Custom Cabinet for 90g Reef (Build Thread)

[RedEDGE2k1]

WOW....I finally plumbed my 18w "Turbo-Twist" UV sterilizer to my sump last night....and again, WOW...the difference in water clarity this morning was amazing. My girlfriend even noticed a difference last night, after it had only been running for 2 or 3 hours. And that wasn't just wishful thinking, she wasn't even home when I was hooking it up, nor does she have a clue what the crap a UV sterilizer is/does.

To anyone looking at UV systems, I can highly recommend them!

 

[samtheman]

That's great advice with only a few hours experience. A UV light doesn't clean your water.

 

[RedEDGE2k1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11319196#post11319196 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by samtheman
That's great advice with only a few hours experience. A UV light doesn't clean your water.

Do your research before commenting.

UV sterilizers kill bacteria, free-swimming parasites, help control algae blooms, and eliminate green water. Overall water clarity is greatly improved. If you ignore those aspects of "clean" water, then you are right, UV doesn't clean your water.

 

[opiumpipez]

hmm some people just love to hate.

great thread. beautiful setup.

 

[James11]

All I can say is I hate you , beautiful build. The stand came out awesome, wish I had the money to do that. Congrats on the sweet new setup.

 

[glitzyone]

WOW! Wish I had that cabinet. Looks awesome. :thumbsup:

 

[RedEDGE2k1]

Coralife 18w "Turbo-Twist" UV sterilizer plumbed to the sump with a MJ1200 feed pump.

I picked up an additional 30lbs of Caribbean live rock from my LFS, two large pieces (12 and 18lbs)

I installed a 6" clip-on fan above the tank, blowing down onto the water to keep the temp down.

I didn't spend a great deal of time aquascaping, as I know I'll be adding more rock slowly over the next couple of weeks. I'll wait until the tank is full of rock to do the final 'scaping.

Cabinet with access door open:

Cabinet as of 12/5/07:

 

[cannarella]

Dude, that looks awesome. Well done.

 

[Schwe]

Your tank is an inspiration. I've been tagging along to this thread and watching your progress with baited breath. Congrats on the completion of the build and the start of the fun stuff.

 

[swjim]

That really does look incredible! Great job!

 

[Hopeful Reefer]

This is just so awesome I can't put it in to words...can you will it to me please!!

 

[ccampo]

priceless, it looks just perfect, now I want one like this.

 

[meco65]

WOW!!! That is the best custom stand I have saw, If you don’t mind me asking what was the total cost on the stand.

 

[MeuserReef]

Red,

This is the nicest cabinet that I have seen. It fits the room you have it in perfectly. Very (very) well done.

What are your thoughts about aquascaping? Im going to be moving my 30 gallon up to a 90 and have been trying to decide how I want to aquascape. Im taking notes.... so scape it nice!

 

[RedEDGE2k1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11332943#post11332943 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by meco65
If you don’t mind me asking what was the total cost on the stand.

Materials only, $887.77.

The expensive parts were 6 sheets of 3/4" oak plywood ($256) and the custom cabinet doors ($185).

 

[RedEDGE2k1]

For anyone interested in the cost associated with the cabinet/reef setup thus far, here's a breakdown:

Tank & Hardware
$3685 - cost to buy everything new
$3193 - actual cost, with savings from buying used goods

Livestock
$1018 - cost to buy everything new
$552 - actual cost, with savings from buying preowned livestock

Tools
$705
I bought everything needed to build the cabinet. I didn't own a single tool before I started this build!

Cabinet Materials
$888

Grand Total = $5,337

 

[H20ENG]

Red, How about a side by side pic against your sketchup drawing of the whole room? That'd be sweet!

 

[RedEDGE2k1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11337228#post11337228 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by H20ENG
Red, How about a side by side pic against your sketchup drawing of the whole room? That'd be sweet!

I've already done that....page 12.

 

[H20ENG]

Sorry, missed it, great job

 

[lakee911]

That looks really sharp in your living room there!