Possible 60G build

[hondadude2k5]

I am planning out what i want to do in the event that i get to keep my 60g tank. I have an overflow with a 1 1/2 inch drain. since the tank was drilled only at the top right portion of the back wall, the overflow box built for the corner has been modified to only be for that height. So I need to find out how many gallons per hour will flow through there. Any ideas?

Sump will be a 20L under the stand. I plan to make a big section across the center a refugium since I get the feeling I won't have a high flow rate from the over flow. Each side will be utilized for the various other pieces of equipment. Return pump is an unknow at the moment but I plan to have it split 3 times for return jets.

Lighting is going to be 6x54w T5's. I have yet to decide if i am going to do a DIY or if I will buy a premade set. This may get changed if I can get some Halides cheap enough in which case i will do 4x54w T5 actinics and 2x250MH.

how is this sounding so far? Any ideas from experiences of your own?

 

[hondadude2k5]

An after thought i forgot to mention, I plan on placing only maybe 50lbs live rock into the maintank so it looks like a heavy reef on one end that tapers off to a spotted reef/open side on the other end. I guess penninsula like is what i mean.

 

[hondadude2k5]

Ok so here is the UPDATE! It is official. I am going to build the 60gallon tank. It will be slow as cash is tight and I have other priorities. Ill sneak in supplies as i move along...ha ha

I am working the stand right now. As you will see in the pictures I had a basic solid frame holding the tank. That was no good and the wife would not let me keep it like that. I have to enclose it to keep the kids out of the sump and I have to make it look like decent furniture. So I started to tweak on it abit today. By far not done yet but I am getting close.

Basic Frame

Getting some sides

Getting some trim put on the corners

Rough look of the stand

Things to be done still are to cut out openings for the cabinet doors, replace the wood around the bottom of the legs(I only had scraps left to make it temporary), add some awesome scroll work to the sides and the front, and then seal it.

I have 3 options for this. I can paint it to match the walls in the living room so it would be 2 tone, I could smoke burn it and then polyurethane over that, or I could stain it.

Any ideas?

 

[hondadude2k5]

Ok so i have made some more progress on the stand. I got the openings cut for the doors and I got the right parts added to the bottom so the corners were mitered. I need to break out my router table and make me some doors.

Front of stand

Front of stand with tank

Side view with tank

I hope everyone enjoys watching me bring this tank to life. Any ideas or experiences will begreatly appreciated.

 

[scubabum1983]

stain can be a pain but with time and solid prep its worth it, when you finish it go get spar marine varnish, i got mine at dunn edwards its uv resistant and very tough stuff. for the inside of the stand and canopy id use solar tec or some other flex white roof covering to waterproof it or the spar. id be inclined to cut my doors full length from 2x4 to 2x4 top to bottom at the width you have to give the most access possible. larger doors also will hide any roughness in the jig saw work. the back of the stand may be wide open but once in place you will want all the room in front you can get. also you may want to do a side door access for electrical and other stuff. if you have an ozone system or any other electronics all shelving in at the top for it, and if you have any old rope lights laying around they make great stand lights when run along the top of the stand. and you can make 50 lb of rock go a long way if you end up doing th foam wall and rock look.

 

[hondadude2k5]

Yeah if you look at the left opening, you can see where my jig saw blade bent at the last few inches. Normally i would do all the cabinet work piece by piece instead of cutting out 1 big sheet but my better tools got stolen and i am short my table saw. I am considering opening the door up taller on both sides as well. Thanks for the pointers