Back in with a 235g Quarter cylinder

[stinkydavis]

After a year away, I’m finally back to building a reef tank. I had a 310-gallon setup that I eventually sold after moving. At the time, I figured I was probably done for a while. Moving a massive reef tank is no small project, and sometimes life has a way of making you step away from the hobby.


But, as anyone who has been into reefing knows, it’s hard to stay away for too long. I’m back in with a new project: a 235-gallon corner tank. It’s a little different from the 310, but I’m excited about the possibilities. Of course, before any livestock, corals, or aquascaping can happen, there’s some work to do.


The acrylic needs to be refinished and brought back to life, and the stand needs some attention as well. It’s going to take some time and elbow grease to get everything looking the way I want, but that’s part of the fun.


For me, this isn’t just about setting up another aquarium. It’s about starting the whole process again—planning the system, restoring the equipment, building the stand, figuring out the aquascape, and eventually watching the tank come alive.


After a year away, it feels good to be back.


The 235 is just an empty tank right now, but before long, it’ll be a reef again. And I’m looking forward to documenting the entire journey from the first bit of refinishing.
Attached are some before pictures.

 

[UncommonSense]

Very cool! I think this might be the biggest residential quarter-cylinder I’ve seen!

What do you plan to do for plumbing in the overflow box?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along! Very unique-looking tank!

 

[PPBlimpy]

That tank is awesome!! can't wait to see it up and running.

I am a big fan of corner tanks and bow fronts.

My first saltwater tank was a 155g bowfront, then a 90g corner.

Now running a 54G corner sps/lps tank that was built all from left over pieces I have acquired.

I have had my share of rectangular tanks but love the corners.

I am envious and wish that was mine!!

 

[X-37B]

WOW! Beautiful system. Cant wait to see this one wet!

 

[Gman83]

This is so cool! What are the dimensions?

 

[stinkydavis]

Very cool! I think this might be the biggest residential quarter-cylinder I’ve seen!

What do you plan to do for plumbing in the overflow box?

Doing a single return. The current cut out is for 3/4 inch pvc but I wanna make it bigger. I feel is has the room for the hole but have make of a hole bigger is hard and risky.

 

[stinkydavis]

This is so cool! What are the dimensions?

It is a 4ft radius and 30inches tall

 

[UncommonSense]

Doing a single return. The current cut out is for 3/4 inch pvc but I wanna make it bigger. I feel is has the room for the hole but have make of a hole bigger is hard and risky.

There are a few tricks to enlarge holes in acrylic without too much drama, thankfully!

How many drains does this tank have in there in addition to the return?

 

[stinkydavis]

Sanded all the scratches out of the 2 back walls. Went 1500-2000-2500-3000-5000. Between the two walls it was 6 hours of sanding. Novus 1-2 should show up later today to polish it.

 

[stinkydavis]

There are a few tricks to enlarge holes in acrylic without too much drama, thankfully!

How many drains does this tank have in there in addition to the return?

This is the overflow box. I wanna make the small center one bigger to make it easier for the return pump. I’d like to just make it larger diameter almost backwards since the holes are already pretty close to each other

 

[stinkydavis]

WOW! Beautiful system. Cant wait to see this one wet!

It’s going to be a while. Wife wants the stand white not black so after refinishing the tank I need to refinish the stand haha. Probably going to do more sanding then the rest of my life by the time this is done

 

[UncommonSense]

This is the overflow box. I wanna make the small center one bigger to make it easier for the return pump. I’d like to just make it larger diameter almost backwards since the holes are already pretty close to each other

Oh great! You’ve already got two holes for 1” bulkheads!

Do you own a router by any chance? That would be the easy/right way to enlarge that return hole! (You could also realistically enlarge the drains)

 

[X-37B]

It’s going to be a while. Wife wants the stand white not black so after refinishing the tank I need to refinish the stand haha. Probably going to do more sanding then the rest of my life by the time this is done

Nice that will look awesome white!
My systems are white.

 

[PPBlimpy]

On my 54G it had only one 1" drain and a 3/4 return, I wish it had two 1" and a 3/4"!!
makes me really wish i had gone bigger!!

I converted the 3/4 return to an emergency overflow for those just in case moments and then went over the back for my return.
This worked well because I planned on using a 3/4" seaswirl to help with water movement. 3d printed a shelf that fit over the corner and overflow box that also held 2 fans.

I need to come up with a cover for the monstrosity that is my lighting etc.

I really am envious of your tank.

 

[stinkydavis]

Just finished polishing up the back panels. Acrylic is invisible clear minus the scratches on the back. Tomorrow if I have the time I’ll take on the front. Then outside. Happy to see the results as I have never done anything like this before.

 

[BryanM]

It’s going to be a while. Wife wants the stand white not black so after refinishing the tank I need to refinish the stand haha. Probably going to do more sanding then the rest of my life by the time this is done

FWIW, I agree with your wife. Our first tank stand was black, 2nd is white, and we like the white a LOT more. It is easier to keep clean :)

 

[stinkydavis]

Happy to be done with the tank. Took me 12+ hours of sanding and polishing but I think the before and after speak for themselves.

 

[stinkydavis]

Tank is in. I also drilled the return line bigger to 1” bulkhead so the pump can have an easier time getting it in. Doors didn’t line up great but good enough. I thinking the heat and humidity of outside while doing the sanding and painting wrapped them a bit but that’s fine. Happy with the results so far.
Got in on the Labor Day sales and have sand, dry rock ect on there way.

 

[stinkydavis]

Got the tank in the house with the stand and hood panted. Rock work in and filled with water. Waiting on another bulkhead to get the mix station all put together. Added turbo start and ammonia. On day 2 of the cycle start. Already down to 0 ammonia and 2 nitrite.