ADA 120-P Reef Build - 65 Gallons

illuminata

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Greetings,
Been on this project for some time now so thought I'd start sharing my progress (I'm about 40% into it). From building a stand from scratch to drilling glass my first time I feel it's coming along quite well. Having two toddlers and newborn I get to work on this maybe an hour or two once a week so it's been a slow journey.

Tank:
ADA Cube Garden 120-P Aquarium (Ultra High Clarity Glass) - 65 Gallons (48x18x18)
(https://aquaforestaquarium.com/products/ada-cube-garden-120p-aquarium-ultra-high-clarity-glass)


Stand:
48" x 18" x 36"

EDITED Equipment List:
-Sump: Elos 30
-2x XR30 G4P w/diffusers, Apex Wifi, COR-15, WAV's, ATK, Nyos 120

Edited:
-2x Kessil a360x

Edited:
-2x XR15 G5, COR-20


I finally got a hold of a used 120P so I had to pick it up. Previous owner had it planted with a frosted vinyl background.



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illuminata

illuminata

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I wanted a 36" tall stand so decided to try and build my own (still work in progress). Watched a couple videos on youtube and headed to Home Depot, bought 9x 2x4's and 2 boxes of wood screws.

I had nothing to cut these with so I purchased a few things off Amazon. I went cheap on the equipment since I figure I'm only going to build one stand.
Miter Saw:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LWYCCCT/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Jigsaw:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016100EIK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Sander:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MLSS1SW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Woodglue:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NN5T22/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


This is literally the first time I've used a Miter Saw.
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All pieces cut.
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illuminata

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I found that my garage flooring wasn't completely even so I decided to assemble the stand/wood pieces inside the house.

I also purchased a right angle ruler for measurements and ratchet clamps.
2x Ratchet clamps:
https://www.harborfreight.com/24-in-ratcheting-bar-clampspreader-62112.html

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Coming along.
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I didn't realize that some of the 2x4's could be warped so there was a gap I had to fill. I used the miter saw to slice up some thin pieces from some left over wood. Glued it up and hammered them in.

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Back to Home Depot for skin and doors. I chose a 1/4" skin and 3/4" mdf doors. Hindsight, if I were to do it all over again, I would reduced the size of the stand/2x4's and purchased a larger skin so I can incorporate the left over skin wood for doors.

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Got the top and sump flooring cut out and also test fitted the mdf doors.

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illuminata

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One of my dilemmas was what kind of overflow I wanted. External (reefsavvy/modular marine) or Internal (corner/center). I decided to go with the internal and since I find myself looking at the sides quite often I chose to go with the center.

I remember seeing the Cadlights overflow and really liked the appearance of the trapazoid style. I did some research and found that the Versa 70 is 18" tall -- perfect! So I got in touch with them and was able to purchase the overflow and plumbing.

Test fitting and plumbing.
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Overflow lid.
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Then the fun begins, drilling this thing. It was pretty easy but hindsight, I should have made a test run first since i've never drilled glass before. I just went for it.

Lining things up for drill+silicone.
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Needed some drill bits so I purchased these off Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07252J2Y7/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And drilling begins. Since it was the first hole inside the tank, I just filled the tank up enough for a little layer of water. The second and third hole I had to have the water run since the water was being drained.
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All done. Testing the piping and overflow fitment.
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Time to put the overflow in with silicone - tape for spillage.
Caulk gun:
https://www.harborfreight.com/9-in-caulking-gun-62822.html
Silicone used:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EZB2MDI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Turned out rather clean.
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Time to cure.
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illuminata

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Fitting a black background on. Was thinking about painting but didnt know how the RMS mounts will effect the paint once clamped.

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Test fitting tank and front skin and marking cut outs for overflow.

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illuminata

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Overflow section drilled out.

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For the skin on the back, I added some some small cutouts (for moving purposes and cords). Might add more closer to the bottom to hide cords better.

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illuminata

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Made a template for the hinges. Will have 4 doors (2xfront and 2xsides)

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Front doors are in..

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illuminata

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Quick update. All hinges are in and outer skin glued and nailed. Next steps is to prime this thing.

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illuminata

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Got some priming and sanding done. Next steps, lay some silicone I have left over in the cracks inside the stand and then spray! (semi gloss black and black fridge paint inside.. Almost there..

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illuminata

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Finally had the chance to put some paint on along with the doors. I used Black fridge paint for the interior and Semi-Gloss on the exterior. I lined up the interior gaps with black silicone (same thing I used for the overflow). By the way, I hate hinges.. Out of everything, putting the concealed hinges in must have been the most annoying part.

Waiting for things to dry..
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A few chip marks below the door due to being to rough when lining up..
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Final product -- sort of, still need a day or two to completely dry. Did I mention I hate hinges?
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illuminata

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Was able to move forward today. Added some push magnet latches to each door. Cut up the foam mat between the tank and stand and put on the piping.

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I will be hard piping this, not sure if I want to go colored or keep it sch80 grey. I picked up a sapphire 26 so dark blue might be in the works. Also got a new skimmer. My equipment actually changed quite a bit from my original post.

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Txdragonslayer

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Finally had the chance to put some paint on along with the doors. I used Black fridge paint for the interior and Semi-Gloss on the exterior. I lined up the interior gaps with black silicone (same thing I used for the overflow). By the way, I hate hinges.. Out of everything, putting the concealed hinges in must have been the most annoying part.

Waiting for things to dry..
40626897640_afd517c620_c.jpg


A few chip marks below the door due to being to rough when lining up..
42434606261_eb4fd0a7c4_c.jpg


Final product -- sort of, still need a day or two to completely dry. Did I mention I hate hinges?
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I here you on the hinges!!
 
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