"The Thunder dome" Custom 135 Gallon Peninsula Build 60x24x21.5

[ejazzle]

Welcome! Here are some photos of the tank that has been out grown!

So I have decided I would do my first build thread. I am upgrading from a 57 rimless that has been running for about four years. It has been a great tank for me but my corals are outgrowing it at a rapid pace. It is time for bigger and better things.

I have had saltwater/freshwater tanks since about 1995. My first real reef was in 2013. It has been a long term addiction and I am proud of it! I am very excited to share this build with you guys as it will be very special when all said and done.

I really like being able to view the tank from 3 sides and it gives me more room for coral! There was a perfect spot in my house for a peninsula style tank and after months of deliberating I finally settled on the "to me" perfect dimensions.

The Thunder dome is a peninsula style 135 gallon. The dimensions are 60x24x21.5. The tank is all starfire with a eurobraced top and bottom. Going to be drilled for a 16" synergy reef ghost overflow to leave room for more coral!

I wanted to use all the same type of rock which was of course hard for me to find. But I figure it will be worth the time invested to find the rock when all said and done.

First thing first, I want to start off fresh so I am acid washing the rock followed by a soak in bleach.

Time for the acid wash!

 

[Devaji]

nice rock! and even nicer tank! I love peninsula tanks. so I have to stop by on every build...lol
fallowing this in gonna be one very nice tank!

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

add a pic of the old tank too!

 

[ejazzle]

add a pic of the old tank too!

Good call! added. Need to add a FTS shot when I get home.

 

[ejazzle]

nice rock! and even nicer tank! I love peninsula tanks. so I have to stop by on every build...lol
fallowing this in gonna be one very nice tank!

Thank you! lol I'm the same way. I like seeing all the unique aquascapes

 

[Greybeard]

Great looking tank!

Looks like you've got some gorgeous SPS ready to start filling it up.

From the tank size, it's not too far different from my design. Mine is 60" x 30" x 18". A bit shallower, a bit wider. Love the peninsula look.

Here's a shot from that empty glass box stage...

 

[ejazzle]

Great looking tank!

Looks like you've got some gorgeous SPS ready to start filling it up.

From the tank size, it's not too far different from my design. Mine is 60" x 30" x 18". A bit shallower, a bit wider. Love the peninsula look.

Here's a shot from that empty glass box stage...

Thank you sir!

ohhhh I like that a lot. Are you doing a build thread? I really wanted 30 deep but the spot in my house wasn't big enough. Also contemplated going 18 tall for the longest time. Changed my mind just at the end. I may get a 48x24x18 built next.

 

[Devaji]

man you guys are killing me with all your peninsula tanks.
best tank design ever. I set up my 90 cub-ihs as a make shift one until I can set up something like yours...

peninsula's are the best ever glad to see more ppl doing them.

 

[Fishinbob]

So jealous with the peninsula setup!!! Lol keep the pics coming!

 

[Greybeard]

Thank you sir!

ohhhh I like that a lot. Are you doing a build thread? I really wanted 30 deep but the spot in my house wasn't big enough. Also contemplated going 18 tall for the longest time. Changed my mind just at the end. I may get a 48x24x18 built next.

Sure.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/greybeards-wide-shallow-peninsula.303120/

I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with yours

 

[ejazzle]

So after the muriatic there was still some rocks that were slightly green and slimy. I was a little discouraged until I realized it would all spray right off with the hose.

And this is after a quick rinse

After drying out for a few days, into the bleach soak they went.

 

[ejazzle]

Sorry for the lack of updates! They will be more frequent going forward. After doing a bleach soak for about a week, I changed out the water and started another bleach soak.

I then let the rocks air dry for about a week or two and did a few baths/soaks in rodi with prime. At this point I decided it was time to see if @Fishinbob had time to build me a stand. I let him know the dimensions and that I wanted to have no center support. So under the tank is all open access and easy to work in.

He got rolling on the stand and built an absolute monster!
Access all the way around!