Very cool catch basin/base for the skimmer. DIY or available?
I need to make my basement build spill proof. No floor drains.
PS- I think we have the same skimmer.
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Rock-n-Reef's 500 Gallon build
- Thread starter rock-n-reef
- Start date
I need to make my basement build spill proof. No floor drains.
PS- I think we have the same skimmer.
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Diy with 3/8" PVC board. Will eventually install a leak detector to turn off the recirculating, and input pump in case of a leak.
It's a great skimmer. 300EXT. 9 year old, still going strong!
Good luck with your build. Following along.
Thanks for the tip on the PVC!
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Plumbing (Fall 2024)
Planet Aquariums drilled the tank for a 20" Tideline external overflow, and two 3/4" return lines.
The overflow box supports a bean animal style overflow with three 1.5" drains. When placing the tank, I left almost 2 feet of space behind the tank for easy access.
The primary drain was plumbed with a gate value for fine tuning and secondary drain with ball valve (fully open usually). No valve on the emergency drain.
For the return I'm using two Reef Octopus VarioS 8 DC Pumps each feeding one return line to the tank. A manifold was added to both the lines to use for any equipment needed. One of that is currently used to feed the skimmer.
Planet Aquariums drilled the tank for a 20" Tideline external overflow, and two 3/4" return lines.
The overflow box supports a bean animal style overflow with three 1.5" drains. When placing the tank, I left almost 2 feet of space behind the tank for easy access.
The primary drain was plumbed with a gate value for fine tuning and secondary drain with ball valve (fully open usually). No valve on the emergency drain.
For the return I'm using two Reef Octopus VarioS 8 DC Pumps each feeding one return line to the tank. A manifold was added to both the lines to use for any equipment needed. One of that is currently used to feed the skimmer.
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UV Filter
A Pentair Aquatics 80 watt HO UV was plumbed into one of the return lines to the tank.
I have mounted it vertically for easy access to the bulb. The neat aquatics mounting clamp were perfect. I added a PVC drip tray to this section as well.
A Pentair Aquatics 80 watt HO UV was plumbed into one of the return lines to the tank.
I have mounted it vertically for easy access to the bulb. The neat aquatics mounting clamp were perfect. I added a PVC drip tray to this section as well.
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Lighting
For the lighting I'm using 10 Radion XR30 G5 lights. 5 Pros and 5 Blue. For the mounting decided to go with a T-slot frame hung from the ceiling.
While mounting the Radions I gave it a slight inward angle with longer screws on outside edge. Probably provides a 7 to 8 degree angle.
The light fixtures and the frame together weighs over 150 lbs. The hanging hardware were bolted to a 2x6 that was attached to the rafters with structural screws.
The mounting hardware were all rated for 400 lbs load or more each.
Future project to add floating canopy/side covers to the frame.
For the lighting I'm using 10 Radion XR30 G5 lights. 5 Pros and 5 Blue. For the mounting decided to go with a T-slot frame hung from the ceiling.
While mounting the Radions I gave it a slight inward angle with longer screws on outside edge. Probably provides a 7 to 8 degree angle.
The light fixtures and the frame together weighs over 150 lbs. The hanging hardware were bolted to a 2x6 that was attached to the rafters with structural screws.
The mounting hardware were all rated for 400 lbs load or more each.
Future project to add floating canopy/side covers to the frame.
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June 2025
Going with sand bottom for this time around. Added about 280 lbs (14 bags) of special grade sand.
Bare minimum rock work. Will likely add more rocks later.
Going with sand bottom for this time around. Added about 280 lbs (14 bags) of special grade sand.
Bare minimum rock work. Will likely add more rocks later.
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June/July 2025
Started cladding the stand. But didn't quite finish the project. Will pick this back up once the weather gets better. Outside shed too cold to do any wood work.
Underneath stand will be mostly for storage with few runners added. Couple of sections in the back for electrical, battery backup, and devices.
Started cladding the stand. But didn't quite finish the project. Will pick this back up once the weather gets better. Outside shed too cold to do any wood work.
Underneath stand will be mostly for storage with few runners added. Couple of sections in the back for electrical, battery backup, and devices.
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Managing power brick clutter
The never ending pile of power bricks. I wonder why the aquarium lighting and pump manufacturers don't come up with some multi-output power adapters.
Used some wood strips to construct a frame for holding the bricks and provide spacing for heat dissipation.
This is going in the stand. I should remember to add some small fans for air circulation when adding the cabinet doors to the stand.
The never ending pile of power bricks. I wonder why the aquarium lighting and pump manufacturers don't come up with some multi-output power adapters.
Used some wood strips to construct a frame for holding the bricks and provide spacing for heat dissipation.
This is going in the stand. I should remember to add some small fans for air circulation when adding the cabinet doors to the stand.
Hydros has something for this with 8 24V ports to eliminate power bricks. I can't wait to set it up and not have anymore power bricks!
But... You did do an amazing job with your power bricks and it looks great!
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Thank you! yeah, I saw the kraken. I'm not using Hydros controller, so didn't want to switch to that only for the power supply reason. Also the kraken uses a Mean Well PSU that is rated for 480w only. So 4 Radion xr30, and it would be a toast (though I assume there is some buffer baked into the PSU power rating). If its a bunch of lower power draw devices, it should be a great alternative than dealing with the power bricks.
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Some recent shots
Recent additions - beautiful pair of blue throat triggers that were given by Bryan (@PSU4ME )
And few bangai cardinals in the background that were raised by Chris (@Chris.Reef ). I added them in summer.
Recent additions - beautiful pair of blue throat triggers that were given by Bryan (@PSU4ME )
And few bangai cardinals in the background that were raised by Chris (@Chris.Reef ). I added them in summer.
From what I've researched it's more for pumps. I had thought of trying to use it for my Photon V2+ but those are 48V so it'll be just for my pumps which will still get rid of 4-6 power bricks!
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