Red_Beard's 75 Tank Build

Red_Beard · May 28, 2019

Ok, after a long week of vacationing with my family, back to work! I've got the stand framed (still pretty rough) and am thinking about how exactly i want it to look. I spent sooo much time on getting the sump and overflow just right that I kinda feel like I'm winging the stand lol.

So right now I'm thinking the top will hang over the edge by an inch and a half and was thinking about making it out of 2x4 and 6s. The lonely upright in the back corner is to gauge canopy height with. Right now I'm thinking 20 inches off the rim. I have 2 radion xr15w pros i wanted to hang at about 12 inches awl, but I'd like the option to go higher if necessary. I also have some current marine pro led strips i was going to use as filler. Hopefully it all fits!

cracker · May 28, 2019

Wish I had used 2by6 along the front of my stand.

Red_Beard · Jun 6, 2019

cracker said:
Wish I had used 2by6 along the front of my stand.

I feel you, that stand in the background is all 2x4 and while it works i thought why bother with piece of mind while I'm at it anyways.. [emoji12]

Red_Beard · Jun 6, 2019

It's coming along, a few shelves and a canopy and it'll be ready for paint! Oh, and doors....

Goodair · Jun 6, 2019

Getting closer, so much to still do haha!

Red_Beard · Jun 6, 2019

Goodair said:
Getting closer, so much to still do haha!

[emoji13] [emoji23] [emoji23] don't pop my bubble lol.

Red_Beard · Jun 29, 2019

Finally, the stars aligned once again and i was able to spend some time on the canopy! Hopefully able to skin it and maybe start on doors tonight *edit: Forgot to give a shout out to Beef the dog for all his help lol!

Red_Beard · Jun 30, 2019

Well, the wife said it was time to mow the lawn so i didn't get quite as far as I'd hoped. Also i ran out of material...

But that's kinda what i was thinking for doors, with the hinges at the top so it opens up rather than out. (The little blocks under are just holding it up for reference) Not set in stone as you can see, the opening hasn't been cut out yet, still torn between that or one single big one. Anybody have either one door or 2 and wish it was different?

Goodair · Jun 30, 2019

if you can get it to look symetrical with your bottom doors, do that, othereise 1 door imo.

Red_Beard · Jul 27, 2019

Update: Finally got time to slap on some paint!Also the 3 way corners were kinda fun to trim. Threw in a close up before paint...The canopy just has killz, not final colors. But the base looks like it will, just needs another coat.

Got the doors done, decided on a single double door so it's kinda like reverse symmetric :)

Red_Beard · Aug 4, 2019

This build is running kinda long, but it's been a busy summer! Just got back from the backcountry, 10600 ft elevation and an 11 mile hike in but the view was worth it and the fishing was amazing!

Red_Beard · Aug 16, 2019

Had some help finish sanding my doors :)

Red_Beard · Aug 20, 2019

Some eye candy for your patience, these are from my 1.5 year old 30g.
The yellow zoas are growing on a clam. I am suprised it is still alive and hasn't been stuck shut.
Please pardon the mess. This tank has been a little neglected this summer.

Red_Beard · Aug 22, 2019

Hurray! A little more touch up and affix painted trim and it’s ready for water! (Also doors, but the paint is still too wet on them for a photo shoot)

AbjectMaelstroM · Sep 2, 2019

Looking at your sump, I think that's the way I'm going to go. What are you planning on using for a skimmer? I want to use a 40B for my sump but the fight is whether to include an area for a filter sock...which would eat into skimmer space, which in turn eats into the fuge space, which then eats into the return space lol.

Did you use silicone (SCS 1200) or marine RTV for the baffles?

Red_Beard · Sep 2, 2019

AbjectMaelstroM said:
Looking at your sump, I think that's the way I'm going to go. What are you planning on using for a skimmer? I want to use a 40B for my sump but the fight is whether to include an area for a filter sock...which would eat into skimmer space, which in turn eats into the fuge space, which then eats into the return space lol.

Did you use silicone (SCS 1200) or marine RTV for the baffles?

:') haha totally know how that goes! I am stuck between the reef octo essence 130 and the 152. Leaning towards the 152...
Imo you'll probably have enough space, at least i feel, for a separate compartment. I did i think the fuge is 12 inches or so? But i am by no means an expert.
I used scs1200 and it rocks! I was going to make the display a 40 breeder and had it all drilled and glued when the wife decided she wanted it in the living room and bigger so 75 it was. Anyways, i already had the external overflow built and wanted to reuse it. With everything scraped off but what was under glass you could still pick the whole tank up with that pane and i could not pull it off. It is TOUGH stuff.

Red_Beard · Sep 2, 2019

Totally sick of painting. Between coats i built a fixture to hold my 2 radions. For the time being it will have a current marine fixture on either side, that's what the tabs are for, but eventually I'd like to swap them out for 2 tubes per side t5's.

Red_Beard · Sep 6, 2019

Epoxy for the table top coming in today! Hopefully i can get it laid tomorrow, then it's just a few weeks to cure and it is going to be wet! Also, a pic of my clam open and feeding.

Red_Beard · Sep 14, 2019

Wooo! It was a hood day to get stuff done! I got my doors hung, cut and painted a back for the cabinet and got it set up in its new home. The wife changed her mind on where i was 'allowed' to put it so it isn't a peninsula tank anymore but i think it turned out pretty good!