Jimmys Insanity *600 gallon cube*

five O

New member
All right now, I guess since my buddy Jimmy will never figure out to use his computer. I'll go ahead and start this build thread for him. Since his build truly does deserve a thread. Lets start from the beginning. Jimmy was sitting there checking out the local for sale section like he does every day, probably six times a day. Feeling the need to spend some money on fish/coral or some supply that he probably doesn't even really need. There it was BAMMMMMMMM! Greg to local fish store owner was selling his six hundred gallon fish only cube. The little hamsters started running like they were main lining Red Bull in Jimmy's head.

Jimmy gave me a call and says "What do you think about me turning the 600 gallon cube into a reef?" I proceeded to tell him for the next month. "DON'T DO IT, IT'S TOOOO BIG". You would have to be insane to even attempt to turn a fish only tank into a reef of that size. You'll need to drop all kinds of cash on pumps, ballast, bulbs, wiring, end caps, PVC, PVC glue, bulkheads, spa-flex, lock-line, buffing, chemicals, salt, RO filters, DI resin, fish, rock, paint, powder coating, aluminum, rivets, light diffuser, wood, molding and sand. It all went in one ear and out the other. Jimmy could picture the giant reef inside of his house.

So the next Saturday there we were at the store before opening hours loading up Jimmy's new (used) cube onto a buddy's trailer. That was a job all in itself. But we managed to get it done. We dropped off tank in Jimmy's garage for now. The stand was dropped off a few days later at the powder coaters. The steel stand was in pretty rough shape. It had some major rust, beyond surface rust and was really showing its age. It was beyond the standard spray paint job. It needed to be completely sand blasted down to bare metal and some minor repairs.

So a week later, they called and said the stand was ready for pick up. We decided to go with something a little different than the usual generic black or blue. Since the tank is going to be a complete and total rebuild. Were going to do it right, and give it a pizazz. The stand is was powder coated bright red. It came out awesome. It cost a decent chunk of change since they had to put some man hours into it, but it was well worth it. I looks like a new car.

Here are a few pictures of the stand when I picked it up from the powder coaters. I'll get some better pictures later and update this thread a little more. We have a pile of goodies sitting in the garage just waiting for the big set up. I'll tell a little more later. Its not worth it, going into to much detail with out the pictures to back it. I know were all picture junkies.

I'll start with a picture before we tore it down at the fish store.

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This last weekend, Jimmy and I built his light rack. Jimmy is not the real handy man, but he is one of those guys that would bend over backwords to help you out. So he was my extra set of hands while the rack was assebled. Plus he was able to take the pictures while I built the rack.
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It was a project that we both took on. My buddy (Jimmy) eats, sleeps and lives fish tanks, just as I do. I have the skills the to pretty much build anything. Jimmy is still learning about the building aspect. He has been in the garage helping through out the build, lending his help when ever possible. It's not like he just gave me a blank check, though I do have a huge influence on what is purchased, and the design of the tank. Jimmy does have a job/business which allows him to take on a project like this. Together it works out pretty good. I love building reef items, and he loves buying reefing items/coral/fish. Together it should result in heck of a cube.
Here's a few pictures of the items that guy in brown delivered purchased from fellow reefers here on R/C. Some of the items were also purchased from the LFS.
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The heart (Hammerhead) of the system arrived, and her proud owner. I don't think Jimmy's smile was as big when he brought his son home from the hospital. No more pict's with us incluced. Promise.
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Saturday we did a little running around and picked up some odds and ends. Plus we got the future fish room cleaned out today. The house has an atrium which is attached to the room which will house the display tank. Its pretty nice, the atrium has a roof and is protected from the elements. It also has a water spout for the house and a drain. This fish room will contain the skimmer, chiller & pumps. The sumps will still be housed under the tank to aid in temp control. We still have to build all the counters and the other goodies that will go along with the fish room. One step at a time.
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Wow 600 gallons? I need a pic of someone next to the tank for a reference. Whats the dimensions?
 
Right now were in stock pile mode. We're getting close to moving the tank indoors, and starting the plumbing. Jimmy's a lucky man. He has a great tank build and an even better wife.
 
Thanks going to be fun to stock it....hope you have a wetsuit :-)

No kidding, were going to be shutting down his 400 & transferring a lot of the coral and fish over. We're going to epoxy/cement most of the rock together to prevent rock slides. But he better be good with his reaching stick/tongs.
 
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