PK3

Beautiful tank. And those lights are baller. I agree that adding a 3rd would be perfect and get rid of those dark spots. But those things aren't cheap!

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.

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.

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?

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.

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?

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

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.

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.

Very nice work. I like what you did with it. The stand I'm working on will be a similar style and color.

Very nice build. Following along. I'm from Boston too (well, Andovah, Brighton, Dorchestah, all around). How can you like the Ravens as a Pats fan?? Say it isn't so!