I thought I would log what I've been up to in a new build thread. This project is going to take me some time to get up and running but I was able to start the framework yesterday.
As the thread title states it all started with a little 5gal Nano I got a few weeks back, and POW I got bit hard by the reef bug. The constant research and planning has me absolutely loving this hobby.
I scored a really good deal on a few tanks off Kijiji and started my planning.
The main display Tank is a 60g cube:
I still have more cleaning to do on the Cube but it looks way better from when I got it.
Here are a few shots of the stuff I got wicked cheap:
So my first thoughts were what the heck am I gonna do with all this stuff.
My first plan was to make a cab for the unit but the sump was way larger then the DT so I came up with a plan for a long stand with the main display in the center and a lagoon tank on either side.
Here was my first draft:
The main problem I had was trying to fit all the gear under the cab so I designed it 7' long. Honestly I really liked this idea but my wife wasn't keen on it and agreed to let me build a tank sump/tank room.
The main Cube will be upstairs in the living room and I will plumb it through the floor and into my Tank room. The main hurdle I had with the tank room is convincing my wife I need it quite large lol, let's say I lost that battle and was limited to only having 5' of the rec room downstairs, honestly a 5'x9' room isn't that bad and I'm super stoked I get to build my own little under sea getaway in the basement.
Since I like to draw out my plans my first here was my rough draft:
Yesterday I took my drawings and started to bring them to life.
As I was getting the framing started I thought to myself "dang an in wall tank would look great there hahahha" so my fav Reef shop in town gave me a great deal on another 60g tank for 50 bucks, honestly I wanted to go bigger but it's a smoke'n deal so I jumped on it.
Now the wall is splitting a window with the other side but honestly it was a battle I couldn't win, so please no comments on the split window I had to make due with what I had lol.
This weekend I plan on finishing the rest of the back framing, sanding & painting the work station, running the electrical and dry fitting the tanks so I can plan the plumbing.
Oh yeah the workstation is deadly level
As far as clean up the refugium is super clean and my QT tank is ready to go as well.
Since my youngest Son got in trouble at school guess who is cleaning the sump BAHAhahahahaaa.
Anywho that's it for me today I will update the thread more as the build comes together. I am going to have a ton of questions and appreciate any and all advice as this build is going to take a couple months to get off the ground.
Thanks in advance for any feedback on the build.
As the thread title states it all started with a little 5gal Nano I got a few weeks back, and POW I got bit hard by the reef bug. The constant research and planning has me absolutely loving this hobby.
I scored a really good deal on a few tanks off Kijiji and started my planning.
The main display Tank is a 60g cube:
I still have more cleaning to do on the Cube but it looks way better from when I got it.
Here are a few shots of the stuff I got wicked cheap:
So my first thoughts were what the heck am I gonna do with all this stuff.
My first plan was to make a cab for the unit but the sump was way larger then the DT so I came up with a plan for a long stand with the main display in the center and a lagoon tank on either side.
Here was my first draft:
The main problem I had was trying to fit all the gear under the cab so I designed it 7' long. Honestly I really liked this idea but my wife wasn't keen on it and agreed to let me build a tank sump/tank room.
The main Cube will be upstairs in the living room and I will plumb it through the floor and into my Tank room. The main hurdle I had with the tank room is convincing my wife I need it quite large lol, let's say I lost that battle and was limited to only having 5' of the rec room downstairs, honestly a 5'x9' room isn't that bad and I'm super stoked I get to build my own little under sea getaway in the basement.
Since I like to draw out my plans my first here was my rough draft:
Yesterday I took my drawings and started to bring them to life.
As I was getting the framing started I thought to myself "dang an in wall tank would look great there hahahha" so my fav Reef shop in town gave me a great deal on another 60g tank for 50 bucks, honestly I wanted to go bigger but it's a smoke'n deal so I jumped on it.
Now the wall is splitting a window with the other side but honestly it was a battle I couldn't win, so please no comments on the split window I had to make due with what I had lol.
This weekend I plan on finishing the rest of the back framing, sanding & painting the work station, running the electrical and dry fitting the tanks so I can plan the plumbing.
Oh yeah the workstation is deadly level
As far as clean up the refugium is super clean and my QT tank is ready to go as well.
Since my youngest Son got in trouble at school guess who is cleaning the sump BAHAhahahahaaa.
Anywho that's it for me today I will update the thread more as the build comes together. I am going to have a ton of questions and appreciate any and all advice as this build is going to take a couple months to get off the ground.
Thanks in advance for any feedback on the build.
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