Reefer's madness

[slyforestfire]

I started out in this hobby about 7 years ago with nothing but a used 46 bowfront. After the initial burden of cycling I quickly realized store bought freshwater tank would never be the ideal environment. My first idea was to drill the bowfront and install overflows and a small proflex sump hidden in the stand.

 

[slyforestfire]

Fear of a disaster kept me from following through with that plan. The next change came when visiting a lfs and finding out they were calling it quits. They sold me 2 breeder grade reef ready tanks, sparking the next evolution of the design. I cleaned them and began purchasing appropriately sized equipment while maintaining the original tank.

 

[slyforestfire]

I was within 2 or 3 months from finishing the 2nd incarnation complete with a custom built stand and my wife and I decided it was time we had our own home. After 3 months of searching we found what we had searched for and the 3rd incarnation was born

 

[slyforestfire]

We have now fully moved in and got ourselves settled in the house. While moving, unpacking, etc I had lots of time to brainstorm. I eventually found time and started bringing the tank to reality. I cut an 8 ft steel shelving unit in half and put the 2 4ft pieces next to each other. Everything was sanded and then sprayed an industrial grade gloss black.

 

[slyforestfire]

I drilled the back of each tank for loc line returns. Built stands for the Skimmer and return pump, and cut insulation to support the bottom glass, amongst other little projects I can't even remember atm

 

[slyforestfire]

This afternoon my buddy came over and ran my Pvc for me. It was the one project I really didn't feel comfortable doing myself. Leak test tomorrow. Doubt I'll sleep tonight the anticipation is insane after 5 years......

 

[slyforestfire]

Almost done. Need to leak test, salinate, figure out some way to manage all the cords, and hang my radion. Final task will be moving the contents of the current tank to their new home.

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[slyforestfire]

Halfway filled. Stand is holding up well under the pressure. One small return line leak to fix. Right at the joint of the bulkhead and the elbow, easy fix there. Hoping the overflow bulkheads are good

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