are not in yet) has an OM Squirt that constantly cycles the right 3, plus the top left pump returns, but the left 2 pipes (which point diagonally up and back, and diagonally down and forward) are constantly running at a somewhat reduced velocity.
I'm sure everyone can guess what tubular looking object is the pump. The big box on the right in the sump area is a cooler. I have not "virtua-plubmed" it yet, though the outside dimensions are accurate. The J tube from the drain pipe of the tank is what I have scheduled to provide flow for it and the skimmer that I'm still working on. Skimmer is a recirculating design that takes a gravity feed in and gives a gravity feed out, again, from the J-Tube from the drain.
The one thing that just occurred to me is that things could theoretically live in that J-tube. That and things settling at the bottom would not be friendly to my flow rate. I need a clean out for that.
Anything major I'm missing? Besides supports for the lights and half the sump? ;-)