Rookums "Shouldn't have bought that" 90g rehab build

Rookums Reef · Jul 17, 2022

I'm always looking for the next project, but I bit off more than I wanted to with this one! Found what I thought was a deal on the MP, asked a bunch of questions etc! Seemed like a steal! Little did I know what work would be involved?! When I showed up after renting a trailer and bringing all the goods needed, I found the tank to be in such poorly maintained shape! Should've walked when the parameters were opposite of what they should've been! Temp and salinity were backwards basically! Well I'm not the brightest bulb in the room and here I am almost 2 months later!

Rookums Reef · Jul 17, 2022

As I broke the tank down I found issue after issue! Grape calurpa, which I don't like, in the display! The amount of cyano and other nasties like bristleworms and apstasia were added treats once I got past the smell! Had a split in a calloused spot on my finger (its a postal thing) and that got infected from the tank!
The sandbed was a snail graveyard of epic proportions! I mean hundreds of them! Then when I removed the sump, I saw a nice char mark from some equipment malfunction! Not to mention, i figured out what he ment when talking about the drain! Did I stop, heck no! I kept loading it all up like it was gonna be just a quick couple days and I could have it up and running again! Boy was I wrong!

Rookums Reef · Jul 17, 2022

After a week of some meds, my finger was on the mend and I assessed the damage! I know I scratched up the tank pretty good when scraping off the coraline. I did remove the faux marble contact paper that was covering the stand. Some water damage to the stand but this is a well built one so I thought I'd see what could be done!

Rookums Reef · Jul 17, 2022

Grabbed these 3 Amigos and went to work! Sanded out all the charred wood and worked in several layers of bondo. Removed all the old hardware and taped off! Originally I was going to keep it the same colors but the Flex seal did so well underneath I decided to do the top as well!

Rookums Reef · Jul 17, 2022

Had some of this blue from my botched epoxy floor on my first build and it's worked out well! New stainless steel hardware and it's a wrap!

Rookums Reef · Jul 17, 2022

I've never done any of this kind of stuff before! Thanks to all the people who answered my questions on R2R! I wet sanded with 800,1000,1500,2000 and 3000! Then used the novus. Was a gut wrenching couple of hours drilling the 2 big holes! One more in the left rear to match and we're going somewhere now!! I do notice, last pic, the blue is separating from the back acrylic! I'm hoping this isn't an issue an I'm sure I could rectify it if so!

Dhaleillama · Jul 17, 2022

lol a glutton for punishment that's for sure, but I don't blame you, if the price is right, it is usually worth it in the end

Rookums Reef · Aug 5, 2022

Making some progress, slowly. I got a bulkhead, reducer and cap from my LFS. Couldn't get it to seal the center drain! Split the first bulkhead on the seem when hammering the fittings in like a goofball! Did my own thing, bulkhead w/ proper 1.5" plug! That didn't compromise the bulkhead! Not sure what I got but yeah, no.
Had to use a socket saver to get the gate valve usable again, worked out nicely! Ditched the unions for now, if there's any issues I'm ripping it all out so why burn 2 unions etc. Hopefully I've learned how to glue properly!!
Learning a lot, I've never delt with anything "custom!" LOL. Sand is on the way and Hopefully it'll be up this week!

Rookums Reef · Aug 7, 2022

Halfway through a 48 hour leak test!

Rookums Reef · Oct 17, 2022

Been up almost 2 months, looking good so far!

Rookums Reef · Nov 2, 2022

I think we're on the mend! Never saw the apstasia when I brought this home! Thought I was saving it! Lol! Nope, turns out iodine and coral rx don't get them critters at the base, that i wasnt lookingfor!! Pulled a worm of some sort out of the side of it, stretched it off its goofy base rock and here we are!

Rookums Reef · Apr 18, 2023

Been a few months, a lots been happening! Got that aptasia all but eradicated, been 3 months since I've seen any so we'll see! All the coral I've put in has been doing great! Miyagi tort, forest fire digi and electric lemonade have all grown. Just added an orange fungia and some favia! I've been slowly thinning out the leathers, plucking them off the rocks nice and easy.
Royal gramma and Yellow watchman are all doing great. Wish the clowns would explore the rest of the 90% of the tank but that's the game I guess.
I've experienced explosive coraline growth! Nothing like my other tank! It's a blessing and a curse I'm happy to have! Lots more cleaning than i was expecting at this point but..
Top of tank is starting to bow upwards, age and moisture I'm assuming? Fingers crossed!