I hope I remember how to do this

[cmaxwell39]

Well, it has started. I have placed an order for a 60x30x22 from Custom Aquariums through a LFS.

First, of all, I have not had a tank in a little over two years. I took a job a couple of years ago that I knew was going to require a move, and didn't want to have to deal with moving a tank full of livestock. I still have the last setup, a 72x24x20, but have decided the new house needed a new setup, so after some negotiation with the wife I got the OK to proceed with the custom tank. I am really looking forward to having some saltwater in the house again, it has been way too long. In the almost 21 years I have been married, this is the longest stretch I have gone without some type of aquarium running.

So here is the plan:
60x30x22 tank with a 38" tall stand from custom aquariums

Exotic marine systems overflow

ATI 8x54 sunpower

Will start with 2 MP 40's for flow, but I know there will be a need to add more flow as the tank grows in

Profilux 4 controller

I kept my 36" lifereef skimmer that I was running on the last tank, and it will go into this one

Planning a basement sump so the return pump will most likely be a reeflo. I have two on hand to choose from. I am also considering the Sicce SDC 9, but am still pretty unsure about that

Sump will be built out of a used tank. Minimum of 75 gallon, but would prefer to go bigger. Will have to see what I can find.

I will run a CaRX on this tank. All of the previous reef tanks I have run I have done 2 part, but it was time to try a CaRX. I have ordered an 8" ACR from aquarium engineering. It will be a while before I need this, but a friend was making an order and I knew it was what I wanted anyway.



I think that about covers it for the major equipment. Getting excited to get back into this. I just hope that I remember what I am doing. As I said, tank and stand are 8-9 weeks out, so it will be a slow process, but the next couple of posts will update what has happened so far, and I will keep everyone updated as progress happens.

 

[cmaxwell39]

The first step was to figure out where in the new house the tank would go. It was a consideration whenever we walked through a potential property, and the house we purchased was no different. There were a couple different potential spots for a tank in this house, but it was decided that the dining room was the place for it to go.

The first problem with this plan, the dining room had whiteish carpet in it. I am not a fan of carpet under larger tanks, and even less of a fan of carpet in a dining room, especially whiteish carpet, and even more so with 3 boys....

Here are a couple of pictures of the dining room taken when we were walking through the house before we bought it. I can’t believe that I didn’t take a picture of this area before we had the floors changed, but I didn’t so these will have to do.

I guess I do have these pictures showing a cardboard cutout of the dimensions of the tank while we were playing with placement.

 

[lavoisier]

Welcome back. An aquarium will look great in that room.

 

[cmaxwell39]

The carpet was to be replaced with hardwood, and it took a while to find a contractor, but after hiring one, I agreed to pull up the carpet myself to save a little money on the project. Once the carpet was pulled up a surprise awaited...

The subfloor was an mdf whis is not suitable for putting hardwood down on. I know when I inspected from underneath it was plywood...

Sure enough, there was a layer of plywood underneath this particle board, so now that needed to come up. Shouldn’t be a problem...

Well, I got it done, but that turned into a major chore. The subfloors were all put down before any walls were placed when the house was built. This meant that the whole perimeter had to be cut to allow the particle board to be removed. A lot of time on my hands and knees with a vibrating saw and I was ready for the hardwood guy to show up.

 

[cmaxwell39]

Here it is in process. My boys had a snow day during one of the days that the hardwood guy was there, so they got to watch/help.

 

[cmaxwell39]

Welcome back. An aquarium will look great in that room.

Thanks. I think so too. Lots to do yet before the tank gets here, but it will be fun planning an preparing for it in the meantime. Welcome aboard.

 

[cmaxwell39]

Got a bit done today. As I said in the original post this build will utilize a basement sump. The basement is unfinished and after talking it over with the wife, it was decided that a fishroom would be “finished” off. The wall of the dining room is on the back side of the chimney, and the fishroom will go on the other side of the fireplace. So it will have an outside wall and a wall that is the cinder block from the chimney. Here is the area the fishroom will be located.

So a trip to Lowe’s was made and a bunch of 2x4’s as well as some electrical supplies and a few pieces of drywall. Should be enough to get the fishroom framed off.

Walls being built. Was a great project for the boys and I to work on together.

First wall up.

Fishroom taking shape.

 

[cmaxwell39]

That was the mornings project. This afternoon I went to the LFS and picked up some dead/base rock so that I can begin bleaching and cycling it so that once the tank comes in I have cured rock that should minimize a cycle on the tank once it has saltwater in it.

 

[cmaxwell39]

That's all for today. Tomorrow I will try to get some wiring roughed in and possibly get drywall hung. I will not be finishing the outside of the walls at this point so that I can make changes to the electrical layout if need be. Need to figure out what I can find to build a sump out of and then I can finalize the layout of the room. For now I will put a recep on each framed wall, and rough in a box for the light switch. More to come...

 

[AdamB]

Welcome back! I’ve also learned that when we come back to this hobby . We come back with a lot more drive in making the perfect build!

 

[cmaxwell39]

Welcome back! I’ve also learned that when we come back to this hobby . We come back with a lot more drive in making the perfect build!

Thanks, there is a long ways to go, but I am getting excited about having a little slice of the ocean under my care again.

 

[CasaReefer]

Very Exciting Build.. looks Great. Thanks for letting us come along for the ride... Welcome back..

 

[vetteguy53081]

Youll be very happy with tank. Just keep it as far from window as possible.

 

[Triple.T]

Welcome back! Preparation and build look great thus far! Can't wait to see more.

 

[cmaxwell39]

Very Exciting Build.. looks Great. Thanks for letting us come along for the ride... Welcome back..

Thanks for coming along on the journey. Hope it is one worthy of the attention.

Youll be very happy with tank. Just keep it as far from window as possible.

I hope so, and tank will be centered on the wall, so not right next to the window. Will enforce a closed curtain policy if necessary. Thanks for stopping by.

Welcome back! Preparation and build look great this far! Can't wait to see more.

Thank you. I always enjoy the planning and preparation for a new build. At this stage, everything will go perfect, there won't be any pests, corals will grow like wildfire and all the fish will get along. Hope it stays that way. LOL.

 

[Hemmdog]

Awesome build and construction project!

 

[cmaxwell39]

Awesome build and construction project!

Thank you. It has been fun so far.

 

[X-37B]

Welcome back to the party. Nice start already. Will follow.

 

[cmaxwell39]

Welcome back to the party. Nice start already. Will follow.

Thanks for coming aboard the crazy train. LOL

 

[cmaxwell39]

So there has been a little progress on the fishroom in the last few days, just haven’t had time to post.

First Electrical was roughed in and drywall was hung.

First coat of mud has also been applied

That is about where the room is at right now. I need to get some more drywall mud before sanding and putting a second coat on, but that should happen in the next few days.