What have I done

[MoshJosh]

Welcome! I prefer to buy tanks rimmed tanks (and if you are making the tank in-wall, should be able to hide the rim nicely), makes me fee more "secure" haha rimmed tanks seem to be pretty reliable. . . and affordable. But I can't blame anyone who wants to give building a tank a shot. . . really what you guys are comfortable with.

 

[wjm6449]

You can do it!!! For many years I avidly followed the GARF website and kept saying “some day” to this DIY build or to their 500:

GARF'S REEF AQUARIUM CONSTRUCTION - 140 GALLON AQUARIUM

We teach coral farming online so that we can help save the coral reefs from over collection. Learn to grow coral. As people see reef aquariums they will become interested in saving the coral reefs

www.garf.org

they give cut lists, instructions & everything

And I planned eventually to order their “Garf grunge” “reef janitors” and all of Sally Jo’s beautiful corals. But I kept procrastinating.

Now I’ve finally started my reef tank but sadly it’s too late & they have retired.
Lots of the links on their site are broken, but if you google you can still get to the pages even if the links are broken. I’m so thankful for all their hard work and inspiration!

While interesting; seems like a quack reef tank using plywood. I was totally reading and following, going like yeah, yeah, yeah, ok makes sense, create a plywood box, then when are they going to enter with the 4 glass panels and combine them (utilizing the plywood as an outside perimeter/clamp to keep the panels in place).... and then it just became more and more horrifying. While the seal and paint may work, even 10, 15, 20, years even, the issues is, its plywood. Even the most microscopic **** up, and water will penetrate that spot, it will cause expansion, it WILL rot, and it will lead to a failure. I feel like I could easily improve that idea just utilizing it for bracing purposes. However, that said; I have a shop. I have big boy clamps and toys. I would not be playing patty cake with a full build from ground up.

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome, glad you are here! Best of luck.

 

[mosreef]

when are they going to enter with the 4 glass panels and combine them (utilizing the plywood as an outside perimeter/clamp to keep the panels in place)....

for sure needs all sides to be glass inside the plywood. GARF was unconventional to say the least lol

 

[Jimbhoy13]

Welcome to R2R and the salty world to you and your son. Lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here who will support and advise you when needed.

 

[G Santana]

Welcome to the Reef and the world of I can squeeze in a larger tank lol

 

[RichReef]

Welcome!

 

[wjm6449]

Update #1. Today begins the parts process. While I said money wasn’t an issue, it doesn’t hurt to save. Got a trigger system sump off Facebook, new for $350. (Not bad when even on sale it’s $550!) Here’s the planned spot for the tank. I will access the main water line as seen for the RODI. It will sit at my battle station to the TV. I know. My shop is a mess. I obviously will clean it. It’s been long in the making, will be pouring self leveling concrete where the tank will be resting. More progress to come!

 

[wjm6449]

 

[wjm6449]

Pour is down. Got the pump, ai blades, octo 300 skimmer, next. GFCI/electric and probably install a sprinkler head over the tank. A tank wipe is better than a fire after all, but PEX plumbing to be completed as well with hard install of the Ro/di.

 

[1112-425XL]

 

[wjm6449]

Tank stand is installed. Next cut into the Sheetrock and place the tank, then I’ll set up the rodi and electrical.

 

[WalkerLoves_TheOcean]

Tank stand is installed. Next cut into the Sheetrock and place the tank, then I’ll set up the rodi and electrical.

Nice! You should create a build thread to post this in! More people will view it!

 

[Dmmz]

Nice! keeping posting your progress

 

[Gman83]

Nice progress

 

[dstockwell]

Welcome to the Reef

 

[VintageReefer]

If you are open to new, you won’t beat this deal on a 80 gallon rimless with cabinet, sump and auto top off. It’s 48x20x20

This price includes freight shipping
This setup is around 2800-3000 normally

Thread about is here, a few of us have bought it. Limited number left I think around 15-18

Best reef ready tank deal of 2024 - whose looking for a new tank?

I’ve been holding off on posting this but now I’m ready I came across what I believe is the absolute best deal you’ll ever see on a reef ready system Background - Current USA had a custom tank built for their marketing photos. It’s all over their website under the sections for r24 led reef...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[DenverSaltyFarm]

 

[wjm6449]

Gfci line installed. Nice solid drip loop from the tank should ensure no crazy fires. Two outlets total in the hopes that it will be enough to support the tank. This line is exclusively supporting the tank to the breaker.