ChrisQ's Mixed Reef Upgrade

[ChrisQ0904]

Yet again I'm starting another build thread and once more I'm doing an upgrade. I never though I would have had as many changes in life throughout the past few years but things happen. Anyway, things should start to settle down for ,me now and that gives me the opportunity to build something new. What I have planned isn't my "dream" tank but it will do for hopefully a while since I really like the footprint on this tank. Ideally I would like to be in the 100+ range but that can wait until I actually own my own place.

This is my third stand that I built and the first time I used 1x wood. I plan on adding 1/2 or 3/4 skin to it for more support. I will be building this stand slower than the others so it comes out way better than what I have done in the past. I've stolen a few people's design ideas this time around after going through some build threads (thanks rovster) which will hopefully let me accomplish what I want.

Well that's enough blabbing here is what I have accomplished thus far. Yesterday I was bored and work was slow so I made a trip to Home Depot for a few things and this is what I ended up with.

Frame is done

Starting to skin with the help of clamps and some extra weight

 

[143MPCo]

Nice start tagging alone for the ride... HVAC pro I take it?

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Nice start tagging alone for the ride... HVAC pro I take it?

Thank you! Yes I am my family owns a HVAC business.

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Was able to put on another side this morning before work.

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Looking forward to your progress!!

 

[143MPCo]

Was able to put on another side this morning before work.

ReefJunky:bigsmile:... "this morning before work" and I thought I was bad... lol

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Anyone have ideas for a "simple" trim on the stand? There's going to be ~1/2" gap between the tank and the edge of the stand. Can't think of anything good....

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Well I finally put the top skin on, I added two more supports on top because I decided to skin the top with 1/4" red oak to prevent being able to see such a big edge. Now that everything is together there are a few imperfections (gaps) that really bother me, at the same time I don't feel like doing it all over again so hopefully when I stain it it will not bother me so much.

 

[ChrisQ0904]

I picked up the tank today and I must say allpets surprised me, I ordered it yesterday and they said they would have it for me today which I honestly didn't believe but sure enough they had it!

Here it is on the stand

Here is the gap that I ended up with, much better than the 1/2" I thought I was gonna have.

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Tonight I was able to get the door done. Doors have always been my downfall, more specifically hinges for the doors. Once again I messed up the hinges and my solution was to make one big door by joining them together. I don't know how better to explain how my doors are held in place, but I made a "hook" out of wood and have a spacer on the bottom. I'll post pics of everything tomorrow or sometime during the weekend. I also got the trimming done, I decided to keep it simple. I have trim that goes around the top of the stand and sticks up about 2" to help cover the black plastic on the bottom. I think that pretty much all I got done today, some things were a massive headache today but I feel like I accomplished a good amount and I'm proud of how it looks.

 

[143MPCo]

Looking good!!

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Looking good!!

Thank you, putting a lot of work into this tank. Trying to do everything right.

Here are the pictures of what I got done yesterday.

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Not that big of an update today but I managed to get a few things done.

I'm not able to hang my lights where I'm going so I had to make bracket, so to say, for my lights.

Had to make pilot holes before making the size I needed which were 1/4"

Next I measure where I wanted each one, drilled holes into the stand and installed with bolts.

And the finished turnout.

I also managed to sand the entire stand and plan to start paint the sump area tomorrow, I may also start staining if I have the time.

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Got around to painting the inside white and bought 2 different color stains and didn't like either... I'm gonna try new colors later today or tomorrow morning. I want to have it stained/sealed by the end of tomorrow.

 

[TheGrimmReefer]

Great progress, looking good so far.

 

[ChrisQ0904]

Can someone please explain to me why my doors came out two different colors? I followed the same exact procedures for each side and its looks like complete s*** the color doesn't even match.

 

[cginter]

Looking good! Its always nice having the skills to build your own stuff.

 

[ChrisQ0904]

I have no idea what went wrong with my doors but I went to a different store bought different stain and different color and stained the stand. I followed the same procedure that I did for the doors and the stand came out MUCH better. Tomorrow or Tuesday I will be sanding down the doors so I can re-stain them.

Here's how the stand looks with one coat on the skin and 2 coats on the trim

 

[ChrisQ0904]

I ordered some glass baffles and picked them up today. I messed up with my measuring, aka I read what other people used. I have a 40B for my sump and had the pieces cut 17.5" long and they are too big. My question is can I have them at an angle as shown or do I need to order new pieces?

 

[ChrisQ0904]

I have a question for everyone.... Maxspect gyre or mp40? I'm debating which one to get. I currently have a mp10 and wp25 in my 57 and don't think that would be enough flow in my 80. With the dramatic price drop in the mp40 I don't know which is the better bet. The new gyre or the proven mp?

What are your thoughts?