Digger's 125gal FOWLR Build

So I'm about to get started building and I promise to provide lots of pictures along the way. This build will take a while for several reasons:

1. I like to do things right the first time. One of my favorite lines in a movie is "Son, the Ruskies don't take a dump without a plan." - Stripes
2. Financial considerations
3. Time constraints with work

Well here goes!


What I Have:

125gal DT
Two standard 3' single light reflector lamps
55gal for sump
20gal QT
Eggcrate for lining the bottom of tank under rocks
40lbs of medium coarse sand from MarcoRocks
105lbs of dry rock from MarcoRocks
4 lbs of dry rock rubble courtesy of overpacking from MarcoRocks
11lbs of dry rock donated from a friend (Thanks Matt!)
Various PVC pipe and connectors for DYI overflow


What I am planning on getting:

Seifert test kits
PanWorld 100PXX 1270gph pump for return line
Two Koralia Evolution 1400 circulation pumps
One Koralia Evolution 750 circulation pump
Reef Octopus Diablo XS200 Protein Skimmer


What else I need:

Too numerous to mention right now. I think the above is enough to keep me busy for a little bit.


Any comments or suggestion on equipment is appreciated. The eqiupment I'm planning on is not set in stone. I still have time until the Bulk Reef Supply group buy

Let me get back to the house and check test kits I've got. I'll see if I've got any used ones you would be interested in. I've got several brands and kits. Might save you some money.

Equipment looks good. Can't wait to see that Marco rock. That's good stuff.

Edited OP to include 20gal QT. Nothing goes into DT until it goes through the QT.

Digger wrote:Nothing goes into DT until it goes through the QT.

125g is a beauty!

55g and 20g are very dirty. The 55g will need a complete teardown and reseal before I'll feel comfortable with it. But can't complain for $30 for the two.

Oh yeah. That 125 is beautiful!

Oh I'm jealous, that's a lovely looking tank, this should be a really interesting build, I'm looking forward to following it.

Completely tore down the 55 yesterday. Glad I did too. The seams look as bad as the tank was dirty. That thing would have leaked for sure. Forgot to take pics of the bad seals. Will post some pics of the glass once I get it taped and ready to reseal.

Going to be an awesome looking setup. Love the tank. Following along with this one. Will be interesting to see what goes in this bad boy.

Since the height of the 55g (19") will make it tight to work on/in when inside the DT's stand, what do you think about cutting it down? If you would, how much height would you cut down to?? 16"? 14"? Or would you leave it for the extra water volume and/or overflow space?

Thanks!

How tall is the stand? I'd leave enough room to remove the skimmer if needed. That would determine the height I'd cut it to.

Good point. I hadn't thought about maybe needing to remove skimmer. Well I think I will cut it down now off to find measurements on the skimmer I want.

This is a great skimmer. And this is a GREAT price.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/for/2912949079.html

Grimreefer wrote:This is a great skimmer. And this is a GREAT price.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/for/2912949079.html

Wow! That IS a great price.

Thanks for sharing.

I decided not to cut down the 55g. One mistake and I lose the whole tank.
I don't have any extra glass to practice getting the right pressure with the cutter.

Pics of the reseal...

Looks good, I can't wait until; I get my larger tank next year. I am not sure if I am going acrylic or glass yet, depends on price at the time.

Looks like some good work. Did you decide if you would be bracing it or not?

Probably will brace it, just to be safe!

Pics of my DIY overflow...




Individual pieces...




Pieces partly assembled...




Full assembly...




Installed...




Overflow intake...




This little jewel makes the whole thing work (in theory). Ready to get my pump and do some testing on the overflow.
I used a PVC cross with the two sides cut off. This allows for plenty of water intake while the bottom of the cross with the plug pushes down on the 4" pipe. It has a plug in the bottom to help it sit flat and seal off the overflow chamber. By pushing down, if something were to come loose, it would still suction instead of attaching to the bottom and losing suction.

The cap on the riser pipe will have a small hole drilled into it to allow airflow but the cap should quiet the overflow.

I will install an air check valve with a little piece of tubing in the elbow at the top of the overflow to help start the suction. Once started the overflow should not lose prime if the power goes out and should start up again upon restoration of power. The surface area of the 4" pipe will allow for a theoretical flow of about 1200GPH however actual will be less.

Hi
One question after looking at your design, which I think looks impressive from a DIY aspect, functional and quiet, oh yes, love quiet.
Every overflow, the tank side has castelations cut into the top of the tank side, I presume to reduce the noise, but also prevent anything large floating into the overflow with only a reduction in flow until you see it (currently for me it's Mayflies). Will you be doing that, or are you planning on putting a piece of black ABS across the corner of your tank with castelations cut in that, to hide the PVC white pipe?

For the proper amount of overflow with this design, I need 12 linear inches of overflow area which the 4 inch round pvc gives me. I plan on covering the top with some sort of gutter guard. A square overflow would it taken up 6 inches of depth and width on the tank. A diagonal overflow would have taken up a little over 8 inches. Cutting in the castelations would decrease the overflow area. Of course theoretical calculations are 1 thing and real world is another. Can't wait to get my pump and start some testIng.

Just put a gate valve after your return pump so you can dial it in if there's an issue. Gutter guard is a great idea... a turbo snail in the overflow could ruin a weekend! Lol.

Digger wrote:For the proper amount of overflow with this design, I need 12 linear inches of overflow area which the 4 inch round pvc gives me. I plan on covering the top with some sort of gutter guard. A square overflow would it taken up 6 inches of depth and width on the tank. A diagonal overflow would have taken up a little over 8 inches. Cutting in the castelations would decrease the overflow area. Of course theoretical calculations are 1 thing and real world is another. Can't wait to get my pump and start some testIng.

You can get some plastic sheets with about 1/8" holes at Hobby Lobby or the craft section of Wal-Mart. They look like miniature eggcrate . I think they're used for making small throw rugs , wall hangings or some kind of chick stuff .

I've used them as tank dividers .

I know the stuff you are talking about. The is a great idea! Will have to check that out.

Thanks for the suggestion!

Well, I had a setback day before yesterday.

I shattered the side of my sump tank trying to drill it. I didn't think 55g tanks where tempered except for the bottom.

The tank was in bad shape. Don't know what brand it is as it doesn't have any stickers on it.

On the bright side, all I have to do is get a replacement piece of glass and I'll have a 55g for another tank.

Meanwhile, to get this project moving, I'm going to aquire another tank for my sump. I was going to install a bulkhead for my return pump. I think I'll just redesign my return to not need drilling.