Dustin's 75 Build

Discussion in 'Show Off Your Fish Tanks!' started by DustyE, Feb 23, 2014.

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  1. DustyE

    DustyE Fire Worm

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2011
    Messages:
    162
    Location:
    Kansas
    I'm finally getting to do a small upgrade from a 55 to a 75 gallon tank. My lfs had a big anniversary sale over the weekend and had aqueon 75's for $75. I also picked up some sand and a few pieces of dry base rock while they had it 20% off.
    My original plan was to use a 75 that a friend gave to me, but the glass support across the top of the tank was broke. The glass shop gave me an estimate of $40-$50 for the glass so I thought another $25 was worth it for a new tank.
    I'm going to drill the tank for a herbie overflow and try to find a cheap 29 gallon tank to replace my acrylic sump so I can have everything plumbed and ready to go to make it easier since the 75 is going where the 55 is right now.
    I have the frame for my stand built and the plywood and trim bought so I should have it ready to stain tonight.
    I just replaced the bulbs in my t5 fixture so I'm gonna keep it for a while but I'm planning on upgrading my lights to led later.
    I'll post updates and pics as things progress.
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2014
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  3. DustyE

    DustyE Fire Worm

    Joined:
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    162
    Location:
    Kansas
    Well I guess I can post a couple of shots from my current setup since I don't have any pics of the 75 build worth posting.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]
     
  4. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

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    Cincinnati
    sounds like you have a great plan in mind! what are your future plans for the 75?
     
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  5. DustyE

    DustyE Fire Worm

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2011
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    Location:
    Kansas
    I was thinking about making it a sps dominated tank but the more I think about it I think I'm gonna keep it a mixed reef. I love to look at tanks full of sps but I don't think I want the extra work that goes along with maintaining them.
     
  6. DustyE

    DustyE Fire Worm

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2011
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    Location:
    Kansas
    Well things aren't going as fast as planned. I finally got most of my stand finished tonight. I still have to build the doors and prep everything for stain. I'm trying to decide what to do for doors. I was thinking about trying to do raised panels, but the material is going to cost more and I will probably have to buy some router bits. My other option is getting some more birch plywood and make some trim to go around that.:-/

    Here is what I have got done so far.

    [​IMG]
     
  7. chris adams

    chris adams Purple Tang

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    Port Charlotte, FL
    got some tools and skill, looks real good.
     
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  9. DustyE

    DustyE Fire Worm

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Kansas
    Thanks Chris.
    I wish I had the tools. I've been doing this at my parents garage using a lot of my dad's stuff.
     
  10. DustyE

    DustyE Fire Worm

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2011
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    162
    Location:
    Kansas
    Little by little this thing coming together. I had some scrap acrylic that my lumber yard had given me when I built my sump a few years ago and knew I that someday I would have a need for it. Well today was the day. I whipped up this overflow box after I got off work today.

    [​IMG]

    I need to order my hole saw and bulkheads. I'm planning on using 1 1/2 inch drain lines would 1 inch bulkheads work or should I drill for 1 1/2 in bulkheads?
    Right now I'm running a mag 7 but I'm wanting to go with a mag 9 or a dc pump to increase my flow.
     
  11. DGegg

    DGegg Astrea Snail

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    Mar 25, 2013
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    looking good man!
     
  12. DustyE

    DustyE Fire Worm

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2011
    Messages:
    162
    Location:
    Kansas
    Things are starting to move along again. Drilled my holes for my overflow and return lines today. This was the first time I drilled an aquarium so I was a little nervous, but it went great.

    Here is a pic of one of the jigs I made to start my holes.

    [​IMG]

    Drilling away

    [​IMG]

    I haven't made any more progress on my stand I started making an end table about the same time I bought the tank and the weather has been too cold to stain until a few days ago so I've been working on it. I have one more coat of urethane to put on and it will be done and I can focus on the stand again.