Shady reef 210g peninsula

shady-vector · Feb 12, 2023

Hello folks, I've been debating on whether or not I wanted to post a build thread and decided I better do it. If for nothing else to keep a kind of log on how things happened. I've never really introduced myself, but have been lurking in the shadows and learning what I can. I would describe myself as a doer and a DIYer at heart. I love a good project, but rarely take the time to take pictures of what I'm doing. I just really like making things. I've been keeping a 150 and a 75 (both reef tanks) that were given to me for about two years now. I love the hobby and don't think I'll be stopping anytime soon. My wife and I moved into our home about four years ago. There is a brick wall in the entry way of the front door and since the day we moved in I thought it would be amazing to put a tank on it.

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipP2oEx25m4KMWLSs23pMEK8PcuulhavTIpnK0Qi
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipP2oEx25m4KMWLSs23pMEK8PcuulhavTIpnK0Qi
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipP2oEx25m4KMWLSs23pMEK8PcuulhavTIpnK0Qi
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipP2oEx25m4KMWLSs23pMEK8PcuulhavTIpnK0Qi

Gumbies R Us · Feb 13, 2023

Excited to see where your tank goes from here!!

shady-vector · Feb 13, 2023

The wall is only 17 inches wide so pretty narrow. I purchased a used 200 gallon dual back overflow for $900 on facebook marketplace thinking I would be satisfied, but only had it for a day before I decided that I wouldn't be. The area I bought it from has a much smaller populace than where I live so I was able to sell it in 3 days for $1000 and I got to keep a few of the mag drive pumps which always come in handy, some plumbing supplies, and powerheads. The big score though was getting to keep the lifereef skimmer and refugium though.
After switching gears I started looking for a tank builder to build a custom tank. I ended up deciding on "aquarium and terrarium builders" out of Yorktown, VA. They don't have a website, but after talking to a few people the consensus was that they did quality work for a reasonable price. I ordered my custom 8x2x2 peninsula with a side overflow and dual returns on Dec. 28 and was given an estimate of 5 weeks until completion.
Since I knew what my dimensions were going to be within a half inch or so I started modifying the space. I knew that even though it was going to be mostly supported by the wall I had 7 inches of overhang to deal with. The wall is brick and it is supported from underneath by cinderblocks. The wall is actually hollow and houses a rolling cart for a folding tables and chairs. The top of the wall had four 1 foot deep copper planters that slide out. I knew I didn't want a wood stand so aluminum extrusion was the way to go. I ordered all of my aluminum pre-cut to length (crossing my fingers I calculated correctly) and got my order a few days later. Framingtech.com is where I sourced my materials. Note that in the pictures I have not attached all of the legs on the overhang because I had yet to tap the ends for my leveling feet. I also scored these sweet tanks that will be in the basement for my water mixing station. Quite the upgrade from the 55 gallon drums I was using and my wife will be happy to have the space back in the laundry room.

shady-vector · Feb 13, 2023

If you notice in the second photo in the post above, I had previously enlarged that coat closet, but only took it to the brick wall. The reason I did that was because originally there was a pocket door leading to the kitchen, but that was one of the first things to go when we remodeled the kitchen.
After sourcing my tank and stand I needed to get to work on finding all of the other little bits and pieces. A lot of things are just going to be moved from the 150 to the new tank, but I can't do all of them, because reasons lol. I knew that I wanted to try my hand at NSA aquascaping. I find the idea fascinating, however I also feel like it is too minimal. I really try hard to provide a home for my fishy friends and I personally feel like if they can't hide then their stress level will be higher which leads to other issues. On the other hand I really wanted some larger self-supporting structures that I knew weren't going to topple over at the slightest touch or not be able to get it back the way it was if I needed to move things around.
I spent many hours sprinkling sand, and dripping glue on repeat. The horizontal blue tape line represents the top of the tank. I did that to give me a reference for how tall it should be. All-in-all I found the process to be quite fun and therapeutic and I'm considering selling some pieces that I'll make with leftover rock. I still need to add more caves and things for my fish to hide in, but so far I think it's looking pretty good. I also have to put together PVC tunnels for my snowflake eel. I built him/her one in the 150 and he spends the majority of his time in there so I will definitely be doing that again since he likes it.

shady-vector · Feb 13, 2023

I went and picked up my tank from A&T builders in Virginia. Nice little shop and I could tell that he really enjoys what he does. Now that I have my tank it gave me the opportunity to start finishing up my framing for my closet. I don't think I mentioned it, but the new closet will house my sump and associated equipment. I put some 1/2 thick neoprene under the frame to take out any minor deviations, but it probably wasn't needed because the wall is dead level in all directions. I had ordered some stainless steel looking wallpaper stuff from amazon to cover the plywood base because I didn't want to look at bare wood and the hope is that it will protect it from any water. I think that it turned out pretty good. I then covered that with some 1/8 in. thick neoprene. Not really because I needed to, but I just in case there were any deviations in the plywood. The tank is as level as it could possibly be. I was very fortunate that my measurements were correct and there is about 1/4 inch clearance from the side of the refugium emergency overflow to the side of the external overflow, but it will look great when it is all done. I'm planning on running the refugium on a reverse cycle from the main tank to help stabilize PH and the plan is for it to be a seahorse tank. That could change though. Now it's on to the tedium of finishing the closet off and then plumbing.

shady-vector · Feb 21, 2023

I'm so bad at posting updates. I always have these grand plans of taking lots of pictures and videos that I can look back on or share, but I'm more of a doer than a content creator. One of my favorite things about my new setup is that I have more room to work in the sump area so I thought that I'd build a stand for my sump to raise it up making it easier to maintain. It turned out well and I can already tell that I'm going to enjoy having it this way. I'm still debating if I want to have my sump flush against the wall where most likely any splashes will end up back in the sump or pull it off the wall just a bit so that I can hide extra cord behind the wall. Time will decide that I think.

I also put my new wall in behind the sump. I ended up putting 1/4 inch plywood behind a white melamine type board. It made for a really clean and waterproof solution that doesn't require paint. I also ran a new electric circuit into the sump area as it was a closet before and didn't have power. Plus I installed a washing machine box that will pull fresh or saltwater straight into the closet. I plan to also run additional flexible tubing there for my auto top off system, but haven't decided if I'm going to use a peristaltic pump or traditional pump for that

I also got the majority of my water mixing station completed in the mechanical closet in the basement. It's functional now, but I still have some tidying up to do. It's going to be great to have that floor drain I think.

Finally I finished 99% of my plumbing. I never thought I would be the type of person to use colored PVC, but it will be quite visible and it looks dang good if I do say so myself.
Next up is putting in my aquascape and PVC tunnels for my snowflake eel. (He loves them in the 150!) Then add water and the cycle waiting game begins. I won't be lacking for things to do though. I still need to finish the framing and mud/tape and paint the drywall.