Custom 40 gallon mixed reef

[lukegroundrunner]

I'm starting a new thread because I've changed my plans yet again, but now it's set in stone because the tank has arrived and it's time to build this thing.
The tank is 16x36x16 custom bottom drilled 4 side viewable made by advanced acrylics. 20 gallon high for a sump. All built on an 4040 extruded aluminum frame.

 

[lukegroundrunner]

After ordering the tank I started ordering all the parts for the stand. It went together very easily and seems very sturdy. Still waiting for the PVC "plywood" to make the cubby for the electronics and ato, as well as use as a base for the sump and tank to sit on.

 

[lukegroundrunner]

I purchased a sump kit from eBay for around $100. I got the tank from PetSmart for $38. So all together I think I made out great on the sump. I've never actually used filter socks in the past because it was too hard to take them out with the pipes going into them so I love that this one collects the water and then it runs into the sock area. I suppose it might collect some detritus in the section with the return pipes but I'll just periodically syphon it out. Just recently siliconed the pieces into the tank so time will tell if I did a good job or not. I tested it and it's just big enough for my skimmer, new in sump UV, and return pump. No room for a refugium but I'll live.

 

[lukegroundrunner]

The tank!!! I was worried about many reviews of John from advanced acrylics being very late with delivering purchases. It made me put the purchase on a card instead of saving a little with an electronic payment. I have to say he was very responsive during the design phase and had what I thought was a very reasonable price. He told me 2 weeks and I think he was about right. It took almost a week for ups to deliver it, but that's not his fault. The craftsmanship is amazing and I can't wait to fill it with water. He drilled the holes for spears bulkheads which I told him was fine but when I looked into buying them I was not willing to pay $100 per bulkhead. Instead I purchased Hayward bulkheads which are still fairly pricey but seem to be nice and beefy and will make me feel better than basic bulkheads since it is a bottom drilled tank. The problem is that the holes were now too small "which I suppose is better than too big". So I used a rabbeting router bit and made the holes just a tiny bit bigger. Then followed that up with a flush router bit to finish up the holes. Now everything fits perfect.