"The 93 gallon glass box"/"Dan's aqua obsession"

[dan_k]

Please disregard the title it's a wife thing
So I figure it's time to start this.
On my hunt to find a big tank I stopped by my LFS to get some pricing as I was walking around I saw a 93 gallon cube that was just way to nice to pass up so I walked right out with the cube so here it goes
Let's build a stand
Here everything was cut then sent though some sanding on my home made drum sander

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The cube measurements are 30"x30" but from some research there really isn't to many options for a sump so my plan was to go 36"x36" so I could fit and 40breeder under the tank which would give me plenty of room in the sump.
Next after the stand was built I was unhappy with the way you could see all the 2x4 inside and out so I lined everything with 1/4" birch came out great

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And all covered

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So now that everything is covered I decided that seal everything up with some silicone

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[dan_k]

Here's another pic of my fine silicone job

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Now that that's done and dry I figure everything should he sealed I did some research I found out this stuff works great lets give it a try

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I think is came out great and it's not the normal white killz and it's going to match my stain so it's a win win here's a pic of that all painted I had to do this around 9:00 Saturday night so I might have a run or 2 but you will never see it

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And another

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[jgraz]

Looks like a good start Dan. Are you making the sides removable? I ask cause once skinned permanent how will you get the breeder in there? I understand the obsession part, mine is close to getting me the 200 just so I'll stop talking about it.

 

[dan_k]

Stand done and painted next let's make some door I wanted to access the front and both sides I always said to my self man if I could just get over in that corner and now I can here's a couple doors

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Not a bad job on my 45 but it could be better

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And 1 more

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[kschweer]

Great work dan! Can't wait to see it all come together. I really like that homemade drum sander too.

 

[dan_k]

Ok so stand is almost done I have trim work and some staining to do so what to do what to do I have 2 AI Vegas coming my way so I guess I can make a light rail but since I just can't make Anything easy I decided so make it a little different and I think it came out great
I had some square 1 tube laying around and a really nice mig welder so let's do this all pics coming

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Let's weld it up

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Level as it can be

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Now that's a sexy weld

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[dan_k]

Ok now that the base is done lets get a little creative
I wanted to see how some star fish would look what do you guys think

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And some more I put these little guys all over this rail they will be painted all different colors it should look great

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Now the piece that will be right over the top of the tank I added a little personal touch hahaha my wife thinks I'm full of myself

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Next because I wanted it to look like it's be sitting under the ocean for a while I used a torch and just kissed the sides of each letter to give it this look

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[dan_k]

Ok that's done still not happy I wanted to add a little more to give it that custom look I cut out some coral and made it look like it's sitting behind my name I think it looks great 3 little coral colonies what you guys think

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Now it's coming together well I can't stop there need some fish right?

 

[dan_k]

Let's try to make some fish here are the 2 I wanted to to try
First one

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[dan_k]

Time to cut some sheet metal

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Next some grinding

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I'm some what happy with that but the next guy I was really happy with

 

[dan_k]

Here's what I wanted

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Let's cut some more sheet metal

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And here's how it turned out it looks great

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[dan_k]

Well here's the end result of my light rail it still need to be painted or powder coated not sure yet but will see I really like how it came out I have the copper banded pointed into the coral like it's looking for pods I can't wait to see it painted

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Well that it for now guys I will keep this updated

 

[mnat]

With that kind of work outside the tank, I can't wait to see what you do inside the tank. Great start.

 

[Xavier613]

Very very awesome work Dan, quite the artistic touch!

 

[jgraz]

Impressive. Dan's got some talent. You realize doing this is only going to make people ask for stuff. I'm thinking about my orders right now lol

 

[dnov99]

Wow!! Incredible!! Congrats Dan!

 

[redfishbluefish]

Unbelievable! I love the DIY stuff and this metalwork is fantastic. Forget about the tank, I'm looking forward to the stand and metalwork being finished up.


Great job.

 

[Empire]

wow great work dan! props on the metal work. i wish i could do that.

 

[asonitez]

Dan. A Few things sir.

1. So MANY TIRES!
2. Your a Welder? AWESOME.. Wish I knew that... a Metal stand for my tank would have been awesome.
3. Awesome artistry with the fishies and decoration
4. I think you should be comissioned by NJRC to help make the awards for giveaway at the Christmas Party for contributors and Tanks of the year and all that stuff.


Can't wait to see the new tank!

 

[Sobo's Reef]

"Its a wife thing" lol you're funny