430gal., L-shaped display

["Umm fish?"]

falesdk--Thanks! Sorry to kill half your week.

I'm extremely Jealous

Well, that's not really what I'm aiming for.... I always thought the point of these threads was to improve builds through inviting criticism and offer inspiration for others' ideas. So, go forth and remodel....

Ian--(Wow, how do you manage to snag that user ID?)

Thanks. These guys came with the reputation as being among the best finish carpenters in town. So, we had to come up with something to keep them interested.... They weren't quite able to finish the ceiling this week. They ran out of the moulding when they were down to the last couple of triangles. So they have to wait for a couple new pieces to come in.

 

[falesdk]

Oh the jealousy is a good thing in this instance, it inspires me to continue saving toward that goal (gotta buy the house first!)

 

["Umm fish?"]

Good luck with the house! Honestly, that's a great goal to be working towards.

Well, I have water. Just not in the tank yet....

The builder's actually there again this afternoon, setting the big panes of glass that run all the way across from living room side to bathroom side. I'll probably have some photos for you tomorrow. I've got to go hit the big candy beg-off now.

 

["Umm fish?"]

Updates! http://www.ummfish.com/remodel.html

Beginning tile work on the "tank maintenance platform."

Getting close on the braces. The big cross-braces are not siliconed yet. The paper towels are clearly just to give you a sense of scale.

Trying for a FTS, but can't quite get it all in.

Happy November!

 

[goboltz]

Wow, I just read the whole thread. Nice!

 

["Umm fish?"]

Thank you! The builder just showed up again to silicone up some more glass. Oh, it's feeling better....

 

["Umm fish?"]

I didn't have my camera when I was over working at the house today, but I thought you all might like to see the cross-braces. So, here are the iPhone photos.

 

[falesdk]

Yay for progress!

 

["Umm fish?"]

The whole display is now braced. 8)

I'm not sure if he's finished or not, but ....

 

[Chrisrush]

Seems like a lot of bracing with the eurobrace and the cross bracing, but then again, it is 12' long, right?

 

["Umm fish?"]

Yeah, and glass (tempered) doesn't take bowing so well. Well, it's 10'10" on the longest panel, but then the overflow adds another foot or so.

 

["Umm fish?"]

Well, the dumb waiter internals are just about done:

 

[EnglishRebel]

Is that a site built dumb waiter or a purchased unit?

 

["Umm fish?"]

It's a little of both. The car, rails, counterbalance, and movement are all purchased as a kit. The car was then cut down a little in the local shop and rebuilt in order to fit it inside normal cabinetry and under the countertop. The local carpenters framed out the space, installed the hardware, and created a mount for the movement. Actually, a local metal guy also had a hand in creating the mount. Finally, the cabinet guys are boxing the whole thing in and putting a door in front.

By the way, apparently the tank is done. All that's left is cleanup and a little spot silicone. Woohoo! The framing of the space around the tank is just about finished and one coat of spar varnish has been applied (ugh). I think I owe the painter some brain cells. The tile guy has finally moved into the bathroom and is mostly finished with the "tub deck." The carpenters should be finished with the living room ceiling tomorrow (they had to wait because they ran out of boards). Next week the painter starts downstairs. Things are finally moving again!!!

 

[klondike4001]

Congrats on it finally being almost done

 

["Umm fish?"]

Thanks, Jonathan! Sigh. It's getting closer....


Work has been moving forward. The display tank is done, except for the final cleanup!!! The installer guy was here today making up a list of parts he needs for the closed loop. The ceiling trim is done and the guy who did most of that has moved on to working on the basement stairs. So now I have the feeling that the rest of the downstairs trim will move very fast. The painter is supposed to start on the downstairs on Monday.

The second coat of spar varnish went on the area around the top of the tank today. That stuff is evil.

A couple of different views.

The view from the kitchen sink:

The view from the downstairs shower:

The view from the downstairs bathtub:

They are supposed to install (or at least do a dry fit) that bathtub Monday, too! It's getting there....

 

[savethereef]

Everything is looking great. They used clear Silicone? you dont like the black one? Cant wait to see more pictures. ive been also following for a couple months now.

 

["Umm fish?"]

Thanks!

He did use clear silicone. I'm sure one of the reasons is because you can see when it's dry. I do think most of the seams will be covered in the end, so I don't think it'll really matter either way.

 

["Umm fish?"]

Sigh. The tank's _not_ done yet. He still has at least one more brace to add along with a more thorough clean up.

Despite that, the first fishes and corals went in today.

Full tank:

The tub was dry-fit today. They still have to adjust the height a little and then they are going to mortar it down.

The tile guy should start the fun tile that goes above the dark tile tomorrow!

 

[maddmaxx]

you dont have to answer this if you dont want to. obviously! but just wondering what you do for a living. so i can start game planning how i can pull this off...