Daniel's Reef Savvy 50g Cube - A Recovering Build...

spspirate · Nov 1, 2016

Coming right along!! Very impressive!!!

Daniel@R2R · Nov 10, 2016

aquavista99 said:
Simply an amazing build thread! Turning the crate into a furniture quality stand for your tank and sump is over the top inspiring. Very nice tank and sump too. Congrats!

spspirate said:
Coming right along!! Very impressive!!!

Thanks guys!!

Daniel@R2R · Nov 10, 2016

So...I took 2 steps forward and 3 backward today...

I got the stand finished and into the house...

Then got the tank set on top and bulk heads installed...

And then...I discovered my colossal blunder...

I measured the interior of the stand before I ordered the sump...but that was before we decided to install the joists for support...so...

The sump would still fit...there's 32" width inside the stand and the sump is 30" long...but there isn't enough clearance to get it around the 2x4's in front. Also, the joists that we installed have created an issue of height clearance...

So...I'm going to have to do stand surgery...

Daniel@R2R · Nov 10, 2016

My solution will be as follows: to get the sump in, I'll have to cut out one of the 2x4 supports in the back and then insert the sump and replace the support...that's pretty easy...but the clearance issue required a more drastic solution. Basically, I'm going to have to cut out the plywood on the floor (cutting around the supports) and lower the floor. This is doable because the plywood is elevated on top of 2x4's for the crate. Since I added feet to the bottom, the stand will still be elevated, so I can lower that plywood down to the bottom of the 2x4's and basically have a sunken floor which should provide another 4-5" of clearance.

Not a simple solution, but I think it's doable...did I mention how much this project is stretching my carpentry skills????

Sadly, this means the tank will not be ready by the time Reef-a-palooza comes to town...

120reefkeeper · Nov 10, 2016

Oh man!! That sucks but you've got this! [emoji4]

Ljaus · Nov 10, 2016

Oh man what a bummer, the outside looks mint tho. No one said everything in this hobby happens easily. Good luck with the modifications

dbl · Nov 10, 2016

So sorry Daniel, but you'll make it work! The stand turned out terrific, if not a little too narrow underneath...lol.

Daniel@R2R · Nov 10, 2016

Thanks guys! I kinda feel like a doofus, and I really didn't even want to share this update, but I figure maybe my blunder will help someone else to realize the issue before the mistake occurs. LOL I really appreciate you guys' encouragement!

This is definitely a great community!

jsker · Nov 10, 2016

question, did you use urethane for the outside finish? If so use latex and wipe some white or what ever color you prefer into the logos and with a damp paper towel clean up the latex and the logo will stand out.

Daniel@R2R · Nov 10, 2016

jsker said:
question, did you use urethane for the outside finish? If so use latex and wipe some white or what ever color you prefer into the logos and with a damp paper towel clean up the latex and the logo will stand out.

Thanks! I actually glazed it before I applied the urethane, and it stands out pretty well in person, but for whatever reason, it doesn't show up as well in the pics.

jsker · Nov 10, 2016

Lighting,

stand turned out well.

Fin · Nov 10, 2016

That sump looks really fine though! Good luck with the stand modification. You got this!

twpilot · Nov 10, 2016

no problem. you will get it done an it will be good....my carpentry skills are not the best also ..hence painting my stand ..not stain

Husker · Nov 10, 2016

I loved that stand. Very cool contrast with he modern tank.

Rory's Reef · Nov 10, 2016

Looking good bannister!

I'm still new to all this so I was wondering, do you not foresee an issue arising that you may want to remove the sump for? cause once it's in there it's in there, yeah?

Daniel@R2R · Nov 10, 2016

Rory's Reef said:
Looking good bannister!

I'm still new to all this so I was wondering, do you not foresee an issue arising that you may want to remove the sump for? cause once it's in there it's in there, yeah?

Yeah. I hope not. In my time keeping tanks, I haven't run into a scenario like that yet (other than cleaning the sump). However, ideally I wouldn't have to lock it in like this, and on future builds I will make sure I avoid this problem, but on this one I just don't see any way around it without scrapping the sump or the stand...and I'm not willing to do either of those. LOL

twpilot · Nov 10, 2016

Cubes are great but such limited space below. I made my stand bigger to have a little more room but the only way the sump goes in or out is going to be through the top with the tank off... you just have to get it to fit and let it ride. . I'm sure you will make it work

revhtree · Nov 11, 2016

Dude... Hate it!

Fin · Nov 11, 2016

What about making a door on one of the sides? Then you could slide the sump in and out lengthwise. Just a thought. I did that on my 200 years ago.

Daniel@R2R · Nov 11, 2016

Fin said:
What about making a door on one of the sides? Then you could slide the sump in and out lengthwise. Just a thought. I did that on my 200 years ago.

I thought about that, but bc of the way we installed the supports it won't work. There's way too many screws in the side panels going into the supports that are now covered with wooden screw home covers, stained over, glazed over, and urethaned over. LOL I was thorough...

I do have an idea though on getting it in (thanks to @hybridazn) that won't involve cutting the supports at all.