1500 Gallon 100% DIY reef Build

[bbaz123456]

I have been meaning to do this for a long time and only wish I would have started a few years back to have better documentation of the process.
I started the build almost 4 years ago and it has gone through many different phases.
Prior to this I kept a 150 gallon on and off for about 10 years, then one day decided I wanted something a little bit bigger. I really envy many of the other threads here with the thought and planning that is put into the design of their systems. Unfortunately that is not my style. I am more the type that gets an idea in my head and runs with it. So many mistakes could have been prevented if I would have went about it that way. But I am fairly certain that if I would have sat down and mapped everything out, I would have just looked it all over and decided that I was nuts and thrown the whole idea out.
Here are a few pics not necessarily in order.

2x4 framed base with 2 layers of 1/2 OSB. After doing this I decided 8' was not big enough so I wrapped with a 2x4 then again with a 2x6 to add another 3" all the way around to bring it to 8'6".

Watch out for that deer!
I built a jig to glue the acrylic. Did I mention, this was the first time I have ever worked with acrylic? Yes it was a giant PITA to figure out how to cut it then miter 22.5 degree angles on the seems

 

[bbaz123456]

I covered the base with two layers of 60 mil EPDM rubber then a layer of rigid 1/8" ABS plastic.
Then cut 4" strips of 1" acrylic for a border all the way around and lagged those into the base

"Don't F this up dogg, or there is gonna be a giant mess in my living room" said the dog

Built an overflow and ran some plumbing

Almost ready for water...haha. I think it was actually a few more months until it did see water, between finishing the plumbing, top and buffing out scratches

 

[Greg 45]

Why didn't you make the bottom out of acrylic ??

 

[bbaz123456]

Skip 6 months(due to my lack of documentation) and somebody waved their hand and said let there be water, light, fish, rock and corals.
Most of the rock was DIY aragonite/cement based rock.
Lighting was all DIY LEDs

And Elasmos!

 

[bbaz123456]

Why didn't you make the bottom out of acrylic ??

Did I mention 100% DIY on the cheap? I made due with what I had. Didn't have a sheet of acrylic nearly big enough. Although looking back it probably would have been a much better option, especially if I ever decided to cut a whole in the side of my house to move it.

 

[Scythanith]

Pretty damn impressive

 

[RG Rude]

That Sir .... Is Badazz.

 

[MysteryReef]

Absolutely amazing.....love the idea of a large floor level aquarium as a centerpiece to a room, never seen such a thing in someones home.......

 

[MysteryReef]

What makes the seal with the strips of acrylic around the base? Is it just the downward force created by the lag bolts? Or did you use some sort of adhesive?

 

[bbaz123456]

Pretty damn impressive

That Sir .... Is Badazz.

Absolutely amazing.....love the idea of a large floor level aquarium as a centerpiece to a room, never seen such a thing in someones home.......

Thanks guys.

What makes the seal with the strips of acrylic around the base? Is it just the downward force created by the lag bolts? Or did you use some sort of adhesive?

Yes they were siliconed down too

 

[bbaz123456]

a few more pics

 

[bbaz123456]

After all the fun starts the never ending task of scraping coralline off of acrylic. One very big downside of an all acrylic octagon in the middle of your family room

 

[andrewkw]

This is a fantastic and original tank, really looks great! Any pics of the sump which I assume is in your basement? How much bracing did your floor require? Can't wait to see more. The rays are really neat.

 

[Dreech15]

Man that tank is awesome! I've never seen anything like it! Great Job!!!

 

[sandyland]

Really neat tank build!!!! And beautiful mounts!!!! Have you had to have the tank polished since you put it in? I could see my dogs pawing at it.

 

[moulton712]

Wow!

 

[NaClTDog]

This build make me look more normal��

 

[ace_92101]

Wow! Amazing. The center reef concept is very nice. Any issues with humidity?

 

[bbaz123456]

Thanks everybody

This is a fantastic and original tank, really looks great! Any pics of the sump which I assume is in your basement? How much bracing did your floor require? Can't wait to see more. The rays are really neat.

I will get some pics of "the rest". There is a steel beam running through the middle and I put some posts under each joist on both ends and a few under the beam just to be sure

Really neat tank build!!!! And beautiful mounts!!!! Have you had to have the tank polished since you put it in? I could see my dogs pawing at it.

The dogs were really intrigued the first few months and the one stingray would literally play with one of the dogs for hours. It was pretty funny to watch, but they haven't really scratched it at all.

Wow! Amazing. The center reef concept is very nice. Any issues with humidity?

It's not too bad. During the summer I run the AC almost nonstop at a low speed which is very effective at removing the humidity. Occasionally I will have to kick on the dehumidifier during the spring and fall.

 

[usingthejohn]

"What did you do today?"

Bbaz123456: "nothing. Went diving in my living room"

Such a sweet build man!!