120 Gallon CDA Build,

[SteveMM62Reef]

The Aquarium and Cabinet was Purchased used and picked up Mid-January. First thing I did was add Glass Blocks and 1/2” Acrylic Bridges for a Glass Top. CDA = Crystal Dynamics Aquarium Manufacturing.

 

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Next was installing Large Frag Plugs to Back Glass and Overflow after a through Acid Cleaning.

 

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Then it was on to Plumbing the overflow, as I didn’t like what came with the aquarium.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

The Weather Finally broke and time to sand the entire stand and refinishing. First Picture is of a Corner showing Raw Wood, and a feet missing. The bottom of the Stand, part facing the Floor was given four coats of Marine Spar Varnish. Clear Finish is so I can check on the bottom with a Borescope. Rest of Stand received four Coats of Rustoleum Marine Topcoat Paint. Outside was Painted with Krylon Fusion Satin Black. Last Pictures, ready to move to Basement.

 

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Once inside worked on “Feet.”

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

This is the Pallet I made to transport the Aquarium. It has three runners underneath and they have cutouts for straps. One Bumper end is higher than the rest of the bumpers. All bumpers have Felt Weather Strips on them. An end and side are removable and adjustable. My original idea was to slide the Aquarium down the basement steps, we hired professional movers, instead. The Aquarium was temporarily placed on two wall cabinets setting on the floor. Interior and top work was done, and cabinet refinished. A Yoga Mate was fit to the stand. To get the aquarium from the cabinets to the stand, the two varnished strips of wood were used, and Bee’s Wax applied to them. The Aquarium was slid on them over the Yoga mat. Aquarium was tipped slightly to remove the wood strips. to move the Aquarium and Cabinet in place, Four Acrylic Squares were cut for the feet, and everything was slid across the tile floor. No Lifting!

 

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Aquarium was plumbed and slowly filled with Tap Water for a trial run.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

Fixed the Dead Heading “T” 1” Barb “Y” is from SharkandReef Dot Com and Store. BTW I use Hoses on the Tank Connections. I knew someone who cracked their 150 Gallon tank when they bumped a PVC Pipe, while working on the Sump.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

Starting to look like an Aquarium. Have saltwater and some of the Substrate in the tank.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

Custom Sump Spill Tray, from Free Store Display Acrylic. Note the Corner Cutouts for the Display Racks, which I will patch and reinforce the corners

. Acrylic was never used, still had the protective film on them.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

Have a Simplicity 1600, and a Simplicity 1000, in the Temporary Sump. I can run both wide open, the Overflow Weir, Durso and Corrugated Eshopps can handle the flow. When I went back to the hardware, I couldn’t match up the Durso, “T” Cap, and Street “L.” So I’m going to have to redo this, as there is more flow, out of one, of the Pair. Took a trip to the Beach, picked up some Seaweed, to Prep, and Freeze. Also what I believe is Red Macro Gracilaria Hayi.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

We took a Five Day Vacation to Ocean City, MD. Was planning to pick up Shells for Home for Pods. Very few Shells. Bought this at a Shell store. Boiled the one bag, no oil! Pulled out the Moon Snails. BTW on my 65 Gallon, I used the Corrugated Plastic Sign Material, stacked. My Nassarius Snails keep digging them up, and I find them floating. Clam Shell will go in back for a place for fish to dart too. Also got a Cowrie to replace Broken Sand Dollar on my Display Block.