---> 156 gallon reef <--- (1 Viewer)

[crvz]

Hey folks! This is kind of a recreation of a thread I've got going here (http://thereeftank.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92079), but I wanted to get exposure to all the local folks. If you want all the grumpy details, click the link! But months ago I built a sump for a new tank that I had ordered (that build can be seen http://www.marshreef.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=19038). Well the tank took a couple extra months to show up, but when it finally arrived it came packed with a a surprise. I ordered a custom Oceanic 156 with a euro-brace, but it came as "brick" style, which has no brace (but thicker glass). With the extra glass thickness, I think it weighs about 375 lbs, empty. It wasnt much fun to lift!

And here is another with a close up of the top.

This tank will replace my current 58 gallon tank. I intend to run it without any substrate and with T5 lighting, a bunch of flow, a bunch of fish, and mostly stony corals. Some of the hardware I have in mind (or already have) include a Euro-Reef CS250 skimmer, pair Tunze 6100 stream pumps, MAg 18 return, AquaController 3, MRC kalkreactor and MRC CR-2 calcium reactor. I have a chiller, too, but I'm hoping to eliminate it with fans. I also have quite a bit of live rock (I ordered a bunch from Ocean Homes in November) curing in the garage.

Anyways, I just wanted to start sharing some of the build. Assuming that I succeed in fabricating a stand and hood, it should be running in about 2-3 months. Wood-working takes a little longer than I'd prefer, but it's a good feeling of accomplishment. I'll be sure to drop updates as major milestones are passed!

- Chris

 

[toan]

sweet stuff chris! i can already tell that i will be jealous

 

[troypham]

great tank... i had one just like that with a extra hole in the back for a closeloop . i think u may want to beef up the stand a bit.

 

[crvz]

i think u may want to beef up the stand a bit.

Whole-heartedly agree! I just threw that together so that I could slide the tank out of the truck and not have to put it on the ground or lift it should i need to move it again. I'm probably at the structural limit of that stand, and I know I'm at the limit for the casters that the stand is on.

But I'm actually headed out to continue building the final stand this afternoon. Hopefully things will go smoothly...

 

[crvz]

i can already tell that i will be jealous

Thanks, toan! I've definitely seen enough tanks to be jealous of, and so I finally decided I should do something about it! But one of the biggest things I wanted was more space for larger fish. I think I want to try a pair of blue-throat triggers once it's finally set up. Check you pm...

 

[crvz]

So I made a good day of it yesterday, but we only finished about 90% of the frame for the stand (still have to glue it together). But we fitted it together, and I think it will be plenty strong. Here is a shot of the drawing I did before building it;

And then here again is a shot of the front fitted together. You can see how the 2x6s and 2x4s overlap, which is probably a little more complicated than necessary, but it makes the stand stronger from shearing. It's also 42" tall, which I almost think is about 4" taller than it should be, but this tank will be in the entryway so I'll almost always be standing by it, which makes it right at eye level.

Hope you enjoy the pictures! I still havent even gotten to the wood store to purchase the oak to skin the stand, but that should happen in the next couple weeks.

 

[toan]

cool stuff chris, never really seen a stand look like that, good craftsmanship on fittings

 

[cobraden]

Looks like that stand will be plenty sturdy enough!

I think you will like the tall stand. After getting the suggestion from Mike at ADG I made mine 44" tall and it's very nice to be able to stand in from of the tank and enjoy it without having to bend to see everything. Kind of makes you feel like you are at at public aquarium.

 

[toan]

the only thing i dont like about tall stands is that i have to get on a chair to service it,

but then again im only 5'6"

 

[crvz]

I pretend to be 5'9", with shoes, so I think a step stool (er, ladder) will be in order for sure! The top of the tank will be right at eye level (~67"), so it's pretty much hopeless without a mechanical aid. Maybe I'll just start wearing stilts?

 

[crvz]

Well we glued some stuff last week, but then ran out of clamps... I'm headed back over to glue the other side tomorrow.

Then on Wed or Thur we're headed to Houston Hardwoods to pick up a bunch of oak. After that, it should be just a few more months until it's ready to go!! I'll try to share some more pictures later this week.

 

[wazzel]

I like the tank. I wish I could have gotten mine brisk style. Get a nice 3 step latter that is what I had to do. I am 5-8 and the top of my tank, with out the hood, is taller than me. Having the tank at eye level really makes viewing it enjoyable.

 

[crvz]

Well, we got a little more accomplished yesterday. First, we glued the other side;

The dimensions on this piece here are 61" by 42". The diagonal clamp is used to pull everything square; we did this to get all the diagonal measurements pretty even (all turned out to be within about 1/8th of an inch). After a couple hours of clamping, we pulled off some of them and set it aside. Here is the front and back of the stand, almost ready for final assembly.

We also cut the front-to-back pieces, and we'll get those glued up later this week or early next week.

So nothing too exciting, but it keeps trudging along...

 

[crvz]

I don't know if anyone visits houston hardwood (near 290 and 610), but I would go there exclusively if it were any closer. They have an amazing selection. I picked up plenty of red oak, so now I'll have something to work with while the glue dries.

 

[crvz]

The frame is complete. Next I start cutting the oak to skin it. Here it is fitted before gluing.

And again clamped.

Hopefully I'll get a lot done this week, as I've a few days off before April 16th.

 

[toan]

very nice stuff, looks super sturdy

 

[crvz]

Thanks, toan. It was a little tricky getting everything to line up perfectly, but in the end it all fits to within about 1/32 of an inch. It's also pretty amazing how strong the stand is, but I wouldnt want it any other way.

 

[crvz]

Got a good amount of work done in the last few weeks. Most of the wood is cut, and we're about ready to start assembling the panel doors.

Here is the oak ready to glue to the pine. We're still trying to think through it as best we can, as we're a little afraid of the oak and pine swelling/warping at different rates. I'm open to suggestions! I think we'll end up just gluing it without any hardware (nails, screws), as thats probably the strongest joint, and then sealing it real well.

Front

Side

In the above picture, and the one below, you can see all the wood that has been routed for the groove in the panels. They just need to be cut to length.

Tomorrow I'll work a little on the canopy and probably the doors. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

 

[crvz]

Canopy frame, biscuit jointed together out of 2" wide oak boards. Faux panel doors will be glued to the sides, and the front will be one large panel door that will hinge. The entire top of the canopy (including the front door and T5 lighting) will also hinge from the back to provide access to the tank, as needed.

 

[crvz]

More pictures!

Worked on the panel doors today. Here are a few shots showing how the bits cut out the oak.

And then the sides of the canopy

And all the stand doors.

Next comes cutting the plywood and gluing everything up!