RobW's 280 Gallon Build

RobW · Apr 8, 2019

Any suggestions for fish and corals for this tank?

RobW · Apr 8, 2019

crusso1993 said:
I cannot recall so can you please remind me how tall the tank will be and how tall the tank and stand will be combined?

The canopy is not really a canopy per say. It is more of a facade the wraps the top 2 edges of the display returning back to each wall. The lighting actually suspends from the ceiling behind it. It will have removable access panels that simulate a shaker style door just as the base cabinet and side cabinet will have. They are all fully removable. No hinges to rust out over time from salt.

RobW · Apr 13, 2019

Hey everyone. I know it has been a little bit since I posted any pictures. My mother had a stroke and spent a few days in the hospital. Thank God she is doing ok. Just been spending time with her lately. Plus my daily job has been insanely busy. Starting 3 new homes all in the same week. Been out in the sun everyday getting all the electrical ground roughs done. Two of the homes are over 10,000 square feet the other is about 5,500 square feet. So needless to say, I've been pretty wiped out the past week and half. I have to do some service work this morning but I should be able to get back out to the garage today and continue with the build.

crusso1993 · Apr 13, 2019

RobW said:
Hey everyone. I know it has been a little bit since I posted any pictures. My mother had a stroke and spent a few days in the hospital. Thank God she is doing ok. Just been spending time with her lately. Plus my daily job has been insanely busy. Starting 3 new homes all in the same week. Been out in the sun everyday getting all the electrical ground roughs done. Two of the homes are over 10,000 square feet the other is about 5,500 square feet. So needless to say, I've been pretty wiped out the past week and half. I have to do some service work this morning but I should be able to get back out to the garage today and continue with the build.

Sorry to hear about your mom but am happy she is ok!

Salty Lemon · Apr 13, 2019

RobW said:
I was going over some things... I may have to shorten the height of the tank. Access my be a pain to reach in and clean or place things at the bottom. Unless I can come up with a little different solution. It may lose a few gallons of water volume. Not really what I want. I like the idea of the tank being deep.

I had/have the same problem: Here is my thread. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/short-people-with-big-tanks-maintenance-question.536415/

NY_Caveman · Apr 13, 2019

Sorry to hear about your mom. My dad had a really bad one a couple of years ago. Glad she is doing well.

RobW · Apr 19, 2019

Hey everyone, just a quick update. Had to switch gears for a little bit. Everything is ok with my mom. She is doing well. I have been pretty slammed with work and haven't had time to work on the build. Plus I have been doing more of the renovations inside the home where this tank will be sitting amongst some other areas in the house. I just now finished one of the new walls in the living area. I have to strip the old plaster wall off where the tank sits. It backs up to a hallway bathroom where I am tying in my drain for auto water changes and picking up the water line feed for the rodi system. I will get some more pictures up soon.

RobW · Apr 22, 2019

Right now it's just straight up body work on the base of this thing. Every opening, seam, screw hole, joint, etc. When this unit gets its paint job it will be like a sheet of glass. In my opinion, 90% of your finish is in the prep work. It's a process! Right now I have the stand flipped upside down on some flat furniture dollies to make it easier to work on the underneath sides. Beats trying to work upside down.

gcrawford · Apr 24, 2019

Really nice thread you've got going here, and I love the stand. I'd like to build a custom stand sometime soon for my 120 (4x2x2) and i've got some good ideas and inspiration from you! Looking forward to seeing more progression of your setup. Thanks for sharing with everyone.

-g

RobW · May 11, 2019

Hey everyone, sorry my build thread has stalled out. I'm sure you've been waiting for updates. I've been way overly busy with work lately and as we have been renovating our home we have come across some problems that needed addressing. It is really hard to live in a home while you are renovating. Unfortunately I am not able to just rent a house and bulldoze this one and build my wife her dream home. Believe me, I would have much rather have done that. I feel like Tom Hanks in the movie "The Money Pit!" The area where the tank will sit backs up to a hall bathroom. That bathroom is now being torn out. Completely being changed around i.e. relocating toilet, shower, vanity, new electrical, reframing all the walls, etc. The bathroom was laid out stupid. What are you gonna do? Old Florida home built in the 60's. I just want it over already.

RobW · May 11, 2019

gcrawford said:
Really nice thread you've got going here, and I love the stand. I'd like to build a custom stand sometime soon for my 120 (4x2x2) and i've got some good ideas and inspiration from you! Looking forward to seeing more progression of your setup. Thanks for sharing with everyone.

-g

Why, thank you.

crusso1993 · May 11, 2019

RobW said:
Hey everyone, sorry my build thread has stalled out. I'm sure you've been waiting for updates. I've been way overly busy with work lately and as we have been renovating our home we have come across some problems that needed addressing. It is really hard to live in a home while you are renovating. Unfortunately I am not able to just rent a house and bulldoze this one and build my wife her dream home. Believe me, I would have much rather have done that. I feel like Tom Hanks in the movie "The Money Pit!" The area where the tank will sit backs up to a hall bathroom. That bathroom is now being torn out. Completely being changed around i.e. relocating toilet, shower, vanity, new electrical, reframing all the walls, etc. The bathroom was laid out stupid. What are you gonna do? Old Florida home built in the 60's. I just want it over already.

Doesn't sound too bad to me. However, you live in Florida and that's where we want to be so I'm not feeling very sympathetic! Lol

RobW · May 25, 2019

I think I am actually going to get out in the garage today and do some work on the stand. I have been a little lazy the passed few weeks. Plus, we got our son a little nano aquarium about a month ago to keep him occupied while I build this big one. I find myself occupying my time with the little tank when I get home watching it do its thing. Then my time gets wasted and I make no progress with the big tank. Lol! I'll get some pics up today of some progress.

andrewkw · May 25, 2019

The attention to detail on the stand is amazing. Even just making the 2x4's look so good is really impressive for me. All I use to build my 2x4 stands is a drill and a mitre saw I paid $50 for 15 years ago and some screws.. If I get it level with minimal shims I'm happy. If you put half as much attention to the livestock you are going to have a fantastic reef in no time. While it may prove to be a challenge to work in, I absolutely love tall tanks. They end up looking so much bigger then they really are.

crusso1993 · May 25, 2019

RobW said:
I find myself occupying my time with the little tank when I get home watching it do its thing. Then my time gets wasted and I make no progress with the big tank.

This is not wasted time. It is RESEARCH!

RobW · May 25, 2019

So I did some sanding. Got a coat of kilz on the outside portion. Once it all dries well in a day or two, I will sand it all down, touch up any imperfections and then focus on the inside once again and finish getting it ready for the epoxy coating inside the stand.

RobW · May 25, 2019

The kilz is just brushed on heavy. After it cures and I sand it down. It should be smooth as a baby's bum. This thing has been sitting in my garage for about a month without me touching it. Figured with this 3 day weekend, it would be a great opportunity to get some things done on it.

xaflatoonx · May 25, 2019

Absolutely stunning work Rob.
Love every post and the detailed steps. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge.

crusso1993 · May 25, 2019

RobW said:
So I did some sanding. Got a coat of kilz on the outside portion. Once it all dries well in a day or two, I will sand it all down, touch up any imperfections and then focus on the inside once again and finish getting it ready for the epoxy coating inside the stand.