Congrats. That's a huge step after this long!
Mehaffy's 1100+ gallon Plywood display in North Alabama
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- Thread starter mehaffydr
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OP
OP
Thanks Alex I appreciate the support. Everything went smooth with the install. 7 Tubes of silicone just to be sure there would be no air pockets or weak points.
OP
OP
Today I started off by cleaning silicone off of the glass and cleaning out the inside of the tank. It got pretty dirty with all the sanding I've done over the last few weeks. I then cut down and laminated 3 pieces of 3/4" plywood to make a brace for the glass on the short side. I don't really think its needed but I'd rather do this while the silicone is curing and never get a leak than get a leak over there and have to drain again. I am going to reinforce the inside the same as the front but I will not be doing the shelf on the short side. Tomorrow I will cut to length and then install with Fiberglass and Lag bolts the same as the front.
BeTreyed
Community Member
Wow! This is really an amazing build. Just read through all 603 posts on this and it was a roller coaster. Sorry to hear about your setback but glad to see you're about to be up and rolling again.
OP
OP
Thank you. It has been a a fun journey even with the setback. It will have water fish and coral soon.
OP
OP
I installed the brace on the short side this morning. I first layed down a nice thick layer of resin and fiberglass cloth as a bed and layed the brace down in it. I then lag bolted it from the outside and then went back in and put a layer of fiberglass and resin over the top. I will do about 3 more layer and then paint this area with the epoxy paint.
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OP
OP
I'm not mixing new salt water yet but getting closer every day. I put down a second layer of fiberglass and resin this evening so now 2 layers. I will do 2 more before painting.
I spotted this little guy outside today. Apparently looking at his tail and belly he is eating all of the bugs trying to get in my building because he sure is a fat little dude.
I spotted this little guy outside today. Apparently looking at his tail and belly he is eating all of the bugs trying to get in my building because he sure is a fat little dude.
OP
OP
Thanks, This is my first time fiberglassing but i guess after about 750 square ft. I'm getting the hang of it. Now just got to hope all this reinforcing does the trick. I can't imagine that the front could flex after all that wood I added. During the first fill I was getting no noticeable deflection on the solid sides so I think I'm good to go this time.
I will get the painting done this week and then maybe next weekend I will get the rockwork rebuilt and in the tank.
I ordered 3 more bags of live sand today and I have 5 boxes of Reef Crystals on the way. So gearing up for the next fill I may let it sit a couple weeks this time before adding the salt.
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OP
OP
Fiberglass is complete and now painting has begun. A few coats of epoxy paint and then put the rocks back in the tank and wait for the silicone to cure a couple weeks and then water test. The clock is ticking just have to be patient. I will have water again by May 1st
OP
OP
Ok as of now I have 4 coats of epoxy paint on the reinforced area. I am considering all repair and upgraded reinforcing done. over the weekend I will work on reassembling my Marco rock and getting tat back in the tank. Then its just working on a lot of other projects waiting for the silicone to fully cure so I can add water. I have to travel to Phoenix all next week which will be good to keep me from rushing the refill. Glass has been in for 1 week so far.
This is what the final coat of paint looks like on the reinforced area.
This is what the final coat of paint looks like on the reinforced area.
OP
OP
Got started this morning first cleaning the whole inside of the tank and the glass. Then it was time to start putting things back together. I first cleaned the plastic underlayment I have in place to protect the bottom from getting damaged should I have a rock slide. I then started getting all of the Marco rocks back in the tank I have about 300 lbs of the Marco I also have another 300 lbs of long term established rock that is currently living in my sump. The established rock will not go in until I fill and add salt which is still a few weeks out. These are pics of the first run at Aquascape with the Marco rock.
OP
OP
And some overhead views from each end.
OP
OP
I was able to make some good progress today.
Cleaned tank and Glass
Put plastic sheets in bottom
Put all of the Marco rock in and cemented it together with Marco 400
Hung up 3 light fixtures 2 are dual 250 MH and 4 T5 the 3rd is 6 T5
This is the first time I got to test all the lights. I left them on all day and everything worked great.
I wish I had 3 of the fixtures with the MH as in the pic you can clearly see the difference
I painted the front of the tank and the new reinforcing shelf.
Now I need to work on cleaning up all the wires I hate messy wiring.
I have 300 or so lbs of live rock in my sump that I've had for years and I plan on ordering another 100 lbs from Tampa Bay to really get some good diversity.
This is a pic with all lights on.
Cleaned tank and Glass
Put plastic sheets in bottom
Put all of the Marco rock in and cemented it together with Marco 400
Hung up 3 light fixtures 2 are dual 250 MH and 4 T5 the 3rd is 6 T5
This is the first time I got to test all the lights. I left them on all day and everything worked great.
I wish I had 3 of the fixtures with the MH as in the pic you can clearly see the difference
I painted the front of the tank and the new reinforcing shelf.
Now I need to work on cleaning up all the wires I hate messy wiring.
I have 300 or so lbs of live rock in my sump that I've had for years and I plan on ordering another 100 lbs from Tampa Bay to really get some good diversity.
This is a pic with all lights on.
That was an incredible read through. I can't believe the roller coaster this has been for you but I ( and Reef2Reef) am so excited to see the tank progress. Keep up the good work my friend!
Best of Luck,
Nigel
Best of Luck,
Nigel
OP
OP
Thank You
Now I just have to take my own advice and be patient waiting for silicone to fully cure before adding water.
OP
OP
They did but they recently announced that they were reopening this summer with new owners. Hopefully they open soon but if not there is also Gulf Live Rock.
I tried to order from KP Aquatics and they were similarly, temporarily (I hope) not shipping. Placed and order with GulfLiverock 8 days ago but has not shipped yet...
fishlover1478
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nice aquascape 
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