Matt's 57g rimless build

[matt2939]

I figure its time to get my tale of the tank started! I had started a thread on another forum, but being able to interact locally is much better.

Because of a move I can't officially get started until April 1, but that hasn't stopped me from trying to get things planned out. Tank specs are:

-57g deep blue rimless tank
-DIY stand
-Sicce syncra silent 3.0 for return pump
-SWC 160 protein skimmer
-Lights TBD (debating between reefbreeders photon 24 or Rapid LED DIY)
-Mix of Pukani and BRS reef saver rocks
-Aragonite sugar sized sand
-MP10
-Neptune Apex controller
-Avast ATO


Will get some pics up shortly of the progress made so far.

 

[govertical19]

Nice! Can not wait for some pics

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Sunny]

Good going Matt. +1 on pics.

 

[matt2939]

57g deep blue tank

I took the original overflow off, and cut the sides half the depth they originally were. It was a real pain since the plastic overflow was superglued to a piece of glass. But the end result I'm very happy with. Much more room than there originally was.

 

[matt2939]

The obligatory first pic of the stand.

 

[matt2939]

First water test to check for leaks.

 

[matt2939]

The overflow sump set up I ended up with. The only difference is I installed a gate valve on the tube leading to the right. The right side will be for the refugium, and the left side will be for the protein skimmer. I battled through a couple of different set ups to get to a quieter sump. This I found worked the best with the "reverse durso" on the overflow outlets.

 

[mnat]

I had the 57g with the mega overflow and hated it. You will be happy that you cut it down even though it was a PIA. Love the swc skimmers so good choice there. Have you thought about stocking?

 

[matt2939]

I've thought A LOT about stocking haha. I'm still not sure what all I can fit. I like the idea of lots of fish so there's a lot of activity. For sure I know I will have:

-2 black ice clowns (they are small now - 1")
-1 ORA orchid Dottyback (so far there is no aggression from him)
-1 yellow watchman goby and pistol shrimp
-1 cleaner shrimp
-Snails and crabs for CUC

I would definitely like a small angel, I think I've narrowed down to a Flame or a Lemonpeel.

Maybe barnacle blenny(s), I picked up some barnacles so thought that would be cool.

Maybe a blenny that cleans the sand.

Maybe a firefish, or two. Purple or Helfrichi

Maybe some green damsels

Definitely not everything I've listed, but those are my thoughts for now. I'm trying for a wide variety of colors and fun/interesting fish.

 

[mnat]

We have always been a fan of a lot of small colorul fish vs a coupe of big fish. We had:

Pair of clowns
Gold assesor basslet
Flasher wrasse
Barnacle blennies
Helfrichi firefish
Gobies in the sand (Forget which one)

I would avoid the damsels because they are just nasty. Depending on what corals you want to keep (if you want to keep them at all) might want to rethink the angels. Lemon peels are known to like corals and flame angels are 50/50 it seems with corals.

 

[ahvrivera]

Nice clean looking build so far. Great job! Tagging along.

 

[downbeach]

Are you doing a DSB? If so, you might want to avoid any sand sifting critters, i.e. Gobies (Valenciennea), Sea Stars, Sand Dollars, etc. since they will prey on the life forms that keep your DSB healthy.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-09/hcs3/index.php

 

[matt2939]

Thanks for the link, I just finished reading it. I'm not going to do a DSB. I'm aiming for 1.5-2" deep.

I'm going to do some soft corals and lps.

mnat - How many barnacle blennies did you have?

Thanks

 

[NikkiT]

Your stock list looks fine to me for a 57g.
Make sure you build a cover before you buy those firefish!
The gobies we had included dracula, yasha, and neon. The dracula and yasha had candy pistol shrimp with them. We did a group of barnacle blennies in our 57 as well.

 

[matt2939]

Any thoughts on a lawn mower blenny?

 

[matt2939]

Some pics of where I stand now with the stand build:



I'm planning to enclose the back of the stand to help keep the tank as quiet as possible, which is why I put the fans in.



Getting electronics situated



Made this cover to keep wires hidden and hopefully help keep the electrics a little protected.



Everything put in place but the ATO.

 

[matt2939]

My stand is pretty crammed for space, so I'm trying this out for the vortech controllers and apex controller. When I need to use them it can swing down, and when I don't they're tucked away.





I figure I'll mount the controllers a little higher on the swivel piece than I've drawn, and then run the cords underneath and behind down to the outlet. Ill also paint the wood back to match.

I'm no carpenter, everything is just stuff I've had laying around, so excuse the poor craftsmanship.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Matt, very nice!


How did you get that glass finish on the stand? It looks like a lacquer finish.

I really like that hinged down board for the Vortex’s. I’m going to have to steal that idea. Really, once you set them, how often do you play with them……..never!

 

[matt2939]

Thanks! Minwax Polyshades for the stand. I tried staining a dark mahagony color and it came out terrible, very blotchy. Two coats of the polyshades with a good foam brush, and lightly sanded in between coats with steel wool. Being my first woodworking project I think the polyshades worked great for a beginner. After seeing your woodworking skills I'm sure you can take it to another level...

 

[matt2939]

Would like to know if anyone has any thoughts on my new stocking list. I'm thinking to start fish only, and I'll try some zoas or soft corals later on and see how it goes. Also this list is in the planned stocking order, but I need help with this too.

1st) Helfrichi firefish
2nd) one of these three, still working out which one
-Orange Spot Diamond goby
-Golden Head Sleeper goby
-Tiger Watchman goby
3rd) Papuan Toby puffer
4th) Black Ice clowns (2)
Last) Flame angel and orchid Dottyback at the same time