C.Rayven
Community Member
Well its finally time - I bought an 80 Gallon SC Aquariums tank for this build.
....But there's a little back story and it wont get there immediately. This tank build was in the works but it was a slow in the works until two weeks ago when my main display, a 225 reef, split a seam and started leaking from the top 2 inches. So, this tank was pushed up. I will be transferring coral and fish from my main tank to this tank and two additional holding tanks while I figure out what to do with the main tank.
Options that I'm struggling with now are
1) Reseal the original tank - There's really nothing wrong with it except the seam maybe one scrach
2) Buy Glass tank
3) Buy Acrylic tank
Reseal is the cheapest option - the quotes on glass and acrylic are pretty comparable to each other. I had an older acrylic tank and HATED it, scratches galore - but I've heard that the newer ones are better? But Acrylic wont (in theory) have a seam issue and do better in earthquakes... but Glass is just so easy... Again torn. Let me know what you think!
Back to this Build:
I had to fit a 32x24 foot print for this little nook in my kitchen. I was told "No tearing out walls" silly boyfriend... so I searched for a while for this size tank. Decided on SC Aquariums because it was a standard size for them. I'm also only a couple hours away from the manufacturing facility so I drove down an picked it up. Met the owner there and loaded it in my car in 10mins. Perfect transaction. The tank came with the sump and skimmer so I will be using their standard ones.
Work so far:
Installed GFI Outlets - moved one one up higher off the floor and installed one in what will be the canopy for the lights. There is not enough room to run cords behind the tank, we are that tight in the space.
Stand built, painted with Kliz and leveled. Very lucky to have cabinet makers in the family, Still needs the skin put on but the base is ready to go! Canpoy is going to be measured for soon.
The tank sits in the spot perfectly, I decided to black out the left hand panel as it was against the wall and would be impossible to clean if it got streaks or water drops. I used krylon fusion mate black paint. The good thing is that I will be able to just razor it off if I ever sell or move the tank.
Chiller was already acquired as this is a must have in CA for seahorses. It is going to sit under our island/bar thing so I am going to drill a hole though the wall hopefully tomorrow to plumb it.
Lighting is going to be an AI Vega that I inherited with a tank that I was asked to "adopt". I may add T5 as supplemental lighting, I'll have to see how the spread looks.
Parts coming:
Plumbing parts were ordered from BRS - Hoping to make this look nice underneath my other tank is a mandatory doors closed situation...
ATO for AA - super narrow at 4 inches wide! Which is all the space I had after the sump goes in.
More coming soon!
....But there's a little back story and it wont get there immediately. This tank build was in the works but it was a slow in the works until two weeks ago when my main display, a 225 reef, split a seam and started leaking from the top 2 inches. So, this tank was pushed up. I will be transferring coral and fish from my main tank to this tank and two additional holding tanks while I figure out what to do with the main tank.
Options that I'm struggling with now are
1) Reseal the original tank - There's really nothing wrong with it except the seam maybe one scrach
2) Buy Glass tank
3) Buy Acrylic tank
Reseal is the cheapest option - the quotes on glass and acrylic are pretty comparable to each other. I had an older acrylic tank and HATED it, scratches galore - but I've heard that the newer ones are better? But Acrylic wont (in theory) have a seam issue and do better in earthquakes... but Glass is just so easy... Again torn. Let me know what you think!
Back to this Build:
I had to fit a 32x24 foot print for this little nook in my kitchen. I was told "No tearing out walls" silly boyfriend... so I searched for a while for this size tank. Decided on SC Aquariums because it was a standard size for them. I'm also only a couple hours away from the manufacturing facility so I drove down an picked it up. Met the owner there and loaded it in my car in 10mins. Perfect transaction. The tank came with the sump and skimmer so I will be using their standard ones.
Work so far:
Installed GFI Outlets - moved one one up higher off the floor and installed one in what will be the canopy for the lights. There is not enough room to run cords behind the tank, we are that tight in the space.
Stand built, painted with Kliz and leveled. Very lucky to have cabinet makers in the family, Still needs the skin put on but the base is ready to go! Canpoy is going to be measured for soon.
The tank sits in the spot perfectly, I decided to black out the left hand panel as it was against the wall and would be impossible to clean if it got streaks or water drops. I used krylon fusion mate black paint. The good thing is that I will be able to just razor it off if I ever sell or move the tank.
Chiller was already acquired as this is a must have in CA for seahorses. It is going to sit under our island/bar thing so I am going to drill a hole though the wall hopefully tomorrow to plumb it.
Lighting is going to be an AI Vega that I inherited with a tank that I was asked to "adopt". I may add T5 as supplemental lighting, I'll have to see how the spread looks.
Parts coming:
Plumbing parts were ordered from BRS - Hoping to make this look nice underneath my other tank is a mandatory doors closed situation...
ATO for AA - super narrow at 4 inches wide! Which is all the space I had after the sump goes in.
More coming soon!
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