Jena's 55 Gallon Navy Special Build

[Jenaleigh1]

Here we go! I started with a 10 gallon saltwater tank and quickly became frustrated with the constant maintenance and quickly shrinking space. I was really sick of spending money on stuff and decided the next tank I was going to go slow and try not to break the bank. I was waiting on orders to come through since my husband is Navy, so I didn't want to break down a big tank and move it to Florida. And then... my neighbor put a 55 g tank out in his driveway. It sat there for weeks, taunting me. And then, it happened. My neighbor and I were talking and I asked about the tank. He said he'd been trying to give it away. I took it. And so, our story begins.

 

[Jenaleigh1]

Just a wood grain tank on an old rug. I taped off all the plastic and repainted a flat black. Also resealed the seams using a marine grade silicon.

 

[Jenaleigh1]

Took me forever on these forums to figure out which adhesive to buy. Here's a pic.

 

[Jenaleigh1]

Fast forward a few days. My husband made chief! Enter six weeks of the most ridiculous "leadership" training I've ever seen. My full time job plus the crazy things that got built in my garage by the selectees put my build on hold. A week after pinning we left for St. Lucia. Amazing, btw! We got back on the 4th and I started the build the 5th.

 

[Jenaleigh1]

St. Lucia is amazing! Just walk into the water and you'll immediately see Tang, angelfish, urchins, lionfish, goby, trumpetfish, sand eels, flame crabs, blenny, seahorses, anemones, etc. Gave me the bug in a bad way!

 

[Jenaleigh1]

Basic stand, but I want it to look kind of nautical, so you'll see as it develops why the usual box wouldn't work. I sprayed the inside bottom with rubber coating to protect against moisture.

 

[Jenaleigh1]

I wanted to keep costs minimal, so one of the ways I'm doing so is by using scrap from all the crazy pallets and broken stuff my husband brings home from the ship parking lot and craigslist. This top is made from all the scrap red oak left over from making the vessels the selectees have to lug around.

 

[ShippD]

Cant wait to see it up and running hurry up lol...more pics

 

[Jenaleigh1]

Looks luscious after a good coat of stain! The color? Gunstock, of course! Tomorrow I'll start with the first coat of Danish oil. Takes a few days to dry, but since my light and filter won't be here til the 18th I'm good. I haven't picked a skimmer yet so I've got plenty of dry time.

 

[Jenaleigh1]

Where I am right now. I painted the inside and have a few coats on the outside. The middle will be open with a door on each side. I ordered a canister filter instead of the refugium and now am looking for a skimmer. I thought about hang on, but can't find one big enough for the 55. Does anyone know of an internal one that's good?

 

[Flameback Pair]

Congrats on the hubby making chief!

Reef Octopus and Vertex make a lot of good skimmers with a lot of different sizes, models, styles, methodologies, etc, etc. Do a lot of research on skimmers and don't try and go cheap or you'll be left with a piece of junk.

 

[Jenaleigh1]

Thanks, I'll take a look!

 

[StevenBell]

I have to say that I am quite impressed!!!!I truly am in love with what you are doing with the stand!And a free tank?!SCORE!Tagging along!

 

[Jenaleigh1]

Where we are today.. Light arrived, stand in the finishing stages and now I have to build the doors

 

[Jenaleigh1]

The stand. Top isn't attached just yet. I think it's shaping up nicely!

 

[Jenaleigh1]

I couldn't wait. Filled it up last week. Stand still needs doors, but my fish needed an upgrade, so I caved.

 

[Jenaleigh1]

My little clown was abandoned by it's jumper companion a few months ago. Poor guy got so excited about spawning he jumped right out of the tank. Here's 2.0

 

[Jenaleigh1]

I bought a Midas blenny. I know most of the blogs say they hide for a day or two, then come out and act normal. Mine has been in the rock since Wednesday. Anything I can do?

 

[Jenaleigh1]

Recovery!

 

[Jenaleigh1]

Doors are built. First coat is on and sanded. For some reason, poplar takes stain well, but doesn't like paint too much, so you always have to prime twice, sand twice, then finish. Maybe it's the stuff in the spray paint. Latex seems to go on smoother. IDK. Anyway, crown blocks and moulding going on today, too. Should be finished (finally) with the stand tonight. Then, I am tackling stocking corals. Will need some advice for that.