75 gallon build!!

[Shastri Sookraj]

Hey guys, finally found a 75g undrilled tank, just got back from homedepot With my 2x4s will be building a stand today and hopfully finding a place to get my 1.25 bulkhead installed and my 3/4" return. I was planing on bottom drilling but it's tampered. I will get the side panel drilled so I can start with plumbing! Thanks? Will add some pics when get a chance

 

[annanymous]

Following!
The drain and return diameters you planning on drilling...are those considered the optimal size for a 75gal tank? Im about to start putting together my 75 and am looking for info before getting my hands dirty :bagfish:

 

[Shastri Sookraj]

No, i came up with those numbers on my own...as 1-1/4 drain pipe is Should be enough for the overflow with a ball valve to control the flow(I would go with bigger but that seems to match the surroundings and my 3/4 will fit a mag 7 and return to my tank from 1 dual loc-line......I'm a noob when it comes to this pipe math stuff...but I feel you can never have enough flow and with a ball valve you can always turn it down a notch : )

 

[Shastri Sookraj]

So, I'm at a halt right now. : / I was hoping to get my new upgrade setup and ready before the frag swap. I still need to get my overflows drilled and that was holding me up! And a new problem where my parents got new furniture that covered my tank. I need to raise the tank 10" from the ground. I added some pictures of my progress before I stopped. Thanks guys!

 

[Euroreefer]

Looks good but I would remove the foam under the tank. Its usually used for rimless tanks with no trim, your tank has trim.

 

[kidninja]

i would also take out that center brace and replace it with an acrylic one

 

[Shastri Sookraj]

I wanted to, but my tank once filled, is unleveled by an 1/8th of an inch. Tried everything but my floor is original from 1940s so I would expect it to be that way. The foam takes off the stress on the stand and I have " scotch vinyl mastic pads" to cushion the vibrations and noise on the floor.

 

[Euroreefer]

I would put a rubber mat if anything (the ones used in the kitchen), but that foam will not work well long term.

 

[Shastri Sookraj]

i would also take out that center brace and replace it with an acrylic one

What do you mean? The brace isn't strong enough? How to I add acrylic to it?

 

[kidninja]

What do you mean? The brace isn't strong enough? How to I add acrylic to it?

depending on what lighting you get, the black center brace could leave a dark spot in the center of your tank. if you google a bit, you'll see that people have replaced the center brace with an acrylic so that it is clear

 

[Shastri Sookraj]

Oooooooo!! You got me scared, lol I was thinking the factory brace wasn't good enough lol, that's not a bad idea, I don't know which lighting to go with yet, on a budget but looking at getting to panels or build an led one

 

[strgazr27]

I wanted to, but my tank once filled, is unleveled by an 1/8th of an inch. Tried everything but my floor is original from 1940s so I would expect it to be that way. The foam takes off the stress on the stand and I have " scotch vinyl mastic pads" to cushion the vibrations and noise on the floor.

The foam does nothing as far as removing stress from the stand. The foam should be removed and the stand leveled by using shims under the bottom legs. Your tank is framed so the foam is not doing anything really. And quite honestly if the floor is off that far over 48" that tank is going to be pretty stressed. Do it once, do it right.

As far as the center brace is concerned the shadow can or cannot be obvious. Depends on the type of lighting you use. My concern is you have an unlevel tank to which you now want to remove the molded in center brace and replace it. If it's not done right I hope your parents won't mind 75+ gallons of water on the floor in that room. Some things to think about.

 

[mbg75]

Keep in mind a taller stand will allow for you to get more equip in the stand

 

[annanymous]

The foam does nothing as far as removing stress from the stand. The foam should be removed and the stand leveled by using shims under the bottom legs. Your tank is framed so the foam is not doing anything really. And quite honestly if the floor is off that far over 48" that tank is going to be pretty stressed. Do it once, do it right.

So what do you do if the floor is about 1/8 or 1/16th off? would putting a 1/4" rubber mat (like the one for laundry rooms) or shims solve the problem? Any other options?

I never thought that 1/16 or 1/8 would create as much of a problem as you ae saying. i used to have a 90 gal that was off by about 1/16 for close to 2 years and didnt have any probmes with it

 

[Shastri Sookraj]

Keep in mind a taller stand will allow for you to get more equip in the stand

I learned that the hard way!, I was going to use my 29g as my sump but that's 18" tall and my sump compartment is Max out at 21". I decide to go with a 20L if I get it at petco this weekend...or im just going to spen some time and cut down my 29g 4"s lower

 

[Shastri Sookraj]

So what do you do if the floor is about 1/8 or 1/16th off? would putting a 1/4" rubber mat (like the one for laundry rooms) or shims solve the problem? Any other options?

I never thought that 1/16 or 1/8 would create as much of a problem as you ae saying. i used to have a 90 gal that was off by about 1/16 for close to 2 years and didnt have any probmes with it

It's not that big of a deal, but I'm a protectionist. Since I have time on my hand while searching for som1 to drill the holes I can take my time to set everything in "stone" because planning on leaving the tank there for 10+ years

 

[ecvernon]

10+ years..... yea ok thats what we all say until we get the urge to upgrade lol Good luck!

 

[Shastri Sookraj]

thank guys, i have a roll of rubber matt, like what you see on the bus floor, will that work well? thanks

 

[Tonyscoots84]

that should be fine. i used a yoga mat.

 

[Shastri Sookraj]

Slowly, but I'm getting there))