180 upgrade.

jonnyu · Apr 5, 2014

Well after finding a good deal on a 180 and wanting to do a custom cabinet design for my tank I decided it's time to change things around. So I picked up a tank from jurg. It's a acrylic tank that has been used and scratched up but all in all in good shape.

So u wanted to learn how to polish acrylic. After talking to few people with experience doing so. I took a crack at it.

This was sanding with 1000 then 1500 then mothers plastic polish .

Then found out Boat owners warehouse sells novas. It's a much better product.

It's super clear. And it's not that hard to do.

Now that I know I can polish acrylic. I jumped to building another stand.
I'm starting off with frame work and the. Wrapping it with finished wood.
I researched a little online and found a few good build for 72" stand without front center brace. so was going to buy untreated wood but decided not to as I have 30 pcs of PT 2x6 laying around my house. So after 7 hours I think I have a pretty strong stand. I have 2 more cross braces I will install on the top to support the plywood.

jonnyu · Apr 5, 2014

Some more pics

I also double braced the front. I think it's a little over kill but I have the extra wood so why not.

Well after having a crazy outbreak of ich that almost killed all my fish I am building 2 10 gallon qt in the stand. I'm going to QT everything. I don't want to deal with outbreak again. So I have planned to set them in the corner of the stand. The stand is 42 " tall so I will not be to much of a problem stacking them. I also would like to have a frag tank under the stand as well but we will see if I can get around to it.

mike007 · Apr 5, 2014

Looks like is going to be a nice build keep us posted.

jonnyu · Apr 5, 2014

mike007 said:
Looks like is going to be a nice build keep us posted.

Thanks will do.

Here is a pick if my 135.

jonnyu · Apr 6, 2014

Well I polished the tank today. If anyone tells you the Polishing acrylic is easy just tell them to go take a hike. Lol I'm on a time crunch so can't send 25 hours polishing a tank. If you are interested in doing such a project expect hours of work. As it's not a fast process. It might sound like a easy process but it takes hours of sanding to get it perfect. I did the whole tank minus the bottom in about 6 hours. I could have really done it right and spent 20 hours polishing.

It's super clear but I think could have done better. finished the inside of the stand

QUILLA26 · Apr 9, 2014

the acrylic is looking very nice, great job

jonnyu · Apr 10, 2014

Thanks. Here is a pic with overflows and one more hand of polish

Jurg · Apr 11, 2014

Man.... That's coming along really nice.

jonnyu · Apr 11, 2014

Thanks leak checked it last night and sprung a leak in my overflow. It was a mess. Well just picked up some weld on 16 so will reseal it and we will see how it goes.

AquamanE · Apr 12, 2014

Cool, so your taking down the other tank. Using same rocks i hope?

jonnyu · Apr 12, 2014

Yes sir, moving everything over.

AquamanE · Apr 12, 2014

LMK if you need help when you are ready to move it.

jonnyu · Apr 12, 2014

Well I'm moving everything today so if you or anyone else wants to swing by LMK

jonnyu · Apr 13, 2014

Well worked on the tank this weekend. Was nice getting it up and running.

Had my helper drying the tank out after the leak check

Went with crushed coral style sand.

Rocks in

Lights up

Now need to hook up apex and work on cable routing.

joshporksandwich · Apr 13, 2014

jonnyu said:
Well worked on the tank this weekend. Was nice getting it up and running.

Had my helper drying the tank out after the leak check

Went with crushed coral style sand.

Rocks in

Lights up

Now need to hook up apex and work on cable routing.

looks awesome bro. need to go check it out

jonnyu · Apr 13, 2014

Thanks man. I had Eddie come by and supervise and brought me a few beers. Lol come by when you like.

Jurg · Apr 14, 2014

That's awesome, really happy that tank is getting good use.

jonnyu · Apr 27, 2014

Well I went and picked up a wp60. I love it. It's very strong and does not make that high pitch winding noise like the wp40. It's more low pitch so you don't really hear it. Thanks to Mark and hooking it up with great sand bed of crushed coral I don't get that sand storm I use to get.