A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build
- Thread starter Dustin1300
- Start date
Newbie Aquarist
Reefing is my middle name
What height worked best for you?
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Hoping to have them up this weekend when I have some time to make all the numbers make sense.
With just 18" and me trying to cover the 36" wide tank, I'm thinking ~12". I need to look at the PAR meter readings but I'll use the outer skirts with low PAR to acclimate new corals and start to move them towards higher PAR and also use those lower PAR areas for lower light coral.
Thanks
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Gussets or no gussets!?!?!?!
Gussets or no gussets!?!?!?!
I need to do some prep work on the stand before moving to the basement. That being said, I need to 1) determine if gussets are needed, 2) prep metal for paint, and 3) paint with several coats of hercu-liner.
Does everyone think I need gussets? If so, should they be the 2" square tube or just steel plates cut in triangles? Any recommendations on prepping the metal as it has surface rust from bad paint job after being set up....I'd prefer not to have to sandblast but looking for another good recommendation.
Tanks stand. Can get better pics if needed and specifics on dimensions. Welds seem to be really good.
Before I purchased tank was never set up and only has surface rust from sitting in garage. I did water test before handing over money on the tank and stand was very secure in my garage
Gussets or no gussets!?!?!?!
I need to do some prep work on the stand before moving to the basement. That being said, I need to 1) determine if gussets are needed, 2) prep metal for paint, and 3) paint with several coats of hercu-liner.
Does everyone think I need gussets? If so, should they be the 2" square tube or just steel plates cut in triangles? Any recommendations on prepping the metal as it has surface rust from bad paint job after being set up....I'd prefer not to have to sandblast but looking for another good recommendation.
Tanks stand. Can get better pics if needed and specifics on dimensions. Welds seem to be really good.
Before I purchased tank was never set up and only has surface rust from sitting in garage. I did water test before handing over money on the tank and stand was very secure in my garage
david00061
New member
Just put live stock in it all ready
david00061
New member
just kidding.... cant wait to se it come together. Its been a long time in the making
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Come on David, give me a break! The original plan was just to get what I currently have up and running up. I have basement remodeling and some other "important" projects to complete before I can get tank in place. The plan was to buy DT summer of 2013 but this tank was too good of a deal!
laugh
Member of the Registry
First off, great build so far. Your work looks very clean. This set up is going to be amazing. Secondly I would put the gussets in. This thing is going to be heavy and any side shift will put tremenous stress on the weld joints. Either tube or plates would work. I would think that plates would be easier and cheaper though. They would only be needed on the back and sides. As for cleaning it to prep for the paint I think a 4 inch angle grinder with a twisted wire wheel would make very short work of any old paint or rust. I know people tend to try rush you and tease you about not having this set up yet but you just keep doing what you are doing and you will do just fine.
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Thanks for the encouragement and glad to have you following along Ben. I try to plan everything accordingly as I'd like to have this tank up in our current house for quite some time (Plan to live here 10-15 years). Angle grinder wheel should do the cleanup work, I'm thinking I need to get a few hands locally to drop by soon so I can have some help moving the tank off the stand and to another temporary location!
David just likes to give me a push here and there to keep me motivated
David just likes to give me a push here and there to keep me motivated
geaux xman
New member
everything is looking good.
who built your DT? is that 3/4" acrylic?
from the popular opinions in this steel stand thread, you could probably use some more anti-racking steel. 48" span without any is too long. FWIW, I dont know squat. Just what I pick up from the steel stand thread.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1330053&page=61&highlight=steel+stands
who built your DT? is that 3/4" acrylic?
from the popular opinions in this steel stand thread, you could probably use some more anti-racking steel. 48" span without any is too long. FWIW, I dont know squat. Just what I pick up from the steel stand thread.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1330053&page=61&highlight=steel+stands
Last edited:
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Can't say who built it but I bought it used (never set it up) and it was build by a company that is no longer in business....10 + a + core
It is 3/4" acrylic. Seems are beautiful on the tank and I'm impressed with the build quality and was built when they were known for really solid tanks, just sat in storage for years. I think it's really ready for a reef!As far as the stand, I'm asking about whether the span is too large too. When I originally picked up tank everyone said the stand was sufficient, but for the time I'd like to have this in place, I'd really like to not have to worry about a tank tear down because of me not building the stand well.
Started this thread on DIY section on RC and in my local club.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2178958
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Ok, I've built two new 'models' of what I interpret as better support and prevention of collapsing. We aren't known for earthquakes in Indiana but I'd like to keep my marriage together with this tank build
Please share your opinions as I'm not thin skinned. Adding this much more metal with the verticals is going to add some descent weight but I also would rather be safe than sorry. (Steve, you worried about lifting this much weight:lol2
Original. Please take note of the 1.5" tubes stacked, spans between vertical support, and what I'm currently working with.
5" Gussets added in convenient locations for when I'm working under the tank. Amazing how fast you run out of room even when you have a "fish room".
2" square tube verticals added in addition to the gussets. I'm not an engineer, just not sure if a 4 foot span is too far and will sag too much to be comfortable. Something WILL give one day if it droops too much. This design just drastically cuts down on my access and makes it harder to build large sump(s).
Please share your opinions as I'm not thin skinned. Adding this much more metal with the verticals is going to add some descent weight but I also would rather be safe than sorry. (Steve, you worried about lifting this much weight:lol2
Original. Please take note of the 1.5" tubes stacked, spans between vertical support, and what I'm currently working with.
5" Gussets added in convenient locations for when I'm working under the tank. Amazing how fast you run out of room even when you have a "fish room".
2" square tube verticals added in addition to the gussets. I'm not an engineer, just not sure if a 4 foot span is too far and will sag too much to be comfortable. Something WILL give one day if it droops too much. This design just drastically cuts down on my access and makes it harder to build large sump(s).
danfeig
.Registered Member
I am by no means a structural engineer, however, I don't think you need gussets especially if you are going to be adding the vertical and horizontal supports approximately 1'9" apart surrounding the stand.
It is amazing how access and space gets limited.
Good luck! I am anxious to see this tank developed.
It is amazing how access and space gets limited.
Good luck! I am anxious to see this tank developed.
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Understood and I'm starting to think gussets are a bit crazy when I add so many more vertical spans I've been thinking about this more last night and from some other threads I have going on this I have a few alternatives but not sure direction I'll take yet.
Current four models I'm four models I'm considering. Gussets may be removed totally on the ones with lots of vertical support.
Model #1:
Model #2:
Model #3:
Model #4:
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
I'm talking to a few people and a guy from my club that actually does steel milling. Most don't consider deflection rates with such criticism as us though. A 1/4" deflection over a 4 foot span is not a worry to most outside of us insane hobbyist. I've also got a few threads bouncing around here and on our club forum.
Dustin1300
Reefaholic
Just made final modifications in Sketchup. Hopefully no one has any complaints about the design. I think this adds much needed strength and allows for good accessibility and can move large sump through the end of the stand. All red components are new pieces I've got to have laser cut.
Front:
Back:
Front:
Back:
