180 stand and scape

[RELLIK-REEF]

Hello everyone, I’m still new to this site and figured maybe I put our thread in the wrong spot.
This was our current set up it’s a 180 gallon drilled tank we have done everything ourselves. Except the stand and canopy until now.

On January 27th we started building our stand my son was super excited to start this project (not as much as I was to complete it with him tho) and I think he wanted to touch every piece of wood we used.

January 28th we got the floor, top, doors and trim complete

This was January 30th which was also our sons 10th birthday. So of course I had to hide a bigger gift in our project. [emoji16] he found it after all the others when I told him he still needed to stain one more door.

February 1st our daughter decided to help also (fun family project)

February 2nd we finished the stand.
I forgot to show that as most people know plugs are always a problem for a lot of reef lovers with constantly using extension cords and what not, so I incorporated ten sockets 5 on each side with a switch to control each plug. Only one big wire now to plug into the wall.

February 3rd starting the transfer.

 

[RELLIK-REEF]

February 4th COMPLETE [emoji16][emoji16][emoji16]

Thanks for looking happy reefing

 

[RELLIK-REEF]

Forgot to mention that one of the big reasons for this was to put the 125 gallon that I used for the transfer, underneath for our new sump/refugium I’ll post more here as we complete that part. We knew that we needed it for the transfer so we couldn’t turn it into our sump just yet.

 

[chamjack]

Very nice! I love getting my kids involved in projects too. I like the dimensions of the 180’s. Plenty of space for aquascaping.

 

[RELLIK-REEF]

Thank you.
Yes they make it so much more enjoyable. I also love this tank just needed a revamp on scape but had a lot of rock curing to go into it after the build. Next we start out 420gallon plywood build.

 

[Skep18]

Wow! I love the stand! The white interior REALLY pops. I was debating going white or black on this inside of my stand. I was leaning towards black as I figured it would go with the rest of the black theme on my setup but after seeing yours, I think that might have changed my mind. I love a clean work area and the white really lends great visible contrast making things really stand out.

 

[mch1984]

Question, do you think there are any concerns about humidity and heat under the stand since it's completely enclosed.? I only ask because I'm thinking about doing the same. It's going to be in our bedroom and I don't want the purple refugium light spilling out into the room.

**edit, great looking dog***

 

[RELLIK-REEF]

That’s exactly why I went with white, I used the seal all paint from Lowe’s the stuff they advertise on tv easy to wipe down and it sealed the wood nicely. Cheaper than pond armor. I’m incorporating a couple small silent fans just to help with the humidity and heat installing soon but haven’t seen any issues yet just another added precaution. I’ll show that later also. Thanks for the compliments.

 

[mch1984]

ok, thanks. That's what I was considering doing for ventilation, just wondering what your experience had been so far.

 

[RELLIK-REEF]

I’m going to have 2 fans going one is in the hood blowing down the other will be in the back cabinet wall blowing out. My concern wasn’t so much the humidity and heat as much as keeping oxygen flowing to my skimmer. So far the inside of my cabinet maintains at 80 degrees and my tank runs at 79 degrees so less use of the heater now too. My house stays at 76 so we’ll see after I add the fans.

 

[RELLIK-REEF]

Also should be a little different when I add the new sump set up.

 

[mch1984]

My original thought was to cover the opening in abs plastic and just instal a couple of these in the back. We would get some spill over from the light but not near what we would with full opening. Not sure how effective these would be though. May have to go mechanical ventilation.

 

[mch1984]

sorry forgot the pic

 

[RELLIK-REEF]

Pretty much the same way I’m going but I’m also using the fans and pvc. I’ll give you a few pictures after work. If you have room you can add a deflector up or down also.

 

[mch1984]

I would appreciate that.

 

[mjlash22]

Very nice! Love seeing custom builds, even if it's just the cabinet. Love what you did with the custom electric panel for the cabinet/tank.

 

[Greybeard]

Nice tank, well built stand... love the independent control of the power distribution. Always great to get the kids involved...

Oh, and you need a new dart board.

 

[RELLIK-REEF]

Thanks I was so tired of seeing all the power strips now I can control with the flick of a switch. I wanted to get a little more advanced and go with a reef keeper or apex but that’s a lot to spend when my old school ways have been working just fine. I mean I did at least buy WiFi lights [emoji51] and the t5 and wave makers are on timers so why change what’s working for us right.
It’s funny every time friends come over, even ones with reef tanks or just fish they can’t believe how quiet ours is. I’ve actually put 6 more together for friends similar to how ours is. You can hear water lightly when the cabinet hood is closed but nothing near loud at all. It’s actually very peaceful everyone says.
Yes love doing projects with my kiddos. Can’t wait to start the big build. Also good eyes yes we throw a lot of darts in this house. [emoji16]

 

[RELLIK-REEF]

So got home and got started on the sump project

45 gallon I’m using the pieces for my inside dividers.

Ok so that went well. Now on to the 125

Well lesson learned today glass cutting fail
So now I have to decide if I just want to have it cut down and have a 65 gallon or if I’m going to just build a plywood sump so I can keep it at 100 gallons and use the bottom glass of this tank for the viewing panel [emoji848]
Probably the route I’m going to take.
Trial and error guess that’s how we learned to walk right.

 

[mch1984]

Sorry to see that. Sucks but that’s how we learn. I half considered drilling more holes in my 90 so I could run a bean animal but this is why I decided not to. I might actually cry if I broke it.