Project ZERO

oceans garden aquaculture · Apr 8, 2020

Background: I have been fascinated with zero edge systems since the mid 2000s. I was working for ORA as a technician in their coral greenhouses. The 1st time I saw the display system they had designed for trade shows, I knew I had to have one of my own one day. Fast forward 15 years later, I was invited to join the reefs4less.com team and tasked with representing the company on various social media platforms. I knew I had to build something special. After posting a few threads referencing zero edge systems, it became clear that there were many hobbyists who shared my fascination with these unique and stunning aquariums. After a few calls and multiple messages, I was able to take possession of the exact same system that left such a lasting impression on me so many years ago. This thread will follow my journey as I restore, upgrade and stock this epic piece of ornamental aquaculture history. This thread is made possible and powered by Reefs4less.com

oceans garden aquaculture · Apr 8, 2020

The ORA booth MACNA circa 2009. People would literally push each other out of the way to photograph the zero edge display.

reefs4less.com

MTBake · Apr 8, 2020

Following along

oceans garden aquaculture · Apr 8, 2020

I honestly underestimated the size of the stand, we squeezed it into our SUV with less than a 1/8 inch to spare. I was determined. It was going in the dang truck that day no matter what lol.

oceans garden aquaculture · Apr 8, 2020

Myself and 2 of my kiddos carefully got the incredibly solid stand out of our SUV (minimal damage to wife's interior) :/. As I sat on our couch, I paused to ponder the greatness of this precariously perched pile of proper potential posted in my parlor.. Imagination running wild!

MattR · Apr 8, 2020

I'm so excited for you haha

oceans garden aquaculture · Apr 8, 2020

I woke up today ready to get this party started! I removed everything from my office into our living room to make space for zero. Slid the stand to the door and NOPE! LOL Wasn't going in that easily. Down with the door!

xxkenny90xx · Apr 8, 2020

Awesome!

oceans garden aquaculture · Apr 8, 2020

MattR said:
I'm so excited for you haha

We're in this together!

najer · Apr 8, 2020

Following.

Chefwheredyougo · Apr 8, 2020

Following bump!

oceans garden aquaculture · Apr 8, 2020

reefs4less said:
I woke up today ready to get this party started! I removed everything from my office into our living room to make space for zero. Slid the stand to the door and NOPE! LOL Wasn't going in that easily. Down with the door!

Tight squeeze once again, I would have pulled the door frame if I had too lol. Luckily, we didn't have to go there.

oceans garden aquaculture · Apr 8, 2020

Every successful build starts with a solid foundation. So we will start this from the bottom up. The structural integrity of the stand is not in question at all. It was originally built to endure the rigors of regular shipping to and from trade shows. The finish on the other hand,definitely needed some love. A good cleaning and coating were in order.

Sisterlimonpot · Apr 8, 2020

I would be interested in this long term. I can see having it running for a few days at a time, but will be extremely curious what additional care is needed to keep it looking good over time.

Having never seen something like that running, is it possible to get a clear view of the inside via the sides? or will you have to shut down the return pump and wipe the sides to see inside?

Definitely following along.... with many more questions to come...

oceans garden aquaculture · Apr 8, 2020

Sisterlimonpot said:
I would be interested in this long term. I can see having it running for a few days at a time, but will be extremely curious what additional care is needed to keep it looking good over time.

Having never seen something like that running, is it possible to get a clear view of the inside via the sides? or will you have to shut down the return pump and wipe the sides to see inside?

Definitely following along.... with many more questions to come...

I have seen very clear side view shots of these systems. We will definitely find out. I will be trying a lot of different photography techniques and hardware to find out what works best. That will all be documented in this thread. Follow on!

oceans garden aquaculture · Apr 8, 2020

Now that looks like a confident pedestal to me.

Maxx · Apr 9, 2020

Any plans to mitigate evaporation?

What are you stocking plans?

oceans garden aquaculture · Apr 9, 2020

For now, the plan is an auto top off system and schooling fish. Specifics we will refine as we go.

oceans garden aquaculture · Apr 10, 2020

Now that we have a proper stand, let's take a closer look at the aquarium. Keep in mind, this thing had been shipped around the country multiple times before it made it's way into a remote hanger in the middle of nowhere Florida. Zero needs a shower, and maybe a hug and some tacos.

Mostly just dusty, but this thing is acrylic and even dust can cause some gnarly micro scratches if not cleaned with care.

It can be difficult to tell how bad damage can be with acrylic, I knew the system was always handled with care. I expected there to be some minor scratches and scuffs, and there are. Over all, not bad. Some wouldn't even notice but considering this thing has doubled wet surface area, I didn't want to take any chances leaving scratches and having to decide if they were inside or out once it is running.

Started with a thorough rinse.

Already a massive improvement. Now to dry off and head back in for a closer look at the scratches.... dun dun dun....

Really starting to get excited! This thing is so sick! Let's look at the damage.

There were a few around the rim, inside and out.

Also a couple longer scratches on the inside walls. I think from the lighting system box being stored inside. Thankfully none of them were very deep.

To prep for scratch removal I added one drop of dish soap to a spray bottle filled with warm water. I gently mixed as not to create any suds. Then misted the entire tank inside and out.

Then I patted it dry with paper towels, and wiped with a microfiber. I am sketched out by the thought of a rogue grain of sand getting into whatever cloth I'm cleaning with and creating a new scratch. If it seems like I'm going through a lot of steps to clean an aquarium, that's why lol.

I tiny bit of soap in a water bottle works amazing for cleaning glass and acrylic by the way. I probably could have stopped here, but that wouldn't be any fun so let's embark on a wonderful trip into the magic world of removing micro-scratches! Said no person ever lol

For my DIY buffing compound I used baking soda and water. I like a consistancy a little more wet than toothpaste. I don't know how much that matters, but it works for me.

For fine scratches like these, a bit of the paste on the fingertip works great. I typically use a tight circular motion, wiping and inspecting every so often.

Cleaning areas again with water soap, paper towel and microfiber after buffing.

No more scratches!

Longer scratches on side panels also removed in the same process. Time to polish it off! I am not promoting the product I am using next. To be honest, I was given some aquarium supplies by a neighbor and this was included. It says acrylic safe so why not give it a shot.

I highly recommend using a test area whenever using cleaning products, but this stuff smells pretty so I just went full send and applied an ample reckless amount all over the dang thing like an absolute legend. Followed up again by patting with paper and finally polishing out with a clean microfiber cloth.