Chris Q's Humble Reef

[Chrisq0904]

Hey everyone!

If you followed my other build thread you may know that I sold my 150G after having it up for only a couple months. I have had some things going on in my personal life that would not allow me to keep the 150G.

Even though I had no tank I still found myself going into the LFS and looking around at all the nice fish and corals. I couldn't stay out even if I tried.... SO I took an old 40 Breeder I had laying around that I used as a sump, took the baffles out leak tested and filled with salt water. It is nothing special and everything is hang on back with a stand that is just a frame that I slapped together and didn't even bother staining/painting. Well things have changed a little and decided to start up a "real" tank now. I still can't go big like a 150G still but I will be around just under 75G. I have someone building me a tank that will be 36" x 24" x 20" with starfire glass and synergy reef overflow. I kept my apex so I will be using that, picked up a used 8 Bulb ATI, vertex skimmer, and a mp10qd for the new tank so far. I will most likely end up getting another mp10 but can hold off on it for now until things move further along.

Today I went to Home Depot and picked up some wood and got most of the frame for the stand done which came out pretty decent and Im happy with it. This stand will most likely be built in the same/similar fashion as my other stands so I will most likely not document it in detail this time around, but if you have any questions about it just ask and I will gladly answer them. Cheers to everyone and thanks to all that have helped me by "holding" corals for me. Hope to have this tank looking better than the rest by the time I "finish".

-Chris

P.S.
This build MAY go slow at first because I am currently juggling school, work and trying to buy a place to live.

From this


To this

 

[nivram]

Are those 1x2s?


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[Chrisq0904]

1x4

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[Diesel3443]

Are 1x4 strong enough for 75gal?


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[Chrisq0904]

Once I skin it it will be. Built the stand for my 80 the same way.

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[rovster]

I'm building a stand now with 1x3 and 1x2 I hope it's strong enough lol. 1x4 is plenty strong, if it's skinned even stronger.

Looks good man! Wondering if you stole some ideas from mine

 

[Chrisq0904]

I'm building a stand now with 1x3 and 1x2 I hope it's strong enough lol. 1x4 is plenty strong, if it's skinned even stronger.

Looks good man! Wondering if you stole some ideas from mine

WHAT?!?!?! I have no idea what you're talking about....

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[Diesel3443]

Once I skin it it will be. Built the stand for my 80 the same way.

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10-4. You guys have more cojenes then me haha. I must really overbuild my stands

 

[rovster]

10-4. You guys have more cojenes then me haha. I must really overbuild my stands

Yes you do. For my 30 gallon I used 1x4 and 1/2" ply on sides. No skin. No problem. I like how Chris put the pocket holes facing the outside. I wonder where he learned that:wavehand:

 

[Chrisq0904]

10-4. You guys have more cojenes then me haha. I must really overbuild my stands

On bigger tanks I would not even think about using 1x. For my 150 I believe I used 2x4 and 2x6.

Yes you do. For my 30 gallon I used 1x4 and 1/2" ply on sides. No skin. No problem. I like how Chris put the pocket holes facing the outside. I wonder where he learned that:wavehand:

I know I know. I was just being sarcastic. I may possibly steal more ideas from you but not sure exactly what the final look may be. I like one of the stands Jonny posted on the FB pages that's is similar as yours. But we will see what happens. To accomplish what I want I need a table saw but I don't have one. Maybe I'll rent from HD.

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[rovster]

On bigger tanks I would not even think about using 1x. For my 150 I believe I used 2x4 and 2x6.


I know I know. I was just being sarcastic. I may possibly steal more ideas from you but not sure exactly what the final look may be. I like one of the stands Jonny posted on the FB pages that's is similar as yours. But we will see what happens. To accomplish what I want I need a table saw but I don't have one. Maybe I'll rent from HD.

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I did not use a table saw for my stand build. You'd be suprised what you can do with a straight edge and circular saw. I like the stand Johnny built for 786marco, my current project is an ultralight version of that with some creative twists. Check out my stand build again. If you are careful and take your time, you don't need a table saw. Only reason you'd need a TS is if you are doing some fancy joinery, dados, rabbets and even then, I've done it by hand. At first I had doubts about my stand using the 1x4 with Ply but after it was done, its a TANK! Best thing its lighter, roomier and overall looks more professional inside and out. I'm not a woodworker by any means, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once. Let me know if you need any help or want to bounce any ideas off me.....

 

[chernandez88]

On bigger tanks I would not even think about using 1x. For my 150 I believe I used 2x4 and 2x6.


I know I know. I was just being sarcastic. I may possibly steal more ideas from you but not sure exactly what the final look may be. I like one of the stands Jonny posted on the FB pages that's is similar as yours. But we will see what happens. To accomplish what I want I need a table saw but I don't have one. Maybe I'll rent from HD.

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Lol you definately did an overkill on that stand. Its going to be modified. Wait till you see the end piece. Sump is already in place. Just missing to finish the light modification, piping and rocks.

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[Chrisq0904]

Lol you definately did an overkill on that stand. Its going to be modified. Wait till you see the end piece. Sump is already in place. Just missing to finish the light modification, piping and rocks.

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Did you buy my tank? Sorry if it is you, you bought it through FB so don't know your name on here. Excited to see what you come up with.

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[chernandez88]

Did you buy my tank? Sorry if it is you, you bought it through FB so don't know your name on here. Excited to see what you come up with.

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Yes i did. Matt did a killer sump. Equipment is there. Just plumbing on some mods to stand and light im doing.

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[Chrisq0904]

I did not use a table saw for my stand build. You'd be suprised what you can do with a straight edge and circular saw. I like the stand Johnny built for 786marco, my current project is an ultralight version of that with some creative twists. Check out my stand build again. If you are careful and take your time, you don't need a table saw. Only reason you'd need a TS is if you are doing some fancy joinery, dados, rabbets and even then, I've done it by hand. At first I had doubts about my stand using the 1x4 with Ply but after it was done, its a TANK! Best thing its lighter, roomier and overall looks more professional inside and out. I'm not a woodworker by any means, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once. Let me know if you need any help or want to bounce any ideas off me.....

So for your corner moulding pieces did you cut a 45 into them or did you do it a different way?

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[Chrisq0904]

Yes i did. Matt did a killer sump. Equipment is there. Just plumbing on some mods to stand and light im doing.

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Sounds good man! Be sure to post pictures! Remember you still have the hanging kit at my house if you're still going to need it.

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[rovster]

So for your corner moulding pieces did you cut a 45 into them or did you do it a different way?

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I used a circular saw and a straight edge. I set the saw at 45 and made those cuts first. Always cut a test piece and if you have a 45 you can use that to confirm your saw is truly at 45, never trust the label on the saw.

 

[Chrisq0904]

Danny, for the corner pieces did you line it up with the door lines? In other words are they the same height dimensionally? Not sure if I want to make them like yours or go all the way to the bottom.


This is what I was able to get done today. Got all the side panels on and cut out the front for where the doors are going. Now I just need to figure out how I want to do the corners and which side to make a door on for electronics.

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[rovster]

I did so it looks like the doors and trim wrap around the stand completely.




I think either way would look nice. I got my inspiration from d2mini's 135 cube.


Yours is looking great so far:thumbsup:

 

[Chrisq0904]

Well I attempted to do the doors today but failed miserably with the hinges... I am trying to use the same hinge that rovster used on his stand, but using only 1/2 birch the bit goes all the way through. I tried to double up and put 2 pieces of birch together and do it like that but then the doors dont open or they stick out way too far to math what I want to do for the corners...