UNIQUE DIY Heavy 75 Gallon SPS Reef

Ryan@ShelteredReef · Sep 12, 2017

Cost wise, its actually not bad. A 4x8 sheet of 1/2 inch is around $80 at a big box hardware store. I've never used this material for anything aquarium related so its still a bit of a question mark as to how it will work out.

Ryan@ShelteredReef · Sep 15, 2017

Masked off and ready for silicone

Secured in place

I used glass mosaic tiles siliconed to the glass to reinforce certain stress points on the wall itself as silicone doesn't bond to PVC.

Also painted the sides that will be visible

Chris Kelly · Sep 15, 2017

looking cool

Ryan@ShelteredReef · Sep 15, 2017

And because I couldn't help myself...

The foam is there just in case

Ryan@ShelteredReef · Sep 15, 2017

Chris Kelly said:
looking cool

Thank you. Hopefully I'll have time tomorrow to put in some work on the stand

colonelcoral · Sep 15, 2017

Wow this is an interesting build! Nice work!

Ryan@ShelteredReef · Sep 15, 2017

colonelcoral said:
Wow this is an interesting build! Nice work!

Thanks! I'm really looking forward to watching it fill in with acros and plating montis

Clayton Jessup · Sep 16, 2017

This is a super unique build I love it! I am not sure if I missed this but what type of material is your overflow box made of ?

Scurvy · Sep 16, 2017

Glad I found this! Definitely following. Cool ideas.

Ryan@ShelteredReef · Sep 16, 2017

Clayton Jessup said:
This is a super unique build I love it! I am not sure if I missed this but what type of material is your overflow box made of ?

Thanks man. The overflow is made of 1/2 inch PVC foam board. It's used for outdoor or wet location trim applications and you can get it at Home Depot or Lowe's for around $80 for a 4'x8' sheet. I used a 2'x4' sheet for this project which cost around $20

Ryan@ShelteredReef · Sep 16, 2017

Scurvy said:
Glad I found this! Definitely following. Cool ideas.

I appreciate it. Trying to find time around all the other things involving the business is difficult to say the least. I'm hoping to have it plumbed and filled in the coming weeks.

Dizzirn · Sep 16, 2017

Very interesting... I am currently building a 125g.,. Drilling holes and plumbing was fun...

Ryan@ShelteredReef · Sep 16, 2017

Dizzirn said:
Very interesting... I am currently building a 125g.,. Drilling holes and plumbing was fun...

Yeah this is one of the few glass tanks that I've actually drilled myself. It's not too bad and the bit only cost $8.

Clayton Jessup · Sep 16, 2017

Very good to know , it looks really good

Ryan@ShelteredReef · Sep 17, 2017

Clayton Jessup said:
Very good to know , it looks really good

Thanks man. I'm not sure that it's necessarily 100% waterproof being that its an open cell type material (~50:50/air:material). For this application it doesn't really need to be.

Ryan@ShelteredReef · Sep 18, 2017

Managed to make some progress on the stand construction.

I used pocket screws for the majority of the framing so as to preserve the face of the outside boards for a stain finish

Checking the fit

Installed 3/4 plywood to the back and bottom. The joists for the plywood base were ripped down to allow the plywood to sit flush with the bottom boards.

And...

Next up are cosmetic finishes. Paint and stain all around

haanstang · Sep 18, 2017

I did the same thing. Routing groves for all four sides and baffles on my wooden sump. Much stronger for more surfaces area to glue.
Awesome build.

Ryan@ShelteredReef · Sep 18, 2017

haanstang said:
I did the same thing. Routing groves for all four sides and baffles on my wooden sump. Much stronger for more surfaces area to glue.
Awesome build.

Yeah and having material on either side keeps the panels from shifting. Your plywood sump is something else! Crazy detailed and the stand you built for your 210 came out really nice. I'll probably wind up using a standard 20L for the sump on this tank until I figure out something a little more custom

Ryan@ShelteredReef · Sep 26, 2017

Been a busy week but the stand is stained and has a few coats of poly. The inside will be painted white in the coming days...hopefully. Then it's on to plumbing.