1100g ish plywood build

[scchase]

So I am finally getting close to getting this build done. When I bought my new house in 2014 one of the keys was a space that I could finally make a truly massive build in and since I have already built a plywood tank I decided to go that route again. Please see my thread on my 480 gallon build for more information on that tank. One key difference this time is that I decided I wanted to have two viewable sides which doesn't seem to be a very common configuration for these tanks. Total size is 8'x6'x3'. A friend of mine custom built the steel stand in place custom fit to the floor, since the tank and stand are both to big to ever get out of the basement in one piece everything has had to be built in place. I am now awaiting quotes on glass and following the installation of the glass I should be able to have everything online within a few weeks. I finished the first round of epoxy top coat earlier this week and then will do another 2 coats after glass installation. I still need to custom build a sump that will connect to the 360g acrylic aquarium that will serve as a refugium with seagrasses.

Livestock will be focused on traditionally non reef safe fish. Triggers, angels, large tangs and wrasses. Despite their reputations I have found them to be reasonable well behaved with SPS and leathers so the tank will focus on these two groups. For SPS it will be mostly montis, Poccilipora, and the like, the weedier the better. I keep all the high end stuff in my 480g.

On too some pics.
20170930_102609 by Scott Chase, on Flickr
20170930_110254 by Scott Chase, on Flickr
20170930_110300 by Scott Chase, on Flickr
20171213_182430 by Scott Chase, on Flickr
First round of fiberglass, forgot how much I have fiber glassing
20180522_190833 by Scott Chase, on Flickr
Fiberglass complete
P8200209 by Scott Chase, on Flickr

 

[scchase]

20180902_002840 by Scott Chase, on Flickr

The refugium
20180902_002853 by Scott Chase, on Flickr

The skimmer
20180902_002905 by Scott Chase, on Flickr

 

[SPR1968]

That’s a huge beast of a tank and thanks for all the pictures and I’m looking forward to see the progress, very nice!

 

[Joshua2598]

That's a big skimmer 0.0

 

[scchase]

Glass is on order and should be here early next week, I think I am also going to add some additional bracing on the two non viewing panels. Once I start filling it I will carefully monitor deflection, my hope is to not have to add any cross bracing though if I do it will be stainless unistrut, most likely on the 8 ft side. I believe that with the doubled 2x4s and 3/4" glass I shouldn't see any deflection but can only wait and see at this point. Luckily it should take almost a week to fill even using RO waste for the test run

 

[Geebs19]

Cant wait to see the progress!

 

[andrewkw]

Following. Not sure if I'll ever have the skills or the guts to make my own monster, but love these types of builds and who knows maybe one day I will have one.

 

[Muttley000]

Very nice! What are you using for epoxy? What are the plans on flow? What silicone and please document the process. A 10 foot plywood build is in my future, I already did a 270 gallon sump but the window sealing is the next challenge for me!

 

[Scotty Buttons]

Very cool, following along.

 

[MAREEF]

Any updates on this?

 

[DaneGer21]

That would make me so nervous

 

[scchase]

And the glass is installed, let it cure till Sat or Sun, then do some more sanding and 2 more coats of paint plus one more set of braces on the top. Should be able to test fill mid next week. Took a few more weeks than expected for the glass to arrive.
20181004_190031 by Scott Chase, on Flickr
20181004_191657 by Scott Chase, on Flickr

I used SC1200 for silicone since I was having trouble locating the RTV I usually use, seems like a good product. Flow and lighting will be a mish mash or random stuff I have laying around. 400wt mH to start though will change to LED and some point as funds allow.​

 

[ca1ore]

What glass - 3/4" I assume? Tempered? Thx.

 

[scchase]

3/4" non tempered, my preference on the glass.

 

[Crimsonvice]

Very nice! What are you using for epoxy? What are the plans on flow? What silicone and please document the process. A 10 foot plywood build is in my future, I already did a 270 gallon sump but the window sealing is the next challenge for me!

Can't wait to see this!

 

[scchase]

Full now, 3/16" deflection at the most which should be well within acceptable parameters. Now gotta wait 2 weeks before I add sand and drain it to refill with RO

 

[Scotty Buttons]

Any pics?

 

[4FordFamily]

Wow this is awesome! Following along!

 

[scchase]

Not much to see but here it is full of water
PA140048 by Scott Chase, on Flickr

 

[Scotty Buttons]

That's pretty impressive, holding 4 tons of water. Kudos, looking forward to seeing that system come together.