Bigyankfan's 225 Dream Reef Build

[bigyankfan]

My name is Eric and I live in Holmdel. Here is my current setup - an SCA 50 that has been up and running since 2017. I had a 120 that ran for many years until I shut it down after Sandy wiped out the entire tank, We moved to a house this January and now that I have the room, I'm doing my dream tank. Here are pics of my current tank, which I will be selling once the 225 is up and running:




And here is our den, where it will go:



The outlet is a dedicated 20 amp line that I just had put in this week. More posts to follow.

 

[bigyankfan]

Working on the stand now:



Took off the doors and cleaned the inside then I sealed the bottom seams with caulk.



Sprayed the bottom with white Flexseal so that if I have any leaks, it will be contained in the bottom of the stand and won't leak on the floor.

 

[bigyankfan]

And here is the tank - it needs a bit or TLC.

 

[amado]

A little vinegar and it will be brand new

 

[bigyankfan]

I have the powdered citric acid that I use because it doesn't have that bad smell. I also ordered the marine background from Universal Rocks so that will cover up the mess on the back wall and overflow.

 

[Mark_C]

Gratz and nice stand build.

 

[kabal2]

great start and I have the feeling this is going to be good, Btw what are the dimensions of the 225
Thanks

 

[bigyankfan]

It is 72" x 27" x 27" - I bought if from a guy from Lodi on Manhattan Reefs and thx. My 120 I built a stand and canopy for it but this time I'm just going to fix up the existing stand because I'm eager to get it up and running - here is the thread from last build.

 

[bigyankfan]

The stand is finished inside - I've sanded and fixed the gouges on the exterior and I've removed all of the top and bottom trim. I am going to refinish the exterior - pics to come.

 

[bigyankfan]

Finished the cabinet, I used this and it looks like wood. The cabinet is done, just need to do the doors and trim pieces.

this

 

[bigyankfan]

It turns out that I need a little more or this contact paper, so I had to order another roll. I won't use a good portion of the second roll, so if anyone wants to reskin their stand let me know and you can have the remainder.

 

[bigyankfan]

The tank is cleaned, I resealed the front seams and I spray painted the left side panel which will be up against a window.



I built a sub-base for the tank from 2 x 4's so that I could put levelling feet underneath the stand - the floor is my den has a 0.15 degree slope so I want the tank to be perfectly level. There are 16 feet that I bought from Rockler so each foot will carry 1/16th of the total load of approximately 3500 lbs. or about 220 lbs. per foot which is well under their 400 lb. rating

 

[bigyankfan]

Installed the lights in the stand, put in the two EB-8's and added a piece of MDF that will be sprayed white and will be my controller board - I can't believe they charge over $100 for one.

 

[kabal2]

any updates?

 

[bigyankfan]

Here is the update - my 91 year old Mom got very sick right after New Year's, was hospitalized and then passed away in the beginning of February. I started working on the tank again on Valentine's Day and proceeded to gash my knuckle with a utility knife so deep that it took 6 stitches to close. That being said, the knuckle is healed enough so that I can start back up - new pics will be posted soon and thx for asking.

 

[kabal2]

dude I am so sorry about your mom, and your finger that looks painful, hopefully you will be able to get the tank up and up to shape again

 

[nightmarepl]

Here is the update - my 91 year old Mom got very sick right after New Year's, was hospitalized and then passed away in the beginning of February. I started working on the tank again on Valentine's Day and proceeded to gash my knuckle with a utility knife so deep that it took 6 stitches to close. That being said, the knuckle is healed enough so that I can start back up - new pics will be posted soon and thx for asking.

thats a nice cut im sure it felt amazing haha good to see your back at it i love the stand man wish you did a video legit looking stand i also noticed you added leveling legs sweet!
unfortunate to hear about your mother hope all is well in the family.

 

[bigyankfan]

Thx for your kind thoughts. As for the stand, it was a crappy black plywood stand that I covered in this stuff in brown.

 

[diana a]

Very sorry about your mom. I will say a prayer for her on Sunday at St Catherine's

 

[bigyankfan]

Very sorry about your mom. I will say a prayer for her on Sunday at St Catherine's

That's very kind of you.