150 gallon budget build lots of DIY

BrandonS · Oct 15, 2020

I have been wanting a bigger tank for a little bit. My 93 cube is running out of space. Was looking for a 120. Something wider but still keep the depth. The 30 inches front to back on my cube is so nice.

So the wife found a 120 on facebook for 150. When I looked at the measurements it was a 150. Spoke with the guy and said it was mine if I wanted it no matter the size.

So I brought it home. It will need some polishing as it's acrylic and needs some help. But I am not worried.

Got a 5' x 2' x 2' tank with stand and hood for 150!

Let the diy begin.

MERKEY · Oct 15, 2020

Nice score!

With little elbow grease and a polishing pad you should be good to go, CONGRATS now the fun starts!

BrandonS · Oct 15, 2020

MERKEY said:
Nice score!

With little elbow grease and a polishing pad you should be good to go, CONGRATS now the fun starts!

Very excited. Just have to make the time. I pulled my 93 out of the trash and polished it nicely so hopefully this one cleans up good too. It's pretty bad but nothing to deep.

My daughters were helping

. But this is after pressure washing.

revhtree · Oct 15, 2020

Can't wait to see what you do with this!

BrandonS · Oct 15, 2020

So I got some time today. The girls were with there grandparents. Got the acrylic Polished. Started with 1200 grit and wet sanded all the way to 5000 grit. Then Polished with some plastic polishing compound.

Turned out pretty good. Took about 5 hours but not bad. The scratches were not to deep which was nice.

BrandonS · Oct 17, 2020

The stand that it came with ended up having some warped wood. The MDF had soaked up water at some point and was starting to fall apart.

New MDF and a coating of plastiseal on the top to keep it from happening again.

I also replaced some of the back cabinet supports and sealed then with killz mildew resistant sealer. Will see how long it last. Will post more pictures when I get farther.

Michael White · Oct 17, 2020

That stand looks pretty questionable, I’d build a frame inside of it to mimic the support shown by this drawing. No offense, I’d just hate for somebody to do all of that work bringing that tank back to life and have the stand fail on you.

harley32907 · Oct 17, 2020

Congratulations!

BrandonS · Oct 17, 2020

Michael White said:
That stand looks pretty questionable, I’d build a frame inside of it to mimic the support shown by this drawing. No offense, I’d just hate for somebody to do all of that work bringing that tank back to life and have the stand fail on you.

Thank you for looking out. I wouldn't want that to happen either.

Haven't gotten there yet but will be re enforcing the cabinet with 3/4 ply. So an extra layer of 3/4 plywood for sides, back and 3 spots in front. I have found that plywood on a vertical is pretty strong and gives a thinner profile, the sheer also tends to be better as it's a full width piece. My current 93 gallon was done this way and I stood on the tank while it was full one time. Lol.

KWT · Oct 17, 2020

Nice find, and looks like you are on your way to a wonderful setup

BrandonS · Oct 17, 2020

KWT said:
Nice find, and looks like you are on your way to a wonderful setup

Thank you. it'll be simple, hense the budget build but very excited to get it up and running. Get me some more space!

BrandonS · Oct 22, 2020

Well got the plumbing in for the returns and drain. Did a leak a test and what do you know water in the bottom of the stand. Not sure where it's coming from but wasn't much. Didn't see any water coming from plumbing. Maybe the old sump? Have marked my lines in each chamber and will see if one is leaking more than the others. Finding were water is coming from. Oh so fun. Lol

Uptowngirl · Oct 22, 2020

I’m not handy at all so I have so much respect for people who can clean and fix up used tanks like this. I couldn’t even do my own plumbing. Hopefully you find the leak soon so you can get the tank up and running. Do you have plans on equipment or stocking yet?

Miguel Negron · Oct 22, 2020

Great setup

BrandonS · Oct 22, 2020

Uptowngirl said:
I’m not handy at all so I have so much respect for people who can clean and fix up used tanks like this. I couldn’t even do my own plumbing. Hopefully you find the leak soon so you can get the tank up and running. Do you have plans on equipment or stocking yet?

It's mostly just an upgrade from my 93 cube. As far as equipment I run a DIY algae scrubber. A 150 reef octopus. Will have dual return pumps but just jeboa. Reef breeders rpm wave makers. I am a budget reefer for sure. All my valves I recondition when they get thrown out. Ato is a diy one I got the idea for from reef dudes. Using a 10 gallon for the reservoir. Lights will be viparspectra with lenses removed. Have had good luck with them over the years.

Will be a mixed reef.