30 gallon nano build...from scratch!

[sonofgaladriel]

I am finally ready to begin a build thread for my new 30 gallon, shallow, rimless, SPS , nano. Actually it will be about 28 gallons due to the actual water level, but 30 gallons is a nice round number so that is how I will refer to it.
Tank is 24"x24"x12". Starphire glass on all four sides (love this stuff!). I cleaned all edges with acetone and fabricated the tank using GE RTV 108 silicone. I only hope that I did it right. :worried: Seems look good, no bubbles, no irregularities. Corners matched up nicely.
Will begin fabrication on the stand tomorrow evening while the silicone cures.
I fabricated the tank last night and let her sit for 24 hours. I just finished trimming off the excess silicone, gave the vertical corners another clean with acetone and one more bead of RTV 108.
Plan to water test Friday evening.
Here are some pics as it sits right now.
Third pic shows the 1"x5" notch I had the glass company cut for the external overflow.

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

not sure why you would have paid extra for starfire on the "back" overflow side of the tank, mind you we also dont know your plans for the setup either...i am sure there is a good reason...i would have moved the overflow notch over an inch or two just to make mounting the external overflow box a little easier...but you should be fine...i would have made the notch longer too, but again not sure what your design plans are...tank does look super clean though, well done...love that starfire..

are the side on the bottom or around it? how thick is the bottom and the sides?

 

[sonofgaladriel]

This tank will be viewed from all four sides hence the starphire all around and the reason for the smaller notch and location of the overflow. I am trying to keep the viewing as unobstructed as possible for such a small tank.
Glass is 1/4". The sides are sitting on the bottom pane. Unfortunately, I had the glass already ordered and cut before further research showed that it would be best to have a floating bottom. Budget didn't allow for all new side pieces, especially with the price of starphire glass.
The tank will sit on a 3/4" plywood and 1/2" layer of foam insulation for a fully supported bottom.
I'll post pics of the stand build as it progresses as well.
Thanks again for the reply and input.

 

[nvdiz]

looks awesome, keep it updated

 

[sonofgaladriel]

Thank you. I will try to keep this thread moving along. Brings back memories of the 240 cube build years ago.

 

[sonofgaladriel]

Made some progress.
I got a little bit done on the stand this evening. I'm trying a different 'look' for this one, going with a non conventional shape for a square tank. It will all make sense once you see it skinned.
I planed all the 2x4s so that they were flat on all edges and as perfectly straight as I could get them using the table saw. All joints are glued and screwed with 3 1/2" polycoated screws, predrilled and counter sunk. Bottom will be a section of melamine, which you can see in the pics (it has not been fully cut to size yet). Top will also be a layer of melamine, covered with 3/4" foam insulation. I'll apply a couple of coats of oil based white paint to the inside of the 2x4's and then use white silicone along the bottom seam between the melamine and the lower 2x4 for a level of water resistance.
Face will be skinned with solid Birch stock, simple, contemporary design which I'll reveal asap.
The last pic shows how the tank itself will be oriented on the stand.

 

[Johnny C]

Nice job, especially for your first DIY build. Looking forward to updates.

 

[asmodeus]

Looks great man , digging the stand too.

 

[nvdiz]

... that stand is gonna look sick

 

[Luckedout]

I've debated doing the same thing for my next tank, so I'll be following along closely! I'm curious to see this stand finished as well.

 

[chrishet]

Tag...will be keeping an eye on this one.

 

[sonofgaladriel]

Thanks for the replies everyone.
Here are some new pics.
Gave the entire skeleton a couple of coats of oil based white paint for some water protection.
Cut top and bottom melamine to shape, secured bottom piece, cut foam insulation substrate.
Ready to start skinning!
First pic is my conception of the stand design.
From paper to reality:

 

[pwwfish]

Off to a great start! I love the cubes. Looking forward to seeing some more life in there,

 

[hebygb]

Awesome... I have subscribed...

 

[sonofgaladriel]

Filled the tank yesterday morning. No leaks! Left water in over night and so far, 24 hours later, all seems are holding nicely! Whew! What a relief!
Leaving it filled for another couple of hours just to make sure.
Will now start on the sump and stand finish.

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

looks good....i would have done an off center internal center overflow, and made a rock column out of it, then the four side would have been completely unobstructed...what are you plans to hie the overflow? how are you lighting the tank?

i love the shape of the stand, very similar idea i had for my tank where the shape of the stand and tank are different (tank is round and stand is perfectly square)...seems like a lot of weight on top of the stand though to rely on the fasteners...think you should be okay though...

great start can hardly wait to see it all scaped and flowing.

 

[sonofgaladriel]

Update:
Second leak test went well. Tank held water for over 24 hours. 1/32" bow noted at the very top, but I think that's within acceptable limits.
Obtained some reclaimed 6" walnut hardwood flooring stock over the weekend. Planed, recut, glued, and clamped to form nice large panels.
Plan to sand again tomorrow, cut to size and shape, and hopefully start skinning the stand skeleton this weekend.
Final picture showing stain options.

 

[aquaenthusiast]

Keep us Updated!!:wave:

 

[AEALOVESHERGIRLS]

Looks great so far!!!

 

[sonofgaladriel]

wat lights are you going to use?

I'll be using a single Aquamedic pendant, 250 watt DE 20 K bulb. However, once this bulb has run its course, I am considering switching to 3 of the Par 38 LED bulbs. That will be about 8 to 10 months down the road though.
Thank you to everyone else for the replies.
I have about 3/4 of the stand skinned with the walnut panels. Hope to finish the first stage tonight. Will work on doors and final finish this weekend.
Once that's done, I'll start on the sump and tank overflow box.