ChrisQ's Humble Reef

[ChrisQ0904]

Hey everyone!

If you followed my other build thread you may know that I sold my 150G after having it up for only a couple months. I have had some things going on in my personal life that would not allow me to keep the 150G.

Even though I had no tank I still found myself going into the LFS and looking around at all the nice fish and corals. I couldn't stay out even if I tried.... SO I took an old 40 Breeder I had laying around that I used as a sump, took the baffles out leak tested and filled with salt water. It is nothing special and everything is hang on back with a stand that is just a frame that I slapped together and didn't even bother staining/painting. Well things have changed a little and decided to start up a "real" tank now. I still can't go big like a 150G still but I will be around just under 75G. I have someone building me a tank that will be 36" x 24" x 20" with starfire glass and synergy reef overflow. I kept my apex so I will be using that, picked up a used 8 Bulb ATI, vertex skimmer, and a mp10qd for the new tank so far. I will most likely end up getting another mp10 but can hold off on it for now until things move further along.

Today I went to Home Depot and picked up some wood and got most of the frame for the stand done which came out pretty decent and Im happy with it. This stand will most likely be built in the same/similar fashion as my other stands so I will most likely not document it in detail this time around, but if you have any questions about it just ask and I will gladly answer them. Cheers to everyone and thanks to all that have helped me by "holding" corals for me. Hope to have this tank looking better than the rest by the time I "finish".

-Chris

P.S.
This build MAY go slow at first because I am currently juggling school, work and trying to buy a place to live.

From this


To this

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Following!

 

[ChrisQ0904]

This is what I was able to get done today. Got all the side panels on and cut out the front for where the doors are going. Now I just need to figure out how I want to do the corners and which side to make a door on for electronics. Also, there are 3 extra support beams on top but forgot to take pictures.

 

[spectra]

Looks like a great start! Have a question for you though is the tank going t be rimless? If so how far down are you holding the Synergy Ghost on the inside?

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Looks like a great start! Have a question for you though is the tank going t be rimless? If so how far down are you holding the Synergy Ghost on the inside?

No it will not be rimless, the tank will be euro braced. Im not sure how far down it will be but I will contact the guy building the tank for me and or worst case Im picking up the tank on the 13th and I can measure it for you once I have it. Sorry I dont have a better answer for you right now. BUT as im typing this I just remembered that the overflow comes with a template that I believe you line you line up with the top of the tank and it shows you where you need to drill the holes.

 

[bknapp]

Should be a nice tank, had the Synergy Overflow on my last tank and I'll miss it.

 

[spectra]

No it will not be rimless, the tank will be euro braced. Im not sure how far down it will be but I will contact the guy building the tank for me and or worst case Im picking up the tank on the 13th and I can measure it for you once I have it. Sorry I dont have a better answer for you right now. BUT as im typing this I just remembered that the overflow comes with a template that I believe you line you line up with the top of the tank and it shows you where you need to drill the holes.

Yes it does but to me it just seems high on a rimless tank. It put the overflow flush with the top of the glass. Most pics I have seen look like it sits a little lower.

Thanks!

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Was able to get some things done with the stand these past couple days. It's pretty much built and just needs sanding and paint and a few minor touches here and there.

I had and hard time trying to incorporate euro hinges and I really wanted them because they allow for Anand clean flush look. Unfortunately I could not use them or at least I couldn't find one that works so I ended up using a different hinge but it's still fully concealed.

The tank is also nearly done and got some pictures from him today. Euro brace was done a little different because he cut them at a 45 degree. The brace sits right above the overflow but it still has enough space for the front cover to be removed.

Once I stain the stand I plan to get some rock work done.

 

[ChrisQ0904]

I was able to pick up the tank this weekend and have it on the stand, it fits perfect no room to spare.

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Got the sump today and put in place.

 

[bknapp]

Stand came out awesome! Great work.

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Well I came across an interesting issue. I accidentally had my sump built too long, and wouldn't be able to take it out if I put the electrical section on the side like I wanted to. So after some thinking and suggestions from some friends I built the electrical section on the back of the tank and put it on sliders so that I can just slide it out when needed. Now I can move the sump as needed and have more space on the interior of the stand for dosing containers and whatever other things we throw in our stands.

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Stand came out awesome! Great work.

Thank you! I feel like this build is coming out awesome, maybe because Im actually taking my time with everything so far. I feel on my previous builds I rushed everything.

 

[bknapp]

Thank you! I feel like this build is coming out awesome, maybe because Im actually taking my time with everything so far. I feel on my previous builds I rushed everything.

I feel the same way with my current build and my past builds.

What color are you planning on painting/staining the stand?

 

[4FordFamily]

Wow it's coming along well! You're quite handy, I can't even cut a 2x4 in half properly

 

[ChrisQ0904]

I feel the same way with my current build and my past builds.

What color are you planning on painting/staining the stand?

Im not too sure yet, I was originally thinking something dark but was at home depot today and say a grey stain that looked pretty nice on the can, I may buy the tiny can of that and test it on a scrap piece and see how it looks on wood. I hope it looks good because if not I have no idea what color to stain.

Wow it's coming along well! You're quite handy, I can't even cut a 2x4 in half properly

Thank you, it really isnt too hard if you are somewhat good with your hands. Just need to be patient, plan out what you want before you do it and measure twice cut once.

 

[4FordFamily]

Im not too sure yet, I was originally thinking something dark but was at home depot today and say a grey stain that looked pretty nice on the can, I may buy the tiny can of that and test it on a scrap piece and see how it looks on wood. I hope it looks good because if not I have no idea what color to stain.



Thank you, it really isnt too hard if you are somewhat good with your hands. Just need to be patient, plan out what you want before you do it and measure twice cut once.

That must be half of my problem - absolutely no patience!

I have several tanks because I'm terrible at waiting. In this hobby, we all know that nothing good happens quickly!

 

[ChrisQ0904]

That must be half of my problem - absolutely no patience!

I have several tanks because I'm terrible at waiting. In this hobby, we all know that nothing good happens quickly!

Ya that was my problem with my earlier tanks, but I guess the process of trying to find a house has made me have to go slow during this while process with the current tank.

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Took some time off from working on the stand (it's basically done just needs finishing touches and stain). I got to working on my aquascape and had some problems with it but I can say I really like where it's at now.


The piece on the bottom right will be attached as a shelf once the mortar cures a bit.

 

[ChrisQ0904]

The "final" scape