THE TX REEF ROOM

[bobnicaragua]

While waiting for my back to recover so I can complete the final scrub and seal of the floor, I’ve been pondering the best way to remediate the areas of grout where less than stellar mortar work causes the white mortar to be visible. I tried grout stain first, too watery. Sharpies are too dark. I found happy medium: brush-tip acrylic paint markers!

You can get a little grout hand saw with a diamond blade. It would be very little effort to sand down that thinset and then regrout over it. You can probably just use a little scraper or screwdriver.

 

[TX_REEF]

Finished up the walls and ceilings last night. The prep work of taping the light fixtures was time consuming but satisfying. Gonna give the blue paint plenty of time to dry, tape it, and then hit the trim. Probably tape tomorrow.

 

[TX_REEF]

Painted the baseboard trim today. I like this grey, it has a hint of blue that is very on-theme.

 

[TX_REEF]

Tape is up, ready for trim paint some time this week

 

[revhtree]

Very nice!

 

[smitten with ocean life]

i love the colors you chose!

 

[TX_REEF]

Door and trim paint is underway, should be able to move my desks back in this weekend.

 

[bobnicaragua]

Door and trim paint is underway, should be able to move my desks back in this weekend.

You have a real attention to detail. Can’t wait to see the tank!

 

[TX_REEF]

Door and trim paint is underway, should be able to move my desks back in this weekend.

You have a real attention to detail. Can’t wait to see the tank!

Thank you! My OCD does make everything take longer, but the finished product is usually above average as a result

 

[TX_REEF]

Paint is all done! I also bought and installed color-coordinated outlet and switch plates. I am exhausted, I need a rest before I clean up.

 

[TX_REEF]

RENOVATIONS COMPLETE!

Next week, I’ll start on construction for the tank stands. Thanks for following along y’all!

 

[ReeferMo]

Stunning!!!

Had I seen this thread earlier I would’ve convinced you to do a mud job b4 installing the tile. Unless you used a lot of self leveling

Looks amazing

 

[TX_REEF]

Stunning!!!

Had I seen this thread earlier I would’ve convinced you to do a mud job b4 installing the tile. Unless you used a lot of self leveling

Looks amazing

Thank you

The sub-floor was already quite flat and level, thankfully.

 

[TX_REEF]

Lumber for my stacked tank stand has been purchased! I am using 2x6 for the main supports, I’m taking no chances with structural stability.

 

[UncommonSense]

Y

Lumber for my stacked tank stand has been purchased! I am using 4x6 for the main supports, I’m taking no chances with structural stability.

I do know that there has been debate about using 4x lumber for stands; primarily because it is prone to cracking and twisting more than 2x lumber as it dries out!

Depending on the prices of lumber in your region, it might be worth considering kiln dried 4X, as opposed to wet!

 

[TX_REEF]

Y

Lumber for my stacked tank stand has been purchased! I am using 4x6 for the main supports, I’m taking no chances with structural stability.

I do know that there has been debate about using 4x lumber for stands; primarily because it is prone to cracking and twisting more than 2x lumber as it dries out!

Depending on the prices of lumber in your region, it might be worth considering kiln dried 4X, as opposed to wet!

Your response made me realize my typo - I am using 2x6 and 2x4!

 

[UncommonSense]

Your response made me realize my typo - I am using 2x6 and 2x4!

Ah! That makes more sense! I didn’t see any 4x6 on the cart, and assumed it was yet to be loaded!

— I’ll leave that comment as a little nugget of knowledge for those reading through at a later date!

 

[TX_REEF]

Stand construction is officially in progress. I will be constructing a 3-tiered stand with elevation/storage space below to allow the bottom shelf tanks to drain effectively.

I have never used dado-style construction before, but I think it’s going well. Chiseling out the dados after cutting is oddly satisfying.

 

[TX_REEF]

Lighting order has been placed with Kessil. Primary tanks will be:

1. Mixed Reef Centerpiece
   • Tank System: Red Sea Reefer 350G2 (this is my current display tank, I'm moving it from my living room into The Reef Room as a centerpiece)
   • Lighting: 2x Kessil AP9X
   • Flow: 2x MP40, 2x jebao gyre
2. SPS Aquaculture Tank
   • Tank System: 50 gallon zoomed lowboy, drilled and plumbed to central sump
   • Lighting: 1x Kessil AP9X, 1X Kessil A360XE
   • Flow: 1x Hygger gyre, 1x Maxspect gyre
3. LPS Aquaculture Tank
   • Tank System: 50 gallon zoomed lowboy, drilled and plumbed to central sump
   • Lighting: 2X Kessil A360XE
   • Flow: 2x Hygger gyre
4. Soft Coral & Zoanthid Aquaculture Tank
   • Tank System: 50 gallon zoomed lowboy, drilled and plumbed to central sump
   • Lighting: 6x Kessil A80
   • Flow: 2x Hygger gyre

 

[lubeck]

Lighting order has been placed with Kessil. Primary tanks will be:

1. Mixed Reef Centerpiece
   • Tank System: Red Sea Reefer 350G2 (this is my current display tank, I'm moving it from my living room into The Reef Room as a centerpiece)
   • Lighting: 2x Kessil AP9X
   • Flow: 2x MP40, 2x jebao gyre
2. SPS Aquaculture Tank
   • Tank System: 50 gallon zoomed lowboy, drilled and plumbed to central sump
   • Lighting: 1x Kessil AP9X, 1X Kessil A360XE
   • Flow: 1x Hygger gyre, 1x Maxspect gyre
3. LPS Aquaculture Tank
   • Tank System: 50 gallon zoomed lowboy, drilled and plumbed to central sump
   • Lighting: 2X Kessil A360XE
   • Flow: 2x Hygger gyre
4. Soft Coral & Zoanthid Aquaculture Tank
   • Tank System: 50 gallon zoomed lowboy, drilled and plumbed to central sump
   • Lighting: 6x Kessil A80
   • Flow: 2x Hygger gyre

Somehow I didn’t know/forgot you were doing four tanks!! Geesh. Good stuff