new tank build

[inkmates]

well now that I'm through 90% of the problems of a new build I'll post some pics for everyone.

Basic building block is a 37g cube /column

due to space issues (the floor plan of my house sucks lol) I'm building this as an aio unit. I put these together out of a piece of 6" pvc and some locline

heres an in tank shot after I siliconed them in

I'm useing a mag 7 and a 300gph knock off for flow it was a tight fit but i got them in after a couple of hours of mfing everything

I got smart this time and labeled everything as one of my pet peeves was trying to run down one chord to clean a pump etc

heres the stand in the raw everything structural is 5/4 white oak everything else is mdf

more to come happy reefing everyone

 

[toddmh]

wow thats some pretty good work..look forward for the rest of this build.

 

[cardiffgiant]

Looks cool, and it's good to see you around Phil!

Will you be able to get to those powerheads for maintenance?

 

[Gravesj1s]

Yeah Id say so ,too. Im a fan of white oak,quarter sawn even more so.
Taken up on labeling my cords tomarrow.

 

[shawna1972]

I agree Nice work!

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Keeping my eye on this one! Nice job!

 

[inkmates]

first things first ben its ralph not phil lol other than that thinks for the comments the pumps are accesiable but its a pita more pics on the way

 

[inkmates]

heres a pic with first coat of paint on the stand and the canopy in the raw

another with the canopy open

heres a pic of some decorations for the stand and canopy

and a pic with some of the work done

first coat of paint on the tank glass to hide equipment from the backside

more to come later happy reefing everyone

 

[dreaminmel]

Looks like it's been a ton of fun so far Ralph! Very creative decor for the stand and canopy. Love it. Can't wait to see it all come together for you.

 

[inkmates]

heres one more for you mel if you like the decor its the front of my canopy

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Great decor!

 

[inkmates]

the large shell in the middle is actually my handle to lift the lid (pita to drill it out to accept a screw btw) all others are hot glued into place. My wife allowed me to move this tank into the living room so I wanted the whole package to be eye appealing not just what was in the glass box.

 

[dreaminmel]

Sweet! That center design is perfect. Amazing that the corresponding shells are so close in size. The netting is a great touch too. :thumbsup:

 

[inkmates]

lol mel its easy to get four of them all the same size just sort through a couple hundred. All joking aside the center design does actually have some meaning, my tanks have always been my 2 min vactions when I'm stressed the design mimicks the cardinal directions (like on a compass) as my tanks always help me find my way back from whatever crap I may be dealing with at the moment. Thanks again for the kind words I'll try to get it all finished up in the near future and get a fts with the stand and all for the full effect happy reefing everyone

 

[Conesus_Kid]

What are your stocking plans, Ralph?

 

[inkmates]

I was thinking about a few small false percs and a few small gobies to go along with my yellow tang was also thinking about a nice linka I'm open to ideas if you had something in mind

 

[superkat]

nice artistic touches...liking that ALOT!

 

[inkmates]

How about some more pics

water test

starting the rock stack and sorta testing the stand lol

one with the actinic's on after I finished the stack

another actinic shot after the tank cleared up a bit more

closer look at the stack

 

[belgian_waffleman]

Hi Ralph,
that worked out very nice! I'm sure the HomeDepot guys are still talking about you...

What kind of light did you build in the canopy?


Nico

 

[inkmates]

250w mh (20,000k ebay cheapy) and 2- t8 actinics + 3 or 4 leds in my fan that work out nicely for moonlights