PK3 March 24, 2014 Share March 24, 2014 (edited) Well, here is the start to my first ever build thread. Background: Just a little about myself. I’m originally from the Boston, MA area where I started my first saltwater reef tank in 2004. I had just graduated from college and was living at home, so although it was fairly successful for a first time tank, it had to be taken down when my parents sold their house and I moved out. I moved to Northern VA in 2007, joined WAMAS in 2008, and attempted to start a tank at a couple different points in time, but those attempts fizzled quickly as life was just too busy. Well, life is still super busy with 2 young children (and 1 more on the way!), but I am no longer making any excuses. I have a new house and the approval of the wife, so here goes. Purpose: I don’t really know many people in the club, so who knows if anyone will follow my build, but I decided to start this build thread for two primary purposes. Firstly, so that it is fully documented so that I can periodically look back on the progress I’ve made. Secondly, to receive direct input and advice from other members and to share my experiences with the club, so that, hopefully, others might be able to glean something through my build. I think the “Dedicated Tank (Build) Forum” is such a great idea for this reason and it is one of my favorite sections of the forum. I’ve spent countless hours reading through most of the threads and I must say that the talent level in this club is pretty impressive. Goal: To maintain a healthy, long-term reef tank without breaking the bank. Must be big enough that I’m not springing to upgrade after a year, but small enough to be manageable and affordable. Equipment: 45g Marineland Cube 24”x24”x18” – Reef Ready with Slim Center Overflow Herbie Overflow – 3/4” siphon, 1” emergency Custom-built Stand – Basic rocketengineer design, painted white, beadboard doors, 3 sided access 15g Custom Artfully Acrylic Sump 21”x17”x11.5” – Large refugium area, tiny skimmer area RLSS Waveline DC 4000 Gen 2 Return Pump Bubble Magus NAC 3+ Protein Skimmer – Fits perfectly into the tiny skimmer area Kessil A360W LED mounted using the gooseneck Tunze Osmolator 3155 ATO Jebao WP-10 Powerhead for circulation Planned livestock: Centerpiece - 2 True Percula Clownfish w/ Anemone (most likely RBTA, but might try for a H. Magnifica or S. Gigantea) Flame Angel Bicolor Blenny Six-line Wrasse Small Tang (Yellow, Kole Yellow Eye, or Bristletooth Tomini?) A trio of anthias? Clams Softies – Toadstool leather, GSP, Xenia I’ve done the LPS and SPS thing in my previous tank, and while I love the colors of SPS, I like the movement and swaying of softies. Plus they are more forgiving and more manageable. So that’s the plan for now, but who knows, I’ll probably change the plan like 10 times and end up with an SPS tank. Well, that's the direction the last tank took. Lastly, critiquing, advice, and questions are very welcome. Edited May 16, 2014 by PK3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PK3 March 24, 2014 Author Share March 24, 2014 Here are a couple pics of my first tank, a standard 29g. Not quite in its full glory, but you get the picture. Also, as you can tell, my photography skills are quite lacking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PK3 March 24, 2014 Author Share March 24, 2014 I've started building my stand. This is the first time I've attempted to do something like this, so please be gracious. I've seen the work of members like SaltLife and Corsi1330 and it seems like they are furniture builders by trade? Anywho, my work is nowhere close to what they do, but I must say that I'm very happy with how it's turning out so far. Basic rocketengineer design stand using 2x4's Face frames made of 1x4 and 1x6 (stiles of the front face frame only) select pine boards and attached using pocket holes. Face frames attached using wood glue and 2" 16 gauge finish nails Beer ledge (made of 1x3 select pine, mitered, and attached using pocket holes) and small crown molding trim attached underneath using brad nails Cabinet doors made. These took a few hours to make. First, I took 1x3 select pine, then cut grooves using a hand held router. Next, I took 3/8" beadboard, cut it to size, then fit it into the grooves. Close up All 3 cabinet doors Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PK3 March 25, 2014 Author Share March 25, 2014 Next, I need to paint the entire stand. I've read that the general consensus is to use Kilz to prime/seal the inside of the stand. I've also seen Marcos (monkiboy) use Red Guard. Not sure what I'm going to do at this point, so let me know what has been successful for you. I don't know what the benefit of Red Guard is, but judging from his build thread, if it's good enough for monkiboy, it's gotta be good enough for me, amiright? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime March 25, 2014 Share March 25, 2014 For a first time woodworker, you're doing a H-E-double hockey sticks of a job. Seriously. I wouldn't recommend a tang for that size tank, but I've seen it done. I'm really glad you decided to post up a build thread. I wish more of our members would, I LOVE seeing other tanks, it's part of what makes this hobby so great. Keep us updated, I for one will be following along! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howaboutme March 25, 2014 Share March 25, 2014 Looks real nice! The stand looks amazing, you should be proud of it. One thing..I count 9 fish (including the tang) and that will be a ton in a 45G. It may be possible if you have a huge skimmer and are really on top of maintenance but just keep that in mind and stock slowly. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flooddc March 25, 2014 Share March 25, 2014 Impressive wood working! I have the same tank Looking better than mine already! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makai531 March 25, 2014 Share March 25, 2014 Nice stand! I'm working on a 45 gallon cube also. Probably jumping ahead, but do you have your sump yet? If you do, could you post pictures? The sump that came with mine is small (10g) and I'm looking at options to increase its size while still fitting into the stand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallreef March 25, 2014 Share March 25, 2014 (edited) Very nice! Edited March 25, 2014 by smallreef Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PK3 March 25, 2014 Author Share March 25, 2014 For a first time woodworker, you're doing a H-E-double hockey sticks of a job. Seriously. Looks real nice! The stand looks amazing, you should be proud of it. Impressive wood working! I have the same tank Looking better than mine already! Very nice! Thanks for the kind words. I bought a bunch of basic equipment (miter saw, router, nail guns, etc) from a guy on Craigslist who was moving away. I've been trying to get into woodworking to do some projects around the house and maybe build some basic furniture, but this is definitely my first project that's required a high level of detail and precision on the measurements and cuts. The one piece of equipment I wish I had is a table saw, but sadly I just don't have the space for one. But so far, I'm very happy with the stand. Hopefully I don't screw it up with the paint job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PK3 March 25, 2014 Author Share March 25, 2014 I wouldn't recommend a tang for that size tank, but I've seen it done. One thing..I count 9 fish (including the tang) and that will be a ton in a 45G. It may be possible if you have a huge skimmer and are really on top of maintenance but just keep that in mind and stock slowly. Thanks for the concern. The fish list is still definitely subject to change; those were just some of my initial thoughts on fish. I'm aiming to have about 6-7 fish in this one. I love tangs but I don't believe they can be kept in a tank this small for their entire life span. So do I get a small one and keep it for a few years until it grows too big or do I not put one in at all? That always seems to be a big debate. If I did put one in, it would be one of the smaller tangs like the Kole Yellow Eye or Bristletooth Tomini, which grow to about 6". Although my absolute favorites are the Powder Blue Tang, Hippo Tang, and Achilles Tang. Dang it, why couldn't I have a 180g? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PK3 March 25, 2014 Author Share March 25, 2014 I'm really glad you decided to post up a build thread. I wish more of our members would, I LOVE seeing other tanks, it's part of what makes this hobby so great. Keep us updated, I for one will be following along! Thanks, Isaac. Yours is definitely one that I've had fun reading (even when the discussion gets completely derailed)! I too think more people should post a build thread. It's one of my favorite sections of the forums.... other than the "For Sale" forum. Haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallreef March 25, 2014 Share March 25, 2014 Thanks for the kind words. I bought a bunch of basic equipment (miter saw, router, nail guns, etc) from a guy on Craigslist who was moving away. I've been trying to get into woodworking to do some projects around the house and maybe build some basic furniture, but this is definitely my first project that's required a high level of detail and precision on the measurements and cuts. The one piece of equipment I wish I had is a table saw, but sadly I just don't have the space for one. But so far, I'm very happy with the stand. Hopefully I don't screw it up with the paint job. As far as a table saw....rigid makes a compact folding one....I have it, and as long as you have some adjustable saw horses...it's great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PK3 March 25, 2014 Author Share March 25, 2014 Nice stand! I'm working on a 45 gallon cube also. Probably jumping ahead, but do you have your sump yet? If you do, could you post pictures? The sump that came with mine is small (10g) and I'm looking at options to increase its size while still fitting into the stand. I picked up the following sump from another WAMAS member. It was built by Adam at Artfully Acrylic. It was designed to have a large refugium area and to be used with a nano skimmer or hang on back skimmer. The water drains into the filter sock/skimmer area, flows through the two round holes into the big refugium area, then through the teeth into the return pump area. The two cross braces are not for structural purposes but to hold a fuge light on top. This cross brace is what is restricting my skimmer options. I've been considering cutting those cross braces off so I can fit a bigger skimmer in that compartment. Any suggestions? And here you can see how it looks inside the stand with some of the other equipment I listed (Hydor nano skimmer, Waveline DC 4000 pump, Marineland LED fuge light) I would suggest you find as big a sump as possible that will fit under your stand to maximize water volume. The biggest draw for me was that I wanted a big refugium area to grow a ton of chaeto (for nutrient export) and pods that would hopefully make their way up the return pump into the display. Also, having a bigger sump allows for a larger volume of water to drain from the display tank in case of a power outage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwweber March 25, 2014 Share March 25, 2014 nice work on the stand. If i ever need a stand built I know who to talk to now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s2nhle March 25, 2014 Share March 25, 2014 Thank you for the sharing. I like the stand works. Can't wait to see it wet. good work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reeferindc March 25, 2014 Share March 25, 2014 Nice build.If I had anything to say about your tank it would be go a little taller on your sump.It's gonna increase your water volume and refugium area. It is also gonna give you more area for water to pass through for filtering.Other then that I like it so far. Oh yeah scratch the tang IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PK3 April 15, 2014 Author Share April 15, 2014 nice work on the stand. If i ever need a stand built I know who to talk to now! Thank you for the sharing. I like the stand works. Can't wait to see it wet. good work. Nice build.If I had anything to say about your tank it would be go a little taller on your sump.It's gonna increase your water volume and refugium area. It is also gonna give you more area for water to pass through for filtering.Other then that I like it so far. Oh yeah scratch the tang IMO. Thanks for the nice words, guys. And thanks for following along. reeferindc, I considered going taller on the sump for the exact reasons you described; however, I plan on keeping ALL equipment under the stand and didn't want to go too tall. I can already envision things getting very cramped under there even with the sump at the height that it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PK3 April 15, 2014 Author Share April 15, 2014 Well, here is a little update. I ended up painting the stand over the course of a week, allowing time to dry between each coat: (1) Two coats of Kilz 2 Latex primer/sealer/stainblocker (2) One coat of Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17) Latex paint (3) One coat of Minwax Water-based Polycrylic protective finish. I also bought some soft-close overlay door hinges to attach the doors to the stand. And now I have a somewhat finished product. In the last pic, you can see that I screwed up the placement of the hinges by like 1/16", which made the doors not open properly. So basically, I had to flip the doors around and attach the hinges to the other side. So I have some minor patch work to fill in the hinge holes and pocket holes, but at least the stand is complete enough to move to its final resting spot. Next up.... PLUMBING! Stay tuned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PK3 April 15, 2014 Author Share April 15, 2014 Message to the mods: Is there a way to edit my posts other than the first post? The first four pictures in Post #4 are way too big and it's bothering me. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime April 15, 2014 Share April 15, 2014 Stand looks good. I don't believe it's your first time woodworking... Message to the mods: Is there a way to edit my posts other than the first post? The first four pictures in Post #4 are way too big and it's bothering me. LOL You should be able to, as far as I know... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makai531 April 15, 2014 Share April 15, 2014 I LOVE IT! It matches my 75 stand. You really need to make another one (for my cube:) Very nice work Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad908 April 15, 2014 Share April 15, 2014 Stand looks awesome, good job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkiboy April 15, 2014 Share April 15, 2014 your work looks great, peter - keep it up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallreef April 15, 2014 Share April 15, 2014 Looks good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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