The Fiji Cube 108g EXT process has officially begun

[rsmereef]

Fiji Cube 108g EXT tank only will be delivered some time in Feb. In the meantime, the creative, planning, and building stages are underway. I am building the “stand” to be 91.5 inches long to accommodate a future 2 x 2 frag tank. Behind the stand top is a cutout where a sliding farm style door will go that has yet to be installed (much to the chagrin of my wife). Centered under the 108 gallon side will be two storage cabinets with the same style sliding barn door rail.

The frame is built and in 4 pieces currently which will be assembled in place.

The top is cutout and got its first treatment of black epoxy flood coat yesterday. There are some cool curing effects that I really like but I hate the way the edges turned out so I am going to wet sand and do a second coat. This was my first time doing a flood coat. Pretty easy process when all preparation is considered.

i should really start keeping track of how many trips to the big blue hardware store I make for this project. Lord knows it will instantly double when the plumbing portion starts.

Will continue to update as I make progress. Happy Reefing everyone!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Can't wait to see the progress of your build!!!!

 

[rsmereef]

Epoxy top take two. Not-pro tip: If you use epoxy flood coat, pre-coat your edges or bondo and prime first. Also, double your material or support entire length. Once weight causes wood to flex, the epoxy moves as it is trying to cure. Live and learn. It will look cool when it is all done.

 

[REEFRIED!]

Did you receive the tank yet?

 

[rsmereef]

@REEFRIED! It is interesting you ask. Perfect timing. I got shipping notice and instructions last night! Should have a delivery scheduled in the next week or so. To say I have been anxious and not at all patient would be an understatement. Hopefully they will throw in a couple of magnetic frag racks for the delay. . My daughter and I have the process all mapped out (I will keep everyone posted how close this is to reality). We will be moving 4 tanks in one day. Getting rid of a 30, replacing with my 75, replacing my 75 with the new 108, moving a 24 AIO. Oh and we had a birth of seahorse that is a full time job to keep alive.

 

[REEFRIED!]

That is great. I ordered a 108ext in December, was supposed to receive it January 5th. It got damaged in shipping. Then they were out of stock so I had to wait until last week. They are shipping mine out also. Good luck.

 

[rsmereef]

We are getting closer. Tank is in transit and the prep has begun. Assembled the stand (not in its final location), started mixing saltwater, have plumbing parts, a plan and a great attitude. We should have new homes for everything by Sunday. You know, provided the tank has no damage.

 

[rsmereef]

Step one could not have gone smoother. Tank arrived undamaged. Bonus:received a free magnetic frag rack and frag travel container for shipping delays.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

View attachment 3063835
We are getting closer. Tank is in transit and the prep has begun. Assembled the stand (not in its final location), started mixing saltwater, have plumbing parts, a plan and a great attitude. We should have new homes for everything by Sunday. You know, provided the tank has no damage.

Stand looks really nice!!! Can't wait to see the tank on it!

 

[rsmereef]

Stand looks really nice!!! Can't wait to see the tank on it!

That will be the best part of this thread. If it turns out like I hope, it will be really cool.

 

[rsmereef]

Well…it happened. It was a couple of long days. Successfully rid ourselves of an old 30. Made the 75 a fish only and installed the 108. Plumbing issues cause two trips to Lowes but all in all it couldn’t have gone any smoother. Amazed with the new tank. Also found a magnetic frag rack and a travel frag holder inside as free gifts when I opened the crate. Shipping delays = free gifts. Now onto the funniest part…as we removed all livestock and rock from the 75 we just kept going on and on about how uneventful it was. We finished draining the tank and set it on a couple of 2x4’s so my daughter could scrape the old paint off the back glass and repaint. As she was scraping she wondered what she had dropped in the 1/4 inch of water in the bottom of the tank. It turns out it was my Melanarus Wrasse that remained buried through the whole ordeal. He was transferred quickly and is just fine. Inventory skills grade : F

Tank was delivered Friday, moved to the basement Friday night. Glued plumbing on overflow Friday night. The rest was done on Saturday. Sunday was a coral placing day.
Before:

 

[rsmereef]

During….and after

 

[rsmereef]

@mmcouts just liked this post but make no mistake, she was a huge part of this day and was a work horse for 15 hours. She saved the wrasse.

 

[REEFRIED!]

Looking great. That was a lot of work. Did you use different bulkheads for the exterior overflow box? They don’t look like the ones that came with mine

 

[rsmereef]

Looking great. That was a lot of work. Did you use different bulkheads for the exterior overflow box? They don’t look like the ones that came with mine

The bulkheads that Exit the bottom of the external box? Those are the ones that came with it. Everything from there down I bought

 

[rsmereef]

Looking great. That was a lot of work. Did you use different bulkheads for the exterior overflow box? They don’t look like the ones that came with mine

Keep in mind I only ordered the tank. No stand or plumbing.

 

[rsmereef]

More progress. Got the facing on the stand. Barn door style doors will be built tomorrow. Rail hardware delivered next week.

 

[REEFRIED!]

Looks great!!