Frozn
Active Member
Hey Everyone,
I am fairly new to this forum, and have yet to really get involved. I have been in the hobby for roughly 8 years. I've been a member of Michigan Reefers (Michigan Native) and Reef Central since the beginning. I first started the hobby with a JBJ 24g Nano Cube and soon upgraded to a 90g tank with lower sump. I had a fully packed 90g mixed reef when I decided to move and start on my masters.
Well after a short break I decided I couldn't shake the addiction and decided to start a shallow rimless and aim for a pristine SPS reef. Things went well at first, but quickly went down hill. I experimented with LEDs and had no luck. So I switch to what I know best, T5's as I blamed the issues on lighting. Things started to look a little better, but that didn't last long at all. There was something going on that I was unable to detect. I ran multiple test and nothing showed as being 'abnormal' or detectable at least. So after numerous attempts at trying to correct a problem I couldn't find - but it was ever so apparent in the corals that kept dying, or would just not color, grow, or show any type of progress; they merely existed. The strange thing was that some corals would do great, SPS were the most challenged.
After moving into my first house I saw potential for what I could create with my new found space. The rimless was moved in and after a tiresome battle, I decided to take the plunge. I wanted something large, but I didn't want it to be too cumbersome. As well I also didn't want it to overpower my living room but it definitely needed to be a show piece. Once thing I wanted to accomplish was to put all the equipment in the basement so to keep sound minimal in the actual living space.
So let the fun begin as it has already been completed -- for the most part as this was a 6 month process and I've finally found time to start the build thread.
Here is the proposed location of the new tank. The entertainment center will be relocated to the wall currently with the rimless tank.
Here will be the new location of the entertainment center. This stand was built by me and features a cast concrete top in which the tank sits in, with a corrugated steel stand.
So lets get to the demo of the new soon to be fishroom. Pictures are worth a thousand words, so I'll keep captions short and allow you to enjoy the journey.
These bags sure are handy.
So, lets start some framing.
Due to the weight the new tank will bring I took into consideration floor support. Having a degree in architecture lends to some specific considerations. The tank it self will have a steel beam that runs along it's backside, and I have added in a bunch of sister joist.
New concrete to level the floor.
Wiring and lighting in - Added 20 AMP breaker for basement room, as well as a 20 AMP for the display upstairs.
New soffit box which I will also add in a vent specially for this room.
Full insulation to help with sound.
Drywall started - As well as the plumbing to the display set in place.
I am fairly new to this forum, and have yet to really get involved. I have been in the hobby for roughly 8 years. I've been a member of Michigan Reefers (Michigan Native) and Reef Central since the beginning. I first started the hobby with a JBJ 24g Nano Cube and soon upgraded to a 90g tank with lower sump. I had a fully packed 90g mixed reef when I decided to move and start on my masters.
Well after a short break I decided I couldn't shake the addiction and decided to start a shallow rimless and aim for a pristine SPS reef. Things went well at first, but quickly went down hill. I experimented with LEDs and had no luck. So I switch to what I know best, T5's as I blamed the issues on lighting. Things started to look a little better, but that didn't last long at all. There was something going on that I was unable to detect. I ran multiple test and nothing showed as being 'abnormal' or detectable at least. So after numerous attempts at trying to correct a problem I couldn't find - but it was ever so apparent in the corals that kept dying, or would just not color, grow, or show any type of progress; they merely existed. The strange thing was that some corals would do great, SPS were the most challenged.
After moving into my first house I saw potential for what I could create with my new found space. The rimless was moved in and after a tiresome battle, I decided to take the plunge. I wanted something large, but I didn't want it to be too cumbersome. As well I also didn't want it to overpower my living room but it definitely needed to be a show piece. Once thing I wanted to accomplish was to put all the equipment in the basement so to keep sound minimal in the actual living space.
So let the fun begin as it has already been completed -- for the most part as this was a 6 month process and I've finally found time to start the build thread.
Here is the proposed location of the new tank. The entertainment center will be relocated to the wall currently with the rimless tank.
Here will be the new location of the entertainment center. This stand was built by me and features a cast concrete top in which the tank sits in, with a corrugated steel stand.
So lets get to the demo of the new soon to be fishroom. Pictures are worth a thousand words, so I'll keep captions short and allow you to enjoy the journey.
These bags sure are handy.
So, lets start some framing.
Due to the weight the new tank will bring I took into consideration floor support. Having a degree in architecture lends to some specific considerations. The tank it self will have a steel beam that runs along it's backside, and I have added in a bunch of sister joist.
New concrete to level the floor.
Wiring and lighting in - Added 20 AMP breaker for basement room, as well as a 20 AMP for the display upstairs.
New soffit box which I will also add in a vent specially for this room.
Full insulation to help with sound.
Drywall started - As well as the plumbing to the display set in place.
