ADA 120-P Reef Build - 65 Gallons

[illuminata]

Greetings,
Been on this project for some time now so thought I'd start sharing my progress (I'm about 40% into it). From building a stand from scratch to drilling glass my first time I feel it's coming along quite well. Having two toddlers and newborn I get to work on this maybe an hour or two once a week so it's been a slow journey.

Tank:
ADA Cube Garden 120-P Aquarium (Ultra High Clarity Glass) - 65 Gallons (48x18x18)
(https://aquaforestaquarium.com/products/ada-cube-garden-120p-aquarium-ultra-high-clarity-glass)

Stand:
48" x 18" x 36"

EDITED Equipment List:
-Sump: Elos 30
-2x XR30 G4P w/diffusers, Apex Wifi, COR-15, WAV's, ATK, Nyos 120

Edited:
-2x Kessil a360x

Edited:
-2x XR15 G5, COR-20


I finally got a hold of a used 120P so I had to pick it up. Previous owner had it planted with a frosted vinyl background.

 

[illuminata]

I wanted a 36" tall stand so decided to try and build my own (still work in progress). Watched a couple videos on youtube and headed to Home Depot, bought 9x 2x4's and 2 boxes of wood screws.

I had nothing to cut these with so I purchased a few things off Amazon. I went cheap on the equipment since I figure I'm only going to build one stand.
Miter Saw:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LWYCCCT/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Jigsaw:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016100EIK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Sander:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MLSS1SW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Woodglue:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NN5T22/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


This is literally the first time I've used a Miter Saw.

All pieces cut.

 

[mjlash22]

Looks good so far! Will be interested to see how it goes!

 

[illuminata]

I found that my garage flooring wasn't completely even so I decided to assemble the stand/wood pieces inside the house.

I also purchased a right angle ruler for measurements and ratchet clamps.
2x Ratchet clamps:
https://www.harborfreight.com/24-in-ratcheting-bar-clampspreader-62112.html

Coming along.

I didn't realize that some of the 2x4's could be warped so there was a gap I had to fill. I used the miter saw to slice up some thin pieces from some left over wood. Glued it up and hammered them in.

Back to Home Depot for skin and doors. I chose a 1/4" skin and 3/4" mdf doors. Hindsight, if I were to do it all over again, I would reduced the size of the stand/2x4's and purchased a larger skin so I can incorporate the left over skin wood for doors.

Got the top and sump flooring cut out and also test fitted the mdf doors.

 

[mjlash22]

Looks good! Very clean stand build.

 

[illuminata]

Looks good! Very clean stand build.

Thanks!

 

[illuminata]

One of my dilemmas was what kind of overflow I wanted. External (reefsavvy/modular marine) or Internal (corner/center). I decided to go with the internal and since I find myself looking at the sides quite often I chose to go with the center.

I remember seeing the Cadlights overflow and really liked the appearance of the trapazoid style. I did some research and found that the Versa 70 is 18" tall -- perfect! So I got in touch with them and was able to purchase the overflow and plumbing.

Test fitting and plumbing.

Overflow lid.

Then the fun begins, drilling this thing. It was pretty easy but hindsight, I should have made a test run first since i've never drilled glass before. I just went for it.

Lining things up for drill+silicone.

Needed some drill bits so I purchased these off Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07252J2Y7/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And drilling begins. Since it was the first hole inside the tank, I just filled the tank up enough for a little layer of water. The second and third hole I had to have the water run since the water was being drained.

All done. Testing the piping and overflow fitment.

Time to put the overflow in with silicone - tape for spillage.
Caulk gun:
https://www.harborfreight.com/9-in-caulking-gun-62822.html
Silicone used:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EZB2MDI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Turned out rather clean.

Time to cure.

 

[mjlash22]

Excellent job!

 

[illuminata]

Fitting a black background on. Was thinking about painting but didnt know how the RMS mounts will effect the paint once clamped.

Test fitting tank and front skin and marking cut outs for overflow.

 

[illuminata]

Overflow section drilled out.

For the skin on the back, I added some some small cutouts (for moving purposes and cords). Might add more closer to the bottom to hide cords better.

 

[illuminata]

Converted the Cadlight overflow with the single flare nozzle to dual loc lines with round nozzles..

 

[illuminata]

Made a template for the hinges. Will have 4 doors (2xfront and 2xsides)

Front doors are in..

 

[illuminata]

Quick update. All hinges are in and outer skin glued and nailed. Next steps is to prime this thing.

 

[kodiak]

Cool, following along.
I have the same tank.

 

[illuminata]

Got some priming and sanding done. Next steps, lay some silicone I have left over in the cracks inside the stand and then spray! (semi gloss black and black fridge paint inside.. Almost there..

 

[illuminata]

Finally had the chance to put some paint on along with the doors. I used Black fridge paint for the interior and Semi-Gloss on the exterior. I lined up the interior gaps with black silicone (same thing I used for the overflow). By the way, I hate hinges.. Out of everything, putting the concealed hinges in must have been the most annoying part.

Waiting for things to dry..

A few chip marks below the door due to being to rough when lining up..

Final product -- sort of, still need a day or two to completely dry. Did I mention I hate hinges?

 

[illuminata]

Was able to move forward today. Added some push magnet latches to each door. Cut up the foam mat between the tank and stand and put on the piping.

I will be hard piping this, not sure if I want to go colored or keep it sch80 grey. I picked up a sapphire 26 so dark blue might be in the works. Also got a new skimmer. My equipment actually changed quite a bit from my original post.

 

[samnaz]

Gorgeous tank.

 

[Txdragonslayer]

Finally had the chance to put some paint on along with the doors. I used Black fridge paint for the interior and Semi-Gloss on the exterior. I lined up the interior gaps with black silicone (same thing I used for the overflow). By the way, I hate hinges.. Out of everything, putting the concealed hinges in must have been the most annoying part.

Waiting for things to dry..

A few chip marks below the door due to being to rough when lining up..

Final product -- sort of, still need a day or two to completely dry. Did I mention I hate hinges?

I here you on the hinges!!

 

[Clayton Jessup]

The tank looks amazing I am totally following along on this build !!