A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build

Dustin, welcome to the amazing world of fatherhood!!! There's no other feeling in the world like holding your baby for the first time.

as for moving the tank.....I would be there in heart beat but my club has the frag swap that day :). I'll be sure to pick up a couple nice ones for you.

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2
 
SPotter said:
Dustin, welcome to the amazing world of fatherhood!!! There's no other feeling in the world like holding your baby for the first time.

as for moving the tank.....I would be there in heart beat but my club has the frag swap that day :). I'll be sure to pick up a couple nice ones for you.

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2
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Thanks Steve. I know you told me earlier that I better take advantage of the time before we have our first kid, guess now I have a date to go by.

Have fun at frag swap. Our club typically has frag swap in April and I just was elected President for the next 2 year term so hopefully the swap does not fall on day the baby decides to come out:fun4:
 
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I would reuse the insulation as you said to help dampen the sound. Also congratulation on the new addition to the family. I know you feel the heat is on but before you know it everything will be up and running with time to spare to enjoy the new birth into the world. You could name the baby after me or some form and alter it if its a boy or girl. J/K..
 
Newbie Aquarist said:
I would reuse the insulation as you said to help dampen the sound. Also congratulation on the new addition to the family. I know you feel the heat is on but before you know it everything will be up and running with time to spare to enjoy the new birth into the world. You could name the baby after me or some form and alter it if its a boy or girl. J/K..
Click to expand...

I think I'll reuse it and then cover it all in a layer or two of plastic to insure it stays dry and out of the tank.

As far as names, I'm think the wife already has some names in mind;) I'll offer up Wayne or maybe Winona?
 
I'll just ignore those Wayne:lmao:

Headed to Lowes so I can do the framing...Hole is cut out though. I really wanted the tank higher off the ground but I don't want to compromise access from above the tank during maintenance. With cabinetry across the top it should help make everything proportionally right!

Outlined.
IMG_1575.jpg


Cut Out!
IMG_1582.jpg


***Ignore fish room, it's currently a mess!
 
...Calling it a day as I don't have the two 2X4s I need to finish up the framing. Did make it to Lowes but grabbed the wrong ones earlier so I'll have to make a trip in morning:( I'm gonna sleep well tonight as I've kept busy:beer:

Studs cut out. I love my Dremel Multi-Max....Thing sure is a great tool for about any job.
IMG_1587.jpg


Another.
IMG_1589.jpg


From the other side.
IMG_1591.jpg


This baby was a good new motivator for me!
 
Looks like you made a lot of progress today!!! What are you doing as far as access to the tank from the front of the tank?
 
SPotter said:
Looks like you made a lot of progress today!!! What are you doing as far as access to the tank from the front of the tank?
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I'm planning on just using false cabinetry doors above the tank. Due to the bracing on the top of the tank it's really not give any access from the front:(

I'll try to snap a couple photos later so you can see how far the bracing goes back on the top and can better understand why front access is not really possible.
 
Front access

Front access

Dustin1300 said:
I'm planning on just using false cabinetry doors above the tank. Due to the bracing on the top of the tank it's really not give any access from the front:(

I'll try to snap a couple photos later so you can see how far the bracing goes back on the top and can better understand why front access is not really possible.
Click to expand...

Hey Dustin,

just a thought. I have a 31" deep (front to back) tank that is 26" tall. It is WAY more difficult than I thought it would be to clean the back of the tank. Even setting coral toward the back of the tank is a true bear. You can't see what you are doing because you are stretched over the tank and I can't imagine trying to clean........say, the sand line from the opposite side.

I don't recall the demensions of your tank (other than huge and AWESOME!) however I believe it is acrylic? Might be worth putting a ladder behind the tank and just trying to clean the front from the back as a test. Acrylic takes some finess to clean properly without scratching and it's hard to be gentle at your max reach. It may inspire you to come up with a way to get front access......at least a little. I am thinking it would also be difficult to place coral from the back as you would be guessing on placement looking from behind.

Anyway, your setup is amazing man. Not trying to second guess you at all. I was just shocked at the difference with getting into the tank going from an 18" deep to a 31" deep. I happen to have crazy long arms as well. Still difficult and frustrating.
 
You guys have me uncertain about what I want to do now....I was going to do false paneling but now I'm thinking access on the top! I'm just not certain how the panels are framed in. Good thing is tanks not moving until 11/4....Guess I'll hold off on finishing the framing on top today and see if I end up wanting to make hole taller.
 
Just awesome! I am starting a 180 with basement sump room build and I have all kinds of ideas and inspiration now. Thanks for documenting your build so well!

-Matt
 
I would definitely re-think that dustin. My tank is 36" wide and 28" high with a 5" euro brace and its not easy trying to the tank from the back. Unless you can build some kind of cat walk that would allow you to lay down on top of the tank I would figure out a way to access it from the front.
 
SPotter said:
I would definitely re-think that dustin. My tank is 36" wide and 28" high with a 5" euro brace and its not easy trying to the tank from the back. Unless you can build some kind of cat walk that would allow you to lay down on top of the tank I would figure out a way to access it from the front.
Click to expand...

I'm certain now I'm going to have some sort of front access but need to figure out cabinet door sizes to do appropriate framing.

As for access on top I could lay, sit, stand on the 3/4 inch bracing on top. One of the things I keep on considering is coral placement;)

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2.
 
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