40 Gallon Custom Setup

[calvin415]

Sorry everyone, been busy getting my 23 gallon emptied and cleaned up to sell. That should be gone tonight, so I'll have the time and money to get this baby finished. Unfortunately all I've gotten done since Saturday is the left door trim. I still need to do the right door trim and then I can start the canopy doors and trim.

I should have some updates either tomorrow or Friday.

 

[calvin415]

I just got done doing some shopping, what the hell!? Just when you think you've got everything you need.

Here's what I got...

Red Sea AquaZone Plus 50 mg/hr ozonizer
American Marine Pinpoint ORP Probe
Captive Purity Refractometer with Calibration Dial
Kent Marine Float Valve Only, Black ABS
5 Loc-Lines 3/4 inch Ball Socket Flexible Tube 6 inch
Jager 250 W Heater 17 inch UL Approved
Salifert Magnesium Test Kit
Salifert Phosphate Test Kit
Salifert Calcium Test Kit

and I still plan to add a 2 ch dosing pump...
Where does it end!?

 

[majikterror]

Well it's nice to know people have more money than god.

 

[floppyfish]

Man, hurry up! lol

I'm getting ansy just wiating to see how it turns out and it isn't even my tank!

Makes me sad. I'm planning a plain ol' 40 breeder with a 1" and 3/4" bulkhead. No where near as fun or neat as yours!

 

[calvin415]

Well it's nice to know people have more money than god.

Hmmm, not sure what to say here, but trust me, I've got lots more God in my life than money... Remember I've sold 2 tanks including setups, plus all the live stock to cover just the setup costs of this one.

Man, hurry up! lol

I'm getting ansy just wiating to see how it turns out and it isn't even my tank!

Makes me sad. I'm planning a plain ol' 40 breeder with a 1" and 3/4" bulkhead. No where near as fun or neat as yours!

Please don't be sad; I simply started this thread to see what is possible, and help others dream along with me. I'll post some more pics in a bit.

 

[calvin415]

Re-Did the plumbing to allow maximum room to access the tank...

Here's a shot of the plumbing with the canopy removed, it's great, lifts straight up and off!

 

[floppyfish]

Please don't be sad; I simply started this thread to see what is possible, and help others dream along with me. I'll post some more pics in a bit.

I'm not sad per say. Its just that your tank looks ALOT more fun to setup than mine.

 

[calvin415]

LOL!!! Thanks!

Almost forgot last night I also covered the entire top of the stand with neoprene (mouse pads from work ) Just taped them all together (from the bottom) to form one big black mat and now the tank is perfectly padded.

 

[calvin415]

As for an update, I finished the trim on the cabinet doors, attached the canopy doors and finished the trim on them as well. All that's left is to do a little sanding, and then just rub poly over the entire thing! I test mounted the HQI Pendant and I think it will be perfect. Once the canopy and cabinet are done, I can solidify the plumbing and start installing all the equipment. The ozonizer is on back order for at least another week, and I'm headed to Europe for vacation on the 21st, so it looks like it will be Nov before water is added. Sorry everyone, but like everything good in this hobby it happens slowly.

 

[calvin415]

Darn double post!

 

[calvin415]

Darn triple post!

 

[calvin415]

Here's some updated pics!

The Canopy: The doors hang open slightly, so I still need to install some magnets but here it is...

Full Shot Left Side:

Full Shot Right Side:

HQI installed: (just for a picture) still need to glue all the plumbing and poly rub the woodwork...

 

[bkztrini465]

Looks Great!!!!!! All the time and efforts gonna really pay off once you start getting it stocked. Whats a great reef tank without a nice stand??.
-Kris
PS. Whatcha mean by poly rubbing the wood?

 

[calvin415]

Thanks Kris, the finish that I got is a polyurethane that is rubbed on... Supposed to give a great hand rub finish.

 

[spf9992001]

I was completly lost on your plumbing concept. Until I saw the pics, I kept wondering why you would have all of that PVC in the display. That is an awesome looking setup. Very well thought out.

I need to keep saving...

 

[calvin415]

Thanks spf!

I was able to poly the canopy last-night, and get the doors on the cabinet done. I need to get the tank off the cabinet so I can get it finished as well (hopefully tonight).

 

[spf9992001]

Any news, Eric?

 

[calvin415]

Sorry, I've been slacking on getting poly on the cabinet. The last week has been spent working on a website for the family... I'm headed to Europe next Friday and I don't want to leave this baby sitting full of water with some one who knows nothing at the helm. On the bright side, I got all my loc-lines setup, it looks like medusa in there with 10 different return lines!

 

[calvin415]

Okay, so here's an update...

Here's the top of the stand with the neoprene (mouse pads).

And an away shot

Here's the upper plumbing all glued (super clean, my best glue job yet!)

A FTS

And with the light on...

And the Medusa shot!

 

[calvin415]

Here's some more shots of the guts... I still need to install on the lower plumbing, but you get the idea... All I'm still waiting on is my Ozonizer Plus which should ship about the time we get back in the country.

And my labels thanks to my wife!