Hey everyone,
This started out as a hobby for my wife. She started off with an IM AIO 40 gallon cube, but I quickly began learning and decided to buy a tank of my own. I was browsing Facebook marketplace and found a good deal on a “used” (but really it was new) 75 gallon aqueon with custom stand, a trigger sump and reef octopus skimmer all of which was never used all for 700 bucks.
Fast forward about 9 months and my wife finds a ~210 peninsula with tideline 36 sump made by trigger for 1100 bucks. The tank was still in the shipping crate with plastic wrap on the glass. The sump was brand new still in a sealed box. So, I do what any adult would do, I shell out 1100 big ones and recruit some friends to help me load this bad boy. The tank is 72x27.5x27.
Currently running:
Tideline 36 sump
Bubble magus curve 9 elite
Current USA eflux 6011
(2) mp40qd (getting 2 more)
(3) radion xr30 gen 2
20gal high reservoir for ato
Xp Aqua duetto dual-sensor ATO
Getting a battery backup
I get the tank to my house, and it has to sit in the back of my truck for a week until I can get a few friends to help me unload it into my garage (I live all the way across town). During this week of waiting, I start building the stand, which I was nervous to do since it’s my first stand build (go big or go home I guess). I attended youtube university for a couple days and figure out what I need to do.
The stand is built by 2x4 and 2x6s. I used 2x4 on everything except the top portion of the stand, where I used 2x6. After consulting the wife, we decided to go with a 40” y’all stand with two doors, one or which is wider than the other. We also decided to go with magnetic doors so we can completely remove them when needed. We also decided to make a electronics cubby area, so I make a quick run to the hardware store and buy some wood.
I decided to go with 1/2 inch plywood for rigidity and a little extra strength. Now it’s time for paint/primer. We went with gray/white to match our living room decor. We also primed and painted the sump area for more humidity protection.
Now it’s time to cut out the doors with a jigsaw... the cuts were far from perfect, but it’s okay, I’ve got a plan. I needed something to grab onto when I remove the door, so I decided wood trim would work perfect and it’d also cover the cuts.
Due to the plywood being warped the door would not sit completely flush with the stand. I used small pieces of wood to straighten out the door, which worked great.
I was finally able to get 2 friends to help me move my stand and tank. After a lot of moving and rearranging everything, we decided on a spot where it will sit.
Time to leak test it. Fingers crossed.
The tank is level as well. Win!
Let’s get the plumbing this bad boy! I recruited a buddy whose done a lot more plumbing jobs than me. Turned out great!
Here’s a pic of the sump. I’m doing a 20g tank as an ato.
Now we add the trim to the doors! I still need to add trim to the corners, top and bottom.
One night I was relaxing on the chair, and I notice some light escaping between the stand and tank. I get a closer look and I notice a credit card sized gap between the tank stand.
I got a thin piece of plywood and added some foam to it for more peace of mind. I posted to my local reefer fb page and had 5 people (some of whom I’ve never met) respond and help me within 2 hours. Which was incredible. This is why I love this hobby. All we did was lift the tank, put the plywood with foam under the tank and line everything up. Ill get pics of this later.
This started out as a hobby for my wife. She started off with an IM AIO 40 gallon cube, but I quickly began learning and decided to buy a tank of my own. I was browsing Facebook marketplace and found a good deal on a “used” (but really it was new) 75 gallon aqueon with custom stand, a trigger sump and reef octopus skimmer all of which was never used all for 700 bucks.
Fast forward about 9 months and my wife finds a ~210 peninsula with tideline 36 sump made by trigger for 1100 bucks. The tank was still in the shipping crate with plastic wrap on the glass. The sump was brand new still in a sealed box. So, I do what any adult would do, I shell out 1100 big ones and recruit some friends to help me load this bad boy. The tank is 72x27.5x27.
Currently running:
Tideline 36 sump
Bubble magus curve 9 elite
Current USA eflux 6011
(2) mp40qd (getting 2 more)
(3) radion xr30 gen 2
20gal high reservoir for ato
Xp Aqua duetto dual-sensor ATO
Getting a battery backup
I get the tank to my house, and it has to sit in the back of my truck for a week until I can get a few friends to help me unload it into my garage (I live all the way across town). During this week of waiting, I start building the stand, which I was nervous to do since it’s my first stand build (go big or go home I guess). I attended youtube university for a couple days and figure out what I need to do.
The stand is built by 2x4 and 2x6s. I used 2x4 on everything except the top portion of the stand, where I used 2x6. After consulting the wife, we decided to go with a 40” y’all stand with two doors, one or which is wider than the other. We also decided to go with magnetic doors so we can completely remove them when needed. We also decided to make a electronics cubby area, so I make a quick run to the hardware store and buy some wood.
I decided to go with 1/2 inch plywood for rigidity and a little extra strength. Now it’s time for paint/primer. We went with gray/white to match our living room decor. We also primed and painted the sump area for more humidity protection.
Now it’s time to cut out the doors with a jigsaw... the cuts were far from perfect, but it’s okay, I’ve got a plan. I needed something to grab onto when I remove the door, so I decided wood trim would work perfect and it’d also cover the cuts.
Due to the plywood being warped the door would not sit completely flush with the stand. I used small pieces of wood to straighten out the door, which worked great.
I was finally able to get 2 friends to help me move my stand and tank. After a lot of moving and rearranging everything, we decided on a spot where it will sit.
Time to leak test it. Fingers crossed.
The tank is level as well. Win!
Let’s get the plumbing this bad boy! I recruited a buddy whose done a lot more plumbing jobs than me. Turned out great!
Here’s a pic of the sump. I’m doing a 20g tank as an ato.
Now we add the trim to the doors! I still need to add trim to the corners, top and bottom.
One night I was relaxing on the chair, and I notice some light escaping between the stand and tank. I get a closer look and I notice a credit card sized gap between the tank stand.
I got a thin piece of plywood and added some foam to it for more peace of mind. I posted to my local reefer fb page and had 5 people (some of whom I’ve never met) respond and help me within 2 hours. Which was incredible. This is why I love this hobby. All we did was lift the tank, put the plywood with foam under the tank and line everything up. Ill get pics of this later.
, so another trip to the hardware store is required. 
