125 Mixed Reef Build Thread

[RNich34]

Well, some of you saw my other post in another thread about starting a 125 build thread, so here it is. This'll be a little slower moving over the next few months, but that's ok, I know you guys can hold your hats and wait for a little while. So here we go.

I started the stand build. I got all the frame work done over the course of this week/weekend. I will be getting some 1/2" ply for the covering to do this week. I'll also be cutting some 3/4" ply for the bottom shelf and the shelf that will sit over the sump and ATO. I'm hoping that the tank will be in this week sometime. I will also need a 40Gallon tank, 12" width, for a sump. Thanks so far goes to:

Anthony, for buying my old light and helping me bounce ideas and everything so far.

Reefbreeder, for being flexible with my payments for the Photon lights

Michigan Reefers, for letting me jump in on the group buy they were hosting

Eric, for his help so far with the stand building help

Without further ado, pics:

The Doggers wanted to help me. :lmao:

I swiched the inside screw slot from this one to help me gain some extra room underneath.

New screw slot locations. Gained 6" of room by turning them sideways instead of vertical.

How it looks now, all framed out.

I used 2x4 for the sides and the base. I doubled the ends, I'm not sure if it has any type of structural advantage or not, but I figured it couldn't hurt. I then used 2x6 for the 2 middle support beams and 2x8 for the top rail. It feels very solid and like it won't be going anywhere anytime soon.

 

[Pallobi]

A like a nice strong stand... Very cool :beer:

 

[RNich34]

Thanks. I'm probably going to paint it white and then sand it to make it look worn out beachy kind of. My uncle does woodwork as a hobby. So he's going to help me with the finishing and cabinets.

 

[gar732]

Holy crap! And I though I overbuilt mine, you can probably park an SUV on that thing, lol. With the 2x8 you can ditch the center support which would give you more room under the stand. I built my 75 out of 2x4 with no center support and have had no issues at all. I can't wait to see how you finish it.

 

[LeslieP]

Did you end up getting 2 of the Photon 24"s for that tank? I'm eager to follow along with your build. Hopefully I'll get mine started in the next few weeks.

 

[RNich34]

2 photon 24s. I just like to be on the safe side.

 

[RNich34]

Holy crap! And I though I overbuilt mine, you can probably park an SUV on that thing, lol. With the 2x8 you can ditch the center support which would give you more room under the stand. I built my 75 out of 2x4 with no center support and have had no issues at all. I can't wait to see how you finish it.

The center brace is there for looks. When I cover it, I'm going with 2 cabinets. So the center brace will be my cabinet connecting point. I'm hoping to get the ply within the next few days and get it all covered.

 

[sassAwrasse]

Can I ask why you decided on 2 24's instead of 3 24's or 3 16's?

We have a 120 gallon with 2 braces. So we were thinking 3 fixtures, 1 over each section, so there's no issues with shadowing.

Just wanted to hear your thoughts. Thanks!! :spin1:

 

[RNich34]

Mine only has 1 brace in the middle. And 2 24s will give me a lot of coverage. Plus I want to do a mixed reef. So I want to have softies and shrooms around the sides.

 

[RNich34]

Seems so long since I posted this. I had some stuff come up, but am finally getting to do this now. Took long enough

 

[RNich34]

Appologies for no update. I got the ply to line the stand, and I'm waiting for my 125 to come in. 2 weeks and I'm ordering a 48" photon. I know, it'll be short, but I want to do a wide range of different corals.

Probably finish the stand off and paint it next week.

 

[RNich34]

Ahead of schedule a little bit. Ordering the lights on Monday. Skimmer was ordered today.

 

[RNich34]

Thank you to ChingKing for buying something in my FS thread. The support helps with this project. $75 closer to the new lights!

 

[RNich34]

Another lucky break. My uncle is coming over on Friday to help me line the stand early. We might be up by the end of next week if we're lucky here. Stay Tuned!

 

[RNich34]

Did most of the easy work today. Got the stand all lined up. Just need to sand the corners, then add the trim and make it look pretty. Then paint!

I know its not perfect, but I'm proud of what I've made so far. Came out better then I expected in all honesty

 

[RNich34]

Quick update with pics. Almost got the cabinet doors done. My uncle took those and is finishing them up. I almost finished the front trim last night. Would like to be farther, but that's ok. I can manage.

 

[RNich34]

Light is on hold for a couple weeks. Want to get this thing cycling before lights. I'm picking up the sump from Bob on Thursday. Hoping to finish the stand by this weekend. And get the rock work assembled. Can anyone give me an idea for epoxy for rock?

 

[RNich34]

Skimmer came in today. This thing is big. Its a SCAquarium 303. I know, its not the best but It's a start up skimmer. It'll get put up for sale whenever I feel it necessary to upgrade.

 

[Tweaked]

Sweet. Keep updating.

 

[RNich34]

Sweet. Keep updating.

Thanks. Thought I was boring everyone and everyone stopped looking. :sad1: Pics of the skimmer above look pretty crappy. Bad lighting. The skimmer is actually pretty impressive for the money. It doesn't feel overly cheap. The acrylic/plastic is thick and I can't flex it in my hand. I still feel that the SCA is a great deal for the price.

I got out about 15 minutes early from class and was in a bad mood for some reason. So I came home and got a lot of trim done. I'm a small piece of chair rail short on the top of one of the sides and one rosette short. Home Depot does an awful job of keeping their stuff organized. I wanted Pine Rosettes and ended up getting half Oak. All the oak ones broke when I tried to nail them. :headwallblue: But anyways. I got a pretty good amount done. I need suggestions on what to do for the top. I want to do a kind of table top or something. My uncle should be done with the doors by this weekend and then It's about ready for paint! Picking up the sump tomorrow and selling the old skimmer to Julio tomorrow. Also ordered 2 WP-40s, and some of the MarcoRock cement stuff. Still waiting for tank to come in, but I have everything to get it up and cycling I think. Last thing I need is lights!