Almost DIYed Marine tank journal
 

Hi all,
1st attempt on marine.
Read through quite a lot in marine during this 2 months.
Decided to go for a FOWLR tank this time.
Initially quite confuse with many equipments for marine.
Slowly check each equipment one by one and here is the things i have done so far.

I am using my 2x1x1.5(H) tank as main tank which previously keeping plecos.
With a RI stand where i can put a sump tank below.

The 1st DIY item: Needle wheel pump.
I bought a 1500L/H Atman power head and modified the impeller using a bioball.
This is how it look like:
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...eedleWheel.jpg

And here's the assembly parts. As needle wheel purpose is to break the air into tiny bubble, so i modified the inlet with a air intake joint.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...dlewheel-1.jpg

The next DIY item: Skimmer
I am using an old filter casing and did some modification.
Picture tell 1000 words!:D
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...isassembly.jpg

Here's the picture after assembled.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z.../Assembled.jpg

Next DIY item: Sump tank,
I bought a 2nd hand 2x1x1ft tank from a bro previously keeping shrimps.
Can see from the pictures that many water marks and stain remained, but should be ok as it's only a sump tank.
There are 3 compartment in this tiny sump.
The water intake on left, skimmer in the middle and return at the back.
As my silicone applying skill sucks, the sump tank looks messy with silicone stain:p
Here's the pictures.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...9/sumptank.jpg

And here's the skimmer in sump.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...mmerinsump.jpg

The next DIY item: Overflow box.
As my main tank do not have any hole for sump, so i DIY the overflow box.
I read through the forum with some great ideas where using PVC pipes.
But i am quite worry bubble slowly suck into PVC pipe and accumulate which might lose siphon and causing flood which cannot be seen due to the PVC material.
So i am using acrylic to make a overflow box where i can monitor the bubble trapped in the weir. Also a pipe attached on the weir to removed the bubble trapped.
Here's the picture:
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...verflowbox.jpg

Attached on the tank.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z.../OFBhangon.jpg

Another view.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...OFBhangon2.jpg

That's all for now. Still in the progress of buying PVC pipe and connect up the filteration system.

It is always interesting to see someone starting a new setup. :D

wah impressive DIY http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/im...ons/icon14.gif

Very professional DIY project

Thanks...
Always interesting when start up a new hobby.:)
Still many things to learn.
Salt mixing, cycling, livestock, supplement, test kits.....etc.

With yur diy skills and understanding of this hobby... think it will be a breeze for you to delve into marine... ;) nevertheless welcome to reefing and thanks for sharing ...

Thanks all.
Today just finished up the piping works for the overflow and return.
I am using a flexible hose for the overflow to sump as to avoid using PVC elbow.
The return pump is a 3000L/H atman pump.
Here is the sump tank running after piping done.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...umptankrun.jpg

And the overflow box in action. The water level just nice!

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...xinaction1.jpg

Another angle of water flow in.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...oxinaction.jpg

The entire setup. Filteration system run in.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...mptankrun1.jpg