Aaron's 1,000+ gallon reef build

[dragon99]

Maybe try a piece of fishing line in the middle thru the acrylic up the light rack for added support in the center?

 

[MimicOcto8]

Maybe try a piece of fishing line in the middle thru the acrylic up the light rack for added support in the center?

Thanks for the suggestion!

Definitely thought about that several times. Only reason I can’t do it is because of how difficult it would make it to remove the middle acrylic sheet. I tend to remove the lids often. So I’ll just spend $30 for the iron rod and be done with it.

 

[erictorres0311]

Oh man , might have to move truck out of garage :)
Looking good gonna have to check it out once it’s stocked

 

[Tradevg]

Got some mounts for the controllers. No more Velcro that doesn’t hold.

This is the second test run of the supports for the tops. This test run is with 1 3/8” closet rods. I painted them white with water resistant deck paint. They are working well except for the middle one. It says too much and is in the water. I will replace the middle one with a
1 3/8” iron rod.

I’m using acrylic sheets as my tops. Got them from a local vendor for a good price. They don’t full fit (front to back they cover 90-95%) but for the price I couldn’t pass them up.

Maybe try putting the wood or iron rod inside a pvc pipe to make it waterproof and provide extra rigidity.

 

[MimicOcto8]

Maybe try putting the wood or iron rod inside a pvc pipe to make it waterproof and provide extra rigidity.

Not a bad idea

 

[MyReefRobbedMe]

This is an awesome build . It is inspiring me to build one this large when the time is right . I have a question, and please others with Large tanks chime in . Do you have to change out that much water a month ? Wouldn’t it stay pretty low , I mean unless you have like 3-400 fish . With Tanks this Large wouldn’t it be easier to just replace elements with a calcium reactor and do water changes like every 3-4 months

 

[welsher7]

Have you thought about using the clear corrugated plastic roofing panels? You can get them at Lowe’s/HD. You might not have to use the cross bars or could use fewer. A lot of people use them over indoor ponds to help keep humidity down.

 

[MimicOcto8]

Have you thought about using the clear corrugated plastic roofing panels? You can get them at Lowe’s/HD. You might not have to use the cross bars or could use fewer. A lot of people use them over indoor ponds to help keep humidity down.

Yes I have and did use them as a temporary fix till I found something that I liked better.

 

[MimicOcto8]

This is an awesome build . It is inspiring me to build one this large when the time is right . I have a question, and please others with Large tanks chime in . Do you have to change out that much water a month ? Wouldn’t it stay pretty low , I mean unless you have like 3-400 fish . With Tanks this Large wouldn’t it be easier to just replace elements with a calcium reactor and do water changes like every 3-4 months

Livestock load does determine a lot. So with a bigger tank like this, I’d say every few months would be fine

 

[geekengineer]

I was just curious if you have to cycle the tank still even tho your using sea water already?

 

[MimicOcto8]

I was just curious if you have to cycle the tank still even tho your using sea water already?

Beneficial bacteria technically lives on surfaces. Although bacteria most likely lives in the water column too, I thought best to wait 4-5 months for proper cycles to happen. On a tank this big, it can’t hurt to take your time.

 

[MimicOcto8]

Wife wanted to go couch shopping for the front of the tank. She ended up shopping for stacked stone. This is a very very proud and happy time for me.
I still have some more to finish next week I’m home.

 

[geekengineer]

wow gives it a nice touch.

 

[Janci]

Wife wanted to go couch shopping for the front of the tank. She ended up shopping for stacked stone. This is a very very proud and happy time for me.
I still have some more to finish next week I’m home.

That looks great.
Some things are better be left done by others... happy moments to have the family working at one project!

 

[AquaLifeStudio]

yay! great to see the wife getting involved. stonework looks great.

 

[Jason_J]

Nice rock choice!

 

[Garia666]

Some great wife you have if you can share youre hobby:).

 

[dantimdad]

Where did you guys get that stone? I want it for something not tank related and it would be perfect.

 

[MimicOcto8]

Where did you guys get that stone? I want it for something not tank related and it would be perfect.

Got it at a local home improvement store. It’s awesome

 

[MimicOcto8]

My daughter was jumping at the chance to get in the tank. So I had her clean all the loose sand off the bottom. Then had her wave off all the “dust” on the rocks. She loved it.